2008 Southern Reading Challenge Wrap-Up

I want to thank Maggie for hosting the 2008 Southern Reading Challenge. I really enjoyed the three books I chose and will continue to look for books by Southern authors.

I began with The Blue Star by Tony Earley. It is the sequel to Jim the Boy – the story of a young boy growing up in the 30s/40s with his Mother and Uncles. Just a lovely book.

Next up was Garden Spells, the magical story of learning to forgive and trust again. I’ll be reading Sarah Addison Allen’s next book The Sugar Queen very soon.

I finished the Challenge with Carl Hiaasen’s The Downhill Lie. This is the first Hiaasen book I’ve read. He’s a very funny man. I need to read some of his fiction.

Thanks to all of the Challenge participants I now have a very long TBR list. Maggie, I’ll be watching for the 2009 Challenge!

The Downhill Lie by Carl Hiaasen

From the book flap: Ever wonder how to retrieve a sunken golf cart from a snake-infested lake? Or which club in your bag is best suited for combat against a horde of rats? If these and other sporting questions are gnawing at you, The Downhill Lie, Carl Hiaasen’s hilarious confessional about returning to the fairways after a thirty-two-year absence, is definitely the book for you.

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My daughter gave this book to my husband for Father’s Day. After he read it, I decided to read it for the Southern Reading Challenge. The book fits the challenge in the strictest terms: written by a Southerner and takes place in the South. I haven’t read any of Hiaasen’s fiction but I’ve seen his books in stores and mentioned in blogs. He had me laughing throughout the book. That said, I’m not a golfer by any definition. (Sorry Mom and Dad, those summers spent taking lessons at the club just didn’t take). For as much as Hiaasen claims to not like golf, he sure waxed poetic more than a few times. The game just doesn’t do it for me (make me want to wax poetic, that is). My husband enjoyed the book – but he also enjoys hacking his way (his words) around 18 at least once a week. If you enjoy the game, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If you don’t enjoy the game, but play, you’ll probably enjoy this book!

Southern Reading Challenge

I’ve signed on to the Southern Reading Challenge 2008.

The challenge is to read 3 books ~ Southern setting ~ Southern authors. I’m considering:

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

The Blue Star by Tony Earley

I may come up with a few more choices. The challenge begins May 15th and ends August 15th. It is hosted by Maggie. Click here to check it out and join in the fun!