Although my blog is still rather new, I'm to go ahead and commit myself to a reading challenge. Renay is so graciously and impressively hosting 342,745 Ways to Herd Cats. It's official start is tomorrow, and I'm terribly anal about things like this, so I absolutely had to get my lists ready tonight!

First, we're supposed to make a recommendation list of 10 of our favoritest books. Here's mine, in alphabetical order:

• Apathy and Other Small Victories by Paul Neilan
  If you have ever worked in a cubicle, and if you like quirky, dark humor, then this book should be on the top of your must-read list. It is the funniest book I have ever read, and it's on my keeper shelf.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
  This book was popular a few years ago. I read it in 2005 and found it a fascinating, yet fictional, account of a young boy with autism.
• The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
  In case you're feeling a little disappointed by mankind and its tendency to be mean, thoughtless, and even downright evil, find yourself a copy of this book and read it to restore your faith in goodness.
• Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
  Light in spirit (and calories!), this novel is a quick, fun read with some truly delightful characters.
• Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
  What?! You're an avid reader and you haven't read this yet? Shame...
• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  It hasn't sold, like, a billion copies for nothing. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, this stuff really works!
• Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
  A beautiful and colorful selection of short stories, written in a way that makes your senses feel as if they're part of the narrative
• Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell
  If you're interested at all in the lives of composers, this is one you shouldn't miss.
• Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy & Anguish by Mark Levin
  Get some tissues (or maybe even a towel), read this book, and then go hug your pet.
• The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
  One of the best historical novels I've ever read. Great characters, strong storyline.

And now we're supposed to pick at least 3 books from other people's lists, to be read between May 1st and November 30th. I'm going to be adventurous and choose 5:

• Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster [recommended by Katherine]
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak [recommended by 3M] (finished 5/29/08)
• Atonement by Ian McEwan [recommended by Melody]
• March by Geraldine Brooks [recommended by Dewey]
• To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis [recommended by Melissa]

Check out the awesome master list and, if you're like me, add about a dozen books to your wish list! Oh, and don't dare forget to join the challenge.

Labels: Challenges, Lists