Something About Me and Southern Reading Challenges

The point of this challenge is to pick 5 books that tell "Something About Me". I struggled with this for awhile, until today I finally decided that I was making this much harder than it is supposed to be. Nothing has to be perfect. Just pick a few books that could possibly give an idea about who I am. The neat thing about this challenge, is that once we make our lists, we don't actually have to READ those books! We can choose our reading list from everyone ELSE's About Me list! The challenge doesn't actually start until August 1st, so there is still plenty of time to join up......and if you are like me, to finish a couple of other challenges first!!

These are the 5 that I came up with:

• Lincoln by David Herbert Donald - This is a non-fiction bio on Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in Illinois, a stone's throw from Springfield, I've been to every "Lincoln Site" about 10 times. From the Old State Capitol Building to Lincoln Law Offices, from Lincoln's tomb to New Salem State Park, I've seen them all! And I do live in the "Land of Lincoln!" This looked like a good book to throw into the "Stephanie" mix.


• Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin - Although no one that I know from my life here in Peoria nor my college life would believe it, I actually GREW UP on a farm! I read this when I was a kid and although she's a little more wholesome (ok, ok.....a LOT more wholesome), I think I did get some of her spunk!


• Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter - This is the story about a girl in high school (for me it was college) that is a nonconformist and who values individuality. She dresses "Goth", wears all black. Then one day her smart mouth gets her in trouble at school. (Hmmm...now THIS sounds like me!) She wakes up to find that whole world has gone Goth and she is no longer different....but POPULAR! I've been known to wear a LOT of black, even the black lipstick and nail polish. I always liked being different. Guess this one is really me!


• I am Legend by Richard Matheson - HUGE vampire fan here. Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted to be Buffy (not the dumb movie version, but the totally Ass-kicking TV one!) And this is one of the Classics of the genre. "Robert Neville is the last living man on earth ... but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood. By day he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn."


• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - My very favorite book. I read this in high school and fell in love with it. Enough said. Can't have a list without this one.

While I'm at it, I thought I would go ahead and list the 3 books (that I may or may not be able to read) that I choose for the Southern Reading Challenge sponsored by Maggie at Maggie Reads. Maggie has a great site and is posting tons of great information about Southern Writers and books. See....I'm actually LEARNING something with this challenge!! It's a summer challenge: June, July and August. 3 Books by Southern Writer's Dealing with the South. Sounds easy? It was tougher than I thought it would be to find the books I want to read!

Without further adieu, here are my 3 picks for the Southern Reading Challenge:

• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (I do realize I'm probably the only person in the free world who HASN'T read this book!)
• No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy - No...it's not The Road, but I've heard it's just as good!
• The Moviegoer by Walter Percy - Actually, my friend Kendra recommended this to me about a year ago, and I never did read it. Figured now was my chance!!

Any other suggestions? Comments?? Let me know!

Later!