Okay so we all know that I have a tendency to go overboard when it comes to books. Whether it’s my library loot, buying binges, or signing up for reading challenges, it always seems to be all or nothing. My current reading pool for the read-a-thon encompasses almost every genre and ranges from a mere 32 pages for many of my picture books to almost 500 pages for Margo Lanagan’s Tender Morsels. Maybe instead of thinking of this stack as just my read-a-thon picks, we should also think of it as my October/November even possibly December reads.
Plays I started reading plays during last year’s read-a-thon. I found so many wonderful playwrights that I’ve started slowly reading as many as I can especially Pulitzer prize-winning plays. Plays are usually no more than a hundred pages long and contain memorable characters and great settings. For the upcoming read-a-thon, here are a few plays I plan on reading that won the Pulitzer for Drama.
I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright. 2004 Pulitzer.
Wit by Margaret Edson. 1999 Pulitzer.
Angels in America by Tony Kushner. 1993 Pulitzer
not shown: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts.
Short Stories The great thing about reading short stories during the read-a-thon is that you can dip in and out of collections and still feel as though you’re accomplishing something.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie.
Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories by Sandra Cisneros. I read this collection years ago and I think it’s really time for a re-read.
Dedicate Edible Birds by Lauren Groff.
Graphic Novels
Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry.
Amulet 2: The Stonkeeper’s Curse by Kazu Kabuishi.
Maus by Art Spiegelman
Not shown: The Professor’s Daughter by Joann Sfar and Emmanuel Guibert
Fantasy
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Tigerheart by Peter David
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Other Notables
Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
A Fine and Private Place by Peter S. Beagle
A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliot
Books not shown:
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
B.P.R.D. series by Mike Mignola
Sprout by Dale Peck
Uglies by Scott Westerfield
The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
Little Brother by Cory Doctrow
You see how crazy I went? This is why I’m calling this pile my October-November-and-possibly-December pile. I have a ton of books on hold at the library that will be coming in sometime next week. I can’t wait for the read-a-thon to start but I’m not going to wait to start reading some of these great books.
Have you read any of these graet books? Which ones do you think I should save for the read-a-thon? Are there any that you think I should move to the top of the pile? Have you thought about what books you’re going to read for the big event?
1330v: Thoughts of an eclectic reader 
I have Britten and Brulightly and The Professor’s Daughter in my readathon pile, too! The City of Ember is a great book, as well as Uglies, and while I loved Tender Morsels, to me it was a very slow, luxurious book. I’m a fast reader, but it took me 3 weeks to get through. I enjoyed taking it slow.
Interesting side note: I live real close to the real Woman Hollering Creek.
Lots of books! I’m going to buy Peter & Max and I have Juliet, Naked on hold at the library.
I am all for The Strain, Maus, Uglies, and Angels in America. 🙂
I’d love to read Britten and Brulightly and Woman Hollering Creek (and Juliet, Naked) too. But I promised myself to just pick titles from my current tbr pile. But that is a host of wonderful books you have there. A Wish after Midnight is an easy, enjoyable read and perfect for the readathon. 🙂
Very ambitious stack! Maus is a great choice for the readathon, as I think are graphic novels in general. It looks like you need something wild and eye-opening though for a 3 a.m. slump! Did you read Beat the Reaper yet? It’s a book I would not have read had I not gotten a review copy, and yet I remember staying up to finish it in one day, all the while at the edge of my seat!
I really want to read Britten and Brulightly – wish my library had it. You know how I feel about Tigerheart. Is the copy you have the mass market paperback? If it is, my blurb is in there. 🙂
I also can’t wait to read the new Hornby. Uglies and Little Brother were both entertaining. Good list!
I loved The Last Unicorn. ^^ I’m kind of curious as to what Tigerheart is about. It looks exciting.
That is such a fantastic pile!! I started The Strain on audiobook and am really enjoying it so far. I have Juliet, Naked out from the library right now and was considering it for the readathon…don’t know yet. And I didn’t know that Peter and Max was going to be out in time for the readathon!!! Must see if my library will have it!! And oh!! You have A Fine and Private Place on your pile!! It’s so good! One of my favs of the year 😀
This is a great list. I loved the movie The Last Unicorn when I was younger. I didn’t realize it was based on a book. Very cool. I hadn’t even thought about reading short stories. I might have to add some to my reading list too!
Nice mix! I have Amulet — I should add it my huge list.
“Wit” is SO amazing! It’d be perfect for the read-a-thon too! A Wish After Midnight is a good choice too! I loved A Fine and Private Place, but it might benefit from a slower read. 🙂
Wow, what a large list. I wouldn’t have enough time to read all of those in 24 hours. LOL I’m a slow reader. Good luck.
What a great pile of books, and plays, a wonderful idea for the read-a-thon. I’ve read Britten and Brulightly, Maus, Sherman Alexie, Peter S. Beagle and Margo Lanagan. I think they are all brilliant.
I will be picking up additions to my pile at the library today and will write about them tomorrow. I am looking forward to this fun event!
Maus! Tigerheart! A Fine and Private Place! Excellent choices. I want to get my hands on Juliet, Naked and Peter & Max too. Badly 😛
Amanda: Maybe I should wait on Tender Morsels then. I’ll probably try to read it before or after the read-a-thon. I’m glad we have some of the same books in our pile.
Kailana: Yay! Many of the book sin my pile are there because of you, Nymeth, and Chris. Bad bloggers! =)
Claire: I was feeling guilty because though most of these books are on my TBR list, many of them are not from my own bookshelves.
Rhapsodyinbooks: Thanks! I read Beat the Reaper. It’s such a great book, not something I would have picked up without reading great reviews. It’s the perfect read-a-thon book.
Carrie: My copy of Tigerheart is the hardcover copy. My library doesn’t have Britten and Brulightly either. I had to buy it though most of the books in my pile come from the library.
Uninvoked: Tigerheart is a retelling of Peter Pan. Are you joining the read-a-thon? We’ll love to have you.
Chris: Thanks! We have some of the same books but mostly because I went through your blog looking for great reads! Can’t wait to read A Fine and Private Place.
Sharla: Thank you! Add some short stories. It helps when you want to read something lighter in pages.Please let me know which collections you add to your pile.
Beth F.: Kazu Kibuishi has written the start of a great series. Add Amulet 1 and 2 to your list. They’re great but fast reads. Each book only take about an hour to finish.
Eva: Isn’t Wit amazing! Maybe I’ll read A Fine and Private Place before the readathon then.
Serena: I’ll doubt I’ll read even half of my pile but I don’t mind trying. 😉
Gavin: I’m glad you think so many of the books are brilliant. It makes me more excited to read them. I can’t wait to see what you picked up from the library tomorrow.
You know, I’d never considered plays for the read-a-thon! What a great idea.
I’ve read MAUS, THE LAST UNICORN and UGLIES from your pile. I think they’re all ideal read-a-thon choices.
GREAT pile! I have Britten and Brulightly, too. Oh, and Delicate Edible Birds was my fave story collection last year. It’s just breathtaking. If you ever want to add Proof to your list of plays (if you haven’t already), it’s by David Auburn and it’s AWESOME!!!! One of my all-time faves and a Pulitzer winner to boot!
Ooooh! I’ve read “The Last Unicorn” from your pile and loved it to bits and pieces! It went straight onto my “Favourite books EVER!” pile.
“Maus” is also on my Read-a-Thon pile, but I’ve no idea if I’ll get to it. The others, sadly, I only know from other people’s blogs. It sounds like a great mix, though! And like Memory I think the idea of plays is a great one! (Pity they take me thrice as long to read, so it kind of beats the point if I were to try it. ^-~) They do look interesting, though. *all over the place* Read-a-Thon! Read-a-Thon! Read-a-Thon!
Holy smokes that’s a whole lotta reading! Honestly I’m going to be lucky to finish just one or two. I’m a terribly slow reader to start and I imagine I’m not going to be able to stay awake all 24 hours so the chances are even further diminished.
Good luck!
Absolutely with you on the plays, I have the Figarro trilogy saved for read-a-thon. Did you see the tv version of Angels in America? Really amazing.
Memory: I’m glad you think so. Plays always help time pass faster.
Andi: Isn’t Proof a great play?!? OMG! I loved it. I read it for the last read-a-thon. There are just some great plays that have won the Pulitzer.Have you read Wit, Steel Magnolias, or Driving Miss Daisy? All three have won the Pulitzer and are great!
Shanra: I’m glad you agree that The Last Unicorn is a great book. I can’t wait to read it.I’ll be cheering you during the read-a-thon.
Michelle: Thanks! I’m going to try my best but I’m also cheerleading so we’ll see.
Jodie: No! I haven’t seen the tv version yet. Do you think I should watch it before I read the play?
Wow, you’ll have a great selection to chose from! I want to read The Strain and Juliet Naked, too! But all these look good, and I see a few I’m curious about. Have fun! 😀
I’m reading The House on Mango Street this year…looking forward to reading Cisneros!