The Eponymous Challenge Completed

I’ve completed another challenge. Hosted by Coversgirl, The Eponymous Challenge was another one that fit in well with books I was already reading for other challenges.

For this one, we had to read 4 books whose titles were the name of one or more of the characters, or a description of one or more of the characters

I read these 4 books:

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl was originally on my list as a re-read for the Heart of a Child Challenge. It was wonderful to read this book all on one rainy Sunday. A perfect way to relive the thoroughly enjoyable experience of this book.
2. Smonk by Tom Franklin was a disappointment after his so very excellent Hell at the Breech. I still love his writing and will read his short story collection.
3. City Boy by Herman Wouk was just a charming tale of growing up with a bit of humor tossed in with the heartwarming stuff and nostalgia.
4. The Sisterhood by Michael Palmer was an excellent first novel and an introduction to an author whose books I’ve added to my TBR list

The only one I didn’t like was Smonk. The other three were from 3 very distinct genres and I enjoyed them all.

Another challenge moved to the completed column for me. If you’re interested, the challenge doesn’t end until May 31, 2008. There’s plenty of time. I’d be willing to guess that you could still join in the fun.

Royalty Rules Challenge Completed

I’ve completed my first challenge for 2008. Hosted by The Magic of Ink, The Royalty Rules Reading Challenge was an easy one for me to add since all the books I chose were already on other challenge lists.
The rules for this one were to read 2, 3, or 4 books of any genre that were about a royal personage (whether or not that person was the main character).

I read these 3 books:

Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie was a chunkster of a biography about a man who changed the course of his country’s history. It was a fascinating biography of a fascinating man.
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander was a fictionalized account of the final days of the last Tsar of Russia and his family. The speculative twist at the end was a surprise.
The Diamond by Julie Baumgold was a fictionalized story of a famous diamond that touched the lives of much of the royalty of France in the 17th and 18th centuries.

My favorites were The Kitchen Boy and Peter the Great.

I’ve got a couple of other challenges that I’ll be wrapping up in the next few weeks. This is a good thing, because there are some upcoming ones that I’ve got my eye on and I’m already making tentative lists.