I'm Joining Booking Mama's Shelf Discovery Challenge!

I'm thrilled that Booking Mama has started the Shelf Discovery Challenge! I love this book, which sprang from Lizzie Skurnick's wildly popular Fine Lines column on Jezebel dedicated to the classic YA lit we loved from our teens. I am more than happy to accept this challenge!

Lizzie's book is dedicated not only to teen classics, but also to the art of re-reading the books we loved growing up, so in order to really examine re-reading vs. reading for the first time, I'm going to make my six books a mix of rereads and books that I've never read but really know I should have (after all, I did get so many of you to read Betsy-Tacy, it's the least I can do to open myself up to some new (old) books!)

The rereads are pretty easy for me to pick:
Madeline L'Engle's Ring of Endless Light -- I've blogged about this one before, and can't wait to pick up my so-tattered-the-cover-is-barely-staying-on-it copy again (ok, I can't find that particular edition, hmmm, but do have a hardcover copy I bought at a used bookstore some time back)

Sidney Taylor's All-of-A-Kind-Family -- loved, loved this series about a large family of sisters growing up at the turn of the century on Manhattan's lower east side and I haven't reread it in a looong time

Beverly Cleary's Sister of the Bride -- I don't think there's another author, besides Maud Hart Lovelace, who so perfectly wrote about both little girls growing up (RAMONA!) and teens, and this book is a classic I've read a dozen times at least, but again, like All-of-a-Kind Family, not for a long time

Reading for the first time:
Deenie by Judy Blume -- I know, I know, how did I miss it? Well, for one, my mom really didn't approve of Judy Blume when I was young. Not that she forbade me from reading her or anything, and I certainly read Margaret, Blubber and (secretly) Forever, but there was a way my mom acted that made me hesitant to dive too far into Blumeland (what can I say, I was sooo not a rebel). But of course I've heard of Deenie thoughout the years, from friends and yes, The Gilmore Girls. Plus, the book has been recently reissued with a fantastically modern cover and my boss scored a copy at Censorship Dinner where Ms. Blume was honored and she sweetly gave it to me.

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson -- another one I can't believe I haven't read, but I'm pretty sure I have a copy, either my own from my youth, or one my mom bought my stepdaughters some years ago.

The Cheerleader by Ruth Doan MacDougall -- ok, technically this book isn't in Shelf Discovery, but I found out about it because of Shelf Discovery (listen to Lizzie Skurnick and Nancy Pearl discussing YA lit here). Plus, it's beloved by a fellow Maud L friend who I trust completely (even more so because her award-winning essay at this year's Betsy-Tacy convention brought tears to my eyes).

So there you have it, my challenge is set! To find out who else is participating in the Shelf Discovery Challenge, and to sign up yourself, visit Booking Mama! And if you're intrigued, browse inside Shelf Discovery to discover the favorites you may have forgotten!

Comments

[Nicole]

I was thinking that I didn't remember The Cheerleader from the book! I don't think I read Jacob I Have Loved either, and if I did, then I don't remember it. It's impossible to go wrong with these lists, so much good stuff!

[Julie P.]

Thanks so much for joining us! I'm hoping it's a lot of fun! I can't believe I've only read one of the books you selected - Deenie! I'm planning on making my list tomorrow!

[Kathy R (Bermudaonion)]

I'm doing this challenge too! I bought my first book for it last weekend, so I'm ready to go!

[Amanda]

Yeah! Glad you joined the party. I succumbed yesterday :)

[Robin Antalek]

When I was in the third grade I was absolutely enthralled with Sidney Taylor's All of A Kind Family - I wrote a letter to the author and sent her one of my short stories ( okay, I was nine)! Imagine my surprise when she wrote back encouraging me to keep writing. Thankfully, my mother kept that letter for me and I still have it today. Everyone: go read these books!!

[Amanda]

I am definitely going to sign up for this but not until the new year. I have way too much on my plate right now. Gotta finish up this years challenges. I've never read "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Can you believe that?

[Ronnica]

Never read any of those, but I've heard good things about Jacob Have I Loved.

[Jen - Devourer of Books]

"Jacob Have I Loved" is the only one I've read, but I loved it.

[Darsa M.]

I can't wait to see what you think of THE CHEERLEADER.

[Wendy]

But, if you're not aware, The Cheerleader is NOT ya lit... NOT. I don't think you'll be offended by it, but I've known several people who were, because they thought they were reading a ya book, written for teenagers. I mean, I read it when I was a teenager and thought it was just wonderful, but it isn't for the prudish.

[rhapsodyinbooks]

Yay, I'm glad you joined too! Great choices!

[Book Club Girl]

Robin, your story is priceless! I wish I'd written to authors I loved when I was a kid, that is so great!

[Christy]

I just signed up. I've never done a blog book challenge before (knitalongs, yes, those I have done). Thanks for linking to it. Not sure I would have found it otherwise.

[Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books]

I signed, and I chose my books! I'm hoping my girls will do this with me ... so many great books are visited in Shelf Discovery!

[D. Lohrding]

Thanks Jen for sharing your list.....what a fun reminde!!!
Thank You!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[Amy S.]

I didn't read Deenie either. Just the other "younger" Judy Blume classics. But I adored Summer of My German Soldier, a Wrinkle in Time, The Little Princess and A Secret Garden...