Book News: Book-Style March Madness

Can you tell who we root for?

Fun stuff is going on in the book world to coincide with NCAA basketball's March Madness. Several weeks ago I mentioned a similar tournament-style face-off for books. The Tournament of Books kicked off this week (as did the basketball tournament) with great books from the past year going head-to-head. Stay up-to-date on the tournament by following its progress at The Morning News website.

Similarly, book blogger and crime reader extraordinaire Jen Forbus began the World's Favorite Amateur Sleuth Tournament this week on her blog Jen's Book Thoughts. Jen has compiled a bracket of 64 fictional sleuths who will face off in March Madness-style action. Vote each week for your favorites (like, for example, Sara J. Henry's new sleuth Troy Chance, who I love!). Also, if you are the betting type, you can put in your best guess at the winner via her Bracket Contest. Although no money will exchange hands, winning betters will be receiving books and book-related prizes from Jen. As I said, fun stuff.

A short book news post for this week. Lots of reading going on around my house this weekend. I am a terrible polygamist when it comes to reading lately. I think my "in progress" book count might be up around 10 or so at the moment. Here is a short run-down of what I'm enjoying right now & will be reading over the weekend:

• The Raising by Laura Kasischke (ebook -- NetGalley ARC for review, reading on iPod)
• Hide by Lisa Gardner (audiobook from the library -- mostly in-the-car listening on iPod)
• Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch (trade paperback purchased from McKay's Used Books)
• The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall (iBook purchased from iTunes, reading on iPod)
• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (preview from iBook/iTunes, reading on iPod -- will be purchasing)
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (library book, re-reading aloud in my classes)
• Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (paperback purchased from McKay's Used Books, for Teacher Book Club in my county)
• Sweet Jiminy by Kristin Gore (ebook -- NetGalley ARC for review, reading on iPod)

Whew. I think that's it. So 8-- not 10! Happy reading!