The importance of blurbs on book covers is often debated. A blurb on the cover of a book is usually written by an author who writes in the same genre, but occasionally you find a quote from a high-profile, but seemingly random author. After noticing a few of these peculiar choices, I started wondering - if I followed the blurbers, where would they lead me?
The plan is simple. I'm going to chose a book to read. Once I finish that book, I'll chose a blurb from the front or back cover and read a book written by the quoted author. I'll read 10 books in this fashion, just to see where I end up. Will all the books have a common theme? Will they be in the same genre? Will all of the authors be the same gender or ethnicity? Will they all have the same publisher? Are they all equally well known? Or will the books appear to be nothing more than a completely random list?
I will begin with the very next book I read that has a blurb on the cover. For the challenge, I will only read books that have blurbs, so given the choice between a few authors blurbing the same book, I will make sure to choice to move onto an author that have cover blurbs next.
The challenge will run for the next year, July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. If you'd like to try this little experiment with me, leave a comment. I'd love to see where the blurbs lead you.
My Blurb Journey
29 Comments:
I'm tempted to try this with you (when am I not tempted by a book challenge?). Are you okay with counting books read for more than one challenge? If so, then I'm totally in.
@Bev - Yes. Definitely. I try to work books into multiple challenges whenever possible.
Alrighty then. I'm ready (just got to figure out my starter book--not gonna use my current read...I'm too afraid that I'll wind up with all non-fiction). Here's my start-up post: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/06/follow-that-blub-reading-challenge.html
This is a very interesting challenge. Count me in!
What a completely interesting and original idea for a challenge! I don't blog books- but I think I'm going to pay attention to the blurbs on my next read, just to see. I only notice them when it's an author I really love, and the name catches my eye.
Question: I've got my starter book and I've identified my next read (which will have to come from the library)...what if my next read has no blurbs from authors?
Hi Jennifer,
I've come over from Bev's place. I found you reading challenge there. I'm totally in for this one. Got my starter book and the next one lined up. I've posted and linked about this at my place. I have the same question as Bev, what if there is no blurb on the next book? Have a great day!
Sherrie
Just Books
http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-happens-when-you-vist.html
OK, OK, I'm game! (It took me a couple of days to decide to do this! LOL) My current read doesn't have any blurbs, but the one after that does, so I'll start after that one.
Ooops, my link: http://proudbooknerd.com/2011/07/02/follow-that-blurb-reading-challenge/
Too fun! What a great idea. I can't wait to see where this takes you!!
This sounds like fun! Here's my start up post: http://writingcrazyme.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-that-blurb-reading-challenge.html
@Bev & Sherrie - I was going to say pick a different author who blurbed that book, either on the front cover or usually there are many blurbs in the first couple of pages for the authors other books. I just found that Charlaine Harris (the only one who blurbed on my first book) only has blurbs from media outlets - no authors. I'm going to be starting over with another first kick off book and try again. It may end up that this is an impossible challenge, although I hope not.
This is a fun idea! I'm looking forward to seeing where your blurb journey leads you.
I'm in! Here's my link: http://truebookaddictchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-blurb-reading-challenge.html
Great idea, Jennifer! I think it can work. =O)
Jennifer: Here's my solution to the blurbless book problem--I hunted online until I found an author who had reviewed the book in question. He will be my next stop on the journey. Howe does that sound?
Hi, first time here and I guess I am a bit late! But I love this Challenge and so here I am! It's a great idea.
Here's my link: http://peskypiksipesternomi.blogspot.com/2011/07/follow-blurb-challenge.html
Four down!
Getting ready to start #7....
That reminds me! My first book in this challenge didn't have blurb to follow, so I'm going to go off the next book that has an author blurb on it.
hi i am twelve years old this is my first challenge how do i join
Wow, great idea for a challenge, so I'll definitely sign-up. I just want to know if re-reads count? Thanks for hosting & I'll post the link of my challenge post when I'll write it...
Just one more book to go....
Done!
Maybe it's best for me to wait until next year. Just discovered this unique challenge on The Reader's Block by Bev Hankins. Darnnit, I like this challenge.
I'm hooked. This is a great concept for a challenge -- so different. Here's my sign-up post: http://bookendcrossing.blogspot.com/2011/09/follow-blurb-challenge.html
Looking around for my first book...
http://booksbeyondbelief1.blogspot.com/p/follow-blurb.html
Just signed up it's SEPT 2011
Great idea
I've come to a roadblock. I read my first book and it had a blurb by an author, but when I got one of that author's books to read next, it didn't have any author blurbs on it -- just ones from organizations. What do I do now? How do I find reviews of the book from authors? I guess I could just read a different book, but what if this happens on my 9th book? Well, I still think it's a great concept.
Okay, I've changed my path. I'm reading "Atonement" by Ian McEwan and the blurb I'm planning to follow is by John Updike, so I'll read "Rabbit Run" next. I ordered it, so I don't know if it has blurbs on it or not -- hope so.
This challenge really is fascinating -- frustrating, but fascinating!
This is such an awesome idea! I'm gonna try it!
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