Hi all,  well I was going to be a dictator and suggest everyone read SKP's Lionheart.  What are your thoughts?  Any other suggestions?

Also we need to think of December's read along.   With Dec's read along I think it should be a short book nothing too time consuming as we will all be busy either with holiday activities or finishing up challenge reading. 

Also Secret Santa!  Deb did it last year I think she did a great job and perhaps we can prevail upon her to do it again?

I second the nomination for Deb as Secret Santa!

At present, I have no ideas about any further book recommendations but I agree that December's read should be a short one! Hope our library gets SKP's book within the time frame for reading for October's challenge (?)

Well my libary has ordered several copies.  I hope that you all can get you hads on it.  I am buying my copy I was going to preorder it but I don't want to wait for it to be shipped.   I was just going to get it for my Nook but I want a hardcover for my collection.

Where are you getting your copy from, Letty if it isn't released until Oct. 4th?

I am getting it on Oct 4th at my local Barnes and Noble I called and they have them on order.  So that will be my first erand that day. :)

Oh -- I was planning to maintain my reins on Secret Santa whether you wanted me to or not, so I appreciate your endorsements -- now I won't look so dictatorial when I post the instructions that I've already written.

I pre-ordered my copy of Lionheart quite some time ago. I am hoping that Amazon will ship early as it did Lady of the English, but the estimated delivery date indicates that I'm probably guilty of wishful thinking. Letty, you may want to exert your god-like powers and declare the month of October to run from Oct. 4th (or so) to Nov. 4th (or so). I'm sure that Sharon Kay Penman would get a kick out of your changing the calendar on her account -- or, more likely, Richard the Lionheart would argue that changing the calendar on his account is his due.

 Letty, you may want to exert your god-like powers and declare the month of October to run from Oct. 4th (or so) to Nov. 4th (or so).  I have on my purple goddess in training robe (that Valli gave me) and I do so decree that for this read along we will not start October until the 4th.  

Deb Claus I like that!

I've got Lionheart on pre-order from Amazon as well and I would love to do an October read-a-long.  Thank you for your benevolent decree O Goddess in Training!!

I'm going to hide my head while I say this, but I'm not rushing out to get a copy of Lionheart.  Even the Penmanians haven't given it, "OMG, you gotta read this right now" reviews and I'm just not in the mood for something that tedious right now.  I'm #3 on the WL, so if I happen to get it in October, I'll read it, but if not, then I won't. 

As for December, I searched the forum for "quick", "fast" and "light" reads and these are some of the things that came up often: 

The Confessions of Catherine di Medici by CW Gortner
Shangai Girls by Lisa See
Amelia Peabody books
Nefertiti or other Michelle Moran books

Christa - I'm with you and I don't plan to order Lionheart. If the library gets it in time, then that's okay but otherwise, I'll read it when I can.

I have to say Gortner's books are page turners and therefore they move along quickly. I haven't read any of the others but I sure see some good reviews on the Amelia Peabody books!

I think Lionheart would make for very good discussion. I did enjoy it, and what she did with Richard, but at the same time it was a book better to read in smaller doses and not try to inhale all at once. It is very very different from Here be Dragons.

I'll read it immediately and chat about it with anyone else who does, but that doesn't mean it needs to be the board's October readalong. 

So should we have a separate discussion for Lionheart and read a less demanding book for the read along?

No, I don't think so, Letty.  You gave everyone plenty of warning that you were going to use Lionheart for October and there are some who are excited about doing it. 

You've done a great job of picking Read Alongs this year.  Some we got to vote on, some you picked...several different time periods, different continents, new releases, older books....great variety and something for everyone at one point or another!

I agree with everything Christa said, Letty. Keep it as is - you've done a superb job!

AWWW thanks guys .  I have enjoyed it, but if anyone else wants a turn I will be glad to let them have at it.  Other wise I will continue, for next year at least.  Christa are you going to do the challenge for next year as well?

I don't mind doing the challenge again next year, but I believe the tradition has been a new challenge leader every year.  So if someone else has been brewing ideas and would like to lead it, feel free! With the growing popularity of our HF Mystery Challenge, the Read Alongs and our spontaneous challenges, I think I would scale back the 2012 HF Challenge a bit.

Christa I liked the way that you did the challenge. I did only 3 categories and I was still able to do the mystery and read along with no problems. 

Also I just want to remind everyone that the read along for October will be Lionheart.  We will start it on the 10th,  the will be an interview I did with SPK on the blog this weekend. (I hope)   She was so sweet and delightful what a nice lady!

Hi everyone I wanted to share something with you all.  Now this is still an if!  But "if" we can work everything out.  SKP will be joining us for a Q/A like Jeri Westerson did!

Here is her letter to me.  I had written to her to give her a heads up about the interview we did, which will be on the blog this Sat. Oct 1st.

Awwww....how sweet!  I guess I might have to break down and get Lionheart for the October read. 

How cool that something like the PBS Blog could open up a whole new world of friendships. 

Wow! I'm getting butterflies in my stomach just thinking of what I would ask her -- you all know that I think SKP is the Goddess of HF. Looking forward to reading the interview, Letty; very, very jealous of your signed book plate; and excited that she will be participating in the read-along. Yay for Letty!

That is mind boggling Letty - how generous of her and how wonderful for you!!

Verra cool. How do you get an author set up to be able to comment on these boards? I thought one had to be a member and have swapped a book? Just a thought, as you know how Sharon is with her demon spawn computer anyway...

She is going to join PBS!  I told her she can come in and see what we are saying about her. 

Deb  I also told her that  this is where the Penmenian movement started. 

We have been e-mailing back and forth this morning.  She is really very funny.  Jeanne she is going to be at the Poison Pen on Sunday Oct. 9th ant 2:00 in Scottsdale.  You could moisy on over there and get your books signed.  So if any of you fortunate ones are going to see her say hi! from the PBS historical fiction forum.  She'll know what your talking about,  here is a list of the dates times and locations. http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/penman_tour.htm.  I sure wish she was coming near here.

ETA  Cathy you don't have to post books to become a member.

Letty - thanks for the heads up on SKP's attendance at Poison Pen in Scottsdale and I would be there but the grandkids will be visiting me at the same time, so it looks pretty doubtful that I will be able to see her - darn! I'll have to see how it goes.....