Reading for a Cause: The Ides of March Madness Charity Book Reading Tournament
The King’s English Bookshop, my local indie bookstore, is sponsoring the Second Annual Ides of March Madness Charity Book Reading Tournament. Inspired by tournament brackets like The Tournament of Books and the NCAA tournament, Kings English booksellers are reading sixteen of last year’s best books in head-to-head match-ups and declaring winners which then advance through the matches. Only two will make the final round, and one will be crowned the Ides Champ. And the best part. It’s all for charity!
So how can you participate? Place your bet (a.ka. – a donation) on the book(s) that you think will win it all. A donation of at least $20 will make you eligible to win fresh, new copies of the books in the tournament. And if you place your bet on the winning book? Then you’ll be eligible to win a set of all 16 books. Who’s to benefit? 100% of the donations goes to Book Wagon which delivers free books to needy children in the Salt Lake City area. Not in Salt Lake? Who cares!
Click on the bracket for a larger, readable version or see a full description of all the contestants here.
You can follow along with the tournament at the Ides of March Madness blog and place your bets for your favorite to win. I’m going to support my local indie booksellers as a cheerleader and Book Wagon by donating at least $20 to help get books into the hands of kids.
But you gotta help me out! Sadly, I haven’t read any of these books! Which book should I bet on to take it all?
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Kings English Bookshop
 |
| or | 
|
Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.
I’ve only read (and reviewed) one — Dear American Airlines — but I don’t think it should win.
on March 14th, 2009 at 8:07 amI couldn’t say which I think should win it all because I haven’t read or heard anything, good or bad about any of them. What a great idea for charity.
on March 14th, 2009 at 9:50 amHow can I read so much and still not have read any of those…how frustrating!!!!
great idea, though!
on March 14th, 2009 at 11:42 amThe only one I’ve read (in part) is 2666. I gave up halfway through because I’m not much into “literary” fiction.
on March 14th, 2009 at 12:21 pmI haven’t read any of these, but I’d put money on the Leif Enger or Jhumpa Lahiri on the basis of their past works.
on March 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pmWhat a fun idea! I haven’t read any of these books but I have a bunch of them on my list (particularly White Tiger).
on March 14th, 2009 at 3:09 pmI love this! I’d put my money on The White Tiger or A Mercy, but mostly because those are the two I’m most interested in reading.
on March 14th, 2009 at 11:10 pmWordLily – I must admit the title alone makes me not want to read that book. Sounds like an anthology of bad travelogues.
Jenn M. – Isn’t it clever? Very creative. I’d love to do something like this on my blog someday.
Amy – You’re not alone! Like I said, I haven’t read any of them either.
Melissa – I am tempted with Leif Enger as well.
Trish – I’ve never even heard of White Tiger. I’m feeling most out of it.
Ali – Hmm . . . that’s two votes for White Tiger so far.
on March 16th, 2009 at 12:17 amYou could check out what’s won (so far) in the Tournament of Books (I know, for instance, Harry, Revised upset White Tiger over there …
The two I most want to read? Home by Marilynne Robinson and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. But, unfortunately, I haven’t even read any of their other stuff!
on March 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pmWow, I haven’t heard of these books, let alone read any of them. I would go for the one by Toni Morrison. That’s sure to be a winner.
on March 16th, 2009 at 4:36 pmI’m going to say 2666 because it’s THE book of 2008 and 2009. If not it then Unaccustomed Earth or The Northern Clemency. I might go and place a bet or two!
on March 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pmMY vote is for The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo..
on March 29th, 2009 at 3:38 pm