A to Z Blogging 2026 Theme Reveal

The theme reveals have begun this week. 

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁.....

This year, I am going to try something a little different. The topic is going to be a book cover scavenger hunt. For each letter, I will choose a different item and will post a book cover with the said item. I'm giving readers an option to find another book cover with that same item. Otherwise, just comment on the post in general. 

Here's how it's going to work: If the word of the day is "fruit," I will post a book with fruit on the cover. Commenters have the option of posting another cover (not the same one that I post) with fruit. These are just examples, you will not know the cover scavenger hunt item until each day. It's kind of an interactive theme this year, but you are welcome just to comment if you don't want to post a cover. Also, you do not have to be an A to Z participant to comment and/or participate in the scavenger hunt portion. Note: the same cover can only be used once throughout the challenge. And don't worry about duplicating another person's post, since you're not going to know in most cases (comments are moderated). You just can't use the same one as mine. You'll know that one, since it will already be on the post.

I got this idea from having joined so many reading challenges that ask for something on the cover. One of them is even all about finding things on the covers. See this post from yesterday.

I'm looking forward to seeing other theme reveals this week. The annual round of alphabet fun is around the corner.

Book Discussion: When You CAN Judge a Book by Its Cover

No doubt you've all heard the expression, "Never judge a book by its cover." From The Britannica Dictionary:

Never Judge A Book by Its Cover 

Question

What is the meaning of "never judge a book by its cover"? — Kris, Mexico

Answer

The saying "never judge a book by its cover" or "don't judge a book by its cover" means that you shouldn't judge someone or something based only on what you see on the outside or only on what you perceive without knowing the full situation. It means that the outward appearance of something is not an indication of its value or worth.

 

It comes from the idea that you may see the cover of a book and decide it's not a good book or it's not worth reading without knowing anything else about it. It is used metaphorically when it is applied to other things such as a TV show, a person, a job, or a restaurant.

 

Here are some examples of how it is used:

 

Jim: Wow, you really want to go to a restaurant called 'Plain Burger'?

Joe: Hey, never judge a book by its cover! They may have delicious burgers!

 

Shawn: Look at those scrawny kids on the other team. This game should be easy for us to win.

John: Don't judge a book by its cover. They might be faster than us. We won't know until we play.

 

Yes, the phrase can refer to more than just books, but this is a book discussion, so I am referring to actual book covers.

When doing challenges, I often encounter reading categories that say, "Book with (something) on the cover" or "A cover (in a color)." So in a way, this allows me and other participants to judge a book by its cover.

What do you think when you see a book's cover? Does it turn you on or off? Do you even look at the cover before picking out a book? According to some, people should do this.

P.S. Read my blog tomorrow for an announcement.

National Oreo Day

Another I did not know about, even though the following popped up my Facebook memories today:

March Bookish Bingo

The new card for March is here.

1. The Quilt--T. Davis Bunn (3 squares): Audiobook, Good Deed, Sweet/Cute
2. The Brides of High Hill--Nghi Vo (4 squares): E-Book, LGBTQ+, Predator/Prey, In a Series
3. Carter Beats the Devil--Glen David Gold (8 squares): Physical Book, Library Book, Man on the Cover, Not in a Series, Dark Magic, Gold or Money, Luck (Good or Bad), Theft
4. The Orange Blossom Special--Betsy Carter (2 squares): Green on Cover, Free Space

Still More

 Even more State of the Union humor:

The Real State of the Union

 

Book Discussion: One Challenge Finished Already

 

February's not over for another week, yet I already have one challenge completed: The RAD 2026 Challenge.

I've always liked how this one is so short, only nine categories. Even so, I don't think I've ever finished it this early. Last year's challenge took me until the end of June. A lot of the categories for this year seemed a little strange and hard to find books for, but I did it all in the first two months of the year. I usually don't do a reading progress post until mid-year, but this fast finish was worthy of a post now.

The Color Coded is another I participate in regularly that also has nine categories. Right now, I'm a little stuck on titles with brown, black, or "implies color" in the tile. I'm working on green right now and have something out for "other color."  What's in a Name has only six categories, but that one arrived late this year and I've only gotten one book for it so far. "Terrain" and "peace" are the ones I have to really look for. Words like "valley," "mountain" and "hill" all count for 'terrain." And "pathways" can include words like "road" or "street." I kind of have some things in mind for those, but nothing definite just yet.

Those who join challenges, how long does it take you to finish them? I try to make mine last through the year, those that are longer, but some I unexpectedly finds for the year is half over, by around May or June.  Now I'm eager to see what I finish next.