Postal Challenge 2014

Still another challenge. These posts are taking over my blog, but that's OK.  I'm not sure when I'll be done yet, but more new ones keep coming and there are still some others I'm considering.  Here is one with a great theme. For this one I'm going with the first level since it's new to me.  I've been planning on reading "The Postmistress" by Sarah Blake, so I've got a start on this challenge.   To sign up, go to this link at the Indextrious Reader.

What is the Challenge?

The key is to read and review books with a postal theme. These can be non-fiction on the subject of letter writing, collections of real letters, or epistolary fiction of any era. Be creative! Review each one and link back to the challenge -- there will be quarterly roundup posts for you to link reviews and posts to as you create them.

The challenge runs from January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2014.  You can sign up ANY TIME throughout the year.

Any books chosen can overlap with any other challenge, and rereads are allowed. Just remember to review them somewhere online in order for them to count toward the challenge. Lists don't have to be made in advance, though feel free to share your choices and inspire other readers if you wish! I always think that making lists is half the fun :)


How do I join in?

There are a few ways to participate in this challenge. 

Postcard Level:   Read and review 4 books with a postal theme.

Snail Mail Level:   Read and review 8 books with a postal theme.

Parcel Post Level: Read and review 12 books with a postal theme.

Air Mail Express Level:   Read and review 12 books with a postal theme AND commit to sending more old fashioned letters this year. At least 12 pieces of mail (or more!), and you can share numbers or even images of your mail art in the quarterly roundups.


Anyone who completes the challenge at any level will have their names thrown into a draw to win some letter-related goodies at the end of the year. In addition, if you complete the Air Mail Express Level, you'll get a chance to win a lifetime membership to (and some goodies from) the Letter Writers Alliance!

Need ideas about what to read? Check out the links at last year's sign-up post, or scroll through some of the epistolary titles that were reviewed in 2013.

Here are my books for this challenge:

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky
2. The Day the Crayons Quit--Drew Daywalt
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
4. The Wednesday Letters--Jason F. Wright
5. The Postmistress--Sarah Blake
6. Ella Enchanted--Gail Carson Levine 
7. Pardon My French--Catherine Hapka
8. Heart and Salsa--Suzanne Nelson

EDIT: After seeing this blogger's post, I decided to add the crayons book even though I read it months ago.  It did not occur to me then that it could count.  and since Ella Enchanted contains some letters, I'm including that one, too.