In order to put my personal reading list together I initially went looking for new works by some of my favorite authors. What a splendid surprise it was to find a new book I would definitely add to my list, and would wholeheartedly recommend to my book challenge compatriots. I find it interesting that this book was self-published by an on-demand publishing company named iUniverse. Their website and services (iUniverse.com) are available to any fledgling author, but I find it unsettling that some of our most talented and experienced authors must resort to these internet service companies in order to get their work published.

Mary Burnett Smith has previously published two other works, and the newest, The Grass Widow: A Novel, was released in October 2010. It is currently available simultaneously in electronically as an ebook, hardcover or paperback forms. Sight unseen, I plan to include this and highly recommend you consider adding it (or her other two novels) to your list.

I also plan to re-read one of my favorite novels by Toni Morrison. I know, most readers scream in terror and run for the hills whenever her name is mentioned, but I am certain some of this challenge group is willing to go there with me. I don't know why The Song of Solomon is seldom the book chosen when readers decide to read their first Morrison work, but it is my favorite because of its compelling storyline (the search for family) and I am convinced its non-complex narrative would make the transition to movie screen effortlessly.

I confess to being a little prejudiced about Song of Solomon because my love of this book afforded me the opportunity to be a participant in Oprah's second book club meeting with Toni as the guest author. Yes, I was one of four viewers selected when Oprah started the book club gatherings, and that dinner in Chicago is one of my favorite life memories. I haven't read the book since we had dinner (10+ years ago), but now I think its time. I hope to remember all the profound things Ms Morrison told us during that four-hour dinner, and am sure this reading experience will be colored with what I now know of her intention. If you choose to add Song of Solomon to your list for this Quirky Brown Challenge, our discussion couldn't help but be just as memorable.

Thanks to browngirl for hosting this challenge!

I chose level two at the beginning of the year and finally getting around to choosing the first book. I just finish Wild Seed by Octavia Butler.