A to Z Challenge

You know what the A to Z Challenge reminds me of? Childbirth.

I should point out that I have yet to experience labour, but bear with me.

Apparently giving birth is rather unpleasant. It's messy, it's painful and it takes a long time (sometimes a bloody long time - sorry Mum). But at the end of it, after all your efforts, you're rewarded with something pretty amazing: the knowledge that you are responsible for creating something in which you can truly take pride.

That and a tiny, screaming, poop-filled, vomit-producing infant.

Anyone who has taken part in the A to Z Challenge in previous years will probably agree that parallels can be drawn. Apart from the part where you end up with a child. That bit doesn't quite fit into the analogy.

Blogging almost everyday for a month is tough. Last year I signed up at the last minute and found that it very quickly turned into an exercise of how well I could make things up as I went along (could you tell how little forward planning went into my bloglets?) Having to think of 26 different topics to write about was difficult enough, but then actually having to write about them in a way that others would (hopefully) enjoy? On some days that seemed darn-tootin' impossible, my friends.

But, with lots of metaphorical blood, sweat and tears, I got there.

And just like the mothers who, having forgotten the pain they experienced, decide to do it all again for a second time, so have I signed up for this year's challenge.

This time, though, I'm considering having a theme for my bloglets so that they at least give the appearance of being planned ahead of time, rather than being randomly plucked from the ether.

Any advice on whether or not a theme is a good idea, or what you think the theme should be would be very gratefully received.

Also, are any of you thinking about taking up the challenge this year?

Book Suggestions Please!

I didn't make many new year's resolutions this year, but one that I really want to stick to (and have so far) is to make sure I read every day. No limit on how many pages I read, or how long I spend doing it, as long as I pick up a book/kindle and read something.

So I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

What book or books have you read recently that I really must check out? 

And before I'm accused of asking for something for nothing, here are a few that I've enjoyed:

Paper Towns (John Green)

The Most Beautiful Thing (Fiona Robyn)

The Killing (David Hewson)

... and I've just started The Life of Pi (Yann Martel)