Attention BP seekers:

For the Book Challenge, you can get ten bonus points every time you read one of the same books that I read. I've mentioned the books I read for the Challenge on my vlogs, but now that they're down here's a record of what they are, in case anybody wants them:

1. Book by a Hot Author: "Looking for Alaska" by John Green*
2. New Book by an Old Favorite Author: "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
3. Humorous Novel: "Jingo" by Terry Pratchett
4. Dinosaur Novel: "Anonymous Rex" by Eric Garcia*
5. Winner of a Printz Award: "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak
6. Romance Novel: "Fulk the Reluctant" by Elaine Knighton*
7. Old Favorite: "The Truth" by Terry Pratchett
8. Fantasy Book (Classical Fantasy): "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind
9. Vampire Novel: "Guilty Pleasures" by Laurell K. Hamilton*
10. Movie Book: "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by CS Lewis
11. Horror Novel: "Cell" by Stephen King
12. Title Contains Food: "War and Peas" by Jill Churchill

That takes you through the end of March. Email themadpodcast@gmail.com with any questions about the Challenge--just put "MAD Book Challenge" or my name in the subject line.

*Note concerning novels marked with an asterisk:

I'm just putting a warning label on these for anybody who's concerned. Very mild warning for Looking for Alaska, only because there's been some discussion on banning it from schools and I'm probably obligated to say so. However, please don't let that dissuade you; it is truly a fantastic book and the scene in question is (a) not that bad (you ever read Fulk the Reluctant?) and (b) actually serves a purpose and makes a statement in the novel. You can check out John Green talking about this on his video project (username vlogbrothers on YouTube). I really recommend this book, and if you can read it without crying you have no heart.

Anonymous Rex deserves a warning more than Alaska. It's... ah... very weird. To the immature and those whose parents might disapprove of a book about inter-species...um...procreation, beware of this book. On the other hand, the protagonist is a crime-fighting velociraptor that dresses up in a latex human suit, so if you think you can handle it you should check it out just for the humor.

Fulk the Reluctant is as bad as it sounds. I've read worse fan fiction, but there is still plentiful bath scenes and stallion metaphors, so here is my official warning. Also, I thought it was terrible, so I don't recommend it anyway.

Guilty Pleasures sounds and looks like it would be bad (it has one of those pulp romance covers), but I promise you that it isn't. This warning is more for graphic violence, to any who might not want to read that. However, this is an amazing book (aaaugh I must not spoil it at all, but the ending is freaking EPIC) with really fascinating characters and a well thought out plot. Marshall recommended it to me and I, in turn, recommend it to all of you. It's also the first in a bajillion-book series, so there's plenty more to read for fans.