Welcome to Orange July – an annual event celebrating the Orange Prize for Fiction. This blog post will tell you all about the Orange July event, but if you have any questions, please drop me an e-mail at jillceleste AT hotmail. I hope you will participate!
What is Orange July?
Orange July is a personal reading challenge. You make the rules. The only requirement is to read at least one book that has won or been nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction. Some participants read just one book; others devote the whole month to reading Orange books. Some people write reviews; others do not. It’s up to you on how you want to celebrate Orange July.
Is there a list of Orange Prize books?
Rest assured, if you’ve never focused on the Orange Prize before, you’re in for a treat. There are hundreds of books to choose from by many great female authors, including Margaret Atwood, Barbara Kingsolver, Zadie Smith, Amy Tan and Anne Tyler. Here are some links to help you out:
Orange Prize Winners
Orange Prize Short List
Orange Prize Long List
You can also learn more about Orange books on the Orange Prize Project. This blog contains readers’ reviews of Orange Prize winners and nominees. And while you’re there, consider posting your own reviews to this blog!
Orange July prizes!
Throughout July, I will be hosting book giveaways. A complete list of books will be posted as we get closer to July, but here are a few titles to whet your appetite:
The Siege by Helen Dunmore
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
The Summer Without Men by Siri Hustvedt
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
….and more!
UPDATE! The list of book giveaways has now been posted!
How do I enter to win prizes?
Entering is easy! On days when a book is up for grabs, I will announce the book title and a short activity you’ll need to complete to be entered into the random drawing. The announcement will appear on my blog* between 6-8am EST, and participants have until 10pm EST to complete the activity. Once you finish the activity, mention it in that day’s blog comments so I know who to enter into the random drawing.
The activities are quick – usually answering a question – and won’t take more than a few minutes of your time. Additionally, if you still want to participate in the question – but don’t want to be entered into the book drawing – just let me know in your comment.
Prizes will be shipped worldwide, and the giveaways are open to everyone!
*For those of you who participated in Orange January, you might remember the prizes were given away through the Orange January/July Facebook page. Unfortunately, Facebook has become strict about contests, which means I won’t be using Facebook as the contest hub. I will, however, use Facebook to announce the day’s giveaway and link to the corresponding blog post.
Facebook and LibraryThing
Enhance your Orange July experience by participating on our Facebook page and LibraryThing group. While this is not a requirement for Orange July, most participants have fun discussing books and getting to know each other through these sites.
I want to participate in Orange July!
Great! If you’re on Facebook, RSVP on our Orange July event page or let me know in the comment section below. Also, please spread the word to your friends about Orange July. The more, the merrier!
The Magic Lasso 
Jun 13, 2011 @ 05:52:58
SOunds like a fabulous way to get some of my TBR Prange Prize winners read!
COunt me in.
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:13:06
Yay! So glad you could join us! =)
Jun 13, 2011 @ 06:24:06
I will try and join in. I am going on holidays at end of July. Room was earmarked for my july read and I have read it will try and do an extra one
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:13:43
Hopefully, you can squeeze one in for July, Sally! =)
Jun 13, 2011 @ 10:51:52
I am reading “The Tiger’s Wife” at the moment and plan on reading 2 or 3 Orange Prize books in July. Thanks for the July event!
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:14:16
Glad you can join us, Gavin! Sounds like you have a reading plan ready to go! =)
Jun 13, 2011 @ 16:35:50
The Tiger’s Wife is releasing in India in July. Count me in!
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:14:43
Yay! And you’re in for a treat with The Tiger’s Wife. I hope you like it!
Jun 13, 2011 @ 18:21:55
I would love to participate in Orange July.
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:15:07
Wonderful, Carol! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Jun 14, 2011 @ 13:15:07
I’ve just finished reading Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible. It was beautiful!
I also, recently, got myself Burnt Shadows. So, this event should be a nice time during which to pick up this book, I guess. So count me in!:)
Before I scurry of, though, I’ve a couple of questions:
1) Is there anything happening on Goodreads?…. Library Thing is still a maze to me…
2) And will there be any e-book giveaways?….
Jun 14, 2011 @ 19:16:31
I loved The Lacuna too. One of my favorite books that I read last year. To answer your questions:
1) I am not a Goodreads user. I feel lost there. LOL.
2) No ebooks giveaways planned, but if that changes, I will let you know!
Thanks for participating!
Jun 15, 2011 @ 12:34:09
YOu could give Evelina a try. Or perhaps one of Burney’s later works. I’m sure her skill must have grown with each novel as Austen’s clearly did.
Oh, and if you’ve never tried Georgette Heyer before, and are looking for something Regency-like, I would suggest you give this author a try. She’s from the 20th century, but her regency novels are brilliant!
Jun 15, 2011 @ 12:33:39
I’m hoping to borrow Prodigal Summer from my friend soon. The Lacuna is on my to-buy list. 😀
And okay!…..but just for the record, please do count me out of any giveaways then. I’m in this for the experience. 🙂
Jun 19, 2011 @ 06:06:30
Sounds good, Risa! =)
Jun 15, 2011 @ 20:02:46
I am finishing up THE LACUNA and can’t think of a better way to understand history. I love Barbara Kingsolver’s books and this one is right at the top.
Jun 19, 2011 @ 06:07:03
I totally agree! I still need to read Bean Trees – someday. =)
Jun 26, 2011 @ 14:20:12
The Bean Trees is excellent Jill. And a fun read as well. I think you will really like it.
Jun 16, 2011 @ 05:16:47
Hey! I already read and reviewed The Memory of Love and The Tiger’s Wife …but any excuse to read another Orange book is welcome 🙂 Count me in!
-char
Jun 19, 2011 @ 06:07:37
Welcome, Char! Thanks for participating!
Jun 19, 2011 @ 05:56:19
Well I am have decided and am going to be reading two orange books now – THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS by Anita Amirrezvani , and SMALL WARS by Sadie Jones.
Jun 19, 2011 @ 06:07:59
You’re in for a treat with those two books, Sally! =)
Jun 19, 2011 @ 06:53:38
Oh such a wonderful giveaway! I”ve read quite a few Oranges lately -but there are many that I’d like to get to -and I will! See you on LT! I’ve signed up on Facebook too! 🙂
vancouverdeb aka Deborah
Jun 19, 2011 @ 07:25:01
So glad you’re participating, Deb! =)
Jun 20, 2011 @ 00:03:18
I can’t wait to join in! I have some Orange Prize books on my shelf and I’m hoping to read them during the next couple of months.
Jun 20, 2011 @ 02:52:38
Great! You’re in the right place! Glad you can join us! =)
Jun 21, 2011 @ 09:03:12
Hi Jill,
I had such fun participating in Orange January! I will definitely be participating again! So many good booka to read. I’ll be starting with The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin
Jun 21, 2011 @ 19:41:41
I have that book on my shelf too – heard great things about it! Not sure if I will get to it in July; I have way too many books to choose from! =)
Jun 22, 2011 @ 17:51:30
Hi! I don’t have a FB account (being anti-trend and all!) so I’m posting here. I will be glad to participate in Orange July. Thanks for holding this wonderful giveaway and making it worldwide!
Jun 22, 2011 @ 20:53:52
Wonderful! So glad you can join us! =)
Jun 23, 2011 @ 22:07:01
Hope to manage at least one Orange read during July.
Jun 24, 2011 @ 00:08:14
That’s awesome! Let us know which book you choose! =)
Jun 26, 2011 @ 14:15:18
Count me in Jill.
I have already read my first one. Started “Great House” last night and finished it this afternoon. Now it is on to “The Lacuna”. “Great House” was just that….really great….a 5 star read all the way round.
Jun 26, 2011 @ 19:11:13
I hope to read Great House for Orange July. You definitely piqued my interest! =)
Jun 26, 2011 @ 18:01:54
I’ve been wanting to read The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. Maybe this will provide me with the motivation to start! Count me in!
Jun 26, 2011 @ 19:11:58
Welcome, Layen! You picked a great book for Orange July! Just a warning that it starts a little slow but then picks up speed. Hang with it! Enjoy! =)
Jun 27, 2011 @ 12:50:13
I hope to read Half of a Yellow Sun and Poisonwood Bible-great event
Jun 27, 2011 @ 19:43:50
Thanks, Mel, for stopping by! You have two great books selected for Orange July – enjoy! =)
Jun 27, 2011 @ 23:11:13
Found out about this event from CaribousMom and CANNOT WAIT! I’m all in with TONS of Orange winners and listers on my stacks already.
Jun 27, 2011 @ 23:14:47
Welcome, Andi! Glad you could join us! =) We have great prizes in store for Orange July too – hope you’ll play and read with us.
Jun 27, 2011 @ 23:21:38
This sounds like fun, so I’m in! 🙂
Jun 28, 2011 @ 00:51:56
Awesome, Eva! Thanks for joining us! =)
Jun 28, 2011 @ 02:51:33
Woow! So many books that I would love to read 🙂 I am in! 🙂
Jun 28, 2011 @ 06:07:01
Great, Ally! Welcome to Orange July! =)
Jun 28, 2011 @ 04:11:55
Just finished reading The Memory of Love. I will participate but I haven’t yet picked the book(s). Looking forward to the journey.
Jun 28, 2011 @ 06:07:28
I would love to read The Memory of Love – hope you liked it! Thanks for participating!
Jun 28, 2011 @ 19:22:11
Count me in! I have a huge pile of Orange prize books waiting to be read!
Thank you!
Jun 28, 2011 @ 19:34:43
Welcome, Misha! Glad you can participate! Should be a great month of reading =)
Jun 30, 2011 @ 18:39:20
I am just in time to find this challenge.I am in 🙂
Jun 30, 2011 @ 20:04:04
Wonderful! So glad you found us! =)
Jun 30, 2011 @ 23:07:03
Count me in too, please. 🙂
I’m planning to read Bel Canto, and perhaps one other.
Jul 01, 2011 @ 01:31:49
Loved Bel Canto! Enjoy! And so glad you’re participating!
Jul 01, 2011 @ 00:38:36
I’m in, I’m in! But you knew that, right?
Jul 01, 2011 @ 01:32:16
I did! I did! =)
Jul 02, 2011 @ 08:08:48
I’d like to sign up to do this again please. I’ve posted my goals at LT for July 2011. Thank you.
Jul 02, 2011 @ 08:22:00
Welcome, Sandra! Glad you could join us! The first giveaway is still open to 9am EST if you want to throw your name in the hat: https://mrstreme.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/orange-july-giveaway-1-the-tigers-wife/
Jul 02, 2011 @ 11:34:56
Hi, I am going to join in the orange reading challenge. Thanks this looks like fun.
Jul 02, 2011 @ 18:59:34
Welcome, Nulaanne! I hope you have a blast! =)
Jul 02, 2011 @ 22:40:38
I’m in! I was reading at least 4 of the shortlists in last month’s Orange Prize! But I’m joining in on this one!
Jul 03, 2011 @ 19:46:42
Welcome, Jo! Hope you can squeeze in one more for July! =)
Jul 04, 2011 @ 23:04:48
Gonna give this a go! Will let you know how I get on
Jul 08, 2011 @ 04:45:39
Just collected my copy of The Tiger’s Wife, so count me in too, I’ve also joined the group on LT! (lots of my wishlist books are Orange nominees)
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