Welcome to Orange January- an annual event celebrating the Orange Prize for Fiction. This blog post will tell you all about the Orange January 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 January?
Orange January 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 January.
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 Toni Morrison, Hilary Mantel, Kate Atkinson and many more. 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 the blog!
Orange January prizes!
Throughout January, I will be hosting book giveaways. A complete list of books will be posted tomorrow*, but here are a few titles to whet your appetite:
The Observations by Jane Harris
Great House by Nicole Krauss
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
Homestead by Rosina Lippi
A Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber
*UPDATE: 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 eastern, and participants have until 9pm eastern 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!
Facebook and LibraryThing
Enhance your Orange January experience by participating on our Facebook page and LibraryThing group. While this is not a requirement for Orange January, most participants have fun discussing books and getting to know each other through these sites.
I want to participate in Orange January!
Great! If you’re on Facebook, RSVP on our Orange January Event page or let me know in the comment section below. Also, please spread the word to your friends about Orange January. The more, the merrier!
Edited to add: We now have Orange Prize graphics! Check out this blog post for more info.
The Magic Lasso 
Dec 01, 2011 @ 20:08:14
I am in! 🙂 I have saved two books for January, especially for this 🙂
Dec 02, 2011 @ 03:33:41
Yay, Ally! So glad you can participate!
Dec 01, 2011 @ 20:41:40
Looking forward to it as always! Like Ally I have set aside two books for Orange January: The London Train by Tessa Hadley and The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna.
Dec 02, 2011 @ 03:33:59
Enjoy your Orange January books! =)
Dec 01, 2011 @ 20:56:40
I’m in, Jill! I’ve got The Observations at the ready, as well as The Girls, The Siege and A Spell of Winter. I can’t wait!! 🙂
Dec 02, 2011 @ 03:34:24
A great line-up of books! Enjoy!
Dec 01, 2011 @ 21:49:41
I can’t believe that it’s nearly here already. Thank you, Jill!!!! Anticipation will get me through the holidays, but I intend to read at least one Orange in December.
Dec 02, 2011 @ 03:34:45
It’s great to hear from you, Peggy! Have fun!
Dec 01, 2011 @ 23:34:48
I’m in. I will try and read at least one. Great list of books!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 03:35:06
Glad you can join us! I hope you find a book to enjoy!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 06:22:25
Yay! Orange January! No idea what I’m reading as yet, but I will be reading something Orange-y!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 18:47:12
Let us know what you decide! =)
Dec 02, 2011 @ 06:33:14
Count me in, please! 🙂
Dec 02, 2011 @ 18:47:31
Definitely! So glad you could join us!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 07:54:17
Well you know I’m in Jill. And I have my books lined up:)
Dec 02, 2011 @ 18:47:49
It wouldn’t be the same without you!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 10:13:26
Count me in! I’ll definitely remind my readers of this great event!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 18:48:13
Thank you so much for spreading the word. Would love more participants! =)
Dec 02, 2011 @ 20:22:04
What a great idea, like a giant book group! will you be putting a note of who read which up to get us all talking?
Dec 02, 2011 @ 20:49:32
Hi, Ruey! I don’t on my blog, but most readers do on the LibraryThing group: http://www.librarything.com/groups/orangejanuaryjuly
Thanks for joining us!
Jill =)
Dec 02, 2011 @ 21:06:55
Oh me too, that sounds great, curling up with books, my favourite activity
Dec 03, 2011 @ 02:03:05
Mine too! Glad you can join the festivities!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 22:31:32
I am definitely in for January! Hope to write a post over the weekend.
Dec 03, 2011 @ 02:03:32
Thanks, Gavin! I appreciate any “plug” you can give this event. =)
Dec 02, 2011 @ 22:32:15
Okay, I’m in. Now I’m off to see what to pick 🙂
Dec 03, 2011 @ 02:03:57
So many wonderful books to choose from! Have fun picking!
Dec 02, 2011 @ 23:58:06
Whee! I can’t wait. I didn’t make my goal of reading all the winners this year, so I’m planning to finish those in Orange January:-)
Dec 03, 2011 @ 02:04:25
I have some winners left too! So many good books, never enough time!
Dec 03, 2011 @ 09:08:07
Thanks for hosting a terrific event. I am planning on reading; Home by Marilyn Robinson, Coventry by Helen Humphreys, A Crime in the Neighborhood by Suzanne Berne and The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
I will post about the event this weekend 🙂
Dec 03, 2011 @ 22:39:07
Thanks, Jayme, for the plug! Glad you can participate too! =)
Dec 04, 2011 @ 04:29:39
I’m in again this January. Thanks for hosting this event.
Dec 08, 2011 @ 23:56:04
Welcome back, Kinna! =)
Dec 05, 2011 @ 00:09:19
I’m in. I always enjoy the orange months. And so many to choose from.
Dec 08, 2011 @ 23:56:37
I agree! Way too many wonderful Orange books to choose from!
Dec 05, 2011 @ 01:57:00
I’m definitely in! I plan to start with The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett.
Dec 08, 2011 @ 23:57:04
I loved The Magician’s Assistant! I hope you do too!
Dec 05, 2011 @ 10:46:36
Hi! I participated in Orange July. I didn’t win any books but undaunted I’ve come back for more.
I don’t have a FB account (I tend to swim against the current!) so I’m posting here. I will be glad to participate in Orange January. Thanks for holding the giveaway and making it worldwide!
Dec 08, 2011 @ 23:57:45
Fingers crossed that you win something in January! Best of luck and thanks for participating!
Dec 08, 2011 @ 11:14:03
I’m looking forward to participating in January. I haven’t decided what I’ll read yet – maybe The Aguero Sisters?
Dec 08, 2011 @ 23:58:25
Hmm, haven’t heard of The Aguero Sisters. You have piqued my curiosity!
Dec 11, 2011 @ 00:21:41
I’m in! I’ll be reading Fugitive Pieces.
Dec 11, 2011 @ 04:58:48
Welcome back, Helen! I hope you enjoy Fugitive Pieces. A very poetic book.
Dec 11, 2011 @ 20:58:05
Great fun! I should be able to fit this into my Around the World in 52 Books challenge too. I’m in!
Dec 11, 2011 @ 21:30:45
Welcome, Jenny! I hope you enjoy Orange January! =)
Dec 16, 2011 @ 03:47:39
Sign me up, I love this challenge.
Dec 30, 2011 @ 03:42:36
Can’t believe I haven’t signed up here yet, but here I am. Ready to enjoy all of that great vitamin C in January. Thank you for doing this Jill.
Dec 31, 2011 @ 16:31:11
I have put up my Orange January 2012 post here,
Dec 31, 2011 @ 21:35:11
Like the wutheringwillow, I’ve completed my task by subscribing to follow the Orange Prize Project Blog. Can anybody tell me why I hadn’t done that before??? I also suppose that I’d better say that my first Orange of the month is *Fall on Your Knees* which was on the ’97 long list.
Dec 31, 2011 @ 21:55:03
Hi, Peggy! I had a WordPress snafu and accidentally published tomorrow’s post for a few minutes this morning! I immediately took it down, but I think the emails went out nonetheless. The post will magically reappear tomorrow. You don’t have to “re-comment” – I will make sure to enter you into the drawing. I am so sorry for the confusion! =) ~Jill
Jan 03, 2012 @ 05:40:25
Hi I’m new and look forward to joining in. Recently moved to a new area and miss my old book club (friendship and reading suggestions). Have a huge pile of books waiting to be read but often need guidance as to where to begin.