The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.3 -- Donna Jo's Task: Back by Popular Demand
Find two authors who are related by blood or marriage and read a book by each author. This is not a jointly-written book. The books should have a single author--no co-authors, whether related or not. If the relationship between the authors is marriage, the marriage need not be permanent nor does the book have to have been written during the marriage. (In other words, the book(s) could have been written before, during, or after said marriage.) This list might help: Related authors

Required: You must state the relationship between the authors in your completed task post. For example, Anne and Charlotte Bronte were sisters. Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath were married.

Added relationships: for the original list, go to http://www.listology.com/drgns4vr/lis...
Jim Butcher husband to Shannon Butcher
J. R. R. Tolkien grandfather to Simon Tolkien
Tabitha King wife to Stephen King
Fiona Patton wife to Tanya Huff
Robert Silverberg husband to Karen Haber
Jasper fforde cousin by marriage to Katie fforde
D'Arcy Niland husband to Ruth Park
Anita Desai mother to Kiran Desai
Owen King husband to Kelly Braffit
Scott Westerfeld husband to Justine Larbalestier
Zadie Smith wife to Nick Laird
Stephen Vincent Benet brother to William Rose Benet
Tasha Alexander wife to Andrew Grant
Andrew Grant brother to Lee Child
Eloisa James daughter to Robert Bly
Eloisa James daughter to Carol Bly
Julia Quinn daughter to Steve Cotler
David Sedaris brother to Amy Sedaris
Tracy Hickman husband to Laura Hickman (who has also written as Susan Lawson)
Diana Gabaldon mother to Sam Sykes
Ann Patchett daughter to Jeanne Ray
EL James wife of Niall Leonard
Susanna Clarke pardner to Colin Greenland
Liza Klaussmann is 4xgreat grandaughter of Herman Melville
Marcia Muller wife of Bill Pronzini
Bil Gilbert brother of Sue Hubbell
Roald Dahl grandfather to Sophie Dahl
Mary Jane Clark ex-daughter-in-law to Mary Higgins Clark

More comments

Do we need to have "proof" that the authors are related? Lani Woodland and Melanie Marks are either sisters or sister-in-laws. (I can't remember right now, but they LOOK like sisters!) I could ask Lani and have her write me a note/FB message or something...

i have a question. If can one of the books be a joint written as long as there is another book with only one?

for instance i want to read Eve and Adam

and BZRK

Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate are married- one book is written by both the other is written by only him.

Sara ♥ wrote: "Do we need to have "proof" that the authors are related? Lani Woodland and Melanie Marks are either sisters or sister-in-laws. (I can't remember right now, but they LOOK like sisters!) I could a..."

It should be somewhere that can be checked.

JennRenee wrote: "i have a question. If can one of the books be a joint written as long as there is another book with only one?

for instance i want to read Eve and Adam

and BZRK

Michael Grant and Katherine Appleg..."

Sorry, both books must be written separately. It does look like she's written a number of separate ones. (I know. You really want to read BZRK.)

Jim Butcher/Shannon Butcher is a combo people could use - husband wife

Also, the "related authors" list shows J.R.R. Tolkien and his son - but his grandson is also an author - mysteries.Simon Tolkien

Surprised that list didn't mention Tabitha King, wife of Stephen King

Wow, I feel dumb. I was stumped as to who to use...after spending a few weeks reading about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and buying some books of theirs I didn't own but that I really want to read. I think I need a nap lol

Chris wrote: "Surprised that list didn't mention Tabitha King, wife of Stephen King"

I thought I had her on that list. Consider Tabitha added.

Chris wrote: "Surprised that list didn't mention Tabitha King, wife of Stephen King"

My original list had her on. She's okay to use.

Ms Anderson wrote: "Wow, I feel dumb. I was stumped as to who to use...after spending a few weeks reading about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and buying some books of theirs I didn't own but..."

In cases like that I never know whether to feel glad that it finally hit me or chagrined that it took me so long.

For me it's pretty embarrassing given that one of the books I'm using is sitting on my desk two inches from my hands. But at least I know what I'm going to use, right? lol

Ms Anderson--at least you weren't on deadline with only 2 minutes for find the book and read it.

Jasper Fforde and Katie Fforde are cousins

I like to fit in as many Australian books as possible, so I will use D'Arcy Niland and Ruth Park who were husband and wife.

Two mother/daughter relationships that immediately came to mind:

Anita Desai/Kiran Desai
Mary Higgins Clark/Carol Higgins Clark

I was reading An Essay by Lisa Jackson the other day when she mentioned that author Nancy Bush is her sister.

Along with Tabitha and Stephen King, I'm assuming Joe Hill will work, since he is their son?

Kate wrote: "Along with Tabitha and Stephen King, I'm assuming Joe Hill will work, since he is their son?"

Yes, he's already on the Related Authors list.

Owen King is married to Kelly Braffet---

Can you do daughter-in-law---
Kelly Braffet to Stephen King?

Kathy G. wrote: "Owen King is married to Kelly Braffet---

Can you do daughter-in-law---
Kelly Braffet to Stephen King?"

Sure, in-laws work, as do steps.

Scott Westerfeld is married to Justine Larbalestier

Thanks, Dee.

For those who like mysteries, Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman are married.

I'd like to use Tasha Alexander and Lee Child. Tasha's bio says she's married to Andrew Grant, and his bio says that he's Lee's younger brother, making Tasha and Lee brother/sister-in-law. Will that work?

Jessica wrote: "I'd like to use Tasha Alexander and Lee Child. Tasha's bio says she's married to Andrew Grant, and his bio says that he's Lee's younger brother, making Tasha and Lee brother/sister-in-law. Will t..."

That works very well.

Connie wrote: "For those who like mysteries, Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman are married."

Thanks Connie! I have a Jonathan Kellerman book that I've been meaning to get to so I'll just have to find one by his wife. =)

Dee wrote: "Scott Westerfeld is married to Justine Larbalestier"

Would
Team Human work for Justine Larbalestier since it is co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan if a separate book by Scott Westerfeld is read?

Julia Quinn's father, Steve Cotler has written a couple kids books, but I'm not sure if they're TOO kiddie for this challenge... Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything?

Karen GHHS wrote: "Dee wrote: "Scott Westerfeld is married to Justine Larbalestier"

Would
Team Human work for Justine Larbalestier since it is co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan if a separate book by Scott Westerfe..."

Karen, let me think on this a little--I'll get back to you after consulting withKristi about a couple points.

Sara ♥ wrote: "Julia Quinn's father, Steve Cotler has written a couple kids books, but I'm not sure if they're TOO kiddie for this challenge... Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything?"

Sara, I checked on Cheesie Mack and looks like it's written on 45h-5th grade level so it is good from my point of view.

Donna Jo wrote: "Karen GHHS wrote: "Dee wrote: "Scott Westerfeld is married to Justine Larbalestier"

Would
Team Human work for Justine Larbalestier since it is co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan if a separate boo..."

Karen, thanks for waiting for an answer. To keep things consistant for the moderators, we are going with the no co-writer rule for all of the books. I hope you'll be able to use the book for another task.

Donna Jo wrote: "Donna Jo wrote: "Karen GHHS wrote: "Dee wrote: "Scott Westerfeld is married to Justine Larbalestier"

Would
Team Human work for Justine Larbalestier since it is co-written with Sarah Rees Brennan ..."

I'm sure I'll be able to find a place(like the halloween costume one) and hopefully one for Goliath by western elf -oh spell
Check you are too funny- i meant Westerfeld
Of course!, too! I've read all their others;) thanks for considering it.

I was planning to use Roald Dahl and Sophie Dahl (father/daughter), would Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator be considered ineligible under the Young Reader books rule?

Ally wrote: "I was planning to use Roald Dahl and Sophie Dahl (father/daughter), would Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator be considered ineligible under the Young Reader books rule?"

It should be okay.

Donna Jo wrote: "Ally wrote: "I was planning to use Roald Dahl and Sophie Dahl (father/daughter), would Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator be considered ineligible under the Young Reader books r..."

Thanks :)

Are Joanna Trollope and Anthony Trollope acceptable? The list says the relationship is distant and unspecified, Wikipedia says she is a fifth generation niece.

Wendy UK wrote: "Are Joanna Trollope and Anthony Trollope acceptable? The list says the relationship is distant and unspecified, Wikipedia says she is a fifth generation niece."

Yes, you can use it.

Donna Jo wrote: " Wendy UK wrote: "Are Joanna Trollope and Anthony Trollope acceptable? The list says the relationship is distant and unspecified, Wikipedia says she is a fifth generation niece."

Yes, you can us..."

Thanks Donna Jo

I wanted to make sure these will work,one of the books is written by two authors but not the related authors.

scott westerfeld
and Justine Larbalester

JennRenee wrote: "I wanted to make sure these will work,one of the books is written by two authors but not the related authors.

scott westerfeld
and Justine Larbalester
[bookcover:Team..."

JennRenee, I'm sorry but the no co-author rule is being applied across the board, whether or not they are related. (See message 35).

reading this blog post - http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2012/08/...

it seems as though Diana Gabaldon and Sam Sykes are related - what do you think Donna Jo?

Dee wrote: "reading this blog post - http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2012/08/...

it seems as though Diana Gabaldon and Sam Sykes are related - what do you think Donna Jo?"

That looks good to me. I'll add the names to the list.

I don't think this one been added yet-
Ann Patchett and Jeanne Ray
Reference

Dlmrose wrote: "I don't think this one been added yet-
Ann Patchett and Jeanne Ray
Reference"

You're right. I could have sworn I'd typed them onto the original list, but I double checked and they are not there. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I'm considering Susanna Clarke and Colin Greenland -- they aren't married but they are "partners"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_...
"Susanna Clarke currently resides in Cambridge with her partner, the science fiction novelist and reviewer Colin Greenland."

Would that fit? Thanks!

Deedee wrote: "I'm considering Susanna Clarke and Colin Greenland -- they aren't married but they are "partners"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_...
"Susanna Clarke currently resides in Cambrid..."

Deedee, I'll accept that because Greenland's site also acknowledges the pardnership. Be sure you mention it was approved in your post.