Slam Dunk: Reading Through the Madness

Slam Dunk: Reading Through the Madness!

As the NCAA brackets were announced we decided to have some fun with the lineups. While everyone was searching stats and scoring potential, we naturally looked at the selected schools another way, as bookworms are apt to do.

We researched alumni and faculty from each school --- as well as some notable facts. From there we culled a list of authors --- and their books --- and chose one to represent each school on our version of the “bracket.” On our lineup you will see well-known authors and titles, and names that will be a lot less familiar. See how many you’ve read --- and how many you should add to your “to be read” list. Just like the books you find on our seven websites in TheBookReportNetwork.com, there’s something for every kind of reader whether you’re a benchwarmer or a superstar. We make it easy to score great books!

Look now and then follow along as we advance each title with its team throughout the tournament…SWISH!

Midwest Region

(1) Louisville

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN by Terry Bisson

The most well-known title by the science fiction author.

(2) Duke

I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL by Tucker Max

The #1 New York Times best-selling book of autobiographical short stories about sex and drinking adventures.

(3) Michigan State

OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO by Dr. Seuss

The wise graduation speech perfect for graduates of all ages.

(4) St. Louis

WHITE MAN'S GRAVE by Richard Dooling

A finalist for the 1994 National Book Award for Fiction.

(5) Oklahoma State

COURTING MISS HATTIE by Pamela Morsi

Winner of the RITA Award in 1992.

(6) Memphis

THE OTHER WOMAN by Eric Jerome Dickey

By the New York Times best-selling American author, most well-known for his novels about contemporary African-American life.

(7) Creighton

ATTICUS by Ron Hansen

A finalist for both the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award.

(8) Colorado State

NEON VERNACULAR by Yusef Komunyakaa

By the American poet who won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

(9) Missouri

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE by Tennessee Williams

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948.

(10) Cincinnati

LITTLE BIG MAN by Thomas Berger

This book was adapted to the 1970 movie Little Big Man.

(11) Middle Tennessee State

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH by Al Gore

Gore's best-selling look at the climate crisis.

(11) St. Mary's

TIME AND MATERIALS: Poems 1997-2005 by Robert Hass

A poetry collection set in San Francisco, the Northern California coast and the Sierra High Country.

(12) Oregon

FIGHT CLUB by Chuck Palahniuk

Winner of the 1997 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award and the Oregon Book Award for Best Novel.

(13) New Mexico St.

THE COMANCHE by Willard Hughes Rollings

This Young Adult book explores the significant role of American Indians in our past and present society.

(14) Valparaiso

THE BAD SEED by William March

March's last work nominated for the 1955 National Book Award for Fiction.

(15) Albany

AN ARCHIVE OF HOPE: Harvey Milk's Speeches and Writings

A collection of Milk's writings culled from public archives, newspapers and personal collections.

(16) Liberty

LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS VOL. 1 by Mike Bullock and Jack Lawrence

A 2006 graphic novel for children.

(16) NC A&T

SHAKEDOWN: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson by Kenneth R Timmerman

A biography of the well-known --- and controversial --- politician.

South Region

(1) Kansas

THE CHAPERONE by Laura Moriarty

A fictionalized account of Louise Brooks' summer in New York when she was a teenager.

(2) Georgetown

THE EXORCIST by William Peter Blatty

A novel of supernatural suspense inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism based on a story that Blatty heard about at Georgetown.

(3) Florida

THE POET by Michael Connelly

Won the 1997 Anthony Award, presented by the Mystery Writers of America.

(4) Michigan

DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller

The recipient of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play.

(5) VCU

ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci

Baldacci's first book is also the basis of the movie by the same name.

(6) UCLA

WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS by Jonathan Kellerman

The first novel in the Alex Delaware series.

(7) San Diego State

THE SNOW QUEEN by Joan D. Vinge

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1981.

(8) North Carolina

ELLEN FOSTER by Kaye Gibbons

(9) Villanova

ARCHITECTS OF POWER: Roosevelt, Eisenhower and the American Century by Philip Terzian

A look at two public figures in the twentieth century, who brought the U.S. to global leadership.

(10) Oklahoma

TIMESCAPE by Gregory Benford

Won both the Nebula Award and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

(11) Minnesota

LAKE WOBEGON DAYS by Garrison Keillor

Based on material from his radio show A Prairie Home Companion.

(12) Akron

THE FAIRY TALE DETECTIVES by Michael Buckley

A seven-book series of fairy tales featuring two sisters, Daphne and Sabrina.

(13) South Dakota State

THE US SENATE: Fundamentals of American Government by Tom Daschle

The second title in the civics series that explains how the United States Senate works.

(14) Northwestern State

THE EARTH IS ENOUGH by Harry Middleton

This novel chronicles Middleton's young life growing up in the rural Ozark mountains.

(15) Florida Gulf Coast

NEARLY FLORIDA by James Brock

Poetry by Brock, a full Professor of English at Florida Gulf Coast University.

(16) Western Kentucky

THE CAKE MIX DOCTOR

Was the founder of Duncan Hines, who went to this school, baking cakes for all his classmates?

West Region

(1) Gonzaga

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie

Alexie's Young Adult debut, which won the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

(2) Ohio State

WELCOME TO DEAD HOUSE by R.L. Stine

The first book in the Goosebumps book series.

(3) New Mexico

THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG by Edward Abbey

The 1975 story centers on a Vietnam veteran, who returns to find his beloved canyons and rivers threatened by industrial development.

(4) Kansas State

TAKE IT FROM ME: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win by Erin Brockovich

The activist's memoir published in 2001.

(5) Wisconsin

GHOST STORY by Peter Straub

Published in 1979, Ghost Story became a national bestseller.

(6) Arizona

THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver

Oprah's Book Club Selection in 1999. Won the 2000 Boeke Prize and was nominated for the 1999 Pulitzer Prize.

(7) Notre Dame

THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

Sparks' first --- and most-loved --- novel published in 1996.

(8) Pittsburgh

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY by Michael Chabon

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2001.

(9) Wichita State

PIZZA ON THE GRILL: 100 Feisty Fire-Roasted Recipes for Pizza & More by Elizabeth Karmel and Bob Blumer

Wonder if the founders of Pizza Hut, who went to this school, dreamed of making pizza on the grill during their college days?

(10) Iowa State

A THOUSAND ACRES by Jane Smiley

Won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction in 1991.

(11) Belmont

THE ADVENTUROUS DEEDS OF DEADWOOD JONES by Helen Hemphill

2009 winner of the VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Award and Best Children’s SIBA Book Award.

(12) Ole Miss

THE FIRM by John Grisham

Grisham's second --- and best-known --- novel.

(13) La Salle

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK by Matthew Quick

The Academy Award-winning film is based on this novel.

(13) Boise State

BAT-21 by William Charles Anderson

The true story of Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton detailing his two-week long struggle to avoid capture by the Viet Cong.

(14) Harvard

ESSAYS by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Published in 1841, this first volume is the core of Emerson's thinking.

(15) Iona

THE REDGRAVES: A Family Epic by Donald Spoto

The latest from the American biographer and theologian.

(16) Southern U

WHAT'S UP DAWG? How to Become a Superstar in the Music Business by Randy Jackson and K.C. Baker

From the Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, musician, record executive and American Idol judge.

East Region

(1) Indiana