Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Book Challenges

So, I've been lured into three new book challenges. Granted, I haven't quite fulfilled the Casual Classics challenge set at beginning of the year, but I am working on it. Slowly. Three down, one more to go, and the title I have slotted for book four will also fill one of the new challenges below. Feel free to take the plunge and join me!


First up is the Really Old Classics Challenge. Yes, I know, I just said I still haven't completed the current classics challenge, and now I've gone and joined another. This one requires that you read no more than ONE classic written before 1600 AD between November 2009 and February 2010. Looking over the list of suggested readings, I discovered that I have in fact already read a few that qualify (some in both French and English), and realized that, aside from these works, I also have one not yet read in my TBR pile: Homer's The Odyssey. There you go, a book I can slide into January. And, since I intend to set myself the goal of reading at least four classics again in 2010, it will fulfill two challenges at once. Nice!


Next up is the Christmas Challenge — read at least three Christmas-themed books from 26 November 2009 through 31 December 2009. YA counts, children’s books do not. I had already gone through my TBR pile and pulled out a mess of Christmas titles before stumbling across this challenge, so this one should be easy to complete (and then some). Umm...yeah. You don't want to know how long that list is. There are books that have been languising in the TBR a decade or more. Sad, I know. And while I know I will not get through that entire list this year, at least I will make a healthy dint in it.


Last but not least is the Year of the Historical: A 2010 Reading Challenge. This challenge has no set book requirements, only asks that you read as many historicals as you can fit into your regular reading during the next year. Looking over the TBR, I realized that, if I read only one Johanna Lindsey a month, I will (finally) be caught up on her books. I used to devour her books, but realize the reason I fell behind wasn't because I tired of her writing, but because they switched from printing them in mass market pb to hardcover. A coup for her, but not for the reader. So, while I've continued to automatically buy each book, I haven't been so good at keeping up. This will be the year to do so!


There was a fourth challenge that intrigued me, but I have decided not to commit to it, feeling three are enough for the time being, but I will mention it in case anyone else wants to join. It's the Shelf-Discovery Challenge. This challenge asks that you look through the book by Lizzie Skurnick, then choose any six YA books mentioned in the book, whether it be one you want to reread as an adult, or one you missed as a teen, to read between 1 Nov 2009 – 30 April 2010. If you can't get your hands on a physical copy of the book, go to amazon.com and browse the book's table of contents; you can amass quite a reading list from that alone!


Let me know if you decide to join any of these. If these aren't your cuppa, but you like the idea of a reading challenge, check out A Novel Challenge. You're sure to find something that will suit you and your reading tastes!


8 comments:

Alice Audrey said...

Some of those "read one" ancient classics are huge! The Bible? The Koran? Even the Bhagivad Gita will take some time. Like all year.

Heather said...

Uh-huh... Which is why I'm not reading those. I prefer something a bit shorter and more manageable, TYVM, lol.

Jana said...

I might could do the Christmas themed challenge since all the good Christmas romances are coming out. hehehe

The others? Too overwhelming for my mindcandy seeking brain. ;-)

Heather said...

Jana - LOL... I figured if anyone would join me in the Christmas challenge, it would be you. I did notice all the Christmas titles were starting to appear on shelves (I have a Jill Shalvis on my to-buy list).

Rebecca Reid said...

I LOVE the Iliad. Make sure you have a more modern one -- I started on a 1800s translation and it was torture but loved Fagles. Thanks for joining the challenge.

PS. Alice Audrey: you could read excerpts or portions of huge works for this challenge if you wanted, but yeah, that's why it's a one work challenge!! There are huge ones out there!

Heather said...

Hi Rebecca! I don't know about The Iliad, but am planning to read The Odyssey, since I have a copy in my TBR pile. It's a 1992 translation by TE Lawrence and published by Wordsworth Classics. I have no idea where I acquired it, nor how long it's been languishing in the TBR. Also found a couple other short works I am interested in online this afternoon, so I may actually be able to plow through more than one. We shall see!

Psst! Hey Alice! What she said about reading selections of a larger work. ;)
(Yes, I know I'm evil. You and Jana tell me so repeatedly. Hehe)

Rebecca Reid said...

Sorry, I misread your post! I thought you'd said The Iliad! I love the Odyssey too, but not quite as much as the other....

Heather said...

S'okay! I didn't take your post as a misread, but as a suggestion. ;)