What is it with me and the word "Challenge"?? As a new blogger, especially one that deals mostly with books and the written word, I have been AMAZED at the amount of challenges that seem to float through the blog nation. And every time I see a new one, I just can't seem to help but put my name next to it!! Since I failed miserably at the Winter Classics Challenge, one would think that I would be a little more selective at the challenges that I get myself involved in. But no...that doesn't seem to be the case!! Of course, now that I have conceded that there has to be some cross-challenge books, it's a little easier to justify it to myself!! So I guess I should just get to posting the new challenges that seemed to have jumped onto my radar:
Well, Michelle at 3M said she started this as a personal challenge, and there was so much interest, she opened it up to all. It was originally 15 books for 15 decades, but she said you can do as many (or as little) as you want, as long as they are in consecutive decades. Well...it looks like it will be 18 books/18 decades for me. Mostly this is just because I wanted to add Wuthering Heights, but if I stayed in the 1840's, that was only 17. And 17 just sounded so uneven!! Anyway, here is my list:
- 1830's - Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickley by Charles Dickens
- 1840's - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte *also used for the TBR challenge
- 1850's - The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
- 1860's - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott *also used for the TBR Challenge
- 1870's - Far From the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy
- 1880's - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
- 1890's - Dracula by Bram Stoker
- 1900's - House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
- 1910's - O'Pioneers by Willa Cather
- 1920's - The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- 1930's - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley *also for the Banned Books Challenge
- 1940's - Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein
- 1950's - My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier *completed 2/19 for Winter Classics Challenge
- 1960's - Caravans by James Michener *Essencia Island Read
- 1970's - Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
- 1980's - Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood *also used for the TBR Challenge
- 1990's - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon *also used for the TBR Challenge
- 2000's - Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors
Finally, I saw this challenge and decided to add myself to the list. Figured 5 books would do. It is hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days. March 21 - June 21st. Read books! Isn't that easy? I'm thinking, I can handle this!! Here are my 6 books:
- Little Children by Tom Perotta
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
- Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
- Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart
- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult *just added because I just bought it!
Do you think this is enough to keep my mind occupied? I also have the TBR Challenge, The Banned Book Challenge, The Non-Fiction Five Challenge and the Chunkster challege. Rumor has it, there is also a Fantasy challenge coming up that I might like to get in on.......I think I need to have my head examined!!
Later !
23 comments:
I've been considering the Spring Challenge but I don't know...
My husband was looking at your post with me and wondered if there was any sort of time limit to reading those 18 books, because they're all rather hefty volumes!
Uh...Yeah! I thought about that AFTER I picked them!! There are a few that are actually pretty short. Oh well...I already picked them. And I have till the end of the year. Guess we will see how far I get!
These challenges sure are addicting, aren't they? You've got a great selection there for both challenges, Stephanie. I look forward to following your progress. :-)
I like the Spring Challenge too... just discovered it myself.
I like the list. Personally, I still have not gotten over crossing lists BUT I have to say have been up todate with the TBR challenge, finished the Winter Challenge and am exactly 1/2 way through the chunckster.
Dont come to my blog since I just posted/hosted my own challenge there ;) or just eye ball it since my button rocks!
I did not hear about the decades one though. I like it a lot.
Ooh, I love Cat's Eye and Outlander. Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite authors, and her novel Robber Bride is one of my favorite books of all time. Cat's Eye was almost autobiographical to me, I could so empathize with the character's point of view as a little girl. I need to reread that. Outlander was fun, but definitely LONG. You might consider that for a Chunkster Challenge. Just in case you don't have enough Challenges going on...:)
18 as a goal is GREAT!! I'll be watching your progress!
Girl!!! I just looked and that's 5 Challenges you're in. You are definitely more ambitious than I am. But, I must say, your influence has touched me. Thanks to your non-fiction challenge, I have read three non fiction books in the last two months
Yeah...I may have stretched it a bit on the challenges. BUT, I'm cross challenging a few. I already finshed My Cousin Rachel for the 1950's.
And the books on the Spring Reading Thing challenge are books I have, want to read this year, or have club reads with them.
Besides, I won't be TOO hard on myself if I don't make it. But what's a challenge for if it ISN'T challenging??
I surprised myself with the non-fiction 5. I didn't think I would find 5 that would interest me. Instead I came up with 11 that I had to draw out of a hat!
I wanna join, I wanna join, I wanna join! But I won't. Because I know I won't finish. LOL
What a great list. I can't wait to read your reviews. You really have your reading work cutting out for you. Glad to know the Decades challenge is for a year.
Wow, you certainly have a lot on your plate with all those challenges! My goodness! I'm glad you decided to be part of the Spring Reading Thing and I liked reading through your list. Nineteen Minutes keeps popping up on various lists...I may have to give in and go pick it up to add to mine! Enjoy those books!
Your list looks great! My 2nd TBR pile kees growing, as I find great suggestions on everyone else's list. I should be in books through the summer!
~TaunaLen
There certainly are a lot of challenges going on. I am impressed by the amount that people are in. I am looking forward to the fantasy one, though. :) And, I joined the Spring one this morning.
Wow, incredible list! I'm eager to read Jodi Picoult (sp?)...I've seen her on many lists.
I love all the challenges that are happening! Your book lists are amazing! I'm really interested in the Banned Book Challenge, very intriguing.
What... other reading challenges? How could I have missed them? I am going to have to check this out!
My kids had to read Brave New World for high school and college. They both have recommened it to me. I loved, loved Outlander! That series is on my all time favorite list! Enjoy.
That reading through the decades challenge is an interesting one! You will be a very busy little reader! Happy reading.
All of those books sound great! I just found new ones to add to my Fall reading list. Good luck & happy reading! =)
What a great idea--reading through the decades. I've always wanted to do a read through the Dewey Decimal system myself.
Wuthering Heights and Brave New World will not disappoint. I read Dracula a few years back and will interested to hear your views. I really like how you have categorized your reading list into a timeline. VERY COOL! Nicholas Nickelby is sitting on my shelf...love Dickens so why haven't I read it?!
A diverse group of books... wow. it look great. Happy reading!
OK, now I want to know about this fantasy challenge. That sounds like it would be right up my alley!
Rebecca LuElla Miller
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