Sunday, September 9, 2007

Oh WHY can't I resist?????

Challenges, challenges, challenges.....why is it that I just can't seem to resist?? I just seem to love signing up for challenges. On the positive side, I have met some wonderful people and have added so many new books to my TBR list (or is that a negative?) I have experienced reading books that I know I wouldn't have ever picked up without the little "push" that a challenge will give. On the downside, I seem to have added so many challenges that I can't possibly finish all of them!!

But I think it seems to be the fun in trying new things. New books, new authors, new genres. And being able to actually check something off a list seems to be a big pull for me. Yes, I know that I'm weird!! But right now, there is an onslaught of new challenges, and I just can't seem to stop!!


First is the Cardathon Challenge. Sponsored by Becky from Becky's Book Reviews, this is a challenge honoring her favorite author, Orson Scott Card. But you don't have to read only Card books. Oh no. You can read any books that he's written, edited or REVIEWED!! The reviewed part is what opens up realms of opportunity! Now, I ask you....is it crazy to join in a challenge honoring an author you have never read before??? Probably. But I'm going on faith (and the word of my blogging friend Chris, who also counts Card as a favorite and hasn't steered me wrong so far). So indeed I joined. The challenge is for 2008 and has it's own blog!! So...with all the great books that can be picked for this challenge, I added a HUGE amount to my list!! I reserve the right to pick and choose at least 12, if not many more, from this list:

  • Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
  • Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
  • The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card
  • Sarah by OSC
  • Lost Boys by OSC
  • Enchantment by OSC
  • A Planet Called Treason by OSC
  • Capitol by OSC
  • Hot Sleep by OSC
  • Eye for and Eye by OSC
  • Treasure Box by OSC
  • Wyrms by OSC
    Then comes the reviews and recommendations:

  • Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
  • The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
  • Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
  • Murder of Roger Ackroid by Agatha Christie
  • The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
  • Widdershins by Charles de Lint
  • The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling
  • The Puppet Masters (or Farmer in the Sky) by Robert Heinlein
  • The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
  • Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
  • Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
  • Holes by Louis Sacher
  • Digging to America by Anne Tyler


Sheesh...that's a lot of books!!




Next up is the Index Librorum Liberorum, hosted by Imani, from The Books of my Numberless Dreams. This is a chance to read some classics that have been on the Vatican's banned list for centuries. Figured I could "culture" myself a little with this challenge! You can choose any work by any author on the list. I've decided to stick mainly with works of fiction. This challenge runs for a full year and could be quite interesting.

The books that I have chosen to read are:

  • Candide by Voltaire
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
  • Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (re-read)
  • Nana (or The Ladies' Paradise) by Emile Zola
  • Paradise Lost by John Milton
  • Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
  • Indiana by George Sand
  • The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
  • The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene
  • History of My Life by Giacomo Casanova
  • Justine by Marquis de Sade

See...that's some heavy reading!

Finally, and I haven't signed up for this one.....yet! But Michelle from 1 More Chapter, has a new blog for her new challenge 888. This is 8 books from 8 Categories in 08. It sounds like so much fun, but so many books!! Who knows? I will probably have to throw my name in the hat for this one too!!

Anyone going to join me?

20 comments:

Literary Feline said...

LOL At least you won't have to worry about ideas of what to read next. :-) I'm cutting back on challenges next year. At least that's my plan. Good luck to you!

Stephanie said...

Wendy - Oh yeah...I thought I was going to cut back too!! The 888 is really a great challenge, but it would limit my "for me" reading so much, I just don't know about it! 64 books is almost my entire year in reading!

Ana S. said...

I haven't officially announced it yet, but I've pretty much decided to join the Cardathon too. It'll be good to have your company! I'm also going more or less on faith here - I've only read one of his books, "Enchantment". I just hope I like the others as much as I liked that one!

tanabata said...

LOL! These challenges are so addicting aren't they? I was tempted by the Index Librorum Liberorum one but I don't have many of the books and I'm really trying to do challenges that help me with my already staggering TBR. Good luck with all your challenges! :)

Anonymous said...

They look like some intersting challenges. Not sure I will join in yet, am seeing how my challenges go this year before signing up to too many more. I really enjoy them though so will bear these in mind thanks.

Amy said...

I know what you mean about resisting. I pretty much stink at it...:)

My son really wants me to read the Ender series as they are some of his favorites.

These look great but I am scaling back on my challenges in 2008. I have already committed to several open-ended ones and to Wendy's Themed Challenge so that is enough for me for now.

I hope you enjoy yours though and I love reading your reviews.

Anonymous said...

Well clearly since you have so much free time, you need to do a meme. ;)

Becky said...

I am doing the 888 challenge as well. I figured that the Cardathon, series challenge, and any other challenges that Carl hosts (I've heard rumors of science fiction and another Once Upon A Time) will fit right in with the 888 one. Call me insane--it would be true--but I am hosting another one, this time directly at Becky's Book Reviews, called Celebrate the Author challenge. Anyway, I'm so glad I'm not the only challenge-addict out there :)

chrisa511 said...

Yay!! So glad you're doing the Cardathon. Warning! Ender's Game, Seventh Son, and Memory of Earth will all get you started and hooked on excellent series'! ;) As for your Card recommended list, my favorite on that list is Fablehaven! Your kids would probably like that one too, it's excellent! That 888 challenge is cool! But no way am I joining that! I have to draw the line somewhere ;)

Stephanie said...

Nymeth - Very cool!! I'd hate to be the only "newbie" in the Cardathon! Can you tell I was bored this morning, because I spent so much time looking up books?

Tanabata - Yes!! Challenges are as addicting as books. They are like Crack to me!! At least my bad habit won't kill me!

Rhinoa - I hope you do join in...I always look forward to your reviews.

Amy - There are still challenges I haven't signed up for?? Just kidding! I'll be sure to stay away from those!

Heather - I'll be sure and get to that a little later!!

Becky - That 888 looks so cool, but I just don't think I can committ to that many! That's like almost an entire year of books for me with my schedule! Thanks again for the Cardathon!!

Chris - Yeah...YOU sucked me in!! And I realize I started like every series. But I didn't want to committ to the whole thing, just in case I didn't like a series. Weird I know. Now, I'll probably end up with even MORE books to read!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Oh you are a crazy one!!

Kimmie said...

I've joined two of these challenges. I'm now trying to set all my TBR into categories. Wich me luck.

Anonymous said...

i must say, those are good choices for challenges - they perfectly balance each other out! very cool :)

kookie said...

That's a pretty awesome idea to read not only books that OSC wrote, but ones he reviewed as well. The same thing could be done with Stephen King (with better results, I think) except I think everyone has already read all of his stuff, haven't they?

Good luck with these.

Dewey said...

I'm joining you in the 888 challenge! But I will probably pass on the others. I'm learning my limits with challenges!

Joy said...

You are challenge crazy!!! Good luck with all those! Have fun!

Andi said...

Noooo, I can't look! I'll join!

Becky said...

Stephanie,
Thanks for visiting my site. I'm sure you'll like Dracula! And I always appreciate being added to folks' blogrolls! :)

And I hope you'll consider the celebrate the author challenge. I have found that most of these will work with other challenges--the 888 for example and the series and the cardathon and the 1001 other challenges I'll probably join in 2008.

Booklogged said...

I'm already planning on the Cardathon Challenge, but the other two you listed are new to me. I'll have to think things over before joining.

BTW, have I mentioned how much I like the look of your blog. Love the bright colors with the black background. Very classy.

Suey said...

I'm tempted I am... so tempted. But I don't know how many I can handle either! Sheesh!!