This is going to be a long post today. I’m sorry, but I’ve got a variety of things to chat about.
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We Have a Winner
First of all, I need to announce the winner of This Book Is Overdue. After consulting with my advisor (random.org), I’ve been told that Jenners from Find Your Next Book Here is the new owner of this delightful book.
Woo-hoo!! Congratulations, and please email me with your address.
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So How’re You Doing With Those Reading Challenges, Softdrink?
Thanks for asking. I decided it was time to sit down and pretend like I’m being organized about reading challenges. Let’s start with a look at the current challenges:
South Asian Authors: I just finished my first of three books for this challenge, One Amazing Thing. The review will post sometime this week. I’ve also started my second book, The Space Between Us, so I’m in good shape with this challenge. I’m also reading books that were already on my bookshelf, making this an especially successful challenge.
Women Unbound: I committed to the Suffragette level (8 books, at least 3 non-fiction). I think I’ve more than completed this challenge…the thing is, I keep finding more books I want to read! So don’t be surprised if I pretend I’m still participating. Here’s what I’ve read:
- When Everything Changed
- The Woman Warrior
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- A London Child of the 1870s
- The Widow Clicquot
- Somebody Else’s Daughter
- True Pleasures
- French Milk
- The Disappeared (review pending)
- Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
O.A.T.E.S.: The idea here is to read books by Oates, Atwood, Tolstoy, Ernest Hemingway and Steinbeck. I signed up for Rolled Oates, or two books, and I’ve finished. Yippee! I actually read 2 books by Atwood, The Penelopiad and The Year of the Flood, and one Steinbeck, East of Eden, so I’ve fulfilled my pledge to read two books.
The NY Challenge: My own challenge, and I haven’t even started the one book set in NY I need to read. This is why I set the requirement at one book.
I’ve been trying to resist, but there have been a few new developments that I just can’t resist:
Lu at Regular Rumination will be Exploring American Authors this year, and I’m going to join in. I’m going to try to read one book a month by an American author not from Canada or the US. Which isn’t to say I don’t love Canadian authors, ‘cause I do. It’s just that I already read Canadian authors. It’s the Mexican, Brazilian, Chilean, Honduran, Peruvian, (you get the idea) authors that I tend to ignore. This isn’t really a challenge, more like an informal read-along, which is just perfect for me.
Carrie at Books and Movies is hosting the Ireland Challenge. Since I’m Irish waaaaaay back in the family tree, and my dad was born on Saint Patrick’s Day, I just can’t say no (and in my mind those are perfectly logical reasons for joining a challenge). Some possibilities for this challenge are Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show, The Irish Country Doctor and How to Paint a Dead Man, all of which are currently residing inside of my house. How convenient. Oh, and I’m going with the Shamrock level, which is 2 books.
Also,Trish of Trish’s Reading Nook is hosting the Non-Fiction Five Challenge. I’m sure I can squeeze this one in. I’m going to use it to try and finish some of the non-fiction books I’ve started but have yet to finish. Please don’t make me name them…just know that there are plenty sitting around the house.
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Because the World Needs More Challenges
Okay, not really, although I’m sure there are some junkies out there looking to score. So just for them, I have a few things of my own in the works. Inspired by Ti at Book Chatter’s Moby Dick Monday (at which I totally failed), I’ll be doing a Wuthering Heights Wednesday read-along sometime soon. It’s tentatively planned for April, I just have to figure out how it’ll work. I’m also planning a quirky year-long international literature challenge, but that won’t kick off for a few more months. But if I put it down here, then it’s gotta happen, right? So stay tuned.
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Books! For You! (maybe)
Are you still with me? I also have a few books in need of new homes. These are all previously read, but I promise they’re in good shape. If you’re interested in a book, let me know in the comments. First come, first served, and one per customer, please.
- Vanishing America
- The Age of Orphans
- Fault Lines (complete with creepy eye)
- A Taste of Caviar
- Wife of the North (this is an ARC. And I’ve tried to read it, but it just wasn’t working for me.)
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The End
Whew. I think that’s it.
Oh, good luck with Wuthering Heights. It’s easy to read but oh man I hated that book! Quirky international lit challenge sounds fun. Maybe I’ll be through with some of my challenges by then and will be able to join you! I need to read more international lit.
The easy part sounds good, but I’m a little worried by how many people are hatin’ it.
I hate, hate, hate Wuthering Heights. So I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you all have to say about it!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “Behind You” by Jacqueline Woodson =-.
Uh-oh. At least it’s not as long as that damn whale book.
Congratulations to Jenners! I’m totally jealous but happy for her.
I wish I’d had copies for all of you…
Not too long of a post! I like people’s wrap-ups. I am also enjoying the Women Unbound challenge; so many interesting books fit into it. I have also only read one for the South Asian Authors, but my second one is coming up this month.
I’m thinking of hosting a Middle Eastern challenge for next year…what do you think of that idea?
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: A great week =-.
I think it seems long to me because it took forever to write. All those links…ugh.
Middle Eastern Challenge…yes!! I’d so sign up for that.
Have fun with WH — not one of my favorite books, but I think you’ll have tons of fun writing up your progress reports.
You are killing for Women Unbound — I need to get going on that challenge.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Featuring . . . The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama =-.
Does ANYBODY like WH? I’m starting to get a little worried.
Hey don’t feel bad, I can relate to the whole challenge-obsession thing…LOL
I love these weekly wrap up posts; the longer the better…LOL
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Sunday Salon =-.
In that case, just wait for next week.
Okay, kidding…if all my posts were this labor intensive I’d only post once/month!
The Wuthering Heights read-along sounds intriguing – thought I was the only one that has never read it! My resolve to stay away from challenges this year is seriously weakening with Trish’s non-fiction five and classics challenges, and Carrie’s Ireland Challenge, and….
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Baking as Therapy =-.
Mwah ha ha ha.
You should join in with WH! If it’s bad, we’ll all suffer together.
Ooh, Fault Lines is calling my name if it’s still available! My email is fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com.
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..The Monstrosity Gazette: A weekly smattering of all things literary… =-.
I’m really excited to have someone reading The Labyrinth of Solitude with me! I’m still working on the first essay, but I really hope you enjoy it. Well, I’m not sure that enjoy is the right word. It’s very thought-provoking and at the very least there is a conversation waiting on the other end.
.-= Lu´s last blog ..TSS – Losing my reading mojo =-.
I feel the same way about the Women UnBound challenge; I’ve completed it but I think I’m just going to up my level to more books!
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Giveaway: Drama =-.
Whew! I’m a bit out of breath after reading your challenge list. It sounds like you are making good progress, Jill. Very good, in fact.
I hope you have a great week!
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: The Fairest Portion of the Globe by Frances Hunter =-.
Tsk Tsk. Pay no mind to the negative comments regarding WH. It will be fun to read it together and it IS much shorter than MD so we’ll survive and maybe enjoy some of it. You just never know.
.-= Ti´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: Eatin’ and Readin’ =-.
Nice work on all of your challenges! You’ve done pretty well so far! I’ve also joined the Irish Challenge (with needing to read 4 books) so I look forward to your reviews!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Martha Stewart Saved My Ass =-.
Please keep that freakin spooky eye book away from me! LOL! This weekend must be the weekend for longer posts. Mine yesterday was lengthy indeed.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..Ready, Set, March! =-.
Love the long post! The Age Of Orphans sounds interesting I will have to look that one up.
I would do WH with you if you are looking for peeps. I read it awhile back with my book club and found it really fun to discuss. I was thrilled because it was a classic I actually made it through.
.-= Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last blog ..Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire =-.
You’re reading Wuthering Heights? LOL I hope you like it!
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Novels & Gender =-.
That really wasn’t that long. I’ve written longer … nanny nanny boo boo.
I will not be tempted by new challenges. I will stick the ones I have and will finish them. (I need to write this 100x like Bart Simpson).
And I’m the winner??? YAY for me! I e-mailed you my address being an eager beaver winner!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Show Me 5 Saturday: "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See =-.
I’ve gone WAY past the Suffragette level for Women Unbound, but I just don’t care. We should add a bonus level, lol.
I loved The Space Between Us when I read it-years ago. I’ve been meaning to read more by that author ever since!
Good luck w/ Wuthering Heights. You might want to channel your inner 12-year-old. LOL I tried to reread it for third time, listening to the audio, back in January and finally gave up. I’ve accepted that I never loved it, and each time I re-open it, I like it less and less! But I know other bloggers who adore it. So it’ll be interesting to see where you fall.
.-= Eva´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: the High Gear Post =-.
I’m so glad you’re joining us for the Ireland Challenge!
.-= Carrie K.´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – March 7, 2010 (the “February in review” edition) =-.
I’m impressed at how well you’re doing with your challenges. I need to get back on track with mine!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Final Post: East of Eden =-.
Well, Eva sug’d it before I could. Yes, the Women Unbound Challenge hosts should have a bonus level. GOOD JOB.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Love Begins in Winter =-.
Looks to me like your doing a great job with your challenges!
.-= gavin´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Challenge Check-In =-.
I read-along Wuthering Heights a couple of years ago with a bunch of people. None of the characters is likeable, but I loved the book. The experience was like a thunderstorm! (need to put my words in since it looked like a lot of people disliked it from the comments..)
.-= mee´s last blog ..Movie Mini-Reviews: Always, The Road, and Bright Star =-.
Hahaha, I love how we host challenges with such high hopes…and then end up being really late in actually completing them. I did the same thing with mine last fall. I didn’t read any of the books until the last week.
.-= Kari´s last blog ..Review: A Roman Holiday =-.