In 2011 I was all anti-reading challenges. I think I burned myself out, since I’m not normally one for planning and deadlines and shit (that’s what work is for, and reading is not supposed to be work). But now that I’ve taken a bit of a break from them, I find myself intrigued by a few being offered for 2012. Absence must really make the reader grow fonder of reading with a group.
Or something like that.
So what caught my interest?
First, there’s the A Classics Challenge, hosted by November’s Autumn (and thank you to Andi and her post for tempting me with this). I really like the way this one is designed, with a monthly group question and the option to flake for several months. Okay, so that’s not the exact wording, but that’s how I choose to interpret it. I am all about the flakiness.
These are the classics I’d like to read in 2012, and bonus, most of them are already on my shelves:
- Agnes Grey – because Anne is the only Bronte sis I have yet to read, and I’ve been wanting to see how she compares to Emily (so not a fan of Wuthering Heights) and Charlotte (so far my fave, although considering her competition was Wuthering Heights, she got off easy).
- Don Quixote – yes, really. Maybe I’m tilting at windmills (har dee har har), but I’m going to give it a try.
- Little Women – I hope re-reads are okay. Since it’s been decades since I’ve read this, it’ll be as if I’m experiencing it for the very first time. So I figure that makes it allowable.
- Emma – I’ve made no secret of my apathy for Pride and Prejudice (even the “Now with Zombies!” version), but I’m determined to finish at least one Jane Austen book in my lifetime.
- Catch-22 – because it’s on the shelf. And I’ve gotta have me something modern to mix in with the oldies.
- The Stranger – ditto. Also, it’s short, which is an important consideration, especially with Don Q on the list.
- The Scarlett Letter – I read this in high school, but my recent reading of (and love for) When She Woke is inspiring me to read it again. Besides, I hardly remember it (a common theme with me). And no, I never saw the movie.
So that’s 7 classics. I think it’s doable, as long as I don’t start with Don Quixote. And if I psych myself out about Don Q, I reserve the right to replace him with Anna K, who is sitting half finished on the shelf (I promise I’d start back at the beginning).
One thing I do know…no way, no how, will I be reading War and Peace.
I’m also considering the TBR Pile Challenge, but I need to stare at my book shelves for awhile longer before I finalize that list. I realize I could take the easy way out and borrow Agnes G, Don Q, Anna K, Catch-22, The Stranger, and The Scarlett Letter from the above list, since they are all already in the house, but I’m also going to try very hard in 2012 to buy fewer books. I know, I should totally commit to the TBR Double Dare, but holy crap, that’s a bit scary. Baby steps, people.
Also. Whoa, this new blog theme has ginormous spaces between paragraphs! Does it bug you as much as it bugs me? That’s going on the list of things to figure out and fix.
Agnes Grey!!! You will either love it or hate it. I love it. I’m also re-reading Little Women in 2012, and reading Emma for the first time! I didn’t like Pride & Prejudice (my first Austen) the first time I read it, either, but then I reread it and loved it.
Jillian´s last [type] ..Transcendental Wild Oats (by Louisa May Alcott) & Young Goodman Brown (by Nathaniel Hawthorne)
The Classics challenge is one I’ve been eying as well for 2012. I plan to pick (5) as I found that number very doable in 2011. Have fun; I hope to read more Steinbeck and some Dickens.
Diane@BibliophileBytheSea´s last [type] ..Waiting on Wednesday ~ Coral Glynn; Peter Cameron
I’m in the opposite place as you. I bombed my challenges this year so I’m laying low next year. Good luck to you!
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..The Muppets
You have some of my worst-ever classics on that list, haha! Like Don Q. That one’s good for about 30 pages. Then those 30 pages recycle themselves for the next 500. I only read Book 1. That was enough for me.
I think I’ve said this before, but if you read Agnes Grey and hate it, don’t give up on Anne. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, while three times as long as Agnes Grey, is faster to read and about a million times more interesting. I adored it, and wanted to stab Agnes in the eye with a fork. Repeatedly.
Catch-22, on the other hand, is brilliant, and I hope you love it. You know, I wonder if there’s an audio version of that one available. It’s one of those books I’ve read 5 or 6 times now, and I bet an audio version would be fantastic for another reread…
Amanda´s last [type] ..Fourth Drafts
I don’t mind the space- it’s easy on the eyes. The Classics Challenge sounds like fun. I really want to read Catch-22 one of these days. The copies I see at work tempt me!
The big spaces don’t bother me. I like the new theme and think it looks clean and lovely.
Glad you’re jumping into the fray with me on A Classics Challenge. Let’s flake together.
I’ve been meaning to read Catch-22 for ages and have been thinking about makeing 2012 the year I finally do it. I’ve got lots of big plans so it remains to be seen whether in reality it happens or not.
Stefanie´s last [type] ..Children of Heracles
The Classics challenge has caught my eye too. I am always meaning to read more classics and it never happens. I hope you enjoy Emma–it is one of my favorites of Austen’s!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Painted Veil
I agree with Amanda–Agnes Grey is not Anne’s best. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is much, much better.
As for the spacing, try this: when you hit enter to create a new paragraph, try hitting shift at the same time (if you work on a PC–I have no idea what the equivalents would be on a Mac).
Amy´s last [type] ..This and that
I’m in Kathy’s camp. I was great with challenges in 2008-2010. But in 2011 I was a big fail.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Review: The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar
No, the spacing doesn’t bother me. I like lots of white space. So clean. Good luck with the challenges. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with the intention to read books you already own. The trick is not to mind at the end of the year when somehow, we have accumulated MORE books already owned!
Care´s last [type] ..What’s in a Name 5 (2012)
I bought a gorgeous edition of WAR AND PEACE for a reading program at our library. I made it to the first two meetings, then dropped out … had fallen so far behind. The director had done a great job with it, too, sharing maps, pictures, background info. Maybe I’ll tackle it again one day.
As for the spaces between paragraphs: I don’t mind them! I read your post on the iPad and it looked great.
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Book Review: *Learning Joy from Dogs without Collars* by Lauralee Summer
I am glad you found a challenge that you like. I think it adds some interest to my reading to make myself seek out certain books or titles. I’ve gone a little challenge crazy for 2012 so we’ll see if they all actually happen!
Helen´s last [type] ..Challenge wrap-up: Where are you reading?
These are the two challenges that caught my eye as well, and I am considering joining them as well. I haven’t yet decided if I will join officially, or unofficially, but they are the two that spark my interest the most. Good luck with them!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood — 288 pgs
Good luck! I love having fun with a challenge
Amused´s last [type] ..BTT: Mystery of Love Story
I have been looking for a couple challenges I can get behind. I am running the WHERE Are You Reading Challenge again, but would like to add a couple others that would challenge me….
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..Morning Meanderings… Planning The First Book Of The Year
This year was a real wash out for me and challenges due to the baby anxiety. And everyone tells me that next year I will be too busy to read, let alone finish challenges. But man I like challenges…..
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Sorcerer of the North
Now here I just swore off reading challenge and you’re getting back on the horse. Well, I guess it proves that I need to take time off in order to get into them again.
I am OK with the paragraph spacing.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop: Letter To Santa Claus
It’s easier for me to participate in the TBR Dare Challenge than it is the TBR Pile Challenge. It’s hard for me to commit to a strict list. Good luck!
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Weekend Reads and Secret Santa
I’m going to do the TBR Dare and hope I can last a month, LOL! I would love to last three but no promises.
Heather @ Book Addiction´s last [type] ..Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman
I’m still not sure about 2012 challenges, though I’ve already signed up for one. It seems that when I join a challenge, I do everything possible to never finish it. So I may only sign up for a challenge when I’m in the mood for reading a book or two related to the challenge. Maybe I’ll finish challenges that way. Now for the one I signed up for……..
Aths´s last [type] ..My favorite 2011 books …. that I haven’t read yet!
I’m taking next year off from challenges since I’ve burned myself out this year. Emma has been my least favorite Austen so far, but I guess if it’s sitting on your shelves (as it was mine)…
Read Catch-22 in college and hated it but that could be because I didn’t like any of the classics from that period. That whole post war novels class was a wash for me. But Jason listened to it last year and raved about it so I may give it another chance.
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