Book Awards Reading Challenge
Now that "Once Upon a Time" is coming to an end (sniff), I thought I'd join another reading challenge before I started suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
The Book Awards Reading Challenge is being hosted by 3M, and the goal is to read 12 award-winning books between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.
I was a little hesitant about joining this one at first, simply because it lasts for a whole year, and it's difficult for me to commit to a challenge for that long - especially because my life is going to change quite a bit from September onwards, and I have no idea how things will be in terms of time to read - at first, anyway. But, like Athena pointed out, it only takes a few months to read 12 books. I could probably read quite a few this summer, and then take my time with the others, or even add extras during the first half of 2008.
Plus, like I mentioned a while ago, I've been meaning to read more Pulitzers, and this challenge is the perfect excuse!
So, here is my list:
The Book Awards Reading Challenge is being hosted by 3M, and the goal is to read 12 award-winning books between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.
I was a little hesitant about joining this one at first, simply because it lasts for a whole year, and it's difficult for me to commit to a challenge for that long - especially because my life is going to change quite a bit from September onwards, and I have no idea how things will be in terms of time to read - at first, anyway. But, like Athena pointed out, it only takes a few months to read 12 books. I could probably read quite a few this summer, and then take my time with the others, or even add extras during the first half of 2008.
Plus, like I mentioned a while ago, I've been meaning to read more Pulitzers, and this challenge is the perfect excuse!
So, here is my list:
- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (Pulitzer 2001) (I have every reason to believe I'm going to LOVE this one.)
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Pulitzer 1983) (I was already thinking of adding this as an extra for Maggie's Southern Reading Challenge)
- Beloved by Toni Morrison(Pulitzer 1988)
- Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (World Fantasy Award 2006)
- Little, Big by John Crowley (World Fantasy Award 1982) (Neil Gaiman recommends this one, and I've been meaning to read it for ages.)
- Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner (World Fantasy Award 1991)
- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin (Hugo 1970, and Nebula 1969) (Ursula Le Guin is one of my favourite authors, and this is said to be one of her masterpieces, but when I tried to read it some years ago, I couldn't get past the first few chapters. I think it was probably just wrong timing, though, and I am more than willing to give it another try.)
- Midnight's Children by Salman Rushie (Booker Prize 1981)
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishuguro (Booker Prize 1989)
- The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy (Booker Prize 1997) (Also on my Reading Across Borders list)
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Newbery Medal 1978) (Because it's been recommended to me several times, and plus I loved what Quixotic wrote about it a while ago.)
- On Beauty by Zadie Smith (Orange Prize 2006)
I'm in the challenge too!! Your sit eis so pretty!!! And you will love Michael Chabon's book!! It's great! I just ordered his new one!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did decided to take up the challenge. As with you, once Sepember begins, I don't think I'll have the luxury of reading but I have all but one of the books for the challenge at home now so I'm sure to get through at least half the list before summer starts. Our lists do overlap quite a bit so that'll be fun.
ReplyDeleteCool it looks like we share a few books which should be fun. I can't believe I didn't see Bridge to Terabithia, I will have to add it to my list as I loved the film and so many people have recommended the book.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you joined...and I'll bet you'll be glad you did, too! There's just so many books out there waiting to read, huh? I just started Bridge to Terabithia last night...so far, delightful!
ReplyDeleteKatie, hi! And thank you :) It will be my first book by Chabon, but I'm really looking forward to it. He sounds like my kind of writer. Plus, he has the Neil Gaiman stamp of approval ;)
ReplyDeleteAthena, seeing lists like yours, full of books I've been meaning to read for years, definitely help me made up my mind. I only have a few of the books I listed at home, but the library has some of the others, so once July starts I'll have access to about half my list.
Rhinoa: I haven't seen the movie, but I keep hearing how wonderful it is. I must see it once I read the book.
Debi: I'm quite sure I'll be glad too. And I'm glad you're enjoying it - it's one of the books I'm most looking forward to reading. I'll be waiting for your review!
I loved Midnight's Children! I'm glad to see it on someone's list. The Left Hand of Darkness is also on my list. Had it on the shelf for a few years now, and its high time I get it out of the TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I loved Bridge to Terabithia when I read it as a child in an elementary school reading class. It definitely stuck wtih me.
ReplyDeleteAh tempting!
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been dropping by lately - will be doing so more frequently very soon!
Trish, that'll be one of the first I'll read, because the library has it. I look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteAlyson, everyone tells me it's a very powerful story. I'm glad I'm reading it at last.
Quixotic, you've been missed, but there's nothing to apologize for! I hope things improve for you as soon as possible.
Some great books!! I see we have a few in common! I'm looking forward to reading your reviews on each and every one!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I'm looking forward to reading yours as well!
ReplyDeleteI just received The God of Small Things in the mail today. I picked it out solely on the title and a peek into the cover has me convinced I won't be sorry I did.
ReplyDeleteI'm still dithering on my list (still 3 days left to procrastinate!)
I started Midnight's Children years ago, and I couldn't get into it, but I think it was the time in my life (too much angst, not enough gumption). I'm looking forward to your take on it.
If you have the copy of The Left Hand of Darkness with a really long introduction (not by the author), skip it! I almost didn't read the book because the introduction was so dry, but I was glad I kept on with it to the end.
Kim, I look forward to your review of it!
ReplyDeleteI hope Midnight's Children works for me. My other experiences with Rushie were positive.
And nope, my edition doesn't have the intro, but thanks for the tip! That happened to me with Marquez' "Love in the Time of Cholera" - it had a very long, cringe-worthy intro by some random guy, and I skipped it even though I normally read intros.