I'm not sure which I began doing first, reading or writing. My love for both extends beyond my earliest memories. Especially during my tween and teen years -- when life was hard enough for an average girl without the extra burden of abuse thrown into the cruel mix -- I retreated to the safe and magical worlds of books. Some were universes crafted by others, and some were existences of my own making, penned into journals and kept safe from oppressors' eyes. Both provided escape. Both were my salvation.Today, I write the kinds of stories I'd enjoy reading, and when I read, I'm inspired to be a better writer. They are two sides of the same coin, really. And since I love a good challenge, I've decided to act on the inspiration drawn from other writers' blogs and give myself a reading challenge for 2010. Yes, I realize it's already February...but it's early February, and I've already completed two novels this year. So, here's what I propose:
The 100 Books in a Year challenge makes my head spin. That's two books a week! (*slowly shakes her head*) No, I don't think I should set the bar that high, not with my writing schedule and family to consider. The housework is neglected bad enough as it is! Instead, I'll shoot for half of that. 50 Books in 2010. Like the 100 Book Challenge, I'll include all genres as long as it's a book, including fiction, nonfiction, YA, how-to's, poetry collections, short story anthologies, and all the rest.
Below, I'll keep an updated list of my progress. Each time I finish a book, I'll write a review in a blog entry and link it here. And I love discussing books! I encourage any of you to let me know if you've read one of the books I did, and include in your comment whether you enjoyed it, would recommend it, and link a review, if you did one.
My List of Books Read in 2010
1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - by Stieg Larsson (2005, Norstedts Forlag [Swedish] -- ISBN 978-1847242532) Read my discussion here.
2. The Almost Moon -- by Alice Sebold (2007, Little, Brown and Company -- ISBN 0316677469)Read my review here.
3. The Hunger Games - by Suzanne Collins (2008, Scholastic Press -- ISBN-13: 978-0-436-02348-1) Read my review here.
4. The Giver - by Lois Lowry (1993, Dell Laurel-Leaf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books -- ISBN: 0-440-23768-8)
5. Among the Hidden - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2000, Aladdin Paperbacks -- ISBN-13: 9780689824753)
6. Hush Hush - by Becca Fitzpatrick (2009, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9781416989417)
7. Animal Farm - by George Orwell (copyright 1945, Current Pub. Date 1996, Penguin Group (USA) -- ISBN-13: 9780451526342)
8. The Shack - by William P. Young (2008, windblown Media -- ISBN-13: 9780964729230)
9. A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, and The Thanksgiving Visitor - by Truman Capote (copyrights in order the short stories are listed here: 1956/1984 by Capote; 1982/1983, by Capote; 1967 by Capote, renewed 1995 by Alan U. Schwartz, Current Pub. Date 1996, Modern Library Edition, Random House, Inc. -- ISBN-0-679-60237-2)
10. Sula - by Toni Morrison (copyright 1973; Reprint Pub. Date 2004, Knopf Doubleday Publishing, ISBN-13: 9781400033430)
11. The Pearl - by John Steinbeck (copyright 1947, Reprint Pub. Date 2002, Penguin Group (USA), ISBN-13: 9780142000694)
12. Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Novel & Three Stories (Modern Library Series) - by Truman Capote (Original copyright 1958; Current Pub. Date January 1994, Random House Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780679600855)
13. Pickles to Pittsburgh - by Judy Barrett (1997; Simon & Schuster Children's --ISBN-13: 9780689801044)
14. Charming Billy - by Alice McDermott (2009; Picador USA -- ISBN-13: 9780312429423)
15. Catching Fire - by Suzanne Collins (2009; Scholastic, Inc. -- ISBN-13: 9780439023498)
16. And Murder for Dessert - by Kathleen Delaney (2009; Poisoned Pen Press -- ISBN-13: 9781615950416)
17. Among the Imposters - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2002; Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839085)
18. Among the Betrayed - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2003; Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839092)
19. Among the Barons - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2004, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839108)
20. Among the Brave - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2005, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689857959)
21. Among the Enemy - by Margaret Peterson Haddix
22. Among the Brave - by Margaret Peterson Haddix
23. The Town That Forgot How To Breathe - by Kenneth J. Harvey
24. The Mistress - by Philippe Tapon
25. Mockingjay - by Suzanne Collins
26. Paranormalcy - by Kiersten White
27. Devil Bones - by Kathy Reichs
28. Fallen Knight - by DL Hammon
29. Enzo's Mamma - by Wendy Ramer
30. On Writing - by Stephen King
31. Housekeeping - by Marilynne Robinson
32. Nightshade City - by Hilary Wagner
13. Pickles to Pittsburgh - by Judy Barrett (1997; Simon & Schuster Children's --ISBN-13: 9780689801044)
14. Charming Billy - by Alice McDermott (2009; Picador USA -- ISBN-13: 9780312429423)
15. Catching Fire - by Suzanne Collins (2009; Scholastic, Inc. -- ISBN-13: 9780439023498)
16. And Murder for Dessert - by Kathleen Delaney (2009; Poisoned Pen Press -- ISBN-13: 9781615950416)
17. Among the Imposters - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2002; Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839085)
18. Among the Betrayed - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2003; Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839092)
19. Among the Barons - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2004, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689839108)
20. Among the Brave - by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2005, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing -- ISBN-13: 9780689857959)
21. Among the Enemy - by Margaret Peterson Haddix
22. Among the Brave - by Margaret Peterson Haddix
23. The Town That Forgot How To Breathe - by Kenneth J. Harvey
24. The Mistress - by Philippe Tapon
25. Mockingjay - by Suzanne Collins
26. Paranormalcy - by Kiersten White
27. Devil Bones - by Kathy Reichs
28. Fallen Knight - by DL Hammon
29. Enzo's Mamma - by Wendy Ramer
30. On Writing - by Stephen King
31. Housekeeping - by Marilynne Robinson
32. Nightshade City - by Hilary Wagner
15 comments:
Sounds like a good goal! Good luck!
Good luck. :)
I'm doing the 50 books in a year goal, too.
Power to you.
Kristin Rae~ Thanks, hon!!
Dominique~ Good luck with your goal, too. We can do it! And thanks so much for following me!!
((hugs)) Nicole
good luck!
I was a reader first, and i came late to that as well. Since i've never kept track of how many books i read a year, i have no idea what a good goal would be for me. Perhaps i'll just make a goal to keep track of the books i read this year
Hi Falen~ I'm like you and don't keep track. I have no idea if I can read 50 in a year...sheesh, that's one a week. What am I checking my blog for?? I should be reading!
:))
I've never thought of keeping track of how many books I read in a year. But come to think of it, I would probably reach 100 no problem. :D
Hi Stina~ I kept track of the books I read the first year I was in the Peace Corps, but I never have since. Even then, all alone in Central Africa, I still came no where near 100 books! But you're inspiring me... :))
Thanks for following, and I look forward to reading more from you, too!
I'm trying to do the 100 book challenge this year too. I listen to a lot of audiobooks so that helps me get a little more done. Sitting down to read is hard! And I read a lot of chapter books and MG that I can read in just a few sittings. 50 big thick books would be a challenge.
Sounds like a great goal! Good luck. I'd never be able to make it. You've got a great blog here and I love how you incorporate your WIP into it so well! I'm going to take a few tips from you.
Good luck! I joined the 2010 Debut Author challenge. I can't wait!!! : )
I love the idea of a reading challenge. I tend to read in spurts. 2-3 books then nothing while focus on writing. Good luck!
I love that you've set a reading goal! I'm dying to read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I'll have to check out your discussion.
It's a great idea of the reading challenge. To be honest I buy more books than I read every year!
Hi Nicole!
First of all, love the reading challenge. I'm such a slow reader that I'd have to spend every waking moment reading in order to hit 100 books (unless I stuck to picture books). But I like the idea of having a goal.
Another point:
While writing my blog post tonight, I shared a few links to some of my favourite blogs and yours was among them. I hope that's okay that I shared your link. Let me know if that's all right with you.
Erin
http://writingrollercoaster.blogspot.com
Natalie~ Good luck with reading 100 books!! My sister is sight-impaired and 'reads' a great deal of books on audio-tape. If I commuted to work or something like that, I'd spend the time listening to books. As it is, I read before bed...so 50 books seems like a daunting amount to me!!
Kimberly C. ~ Thank you!! I'm hoping the Tuesday Teaser idea keeps me moving forward with my WIP -- extra incentive never hurts!
Kimberly F. ~ The Debut Author challenge sounds intriguing -- tell me more!
Anissa ~ I have to read before bed, so I have a book going all the time. The problem is I sometimes take months to finish one :P That's gonna change this year!!
Lisa and Laura ~ I liked The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but as a writer, I found many faults with it, too. If you read it, I'd love to hear what you think about the POV narration choice, and the (im)balance of showing and telling descriptions.
Philip ~ I tend to buy books as I go, but with the kids getting older, there are tons of YA books around the house I have yet to read. Thanks for stopping in!
Erin ~ You are the sweetest to highlight my little corner of the blogosphere on your site! Thank you SO much!!
Anonymous ~ Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment! I'm on my way over to your place now. See you there!
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