Based on the fact that the challenges I did last year were so much fun, I thought I would start this year, at sprint pace, with these five challenges pictured above, the challenges are--
The 2011 Roberto Bolaño Reading Challenge
run by Rise at In Lieu Of a field guide, my favourite resource for all things Bolano.
The goal is to to read Bolaño's books in any format (book, eBook, audio) and in any language (translation or original Spanish).
Books by Bolaño that you have previously read can be counted in your total books read. There is a separate category for re-reads. You only need to finish the remaining unread books for the category on first-time reads. You can "worm" your way into the challenge by reading at least 2 books by Bolaño published this year. Now, anyone who has a vague awareness of me as an individual, or who whilst flying through hyperspace tripped over this blog, would know how hard it would have been for me to refuse this challenge – so to make things simple.. I didn’t.
Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011. Now this challenge is run by – tanabata, a book-hoarding, cat-loving, chocolate-craving, tea-drinking, cockroach-hating, camera-wielding Canadian and all round book geek living in Japan with her husband, and two very silly cats ( also Chief Honcho at - In Spring It is the Dawn), - So far So Murakami, which was just about enough of an excuse/reason for me to join. The goal is simply to read something/anything by Haruki Murakami.
*Whether you're a complete newbie, or already a huge Murakami fan, everyone is welcome to join in.
*You can join in anytime.
“Italy in books” - reading challenge 2011 Now my acquaintance with this challenge is down to to a posting by Winstonsdads Blog and my daughter purchasing me a Calvino book for Xmas, in the face of such serendipitous circumstances, it would be impolite, nay downright rude of me to confront the Gods of chance & say ”I will not sign up”. Being a naturally cautious character, sign up I did.
“Italy in books” - reading challenge 2011Italy in Books is run by Brighton Blogger at Book After Book. The challenge will run from January, 1st 2011 to December, 31st 2011. The aim of the challenge is to read at least 12 books that are set in Italy. Whether written by Italian authors or not, it doesn’t matter. They don’t have to be set exclusively in Italy but this country needs to play a significant role in the book. The challenge can include non-fiction books about Italy. You can also review Italian learning books but this is limited to a maximum of two titles.
The challenge is open to bloggers and non bloggers alike.
There will be monthly prizes for participants.
2011 Global Reading Challenge. This was Introduced to me by Shellie at Layers of Thought, who was of the opinion it would appeal to me & my reading habits, which it does and also fits in beautifully with my aim to read a wider and more varied range of Literature. This Challenge is run by a Danish Blogger called Dorte H. There are three levels – the easiest with 8 books (one from each of the eight categories below), the medium level to include 16 books, and the expert including 24.
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)
The Seventh Continent (here you can either choose Antarctica or your own ´seventh´ setting, e.g the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it).
2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge, This is one I am really keen to support, as local libraries are some of the greatest assets this country has, and in the current economic climate they aren’t safe. Also I failed at this last year I set my target at a 100+ and managed 74, this year I'm playing a tad safer and setting the level at 50, with the aim of trying for higher than. The goal is to read 12, 25, 50, or 100 books from your local library. Anyone can join, and any book from your local library counts.
For more information on these challenges, go to my 2011 challenges page(link on side) where you can find out about my aims, and by following the links, either sign up yourself, or just learn a little bit more about these fabulous challenges and be inspired.
Let us give something to each person we meet:
joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom,
a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
So many challenges! Admirable. I am a lifetime member of Support Your Local Library Challenge and have lost count of how many library books i borrow each month/year.
ReplyDeleteThe Murakami Challenge looks good and I might even borrow a Bolano book just to see what he is all about.
Good luck with the reading this year!
I went through my library account (online) and soon got bored trting to calculate how many books I've had out, over the years, so it's a resource that I would really miss.
ReplyDeleteif you fancy giving Bolano ago, try his short stories "Last Evenings on Earth".
as for the challenges, I feel a bit of a con artist, because although there is a few of them, they all intertwine & one book could cover more than one challenge, which was one of my aims.
Thats a lot of challenges! I don't do challenges, but if I did, the world one would really tempt me...
ReplyDeleteThanks for mention great see we re on three challenges together may join global challenge did last year but fairly easily did it for five continents but missed other books oh well look forwarded to much discussion on books over coming year ,all the best stu
ReplyDeleteHmmm, the Italian challenge catches my eye. Thinking about that one...thanks for posting your plans.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, it may look a lot, but for the most part they Intertwine.Why no on challenges ?
ReplyDeleteHi Stu, did the orbis terrarium last year with ease, so am trying this Global, as a way to find more authors, be great to discuss with you on several of the challenges.
Hi Bellezza, well with your Japanese challenge it would balance your interests.(lol)
Some great challenges you have signed up for-speaking as you did of Greek Tragedy-have you considered signing up to participate in the upcoming Classics Circuit Event focusing on ancient myths-I am going to post on The Bacchae by Euripides for the event-so far I am only signed up for one challenge this year-The Read a Myth Clallenge
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're all set. Isn't it great that some of these challenges overlap? Other than the Murakami, I myself will try out for Eastern European reading challenge.
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, am tempted by the Myth Challenge.
ReplyDeletehello Rise, thought about the East European challenge, as I've just finished a Bulgarian Book, but in the end went global.