Showing posts with label Reading Challenges 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Challenges 2009. Show all posts
Hilarie
This morning I read a great article from Book Examiner listing 10 books that every American should read. I've read some of the books on this list, but it has been more than a few years ago. I am embarrassed at times by how limited my knowledge is of American history, and I'm ashamed to say that as a US citizen I have never read the Constitution of the United States of America The challenge is to read all 10 of these books starting now and ending July 4, 2010. If you would like to play along, I'd love to have the company!

10 Books Every American Should Read

1. Common Sense - Thomas Paine
2. 1776 - David McCollough
3. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation - Joseph J. Ellis
4. The Declaration of Independence: The Words that Made America - Sam Fink
5. Animal Farm - George Orwell
6. 1984 - George Orwell
7. The Star Spangled Banner - Peter Spier
8. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury - Finished July 2009
9. The Constitution of the United States of America - Sam Fink
10. A History of the American People - Paul Johnson

I'm also curious. If you were making your own list, what books would be on it? If you want to join, and substitute for one or two of these books, that is great. If you live in another country, what books would make your list of the 10 most important books that should be read by the people of your nation?
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Hilarie
You can read more about the official challenge at the challenge homepage here.  I'll be tracking my progress below.  I am going for: Do These Chunksters Make My Butt Look Big?

1.  The Seamstress by Frances De Pontes Peebles - Completed April 2009, 656 pages
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Hilarie
To learn more about this challenge, you can visit the homepage here. I'll be tracking my progress below. The books I've selected are:

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas - To be read
2. Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter - Completed
3. The Four Feathers by Alred Edward Woodley Mason - Completed May 2009
4. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - Completed April 2009
5. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - Completed October 2009

Hilarie
This is a personal reading challenge that I threw together because I love all things Pratchett. I'll be tracking my progress below. This challenge might stretch into next year, but as all Pratchett fans know, Discworld isn't really about conforming to the rules!

Rincewind Novels and Short Stories
1. The Color of Magic - Completed March 19, 2009
2. The Light Fantastic - Completed April 3, 2009
3. Sourcery
4. (Faust) Eric
5. Troll Bridge (Short Story)
6. Interesting Times
7. The Last Continent
8. The Last Hero

The Witches Novels and Short Stories
1. Equal Rites - Competed May 19, 2009
2. Wyrd Sisters
3. Witches Abroad
4. Lords and Ladies
5. Maskerade
6. The Sea and Little Fishes (Short Stories)
7. Carpe Jugulum

Death Novels and Short Stories
1. Mort- Completed January 2010
2. Reaper Man
3. Soul Music
4. Hogfather
5. Thief of Time

Watch Novels and Short Stories
1. Guards, Guards
2. Theatre of Cruelty (Short Story)
3. Men at Arms
4. Feet of Clay
5. Jingo
6. The Fifth Elephant
7. Night Watch
8. Thud

Ancient Civilizations Novels and Short Stories
1. Pyramids
2. Death and What Comes Next (Short Story)
3. Small Gods

Industrial Revolution Novels and Short Stories
1. Moving Pictures
2. The Truth
3. Monstrous Regiment
4. Going Postal (Moist Von Lipwig 1)
5. Making Money (Moist Von Lipwig 2)

Unknown:
The Unseen Academicals (October 2009)



Hilarie
You can learn more about this challenge by visiting War Through the Generations. Below are the books I'm counting towards completion of this challenge for 2009.

1. Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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Hilarie
Yesterday I discovered the Classics Challenge 2009.  I've decided to have a satisfying classic entree, just because I am already committed to a few challenges.  My reads for this challenge will be:

1.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
2.  Persuasion by Jane Austen
3.  The Four Feathers by Alfred Edward Woodley Mason
4.  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
5.  North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I actually have only read one of the above, "Persuasion", prior to this challenge, so I think it is going to be great!

I have also decided to join the War Through the Generations challenge for 2009.  I find this a fascinating time in history, and am looking forward to learning more.  I haven't selected my books as I will probably pick whatever meets my fancy.  I missed my chance for entrance into the prize drawing, but reading good books is enough of a reward for me.  Luckily, Tallgrass will fit the bill, so I already have one down for this year.

Hilarie
I recently discovered reading challenges.  What a great idea!  I love the idea of feeling like I'm accomplishing a personal goal while savoring a good book.  So, I've decided to create my own.  I may have missed January, and most of February, but beginning March 1, I am aiming to read the entire Discworld series (as of the present) from cover to cover.  I'll start with The Color of Magic, and finish with Pratchett's newest Discworld novel, The Unseen Academicals (scheduled for release this October.  Yippee!).  I won't be including the YA novels, although I adored Maurice and the Amazing Rodents, and I think Tiffany Aching is a great character.  A year of Discworld, what could be better?