As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I’ve already been eyeing a lot of challenges for ’09 and have finally decided to jump in and join the Latin America Reading Challenge hosted by Katrina. I mean, I was born in Mexico, it’d be a crime if I didn’t join this one right? hee.
Here’s the scoop on the challenge:
This challenge will run for 4 months, between the 1st January – 30th April 2009. The aim is to read a 4 books from Latin America, these can be fiction or non-fiction the mix is up to you. The books can be used as part of other challenges, but must be finished between the dates of the challenge.
There are a couple of options to choose from but I’m going to go with Free Choice which is read any four Latin American books. Now, my personal challenge though is that the books I’ll be reading will all be in Spanish. I used to read a lot more books in Spanish but in recent years I’ve stopped doing that and I really shouldn’t have. Another good thing is that these books are also all from my stacks.
Here is my list for now… I tend to make changes as I go along:
- Vivir Para Contarla by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Living to Tell the Tale is Marquez’s memoir which I’ve been meaning to read since it came out.
- Mujeres de Ojos Grandes by Angeles Mastretta. Women with Big Eyes is a book that Publisher’s Weekly claims will captivate readers who enjoy Isabel Allende and Laura Esquivel. I do.
- Retrato en Sepia by Isabel Allende. Portrait in Sepia is a novel about memory and family secrets in nineteenth century Chile.
- Los Versos del Capitán by Pablo Neruda. The Captain’s Verses is actually a bilingual edition but it counts. I figured it would be nice to add some poetry to my reading challenges.
Wish me luck! Oh, and I’ll let you know about the other challenges I’m joining. I’ve found a few that I really can’t pass up.
Wonderful!!! I think it’s so great you’re reading in the original Spanish. My sister is doing that for the German Literature Challenge.
I envy both of you!
3m – I just saw the button you made for the challenge and if you don’t mind I’m going to “steal” it 🙂 Oh and see I really envy your sister. I want to learn German so bad so I can converse with my in-laws!
That’s so great! I wish I could really read in more than one language. All the books sound good, too. Buena suerte 🙂
I haven’t been tempted by a challenge for ages, but I’m quite keen on this one. I’ve got books by Bolano and Marias and Marquez that I’ve been meaning to read for ages. Perhaps I’ll try to keep you company a bit without completely committing to the challenge – or is that too wimpish?? 🙂
Good for you. I think it’s great you’re going all in and also doing it in Spanish.
I’ve been considering this one myself… I’ll probably cave, since I seem to be joining every one of them anyway. 🙂 Very cool that you’re reading in Spanish, I’m impressed!
I’m letting you know that you have won a copy of The Echo Maker by Richard Powers in my books giveaway. E-mail me your mailing address and I’ll send the book out to you. Congratulations, and thank you for participating.
mattviews at yahoo dot com
This challenge sounds perfect for you! I envy you being able to read them in the native language.
That’s wonderful, Iliana! I wish I could read other foreign languages, it’d be so interesting!
Gentle Reader – Gracias 🙂 I’m looking forward to these especially as they’ve been sitting on my shelves in some cases for years!
Litlove – ha,ha.. Definitely join me even if it’s off the books 🙂
Nicole – I’m excited about it too!
Joanna – Oh do, you know you want to join in 🙂
Matt – Thank you so much – I’ve already sent you an email.
ravenous reader – It’s really a shame that I don’t read more books in my native language but sometimes that happens I guess 🙂
Melody – I really wish I could read in another language as well. I’ve always been so attracted to foreign languages and studied several but just haven’t become fluent enough in others to actually attempt to read a whole novel!
WOW! u can actually read in Spanish – that’s so cool :)I have joined this challenge as well 🙂
and already read Like Water for chocolate 🙂
actually i read that b4 the challenge started but i counted it in anyways as it is because of that challenge that i really wanted to join this challenge 🙂
I didn’t know you were born in Mexico! (apologies ahead of time for incorrect Spanish) Yo Amo Espanol. No puedo leer mucho. Lei lost libros de ninos.
Okay so I used babelfish to help with that. I do know some Spanish, partly from highschool, partly studying on my own, but I get confused when I put the words into sentences. I might do the Latin American Challenge but have to see what there is available. I’ve already signed up for so many. Good luck with your Spanish reading.
I’ll do this challenge in 2010.
Good luck with this challenge!
good luck with your challenge.
Veens – Spanish is actually my first language but I’ve been living in the States forever which is probably why I read more in English now. Isn’t Water for Chocolate wonderful? I love that book – I even loved the movie! I’m glad you are joining the challenge and yes go ahead and count the book – we won’t tell 🙂
Callista – Yo tambien amo Espanol 🙂 That’s so cool that you read children’s books. Yep, I was born in Mexico and lived there until I was 7. I hope you’ll join in the challenge but I know what you mean about not trying to go overboard – I do that a lot 🙂
Isabel – Ha, you are funny girl. I can’t wait to start your challenge!
Serena – Thank you! 🙂
Good list hope their all good reads, remember to come and post your reviews when you have read a book. Looks like my tbr/wishlist is going to grow somewhat with this challenge.