You won’t believe this but I finished three of the books I mentioned in my last post. Yep, this weekend was mainly devoted to hanging out with books. I promise to tell you about those in the next few days. Actually, I’m falling a bit behind on my reviews (as usual) as I still have some other books to tell you about. There have been some great stories involved.
This weekend I’ve also been thinking about participating in two new challenges I’ve heard about. I’ve been doing pretty well with most of my challenges so what’s the harm in joining more right.
First, there’s the Orbis Terrarum Challenge hosted by Bethany & Brad. The goal is to read 9 books by 9 different authors from 9 countries. Ooh I’m so tempted by this. I would say that 40% of the books I read each year are by non-American authors and I belong to a foreign authors book group so this should be a snap right? Plus, you can even overlap books with those from other challenges.
I can already think of some books I’d include in my reading list for example Madame by Antoni Libera (Polish). I plan to start this book in the next couple of days anyway. Other authors who’d I’d love to read include Chinua Achebe, Chitra Divakaruni, Junot Diaz, Italo Calvino, Yukio Mishima and many others.
The other challenge that I’m considering is Joy’s Non-Fiction Five Challenge. I missed it last year and would hate to miss it again. I always try to get in some non-fiction every year and most of the time I can barely get in a couple of books but last year was a good year, I read eight non-fiction books. Most of what I have on my shelves are memoirs and travelogues but I’ve got some good stuff for example: Eat, Pray, Love, The Glass Castle, The Year of Magical Thinking, etc.
Well, I think I’ve just talked myself into joining these challenges. Who else is jumping in or are you still thinking?
They do sound like good challenges. I don’t know if I can possibly add any more to my plate right now.
I’m doing non-fiction but only because it fits nicely into my New Year’s resolution.
I thought that I was done with challenges until the Novella Challenge popped up. Since Novellas usually come in under 200 pages, I decided to add (more like pile) one more challenge onto my plate.
I too have read quite a bit this month but have yet to post most of their reviews. *sigh*
Until I get this procrastination problem in hand I am afraid I will not be committing myself anything else other than banging my head against the wall hoping something falls out – like a review or too. LOL
Good luck and Happy Reading!
I wish I’m able to read as fast as you are, Iliana. 😉 But my reading time is so limited and most of the times I read while travelling to and from work. Reading at home is almost impossible when my young daughter is around, and so I’m always sneaking a peek whenever she’s gone to sleep or watch TV.
Those reading challenges sounds fun, but I think I’ve enough at the moment, haha. Happy reading!
Wow! I’ve been such a lazy reader lately. Your 3 books in one weekend is great. I just haven’t found anything lately that’s really hooked me. Hopefully soon, I’m ready to get out of this reading rut.
I am also still thinking about joining these two challenges or not. I probably should not. 😉 Since I am reading lots of non-fiction at the moment and enjoying it very much and I have some good non-fiction still waiting for me, I might. For the O.T. I am formally sort of still considering. Informally, I already have a list and I even have the books sorted together on one pile already.
But yes, I am still “thinking about” joining these two. Yeah right!
They both sound great. I’m not feeling inspired to join challenges these days (not enough time — I can’t even fulfill the ones I’ve already signed up for), but if I were feeling differently, I’d join both of these!
I’m in for both, I can use books I already want to read this year anyway… at least for most of my choices!
booklogged – I know, I shouldn’t add anymore either but ah I have an addiction I think 😉
Amy – I hear you! I really want to read more non-fiction too and so this might be a good way to remember to pick up those non-fiction books! Good luck with yours.
J.C. Montgomery – Isn’t that true. You think, that’s it and then someone comes up with another great challenge. I am also waiting on the fantasy challenge that Carl hosted last year. I know I’ll join in that one. Let me know if the banging the head against the wall brings out any reviews faster – I’ll use the same method! ha,ha…
Melody – Well, I should have said that these were pretty slim books too so it’s not like I was reading tomes 🙂 I’m lucky right now that I’m not working so I can devote a bit more time to the books but once I go back to work I’m afraid I’ll resort to late nights to finish my books 🙂
aka_Nik – Ah, yes, if you can’t find the book to connect with then reading slows down right. Hope the reading rut is over for you soon 🙂
Myrthe – Woo-hoo go for it 🙂 I sort of have a list ready for both too so I think I’ll post it tonight and I can change titles if/when I want later. That’s what’s keeping me going on my challenges – I’m being flexible with the books.
Dorothy W. – I understand. As long as it’s still fun I’m joining but I’ve told myself not to get overwhelmed by them or that’s it! 🙂
joanna – Cool! The one thing I try to do is use books from my unread stacks. That way I don’t feel so bad and I’m working through my bookshelves 🙂 Good luck!
Good for you for finishing.
I think that you would do well in both challenges. You read enough to qualify.
Junot Diaz annoys me. I ranted about him on my blog.
These both sound like fun. I might not officially join, but of course that doesn’t stop me from thinking about what I would read if I did join! 🙂 I’ve already read three NF books this year, which is really good for me. And they’ve even been reasonably substantial, unlike last year–I think at least one book was just a long essay. I like the idea of reading NF, but I never seem to actually read much of it!
Does Divakaruni count, as she actually lives in the Houston area?
Those both sound like fun challenges, but I think I’m booked (ha!) up at the moment!
I’m joining both of these. I was actually anticipating Joy’s NF challenge so had already starting thinking of titles before she announced it. And I couldn’t resist the Orbis Terrarum one. I look forward to seeing your lists. 😛
Whoa ! 3 books in one weekend. That’s pretty good going. My weekend reading wasn’t nearly as profitable.
There are so many tempting challenges around these days ..
Hoooly crap! You’re a total enabler because I’m SO on board with the Non-Fic Five. I missed it last year, too. Watch for my post! Coming soon!
I’m going to do the Non-Fiction Five challenge too. I definitely need some extra motivation to read some more non-fiction. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, it’s just that I tend to neglect it in favour of fiction. I’m still thinking of which books to pick, though…I want to avoid buying more books so I’m going to have a look at the library sometime this week.
I’m still thinking about both of these. I haven’t had much success with challenges in the past. I’m too wishy-washy with my reading. I have a hard time sticking to any type of schedule. But, I will be very interested to see what you think of The Glass Castle. I read this one last year and had some mixed feelings.
As tempting as they sound, I’m staying away from all new challenges! I love making the lists, but I’m such a loser when it comes to actually reading anything on them!
Isabel – I do remember your Diaz rant. I think that’s why I want to read his books now – ha,ha…
Danielle – Same here, I hear about so many non-fic books that I think I’d like but I just don’t pick them up as easily as I would a novel. Good for you for already reading 3 this year!
Somer – Oh, that’s a good point. I was just looking at a book of hers that I have and it’s set in India so I just went with that. But I’m still working on my list so I can make some changes 🙂
tanabata – I saw that you joined! Yay. It’s so fun to make the lists right? I’m still a bit stuck but should just write them up after all I can always switch book outs if I want to.
Gavin – This was a fluke of a weekend. Normally I don’t get that much reading time as I’m running around but it just worked out that way which was nice. You should join in on the challenges – they are so fun! 🙂
Andi – Ha,ha… That is my goal 🙂 Can’t wait to see your list. I am sure it will be fabulous!
Nymeth – Oh yes, me too, I need motivation to read non-fiction. I also try to stick with books from my stacks for the challenges. That way I figure I am working through the stacks! Have fun with your challenge.
Lisa – Last year I did terrible with most of the challenges but obviously I didn’t learn any lessons – ha,ha. It’s just fun. What I like is “meeting” other bookworms and of course reading in a genre I may not be as familiar with. It’s surprising how many new authors I’ve discovered this way. I think last year two of my favorite books came from the Fantasy challenge that Carl hosted and if it wasn’t for the challenge who knows if I’d even read those books!
Les in NE – You know what’s helped me? I sometimes list books from my book groups or double up on a couple of challenges. This way I don’t feel too overwhelmed. Oh and I switch out books too.
Ah, i am staying to my resolve of not joining anymore reading challenge. Well, maybe just one or two more. Actually, i find myself reading more non-fic this year. But I think I’ll still skip Non-Fic Five.
Having to do something is just guarantee that I wouldn’t do it.
But you have fun with your challenges. Orbis Terrarum Challenge looks really fun. We all need to read a little more widely.
The Orbis Terrarum Challenge does sound like fun! And of course, the Nonfiction Challenge was a blast last year. I’m having such awful luck with the challenges I’m in right now that I don’t dare sign up for anymore. They are tempting though.
What a fun reading weekend you had! both of the challenges look good, but I have sworn off adding any new challenges to my plate as fun as they. We’ll see how long the vow lasts 🙂
Dark Orpheus – Oh I know. I had said no more either but I always succumb. I love playing with lists too so that’s kinda nice 🙂
Literary Feline – I didn’t have very good luck with most of my challenges last year and who knows this year they all may be a bust too but I’ll still join in. Can’t help myself. ha,ha.
Stefanie – It was so nice. Today it’s absolutely miserable weather and I’ve got a horrible headache so I think I’ll just stay in bed and read some more. And, c’mon join in you know you want to 🙂