This sounds really interesting, and I'd love to give it a go! Participating in the 75-book challenge has really helped me expand my horizons, but I still tend to get stuck on particular genres.

So what do I never read? Or at least rarely read? Science fiction, fantasy (except for Pratchett), modern fiction, American lit.

So give me a challenge!

Hi Luxx

I like the books you don't - sci fi, a little fantasy, modern lit - whereas I don't normally read the classics and I never pick up Shakespeare unless I have to do it for an English lit course.

From your library I'm assuming you like classics, I'd challenge you to read a novel called The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. It's a mix of fantasy and sci fi, and it's funny too, not as much as Pratchett, but at least amusing.

Hello Lauren.

The Eyre Affair seems like it would be a perfect fit for the challenge, because I tend to avoid any books that "pull" from classics (such as Jane Eyre). I already looked it up on Amazon, and I'm going to pick it up as soon as I finish Stiff.

In return, I'd like to challenge you to read one of the more obscure classics - The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg. It's available from Project Gutenburg if you'd like to download it for free.

The gothic novel was published in 1824, but at just 255 pages (referr5ing to my Oxford World Classics edition) it's not as hulking or intimidating as many Victorian novels can be. I first came across the text during an independent study of gothic literature in graduate school, and have been meaning to reread it for pleasure ever since; challenging you will help me do that, so I think I win both ways!

Thanks!

Hey Luxx

I have to admit, that book looks pretty good - dark fantasy/magical realism, varying narrative perspectives, and a criticism of religion - the kinds of things that catch my eye.

On the other hand, after a quick glance at the writing style, I think I would probably put this down after a while. I did a little bit of gothic lit at varsity (Dracula and Frankenstein) and briefly became interested in the genre, but when it came down to actually reading the texts I never got far, so this one will definitely be a challenge for me, but a worthwhile one I think.

I'm reading Disgrace and The Wasp Factory (another whacky Scott!) at the moment, but as Hogg may well have influenced Banks, I think I'll put The Wasp Factory aside until I've read Hogg.

I've been meaning to reread The Eyre Affair too, and this way I'll actually get around to doing it.

Thanks!

Luxx;
How many challenges have you accepted at this time? I am going to limit myself to two at a time. I think that is most likely all I can handle at once.
Also I noted that you have some Steinbeck in your library. Have you read them as of yet?
belva

Hello Belva! I only have one challenge so far, and I think I can handle 2-3 at once.

I do have a bit of Steinbeck, but I haven't read it; I was supposed to read Travels with Charlie for a college course and never did, and I bought Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men in high school, but never read the entirety of the former.

Okay Luxx;
I accept your challenge to read Carmilla by Sherican Le Fanu; Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!~!~!~!~!~!~!
And I challenge you to read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck which is in your library so you won't have to search for a copy.
Thank you for offering the challenge. I hate the vampire genre so will really have to work hard at this one. But that is why I am here.
later,
belva
BTW: lovely pic on your profile!

Hehe, thank you - I cut of a total of 36 inches of hair over a few months last fall/spring, and that was the result of my most extreme cut.

Good morning Luxx;
In looking for Carmilla online, I found this:

http://www.english.upenn.edu/~nauerbac/c...

Will you check it out for me and see if it has the complete text? I have never read a book online before and am a little confused. I can't imagine that it would be this short.
Thanx for your help.
belva

I believe that's the version I read the first time; I skimmed it and it looks complete. It's a short novella (about 50 pages or so when printed), which is part of why I suggested it - for all your hatred at least it isn't long!

Enjoy!

Oh, thany, thanky, thanky!~!
And Of Mice and Men is a quick and short read as well.
I don't think inkspot and I were as kind to each other. I had to order a copy of the book. I just couldn't find it online and didn't want to read a book of normal length on the computer anyway. I hope she can find hers at the library. I will have to check with her and see.
hugs,
belva

Hey, Luxx. Just joined this group today. I confess to... ahem...hating having to read Shakespeare (and I didn't feel any better about it, having had to listen to my children and their friends rush through his words in their school plays) so don't give me that challenge, but I think it's about time I read a vampire book, given their popularity these days. It's got to be good writing though, no Twilight please!

I rarely read Science Fiction, but I've enjoyed the few that have been recommended to me (e.g., To Say Nothing of the Dog, Sparrow, Kindred). I do have a lot of books in my library that I would call American lit. In fact, most titles would fit in that category. What do you say? Up for another challenge?

Hi there! Sorry for the delay in responding - I came home with a new baby on October 11. ;)

I'd be up for another challenge, as long as you don't mind a late start - I'm retaking the Lit GREs in early November, and I'm trying to keep things light until then.

Hi, Luxx! Nah...I don't want to be giving you a challenge right now. You've got a sweet new baby and a preschooler? Plus you want to take your GREs? I say relax, read all your favorites, and enjoy your few minutes of alone time; it won't come all that often! Plus, I told my LT friends that I was just going to read from their Top Tens for the rest of the year. But I'd like to do a challenge with you in January. Would you be up for it then? I have confidence that even if you gave me a book I didn't like, it would still be worth reading.

eta: Does above sound patronizing? That's what I hate about writing versus talking. Anyway, this is about me not you (see, that's supposed to be a joke!) I'm not going to take on any challenges from this group until January.

Message edited by its author, Oct 26, 2009, 8:42pm.

Ha, no, it didn't sound patronizing - but I have the same problem with virtual communication. ;)

I popped over here instead of littering your profile with messages, so I just saw this. If you'd like to wait until January that would be just fine with me. Enjoy your top tens!