Group 1: 1001 Books
I am still hard at working my way through the list.
Group 2: Books related to Spain and the Spanish speaking world
Last year I had a similar catergory for Portugal, really expanded my reading.
Group 3: British Writers
This includes Irish writers as the 1001 list I have lists both nationalities together.
Group 4: Books not written in English
Should be practicing my languages
Group 5: Travel
my favourite hobby
Group 6: History (fact or fiction)
Group 7: Myths and Legends
Will also include fairy tales.
Group 8: Classics I should have already read
Group 9: Olympic Challenge
Bookcrossing Challenge to read a book from each country taking part in the Olympics before the London 2012's opening ceremony
Group 10: Asia
I tend to read a lot of Asia-themed books and so have a mound of them on my TBR pile
Bonus Books:
This will be related to the 1001 books.
I decided to go for a tortoise as this is going to be a loooong challenge, can't wait ;)
Message edited by its author, Oct 30, 2009, 5:18pm.
Group 4: Books not written in English 1/10
1. Blutsbruder
2. Gefrorene Sonne
3.
D. Maria II read
Message edited by its author, Nov 23, 2009, 4:06pm.
These are my first ideas of categories, they may change. I am hoping to start on 10/10/09, but it depends on whether I have finished the 999 challenge. Can't wait ;)
What is the Olympics challenge?
** haven't heard of this one, have to go check, I might be missing something great**
What is the Olympics challenge?
If I remember this one rightly it's a challenge (outside of LT) where you have to read a book originating from each of the member countries participating in the next Olympic Games.
soffitta, any idea of your selections yet or will you be filling them in as you read them?
That's right, the Olympic Challenge is a Bookcrossing challenge. It is fun to read things from all over the world, I have discovered lots of new authors.
I am going to start to fill in with the books I have here with me in Portugal, but a lot of my books are in the U.K., so will have to wait for visitors to bring them over.
As there are lots of books to be read, I may overlap this time.
Message edited by its author, Sep 16, 2009, 8:18am.
Interesting categories! I love travelling too, and I'll be interested in what you put on that list.
I have been thinking about the bonus section. I think I am going to do something about the 1001 books.
An idea is to get bonus points for extra 1001 books, with a second point awarded if they are pre-1900.
Yey, I can start reading for the challenge - first up
The Successor.
The Successor was a good read, Albanian political machinations. Second up was
The Lusiads, a book I actually had on my list for the 999 Challenge, which I bumped for something else. It was worth the wait. I am living in Portugal and taking a history course at the uni, so this really fitted in. Both are 1001 books, but I am slipping them into other categories as I really want to continue making a dent in my 1001 list.
I have just finished book 3, also a 1001 book, but as it is a history of a fictional Anglo-Irish family, so am putting it in the history category.
It was a short book, a hundred pages, but between the notes, the glossary and the lack of paragraphs, it took me a while.
Your doing really well already.
:) I managed to sneak in a few books before my Portuguese course restarted, not sure about how much I'll get done now though. I have just received
Les Miserables volumes I and II, can't wait to start!
4 and 5
Paradise Travel was an interesting one, I read it over a few days because of work. A look at immigrant life in the States, a couple are separated in the big city, and Marlon is trying to find her.
Sexing the Cherry saved me from a dull train ride, not for someone who is distracted, this is a book that catches you from the start, but needs to be carefully read.
Message edited by its author, Oct 25, 2009, 5:00am.
You are going to have to change the turtle in your ticker into a jackrabbit. You are zipping along. You might finish the challenge before the January people even start. ;)
Not sure whether 25 was serious but I couldn't help laughing.
re 26 - I do read quickly, but the 999 took a while once I was trying to fill up categories. I am taking advantage of the fact that work is quiet at the mo.
re 27 :) didn't mean to be funny, best puns are unintended!
8 Tale of a Certain Orient
Set in Brazil, beautifully written. It was a look back at a Libyan family in Brazil so not sure whether to count it as Olympic (Libya) or History (family history).
9.
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified SinnerA 1001 book, which I got from the 1001-Library on Bookcrossing. It was a bit of a wild card, as I knew nothing about it before. I enjoyed it, though you have to really concentrate. I found it interesting to read a book set in Edinburgh, a city I should really know better.
10.
The Book Lovers' Appreciation Society, a set of short stories given to me by Mum. Like many a short story collection, it was hit and miss, but there were some gems. I am a big Alexander McCall Smith fan, so loved the new Mme Ramotswe story. I am counting this for my British Writers section as many of the writers are.
11.
River Town - which was excellent, about a teacher working in Fuling, China. I spent a year teaching there myself, so was interesting to read about someone else's experience.
12.
The Riddle of the Sands - a 1001 Book that fits into my British category. A good thriller, just what was needed on a miserable day. I suppose one thing that made it so interesting was the fact he saw what would come, written 10 years before WW1. It reminded me of Buchan's Hannay books.
I have finished Book 1 of
Les Miserables, and am looking forward to the readalong discussion which starts tomorrow.
Message edited by its author, Nov 9, 2009, 5:47pm.
13.
Inheritance - got this from Bookmooch for my Asia category.
A fortune teller's prediction for 2 Chinese girls living in a country on the brink of major change. I found myself reading this very quickly, finishing in bed late last night.
14.
The Scarlet Cloak - given to me by a friend and read for the Spain category. Mum read Jean Plaidy's books years ago, and was surpised to see this reprint. I did enjoy it, was looking for something light, but I feel it could have done with a bit more in terms of story. At times it was too convenient.
I really like Arturo Perez-Reverte's books, but I haven't read any of this series. I'm really looking forward to reading them.
Shadow of the Wind is great, I am hoping that Santa has picked up my hints about the second book, its title escapes me.
Where are you going in Spain? I am thinking of a trip to Salamanca next month, there is a direct train once a day from Portugal.
We're going to Cordoba and Granada. Honeymoon.
I've really enjoyed all of Perez-Reverte's historical fiction. I wasn't as happy with
The Nautical Chart and thus skipped
Queen of the South completely.
I agree, I started
Queen of the South, but never finished it. I still rank
The fencing Master as one of my favourite books.
Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon, those are 2 gorgeous cities to visit. The Alhambra blows you away.
15. I am currently working on a Contemporary Portuguese History presentation, a comparison between Maria II and Queen Victoria of GB and I. I am getting really into it, I had no idea that they corresponded with each other so much. I have finished reading
D. Maria II and am looking out more books for my bibliography.
This is slowing me down though on my fiction reading, I feel guilty when I step away from history. I am nearly done with
The Tin Drum, which is excellent.
16.
The Tin DrumExcellent book, I have been reading it for a wee bit now, as am supposed to be studying. I decided to treat myself this morning, reading the last chunk in bed. Although it was very creepy at times, I enjoyed it immensely.
17.
Captain AlatristeI am trying to read my Spain related books as am off to Salamanca at the weekend and plan on doing a themed release for Bookcrossing. This was great fun, like a black and white Errol Flynn film. Definitely in the vein of
The Three Musketeers - sword play, camaraderie, doffing of hats, intrigue...
I couldn't resist picking up the second book in the series, neglecting my studies. Well it is true what they say, teachers make bad students!
I'm really enjoying following your reading, but WOW are you moving fast!
I do read quickly, especially when I have time to get stuck into a book!
18.
Purity of Blood Second in the series, about the Inquistion investigating people's religious backgrounds in a Spain full of intrigue and suspicion. Really enjoyed it.
19.
The Queen's SorrowAn alright piece of historical fiction, but I was unimpressed by the Spanish narrator, he wasn't well drawn.
20.
The ReturnVery enjoyable read as a woman with marriage troubles goes to Spain with a friend and connects with her Spanish heritage that she knew nothing about.
I wanted to read as many Spain-themed books so I could do a themed release on my trip to Salamanca. Mission accomplished. I have left the books in various cafés over the last couple of days. I hope they are picked up and enjoyed by someone.
21. Sacred Games
I will fill this in when I get back, stayed up a wee bit late to finish this before going on a small trip.
22.
In the Heart of the SeaI have had this for a while, it arrived in a bookbox a long time ago. This is the story of the whaler, The Essex, which inspired
Moby Dick. I have never read Moby Dick, something that should now be rectified. It was told in a very good way, good for a long bus journey.
23.
This BodyA light read, Vic is a Guyanan woman in her sixties living in London who suddenly ends up taking care of her young nephew after the death of her sister. Vic is a cook, so be prepared for yummy recipes. Both aunt and nephew are trying to make the best of a difficult situation, dealing with their pasts and trying to find a common future.
Message edited by its author, Dec 8, 2009, 12:17pm.
24.
The ShiningAarrgh, a creepy book, but a page turner.
25.
StardustI have been listening to this for over a week now and I really enjoyed it. It is read by the author, who has a very good dramatic voice. I have never read the book and found that there were huge differences between this and the film.
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