Soffitta1's 1010 challenge

Group 1: 1001 Books
I am still hard at working my way through the list.
Total from all Groups:



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: Made into a Film
(originally - 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
Total books from all groups:



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:
10x 1001 books
10x Olympic Challenge books




I decided to go for a tortoise as this is going to be a loooong challenge, can't wait ;)

Group 1: 1001 Books COMPLETE

1. The Successor ** Olympic : Albania
2. The Grass is Singing
3. Embers ** Olympic : Hungary
4. The Plot Against America
5. Blue of Noon
6. Invisible
7. The Red and the Black
8. Professor's House
9. The Return of the Native
10. Troubles
A very strong list, but I loved Embers, racing through it a single sitting. The Red and the Black was surprisingly enjoyable, I kept overlooking it, but in the end, really enjoyed it. Blue of Noon was just weird!

Group 2: Spain and the Spanish speaking world COMPLETE

1. Paradise Travel ** Olympic : Colombia
2. The Scarlet Cloak
3. Captain Alatriste
4. Purity of Blood
5. The Queen's Sorrow
6. The Return
7. The Book of Murder ** Olympic : Argentina
8. Our house in the Last World
9. The Old Man and the Sea ** 1001 Book
10. The Brief Wonderful Life of Oscar Wao ** 1001 Book

Group 3: British Writers COMPLETE

1. Sexing the Cherry ** 1001 book
2. Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner ** 1001 book
3. The Book lovers' Appreciation Society
4. Black Dogs ** 1001 book
5. Vile Bodies ** 1001 Book
6. The Nine Tailors ** 1001 Book
7. Love in a Cold Climate ** 1001 Book
8. Landlocked
9. At Lady Molly's ** 1001 Book
10. The Girl on the Landing

7 1001 books :)
Another good category, having just finished The Girl, it is freshest in my head, so I would say it was one of the best, strange but good. I also enjoyed reading Tailors, especially as it was good to read a mystery from the 1001 list. If I had to pick the worst book, it would be Memoirs, just because it was a bit of a ramble at times.

Group 4: Books not written in English COMPLETE

1. D. Maria II Portuguese
2. Praça de Londres Portuguese
3. O Gato e o Escuro Portuguese
4. O Maior Flor do Mundo Portuguese
5. As pequenas memorias Portuguese
6. A Sala dos Repteis Portuguese
7. Gefrorene Sonne German
8. Equador Portuguese
9. O ultimo voo do flamingo Portuguese
10. Terra Sonambula Portuguese

A mixture of books, the first 3 I read for my Portuguese course at uni, but did enjoy them a lot. I really love Mia Couto (who wrote 3, 9 & 10), a great Mozambican writer. His work falls under the category of magical realism, and really evoke the African landscape he writes in. I also enjoyed Equator, a huge hit here in Portugal, especially with the TV series last year. Lastly, I have to mention the 2 Saramago books, he was an author we looked at in the lit class, a well deserved recipient of the Nobel Prize. He will be long remembered through his work.

Group 5: Travel COMPLETE

1. Attention. Deficit. Disorder
2. River Town
3. In the Heart of the Sea
4. Danziger's Travels: Beyond Forbidden Frontiers
5. In Xanadu
6. Sea of Poppies
7. Timoleon Vieta come home
8. The Hill Station
9.The Oxford Book of Travel Stories
10. The Sheltering Sky

Gave up on The Wild Animus, what a bore.

Top reads included River Town, as I lived in China for a year and the epic Sea of Poppies.

Group 6: History COMPLETED

1. Castle Rackrent **1001 Book
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
3. The Alienist
4. Very Interesting People Queen Victoria
5. The Lady Elizabeth
6. Mademoiselle Boleyn
7. Vengeance is mine
8. Cleopatra's Daughter
9. Nefertiti
10. The Heretic Queen

Top reads were Guernsey and the Alienist, though I enjoyed most of the books. The weakest has to be Madame Boleyn, a book that needed editing and got more and more absurd.

Group 7: Myths and Legends COMPLETE

1. The Lusiads ** 1001
2. Stardust (this is the audiobook read by the author)
3. Politically Correct Holiday Stories
4. The Snow Cow
5. Branca de Neve
6. The Fire Gospel
7. The Water-Babies ** 1001
8. The Aeniad dramatised audiobook with Derek Jacobi and Ralph Feinnes
9. If you could see me now
10. The Divine Comedy: Inferno **Part 1 of the 1001 book

Of these, I would have to say that I enjoyed The Fire Gospel and The Lusiads most, both were cracking reads. As a light hearted holiday read, I do recommend the Politically correct holiday stories.

Group 8 - Made into Film COMPLETE

1. Riddle of the Sands **1001 Book
2. The Tin Drum **1001 Book
3. The Shining **1001 Book
4. The Piano Teacher **1001 Book
5. Watchmen **1001 Book
6. A Kestrel for a Knave **1001 Book
7. The Midwich Cuckoos **1001 Book
8. Brideshead Revisited **1001 Book
9. The Cave of the Yellow Dog
10. Les Miserables **1001 Book

** 9 1001 Books

Group 9: Olympic Challenge COMPLETE

1. This Body Guyana
2. The Eye of the Leopard Sweden / Zambia
3. Homo novus - valik hüperboole Estonia
4. Kisses in the Nederends Tonga
5. Being There: Modern Short Stories from Southern Africa
6. Baking Cakes in Kigali Tanzania
7. Hungry Ghosts Greece
8. Children of the Revolution Ethiopia
9. Dreams of Water ** Olympic: Lebanon
10. Girls of Riyadh ** Olympic : Saudi Arabia

Group 10: Asia COMPLETE

1. Tale of a certain Orient ** Olympic : Libya
2. Inheritance
3. Sacred Games
4. Mother's Beloved: Stories from Laos ** Olympic : Laos
5. The Siege of Krishnapur ** 1001 Book, ** Olympic: Singapore
6. The Lost Daughter of Happiness
7. Funny Boy
8. The Singapore Grip ** 1001 Book
9. The White Tiger ** 1001 Book
10. The Concubine of Shanghai

Bonus 10x 1001 Books
A1. August is a Wicked Month
A2. Hangover Square
A3. Life and Times of Michael K
A4. The Brothers Karamazov
A5. 2666
A6. North and South
A7. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
A8. Cranford
A9. Madame Bovary
A10. The Bell Jar
I was blown away by 2666, a fantastic book. I also really enjoyed North and South.

Bonus 10 x Olympic Challenge
B1. Buxton Spice Grenada
B2. The Tapestries Vietnam
B3. From the Ngong Hills Denmark
B4. The Railway Kyrgyzstan
B5. An Ordinary Man Rwanda
B6. Blutsbrueder Liberia
B7. Global Restructuring and Peripheral States Mauritania
B8. Inca-Kola Peru and Bolivia
B9. Bolivar - A Life Venezuela and Colombia
B10. Portrait of a Nation Ecuador

As I am currently travelling in South America, I am probably biased towards the last 2 books, both giving real insight into the northern countries in the region. I also felt that An Ordinary Man was a very humanising book to read.

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.

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. Castle Rackrent

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.

6 and 7

Attention. Deficit. Disorder
Given to me by a friend, good style though occasionally skimmed over details.

The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society
I have been wanting to read this for ages, ever since I heard about it on Bookcrossing. Devoured it in a day, beautifully written.

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 Sinner

A 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.

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'm going to Spain in March. I've already read Captain Alatriste and was thinking about taking the next two -- Purity of Blood and Sun over Breda -- to read on the plane. I've already read Shadow of the Wind, but it would be thematic too.

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 Drum
Excellent 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 Alatriste
I 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 Sorrow
An alright piece of historical fiction, but I was unimpressed by the Spanish narrator, he wasn't well drawn.

20. The Return
Very 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 Sea
I 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 Body
A 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.

24. The Shining
Aarrgh, a creepy book, but a page turner.

25. Stardust
I 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.

Top books of the first quarter:

The Tin Drum
The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie Society
Tale of a Certain Orient

Very different books, but enjoyable in their own way.

26. Politically Correct Holiday Stories
A funny look at Christmas, a light read, which was totally necessary at the end of a long term. I plan to release this on holiday in Cape Town.

27. The Piano Teacher

A disturbing read, one that I had to read slowly.

28. The Snow Cow
Got sent this through the Early Reviewer scheme and thought it would be nice to read it in the holidays.
I will be posting my review soon.

29. The Alienist

I was sent this a while ago by a NSS partner and now have finally got round to reading it. Enoyable read with lots of information about the advent of modern scientific policing methods.

Hi, The Alienist is on my wishlist so its nice to see another person enjoying it.

re 54 - I hope you get it soon, it is a really good read!

30. The Eye of the Leopard
Wasn't sure what to expect, I have heard of this writer, but this was the first I had read. As the blurb says, a "first-rate psychological thriller".

31. The Book of Murder

A very strange murder mystery, but rather gripping.

32. Our House in the Last World
I picked this up in a second hand bookshop in Obs about a Cuban-American family.
I had seen this recommended here on Librarything, so snapped it up and finished it on the train today.

33. The Old Man and the Sea
Good read, couldn't put it down.

34. Homo Novus

A collection of Estonian cartoons, I had fun working out the messages and looking at the different situations depicted.

35. Very Interesting People Queen Victoria

I have been trying to finish my presentation for Portuguese History class (a comparison between Victoria and Maria II). An interesting bite-sized look at her life that has helped me get started with the presentation.

36. The Lost Daughter of Happiness

I have just finished this, it had been calling me from my bedside table all week! I really got caught up in 1860s San Francisco. As this is the story of the life of Fusang, I am going to put this in the history section.

37. The Grass is Singing

1001 book, I was given this a while back, and thought I'd read it now I have a gap in studying. Well worth a read, I have read a few of her books, though this is the first of hers from the 1001 list.

38. Black Dogs
Another 1001 Book, short but disquietingly good.

looks like I've gotten to this thread late but still looks really interesting and glad I found it before too late!

Thanks! I'm just off to have a nosey at your thread.

I have decided to change my Classic category to Made into a Film. This is partially because of a few of my recent additions to the 1010 heap and also because the term Classic was putting me off some of the books!

Currently reading Watchmen.

39. Watchmen

Finished this today in the cafe near work, I was blown away! Not my usual cup of tea because of the high gore factor, but well worth it.

soffitta1 - I hope you don't mind if I ask...Did you live in Fuling? I've been there too.

Hi Xuesheng,
no - I spent a year teaching in Guangzhou in the Guangdong Province. I visited Chengdu and Chonqing during my time there, but never Fuling.
What was Fuling like? What were you doing in China?
(of course I don't mind you asking ;))

It's a small city in China of over a million people. There is a major divided highway that connects Chongqing to Fuling so it is less isolated than it was when Hessler lived there. It's sits in a mountainous region like Chongqing and the waterfront is changed due to the rising of the Yangtze--it now has a wide walkway along it. I think factories are opening there too.

Hessler wrote a magazine article in 2003 about his return to the area. You can find the article here

40. A Kestral for a Knave

Just finished this, not a good thing when I have 2 assignments to be handed in at 10 a.m. tomorrow :S

Good read though!

41. Mother's Beloved: Stories from Laos
I got this through an Asian Virtual Bookbox and picked it to help with the Olympic Challenge. This is a book of short stories which helps you give you an insight into a relatively unknown country.

42. The Midwich Cuckoos
A 1001 book, I'm not a sci-fi fan, but did really enjoy this.

43. The Siege of Krishnapur

Excellent book, managing to walk the line between a realistic portrayal of a seige and being wittily observant about the people involved in it.

I actually have 3 more of his books here in Portugal with me, 2 of which are 1001 books, will be bumping them up my TBR pile. Uni starts back today, so will probably fall behind on my reading again.

44. Kisses in the Nederends

Well, lets just say lots of toilet humour, bottom jokes... :)

>72 soffitta1:

Love John Wyndham!!! I read The Midwich Cockoos a few months ago, and it's not as SF as some of his work, but it's typical of his style.

I also have The Day of the Triffids to read at home, so another one to be bumped up the list! I found his tone really engaging.

>76 soffitta1:

Day of the Triffids is his most well-known, and if you enjoy it there was a sequel (Night of the Triffids) written a few years by someone else, also enjoyable. I'd also recommend The Chrysalids, which is dystopic and one of his most highly considered books.

Thanks for the tips :)

45 Embers

Excellent read, all in one sitting at the theatre cafe with a slice of chocolate cake. After 40 years one man finally gets the opportunity to ask why. The first of his books to be translated, can't wait for more.

46. Being There

Finished this last week, but I went away for Carnival and had no internet. A really interesting mix of stories by southern African writers.

47. The lady Elizabeth
Good yarn, but not up to her biographies.

48. Mademoiselle Boleyn
I decided to keep in the world of the Tudors and read this one about Anne Boleyn. Very easy to get into.

49. The Plot against America
I couldn't put this down, which was a little difficult because of work being so busy. I am a bit of a sucker for What If books, and from the blurb, I knew this would be good. I was a bit let down by the end, it seemed convenient and rushed.

50. The Concubine of Shanghai
I really enjoyed this, especially being able to finish it off in the sunshine this afternoon. Life in Shanghai in the first quarter of the 20th Century and all its intrigues are shown to great effect.

I would say the highlights of the 2nd 25 were The Midwich Cuckoos and The Siege of Krishnapur.

51. The Cave of the Yellow Dog
I really liked this, was sent this a while back, and finally got around to reading it last night. I can't wait to see the film now.

52. Les Miserables
Finally finished this! I enjoyed it, faster parts than others.

53. Brideshead Revisted
Forgot to put this one down!
Enjoyed it, but frustrating finish.

Forgot to put this one down!

.... luv it!

I meant on here, but hey! Seems like this is the list of unintended play on words!

54. Baking Cakes in Kigali

A good read, light but with pertinent glimpses into Africa today and its problems.

55. Girls of Riyadh
I really enjoyed this, read it in one day of avoiding studying ;) An interesting look at life in Saudi, the difficulties of loving in that country within its religious, traditional and family context.

56. Blue of Noon
1001 book, very strange.

57. Invisible

This is actually a retroactive entry, I read this book in January as part of the Early Reviewers programme, but it didn't fit into my categories. Well, the new 1001 book has come out and it includes this. Yey!

58. Vile Bodies
Just read finished, worth a read, but not as good as some of his others.

59. Funny Boy

I got this through Bookcrossing and read it yesterday, taking advantage of a quiet day. Set in Sri Lanka, this is a series of events in a young boy's life, looking at politics, race relations and sexuality.

60. Vengeance is Mine

Given to me by a friend, ultimately a little disappointing.

61. Hungry Ghosts
Read for the Olympic Challenge, not bad, better than a beach read.

62. Branca de Neve

I am doing a presentation on a short story by Lydia Jorge for uni with the same name, so thought of reading this to compare.

63. The Singapore Grip
Another excellent book by J.G. Farrell, this one is about the final days leading up to the Japanese invasion through the comings and goings of one of the families owning a rubber company.

64. The Nine Tailors
A mystery, very well written.

65. Children of the Revolution
Very interesting glimpse at the life of an Ethiopian immigrant to the States.

66. Praça de Londres
I had to prepare one of the five short stories, Branca de Neve, for my lit class and enjoyed it so much (often hard after you analyse a story), that I read the rest of the collection. I would especially recommend Rue de Rhone about people buying a crocodile case.

67. The Red and the Black
Finally finished this, it took me a while to get into this, but once I did, I really enjoyed it.

68. The White Tiger
Excellent! I started this last night and have been sidetracked from studying all day because of it.

69. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

I am on a good streak, another great read. Very different style, conversational, historical footnotes with sci-fi analogies. Give it a go!

70. The Professor's House

Interesting read, slow burner, but then I couldn't put it down.

71. O Gato e o Escuro

A beautifully illustrated children's book from a great Mozambican writer.

72. O Maior Flor do Mundo

A children's story by Jose Saramago, I read this for my literature class. Very much in the vein of The Little Prince.

73. Love in a Cold Climate
A really good read, I had read about the Mitford, but this is my first Mitford-written book.

I have started the Water Babies, which I am sure I read as a child, albeit in an abridged form.

74. The Water-Babies

Nice to read, but a bit clumsy at times.

soffitta, I read The Water Babies last year, and I didn't like it, though I thought it was interesting to see its influence on children's literature of the late 1800s and early 1900s (and even to a certain extent, up to today).

** SPOILERS, I think **
What I found particularly gruesome was that he had really died. Perhaps in the mid 19th century, when so many children did not live to adulthood, the gentleness of his experiences would be somewhat comforting. I didn't read it as a child, nor did I read it to my own children, so I'm not exacatly sure how a child would view this, but this is not a book that I'm going to read to my granddaughter.

>74 soffitta1:. Gee, I forgot I have a copy of The Water Babies. It's probably one of the very early copies, since it was at our summer cabin from the time I was a kid and I think it was my mother's when she was a kid (she was born in 1913). I imagine I read it long ago but don't remember the story, so I may have to get it out and add to TBR.

re 109 - I agree it was strange, but I could see where some more modern took their inspiration.

75. Landlocked
I have read books 1 and 2 in the Children of Violence series, but not 3. The books can be read independently, but I know I had missed a couple of steps. Very breathless, as it skips, jumps, etc.

76. Dreams of Water

Read quickly as a friend was interested in it, but a little strange.

77. Pequenas Memorias
Portuguese writer Saramago's memories of his childhood. Very interesting, but pay attention as it is told in a spiral form!

78. Return of the Native
First Hardy book, I can't believe it has taken me so long to read one!

I have now finished 3 categories, so thought I'd add my thoughts here.

Group 2: Spain and the Spanish speaking world

I really wanted to broaden my Spanish-speaking world reading, and this has really been a great way of doing that. Top books would have to be the last two. Hemingway's Cuban classic really drew me in, very tense and Oscar touched me greatly. I am pleased to have been able to include books for 2 of the other challenges I am doing, Olympic and 1001 Books. I am hoping to keep up this category next year, but may make it Iberian Books (this would include Portuguese speaking authors).

Group 8 - Made into Film

This category has ended up as an overspill of 1001 books, but I do enjoy reading books and comparing the films. I very much enjoyed The Shining, though have never seen the film. Kestrel and Cuckoos were also gems, proving this to be a very strong group.

Group 10- Asia
Again, this has been a strong category in terms of other challenges. Tope books would have to be Krishnapur, JG Farrell is fast becoming one of my top 10 writers. Dreams had to be the weakest, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

79. Cleopatra's Daughter

An enjoyable historical romance, finishing my History Category

Group 6: History
Top reads were Guernsey and the Lost Daughter, though I enjoyed most of the books. The weakest has to be Madame Boleyn, a book that needed editing and got more and more absurd.

80. Nefertiti

I decided to jump into another Michelle Moran book after a friend left 3 of her books with me. Another good book by the writer, not too taxing, but I am enjoying getting to know another period in history.

I have been rejigging my categories to fit the three books in, so expect more changes.

81. At Lady Molly's
One of the 10 books that make up one entry on the 1001 book list. A look at society of the time.

Currently reading book two of The Series of Unfortunate Events in Portuguese, which is great fun.

82. The Fire Gospel
I am taking advantage of a Sunday with no visitors and reading. Heaven! I have been alternating this with the Lemony Snicket book, both good. The Fire Gospel is a quick, but thought-provoking read.

83. The Aeneid Forgot to add this one, I finished listening to an excellent dramatised version with Derek Jacobi, Ralph Fiennes and many other good British actors.

84. A Sala dos Repteis

Book 2 of the Lemony Snicket series. I have read it in English before, but a good book is a good book in any language!

85. Troubles
1001 book and another great one from J.G. Farrell, this time it is about Ireland. While it was the first in the Empire Trilogy, I've ended up reading it last, but as they are unconnected, it doesn't matter.

Bonus A1.
August is a wicked month
Strange, but compelling.

86. The Heretic Queen

Finishing my History category, enjoyable enough, but I think it was the weakest of the three books of Michelle Moran that I read.

Bonus A2. Hangover Square
1001 book, a freebie from the Times. Good read, the onset of madness.

First book given up on - Wild Animus, 50 pages in and I just didn't care enough to keep going.

Bonus B1. Buxton Spice
A coming of age story from Grenada, a quick read giving a snapshot of life there in the '70s. I read it rather quickly, to get a break from studying.

87. The Girl on the Landing
I had already read Paul Torday's Salmon fishing in the Yemen, so was curious to see what this one would be like, I was not disappointed. A dead marriage is shaken up by the changes in the husband, starting with him seeing a girl on the landing in a picture.

88. Gefrorene Sonne
One more for my not-in-English category, a crime novel set in Alaska. The crime story was ok, but the detail about life up in the far north definitely set the book apart.

89. Equador

Excellent, took a while to read (as was in Portuguese), but what a good read. 2 years in the life of the Sao Tome governer at the turn of the last century.

B2. The Tapestries

A very tragic story of revenge, love and treasure with a sumptuous Vietnamese setting.

B3. From the Ngong Hills

One of the Penguin 60s, this time it is snippets from Out of Africa.

90. Danziger's Travels
Really good read about an amazing journey, even though it was completed and written about 25 years ago, it was certainly an eye-opener. (Though, still not tempted to visit Iran or Afghanistan!)

91. In Xanadu
Another travel book, a similar route as the book above, but with a very different journey, this time following in the footsteps of Marco Polo.

92. o ultimo voo do flamingo

I love Mia Couto, a great Mozambican writer. An Italian UN peacekeeper comes to find out what really happened when other peacekeepers explode.

B4. The Railway
Set in Central Asia, talks about the issues that are on the news at the moment.

93. Sea of Poppies
Excellent, the first in a trilogy, can't wait for the rest. Very different people are thrown together by the Ibis, a boat due to sail to Mauritius.

94. Timoleon Vieta come home
From Early Reviewers, a good read, the journey of a dog.

95. The Hill Station
The last section of the book is the author's travel diary in India.

B5. An ordinary Man
Written by the manager of Hotel Rwanda. Very well written, still processing it.

96. Terra Sonambula
Another great book from the Mozambican writer.

97. The Oxford Book of Travel Stories
A good selection of stories, fiction and non-fiction, by good writers. I enjoyed dipping in and out of this.

B6. Blutsbrueder
The son of a German missionary and a Liberian boy become friends, and, despite being separated by civil war, manage to find each other again.

98. If you could see me now
Elizabeth's life is turned upside down by her nephew's invisible friend. Very sweet.

B7. Global Restructuring and Peripheral States Mauritania
Not my normal cup of tea, but was interesting to read about a country I know little of.

A3. Life and Times of Michael K
1001 read deservedly on the list.

99. 70629::The Sheltering Sky
Fiction book, but about a couple travelling around the Sahara.

B8. Inca-Kola

A4. The Brothers Kamazarov

100. The Divine Comedy - Inferno

Internet access has been mixed recently, so here's an update. I have finished my Olympic bonus category. The 1001 bonus category might take longer as I am at the mercy of books I find at book exchanges whilst travelling.

B9. Bolivar - A Life Venezuela and Colombia
B10. Portrait of a Nation Ecuador
A5. 2666
A6. North and South

A7. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
A reread, but couldn't resist it when I saw it at a book exchange, still loved it.

A8. The Cranford Chronicles
Rather fun, preferred the first 2 parts, but enjoyable.

A9 - Madame Bovary
a good 1001 book.
One left!

A10. The Bell Jar

A good, strong book to finish with. Roll on 2011!