Friday 27 December 2013

Last Minute Challenges - 2014

Here are a last few challenges to squeak in before the end of the year.  Please visit the linked sites for more information about these challenges.  I hope to see some of you joining the insanity!

The 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge is hosted by Robin, who is a very well-organized and welcoming hostess.  I've participated in this challenge for about 4 years now and I love the comradory that this challenge inspires.  There is a homeschool forum thread where people touch base each week with each other to discuss the books that they are reading.  An excellent challenge!


I really can't say no to the 2014 Chunkster Challenge.  I am reading through Dickens, have Daniel Deronda scheduled for 2014, plus some history tomes …….. I will easily be able to reach at least 5-6 or more.  This past year I read 14+ chunksters, but I'm going to be less ambitious this year.




And to heighten the tension, the European Reading Challenge is going to be a new addition.  Hosted by Rose City Reader, this challenge, in one aspect, should not be difficult; I read many European books each year.  On the other hand, to read books from different European countries to reach each level will require some effort.  I am going to go-for-broke with this challenge and aim for the Five Star (Deluxe Entourage) which is 5 books by five different authors and from five different countries.

And to top off the insanity, I am joining the 2014 Shakespeare reading challenge.  I'm aiming for the "Occasional Theater-Goer" with 1 - 4 plays to read.  Two years ago, I participated in attempting to read a Shakespeare-a-month and failed.  Well, I did manage to get through about 5 months and REALLY enjoyed his plays, however, I allowed myself to get distracted.  So, once again, I need a challenge to keep me focused.  This will be my most challenging challenge.  I have so many books scheduled for 2014, but my goal has been to return to Shakespeare and I am determined to do it.  Wish me luck ~~~ I will need it!

And I probably will need valium and therapy when it is all over, but the less said about that, the better …….  ;-)

8 comments:

  1. Wow, these are great!

    Shakespeare is tempting... I've read all the plays and sonnets, but I never felt that I really took them in (if that makes sense). Maybe I should revisit? I shall have a think...

    Good luck! :D

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    1. I can't believe how much you've read! I've heard anything worth reading is worth reading more than once. Think about it. I was really humming-and-hawing over the Shakespeare challenge but his plays are so wonderful that I couldn't resist!

      Thanks for the well-wishes!

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  2. I'm so amazed by all of the challenges you are taking on. And I really love all the books you are reading, too. I'm not there, yet, but hopefully soon. Definitely War and Peace this year.

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    1. That's wonderful that you are tackling War and Peace this coming year, Ruth. I haven't even finished it and I want to read it again. I'm not sure if you've ever had this experience with an author, but with Tolstoy, I get through about 75% of his books and then finally the light comes on and I've got it! With W&P I feel there is still so much more to glean out of it and I want more time to spend with the characters. I guess that is the mark of a classic. You will enjoy reading it!

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  3. All the challenges you've joined sound so tempting, I can see why you've joined so many! Scratch that, I don't think I've ever read 52 books in one year (well, since past picture books), so that one will never sound...doable...to me. :) Good luck and have fun!

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    1. I never used to read so many books in one year but about five years ago I became determined to get through as many classics as I could before I died, so that goal gave me the impetus and here I am! It does take a certain amount of focus though, and the fact that I homeschool my daughter, forces me to read even more than I would normally. Maybe one day, you'll make it ……… and picture books can count when you are starting out! ;-)

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  4. Terrific goals! Good luck! I'm looking forward to this challenge! I think I'll start with London by Edward Rutherfurd.

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    1. Oh, good old Edward Rutherford! I have at least two of his books that have been staring at me for years. I have good intentions but ......

      I went to your blog and found all your wonderful challenges! You have a few I would love to join, but as you see, I have gone challenge crazy this year. I must resist, I must resist ...... ! ;-)

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