1
Dec
2009
More Challenges!
In no particular order, here are four more challenges I’m looking forward to next year.
The first is War Through the Generations, which will be focusing on Vietnam in 2010.
I have tried to make my list fairly even with fiction and nonfiction and writers from the U.S. as well as Vietnam. I think it’s important to gain a perspective from both soldiers as well as civilians. But because so much of our cultural identity regarding the Vietnam War is wrapped up in the 60’s and 70’s counter-culture and protests that were going on in the U.S., I’ve also put in a couple books that reflect that.
My goal is to read at least 5 books. Here’s what I have in mind:
Paco’s Story by Larry Heinemann
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
A Lifetime of Peace: Essential Writings by and about Thich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat Hanh
Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals, 1962-1966 by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam by Bao Ninh
Forest Gump by Winston Groom
Drifters by James Michener
The next one, The Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, I figure I can do pretty easily. I should have done it this year, but I only started blogging in April and so I didn’t join any challenges that started before then.
The minimum to read is three books, so that’s what I’m officially going to say I’ll do, but I think I’ll probably make at least the next level of six books.
I’m not really going to make a list for this one, but here’s some thoughts:
Buddha’s Wife by Gabriel Constans
Portrait in Sepia by Isabelle Allende
Drifters by James Michener
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Valley of Horses by Jean Auel
Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
Baudolino by Umberto Eco
Now that I look at my list, I’m sure I’ll read at least three, since three of them are actually mentioned elsewhere in this very post, and others, still in this very post, could also count.
Which brings me to the next challenge.
Since Rebecca decided to ease up the rules and let us just read books with nine different colors in the title–whatever they may be–I decided to join the Colorful Reading Challenge.
Here’s my list and color choices:
Purple: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Gray/Grey: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde OR Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
Red: Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane
Sepia: Portrait in Sepia by Isabelle Allende
Blue: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Gold: Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse
Black: Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates
Rose: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
White: The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
The last (for now) Challenge I’m signing up for is the First in a Series Challenge. This, along with the Historical Reading Challenge is hosted by Royal Reviews.
You guys might be surprised that I’m joining this one, as I hate hate hate to start a series before it’s completed. But I do really enjoy reading series (serieses?). So I’m going to start three of them:
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
With Fire and Sword by Henryk Sienkiewicz
So, yes, I know that Eyes Like Stars is the first and so far only of a series, but we’ve been over this before.
Can you fill out this google form for us: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHhuWnRJYkJkMUpUQzNrbmhGb2dHNEE6MA
Check out the section in the form where it says that we are considering a mid-challenge joint review with those interested. I hope, since you plan on reading Paco’s Story, that you will consider joining in.
Fantastic on choosing With Fire and Sword! Wohoo
I’ll get to it one day soon enough…Will you watch the movie too? And oh, Mists of Avalon…one of my all-time favorites. I think I will have to credit that book for getting me really interested in the books dealing with the Arthurian myth. I’ve read it twice already (and it’s huge!); I rarely reread books to begin with. The other books that came afterwards are actually prequels so it’s great to see everything move backwards in time. I’m thinking of one day starting at the “beginning” and read my through all the books though Mists of Avalon. I’m reading the new Mercedes Lackey book now and there is such an echo of Marion Zimmer Bradley in it. Wow…these challenges are quite the challenge I must say 
Awesome! So glad you’re joining us for the Vietnam reading challenge. Paco’s Story is great, but intense.
And btw, I’ll be mailing your BBAW win very soon. I’m behind in mailing things, I apologize!
Oh, I’m so glad you’re reading The Things They Carried. It’s my favorite Tim O’Brien book that I’ve read. I joined this challenge also. So many wonderful challenges out there, yours included! I’m joining up soon
Glad to have you joining us on Royal Reviews for the HF and 1st in a Series Challenge, should be a fun year.
Ahhh Eyes Like Stars!! ::snuggles that book:: Definitely worthy of re-reading XD You know despite enjoying her Darkover novels, I’ve never gone near her Mists of Avalon books (I blame the TNT miniseries made in 1999 or so…omg do not want).
Lexie
Duchess of the Dark
Poisoned Rationality
Isn’t “challenge shopping” fun???? I’m going a bit nuts but trying to think clearly about what I can do!
Yay! I am so glad you are joining in the Colorful Reading Challenge! I am hoping the new flexibility will make it an easier challenge to complete. I look forward to your reviews! You have some great challenges lined up!