The Classics (2011 Challenge #2)

Why not add another challenge to the mix? The Classics 2011 Challenge hosted by Sugar Creek Cottage is perfect. Since my reading goals for the past few months have included readings books found on classics lists (some more difficult to get through than others), reading eight or more will be no problem.

When it comes to these books, I truck through even if it is a bit of a struggle.

Why?

It is important to experience books renowned for their literary contributions to not only appreciate the way the author crafted messages and language, but to understand why the work resonated with readers through different historical periods.

Brevity and simplicity are the most common qualities in current media messages.  While I enjoy new, light reads that follow suit, I don't feel as accomplished once I'm finished. Since reading classic books is no longer paired with weeks of drawn out discussions and analytical essays, I enjoy choosing them on my own time. They serve as mini-achievements that I can feel good about.

Thanks for hosting, Kimberly!

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1. Their Eyes Were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston
2. Oliver Twist- Charles Dickens
3. To the Lighthouse- Virginia Woolf
4. Anna Karenina- Leo Tolstoy
5. The Joy Luck Club- Amy Tan
6. On the Road- Jack Kerouac
7. Franny and Zooey- J.D. Salinger
8. The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde
9. Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier
10. The Color Purple- Alice Walker

Off to Neverland

May as well dive head first! This is the very first challenge I am doing and while 100 books is staggering, I'd like to use this as a way to track my numbers. What's a challenge if it isn't difficult? Once I get the hang of posting, I'll be sure to add reviews for what I've read.

Below is the link for the list of participants willing to consume books for breakfast/lunch/dinner for the rest of the year.
Book Chick City 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 Bloggers

Not sure how far off 100 I'll be. I think I need some pixie dust*.........

Gathering Material

Yes, I am that person that leaves the library with six books at a time. Yes, I will bring up anecdotes from recent reads in normal conversation. Yes, I will glue my nose in a novel and lose track of hours. There is no way that watching a reality show marathon or going to the mall can top the thrill of seeing a story unfold through text.  Nerdy? No way. You just don’t know what you’re missing.

I’ve always been a book worm and preferred the literary world over cinema. So many movies are adapted from books anyway. Writing is often underappreciated and reading is viewed as a tedious task. In most cases, the book is better than the movie.

I choose the books I read sporadically. I select those from classic/must-read lists then mix in newer or lighter reads as I go. It’s a system I’m used to that usually ends up flowing nicely. I appreciate well-written novels and brilliantly thought-out stories. I enjoy ones that shift perspective in order to give insight into different characters. I’m really open to most genres, but prefer not to read science fiction or romance. Not particularly into super-intelligent life forms courting women on horseback…or something like that.

Why blog?

Since graduating from college in May ’10, I’ve used reading as my way of filling the void caused by this dreary job market. It is fun to be able to read things I’ve been meaning to read, yet didn’t have the time for amidst dry college textbook assignments. The book blogging community is filled with such inspired people that the idea to be a part of it (and be able to write more regularly) finally grabbed me. We’ll see how it goes!