If you've read this blog for a while, you know that I love books and reading as much as I love fabric and sewing. So when I discovered this challenge by reading Danielle's "Work in Progress" blog (Danielle is not unfamiliar with needle and thread) I decided to join in. I've never participated in an online reading challenge. I'm hoping it will be fun.
The deal is to read 10 books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. in 10 months, starting in May 2008. I find many of the books on this list to be, well, daunting to say the least. (I found that I had read 60 of them so I'm already 6% well read. Some of the books I've never heard of. But some of them are books I've always wanted to read, and some just grabbed me. So I made my list, and here it is--My List of 10 Books to Read by February 28, 2009. (List is subject to change--it's in the rules.)
(Edited to add: Go here to see my list of 20 more books you should read before you die--or after, if they have books in Heaven. But you can't include these in the challenge.)
Atonement by Ian McEwan
A friend of mine in my reading group says this is one of the best books she has read. And she reads a lot.
The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor
I was not familiar with this book until I found it on the list, but Amazon's description hooked me. Right now, I can't remember why.
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
I'm a lukewarm fan of JCO. I've loved some of her books and had a hard time reading others. Blonde is one of the latter. I started reading it a few years ago and didn't get too far into it. I hope I have better luck this time.
American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis
I'm not sure about this one. Sounds interesting, but it might be replaced by an alternate.
Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard
I've seen the movie, so let's see if the book is just as good. I love Chili Palmer, but that could have something to do with John Travolta. (You think?)
At the Mountain of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft
I haven't red much Lovecraft. This one looks interesting.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I haven't read this since high school, so it's time to reread.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
College was the last time I read this one, one of my favorite books. I know, I know--I'm a hopeless romantic.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
I have read one book by Eugenides, Middlesex, and I loved it. The Amazon description of this one sounds intriguing.
High Rise by J.G. Ballard
This is another one that migh possibly be replace by an alternate. Right now, I can't remember why I chose it.
ALTERNATES
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Another book that I was forced to read in high school and now I'd like to read it voluntarily.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
This is one I should probably read.
The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
This case fascinates me.
I know some of you also like to read. You might think about the challenge if any of those 1001 books interest you. I find a deadline helps me ge things done. And a book a month is doable.
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On 05/10/2008, Sister Cage said ...
There's a great essay on Wuthering Heights, by Joyce Carol Oates, at http://www.usfca.edu/~southerr/wuthering.html
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