I failed miserably at the Eco Reading Challenge, hosted by Chris from Book-a-rama. When she announced this challenge, I signed up knowing that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but I definitely thought that I'd manage to get through at least a couple of items on my list... but alas, 'failed miserably' is the only way to describe what happened...*******************************************************************************
I also really wanted to complete the Numbers Challenge, hosted by Callista. It's one that I enjoyed doing last year and thought I'd repeat the experience. What deterred me in the end is that 2 of the books had to be read for this challenge only, couldn't overlap with others. I didn't like doing this, I like the feeling of accomplishment when I can check boxes in loads of challenges with just one book. So that's another incomplete!*******************************************************************************
I can also already say that I won't be able to complete the Battle of the Prizes Challenge. It was a fabulous idea, hosted by Rose City Reader, and I really, really wanted to do it... But I simply was in the mood for other books this summer and didn't get to the reading list. Ah. Can't do them all, eh? ;-)*******************************************************************************
I can't believe I'm writing this, but I didn't manage to finish the Southern Reading Challenge, one of my favorites! I had so much fun last year and was so happy that Maggie from Maggie Reads has made the challenge into an annual event. But... well, there just wasn't enough time and I wasn't in the mood for what I planned to read... So sad, but there's always next year, right Maggie??*******************************************************************************
One I DID finish is the wonderful Orbis Terrarum, hosted by Bethany. I love participating in this chalenge, since I always try to read books from various cultures. I had a long list of choices, but here's what I read in the end:The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Sweden)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (the Ukraine)
Seek the Fair Land by Walter Macken (Ireland)
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (Czech Republic)
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler (United States)
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Canada)
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Wiliam Shakespeare (United Kingdom)
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (France)
Favorites? A Thousand Splendid Suns, Kindred and The Handmaid's Tale. All fantastic books, highly recommended.
Thanks, Bethany, for hosting, I'm already looking forward to next year's edition!
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And another one down! The Romance Reading Challenge was hosted by Naida from The Bookworm and was great fun. Again, I had loads of possibilities, but here are the five books I read in the end:Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels
Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
Garden Spells was by far my favorite, I just love that kind of writing and storytelling. Magical. :-)
Thanks Nadia, it's been fun!
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And last, but certainly not least, another of my annual favorites, the What's in A Name Challenge, hosted by Debi. This year we had more great categories, which I actually managed to fill! Here's what I read:A book with a "profession" in its title:
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
A book with a "time of day" in its title:
Twillight by Stephanie Meyer
A book with a "relative" in its title:
Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella
A book with a "body part" in its title:
Murder on a Bad Hair Day by Anne George
A book with a "building" in its title:
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A book with a "medical condition" in its title:
Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland
I liked all of these in their own way, they were very different. Can't choose a favorite! But I can't wait to see next year's categories, Debi! :-)
8 comments:
As long as you read some good books, I don't think any of them are a "failure". Yeah, corny, but true!
Lezlie
I know, I know... it's just that I can't think of a better word. I enjoyed all of them anyway and will sign up for everything going next year too, I imagine! :-)
I am so glad you enjoyed the Orbis Terrarum Challenge!
Make sure to check back in, I'll be putting up a giveaway for OT peeps soon.
Yes, next year will be fun too!
I love the OT challenge but am doing horribly this year. Usually I read a lot of books from different countries, but for some reason my reading hasn't gone there this year. Anyway--hate the term "failure" You signed up and tried, maybe read some books you wouldn't have--I think that's great.
bethany - i'll be sure to pop back in soon!
Trish - you still have a few months, who knows where reading will take you? :-)
I don't usually do too well with my challenges but I still join. It's just fun and a great way for me to sort of clear some of my shelf sitters. That's one thing I always try to do - pick books from my shelves.
So I say congrats on having participated in all of them! :)
Iliana - I'm afraid my reason is just that I love writing lists, especially book lists!! :-)
You didn't fail. I'm an easy grader ;) Come by my Challenge Roundup tomorrow.
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