Dorky introvert alert! It’s my Reading Challenge for 2018! {insert squealing and jumping up and down}
Two years ago, I did a reading challenge of twelve classics books. There were some honkin’ huge ones in there too! But it was a blast and the challenge helped me delve into stories I’d always wanted to read but felt intimidated by. And I’m so glad I did it, as it was the kick in the pants I needed to surround myself with incredible stories. I’ve been reading the classics ever since and wondering what took me so long. They don’t call ’em classics for nothing.
This year, I’m changing it up. I’ll be following three challenges issued by other people. The first is a Read-Along of Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove with Ange at Beyond the Pages. Second is the Bronte Book Club 2018 Challenge with Lucy the Reader. Finally, I’ll be joining the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2018 Reading Challenge.
Which may seem like a lot, but I listen to audiobooks on my daily commute to school. You’d be amazed at how that time adds up to books read. Plus you find yourself actually looking forward to traffic backups.
Reading Challenge: Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove is a story I’ve wanted to read for ages. I’ve heard nothing but raves about this hefty tome. Given its size, though, I’ve long put it off for when I had stretches of uninterrupted time.
So when I saw that Beyond the Pages was hosting a read-along of this beloved story, I jumped on board. Ange is what is called a BookTuber, which means someone who hosts a YouTube channel that talks all things books. The majority of BookTubers primarily read new releases or young adult literature. And while I enjoy both of those categories, my heart lies in the classics. Also, I find many BookTubers a little over-the-top in terms of volume and energy. Ange, by contrast, is very chill and easy to relate to. (And her accent makes me feel worldly.) Often her little ones are clambering over her as she makes her videos. She has introduced me to terrific books and expanded my literary tastes.
A read-along is pretty relaxed. I haven’t done one yet, but you read a set amount of pages per day, week, or month, sort of like a structured online book club. You join others online and talk about what you’ve read so far. (But if you are more of an observer, that’s great too! No comments necessary.) Ange has set it up so that we’ll all be reading about 100 pages per week. That seemed doable to me, and knowing there is a due date will, I believe, keep me on track. Normally, I just like reading at my own pace privately, but something about this challenge called to me.
Read-alongs don’t typically cost anything and there are no penalties of course if you don’t follow the pace of the group. It’s just a fun way to enjoy literature with people all over the world. So I’m looking forward to trying it! If you want to join in, see Ange’s reading challenge video. There are links to join the group below the video. (You might need to click “Show More” to see them.) The read-along will begin in January 2018 and go through February.
Reading Challenge: Bronte Book Club
Recently, I became fascinated by all things Bronte. Jane Eyre has long been my favorite book. (It’s a toss up between that and The Count of Monte Cristo.) And I loved Villette too and want to reread that one soon.
Then I watched To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters. I missed it when it was on PBS but got it out of our public library two months ago. (As of this writing, it’s streaming for free on Amazon Prime.) It outlines the story of the three Bronte sisters and how they came to be published authors. It is incredible. What a family. The idea that these three working women, all in one house, secretly wrote books and got them published, is the coolest. Can you imagine what that must have been like?
Lucy the Reader is another BookTuber who explores the classics and brings them to life. Being that we are in the midst of bicentennial celebrations of Bronte events, she is serving as the Bronte Society Young Ambassador to get folks to read some of the Bronte’s best AND lesser known works. I’ve only read two of the six books she is hosting, so I’m thrilled to explore some new Bronte gems.
Lucy will be filming some of the Bronte places as the book club progresses and sharing information about the three women, so it should be a fun yearly trip! If you want to follow along with her, go to her YouTube channel and read the notes under the video.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I read this in my twenties and found it wildly depressing. However, I’ve long considered rereading it to see if my opinion has changed over time. Many people I respect say that while they do find it a downer, the writing is spectacular. I don’t have a copy of this now. There is a Word Cloud Classics edition coming out this spring that I might purchase if I fall in love with it.
Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
This is one I picked up recently at a sale. I haven’t read anything by Anne Bronte yet, so I’m curious to see how her style compares and contrasts with her sisters’. Isn’t that cover stunning?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
So far I have three versions of this one, which speaks to my deep love of Jane Eyre. The story and the lines in it are gorgeous and so unique. I’ve read this perhaps five times and each successive time it improves like unaffordable wine. The strength of Jane astounds me. She broke the mould of the beautiful heroine, given that she was apparently not attractive in the acceptable fashion. Her inner dialog and the witty banter between her and Mr. Rochester make me smile, not in a simpering sense, but in a why-can’t-I-think-on-my-toes-like-that?-way. I’m getting all jittery because I want to read this one now!
My three versions of Jane Eyre. Kinda crazy about this book.
Emily Bronte: The Complete Poems
Poems give me trouble. Occasionally I will try my hand a poetry when the mood strikes, but I have little patience with flowery writing. However, coming from a long line of poets, I’m determined to figure out the mystery of poetry. Emily’s supposed to be phenomenal. Maybe this is the year I figure it all out.
Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
Never read it! Need to order it. Maybe I’ll get this version?
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
I bought this at our library sale and have heard wonderful things! I’m not crazy about the cover, but as it was in excellent condition and only $2 at the library sale, I couldn’t resist. I’ve been wanting to dive into it for a couple of years.
The Modern Mrs. Darcy 2018 Reading Challenge
The last and largest challenge is the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2018 Reading Challenge. Modern Mrs. Darcy is a website hosted by Anne Bogel. If you love books, you will love this site. The gal knows her stuff. She hosts a weekly podcast that I never miss called What Should I Read Next? In that show, she interviews guests on three books they love, one book they hate, and what they’ve been reading lately. Then she matches three new books to them. It’s so entertaining and my literary diet has expanded in all directions, thanks to Anne.
Anne’s had a yearly reading challenge for years, and this is the first year I’m joining in! Like the other challenges, there’s nothing you need to buy. It’s simply a fun personal goal you can reach for alongside other readers in the world.
In the challenge, there are twelve categories. You pick one book for each one and off you go! Here are the ones I picked. (And boy was it fun ruminating over this!)
A Classic You’ve Been Meaning to Read
Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
A book recommended by someone with great taste
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (Recommended by my friend Nancy.)
A book in translation
The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
A book nominated for an award in 2018
To be determined in 2018.
A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection
The Poetry of Emily Dickinson. I plan to visit the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts after reading it. Also, if you are interested in learning more about her, there was a terrific movie that came out about a year ago called A Quiet Passion. As of this writing, it’s streaming for free on Amazon Prime.
Isn’t this a gorgeous version?
A book you can read in a day
Esther the Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter
A book that’s more than 500 pages
A book by a favorite author
A book recommended by a librarian or an indie bookseller
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh which was recommended by Strand Books.
A banned book
A memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction
Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin
A book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
A new way to buy books for your Reading Challenge!
At the close of writing this post, my sister-in-law kindly gave Mr. Suburban Snow White and I a gift certificate to a bookish website I’d never heard of. It’s called Better World Books and you can purchase used books at wonderful prices. Even better, every book you buy funds world literacy. I highly recommend it! I got four books I’d been wanting for $21.
In the earlier book links, I link to Amazon because of the reviews and previews. However, I’m not an affiliate. If you do decide to purchase from Amazon, consider logging through Amazon Smile using an organization that is meaningful to you so that they get some kickback. I’m a huge fan of Farm Sanctuary and thus like to go through the Farm Sanctuary Smile program.
And, of course, give strong consideration to buying books from your independent bookseller. It’s often a wee bit more expensive, but man. We gotta keep those indie booksellers alive! There’s nothing like walking into a lovely, funky bookstore and exploring all the beauties on the shelves. Internet browsing is fun, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the tactile joy of an independent bookstore. Plus the booksellers are always fascinating people to talk to. (And if you’re a teacher, see if your bookseller gives you a teacher discount. In Massachusetts, most give 8-10% off non-sale books if you show your Massachusetts Teacher Association card.)
Your Turn
It’s time to hear from you! In the comments below, tell us any of the following:
- What have you been reading lately?
- What books do you plan to read this year?
- Any thoughts on the books mentioned here? Which should I read first?
- Do you enjoy reading challenges like these? Why or why not? Do you plan on joining any or creating your own?
If you want to be friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request and following my progress on my 2018 Reading Challenge! (And I’ll get to see what you’re reading these days too!)
As always, if you found this information valuable, please share it on your favorite social media platform!
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