But then I saw the Reading England 2016 Challenge hosted by Behold the Stars, and it sounded like fun, and there are books that I want to read this year that I knew would fit this challenge perfectly; so, I found myself discarding my original plan and signing up without a second thought. It's a straight-forward challenge: read a different book for every county in England. Only there are 4 levels to choose from, so if you don't want to read 39 books you don't have to. I'm shooting for Level 2: 4-6 counties. I've already started reading my first book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which is set in London. It's one of my favorite children's books and a great first read of 2016.
Then, because I found myself in a book challenge kind of mood I signed up for the Reading New England Challenge hosted by Lory at Emerald City Books as well. For this challenge I'm hoping to complete the Six State Challenge: read at least one book that represents each New England state. I'm a little worried about finding a book set in Rhode Island, but the other states should be fairly easy. Between these two challenges I should be very well-traveled by the end of 2016.
Happy Reading!
(And Happy New Year!)
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the Reading England challenge, and I probably could cover several counties just from my TBR shelves. But I seem to have developed this allergy to challenges. As soon as I sign up for one, I want to read everything BUT the challenge books. So I'll just cheer from the sidelines :)
I know how that goes. That's why I limit myself to just one or two reading challenges a year. I find I don't often repeat challenges, either, because my initial excitement tends not to last the entire year; by November I'm usually done. I guess that's why I pick short challenges that only require me to read 3-6 books. I can usually last that long. :) Hope you have a happy year of reading in 2016!
DeleteYou picked an excellent pair of challenges! :) I would love to do Reading England myself but am scared of overcommiting myself. I read lots of books from England anyway and could probably fit them into various counties as I go along, but if it's not preplanned it feels a bit like cheating. Anyway, I'll enjoy reading about what you discover!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how these two challenges kind of synched up for me this year; but I'm looking forward to both. I already have a couple of books lined up for your Reading New England Challenge...I'll let you know how it goes. :)
DeleteHappy New Year! I would love to be a free-range reader for a year, but I can never resist signing up for challenges and other reading events. Good luck with these two challenges - I'll look forward to seeing what you choose to read for them.
ReplyDeleteEvery year some fun reading challenge just sucks me in and I suddenly find myself committing to reading 3, or 6, or 9 books. :) But the challenges are fun, too. Good luck with all of yours this year! And have a happy 2016!
DeleteHappy 2016! You are a braver woman than I am, I have the same problem as others have, as soon as I feel I have to read a certain book, I do not want to anymore! :-)
ReplyDeleteBut I am looking forward to your reviews on your challenge-books, these do sounds great.
Kind regards,
I know what you mean...that's why I'm VERY careful about the challenges I sign up for; these two just seemed to fit with what I want to read this year anyway...but wish me luck on them. I might need it. :)
DeleteI don't do many challenges other than Once Upon a Time and RIP, but I often set challenges for myself. This year, I'm thinking Tennessee Williams--memoir and plays. Good luck on your challenges!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The RIP challenge is a lot of fun; I did that two years ago. And reading Tennessee Williams this year sounds like a good goal; it's fun to immerse yourself in one author for awhile.
DeleteI've never read A Little Princess, and now I'm feeling inspired...
ReplyDeleteI've loved it since I was nine. It's an easier read than A Secret Garden...and it would make a great Children's Classic book for Bingo! :)
DeleteThe best challenges are those that fit seamlessly into your existing goals, at least that's been my experience.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I read A Little Princess was when I read it aloud to my older daughter when she was very young. I ended up having some mixed feelings about it, so I will be looking forward to your review of this childhood classic.
I admit those are the only challenges I sign up for...mostly because I don't like failure. :)
DeleteI might have to go with a planetary reading list and read a book set on a different world every month. Just a thought, since I am halfway through Millennium Falcon by James Luceno.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be an awesome reading list! Might have to steal that idea. :)
DeleteBoth challenges sound fun! And I love A Little Princess, it's one of my favourite childhood books (well along with about 20 more, I find it hard to choose favourites!). I love Sara's spirit in it.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about it, too.
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