update and challenges.

Cheryl and I have been book-blogging together for about 15 months (wow!). I love to blog and read many, many blogs (reading ones as well as others - mostly daily living). I've noticed for quite a long time reading challenges that other bloggers are involved in or issuing and have been interested, not interested enough to join one though. Until now. Those who know me personally may know that I am not really a "joiner"- now don't get me wrong I like people, but I tend to stick with what I know, the people I know. So, the point is I decided to jump in to a few challenges. I am pretty excited. This is all part of my quest to do new things...might as well start here. This seems non-threatening.

Okay. So the challenges.

Challenge 1: this challenge was presented by Becky and is about reading Jane Austen. The guidelines on this one is to read/watch two Jane Austen novels (movies) in 2008. I decided to do this challenge awhile ago, however just now got around to posting about it. I have already read one of the books. I completed Pride and Prejudice on Wednesday! Yay me! Next on my list is Northanger Abbey. I will probably be extending this challenge for myself by watching the P&P mini-series again (I haven't seen it since it first came out in the mid-90s) and possibly catch a few of the other movies (I love Emma) and maybe read a third...We'll see.

Challenge 2: Classics Challenge. Here are the rules (as copied from the post):
OPTION 1: Read FIVE classics.
OPTION 2: Read FIVE classics from at least TWO different countries
OPTION 3: Read FIVE classics with any combination of at least TWO different countries and TWO different genres (see above for genres).
*Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!); Audiobooks are fine; books must be finished after July 1st to count for the challenge although re-reads are acceptable.
*Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time.
*Bonus: "For the sixth book, I would like the participants to offer suggestions for books that may not be considered classics but that you think should be or books that you think will be a classic one day. Leave your suggestions in the comments below. I'll compile a list of the suggestions and you choose a book from the list and make that your sixth read. I realize this means you may have to wait to make your list if you choose to participate in the bonus round, but I'm hoping this is a modern twist on the old classics challenge."

My list, so far, is:
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
Something from my Mark Twain collection
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
....the rest are to be determined....

I will put challenge info/links on the left hand sidebar.