New Year's Reading Challenges

I'm doing both the Reading into the New Year
("Read as it turns from 2009 to 2010. Whether it's just a half hour or 5 hours"), and
the New Year Read-a-thon
(Starts: 5 pm on Thursday, 31 December 2009 and ends 10 pm on Sunday, 3 January 2010).

Both are hosted by Kristen at Bookworming in the Twenty First Century. She also has a 600 follower giveaway going for a book of your choice from either The Book Depository or Amazon. It is open worldwide.

My reading plans before midnight tonight:

Ticknor by Sheila Heti-an easy start at only 109 pages.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville - for the Moby Dick Monday group, hosted by Ti at Book Chatter.

after midnight:

So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor - for the Typically British Reading Challenge, hosted by Book City Chick.
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell - for the Colorful Reading Challenge, hosted by Rebecca at Lost in Books.
Mrs Dalloway - for the Woolf in Winter Challenge, hosted by Sarah at What we have here is a failure to communicate.
The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald - for the Reading From My Shelves Project, hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.

Have fun with these challenges if you're doing them-don't deprive your self of sleep. I'll be around to see what you are reading and let you know how I'm getting on.

I'm always open to questions about works or authors mentioned on my blog, comments, reading suggestions (literary fiction only and No Spoilers please), dissenting opinions, or links to reviews. I'd love to read them.

LibraryThing Author Challenge 2009 Wrap up

January 1- December 31, 2009

Hosted by Dawn at She Is Too Fond of Books.

"Read and review five LibraryThing Authors' books."

Completed books are highlighted or linked to reviews:

Tomato Girl***** by Jayne Pupek

Mudbound***** by Hillary Jordan

The Broken Book***+ by Susan Johnson

The Brightest Moon of the Century***+ by Christopher Meeks

Last Night in Montreal**** by Emily St. John Mandel

Belong to Me**** by Marisa de los Santos
The Story of Forgetting**** by Stefan Merrill Block
Into the Beautiful North**** by Luis Alberto Urrea
Conceit***** by Mary Novik
The Flamenco Academy**** by Sarah Bird
The Dante Club**** by Matthew Pearl
Await Your Reply**** by David Chaon

LT authors' books I hope to read in 2010:

31 Hours by Masha Hamilton
Apple by Penelope Holt
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
The Queen of Dreams by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Rocket Man by William Elliott Hazelgrove
Janeology by Karen Harrington

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Houston, We Have a Problema by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Fishing the Sloe-Black River by Colum McCann
Aberrations by Penelope Przekop
Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

This was my second time doing this challenge and I enjoyed it very much. I found some highly recommendable reads among the LibraryThing authors. I read 12 books but fell down on reviewing, I still owe LT a couple. My health has been very spotty in the latter part of the year. But I'd love to do this challenge again. Thank you Dawn.

21 Cultures Reading Challenge Wrap up

Hosted by Rebecca at Lost in Books.

Jan.1- December 31, 2009

"Read 21 books about 21 different cultures. It can be modern culture or old traditions and customs of a culture. It does not have to be nonfiction, but it should not be a fictional culture."

Books completed with those reviewed highlighted:

1.African American - A Mercy****+ by Toni Morrison
2.Japanese - Kitchen**** by Banana Yoshimoto
Shipwrecks***** by Akira Yoshimura
3.African Canadian/Vietnamese - What We All Long For**** by Dionne Brand
4.French/Parisienne - The Elegance of the Hedgehog**** by Muriel Barbery
The Diving Belll and the Butterfly***** by Jean-Dominique Bauby
5.Russian - The Madonnas of Leningrad***** by Debra Dean
6.Brazilian/Portuguese - The Seamstress**** by Frances De Pontes Peebles
7.Danish - To Siberia****+ by Per Petterson
8.Yugoslavian - The Cellist of Sarajevo***** by Steven Galloway
9.Dutch - A Father's Affair***+ by Karel Van Loon
10.Jewish - Tales of the Ten Lost Tribes***** by Tamar Yellin
11.Spanish - The Spanish Bow***** by Andromeda Romano-Lax
12.American - Olive Kitteridge***** by Elizabeth Strout
13.Canadian - Mercy Among the Children***** by David Adams Richards
14.English - The Behaviour of Moths**** by Poppy Adams
Blackmoor**** by Edward Hogan
Possession***** by A.S. Byatt
The Winner of Sorrow***** by Brian Lynch
The Great Lover**** by Jill Dawson
The Little Stranger***** by Sarah Waters
15.Hawaiian - The Leper****by Steve Thayer
16.Rural - Jenford: A Short History of Upland**** by Henrik E. Sadi
17.Immigrant - What Happened to Anna K.****by Irina Reyn
18.19th Century American- The Awakening***+ and Selected stories by Kate Chopin
19.18th Century Italian - The Mysteries of Udolpho***+ by Ann Radcliffe
20.Iraqi/Kurd - My Father's Paradise**** by Ariel Sabar
21.Native Canadian/Ojibway - Through Black Spruce***** by Joseph Boyden

22.French Canadian - The Fat Lady Next Door is Pregnant*** by Michel Trembly

23.American South - Mudbound***** by Hillary Jordan
This Once and Magic Life**** by Anne Carroll George

24.Icelandic - The Blue Fox***** by Sjon

25.Nigerian - Little Bee**** by Chris Cleave

26.Iranian - Reading Lolita in Tehran**** by Azar Nafisi

27.Cambodian - The Disappeared***** by Kim Echlin
28.Aboriginal Australian - Carpentaria**** by Alexis Wright
29.Burmese - The Jewel Trader of Pegu***** by Jeffrey Hantover
30.Nigerian - Becoming Abigail***** by Chris Abani
31.Mexican - Into the Beautiful North**** by Luis Alberto Urrea
Lacuna***** by Barbara Kingsolver
32.Australian - After the Fire, a Still Small Voice***** by Evie Wyld
Wanting***** by Richard Flanagan
The Pages**** by Murray Bail
Addition**** by Toni Jordan
The Lieutenant***** by Kate Grenville
33. Romanian -The Appointment**** by Herta Muller
34.Swedish - Mind's Eye**** by Hakan Nesser
35.Victorian - Three Men in a Boat*** by Jerome K. Jerome
The Mysteries of Glass***** by Sue Gee
36.17th century London - Conceit***** by Mary Novik
37.Palestinian - The Madwoman of Bethlehem***** by Rosine Nimeh-Mailloux

I had a great time doing this one. My reading must be varied to keep me interested so this challenge fit right in. Some may quibble with my cultural categories but that's the way I saw it. There are some really good novels here. I'd love to do this one again. Thank you Rebecca.

I am always open to questions about works or authors mentioned, comments, reading suggestions (literary fiction only and No Spoilers please), dissenting opinions, or links to reviews. I'd love to read them.

Typically British Reading Challenge

Hosted by Book City Chick.

1st Jan 2010~ 31st Dec 2010, fiction or non-fiction.

Categories:

• "Put The Kettle On" – Read 2 Typically British novels.
• "Gordon Bennett" – Read 4 Typically British novels.
• "Bob's Your Uncle" – Read 6 Typically British novels.
• "Cream Crackered" – Read 8 Typically British novels.

My tbr list (8 books) with completed books highlighted or linked to reviews:

Black Swan Green**** by David Mitchell
So Many Ways to Begin**** by Jon McGregor
Mrs. Dalloway*** by Virginia Woolf
Blacklands***** by Belinda Bauer
The Outcast**** by Sadie Jones
The Blue Flower***** by Penelope Fitzgerald 
Orlando***** by Virginia Woolf

Holiday**** by Stanley Middleton

Solar***by Ian McEwan

Even the Dogs***** by Jon McGregor
Our Horses in Egypt***** by Rosalind Belben


As of Tuesday March 9, 2010, I'm officially "Cream-Crackered" but I challenge on:



Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
Infinities by John Banville
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble
Five quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
Half Broken Things by Morag Joss
something by Iris Murdoch

I read 26 books by UK authors in 2009, including some top drawers novels by A.S. Byatt, Doris Lessing, Iris Murdoch, Sarah Waters, Virginia Woolf, Chris Cleave, Brian Lynch (yes, the Irish poet and director), William Fiennes, Alistair Campbell, Samantha Harvey, Sue Gee, Sally Vickers, Stanley Middleton, Jon Mcgregor, Susan Hill, Deirdre Madden, and newcomer Edward Hogan. I'll have no problem with this challenge I should think. It will be fun to see what others read. Won't you join us?

Always open to questions about works or authors mentioned, comments, reading suggestions (literary fiction only and No Spoilers please), dissenting opinions, or links to reviews. I'd love to read them.

Chunkster Challenge 2009 and 2010

Hosted by Dana at So Many Books; So Little Time.

Feb 1 - Nov 15, 2009

"A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction)."

I was aiming for the "Mor-book-ly Obese category, for the truly out of control chunkster. You must commit to 6 or more chunksters OR three tomes of 750 pages or more."

Books completed with links to those reviewed:

1.The Gravedigger's Daughter**** by Joyce Carol Oates (592 pages)
2.The Seamstress****+ by Fances De Pontes Peebles (646 pages)
3.The Spanish Bow***** by Andromeda Romano-Lax (554 pages)
4.The Mysteries of Udolpho***+ by Ann Radcliffe (542 pages)
5.The Gargoyle**** by Andrew Davidson (468 pages)
6.Possession***** by A.S. Byatt (562 pages)
7.The Accordionist's Son**** by Bernardo Atxaga (488 pages)
8.Carpentaria**** by Alexis Wright (517 pages)
9.The Little Stranger***** by Sarah Waters (466 pages)
10.The Angel's Game**** by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (531 pages)
11.Lacuna***** by Barbara Kingsolver (507 pages)

Also tried:

2666 by Roberto Bolano (900 pages) (quit after 160 pages)

The required six books were completed by May 25, 2009. This is an easy challenge for me. Doorstoppers are my favourite novels to read. I look forward to doing it again this year.
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February 1, 2010 - January 31, 2011

Hosted in 2010 by Wendy at Caribousmom.

I will be aiming for the "Mor-book-ly Obese category, for the truly out of control chunkster. You must commit to 6 or more chunksters OR three tomes of 750 pages or more."

Books lined up so far for the Chunkster Challenge 2010:

Gate of the Sun by Elias Khoury (531 pages)
Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann (500 pages approx.)
Ulysses by James Joyce (556 pages)
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (500 pages approx.)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (665 pages)
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Costova (576 pages)
Them by Joyce Carol Oates (556 pages)

Won't you join us?

Library Loot

Hosted alternately by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and this week by Marge at Reading Adventures.

Library books read this week:

107.Await Your Reply**** by Dan Chaon

This was a unique and interesting way of telling a story about identity and how many different ways we can be known (or not known) to those around us. It's listed as a Notable Book. Recommended.

108.Duchess of Nothing*** by Heather McGowan

I had hoped to enjoy this more than I did. Perhaps a second reading (without interruptions) would tune me into the woman's character and motives more. There was a good story in there, I'm just not sure that I found it. Any thoughts on this book?

109.The Broken Teaglass**** by Emily Arsenault

Fascinating literary suspense set in a dictionary publishing office among wordsmiths who find clues to a murder hidden among word entries. Very interesting explanations of word definitions and their use make this a fun read too. Highly recommended.

New Loot:

Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson (author of Three Cups of Tea)

Eye of the Whale by Douglas Carlton Abrams 2009 US (365 pages)

An ecological thriller using fact-based research on humpback whales and their songs.

The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk Turkey (Nobel author)

Currently reading from the library:

The Appointment by Herta Muller

I'm not far along in the story so no opinions have formed yet. This is my first novel by this 2009 Nobel author. I have The Land of Green Plums reserved for me at the library and I will be making library purchase requests for The Passport and Everything I Possess I Carry With Me as soon as possible. If you've read Muller's work or can recommend any of her books please let us know.

What did you pick up at the library this week that's got you excited?

All comments, questions, opinions, reading recommendations, or links to reviews are welcomed. I'd love to read them. No Spoilers though please.

Library Loot

Hosted alternately by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marge at Reading Adventures.

Library books read this week:


105.Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (507 pages)

Very good. My first novel by this author and I'm sorry I didn't get around to her sooner. I will be reading The Poisonwood Bible (acquired in a lot of books on E-bay) and Pigs in Heaven (won at Color Online) next. Highly recommended.






106.Blackmoor by Edward Hogan (272 pages)

Set in a Derbyshire town where a community of miners endures hardship, dangers, and the ultimate betrayal of the loss of their town and forced relocation. A very good debut novel that was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2008. The author is also the recipient of the David Higham Award. He lives in Brighton. I look forward to his next book.



New loot:

The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault (a literary mystery)

Hardcover: 384 pages
Dell Publishing (September 29, 2009)
ISBN - 10:0553807331
ISBN - 13:9780553807332

Product description:

The dusty files of a venerable dictionary publisher . . . a hidden cache of coded clues . . . a story written by a phantom author . . . an unsolved murder in a gritty urban park–all collide memorably in Emily Arsenault’s magnificent debut, at once a teasing literary puzzle, an ingenious suspense novel, and an exploration of definitions: of words, of who we are, and of the stories we choose to define us. In the maze of cubicles at Samuelson Company, editors toil away in silence, studying the English language, poring over new expressions and freshly coined words–all in preparation for the next new edition of the Samuelson Dictionary. Among them is editorial assistant Billy Webb, just out of college, struggling to stay awake and appear competent. But there are a few distractions. His intriguing coworker Mona Minot may or may not be flirting with him. And he’s starting to sense something suspicious going on beneath this company’s academic facade. Mona has just made a startling discovery: a trove of puzzling citations, all taken from the same book,The Broken Teaglass. Billy and Mona soon learn that no such book exists. And the quotations from it are far too long, twisting, and bizarre for any dictionary. They read like a confessional, coyly hinting at a hidden identity, a secret liaison, a crime. As Billy and Mona ransack the office files, a chilling story begins to emerge: a story about a lonely young woman, a long-unsolved mystery, a moment of shattering violence. And as they piece together its fragments, the puzzle begins to take on bigger personal meaning for both of them, compelling them to redefine their notions of themselves and each other. Charged with wit and intelligence, set against a sweetly cautious love story,The Broken Teaglass is a tale that will delight lovers of words, lovers of mysteries, and fans of smart, funny, brilliantly inventive fiction.

About the Author: Emily Arsenault has worked as a lexicographer, an English teacher, a children's librarian, and a Peace Corps volunteer. She wrote The Broken Teaglass while living in rural South Africa, to pass the long, quiet evenings in her mud brick house. She now lives in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, with her husband.

Currently reading from the library:


Duchess of Nothing by Heather McGowan US 2006 (272 pages)

A book I've had on my tbr list since it came out. A woman in Italy is left with a seven year old when her lover abandons her. She has no idea how to care for a child. An interesting premise. I am enjoying it but have not warmed to the protagonist yet. I hope that changes. I will let you know.


What did you pick up at the library this week that's got you excited? All comments, questions, opinions, reading recommendations, or links to reviews are welcomed. I'd love to read them. No Spoilers though please.

Library Loot

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair, and alternate weeks by Marge at Reading Adventures

Library books recently read:


102.The Last Woman**** by John Bemrose Canada (323 pages)
103.The White Garden**** by Stephanie Barron US (326 pages)
104.Invisible**** by Paul Auster US (308 pages)

New loot:

The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk

Hardcover 560 pages
Knopf (October 20, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0307266761
ISBN-13: 978-0307266767

From the Publisher:

"A sweeping, emotionally charged novel of the nature of romantic attachment and the strange allure of collecting- this is Orhan Pamuk’s greatest achievement. It is Istanbul in 1975. Kemal is a rich and engaged man when he by chance encounters a long-lost relation, Fusun, a young shopgirl whose beauty stirs all the passion denied him in a society where sex outside marriage is taboo. Fusun ends their liaison when she learns of Kemal’s engagement. But Kemal cannot forget her: for nine years he tries to change her mind, meanwhile stealing from her an odd assortment of personal items, which he collects and cherishes- a “museum of innocence” that he puts on display to tell the heartbreaking story of a love that shaped a life."

This is Orhan Pamuk's first novel since being awarded the Nobel Prize in 2006. I have read Snow and enjoyed it very much. And I've recently acquired a copy of My Name is Red, which won the 2003 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.



Eye of the Whale by Douglas Carlton Abrams 2009 US (365 pages)

An ecological thriller using fact-based research on humpback whales and their songs.









Blackmoor by Edward Hogan UK 2008 (272 pages)

A debut novel that was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2008.





Currently reading from the library:


Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver US 2009 (507 pages)

My first by this author who comes highly recommended. I own copies of The Poisonwood Bible and Pigs in Heaven. I'm really enjoying Lacuna so far and am glad I finally got around to this author.


What did you pick up at the library this week that's got you excited?

All comments, questions, opinions, reading recommendations, or links to reviews are welcomed. I'd love to read them. No Spoilers though please.