I read a lot. No, that’s not a humble brag. Books have always been as good of friends to me, as you know, actual friends. I’d rather sit around reading than almost anything and that’s a habit that started when I was very young. It probably was a contributing factor to my chubbiness in elementary school. If you haven’t been so engrossed in a book that you have to keep reading until you finish it, through the night if you must, then you have never truly loved.
But I read a lot of junk. And YA literature. In an effort to refine my reading list (at least temporarily) I’ll be joining Megan at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life in her Summer 2014 Reading Challenge. (Nicole from Treasure Tromp will be participating as well) The challenge starts May 1, and there are 12 categories that you need to fulfil to have completed it!
In case you ever had any desire to see a candid shot of me reading aloud to Sam, your wish has been fulfilled. 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long.“The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain. It’s about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife and their years in Paris and the dissolution of their marriage. (Finished on May 6)10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.“Howards End” by EM Foster.10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn’t finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book.) (finished july1)I’m look at you “The Luminaries.” I’m going to finish you once and for all…or die trying.10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of a library or bookstore.Technically, I read children’s books every day. But I never read any of the “Anne of Green Gables” books as a kid and I’d like to now. (Finished on May 2) 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times’ Best Sellers List.Sadly, the only book on the list that remotely interests me is Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch.” This saddens me a little as I thought “The Secret History” was so pretentious it made me want to rip my hair out. (Finished May 31)15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.“Death Comes for the Archbishop” by Willa Cather. It takes place in the New Mexico territory in the mid 1800s. I mean, I am vaguely shocked this wasn’t required reading at school. 15 points: Read a book another blogger has read for the challenge. (That means you have to wait till the first check in in June to see what other people have read already.)?????? Ooohhhh a surprise!20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s),” or “child(ren)” in the title.“The Hangman’s Daughter” by Oliver Potzsch. I know this book was popular a few years back but I didn’t jump on the bandwagon then. There’s always time to correct that potential mistake. 20 points: Read a book that will be/was adapted into a film in 2014.“Dark Places” by Gillian Flynn. It has better ratings than “Gone Girl” which I devoured by was also enraged by. I hate read it.25 points: Read a book by a blogger.“The Sweet Life in Paris” by David Lebovitz. 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir.“The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary” by Simon Winchester. 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the title.I’m a bit stuck here. Any suggestions? I can’t think of two books that have antonymous titles that I strongly desire to read. I got great suggestions so I’ll be reading “Life after Life” and “The Brief History of the Dead” Points as of July 1: 40And check out this month’s new featured sponsor!
