I didn’t pay much attention to summer reading challenges when I was younger, because I never needed any incentive to get me to read. I read a lot of books, summer and winter (and fall and spring).
But I thought it might be fun to issue a challenge for this summer, to set some goals and see if anyone else cares to join in. Here’s what I’m suggesting:
Read 10 books by Sept. 21. (I hope to read many more, but 10 is a nice, reasonable, summery goal.)
Of the 10, I suggest:
1 classic you’ve never read but always meant to (I think mine will be The Grapes of Wrath)
1 book you’ve read and always wanted to reread but haven’t yet (mine will be Rules by Cynthia Lord)
1 book featured here on AuthorsNow! (I will probably pick several)
1 book outside the genres you usually read (I’m thinking of Tammi Sauer’s Chicken Dance; I don’t usually read picture books but this one looks like a lot of fun)
1 “impulse” book that catches your eye during the summer
5 others of your choosing
You may change your list at any time–this whole exercise is meant to be fun! If you decide to join this challenge, please leave a comment below or email me at jennifer[at]jenniferhubbard[dot]com. You can list all your books now, or wait until later to report them. I’ll try to come up with a little trinket (something like a bookmark) for those who participate and meet their 10-book goal. (We’ll be on the honor system.)
Happy reading!
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Comments
1 Diane // Jun 11, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I’m in. Will post books tomorrow. Thanks, KB for the tweet. Night to all..
2 Caroline Rose // Jun 12, 2009 at 6:10 am
Sounds fun! This gives my summer reading some structure.
3 writerjenn // Jun 12, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Thanks for joining in! Be sure to let me know how it goes!
4 writerjenn // Jun 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Looking forward to seeing your choices!
5 Caroline Rose // Jun 19, 2009 at 8:00 am
I have to tell you, I’m really enjoying this. Thank you. I picked The Forest of Hands and Teeth as my other-genre read and loved it. The Secrets of the Cheese Syndicate will be my Authors Now! read. My local library has ordered it for me (I convinced them to support LA authors, Donna) so I’ll be set to go.
6 writerjenn // Jun 19, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Glad you’re enjoying it, Caroline Rose! I have read 2 books by now (1 that wasn’t on my original list), and I’m halfway through the third. It’s helping me make time for my reading. Keep checking in–I’ll be interested to see people’s complete lists.
7 C. Lee McKenzie // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:13 am
I like the idea of stepping out of one’s usual genre. For me that would be horror or fantasy, so I guess I’d better do something about that.
8 Carol // Jun 25, 2009 at 11:35 am
Count me in! I’ll have to write myself a list of books that fit the categories and post it later. I’ll be back.
9 writerjenn // Jun 28, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Welcome aboard, Carol and Lee! I look forward to seeing your choices.
10 C. Lee McKenzie // Jun 28, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Thinking. Thinking. Thinking.
Here’s what I just finished: Madonnas of Lenningrad.
Started: Just in Case
Plan to add: Prophecy of the Sisters, Struts and Frets, Ash
I’ve read Grapes of Wrath. Never did read War and Peace, but that would have to count for more than ONE book, right?
Anyone got a super fairy or gripping horror to suggest? I need an out-of-genre book.
Thanks.
11 writerjenn // Jul 4, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Holy moly, Lee, War and Peace? Yes, I think that would count for more than one!
In terms of fairy books–I liked R.J. Anderson’s book a lot; have you read it already?
12 C. Lee McKenzie // Jul 5, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Nope. Maybe I’ll read R.J. Anderson’s book instead of War and Peace. Whaddya think?:D
13 Irene Tsai // Jul 9, 2009 at 5:16 pm
hi Jennifer,
I got here from PW link and saw your name. Read a few of your posts.
Well, to add to your summer challenge post, I just finished these two children’s books
Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
I love them! They inspired me to think about my manuscript.
I also have Richard Dawkins’s book, The Extended Phenotype, on my desk. Every now and then, I read a page here and there.
Cheers,
Irene from your critique group
14 writerjenn // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:53 am
Hi, Irene! Keep us updated on your reading!
15 writerjenn // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:55 am
Well, I definitely recommend Spell Hunters. You can always do War and Peace, too, but that may take longer than a summer!
16 C. Lee McKenzie // Jul 10, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Okay, finished Just in Case and just in case you’re interested I posted a review. http://tinyurl.com/mfjps4
Now since I got the ARC of ASH I’m reading that. This one is out of my choice of genre, but since you recommend Anderson’s book, I may read two that push me away from my usual choices.
Like my hairdresser always says, “Change is good.”
17 Carol Garvin // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I just came to report on my first couple reads. Checked back to see when I had signed up and can’t find the comment. Hmmm. I linked back here from my blog so I’ll have to go back and check there. Anyway, I’ve finished Jane Kirkpatrick’s “A Sweetness to the Soul” and am now into Nora Robert’s “Northern Lights”. Quite a change of pace but that’s my plan for the summer–to read more of a variety than I normally do. I still haven’t posted my entire list but I haven’t finished composing it.
Hope you’re finding lots of R&R and joy in your summer.
18 Jennifer Hubbard // Jul 18, 2009 at 11:50 am
It’s fun to see how everyone’s doing. I’ve read 14 so far, 8 from my original list and 6 others. I’ll post details at the end of the summer. Keep it up, everyone!
Also, I’ve done a lot of “genre stretching” this year, and it’s been full of fun surprises!
19 Carol Garvin // Sep 20, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I don’t seem to do well with getting comments posted here… just lost my first attempt. But I just wanted to check in and say that with one day to spare I’ve completed the Challenge by finishing my twelfth book. The list is posted on my blog but I’ll wait for your end-of-summer post for directions.
Carol
20 C. Lee McKenzie // Sep 22, 2009 at 9:54 am
I’ve actually lost track, but I think I got to 8 after finishing Prophecy of the Sisters. 8’s good I guess, just not 10. Is summer officially over? Doesn’t seem like it here.
21 Caroline Rose // Sep 22, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’ve loved this. Can’t wait to hear what others have read.
22 Carol Benedict // Sep 23, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I didn’t make it.
It felt like I was reading a lot of books, but I can only think of 8 that I finished. I’m currently reading The Worst Witch at Sea, by Jill Murphy, but I haven’t finished it yet–and it wouldn’t be the tenth book anyway. I think I might have read a couple from the library–I remember paying a late fee–but I can’t think of what they were.
The books I actually finished are:
My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Lonestar Secrets, by Collen Coble
Faces in the Fire, by T.L. Hines
Plain Promise, by Beth Wiseman
The Door to December, by Dean Koontz
Broken Angel, by Sigmund Brower
Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage, by Rick Burgess
The Lupus Book, by Daniel J. Wallace, MD.
Oh, well. Maybe next time…
23 writerjenn // Oct 3, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Thanks for checking in, folks! The wrap-up post for the summer reading challenge will appear on October 10. And nobody failed–if you played, you won. Because you got to read some great books, right?
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