Friday, January 3, 2014

Back to the Classics Challenge 2014.

I am officially signing up for the second of the two challenges I am taking on for 2014-the Back to the Classics Challenge. In 2013, most of my reading veered away from the classics. I read a LOT of YA lit. And while I enjoyed it, I really miss my classics. This is a great challenge for me to dive back in to the books that I love.

For this challenge, there are categories that need to be fulfilled. The first set is required to complete the challenge. The second is optional, and while I am definitely hopeful to give it my best shot, it won't be a focus for me.

I should also point out that for this challenge, Karen (our lovely hostess this year) has established that classic only refers to a book published prior to 1964 (so anything older than 50 years). I made sure to take that into account when I made my list.

Anyway, here are my challenge books for this challenge!
  1. A 20th Century Classic: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner (1929)
  2. A 19th Century Classic: Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy (1872)
  3. A Classic by a Woman Author: The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather (1915)
  4. A Classic in Translation: Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse (1927-translated in 1929)
  5. A Classic About War: The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (1895)
  6. A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You: Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1862)
Optional Categories:
  1. An American Classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852)
  2. A Classic Mystery, Suspense or Thriller: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (1868)
  3. A Historical Fiction Classic: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
  4. A Classic That's Been Adapted Into a Movie or TV Series: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (1848)
  5. Extra Fun Category:  Write a Review of the Movie or TV Series adapted from Optional Category #4:  I have a couple of options for this-BBC adaptation or film...I'll decide later!
 Let me know if you're also participating in this challenge!

10 comments:

  1. I'm joining in the fun too! I love this challenge. Also I hosted a readalong of Vanity Fair in 2013 and was so surprised by how much it reminded me of Gone with the Wind. Enjoy!

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    1. Oh, that's an interesting comparison! That makes me want to read it now! :)

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  2. I am not participating but it will be fun to watch those of you who are. All the best with this.

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  3. Thanks for signing up! I LOVED Lady Audley's Secret, it's just so much fun. I'm looking forward to your posts!

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    1. Thanks for hosting Karen! I'm excited to dive into this one. I think I have some good books in my future!

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  4. I'm not joining in with this one, but we do have some titles in common for 2014: The Moonstone, Lady Audley's Secret, The Sound and the Fury, and Uncle Tom's Cabin.

    Have fun :)

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    1. Oh, I will. :) I actually think The Moonstone has been on challenge lists for the last few years-Uncle Tom's Cabin too. This will be the year!

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  5. Lady Audley's Secret was great fun. Everything I've read by Braddon so far has been fun. I really enjoy her writing! The Moonstone is great too. Love Wilkie!

    I wasn't planning on doing this challenge, but oh dear, I'm feeling the itch.

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    1. Do it!

      I loved The Woman in White, so I have high hopes for The Moonstone.

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