Review of the Year 2012- Challenges

The Rory List (ongoing challenge)

This year I have read 5 (arguably 6) books from the Rory List

The Crimson Petal and the White

The Great Gatsby

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Pride and Prejudice

(Grimm’s Fairytales- I had already read a different version of this)

The Virgin Suicides

I beat last year’s total, which had been my aim, being able to get some for free on my kindle has helped.

Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2012

Didn’t do well on this one at all this year, only one book. I had aimed to read 5, but I struggled with 1Q84 and I have an edition with books 1 & 2 together so I wasn’t allowing myself to get another Murakami until I had finished that- which I still haven’t done. The site doesn’t appear to be as active this year either so I don’t know if it will be happening next year.

1Q84 (Book 1)

Next year I am really excited for my own challenge The Out of Your Comfort Zone Challenge. The idea is that you read books you wouldn’t usually read, and hopefully find something new to love.

I’m also participating in the Wishlist Challenge 2013.

Wishlist Challenge 2013

In addition to my own challenge I’ve decided to take part in the Wishlist Challenge next year. As my wishlist has 114 books on it, and I don’t tend to buy from it this seems like the perfect challenge for me.

The basic idea is that you read 12 books which were on your wishlist at the end of 2012, you can’t include books which were added in 2013, or which you bought before the end of 2012. You can join in, and read the full rules at Uniflame Creates

As I’ve sent my wishlist to my family for Christmas presents I’m not going to choose until after Christmas which 12 books I most want to read, but I have made a goodreads list of all the books currently on my wishlist.

Out Your Comfort Zone Challenge

Hi everyone.

After debating it last year (but never actually doing anything about it) I have decided to set up the Out Your Comfort Zone Reading Challenge for 2013. I would love it if you would like to join in.

The idea is that you read genres that you wouldn’t normally read, and hopefully find something new which you love.

I’ve set up a new blog especially for the challenge and you can sign-up there.

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Image from Amazon

This book was read as part of The Rory List

Synopsis (from Amazon)

Jay Gatsby is a self-made man famed for his decadent, champagne-drenched parties. Despite being surrounded by Long Island’s bright and beautiful, he longs only for Daisy Buchanan. In shimmering prose, Fitzgerald shows Gatsby pursue his dream to its tragic conclusion.

Review

So what can I say? Is The Great Gatsby great? (God how clichéd, I wonder how many times that has been written?) Well to be honest not really. I know lots of people love it but I must admit most of the time I was just waiting for something to happen. Then when finally things seemed to be starting to happen it ended. Actually the tone reminded me of Catcher in the Rye (which I wasn’t that impressed by either).

Having said that it was an easy read for a ‘classic’. And quite short.

I like the look of the film too. I can see Baz Lurhmann doing the extravagance well (after all he did make Moulin Rogue)

3.5/5

Buy it:

Kindle (£0.49)

Paperback (£1.60)

Hardback (£7.69)

Other Reviews

As the Crowe Flies (and Reads!)

Have I missed your review? Link me up!

Related articles

• Hot Trailer: ‘The Great Gatsby’ (m.deadline.com)

Murakami Reading Challenge 2012

I signed up again for the Murakami Reading Challenge at the beginning of the year but somehow never got around to posting about it.

I had partly intended to post when I finished my first Murakami of the year, and seeing as I started 1Q84 in January I thought I wouldn’t have to wait long. Well I’ve been reading 1Q84 for 3 months now so I don’t think that plan is going to work!

The rules are the same as last year, read at least one book by Murakami. Last year I read 3 so am aiming for 5 this year

As with last year I will update this post as I go.

Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge

I’ve decided to join in the Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge. It’s a pretty easy one, all you need to do is read one book by Haruki Murakami, as I’ve done at least that the last 2 years that should be really easy so I’m going to go for the Sheep Man level which is to read 3 books…I think that’s achievable!

I’m going to add the reviews I’ve already read to the list too

Related Articles

• Norwegian Wood- Haruki Murakami (lucybirdbooks.wordpress.com)
• Kafka on the Shore- Haruki Murakami (lucybirdbooks.wordpress.com)

The Take a Chance Challenge 2011

I saw this challenge on eclectic/ecentric and thought it looked like a fun one, especially to find some books I wouldn’t have previously look at. The challenge is hosted by Life with books Titles/options in blue are what I pick

The 2011 Challenges

1: Staff  Member’s Choice: Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.

2: Loved One’s Choice: Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!)

I Am Number Four- Pittacus Lore. Recommended by my wonderful boyfriend

3: Blogger’s Choice: Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.

The Siege- Helen Dunmore recommended by Farm Lane Books

4: Critic’s Choice: Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.

The Hare with Amber Eyes- Edmund de Waal is mentioned by more than one writer in The Guardian. (So incidentally is Freedom- Jonathan Franzen but that seems like too obvious a choice)

5: Blurb Book: Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.

Nick Hornby- About a Boy (from blurb of One Day- David Nicholls)

6: Book Seer Pick: Go to The Book Seer and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.

The Terrible Privacy Of Maxwell Sim- Jonathan Coe

7: What Should I Read Next Pick : Go to What Should I Read Next and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay- Michael Chabon

8: Which Book Pick: Go to Which Book and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.

The Earth Hums in B-Flat- Mari Strachan

9: LibraryThing Pick: Go to LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)

The Graveyard Book- Neil Gaiman

10: Pick A Method: Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).

• Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
• Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
• Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.