No, the title of this blog post does not refer to physical exercise! It’s the time of year when everyone seems to be thinking of signing up for reading challenges. As 2009 was the year I read several books from new-to-me genres, I thought I’d continue the trend into 2010.
I’ve decided to set myself the goal of reading six books from genres or authors I don’t normally read. This is a personal reading challenge which I’ll feature here on the blog, but if anyone would like to join me, please drop me a note using the contact form, or mention it in the comment thread below. If there are enough people interested, I’ll make it more formal with set dates, a challenge button, etc.
I’ve already picked a few books for the challenge:
- Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman – OK, this isn’t a book, but it fits the goal of my challenge. It’s a the first volume of the iconic of Sandman comics which made author Neil Gaiman famous.
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – This is a straight-up fantasy. I’ve only recently begun to read fantasy, so it’s still a relatively new genre for me.
- A Harlequin Presents book – The title should be as outrageous as possible!
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – This is one of my husband’s favourite books and he’s appalled that I’ve never read it.
- The Stand by Stephen King – Again because my husband can’t believe that I’ve never it.
- A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist – This is an historical inspirational romance. As a non-believer, I have thus far eschewed anything which sounded vaguely like an inspy. But following Super Wendy and Lynn Spencer’s blog posts on the diverse settings in inspirational romances, I decided to give one a go. The premise sounds wonderful. I’m aiming to review this book in January. Here’s the blurb:
In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.
Joe Denton doesn’t have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride–one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.
Anna Ivey’s journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook–not a bride. When she’s handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?
So…are you up for the challenge?
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You haven’t read Hitchhiker’s Guide?? Gonna review?
@Edie: Yep! I’ll provide reviews for all the books (and comics) listed.
I read The Stand during my Stephen King phase. Really enjoyed it.
Hmmm, I’m going to think about this one. I love the idea of reading outside my comfort zone, but there are so many books I own that I want to read as well. I might skip the whole challenge thing for 2010
@Stacy ~: There are so many interesting challenges on various blogs but I’m going to pass on the vast majority of them. I don’t want to take on a challenge I don’t think I can see through, and I’m struggling to squeeze in time to read as it is. I do want to participate in Keishon’s TBR Challenge again as it’s a great incentive to reduce my TBR pile. There are also a couple of others I’m considering but, again, I don’t want to take on something I can’t follow through on. That’s why I’m describing this challenge as a personal one which others are welcome to join if they wish.
That sounds like a diverse group. I’ve got Name of the Wind on my TBR pile, too. Re: HP – there are some good writers behind those awful titles!
Let’s see, what genres haven’t I tried? Definitely the religious/inspirational (but can I substitute an Amish one?). I’ve read science fiction, but not a lot of it and I really ought to read the two Ursula LeGuins I already have. (For that matter, I have a Sharon Shinn somewhere that I should read…) I have “False Colors” here; may I read that as a military history novel or do I have to get Patrick O’Brien? Oh, right, I have a Ben Elton (“Dead Famous”) for a British comic/thriller novel. (I’ve already read the Terry Pratchetts and Douglas Adams.) And I really must finish “Little Dorrit” for the classics (19th century) and “Brideshead Revisited” for classics (20th century) as they’re among my husband’s favorite books.
That’s six (relatively) new to me genres, and I’ll only need to get one new book. The goal is to read these in 2010, right? I think I can do that…
Does that mean I have to read a romance novel?
I want to try different genres in 2010, too. I was thinking of *maybe* doing a m/m romance month in January at the encouragement of Mandi.
I’d join this challenge, but I think I already do it anyway. I consider romance my genre, and I’ve slowly been reading the alphabet series by Grafton, plus a few YAs and “women’s fiction” here and there. But I’ll happily watch your reaction to the new exposures.
And HHGTTG is fabulous. I’ve read it a few times, but two years ago I committed to reading all 5 books of the trilogy and the novella. If you can dig that Adams is the sort of guy that writes a 5 book trilogy, you’ll be fine.
I picked up a Harlequin Presents at the airport early this month, just for the title. But then I couldn’t bring myself to read it where other people would see me. How can you expect anyone to treat you seriously when Bedded For Passion, Purchased For Pregnancy is in your hands? I tell ya though, after a few road bumps in the early pages, it wasn’t too bad.
Good luck with that inspy.
Really looking forward to reading about whichever HP you choose. And oy! Lots of outrageous titles to choose from.
I also have not read The Stand – which my older sister nags me about at least a couple of times a year.
@Magdalen which Ursula books do you have? I love her so! Some of her books would make my top 50!
Sarah I think you should make Christian read and review a romance!!
There is a HP author btw who doesn’t always make me throw the book against the wall, Susan Napier, I picked up a couple of hers when I saw DA pushing her. I would recommend some of hers.
PS. Sarah, I have the edit button – it was my settings blocking your site, I is sorry!
The Left Hand of Darkness and The Lathe of Heaven. And I am embarrassed to admit the reason I have those two specifically is that I listened to The Jane Austen Book Club on audiobooks, and Grigg’s character tells Jocelyn to try those two Ursual LeGuin but she resists. She finally reads them because she realizes a) she likes Grigg and b) she was being prejudiced about science fiction. Now I just have to read them!
Sarah — Edie’s idea is awesome. Ross says he’ll do it, if that would help Christian decide to as well. We could see if anyone else’s DH would be willing…?
@Lynn Spencer: That’s what I’ve heard! The first romances I read were Mills & Boon and I’m assuming the Harlequin Presents line is similar.
@Christian: If I read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you definitely have to read a romance – preferably on public transport!
@heidenkind: M/M is another genre I haven’t tried. I’ll look forward to your review.
@Venus Vaughn: I’ll let you know how I get on with the inspy. An atheist reviewing an inspirational romance – should be interesting!
@Wendy: The Stand is looong. I definitely need to schedule it for when I have the time.
@Edie: Yay for the edit button! And thanks for the Susan Napier recommendation.
@Magdalen: Yes! Ross should definitely join in. I’m going to pick a few titles for Christian to choose from.
Okay, it’s a deal. I’m thinking Ross might enjoy a Jennifer Crusie or Susan Elizabeth Philips (especially, ironically, one of the Chicago Stars books — he’s trying to learn about American football), or in the alternative, a Pat Gaffney or LaVyrle Spencer. He wants to do Georgette Heyer, but I want to pick which one he does. Faro’s Daughter? Must think hard on this!
I love the Left Hand of Darkness! You will have to let me know how you go with em!
(sorry for the comments hijack Sarah!)
And yay for the blokes reading romance challenge!
A Bride in the Bargain sounds wonderful. I would read it with you! Do you have the book yet? Have you started it?
@Jill D.: I started A Bride in the Bargain yesterday and I’m really enjoying it. I’m about halfway through. I was concerned it might be a bit preachy. But so far, there have only been a couple of religious references. She writes well and I’m loving the unusual setting. The only difference I’m noticing to mainstream historical romance is that the couple haven’t yet had sex, and the sexual innuendoes are subtle. There’s plenty of sexual tension, however…
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