As the end of the year approaches (and with it my books of the year post), I think I’ve settled on my reading challenges for the next. Because I am still in the midst of the Random Reading Challenge, at least for now I’m only doing three others this year:
As I previously noted, I’m going to stay with the Notable Books Challenge at the six book level.
I’m adding the Social Justice Challenge, where this month’s “theme” is religious freedom. I found this challenge appealing not only because of its purpose but you can decide each month whether to participate and at what level. That makes it a bit more amenable to the varying demands of real life.
Finally, I was intrigued enough to decide upon the 451 Challenge. It is based on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, where people memorize a book, word for word, to keep it alive for the next generation. The challenge allows you to pick from a list of 451 books deemed by people to be worthy of saving. I’m starting out at three to four books but am hoping to do seven.
A count for each challenge, as well as a badge or logo where available, will be in the right sidebar. In addition to broadening what I read, perhaps these challenges will also lead to a few of the “microreviews” I hope to do next year.
Literature is a defense against the attacks of life.
Cesare Pavese, This Business of Living: Diaries 1935-1950
I’m so happy to have you join us! I’ll look forward to reading your thoughts on the books you choose.