So, now that I've accomplished one task, I'm setting myself up for failure! How might I be doing that you ask? Well, I'm adding two more reading challenges to the already gigantic list of challenges already signed up for. But both of these were just too great to pass up. And like I said in a previous post, I've pretty much accepted the fact that I won't complete all of these challenges. But even if I don't, it'll knock quite a few books off of the TBR bookshelf which now literally can't hold any more books! They're piling up on the floor now. I'll post pictures of the TBR bookshelf soon, it's quite humorous that I still actually buy books when you see what I actually have sitting here unread. But back to the challenges.
The first challenge is Bellezz
a's Japanese Reading Challenge. I am SO excited about this one. It's an incredible idea for a challenge. I've always loved everything Asian. Food, books, movies, culture, religion...you name it I'm a fan...well for the most part, I'm sure there are a few things in Asia that I could do without. I have a particular love for Japan, so when I heard that Bellezza was hosting this challenge I was filled with glee. It starts tomorrow, November 30th and runs through January 30th and you have to read 3 books. That's it! I'm reading four because I couldn't limit it to 3 :p She's putting together some cool origami prizes! You can sign up here. Here's my list:1. Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima (Megan's favorite book, promised her I'd read this)
2. The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima
3. First Snow on Fuji by Yasunari Kawabata
4. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Th
e second challenge is equally as cool and focuses on another one of my favorite things...Graphic Novels! Dewey has put together a graphic novel challenge that runs through all of 2008 and the challenge is to read 6 graphic novels. My list is rather boring and focuses on a lot of Neil Gaiman mostly because that's what's on my TBR shelf and I'm trying not to buy too many books next year. But for those looking for something new, Nymeth has put together an incredible list on her page and she's written some really great reviews recently on graphic novels. Alice in Sunderland sounded really cool and I may end up adding that one anyway. Carl also blogged about one called Mouse Guard that I saw at B&N the other day and I may end up picking that up too :p But here's my list for now. I'm signing up for 7 because I had 7 graphic novels on my shelf and I couldn't leave one out ;):1. Midnight Days by Neil Gaiman
2. Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman
3. Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman
4. Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman
5. Death: Time of Your Life by Neil Gaiman
6. Spiderman: Spirits of the Earth by Charles Vess
7. The Book of Ballads by Charles Vess
18 comments:
Four! You're reading four?! You're just the kind of person I always wanted to be my friend, and now you are. I'll put you first on the links in the sidebar. It's going to be great to share our ideas, although I'll tell you right now I started some stories in Blind Woman, Weeping Willow, and I don't get them! How embarrassing is that?
Thanks for your enthusiastic post, Chris.
Bellezza, LOL! All four of my books are relatively small so it's really not that bad :D I tried and tried to limit it to 3, but I really wanted to read both Mishima books. I've been dying to read some Murakami, and me and you had planned on reading the Kawabata book, so I had to go with 4! Don't feel bad about the Murakami at all. I've heard that his stuff is a bit bizarre. I also remember taking a Japanese lit. class in college and not getting some of the stuff we read until it was interpreted by the professor. That's part of the beauty of their literature, but part of the curse of it too...
Chris, I'm glad to see you joining the graphic novels challenge. I'm considering that one, but admit to feeling out of my element there. I've never read any, and I'd have no idea what to pick. But I'm considering. :) I mean a challenge is supposed to be challenging, right?
I'm certainly doing the graphic novel challenge, as I probably read around 12 a year anyway. As much as I love Bellezza and think her prizes are the most fantastic I've ever seen, I'm not sure I have the time to do the Japanese one with all the other reading I plan to do.
I love the idea of the Japanese Reading Challenge. Unfortunately I don't think I'll have the time to fit it in :\ In December I never get much reading done, with Christmas preparations and whatnot, and January is exam season so all I'm supposed to read are textbooks. But anyway, I'm excited that you are reading Norwegian Wood for it! I absolutely LOVE that book! I can't wait to see what you think of it.
I forgot to put Black Orchid on my list... I'm reading it for Annie's Challenge, so I guess I can count it for both. And The Book of Ballads! That one just sounds SO cool. I look forward to your review. I haven't read the others either, but Books of Magic and Death are awesome. You'll love them for sure.
It's 4:30 am here.. I've been awake since 2:30..had 2 phone calls from David's work and can't get back to sleep from my "normal back pain" so I came on line...and now I sit here nearly crying from laughing!
Why, you ask?
your graphic novel list of course! Not one surprise among the list! hahahahahahaha.. gads you sometimes crack me up!
I wish I had an author I liked as much as you and Carl like Gaimen, that had so much material out there for me to read (or look at) *chuckle*
I think after the holidays I may search out some of James A Ownes graphic stuff that I believe is being re-released called Starchild.
(six-volume Essential Starchild set) Hmmm, somewhere I have a hardback, I believe titled Starchild, but was drawn by Boris Vallejo and written by his wife.. I'll have to look for that and post it.
Anyway.. thanks for the laugh! Gawd knows with only 4 hrs sleep I needed it!
I'm really excited about Dewey's challenge, too! It is totally new and foreign land to me, but that's part of why I'm so excited. I've actually had a couple on my wish list after reading reviews (like Carl's Mouse Guard review and Nymeth's Death: The High Cost of Living review), so this is the perfect opportunity for me to pick them up, right? I'm actually reading my very first graphic novel right now, Alice in Sunderland...Nymeth's review of made it irresistible! And I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying it. I definitely think you should add it to your list!
I'm definitely in for Bellezza's challenge too!! Hmmm....the graphic novel challenge. Can I admit, I have never actually READ a graphic novel?? Well...since Gaiman is my new favorite author, I should at least read his!!
I'm planning to read Kawabata and Murakami and maybe Mishima. Different titles but still. It'll be fun to hear everyone's thoughts on the books.
And congrats on completing Nanowrimo!
Good luck with the challenges---it's hard to go wrong with Gaiman!
Deslily, don't despair, you are reading alot and you may just find that special author that trips your trigger.
Stephanie, there are so many fantastic graphic novels out there. I'd certainly be interested in seeing what you think of Gaiman's Sandman if you got a chance to read them. They are quite interesting.
Becky, You really should join! There are tons of graphic novels out there that are simply amazing. Many of them are much, much more than your typical comic books. Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's wife has put out a couple and even Neil Gaiman's Stardust could be considered a Graphic Novel if you read the illustrated version. I really think you'd enjoy this challenge!
Carl, Duh! I knew you'd join the Graphic Novel Challenge ;) I have quite a few alternates in mind that I've gotten from your blog. You have a very good eye for GNs. I really want to check out Mouse Guard, I saw it at Barnes and Noble the other night and I love the art for it! It's going to be tough for me to fit in all of the books for the Japanese Lit. challenge too, but I'm going to try my damndest! Those prizes are awesome! We should try to talk her into lengthening the challenge by a month or so ;)
Nymeth, Yeah, time seems to be the problem with the Japanese Lit. challenge. I just told Carl that we should beg Bellezza to add a month to the challenge ;) I'm so glad that you loved Norwegian Wood!! This is my first Murakami, and with the challenge being only 2 months, I wanted to pick one of his shorter books and this one sounded really good. I'm really excited about reading it! If Joy does her seconds challenge again next year, I'd like to read Kafka on the Shore next. I loved your review on that one. And definitely add Black Orchid as a bonus book to your list ;) Earn that extra credit! I have a feeling we'll both have plenty of bonus books for the graphic novel challenge! I keep thinking of all kinds of GNs that are coming out this year that I had planned on reading, so my list will end up pretty long.
Deslily, What can I say, I'm here for your entertainment ;) Sorry to hear about your back pain and inability to sleep :( But I'm glad I could make you laugh! No surprise there, huh? It's amazing that there is still anything by Gaiman left for me to read! You should join the Graphic Novel challenge if you plan on reading James Owens' stuff! I'm always trying to suck you into these challenges, lol...makes me not look so crazy!
Debi, Ok, you've convinced me to get Alice in Sunderland! So glad you're joining in on the challenge! I love your list and I'm so happy you're reading The Sandman and Mr. Punch...both are excellent. I think you'll enjoy the world of the Graphic Novel, I always have :)
Stephanie, Woohoo, someone else as crazy as me joining BOTH of these challenges ;) Very cool that you're reading some Gaiman stuff. His graphic novels are just as good as his fiction. I really think you'll enjoy them! And he's worked with some amazing artists!
Tanabata, Very cool! We'll be reading the same authors! And if I like what I read I'll have other titles to go to next based on your reviews ;) I'd love to be in Japan like you while doing this challenge. And thanks for the congrats :)
Heather, Thanks! Couldn't agree more! I've always trusted Gaiman...he's never proved me wrong ;)
I think you should host the Neil Gaiman challenge. ;)
Thanks for joining my challenge and for telling all your readers about it!
Dewey, Bwahahaha! I needed a laugh so bad today, and you gave it to me! The Neil Gaiman challenge..love it! I'm super excited about your challenge! Can't wait for it :)
Oh I might sign up to the Graphic Novel challenge as I have a few sitting on my shelf to be read and they are quick reads. Six in a year should be pretty easy hopefully. Next year is going to be challenge mad for us both!
Rhinoa, No kidding! I've noticed that you've been going as crazy as me with the challenges ;) Yeah, you read quite a few graphic novels, so I don't think 6 will be a problem for you! I've been thinking of adding Fables to the list based on your recommendation.
i'm getting into this one too!
i've read marvel 1602 and i think you'll definitely enjoy that!
the charles vess one is one that i've been meaning to read for some time... so i'll be interested to see what you think of it!
JP, I'm glad to see you're doing this one! I'm sure you'll have some good picks...I'm looking forward to 1602...I've had that one sitting on my shelf for awhile!
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