Follow me as I potentially break my soul this year!
Hello friends! Wow, a new post that’s not a book review, how crazy.
I wanted to do something a little different. This year I’ve decided to create a reading challenge for myself. (And for anyone who would like to tag along with me!) I picked six books to read this year – one every two months. They are all books that have been deemed “classics” over the years, and they are also massive. I know “massive” is a relative term for people, so I’ll say “books that are five hundred pages or more.”
I’m calling it: The Bimonthly Classic Mammoth Book Club! Trademark pending.
What’s that? That’s a terrible name? A mouthful, if you will? How ridiculous; it doesn’t even roll off the tongue well! It feels like peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth when I try to speak.
I mean, sure, it’s a lot, but true fans will shorten it to “TBMCMBC!”
So here’s the reasoning behind the challenge: As well-read as I am, I haven’t really dabbled too much in the world of classics. All the books I’ve chosen I’ve either never read or never finished. And during my research of classic novels, I’ve noticed that there are a lot I haven’t read or finished – and for that, I am very disappointed in myself. But! There’s no time like the present.
Here’s my list and schedule for 2024:
January-February: Little Women
March-April: The Lord of the Rings
May-June: The Count of Monte Cristo
July-August: The Iliad
September-October: Crime and Punishment
November-December: Anna Karenina
This list is subject to change, don’t hold me to the titles lol.
I have a longer list, but I’m saving them for later. So far I have enough to do this challenge for three years (and these are only the 500+ page ones – not even the classics that are smaller!), so by then I’m sure I’ll either: A) Find many more and keep the challenge going; or B) Get sick of the challenge before I’ve finished the books and me and my ADHD brain will move along to different things, like crocheting or becoming a realtor.
However, at this point in my life, I have always wanted to read the books on my list (and the others that will be for future years), and since I’m also going to be reading other books during this time, I’ve given myself two months for each book. I feel like even that will be a stretch for me, especially since me and my brain aren’t used to the older classics. (Especially the ones that have been translated.) But I’m calling it a “challenge” for a reason.
I’ve already started reading “Little Women” for January/February. That is definitely one I should’ve read many moons ago, but never got around to finishing it. I think I first started it when I was a little girl, so it probably felt daunting. Then it became the whole, “I’ll pick it back up soon,” which never happened. Until now.
What books on my list have you read? What books do you finally want to pick up and start? What books do you recommend for this book club challenge? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your take on these books, and other classics.
I’ll be back next week with a review of “These Twisted Bonds” and I hope to see you then!
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