Anyhow, onto the subject of books!
I was very adamant with myself that I would stick to the 2007 Winter Classics Challenge hosted by Booklogged and the 2007 TBR Challenge, which is hosted by MizBooks, and leave it at that. I did not want to over do it. Every where I turned people were talking about Bookfool's Chunkster Challenge. I blame the peer pressure. Not really, of course, but it sounds like a good excuse, doesn't it? Just a little good?
Bookfool did not make it easy to stay away from this challenge by making the rules so flexible. She took away my excuses for not jumping in the ring! While the challenge lasts six months beginning on January 1st, I can chose however many books I want to read during that time, can read them in whatever order I want, and can have alternates to my heart's content. Some people have chosen to read one book and others six, one for each month.
Before even deciding to throw my hat into the ring on the Chunkster Challenge, I made a list of all of my chunkster books (which I decided to categorize as those being over 500 pages). I have a lot, and I will leave it at that. Then the real dilemma had to be faced. Which ones and how many? Did I want to read six chunster books within six months? Would I be taking too much on?
I came very close to deciding to read three 800+ page books in alternating months and filling in the in between months with 500+ page books that I knew would be relatively quick reads. For the sake of the challenge though, I'm taking the easy road and will only commit myself to reading three chunksters in six months. I think it's the most reasonable plan for me and will allow me some wiggle room to continue reading other books I want to read in between or along side the 800+ paged tomes. This I came to as I drove to work this morning admiring the sunrise.
Chunkster Challenge Book List
1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (817 pgs) (Crossover for the Winter Classics Challenge) [read]
2. The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald (820 pgs) [read]
3. I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (894 pgs) [read]
Good luck! I'm already doing 2 challenges (TBR Challenge) the Classics Challenge, and my feeble brain is already getting confused. I was contemplating the Chunkster challenge but only if I do crossover books. The dilemma!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you're going to be doing the Chunkster Challenge - we're challenge buddies again! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't got my list up yet, but I hope to by the weekend.
"The Way the Crow Flies" and "I Know This Much is True" have both had rave reviews, I cannot wait to read what you thought of them.
Good luck and happy reading!
Hi! Wanted to let you know that I added a link to your website on my blog. It looks like we will be participating in some of the same challenges and we read some of the same books. I have read almost all of J.A. Jance's books too.
ReplyDeletesame exact struggle here... I finally gave in as well. Good luck! You picked some doozies! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice. The only list I prefer to these above is my own ;) hahaha
ReplyDeleteLazy Cow ~ Thanks, I think I'm going to need all the luck I can get. I decided on one crossover book for the challenge. It seems like a practical way to go if you can't resist like me, but really aren't sure you have the time to get through all the books on your list.
ReplyDeleteLotus ~ Good luck to you too, Lotus! I've been wanting to read "The Way the Crow Flies" and "I Know This Much is True" for a very long time now, but their sizes have always made me pass them by. No more excuses.
Kris ~ Thanks for adding me to your blog! It's always nice to meet another mystery fan. I enjoy reading your reviews (several of the books have made it onto my wishlist). Good luck with the challenges!
Lisa ~ We can do it, Lisa! I asked my hubby if he thought I was getting in over my head and he dared to say yes. Haha Good luck to you.
Nessie ~ Thank you! I think I made some good choices too. :-)
That's exactly what I'm shooting for - 3 chunksters in 6 months, more if I can. I almost added Anna Karenina to my list, but (oops) I'm not sure where I put that one. I've got to get to that.
ReplyDeleteOh, and The Quiet Game is really good!! I thought it had a little bit of a "sagging middle" problem, but it's a great story. Greg Iles lives in Natchez, about an hour's drive south of us.
I'm really hoping I'll get to The Way the Crow Flies, myself!!! Great list and I'm glad you're joining. :)
I've read 1, 2, 3 & 6 and I do hope you enjoy each of them as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteHeather
www.thelibraryladder.blogspot.com
Ditto on the three choice. I did the same but listed 12. thought that just acknowledging my ownership of them will have me guilt trip enough to read them this year. I have not been a very good person to them :(
ReplyDeleteBookfool ~ Thank you for hosting the challenge! I need to dive into some of my chunksters and this is the perfect motivator. I've read one book by Greg Iles and really liked it. I'm looking forward to reading The Quiet Game. Anna Karenina has been on my shelf forever but the size keeps putting me off. Same with The Way the Crow Flies. Good luck to you with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteHeather ~ Thank you! Your endorsement of the majority of the books, especially my big 3, is very much appreciated, especially as I'm about to embark on my journey reading them.
Nessie ~ I understand completely. I nearly did that, but decided I don't want to admit yet to owning certain chunksters because then I would have to read them. Haha
I like "The Way the Crow Flies" but have to admit, it was a CHUNKSTER to read. Would have preferred it if the book was much shorter.
ReplyDeleteHope you have fun with it.
So many people are taking up the Chunkster Challenge. Hmmm...do I dare.
Hello, Wendy. It does get a bit confusing/overwhelming - all these challenges, but darn, aren't they fun!? And you meet so many neat people and pick up a few extra books to chuck onto the pile. You've chosen some really good ones.
ReplyDeleteDark Orpheus ~ Thanks! The Way the Crow Flies looks and sounds like a chunkster, that's for sure. I hope I enjoy it too. I am glad you liked it. Did you decide to give the Chunkster Challenge a try?
ReplyDeleteBooklogged - Yes, it does feel overwhelming at times when I think of what I've gotten myself into. I finally pulled all of my challenge books off the shelves and have them stacked up behind the armchair in the home office.
I'm enjoying the new blogger friends I've made since signing up for the challenges, and my wish list is definitely growing.