Friday, December 28, 2007

A Dash of the Past and a Splash of the Future


Becky is hosting a mini challenge to encourage interest in author Jane Austen. Jane Austen is among one of my favorite authors and, as I continue on my journey to read more of her works, I thought this would be a great challenge to join. I had already planned to read Mansfield Park this year for the 2008 TBR Challenge, which I will inevitably follow up with the movie.

The goal of the Jane Austen Mini Challenge is to read and/or watch at least two Jane Austen novels/movies in 2008. Becky has been kind enough to allow me to read just the one Jane Austen book and follow it up with the movie to meet the requirements of the challenge, and so I will leave my official goal at that. However, if I can fit in another Jane Austen book and movie, I most certainly well.



Carl V. is the reason I have a science fiction book on my 2008 TBR Challenge list. I did not add it because of the upcoming Sci Fi Experience but because he reminded me that science fiction has a magic all its own and deserves to be read and celebrated. The truth is, I probably will not get to my science fiction selection in time for the event, but it deserves a shout out just the same.

My husband, Anjin, was the first person who offered me a view into science fiction, beyond what was taught in the classroom. Although I do not often read science fiction, it is a genre I have enjoyed from time to time. Douglas Adams and Robert A. Heinlein won me over. Douglas Adams made science fiction more palatable for someone just starting out. His books are witty and entertaining. Perhaps you know him best as the author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Robert A. Heinlein, my husband's favorite author when we first met, charmed me with his writing and enthralling stories.

Carl V. has made it very clear that this is not a challenge, but an opportunity for readers to share their science fiction reading experiences throughout the next couple of months (January/February). There are no obligations. No set number of books to read. And no sign up list. All Carl asks is that you post a link to your review or thoughts on what you read at The Sci~Fi Experience Blog. Even if you do not join in, I hope you will take time to visit the blog to see what others are reading and perhaps you will find yourself tempted to try something outside of your usual reading realm.

5 comments:

  1. These sound so cool. It seems like everywhere I turn a new challenge is popping up. I need to be choosey so I can actually finish the ones I enter.

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  2. Challenges have taken over, it feels like sometimes. Do you ever stop by A Novel Challenge blog? It's amazing how many challenge are going on right now or that will start on the 1st.

    I'm done signing up with challenges for awhile. Unless a challenge pops up that will include books I'm already reading, then I might reconsider. I am sticking to manageable this year and not pulling the stunt I did this last half of the year.

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  3. I can't wait for the Masterpiece Theatre Jane Austen extravaganza!! My DVR is going to be busy!
    Like you, my husband started me on sci-fi. I had read the Dune series when I was a kid but when he gave me Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series I was blown away. What a concept!

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  4. I just signed up for the Jane Austen Challenge. That sounds like fun and I am pretty sure that I can handle 2 books during the year to meet this one, lol. At the risk of sounding like an idiot - where do I get the code for the button for this challenge?

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  5. Jaimie - I would love to watch all of the movies, but I really want to read the books I haven't yet read before seeing their corresponding movies.

    My husband is trying to talk me into reading Dune. He thinks I would really like it. I haven't heard of the Riverworld series. I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for mentioning it!

    April - Two does sounds very manageable! That's why I caved in and joined, I admit. :-)

    As for the button, I saved a copy to my computer and then uploaded it that way, with a link from Becky's site. I don't know if that's helpful at all. I admit I don't know much about this stuff either. My husband taught me some of the basics, but I'm still lost most of the time. :-)

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