Friday, December 28, 2007

New York Times Notable Book Challenge Wrap Up

I am not the kind of reader to jump at reading a book just because it makes the New York Times Most Notable book list. I admit that before Wendy (Caribousmom) introduced me to the list, I did not give it much pause for thought. I would glance at the titles, not recognize most of them, and move on. This time around, I decided to dig a little deeper and discovered quite a few on the list that sounded like they would be worth my time. Unfortunately, with all the other challenges I had joined and the other books I wanted to read, I did not get through nearly as many on the list as I had hoped. Still, I was smart enough not to set too high a goal for this particular challenge and, in fact, left it open to whatever I could manage. So, in that way, I count this challenge as a success.

This was one of the challenges in which I broke my challenge rule of sticking to books already in my TBR collection. Although I may not have gotten to all the ones I hoped to, I at least have them handy for when their time comes.

The books for The New York Times Notable Book Challenge I did manage to read:
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala
Forgetfulness by Ward Just
The Inhabited World by David Long

Of the four books, my favorite by far was Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala. The author captured so well the voice of a child soldier, pulling me into the story and taking me along for the journey. It was a sad book and not at all easy in terms of subject matter, however, it was a very powerful novel. One that I will not soon forget.

I am eager to read more by each of these four authors. Their books truly are notable and it is no wonder someone decided they were worthy of making the final cut of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2006.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this challenge and will no longer so quickly dismiss finding a possible gem among the more professional Best of lists.

Many thanks to Wendy for hosting the The New York Notable Book Challenge.

6 comments:

  1. Thank you for being part of the challenge, Wendy - I'm happy that it motivated you to read some books you might otherwise have missed!!

    Have a wonderful 2008 - see you on the challenge blogs and groups!

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  2. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had gotten to more of the books, and I definitely plan to read the ones I wasn't able to get to.

    Thank you for the opportunity!

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  3. You have a great list there, Wendy. I have read a lot of great reviews about Half of a Yellow Sun but just haven't got around to picking it up. And you have written a great review on Beasts of No Nation so I have to add this on my wishlist too. ;)

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  4. Thanks, Melody. I hope you will get a chance to read both Half of a Yellow Sun and Beasts of No Nation. They are good books. Very sad, but good. :-)

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  5. I keep meaning to read Half of a Yellow Sun, and just keep putting it off. I enjoyed looking back at your review - I just need to pick it up already!

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  6. Tara - I am that way about some books too. I hope you enjoy it when you do read it.

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