Are you excited? I am!! I have had a lot of fun running the Back To The Classics Challenge 2011 - but I will admit that a learning curve was involved. This is the second year of the Challenge, and I hope that this year's categories interest and excite you. There are some repeats, which I think you'd expect, but I've had a lot of fun choosing new categories.
Here are the nitty gritty details:
- Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Books started before January 1st do not count, and all links/reviews/comments for each category must be posted in the correct place by December 31st. Feel free to join in at any time, but the end date is December 31.
- Please feel free to use books in this Challenge toward any other Challenge you may be participating in. However, you must read a different book for each category of this challenge. Audio and e-books are allowed.
- Please sign up for the Challenge using the linky list (or comment section if you do not have a blog/website). If you would be so kind, please spread the word about this challenge by creating a post on your blog/website and link back to this sign up page.
- Once the Challenge has begun, you will see a new bar on the left hand side of this blog. This will list the places for you to link/comment your reviews of the book you have read for each category as well as a "wrap up" page. I will not be doing monthly check-in posts this year. I will probably do a "Half Way" post in June. These will be important because....
- THERE IS A PRIZE THIS YEAR! People who complete the challenge (and I will check that all categories are completed!) will be entered into a random drawing for $30 worth of books (Book Depository will be used for an International Winner). I may have other prizes as well. Make sure you are following me via GFC, Email, Twitter, or Facebook/Networked Blogs so you are in the know!
Let me know if you have any questions, or if I need to make any clarifications.
Now that is all out of the way, want to see the categories? Sure you do! Here they are:
- Any 19th Century Classic
- Any 20th Century Classic
- Reread a classic of your choice
- A Classic Play
- Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction
- Classic Romance
- Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your language - To clarify, if your native language is NOT English, you may read any classic originally written in English that has been translated into your native language.
- Classic Award Winner - To clarify, the book should be a classic which has won any established literary award.
- Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime - To Clarify, this does not have to be a country that you hope to visit either. Countries that no longer exist or have never existed count.
Well, what do you think? I'm hoping that something really appeals to everyone, and that maybe one of the categories will make you a little uncomfortable. There are nine categories for twelve months. Hopefully you will have enough time to finish without stress, or shying away from a longer/more difficult book because of time constraints. You do not need to specify which books you plan on reading ahead of time, unless you'd like to.
So, go ahead and sign up with the Linky below or in the comments! Please spread the word and share the fun..... Good Luck to Everyone!!
Edited to add: There are questions about what counts as a Classic for the Challenge. Hopefully, I've answered the question HERE. Join the conversation!
So, go ahead and sign up with the Linky below or in the comments! Please spread the word and share the fun..... Good Luck to Everyone!!
Edited to add: There are questions about what counts as a Classic for the Challenge. Hopefully, I've answered the question HERE. Join the conversation!
140 comments:
Ooo! I'm looking forward to this! I enjoyed taking part in this year's challenge. I've still to type my wrap-up post, though... I'll be officially signing up for this one in about a week. :)
Yay Risa! So glad you're on board again this year!
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO in for this one. I will sign up and do a post about in on Dead End Follies tomorrow. Might add something to the side bar too. Your challenge is the only challenge I do or promote, except maybe for my owns!
Looks great! Love the categories, especially the new ones. I'm in :)
I'm absolutely in, but I'm going to figure out a few of my choices before posting a link. Thanks for hosting this, I love the categories!
So excited for this one! I'm glad there are more categories this year :)
this sounds like loads of fun, glad i follow you on twitter! :D
Love the categories, can't wait to get started!
This is my first reading challenge and it is perfect!!
I'm in! I just need to get my list together before making my post. This is a great challenge.
I'm going to prepare a list before I make my post as well.
Great challenge, and coming in a period when I vowed I'd go back to the classics. Proust will be my first one of 2012.
hi Sarah! this is great. i have always wanted to read & re-read more classics & 2012 would be a great year to do so. c",)
Hi Sarah, I'm tempted by this challenge, but I'm wondering what makes a book a "classic" - is there a definition that you're using, or can I just decide myself what's a classic?
Thanks! Eibhlin
Hi Eibhlin! I'm glad you asked, as the definition of a "classic" could be debated at length. I personally view it as a book that has left its literary mark on the world. Typically, these are older books, but I don't think that needs to be part of the definition. There are certainly some in the past 20-25 years that are what some people might call a "modern classic" or "instant classic". Kind of sounds like an impossible phrase to me, but I understand what they are getting at. If there is a book that you believe is a classic, and would like to read it for the challenge - you could perhaps describe in your review *why* you think it should be considered a classic. Just a thought... would love to have you on board! Sarah
Thanks for your reply, Sarah, and thanks too for stopping by my blog. I may well join you for this, with a focus on Roman and Irish books... I feel myself giving in!
Hey, I'm in! It'll be my first reading challenge, but I'm really looking forward to it - think it'll compliment what I already do at 'In My Good Books...' :-). Going to decide my books as I go along, I think, who knows what'll take my fancy as the year progresses.
I'm glad you're hosting this challenge again. It got me to read some of the books I've been telling myself to read forever and I hope for more of the same next year!
Wow next year's challenge seems more exciting than this year's...I'm excited to start! Though I feed a bad because I never finished the 2011 challenge :( I will do my best to finish the challenge for 2012! I can't wait to start!
I am so looking forward to this. I can't wait to read/reread classics that I love.
Can't wait for the challenge Sarah. The categories look so interesting and fun! Thanks :)
I've been looking for some 2012 challenges to take part in and there are so many classics I still need to read. I'm so excited to get started!
Leslie
Thank you for hosting this.Looking forward to the challenge. This is my first challenge and hopefully i'll complete it.
So I'm a bit wary of challenges (or moreso I'm wary about failing challenges) so I've stayed away, but you're really making me want to join this one.
Most certainly in! Looking forward to it :)
Count me in, Sarah! This will be fun, and will get me to read a few books that I have had my eye on for quite some time. At least I now know nine of the books/works that I'll be reading in 2012! ;-) Have a great weekend! Cheers! Chris
I am going to have a go at this challenge. I considered having a go this year, but never got around to it. Next year I fully intend to complete it
I'm really looking forward to this challenge--particularly the choosing of the books! For the award winners, should I basically stick to the Pullitzer winners? Or does anyone know of any other classic awards?
Sarah,
I would love to join your challenge. I do have a question though. As I speak French and my blog is in French, is it OK if my reviews are in French? I should not have any problems finding classics in English as I already own quite a few of them that I have never read.
Looking forward to digging into the classics and completing this challenge. Thanks for hosting.
Of course Carine! Make it work for you... but you will have to read a classic in French for the Translation category! ;o)
I am most definitely doing this. I hear about this from Amanda at deadwhiteguyslit. I have an astonishing number of “classics” on my TBR list and this is perfect to help me defeat some of them. Thank you for hosting this, I’m looking forward to contributing.
I'm looking forward to the challenge, and to making the list! I just finished "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. It's a play, and a 19th century Classic. Would plays count toward the list? If so, I would highly recommend "Doll's House" to your readers.
Yay! Welcome Challenge-takers! EducationDiva: Thank you for the play recommendation as well. I just may put that on my list!
Is there a place where people have put their lists so far? I've come up with a couple but I haven't read to many plays or romance pieces and was looking for some suggestions. I am also wondering if there was a good list to choose from for books that have won awards. Looking forward to this!!!!! Going to get rid of a couple books in my TBR pile!
This looks like so much fun! Now I just have to work out what to read...
Hi Sarah, this sounds brilliant I'd love to join in. Going to have some fun picking the books for this one!
Thanks for hosting this! Hopefully it will spur me to read some that are on my bookshelves that I haven't gotten to yet.
Hello Sarah!
Glad to see this challenge. Got to know about this challenge from my friend's post on http://mheretowrite.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/back-to-the-classics-challenge-2012/
This is my first challenge of this kind :) Guess i'll try to finish it off successfully :)
Thanks for organizing such a challenge in making us read, though am used to read a lot but due to some time constraints am not able to do it these days. This would help me continue my reading :)
Hi Sarah, Thanks for your recent comment on my blog. I'd love to join you for this challenge as I like a good classic. Liz
Hi Sarah! I am super excited for this challenge!
I'm in and excited. It will get quite a few books off my should read but haven't read list.
Love the sound of this challenge, and will spend a happy hour choosing my books for it.
Joanne
This'll be fun. Might be hard to wait for the new year now, though...
I'm in! I'll write up a post, but I can't promise to stick to my picks.
I could never ask you to stick to your picks - especially as I always change a few myself!
I've tentatively made my selections. This looks fun!
I'm in for my first reading challenge! I posted my list of books on my blog but I may change my mind :-)
I'm looking forward to this - I need an excuse to get more classics on my read list! :)
I'm in! I'll add a list of the books I want to read to my post later today.
I just signed up! I'm not usually good at challenges, but I really do want to push myself to read more classics. Great categories. Now off to select some books...
Hello there! Really looking forward to this challenge, have my picks made...now just waiting for it to start!
Posted my picks, and I'm looking forward to it!
Thanks for organizing this challenge, and thanks for the plan to stick to my first new year's resolution for 2012.
I'm excited to be joining in on the fun!
Oooh, I saw this challenge on Allie's Literary Odyssey blog and so I copied because it's a great idea.
I need to read more classics - stop re-reading North and South over and over and pick up some different ones.
I'm very excited about this challenge. I was an English Major in college so I read many classics at that time and I'd read some in high school. After college I periodically read some of the classics but for the past few years I have been meaning to read several that I haven't read yet and reread some favorite classics. Then I get bogged down with review books and other books and the classics don't get read. I need incentive so thank you for supplying it! I'm really looking forward to this challenge!
Sounds like fun. Count me in!
I love classics... not all of 'em, but enough to enjoy a challenge!! :-) Thanks!!
I never really need a reason to read more literary fiction, so it was easy for Red from What Red Read to pressure me into doing this. I'm going to guest-blog my responses at her site.
-Paul
Red is such an enabler! Thanks for joining in Paul!
Looking forward to the challenge next year! I like the new categories and am excited for the motivation to finally read something from Shakespeare!
I'm definitely in. I love the categories and can't wait to get my hands on the books I chose! Thanks for hosting!
I'll be in for another year... even if I'm not sure if I will complete my 2011 challenge ;)
I get to start making my list for next year now!
The perfect challenge for me. Looking forward to it! Rach @ Books in the sun
Who needs a life when we can read? hahaha I'm new in this challenge and hope you don't care, but some of my choices are Portuguese Classics (back to literature class 8p). I hope I'll be able to read everything 8D
I can't wait for this challenge. I am super excited!!
I'm up for this, here's my provisional list http://t.co/iOPoLOgn
Count me in, Sarah! :)
I'm in
Hi Sarah,
This is my first time participating in the Challenge and I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks for organizing, and I'll spread the word through an upcoming post on my blog.
Cheers!
I love the idea of your challenge. I still have no reading list for it, but I'm in!
I found out about this challenge through November's Autumn blog. So excited! I'm looking forward to 2012.
Great challenge! And a good motivator to read more classics!!
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for hosting a great challenge. We all need to read classics more! This will give me a great opportunity to read the ones collecting dust on my bookshelves.
Signed up and ready to go. :)
Thanks for hosting!
Great challenge. I'm in. Thanks for hosting.
Thank you for hosting this. I'm in!
I'm in. I've been wanting to read more Greek Classics since I read The Fagles' translation of The Iliad earlier this year.
Sounds like a great challenge - thinking of joining! But for now I'm trying to keep the lid on my challenge participations for the new year ;)
After an abysmal failure with my first ever book challenge - a gothic challenge for which I completed 1 of the 20 I signed up for - here I am giving it another go. I think 9 is a more manageable number. :-) I'm looking forward to it.
Susan
Does it matter if my blog is hosted by wordpress? I can't follow you, boohoo
This is my first reading challenge and I am itching to get started with "Moby Dick" which is sitting on my shelf, waiting for me.
This challenge sounds great! I'll be posting a comment on it on my blog soon, but I don't think I'll choose now which books I'm going to read. What I know is that Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Sir Conan Doyle will be in the list. I've been thinking of reading The Catcher in the Rye or To Kill a Mockingbird as well... Will check your blog out now! :)
*Hugs*
Guadi
What an amazing challenge! I am definitely joining, I've got just one question: Does Paradise Lost count as Classic Mystery? It may not be a typical example of the category, but after all, what is more mysterious than Angels and Devils?
Looking forward to 2012!
Cassandra - I'm glad you want to join in, but I'm not sure that Paradise Lost is really a mystery... as in the plot isn't really mysterious. Although, perhaps the Fall of Man could be construed as a Horror? I'm not sure. But if you'd like to include it, go ahead - but just defend your selection for the category!
Very excited to join! I also signed up for the What's in a Name challenge you posted... it's my first time joining these, so I'm really looking forward to it!
Fun! I'm trying to clear off my TBR shelves and this will definitely help!
Thanks for doing all the work to host this! I'm very excited about this challenge.
It's my first time, so I'm a little nervous and uncertain, but excited, nonetheless.
My first challenge! Thanks for hosting-really looking forward to it!
Count me in, thanks for hosting!
I created a separate page for this challenge on my blog and have already selected my books. I can't wait to get started!
Happy reading everyone!! :)
Sign me up. Thanks for hosting.
This is my first book challenge, so I'm excited. Have fun, y'all!
I'd love to sign up to this challenge but as yet don't have a blog - can I still join in?
E Johnson-of course you can still join in! If you post on GoodReads, you can link those.... OR you can write a small review in the comments section for each category of classic ( you can see where this will be on the left side of this blog). Also, make sure I have your email, so I can contact you for the prizes!
Have never taken place in a reading challenge, but I'm *SO* in! I hope it counts that I will be reading via Kindle as we don't have room to have "more books than is really healthy."-- plus the classics are free!
♥ Thanks for the challenge!
okay trying to get my list together - trying to clear TBR shelves so no new books - that might prove impossible!!! but i need some help suggestions please for the award section and the a place not likely to go to - after 6 decades of travel - not many of those left - so thinking made up so does stuff like sci fi / fantasy count and suggestions please because have read most of the classic sci fi - could read lord of the rings again I am re-reading that for another challenge does that count as a classic?
still looking for play but think I will find among the greeks
thanks for help need to write the post
Carrie - ABSOLUTELY ebooks count! Most Classics are free - YAY!
Alberta - The Lord of the Rings definitely counts for a place not likely to go - after all, it only exists in literature, and that is the only way you can visit it. As for Award Winners - I suggest using Wikipedia or Google to search the winner lists of The Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize for Literature, The Man Booker Prize.... any sort of literature award that is given. Granted, these books will be more recent publications, but The Pulitzer at least goes back to the early 20th century. Good Luck!
Aw - is middle earth not a place? - love the book can't think how many times I have read it will enjoy doing it again - thanks - may have to rethink my 20th century one then if the awards only go back then - hey ho who would have thought it would need such a puzzlement:) maybe it is of course part of the joy of reading - the choosing of just the right delight of words and mood - role on 2011
Great! I've never done a reading challenge before, but I hope this will make me read more books that I would otherwise shy away from!
yaay this is so sth. I've been looking for all over!
I hope it's okay that I'm using my tumblr blog and google account?
Wow, this sounds like so much fun. Since I stopped trying to read a Classic a week I stopped reading them altogether and I'd like to get back into it. This sounds like a great challenge to start with.
Definitely looking forward to this challenge, after not reading a single classic in 2011.
I am in for the Challenge!!
I am just asking for trouble - but I love old books, and all these challenges sound like so much fun!
Classics!! Hurrah! This is a plan that cannot fail, as I intend to read classics this year anyhow in order to write the 18-24 page paper I need to have in my "Applying for a PhD" folder.
Okay, I have a post up now listing the books I plan to read - wish me luck!
This is my first challenge and I so look forward to it!
Yep, this is the challenge for me!
http://donnasreadingchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/01/classics-challenge.html
Thanks for hosting this challenge!
I am looking forward to finally reading the books that have been on my list for years!
I love your version of a classics challenge. The categories are awesome! I'd like to thank my friend, Heather (Between the Covers), for giving me the heads up on this one. =O)
I love the classic. This will be a challenge.
I've been thinking I need to read more books this year, and wanted a little direction - looking forward to this!
The challenge looks like fun. I've joined twice by accident. Could you delete Heidi'sbooks (The Awakening)? Or let me know how to delete it. Thanks!
One question--is this only for nonfiction? I was wondering if I could read a Pulitzer Prize poetry book or history winner.
Most are reading only fiction, but if you have a non-fiction book that fits a category that you'd like to read - then go for it!
I like having a list of categories - pushes my envelope. I'm looking forward to reading Our Town as my classic play.
Awesome idea, and has already got me bacl tothe classics! I spent waaaay too long coming up with my reading list! Onward!
Love reading classics so why not join a challenge. Thanks for hosting. :)
My first book challenge. I like the categories you have here. I am so excited :D
Thanks for hosting this challenge!
I love the categories you have chosen - a great way to make the selection process more thoughtful! Can't wait to start
Sounds like total fun! I can't wait to start planning my list.
Sounds like a blast from the past. I hope to take part in this challenge. Hope to see what everyone is reading. Gregory
Awesome idea :)
I just found this challenge and I'm totally in. Had to think a bit about what books to read, but I have some ideas now.
I just added my blog to the Linky! I have three books completed so far :)
Hi Sarah, first of all thanks for this lovely giveaway. I am Indonesian, and usually post my reviews in my language (I hope it's OK). I have added my blog in the Linky.
Hi Sarah, this is Melisa @surgabukuku.
I have added my blog post to the Linky. I'm sooo excited about your challenge! Cheers
I've just found this challenge! I'm a little late in signing up to it--but I think its just the thing for me to reach my goal for reading more classics!!
Hi there :)
I'm really looking forward to completing this challenge. Plus, you've made it quite fun so I'm excited already. Thanks :)
Firs time I have visited your blog. Happened to find it while reading another that mentioned this challenge. Glad I did, the challenge sounds fun. I have already got a rough idea what I am going to read. I look forward to the challenge.
all righty! i am SO in!! :D
I'm joining!!
Naomi
I guess better late than never! I am going to give it a shot!
I'm excited to take part in a book challenge! I just started my own blog, 100 Books in a Year (rebeccascaglione.wordpress.com) and I'm excited to have a challenge to strive for!
I'm so sad that I didn't see this challenge earlier in the year. I was actually looking for a "Back to the classics" challenge to participate in. No worries. I will definitely keep this link and sign up next year. Meanwhile I'm going to creep on the categories and see which books were read.
I think it's great that you are hosting this. I hope you will continue next year.
Better late than never...hopefully you will host the challenge again in 2013.
Cynthia
http://www.thethingsyoucanread.blogspot.com/
and
http://thewritingwhisperer.blogspot.com/
Sarah,
I signed up for this earlier, but realized after i have been blogging for a longer period of time, that I didn't link my actual page to Mr. Linky. So Rebecca Scaglione and Rebecca @ Love at First Book are the same person! :)
This is my first reading challenge as a non-student adult! I am excited and can't wait to be a part of things. What a great year 2013 is going to be!
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