January 29th, 2008 |
Click on the button for more info.
The challenge lasts from February 24 through June 30, 2008
I’m choosing my books from this list: Pelham Public Library’s List of Banned Books 2008
I’ve commited to 8, and I’ll choose from the following titles:
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
- The Chocolate War by Cormier
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
The Chocolate War by Cormier
Dr. Zhivago by Pasternak
Lolita by Nabokov
January 29th, 2008 |
Hosted by Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders
Runs from December 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008
The idea is to finish the books in an entire series. I plan on completing the entire Harry Potter series, and I *might* get caught up on the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective series as well if I have time.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
January 29th, 2008 |
Hosted by Bellezza, the Japanese Literature Challenge is my first challenge completed in 2008.
I read:
I really enjoyed all three of these, but my favorite was Silence. I want to read more by all three authors, so I hope you have another Japanese challenge next year! Thanks Bellezza, for a wonderful challenge!
January 29th, 2008 |
Based on a true story about the persecution and torture of Japanese Christians and foreign missionaries in 1600s Japan, Silence is a powerful book about faith (and doubt), truth, and the human spirit. What will make one person stay true to his faith, even under unspeakable torture, while another one does not? Why is God silent during suffering? These are the questions the book raises, and some would say it gives no clear answers. It is easy to say from our comfortable Western homes that we would never deny God under duress. But the Bible states that even Peter, a much loved disciple, denied Christ. What does it truly mean to stay faithful to God?
Repeating the prayer again and again he tried wildly to distract his attention; but the prayer could not tranquilize his agonized heart. ‘Lord, why are you silent? Why are you always silent…?’
This book powerfully affected me, and I’ve already sought out more books by this Japanese Christian author.
It has been announced that Martin Scorsese will be making this into a movie slated for 2010.
1966, 201 pages
Rating: 
January 29th, 2008 |
I read this book for the Japanese Literature Challenge and the Notable Book Challenge. This is my first Murakami. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and even though I am only rating this a 3.5, I will definitely read more by this author. I found his writing style to be very unique.
The book covers the encounters of several “night people” on one particular evening from 11:56 pm to 6:52 am. All of the characters in the book have some interconnection. I most enjoyed the story of the two sisters, Eri and Mari. One of them can’t sleep and the other one won’t wake up. I also enjoyed the philosophical discussions between Mari and Takahashi. I didn’t really get what was going on with the TV/white noise thing, but it was interesting. Does anyone have a favorite Murakami? Although I might not get to another one of his until next year, I’d like to read more.
2004 [2007 in U.S.], 191 pp.
Rating: 
