I really can’t believe the first quarter of 2008 is over. It doesn’t seem possible. I updated my challenge log to take stock of how I’m doing, and I know I won’t finish some challenges that I wanted to participate in, but of course I’ll keep plugging along. I finished a big one, The Book Awards Challenge, with 24 books completed. See my wrap-up post below.
How do book awards and prizes affect your reading? Do you make a conscious effort to read from certain lists? Do you have a certain prize that you enjoy reading from more than others? So far I would have to say that I have enjoyed the Pulitzer winners the most so far, and I’ve probably had the least luck with the Booker Prize list. I also really enjoy reading the Newbery winners. Although those are children’s books, they help ‘lighten me up’ after reading heavier subject matter in adult books.
Enjoy your day, everyone!
Well, I love reading from the prize lists – and I’ve joined several perpetual challenges to do so (Pulitzer, Booker, Costa, National Book Awards, Orange Prize, Nobels) – I find good and bad on all the lists. I’ve read the most from the Pulitzers I think.
Congrats on the challenge! That one sounds like a biggie. As for awards, they affect my reading very little overall. Generally I just read whatever my mood dictates, and if I squeeze in some award winners, it’s a happy accident.
Speaking of awards, I’m about to read Sorry, by Gail Jones. It’s long listed for the Orange Prize. Otherwise I might not have read any off of that list.
24 books sounds really good to me – and they’re not exactly ‘light’ reading, in the main, are they? So you can’t rip through, I mean. Interesting what you say about prize winners. I generally enjoy the Bookers I read, and the Pulitzers, but not been so impressed with the Orange or the Costas – although some of those have been excellent too.
I think I do tend to choose prize winners, though often the short-listed titles tempt me just as much too – and the ones my friends recommend – and I’ve had some excellent recommencations from fellow-bloggers.
I haven’t intentionally read off of any awards lists, but I plan on starting with the Pulitzers and the Nobels.
Lezlie
I’ve set myself my own project over on my blog, Table Talk, to try and read as many award winners as possible and you can link through to the list that I’m using. This is just a personal project to try and ensure that I don’t miss out on something that people who presumably know a little of what they’re talking about think worth reading. I know it isn’t always fail safe, but it is at least a place to start.
They effect my reading less than they effect my buying. I used to carry around lists of award winners with me at thrift stores. I can not usually resist a book that has won an award, especially if it involves a shiny sticker (or pretend sticker) on the front of the book. I will buy an award winner even in a genre I don’t usually read. Then they always go on my intend to read list which I never get to except for Newberies which I am particularly good at sticking with reading.
Happy Sunday!
Sadly, I am more of a junkyard readers and tend to avoid such books. That said, I do pay attention to the Newbery winners.
I’ve really gotten into the prize lists this year. I don’t know that I prefer one list over another as I am enjoying them all. Congrats on finishing the challenge and wishing you all the best towards completing the others!
Congrats on finishing The Book Awards challenge! Participating in reading challenges is having a good effect on my bookshelves… I really try to choose only books from my stacks for the challenges so it helps me get to those shelf sitters
Congratulations on completing the Book Awards Challenge, Michelle.
As to your question, I didn’t really even notice prize winning books until I began blogging and people started mentioning them. I can’t say that I read a book because it is a prize winner, but I do take notice of those books more to see if they are something I might want to read.
I hope you have a good week, Michelle!
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