I did it! This challenge was one of the most difficult to complete, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment for doing so. I read some great books along the way and will definitely participate in the second Canadian Challenge. Hosted by John at The Book Mine Set, the goal of this challenge was to read 13 books written by or about Canadians.
I read 2 books originally in French, and 12 different authors. Ten of the books were written by female authors. My favorites of the bunch were Cat’s Eye, The Road Past Altamont, Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case, and The Penelopiad. My least favorite by far was Bear by Marian Engel.
I’d really like to encourage participants of the next challenge to read Mad Shadows and The Road Past Altamont, the two French titles. Though obscure, Mad Shadows had a Wuthering Heights feel to it and The Road Past Altamont felt like a cross between Cather and Montgomery. Also, the Jacob Two-Two series is one to look into if you like children’s books. I loved Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case. And of course, it goes without saying that most books by Atwood would be great choices as well.
Thanks, John, for a wonderful challenge, and I look forward to the coming year of more Canadian books.
I love mythology in general, and The Odyssey in particular, so I was hoping to love this book. I did. Margaret Atwood’s retelling of the famous myth from Penelope’s point of view is brilliant and quite humorous. As she tells the story from Hades, we get Penelope’s take on her father, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Helen among others. You probably have to know the story of The Odyssey fairly well to really get the full impact, though. If you’re familiar with the original myth, you must read this re-telling.
This was my fourth Atwood, and I’m looking forward to reading even more of her work during the second Canadian Book Challenge.
Ummm…..no. No, no, no, no, no. I don’t think I can recommend this title. That this book won the Governor General’s Award flabbergasts me. A librarian and a bear get kinky on a small Canadian island. That’s all you really need to know to realize why I didn’t like this book.
1976 Governor General’s Award 1976, 141 pp. Rating:
13 books about or by Canadians July 1, 2008 through July 1, 2009 Click on the button for more info.
Miraculously, I just finished the first Canadian Reading Challenge when I read the last two books for it during the read-a-thon. Of the 13 books required, I actually read 6 for this challenge in June! Many of them were short, which is why I was able to finish. I’ll be posting a wrap-up post about it when I can sit down and write all the reviews.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a partial list going for the second challenge. I’m going for an all female line-up this time, I changed my mind and am just going to the Free Spirit with no more than 2-3 by a single author. Here’s the list so far; I’m sure some will be added to it.
Thanks, John, for hosting again. I’ll probably participate each time until I get my fill of Atwood, Shields, Montgomery, and the many other fantastic female Canadian authors!
Final Stats: 10 hours of reading 634 pages 3 books completed (see below)
1. Which hour was most daunting for you? I fell asleep at 1 am ET for five hours. I thought I was going to make it longer, but I just can’t stay up late any more!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Two of the books I read, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and The Chocolate War by Cormier would be great choices.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? The only thing I can think of is to give a little leeway (maybe 3-6 hours) if we choose. For instance, the best times for me would have been 9 am ET to 9 am ET the next day. This would have been 3 hours earlier than everyone else started, but it would have given me 3 more hours of reading time during the readathon. Obviously, we can’t expect you to be there during these pre or extended hours, and we wouldn’t be eligible for mini-challenges or prizes during those hours if we chose a slightly different schedule, but it would give us more reading time if we have other commitments during part of the regular hours of the readathon. It’s not that big a deal if you don’t change it, though. I’ll still participate during the hours that I’m able.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Just having it! It’s a fun way to read together and accomplish some much needed reading goals.
5. How many books did you read? I read three complete books and parts of two others.
6. What were the names of the books you read? I completed Bear by Marian Engle, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, and The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. I also read parts of the Bible and parts of Lolita by Nabokov.
7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Bible; also The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
8. Which did you enjoy least? Bear by Marian Engle and Lolita
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I would love to be a reader in the next Read-a-thon. It’s a fun way to knock some books off the TBR pile.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19, ESV)
I did it! This challenge was one of the most difficult to complete, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment for doing so. I read some great books along the way and will definitely participate in the second Canadian Challenge. Hosted by John at The Book Mine Set, the goal of this challenge was to read 13 books written by or about Canadians.
I love mythology in general, and The Odyssey in particular, so I was hoping to love this book. I did. Margaret Atwood’s retelling of the famous myth from Penelope’s point of view is brilliant and quite humorous. As she tells the story from Hades, we get Penelope’s take on her father, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Helen among others. You probably have to know the story of The Odyssey fairly well to really get the full impact, though. If you’re familiar with the original myth, you must read this re-telling.
Ummm…..no. No, no, no, no, no. I don’t think I can recommend this title. That this book won the Governor General’s Award flabbergasts me. A librarian and a bear get kinky on a small Canadian island. That’s all you really need to know to realize why I didn’t like this book.
Final Stats:
