Thursday 31 December 2009

My Reading Challenges



I go through cycles every few months or so. (No, I don't mean that cycle...) Anyway, back to what I was saying, my mind can not get bored. If I get bored, I get depressed. To avoid depression, I challenge myself. I learn a new language, I make up codes, I study computer languages, I write books, I buy a dog or adopt a cat. Well, problem is, I can't find the balance between extreme-boredom-avoidance-leading-to-exhaustion and depression-due-to-thumb-twiddling.


Right now I:
  • Keep the books for my husband's business
  • Write
  • Edit
  • Review
  • Blog
  • Study Spanish
  • Create codes for my books
  • Help my children with their homework
  • Clean my house/pets/yard/self/children/husband... (list goes on to eternity)
  • Entertain my friends/family
  • Crochet
Obviously, this list isn't long enough to make me insane so I added three new book challenges. Fortunately, these challenges do crossover or I will be dead.




1) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2) Villette by Charlotte Bronte
3) The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
4) Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler
5) Jane Eyre (1997)
6) Rebecca (1940)







1) Why did they ask Evans?Agatha Christie
2) Fever in the Bone Val McDermid
3) The Mermaids Singing Val McDermid
4) Southern Storm Terri Blackstock
5) The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde
6) Pretty is As Pretty Dies Elizabeth Spann Craig
7) One Last Breath Stephen Booth
8) The Grave Tattoo Val McDermid
9) The Killings At Badger's Drift Caroline Graham
10) This Body of Death Elizabeth George
11) Careless in Red Elizabeth George
12) Black Dogs Ian McEwan






1) Fever in the Bone Val McDermid
2) Howard's End EM Forster
3) Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
4) Mrs. Dalloway Virginia Woolf

11 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I just discovered your blog. I can't wait to come back.

Your list: This is quite a list. Good luck. PS I like anything Charlotte Bronte. I also read Pretty is as Pretty Dies. Elizabeth is great.

Ann Elle Altman said...

Thank you, Journaling Woman for you follow. I just linked to your great blog and followed you also. Yes, I love the Brontes! Some of the works will be a re-read for me but I miss the old classics and want to remember them again. I can't wait to read Elizabeth's work. Gotta order it still.

ann

Laura's Reviews said...

Thank-you for joining my All About the Brontes Challenge! I love your picture of Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine from Rebecca on this post. I think Oliver made the perfect Maxim . . .sigh. Great picks and I look forward to reading your reviews!

Ann Elle Altman said...

Thank you, Laura. I think my first novel will be 'The Tenant of WIldfild Hall.' I will give a review of it afterward.

ann

J.L. Campbell said...

Wow! Is all I can say. Woman, how d'you plan to do all that? I'm sure you'll find a way though.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so tempted to join that British challenge. Didn't I pledge no more? :)

Rebecca - I might add that to my challenge list.

Good luck with this! Fun, isn't it?

(Thanks for posting my button! I just saw it in your sidebar.)

:D

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

You have a busy life! Wow. It's amazing you're able to squeeze so much reading in!

Wow...I don't know what to say, seeing my name up there with those mystery luminaries! My book will be just slightly different from theirs. :) But I really hope you'll enjoy it.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Ann Elle Altman said...

Jayda, how do I do it? Craziness and a lot of scheduling. Caffeine helps too.

Corra, you will not regret reading Rebecca and it's a quick read. I would say two days and you're done. But, the plot and the characters...ohhhh so amazing! Also, watch the 1940s version of the movie. One of the best movies of all time IMHO.

Elizabeth, I have been wanting to read your book for awhile. I'm glad to be able to this year. I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

ann

Unknown said...

HI! Thanks for signing up for my Thriller & Suspense and Typically British reading challenges. All books you've listed sound great, I've read a few myself. Have fun and good luck with all your challenges :)

Anonymous said...

Sold! I'll do it. (Except I can't find it on Goodreads...)

:(

Ann Elle Altman said...

Corra, really? Maybe you should start a page on it.

ann