2014 Book Challenges

Elyssa at Unscripted posted about the book challenges she is doing this year and she has inspired me to do some as well. I encourage you to check out Elyssa's reading blog. It's a lot of fun and very encouraging. 
So here goes! 

2014 Audiobook Challenge

Last year I listened to a few audio books and I'm hoping to listen to some more this year too. I really enjoy them but it does take longer than reading. :) This challenge is hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner and you can check out more details here. 

There are five levels to choose from. I'm going with just flirting. ;)

• Flirting-Listen to 6 Audio Books
• Going Steady- Listen to 12 Audio Books
• Lover- Listen to 25 Audio Books
• Married-Listen to more than 25 Audio Books
• You Define the Relationship- Create your own challenge (choose your own name and level starting as low or going as high as you’d like)

1. The Warden by Anthony Trollope 
2. The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
3. Henry V by William Shakespeare
4. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
5. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
6. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
7. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Back to the Classics 2014

This I think will be interesting. This challenge is hosted by Books and Chocolate and you can see more about it here. Here are the rules. 

Required:

1. A 20th Century Classic- Book Review: The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
2. A 19th Century Classic- Book Review : The Picture of Dorian Gray
3. A Classic by a Woman Author- North and South  by Elizabeth Gaskell
4. A Classic in Translation- Book Review: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
5. A Classic About War- Bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle
6. A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You- Book Review-The War of the Worlds

Optional Categories:

1. An American Classic
2. A Classic Mystery, Suspense or Thriller 
3. A Historical Fiction Classic.  This is any classic set at least 50 years before the time when it was written.  For example, Margaret Mitchell published Gone with the Wind 70 years after the end of the Civil War; therefore, it is considered a historical novel.  A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlet Letter are also historical novels.  However, older classics set during the period in which they were written are not considered historical; for example, the novels of Jane Austen.
4. A Classic That's Been Adapted Into a Movie or TV Series.  Any period, any genre!  This is practically a free choice category.  However, it's a separate category than the required categories.
5. Extra Fun Category:  Write a Review of the Movie or TV Series adapted from Optional Category #4.  This should be some kind of posting reviewing the book read for the previous optional category above. It can be any adaptation -- does not have to be adapted before 1964.  For example, if you chose Pride and Prejudice as your the optional classic above, you could review any adaptation -- 1940, 1980, 1995, 2005, etc. These two optional categories go together, but this must be a separate blog posting -- no fair just mentioning it in the book review!

A Year in Re-Reading: A 2014 Reading Challenge

I re-read a lot so this should be fun! This challenge is hosted by the caffienatedlife.net and you can check the challenge out here. I'm going for 10+ books- re-reading champ! We'll see how that goes. :)

The levels are:

• 1 – 4 books — Occasional re-reader
• 5 – 9 books — Re-reading pro!
• 10+ books — Re-reading champ!

1. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

2. Mary Poppins Comes Back by P.L. Travers

3. Mary Poppins Opens the Door by P.L. Travers

4. Mary Poppins in the Park by P.L. Travers
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
9. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
21. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
13. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

2014 Shakespeare Reading Challenge

This will be fun as there is definitely some Shakespeare I haven't read and this will give me some incentive. The full guidelines are here. 

The Levels are:

• 1 – 4 plays — Occasional theatre-goer
• 5 – 9 plays — Frequent theatre-goer
• 10 – 12 plays — Regular theatre-goer

1. The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
2. Henry V by William Shakespeare
3. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
4. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Four challenges looks like enough to keep me busy but still have fun. Next year I'll probably pick up some more but this year I want to start out a little easy. :) 
P.S. Links take you to my book review. :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.