Around New Year, I saw on Facebook a link for a reading challenge and immediately I thought this was something I would be interested in, so I started. This was before I decided to go back to uni, so in between study, work and House of Cards there hasn’t been a lot of spare time for reading!
My intentions when deciding to so this at the beginning of the year where very simple, I wanted to step outside my reading comfort zone and make myself look outside my usual niche of literary choices and see if I could broaden my interests and maybe find something amazing that I may have otherwise ignored.
For more details of the challenge click here.
Some of the categories are tricky, and I have given myself some rules, with the exception of the book from your childhood I wanted them all to be ones that I had never read before.
So here is my update, I am off to a slow start which means it’s going to be a hectic rest of the year reading but it’s also exciting. They wouldn’t call it a challenge if it was easy!
A book by a female author: Questions of Travel by Michelle De Krester
This book completely challenged my definitions of tourist vs traveller and highlighted the difference between them. It also makes us question how we belong in our own country/society.
A mystery or thriller: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is the first thriller novel I have ever read. Doesn’t make putting the book down easy! It is compelling and bit twisted. There is a reason everyone was talking about this one!
A book from an author you love that you haven’t read yet: The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom
I had very high expectations for this book. It wasn’t quite on the same level as Tuesdays with Morrie or The Five People You Meet In Heaven, but still classic themes that make you question everything and believe in something a little more.
A book from your childhood: Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
So many books crossed my mind to fill this space but this was definitely the winner. I cannot tell you how many times I read this throughout school. The typical coming of age story that highlighted every feeling I had growing up. Reading it now for the first time in possibly 10 years I found its message is still as powerful as ever.
A banned book: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
This book written in 1857 was banned in France for ‘offences against public morals’ on release. Such a different time we live in now! A story about a woman breaking free from her traditional roles and using her sexuality to rebel. Ultimately can be classified as a classic and tragic love story with Emma having much in common with a favourite literary character of mine Anna Karenina.
A popular author’s first book: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald begins here his obsession with excess and develops characters who struggle through life unsure of what they pursue. Not my favourite of his works but still an interesting story through his development of the characters and the storytelling nature of his writing.
Felicity says
Did you enjoy Questions of Travel? It was one of our book club picks last year but I received it late so ran out of time but also found it hard to get into, so didn’t end up finishing it. Do you think it is worth going back to finish?
I loved reading Looking for Alibrandi when I was in High School. Have you also seen the movie?
sallyslifestylejournal says
I absolutely love the movie! That version of With or Without You still makes me teary!
I understand that you found Questions of Travel hard to get into, I did enjoy it based around the themes discussed and it raised a lot of questions about why we travel and how different people see the world. I would have preferred if the story was solely based on Ravi though as I found Laura a bit horrible and boring.
Felicious Cupcakes says
Hmm maybe I will find some time to go back and read it then. Great idea with the challenge, I hope you get it finished in time 🙂
sallyslifestylejournal says
Let me know if you do. Thanks, I hope so too!
yespeasmumma says
Sounds like a great challenge! I read books alllll the time, so if I actually made myself do a challenge, I think I would probably put too much pressure on myself. But you have given me a few ideas for new books to read down the track. I have never read Looking for Alibrandi, but I definitely have heard of it. Might get that one out from the library next :). Have fun reading. xo
sallyslifestylejournal says
You have to! And then tell me what you think! I have noticed I am putting more pressure on myself but also that I’m able to find more time in my day to read that I had previously been wasting. I’m about to pick up my next book, just deciding which one! x