Sticky Post: Scroll down for current posts
2011 52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge
This past year has been awesome and I've had lots of fun. 2011 is almost upon us and time to start thinking about new goals. Are you ready for another year and challenging yourself to read 52 books in 52 weeks.
I am going to spice it up a bit this year and blend in several mini challenges, including the Mind Voyages challenge I created in 2010. I worked rather hard to create the Mind Voyages blog and don't want to see it go to waste. So the blog will remain up so folks can refer to the links for their voyages. All the mini challenges are optional and offered to help you meet the 52 books goal.
1) Mind Voyages is a science fiction / fantasy challenge to explore the hugo and nebula winners, take side trips through the different decades reading the nominees, check out Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein. Also, Since I can't possibly imagine a reading challenge without exploring new releases that come out in 2011, we have the all inclusive Pluto challenge. Links to all the voyages are available on the Mind Voyages blog.
Moon Voyage : Read at least 6 winners on the Hugo Winners List
Sling shot back to Earth: Read at least 3 winners on the Nebula Winner's List
Venus Voyage: Philip K. Dick Quest - Read at least 2 of his books
Mercury Voyage: Robert Heinlein Quest - Read at least 2 of his books
Mars Voyage: Read at least 6 winners on the Hugo List and take a side trip through the 21st century and read at least 4 nominees.
Go into Warp Drive and visit the other planets
Jupiter Voyage: Go side tripping 90's Style
Saturn: Go Side Tripping 80's Style
Uranus: Go Side Tripping 70's Style
Neptune Voyage: Go Side Tripping through the 50's and 60's
The I'm going to Pluto because Pluto is still a planet as far as I'm concerned Voyage: Mix it up, choose the number of books you want to read from each voyage, include some new books you pick up along the way and enjoy the ride.
2) Read around the World: I probably did read around the world last year but didn't pay much attention. So this year I'm paying attention to setting. Keep track of where the story takes place and see how many places you end up.
3) Ireland Reading Challenge: or just stick with one country such as Ireland and read books set in Ireland, written by Irish Authors or with an Irish theme. Pick 2, 4, 6, or 12 books to read.
4) Jane Austen Mini Challenge: Read Jane Austen's books -Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion. All can be found online here.
5) Well Educated Mind Mini Challenge: The Well Educated Mind written by Susan Wise Bauer is a guide to reading the great works. Read 3 books from each category: Fiction, autobiography, history, drama and poetry.
6) New Author Mini Challenge: Read at least one new to you author per month.
7) Try a new genre challenge: Read at least one book in a genre you've never tried before.
8) E-Book reading challenge: read at least 3, 6, 9, or 12 e-books this year.
9) Chunkster Challenge: Chunksters are considered books that are over 500 pages in length. Read one chunkster a month.
10) Read 12 classics in 12 months
The rules are very simple and the goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks.
- The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.
- Our book weeks will begin on Sunday.
- Participants may join at any time.
- All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
- Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2011.
- Books may overlap other challenges.
- Create an entry post linking to this blog.
- Come back and sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" below this post.
- You don't have a blog to participate. Post your weekly book in the comments section.
- Mr. Linky will be added to the bottom of the weekly post for you to link to reviews of your most current reads.
I'll be changing the header and modify the theme a bit, so don't mind the dust for the next couple weeks.
I'm game for the Jane Austen mini challenge.
ReplyDeleteBased on an idea in Chris Guillebeau's book "The Art of Non-Conformity", I'm putting together a "personal MBA" reading list: 30 non-fiction and 20 fiction classics (new and old). I am still working on the list and a website/blog to go with the personal MBA, will let you know when it is up.
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun reading this year, I have to sign up for 2011!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't always good at sharing my posts here, but I read ;)
I will keep in mind the mini challenges. Thanks for listing them.
So glad you all are joining in again.
ReplyDeleteBrian- Welcome and happy reading
Brett- Can't wait to see what you come up with
Alex - No problem. Have fun!
Robin -- thanks for hosting this interesting challenge. Not sure I understand it. May I just read 52 books regardless of the genre or category?
ReplyDelete@Jan -- yep, regardless. Whatever you want. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going for it!......
ReplyDeleteNot clear on read-alouds to children. Do things like The Wizard of Oz count? I know there are no "children's books" so where do you draw the line?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this new challenge! We are trying to get a lot of moms from our CC group to join in!
Thanks!
@Sarah - Children's books such as magic tree house, magic school bus, easy readers and those type of books are just too easy and short. When you start getting into the books for the 9 to 12 age group, the stories start getting pretty long. And they aren't so easy to read aloud sometimes. I know. :) If you want to count the read alouds you do with your kids, then let's say any book over 150 pages is acceptable which means Wizard of Oz would count. The challenge is geared more for us and pleasure reading rather than the kids. However, if your kids want to be involved then the 52 books they read should be geared to their age.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps.
I read about the challenge on another blog and hopped on it. I've created a page on my blog just for the challenge...and a challenge it will be too!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great challenge. I am joining the read 52 books in 52 weeks. Here is the link to my post:
ReplyDeletehttp://abookloverforever.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-52-books-in-52-weeks-challenge.html