100+ Reading Challenge

100+ Reading Challenge

What: "1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible."

When: Year 2011
Why: Oh, because I want to read. A lot. And even if I don't reach 101 books, I will know how many books I have read during the year.
My Goal: To read 101 books, that's enough over 100 for me.
Reviews: Nope, not here.
Prize: When/if I finish this (or if I'm happy with my final number of read books), I'll get myself a French Press to make excellent tea.
List: I'll just add the books here as I have read them.

1. Markku Turunen: Juuston pimeä puoli (9.1.)
2. Anja Snellman: Parvekejumalat (28.1.)
3. Emma Donoghue: Life Mask ( ~15.1.)
4. Stephen Fry: The Stars' Tennis Balls (23.1.)
5. Mark Haddon: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (3.2.)
6. Maarit Verronen: Karsintavaihe (31.1.)
7. Emma Donoghue: The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits (~ 8.2.)
8. Faïza Guène: Hällä väliä huomisella (Kiffe kiffe demain) (~13.2.)
9. George Orwell: Animal Farm (17.2.)
10. Maarit Verronen: Kirkkaan selkeää (17.3.)
11. Jeffrey Eugenides: Middlesex ( ~24.2.)
12. Päivi Lukkarila: Koitetaan kestää, Nanna  (~1.3.)
13. Jackie Kay: Trumpet (5.3.)
14. Guy Delisle: Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea (27.3.)
15. Alice Walker: The Color Purple (~28.3.)
16. John Fowles: The Collector (~13.3.)
17. Jeannette Armstrong: Slash (~25.3.)
18. Samuel Beckett: Endgame (~6.3.)
19. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
20. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
21. Antti Kylliäinen: Kaikki pääsevät taivaaseen (~5.4.)
22. Anna Lassila: Pimeät sylit (~8.4.)
23. Yasmina Khadra: Bagdadin kutsu (Les sirènes de Bagdad) (~14.4.)
24. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
25. P.G. Wodehouse: Thank you, Jeeves (audiobook, read by Jonathan Cecil)
26. Anu Jaantila: Sanna ja Sam - forever? (~9.4.)
27. Jonas Gardell: Kummajainen astuu kehiin (Ett ufo gör entré) (~1.4.)
28. Julia Serano: Whipping Girl - a Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity (~6.5.)
29. Holli, Saarikoski, Sana (edit.): Tasa-arvopolitiikan haasteet (~ 18.5.)
30. Lehtonen&Mustola (edit.): "Eihän heterotkaan kerro..."- Seksuaalisuuden ja sukupuolen rajankäyntiä työelämässä (23.5.)
31. Stephen Fry: Making History ( 9.5.)
32. Rajaa Alsanea: Riadin tytöt (Girls of Riyadh) (~6.6.)
33. Marjo Niemi: Miten niin valo (~8.6.)
34. Marjaneh Bakhtiari: Toista maata (Kan du säga schibbolet?) (~12.6.)
35. P. G. Wodehouse: What Ho! The best of P. G. Wodehouse (~1.6.)
36. Reinikainen: Vammaisuuden sukupuolittuneet ja sortavat diskurssit (~25.5.)
37. Salla Simukka: Ylivalotus (13.6.)
38. Lisa See: Lumikukka ja salainen viuhka (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan)  (14.6.)
39. Louis Sachar: Takapulpetin poika (There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom)  (18.6.)
40. P.G. Wodehouse: Something Fresh (20.6.)
41. Alastair Reynolds: Ilmestysten avaruus (Revelation Space) (~18.7.)
42. Alastair Reynolds: Kuilukaupunki (Chasm City) (23.7.)
43. Niina Hakalahti: Uimataito (~10.7.)
44. Jo Walton: Farthing (~1.7.)
45. Jo Walton: Ha'penny (~ 4.7.)
46. Jo Walton: Half a Crown (~8.7.)
47. Apostolos Doxiadis: Petros-setä ja Godlbachin hypoteesi (O thios Petros kai i ikasia tu Goldbach) (~28.6.)
48. Lisa See: Pionin rakkaus (Peony in Love) (~25.6)
49. Julie Anne Peters: Luna (~30.7.)
50. Jan Guillou: Tie Jerusalemiin (Vägen till Jerusalem) (August)
51. Jan Guillou: Temppeliherra (Tempelriddaren) (August)
52. Jan Guillou: Pohjoinen valtakunta (Riket vid vägens slut) (August)
53. John Boyne: Poika raidallisessa pyjamassa (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) (September)
54. Jean Kwok: Käännöksiä (Girl in Translation) (September)
55. Jodi Picoult: Sisareni puolesta (My Sister's Keeper)
56. Varpu Vilkuna: Ripa
57. P.G. Wodehouse: Mike
58. Sapphire: Precious - harlemilaistytön tarina
59. Dostojevski: Rikos ja rangaistus (Prestuplenije i nakazanije)
60. Eduard Uspenski: Krokotiili Gena ja hänen ystävänsä (Krokodil Gena i jego druzja)
61. Kate Chopin: The Awakening
62. Vilja-Tuulia Huotarinen: Valoa valoa valoa
63. J.K: Rowling: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
64. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
65. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
66. J.K: Rowling: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
67. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
68. J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
69. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
70. Julie Anne Peters: Define "normal"
71. Stephen Fry: Hippopotamus
72. Saresma Tuija, Rossi Leena-Maija & Juvonen Tuula (ed.): Käsikirja sukupuoleen
73. Sophocles: Kuningas Oidipus (Oedipus the King)
74. Sophocles: Antigone
75. Euripides: Medeia (Medea)
76. Euripides: Bakkhantit (Bacchae)
77. William Shakespeare: Hamlet
78. William Shakespeare: Macbeth
79. Ursula Le Guin: Pimeyden vasen käsi (The Left Hand of Darkness)
80. Pauli Kallio ja Tiitu Takalo: Ottopoikia ja työläistyttöjä
81. Mikko Jylhä: Suomen käyttöopas
82. William Shakespeare: Kuningas Lear (King Lear)
83. P. G. Wodehouse: Psmith in the City
84. J.K: Rowling: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
85. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
86. Lisa See: Shanghain tytöt (Shanghai Girls)
87. Johanna Sinisalo: Enkelten verta
88. Cris Owen: Valheellinen elämäni
89. Emma Donoghue: Room
90. Emma Donoghue: Stir-fry
91. Sami Hilvo: Viinakortti
92. Helena Waris: Sudenlapset
93. Colm Tóibín: The Blackwater Lightship
94. Stephen Chbosky: The Perks of Being A Wallflower
95. Giselle Renarde:  Future Histories. Transgendered Sci-fi erotica
96. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (audiobook, read by Stephen Fry)
97. Virpi Hämeen-Anttila: Alastonkuvia 
98. Oscar Wilde: De Profundis
99. Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveller's Wife
100. Aino Malmberg: Totta ja leikkiä
101. Pirkko Saisio: Kuume

A to Ö Challenge

A to Z Challenge or A to Ö Challenge to us Finns

What: The idea is to read a book for every letter in the alphabeth. I choose to do this by authors' surnames. I might bend the rules a little if a letter is hard, and count an author that has the letter in his or her surname, instead of starting with it.
When: Year 2011
Why: It just sounds so fun. I will probably run into new authors.
My Goal: My goal is to read 29 books, with each of the author's surname beginning with a different letter. In the Finnish alphabeth we have 29 letters, that's why I'm doing 29 instead of 26. I will count re-reads for this challenge.
Reviews: Probably none here.
Prize: If I complete this, I will get a new green plant for my window sill.
List: I won't make a list beforehand, but update as I go along.

A - Armstrong, Jeannette: Slash (~25.3.)
B - Beckett. Samuel: Endgame (~6.3.)
C -
D - Donoghue, Emma: Life Mask (~15.1.)
E - Eugenides, Jeffrey: Middlesex (~24.2.)
F - Fry, Stephen: The Stars' Tennis Balls (23.1.)
G - Guène, Faïza: Hällä väliä huomisella (Kiffe kiffe demain) (~13.2.)
H - Haddon, Mark: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (3.2.)
I -
J -
K - Kay, Jackie: Trumpet (~5.3.)
L - Lukkarila, Päivä: Koitetaan kestää, Nanna (~1.3.)
M -
N - Niemi, Marjo: Miten niin valo (~8.6.)
O - Orwell, George: Animal Farm (17.2.)
P - Peters, Julie Anne: Luna (30.7.)
Q -
R - Reynolds, Alastair: Ilmestysten avaruus (Revelation Space) (~18.7.)
S - Snellman, Anja: Parvekejumalat (28.1.)
T - Turunen, Markku: Juuston pimeä puoli (9.1.)
U -
V - Verronen, Maarit: Karsintavaihe (31.1.)
W - Walker, Alice: The Color Purple (~28.3.)
X -
Y -
Z -
Å -
Ä -
Ö -

A Year of Feminist Classics

A Year of Feminist Classics

What: "A Year of Feminist Classics is a project started by Amy, Ana, Emily Jane and Iris, four book bloggers who share an interest in the feminist movement and its history. The project will work a little like an informal reading group: for all of 2011, we will each month read what we consider to be a central feminist text, with one of us being in charge of the discussion. We invite all readers to join us".
When: Year 2011
Why: Because I'm a feminist and one of my minor subjects is Gender Studies. It will be usefull to read the books, but I think it will also be fun, since this challenge allows me to discuss the classics with others.
My Goal: Has changed. Now I aim to read at least six of the books and participate in the discussion OR post a review here about all the books I read for this challenge. I realized I don't have enough time to fully participate, and I'll give myself promision to review books any time of the year, not only during the month they are discussed in the website of the challenge.
Reviews: No, but I will either post about the discussion questions here or participate in the discussion in the main blog of thss challenge.
Prize: When/if I complete this challenge, I'll buy myself a new bra.
List:
January: A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollestonecraft AND So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba - Amy
February: The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill - Ana
March: A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen - Emily
April: Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Iris
May: A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf - Ana
June: God Dies by the Nile by Nawal Saadawi - Amy
July: The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir - Iris
August: The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston - Emily
September: The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf - Amy
October: Ain’t I a Woman? by bell hooks AND Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism Anthology - Iris
November: Gender Trouble by Judith Butler - Ana
December: Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde - Emily

British Books Challenge

British Book Challenge

What: "The BBC (hee hee) is a reading challenge where bloggers sign up to read books by British writers throughout 2011. The books can be in print or out. Old or new titles. They can be from any genre and for any age."

When: Year 2011
Why: Well, the British literary tradition i s long and full of so many great books. And the button is so cool.

My Goal: I'm not a Brit, so I'm an "International Friend". I chose the category "The Royal Family", which means I'll read 12 books.

Reviews: Are not required, so I won't post reviews here, at least not many.
Prize: When/if I complete this challenge, I can download Oscar Wilde's stories read by Stephen Fry from iTunes.
List: I'll make it as I go along.
1. Stephen Fry: The Stars' Tennis Balls (23.1.)
2. Mark Haddon: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (3.2.)
3. George Orwell: Animal Farm (17.2.)
4. Jackie Kay: Trumpet (~5.3.)
5. John Fowles: The Collector (~13.3.)
6. Samuel Beckett: Endgame (~6.3.)
7. Stephen Fry: Making History (9.5.)
8. P.G. Wodehouse: What Ho! The Best of P.G. Wodehouse (~1.6.)
9. P.G. Wodehouse: Something Fresh (20.6.)
10. Alastair Reynolds: Ilmestysten avaruus (Revelation Space) (~18.7.)
11. Alastair Reynolds: Kuilukaupunki (Chasm City) (23.7.)
12. Jo Walton: Farthing (~1.7.)
13. Jo Walton: Ha'penny (~ 4.7.)
14. Jo Walton: Half a Crown (~8.7.)
15. P.G. Wodehouse: Mike
16. Shakespeare: Hamlet
17. Shakespeare: Macbeth

Back to the Classics Challenge

What: "I am constructing this challenge to encourage myself to read more Classic Literature...  you know, all those books that we want to read 'someday'.  Well, the time is now.  I hope you will join me!"
When: From January 1st to December 31st 2011.
Why: It sounds like fun, the categories are broad enough to read books I find interesting, but they encourage me to read eight books that differ from each other.
My Goal: To read the eight books, and seven of them should be books I haven't read before.
Reviews: Are not necessary, so I don't think I'll post any.
Prize: When/if I finish this, I can mooch myself any book I want to.
List: I'm not sure what I'll read, yet, but I wrote down some suggestions.

1. A Banned Book. George Orwell: Animal Farm (17.2.)
2. A Book with a Wartime Setting (George Orwell: Homage to Catalonia)
3. A Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) Winner or Runner Up. Jeffrey Eugenides: Middlesex
   
4. A Children's/Young Adult Classic (Lewis Caroll: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
5. 19th Century Classic: Dostojevski: Rikos ja rangaistus
6. 20th Century Classic: Alice Walker: The Color Purple (~28.3.)
7. A Book you think should be considered a 21st Century Classic
8. Re-Read a book from your High School/College Classes

Ireland Reading Challenge

Ireland Reading Challenge

What: "Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply."
When: From January 1st to November 30th 2011.
Why: Because I love Ireland. I have visited the country only twice, but enjoyed my both trips so much. I adore Oscar Wilde, who was Irish, and have an intrest for Irish fiction written in English.
My Goal: I chose the Kiss the Blarney Stone level, which means I'll read six books.
Reviews: If I write at least one review (and  read the six books) I can enter myself and might win a copy of Tipperary by Frank Delaney, so I'll try to review at least one of the books.
Prize: As a personal prize, when/if I complete the challenge, I'll treat myself to an Irish cider in an Irish bar of my hometown.
List: No need to list the books in advance, so I'll think of what to read late. Probably Emma Donoghue and Oscar Wilde, at least.
1. Emma Donoghue: Life Mask (~15.1.)
2. Emma Donoghue: The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits (~8.2)
3. Emma Donoghue: Stir-fry
4. Emma Donoghue: Room
5. Colm Tóibín: The Blackwater Lightship
6. Oscar Wilde: De Profundis

GLBT Challenge

GLBT Challenge

What: "The basic idea of this challenge is to read books about GLBT topics and/or by GLBT authors."
When: Year 2011
Why: Because glbt-books is the genre I long to read the most. I'm secretly planning to specialize in queer-literature in my studies, and well, I have read so many books with straight characters and romances, that a book that has gay or queer themes has a value in that only, for me at least.
My Goal: I decided to aim for 15 books.
Reviews: There is a prize drawing and you have to review books to participate in it, so I might review here some of the books I read for this challenge.
Prize: Well, there is the official drawing, and I might participate, but I'd also like to think of something I can give myself if/when I finish this challenge. I'll think of something and update this later.
List: I don't have a list yet, I think I'll make it as I go along.
1. Emma Donoghue: Life Mask (~15.1.)
2. Jeffrey Eugenides: Middlesex (~24.2.)
3. Päivi Lukkarila: Koitetaan kestää, Nanna (~1.3.) [A Finnish YA book with a main character with two moms. Not a very good book, I don't care to review it.]
4. Jackie Kay: Trumpet (~5.3.)
5. Alice Walker: The Color Purple (28.3.)
6. Julia Serano: Whipping Girl (6.5.)
7. Stephen Fry: Making History (9.5.)
8. Jo Walton: Farthing (~1.7.)
9. Jo Walton: Ha'penny (~ 4.7.)
10. Jo Walton: Half a Crown (~8.7.)11.
11. Julie Anne Peters: Luna (30.7.)
12. Vilja-Tuulia Huotarinen: Valoa valoa valoa
13. Cris Owen: Valheellinen elämäni
14. Emma Donoghue: Stir-fry
15. Sami Hilvo: Viinakortti
16. Colm Tóibín: The Blackwater Lightship
17. Stephen Chbosky: The Perks of Being A Wallflower
18. Giselle Renarde:  Future Histories. Transgendered Sci-fi erotica
19. Aino Malmberg: Totta ja tarua 

To Be Read Challenge

To Be Read Challenge

What: "Pick 12 books – one for each month of the year - that you’ve been wanting to read (that have been on your “To Be Read” list) for 6 months or longer, but haven’t gotten around to."
When: Year 2011
Why: Because it isn't very often that I actually look at my TBR-list before going to the library, and so I don't often read books from my list, although I want to.
My Goal: To read 12 books, from the original list or the alternative list, that doesn't matter.
Reviews: I don't think there'll be any here.
Prize: When I finish this, I'll take an evening off from my studies and everything and watch a movie from my "to be watched" -list, eating popcorn or candy.
List: I'm not sure if all of these have been on the list for 6 months, but I didn't add any after hearing about this challenge and that's good enough for me. And I can read the books also in Finnish, if I feel like it.


Original list
1. Anne Carson: Autobiography of Red
2. Jeffrey Eugenides: Middlesex (24.2.)
3. Mark Haddon: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (3.2.)
4. Kazuo Ishiguro: Never Let Me Go
5. Satu Koskimies: Hurmion tyttäret
6. Amin Maalouf: Samarkand
7. Marcel Proust: Swann's Way
8. Vita Sackville-West: Challenge
9. Anja Snellman: Parvekejumalat (28.1.)
10. John Boyne: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
11. Stayceyann Chin: The Other Side of Paradise
12. Tove Jansson: Nukkekaappi

Alternative list
1. Anne Carson: Eros the Bittersweet
2. Hubert Selby, Jr: Last Exit to Brooklyn
3. Rajaa al-Sanea: Girls of Riyadh (~6.6.)
4. Ellen DeGeneres: My Point... And I Do Have One
5. Juuli Niemi: Tule hyvä
6. Jodi Picoult: My Sister's Keeper (October)
7. Gary Shteyngart: Absurdistan

Take A Chance Challenge

Take A Chance Challenge

What: "The concept of the challenge is to take chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways."
When: Year 2011
Why: Because this sounded like so much fun, the ways to pick books are innovative, and I'm always up for a little adventure when it comes to books.
My Goal: To complete all the 10 challenges,which means reading 10 books.
Reviews: Are not necessary, so I probably won't post any.
Prize: When I complete this, I will buy myself some tea I haven't tried before. Plus there's a drawing to win a book of your choise from Amazon, if you complete all the challenges.
List: Here is a list of the challenges. I'll add my books for them as I start the challenges.


1: Staff  Member’s Choice: Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.
2: Loved One’s Choice: Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!) My mother recommended Jan Guillou's Tie Jerusalemiin (or Vägen till Jerusalem).
3: Blogger’s Choice: Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.
4: Critic’s Choice: Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.
5: Blurb Book: Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.
6: Book Seer Pick: Go to The Book Seer and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
7: What Should I Read Next Pick : Go to What Should I Read Next and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
8: Which Book Pick: Go to Which Book and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.
9: LibraryThing Pick: Go to LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)
10: Pick A Method: Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).

• Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
• Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
• Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.

Introducing myself

I'm a Finnish university student and this is my first year participating in reading challenges. I do try to keep this blog in English, and because I like to review my books in Finnish and post the reviews on Facebook, I won't review all the books here. But I have started to enjoy keeping this little book blog, even if it is just for myself, and I try to review at least one or two books per month. Also, feel free to ask me what I thought about a certain book, I'll tell you or translate a previous review. If you speak Finnish and wish to read my Facebook reviews, ask for the link to my FB-page. You'll have to add me to read them, though.

Since it is now Christmas, I have lots of free time and feel like signing up to several challenges. As I go along, I might realize that I can't complete all the challenges, but I plan to keep this fun and entertaining and not stress too much about completing everything.

I won't make a new post about every book I read for challenges, since I won't review them all here. I'll probably only post once in a while and mostly edit my original posts of the challenges, updating the lists of books I have read. I'll also shamelessly add books to two or even more lists if they fit several challenges, and I'll count the books I have read for my studies.

Some personal things about me: I study literature in university, play the recorder, volunteer for organizing glbtiq-friendly masses in the protestant church of my area, and live alone in a cozy flat. I don't read many mysteries, ghost-stories or anything scary. My favourite books are novels, most of them somehow either historical or to do with the different sides of human character. My favourite authors at the moment are Sarah Waters, Emma Donoghue, Oscar Wilde, Johanna Sinisalo and Donna Tartt. I'm friendly, so don't be afraid to contact me about anything!

Now I'll go and read a bit before going to sleep. I'll sign up for challenges and post here about them later this week.