Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Two More Challenges!

I need more challenges like a need a whole in my head, but I am signing up for them anyway! I really should cut myself off after this because I haven't been reading so much the last part of the year, but we will see what happens!

The Essay Reading Challenge 2010

Here are the basics:

~ Join anytime, but don’t start reading until January 1, 2010. The challenge ends November 30, 2010.
~ If you read a book of essays, that book can also apply to any other challenges you are working on.
~ Choose a goal of reading 10, 20, or 30 essays, and then write a challenge post, linking back to this post. Feel free to copy and paste the above image into your challenge post.
~ Copy your challenge post’s link into Mr. Linky below.
~ You don’t have to list your essays ahead of time – just have fun reading throughout the year.
~ I will put up a page for the challenge in my left sidebar, and add a Mr. Linky for essay reviews and wrap-up posts as the year goes on.
~ Everyone who completes the challenge and writes at least one review will be eligible for the giveaway prize: A copy of Best American Essays 2010.
~ New for 2010: You can earn extra credit – and an extra entry in the giveaway – by writing an essay of your own and leaving the link at the challenge page.
~ I will put up a wrap-up and giveaway post sometime early in December – that’s why the challenge only runs through November.

I am going to aim for 10 essays. I have no idea what yet, but I will add this challenge to my sidebar!

Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon (16 essays)
Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon (39 essays)

Graphic Novels Challenge 2010

So - rules and guidelines:
  • The challenge starts on January 1st 2010 and ends on December 31st (but we don't mind you starting early.)
  • You don't have to make a list beforehand (but you can, of course! Lists are great because they give ideas to people who aren't sure what to read. And if you do make one, don't feel forced to stick to it!)
  • We simplified the levels of participation: you can be a Beginner (3 Comics or Graphic Novels), Intermediate (3-10) or an Expert (10+). You're more than free to adjust your level of participation after the challenge has begun.
  • There will be mini-challenges! Look for a post with more info on that soon.
  • Overlaps with other challenges are totally fine.
I did this challenge this year and read a LOT of them! I am sure I can handle 10+, but since I don't want to stress myself out next year I am just going to go with 10.

1. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs
2. Amulet - Book One: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
3. Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere by Mike Carey & Glenn Fabry
4. Dracula Adapted by Michael Mucci, Ben Caldwell, and BIll Halliar
5. Black is for Beginnings by Laurie Faria Stolarz
6. The Baby-Sitters Club: A Graphic Novel - Kristy's Great Idea (Book 1) by Raina Telemeier
7. Jack of Fables: Book Five - Turning Pages by Bill Willingham
8. Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle
9. Redwall: The Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques
10. Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Death and Dementia Illustrated by Gris Grimly
11. The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert
12. Outlaw: The Legend of of Robin Hood by Tony Lee
13. The Unwritten - Volume 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity by Mike Carey and Peter Gross
14. Jack of Fables - Volume 6 - The Big Book of War by Bill Willingham
15. Fables - Volume 13 - The Great Fables Crossover by Bill Willingham
16. Courtney Crumrim - Volume 1 - The Night Things by Ted Naifeh
17. Bone - Volume 4: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith
18. I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly & JM Ken Niimura
19. Bone - Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border (Volume 5) by Jeff Smith
20. The Muppet Show Comic Book: Meet the Muppets by Roger Langridge
21. Stitches: A memoir by David Small
22. Mercury by Hope Larson
23. Bone - Old Man's Cave by Jeff Smith (Book 6)
24. Bone - Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith (Book 7)
25. Jack of Fables Volume 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack by Bill Willingham
26. Bone - Volume 8 - Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith
27. Bone - Volume 9: Crown of Horns by Jeff Smith
28. Fables - Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson

11 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're joining us - watch for my Sunday Salon post this week - I'm going to post a list of suggested essay collections for challenge participants.

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  2. Good Luck! I have signed up for more than is good for me but I am trying to have lots of overlap.

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  3. Good lord. I look in your sidebar and see that you've read 364 books. That is more books that days of the YEAR! My tiny little 50 or so pales in comparison. So, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Besides, like I told Michelle earlier this week. It's a chance to broaden out your reading. I get in such a rut sometimes. I need this.

    Good luck. I'm sure I'll be joining too!

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  4. Good luck!

    I think I will end up adding these to my challenge roster as I did them both this year and actually finished them, which is quite unusual for me!

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  5. good luck with your new challenges!

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  6. Anonymous6:10 PM

    I am trying to reach you by email and I am having a heck of a time. I apologize for trying to reach you through this forum. I have a book that I would like you to consider reading. My website is www.kathleengrissom.com where you can learn more about the book and about me. If you are interested I would love to hear from you.
    Thank you,
    Kathleen

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  7. I'm doing the graphic novel challenge as well, no way I can resist that!

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  8. just want to wish you a very merry christmas Kelly! I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

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  9. Good luck! I've been meaning to read that Mercy graphic novel myself.

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  10. Anonymous5:58 PM

    I just read a graphic novel which I'm reviewing for a tour, and I must admit: despite my great respect for you, Carl and Chris, I don't get it! I don't see the joy in graphic novels, and I'm ashamed to admit it. When I put up my review for this book in a few weeks, please enlighten me as to the wonder of this genre because there must be something I'm missing.

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  11. I need to read more essays myself -- and I definitely am going to sign up for the GN challenge. I enjoy all that I read!

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