My Back-to-School Classic Challenge went so well that I started thinking about other ideas for November. I was all set to go with a Non-Fiction Challenge until I stumbled upon Kailana's recent blog entry for a challenge geared to Canada's Remembrance Day. Sassymonkey has also mentioned an interest and has posted a list here. Since I have dual citizenship, I can honor both countries on Remembrance Day and Veteran's Day. Keeping with my goal to read what I already own, I searched through all my bookcases and came up with the following (ok, I cheated - I'm going to buy one that's on the list, but I'd been planning to for a few weeks. Honest!):
1. Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
2. Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War by Sebastian Faulks
3. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien FINISHED A+
4. Pastoral by Nevil Shute
5. Night Watch by Sarah Waters FINISHED A-
6. Obsaban by Joy Kogawa FINISHED C
7. Land Girls by Angela Huth FINISHED B+
8. In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason
9. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe
10. Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
11. A Day of Infamy by Walter Lord
12. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher
13. A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot
Most of these are fiction, either dealing with a particular war (WWI, WWII or Vietnam) or set during that time period. I'm hoping to branch out a little bit and read the few non-fiction works I've selected, but my first choice has always been toward novels, so we shall see. I don't expect to read all 13 in one month, but I hope to make it through at least half.
Les, I'm your Canadian half sister. I think. Does it count if your mother is Canadian? At any rate, I'm ashamed to say I've only HEARD of, not even coming close to OWNING, A Day of Infamy and Coming Home. I do love Rosamund Pilcher, and you will be all the wiser for reading such historical books. Happy Remembrance Day! B.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how did you come to the States? And, do you pronounce your "o" funny like I do? :)
You've got one of my favorite books in there - A Very Long Engagement. So beautiful. Good luck on your challenge!
ReplyDeleteWow, very ambitious! Of the ones that I have read, they were good, so I assume your whole list is good. Hope you don't have to cook Thanksgiving Dinner (do you celebrate both Thanksgivings?) if you plan to read all of those in a month.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list--I look forward to hearing about what you think of them! I wish I could do this challenge, but I am trying to catch up with my own books! Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge and a great list, too! Living in Canada as I do, I would have loved to have joined in but I am struggling to make time to read these days and it's only going to get worse as the holiday season approaches, but I'll be waiting to read about your progress,Les! :)
ReplyDeleteso glad that you are joining in!
ReplyDeleteBellezza, I knew we just had to be related somehow! ;) If I remember correctly, your mom is Canadian and your dad American, right? It's just the opposite for me. Oh, well. We're definitely kindred spirits, eh? ;) And, no, I don't think I pronounce my "o's" funny. We left Canada when I was a youngster (I'll have to check with my mom, but I think I was around 5). Moved to Northern California and eventually Southern Cal.
ReplyDeleteIliana, I'm looking forward to A Very Long Engagement. I plan to rent the movie once I've read the book. Have you seen it? Is it worthwhile?
Danielle, I almost need these challenges to keep myself motivated to read the books on my shelves and stay out of the library! Have you read any of these? Any you can recommend over another? I know I can't read all in one month, but I'll give it my best effort. I've already started in on The Things They Carried and will easily finish it tomorrow. Incredible book!
Lotus, I know I won't get much reading done in December, so this is my last push of the year. I'm off to a great start, so who knows, I may just get the whole lot read by the 30th.
Kailana, I'm glad I discovered your blog entry! Great idea for a challenge. I love reading anything set during WWII and, so far, am enjoying my current read about Vietnam (although "enjoy" sounds wrong).
Di, what have you read from my list? I'm open to suggestions and recommendations. We only celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving and at this point, I'm not sure what we're doing. I love to cook, so it won't bother me if I have to take a break from my books to prepare a turkey dinner.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check into these books. They sound really good. I look forward to reading your reviews.
ReplyDeleteLes, have you ever read Paullina Simons? I just read The Bronze Horseman by her and it was a really good World War II novel set in Russia. I can't remember who said they read it on my blog anymore. (Early morning, not a morning person)
ReplyDeleteGosh. The only one I've read is Obasan, although I'll be getting Night Watch once it's out in paperback. Otherwise I've seen the films of Schindler's List and A Very Long Engagement. The film for AVLG has great cinematography, especially the opening war scene. Definitely recommended!
ReplyDeleteFramed, I've already read one (The Things They Carried) and it was great! Gave it an A+. I should have a review up in a few days. My hubby's re-reading the book and I don't want to interrupt his reading to look up passages, etc.
ReplyDeleteKailana, nope. I've never even heard of Paulina Simons. I'll check out the blurb on Amazon, though. Thanks for the recommendation.
Nat, I've just started Obasan. As I recall, it was a favorite of Kathleen's at Book Spot and it's been in my stacks ever since. I'm having a little difficulty getting interested, but it may just be a case of not spending enough time in one sitting. BTW, I got Night Watch in paperback last week. I can't wait to read it!
This is a great list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LK. And thanks for stopping by. I need to check out your blog. One can never have too many blogs to read, right?
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