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It IS the rule that if I finish a challenge, I get to start a new one. And I have kicked a few challenges to the curb lately, I have! Well, these days we are rolling in a wealth of new challenge "opportunities". What the heck am I going to do in January????? A perfect example of the latest temptation is the Shelf Discovery Challenge, hosted by Julie at Booking Mama.
Shelf Discovery is a recently-published book that seems to have taken the reading world (especially a demographic of women who were teens in the '80's) by storm. All those delicious books that formed our young, malleable minds...you know the ones...are all listed and honored in this publication. The pisser for me is that I have not yet even read the darned thing, but I've done enough research to know what nostalgic trips I'd like to take. It didn't take me long to come up with a list of 10 that I need to read between now and April 30, 2010. Here they are:
1. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret - Judy Blume
2. Wifey - Judy Blume
3. Forever - Judy Blume
4. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
5. Then Again Maybe I Won't - Judy Blume
6. A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett
7. Little House on the Praire - Laura Ingalls Wilder
8. Summer of My German Soldier - Bette Greene
9. Flowers in the Attic - V.C. Andrews
10. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
It will be interesting to see if the books measure up to the big, larger-than-life monstrosities that live in my memories. My mom did recently discover my ORIGINAL Margaret book, with the back cover torn off from being passed around to all my friends, with yellowed pages. I read it, then my daughter read it, and it was absolutely wonderful. I knew the thing, even this many years later, almost line by line. For this purpose, though, I will read it again.
It will be interesting to see if the books measure up to the big, larger-than-life monstrosities that live in my memories. My mom did recently discover my ORIGINAL Margaret book, with the back cover torn off from being passed around to all my friends, with yellowed pages. I read it, then my daughter read it, and it was absolutely wonderful. I knew the thing, even this many years later, almost line by line. For this purpose, though, I will read it again.
I need this challenge like I need the swine flu, but I just can't pass it up. Come on, join me on this one. Grab your flashlights and read under the covers. It will be just like old times!
19 comments:
Sandy, you amaze me! You are the ultimate reading challenge queen!
I've read a few of these even though I (obviously) wasn't a teen in the '80s. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9. I have A Wrinkle in Time on my bookshelf, so maybe I'll read that one soon.
This one should be a lot of fun - good luck!
I'm in this one too!!!!
Oh come on -- swine flu???? I am so glad that you joined us! This is going to be so much fun. And I love that you came up with 10 books. I wrote down six but I know I'll end up reading more. All of them look so good!
You are amazing! I read #s 4, 6, and 10. (and no, I wasn't a teenager in the eighties either) A Little Princess remains a beloved favorite. But Wrinkle in Time had to wait for the arrival of the CS, and I was sorry I had missed it the first time. Enjoy your trip along the nostalgia shelf!!
I've read all of those too - except maybe Wifey - I don't think I remember that one.
I'm wrapping up a re-read of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - that would fit your list perfectly.
A Little Princess and The Secret Garden were two others I remember fondly but little details. I need to re-read those. Look forward to what your review holds for A Little Princess.
I'm doing this one too! I've read one book already and bought three more for it yesterday.
Cool! I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Wifey!
Susan - no reason for amazement. Maybe pity that I have no self control. Goals are a good thing for me though! We will see if I finish it!
JoAnn - It is like a grand experiment. I may read these books and think "what the hell did I like about this book?".
Beth - I know, I think you were one of the first temptresses, as you usually are. I have alot of challenges on my plate because of you!
Julie - well, you know! I didn't want to say "I need this like a hole in the head", so just to be different that was all I could think of!!!! I did go by the bookstore today to look at the list and I found one more book that I need to add...Ghosts I Have Been. I read that one about 10 times!
ds - I am counting on the fact that most of these books are in my library and are very short. Maybe I'll just go on a reading binge for a week or two and try to knock them out!
Bumbles - all I know is that A Little Princess is one of my favorite movies as well, so I will have to throw in some cinematic commentary as well!
Kathy - yes, you and Beth got me into this one. It is going to be so much fun!
Amy - strangely, I know I read it but can't remember much about it. I'm sure it will all come flooding back!
You know, I've never actually read any Judy Blume! But recently I acquired Forever via Bookmooch. Partially, I confess, because the controversy made me curious, but also because lots of YA authors today cite it as an influence. I have a feeling it won't seem quite as scandalous as it did then!
Good luck with the challenge!
I haven't started on the reading yet, but I couldn't resist this challenge either (and I've been so good at avoiding reading challenges!).
How could this challenge NOT be fun! I am thinking about re-reading AYTGIMM and I need to read A Wrinkle in Time for the first read.
Wow, talk about a walk down memory lane as I read your list. I loved Judy Blume and the V.C Andrews books were some of my favorites as a pre-teen and teenager...class of 81 rules...ha!
I read most of these books Sandy, and I didn't read them I have friends whoi did. I cannot to hear what you think! You'll definitely have fun with this challenge!
What a fun challenge. And it sounds like a wonderful book, too.
Have fun, Sandy!
I can't take on another challenge although I really wanted to...
Wow, 10! At least if you get behind in challenges you can drop this back down to only the required 6 and you'll feel ahead of the game.
I love seeing everybody's choices for this one!
I have read 1, 3, 7, 9 and 10, and will have to check out your others. I have been afraid to re-read some of my childhood faves for fear they won't measure up to how I remember them.
Talk about a trip down memory lane! I remember finding "Wifey" on a bookshelf at the house where I was babysitting and being so scandalized that they had it ... like I had some dirt on them!
I'm so afraid to revisit books from my youth for fear that they will become tarnished if I read them with my "adult" eyes and mind.
Have fun with this!!!
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