Elaine's Personal Challenge
As my family, friends and Kindred Spirits know, I am addicted to Victorian and earlier literature and spend most of my reading time in this time zone. I do occasionally venture into the 21st century, but soon scurry back to my cosy corner.
My mother, who at 94 is as sharp as a tack, has kept her mind lively and interesting by trying new things, even now when she could put her feet up and watch TV and do very little, which most of the inmates in her sheltered housing do. In the last two years she has taken up water colour painting and has done very well and finds it stimulating and, at the same time, relaxing. Last month she informed me blithely 'Oh the old keep fit woman we had has moved away and the new one is starting next week - she's going to teach us line dancing'. Yes, that's right line dancing and this from a woman whose next Big Birthday will be 100.
This preamble is an explanation for the Challenge I have set myself for 2007. If my mother can try something new, then so should I so I have decided to try and read one 'modern' novel each month. My idea of modern is probably a little more lax than others so I have decided to pin myself down and say it must be a book written since 2000. I am deliberately boxing myself in otherwise I know I shall fail.
Though this is my challenge, I need your help and my challenge to all you lovely blogging people out there, is to suggest and recommend books that you think are wonderful, brilliant, whatever and post them here for me to look at. Obviously, if there are some that you think need to be on my list prior to 2000 then I would be daft to ignore it. If anybody thinks I am setting myself too narrow a field, then please do say so as I need help on this one.
Once I have a list I will choose a book from that list to read each month depending entirely on its availability etc. I know from past experience that making too stringent a timetable of reading is going to fail and I really want to succeed at this.
So, please everybody - help and I look forward to hearing from you. Let Elaine's Personal Challenge (EPC) commence!
Oooh, fun! Your mother is such an inspiration and I think you've chosen a very fitting tribute to her spirit.
I'll think on this more and get back to you... Considering I'm another fan of the Victorians, but do read a goodly number of contemporary stuff, hopefully I can come up with some suggestions for you.
Posted by:Bluestalking Reader | 04 January 2007 at 03:13 PM
Elaine - I've had three books published since August 2005 so they should fit your challenge. All have been reviewed by Bookcrossers so you can read their comments on their site. Please send me your address if you'd like to try one. The titles are 'Toppling Miss April'
The Jigsaw Maker' and 'Soft Voices Whispering'.
Posted by:Adrienne Dines | 04 January 2007 at 03:35 PM
Adrienne - you are never going to believe this in a month of Sundays but I have a copy of your book the Jigsaw Maker in my bag ready to read!!!!! Talk about serendipity. Thanks for dropping by and giving me your suggestions and I will revert with my thoughts in due course
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 04 January 2007 at 04:21 PM
Elaine, a quick look through my reading lists of the last few years reminds me of three books I thought stood out which you might consider: William Trevor's "The Story of Lucy Gault", "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks and "Peace like a river" by Leif Enger. Any use?
(They don't have to have contemporary settings, do they?)
Posted by:Karen | 04 January 2007 at 06:18 PM
Karen - I hadn't really thought of the settings, I just feel I need to try some new authors who are not DEAD!!! thanks for your recommendations. I will be starting my little list soon
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 04 January 2007 at 07:58 PM
Not wishing to tempt providence on the life expectancy of these authors I think off the top of my head you might enjoy The Secret River by Kate Grenville,A Blade of Grass by Lewis Desoto,An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (pre 2000)for starters.
Posted by:dovegreyreader | 04 January 2007 at 08:08 PM
thank you Lynne - keep the suggestions rolling in!
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 04 January 2007 at 08:11 PM
As Meat Loves Salt - Maria McCann; Miss Garnett's Angel - Salley Vickers; The God of Small Things - Arundhati Roy (1997, so just out of scope, but you might sneak it in?) Absolutely anything by Niall Williams for the sheer beauty of the language.
Lucky you - wish I still had all those to read for the first time.
Posted by:Carol | 04 January 2007 at 08:59 PM
Carol - thank you and welcome to my blog. It is always good to meet new visitors - how did you find me?
I have read Miss Garnett's Angel and loved it and have had the God of Small Things in my mind for ages and others have also recommended Niall Williams. I will be making a main list soon and will post it and then we shall see how I get on
Do drop in again
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 04 January 2007 at 10:22 PM
If you want to spend half the time in Victorian England, how about Possesion by A S Byatt? It's one of my favourite books, and to be honest I'd be surprised if you haven't already read it, but I would start there and ease yourself in to the 20th century gently.
Posted by:Lyn Baines | 04 January 2007 at 11:53 PM
Lyn - I have read it!! Loved it and then tried more of her books and came to a grinding halt with the next two I tried, totally bogged down in wordiness. But at least I read one...
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 05 January 2007 at 09:28 AM
I'm glad to see others have found AS Byatt to be wordy and uneven, save of course for Possession. I was feeling inadequate until I read that.
I also like Ian McEwan's books very much, and I can't recall if you've read any of his? I liked Atonement pretty well, as well as Enduring Love. Both verge on Barbara Vine territory in that they're somewhat dark. Oh, and Jennifer Lash's Blood Ties is stellar, speaking of dark books. Gorgeous writing. I'd recommend that one VERY highly indeed.
Still thinking...
Posted by:Bluestalking Reader | 05 January 2007 at 08:39 PM
What an incredible response I have had both on and off blog. I will be spending the weekend compiling a list from which I shall read 12, one a month over 2007. I am setting myself a very low target, not even saying two a month, to make sure that I stick with this. I am also taking the Classics Challenge which is five Classics over the next two months so that will balance out nicely. My OU course finishes at the end of January and then I think I am just going to spend the rest of the year carrying out this plan.
Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. Keep them coming!
Posted by:Elaine Simpson-Long | 05 January 2007 at 11:23 PM
A S Byatt is a bit of an acquired taste. I've also read the Frederica books which chronicle the life of F from the 50s to mid 70s, I think, but in every one, there was a terribly wordy part to get through before the story picked up again. ASB is very clever, and the reader must know it! I'd also second Bluestalking's recommendation of Ian McEwan. Atonement and The Child in Time are just superbly written and totally involving. I couldn't get into Saturday, but his new book out soon,On Chesil Beach, sounds wonderful. Carol Shields is also another favourite. Mary Swann and The Republic of Love would be my choices to start, but I've loved all her books.
Posted by:Lyn Baines | 06 January 2007 at 12:24 AM
ooh what a fun challenge.
Some contemporary books i have enjoyed and would recommend: margaret atwood's blind assasin (2000). Yan Martel's Life of Pi (2002). I also liked McEwan's Amsterdam though that wouldnt count for your challenge, since was published in 1998.
Posted by:rara_avis | 08 February 2007 at 02:25 AM