Monday, July 28, 2008

2 Challenges Finished; 1 New Challenge

While I'm waiting for J. Scott Savage to get back to me with brillant answers to my dull questions for Farworld: Water Keep, I thought I'd waste some time and post about my challenge accomplishments (and temptation). Stay tuned for the review of Water Keep AND a giveaway of a copy of the book!!











In Their Shoes Challenge Finished!

I loved Joy's Non-Fiction Five Challenge so much last year that I jumped on the chance to read even more non-fiction--this time my favorite kind--memoirs and autobiographies. Although each was very different, the only one I hated didn't like was A Million Little Pieces. Don't ask for my rhyme or rhythm to rating these--I've found it incredibly difficult to give ratings to some of the non-fiction memoirs I've read this year. So, I didn't. :)

A Rumor of War (4/5)
Anne Frank Remembered (NR)
Tender at the Bone (4.25/5)
A Million Little Pieces (1.5/5)
A Long Way Gone (NR)
Angela's Ashes (3/5)

Southern Reading Challenge Finished!

I generally love Southern Literature, so not sure what happened here. Maggie was really concerned about me ending on a low note (Welcome to the World), but I'll always be a big fan of Southern Lit and I ain't givin' up on it yet!

All the King's Men (3.5/5)
Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! (3/5)
Mother of Pearl (4/5)



I must be crazy crazy crazy joining this challenge as it pushes me to the brink and won't allow for much wiggle room until the end of the year, but I couldn't resist. I was so sad I missed Bellezza's challenge last year that I rearraged some of my current lists to squeeze in three more books:

Kafka on the Shore - Murakami
Snow Country - Kawabata
Mistress Oriku: Stories from a Tokyo Teahouse - Kawaguchi

Anyone read any of these? I took Snow Country from CJ's list last year and really wanted to read The Woman in the Dunes, but I couldn't find a used copy (Trish is about to go on a strict book budget *pouts*).

*Edited: I love this Japanese Challenge already! I won the first prize pack this morning from Dear Bellezza. Check it out: Prize Pack

So, Yay for challenges!! What challenges are you finding it hard to resist right now??

17 comments:

Stephanie said...

The Japanese Reading Challenge is going to be fun!! I love your choices. I had such a hard time deciding on WHICH Murakami book to read. I'm excited to see your review of Kafka on the Shore. It's one that I actually have here to read someday.

Congrats on finishing not one, but 2 challenges!! Tres cool!

CJ said...

Hey, Trish, email me at cinjinn at hotmail dot com...

cjh

CJ said...

Oh, and at the moment, I'm having no trouble resisting all my challenges...

Hopefully that will change soon!

cjh

Debi said...

Oh man, everyone seems to be finishing up challenges left and right these days...well, everyone except me, that is. Congrats! Looks like a pile of good books got read there, huh? I'm excited about the Japanese Lit Challenge, too...a totally new world for me.

Ana S. said...

Congrats on your finished challenges! And don't worry, at least you're not alone in your craziness. I loved Kafka on the Shore. I hope you do too!

Unknown said...

Two challenges done! Congratulations!

I also loved Kafka on the Shore. My review is here:

http://readywhenyouarecb.blogspot.com/2008/04/kafka-on-shore-by-haruki-murakami.html

But if I had to choose, I think I liked Wind-up Bird Chronicle more, don't ask me to explain why. Marukami is very hard to explain but lots of fun.

Anonymous said...

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Stephanie said...

All of them! I want to participate in them all, but it's my own personal goal to get at least a LARGE portion of my TBR list tackled. I'm close to finishing what my home library has, then I'll move on to the next closest library and what they have out of my list, which is surprising a lot.

After the list is at least somewhat more manageable, THEN I'll start participating in challenges! LOL

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Stephanie - slowly but surely I'm finishing these challenges. Unless I read The Road soon, I probably won't finish with another for a while. I'm really looking forward to the Japanese challenge as well!

*CJ - A big fat smile from me to you :D

*Debi - I haven't really read any Japanese Lit, so I'm looking forward to the challenge (and have been for a while). You'll finish those challenges! Yay Debi, You Can Do It! How's that for cheerleading you on??

*Nymeth - I haven't heard *anything* about Kafka on the Shore, so I'm glad to hear you loved it! And it helps a lot to know that I'm not alone in this craziness.

*CB - Thanks for the link--as I said to Nymeth I haven't heard anything about the book, so two loves is great!

*Stephanie - Well, my dear, this is my secret--put those TBR books onto the challenge lists! I've actually found that it is a great way to read some of those pesky books that I've been ignoring for a while. Now I ignore all the other books on my shelf that I'd like to read. If I *really* want to read a book, I usually try to figure out how to put it on a challenge list. :) Pure insanity...

Laura said...

At least you are finishing challenges before beginning new ones! I hope you aren't starting your book buying budget untill after the book sale tomorrow!

The prize pack looks like so much fun! You are only allowed to eat/drink that stuff when you are reading for the challenge! ;) just kidding...

Jeanette said...

I am impressed by the number of challenges you sign up for and complete. I am not very good at the challenges because I never stick to the lists I make.
I left a little something for you on my blog today. Check it out when you get a chance.

Bellezza said...

I could probably send you Woman In The Dunes when I finish it if you want (and promise to stop pouting :). I have a used copy which is rather tattered in condition, but I'd be glad to share the joy when I finish it. Let me know if you want it on my gmail address.

Oh, and congratulations again. You well deserve the treats!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Laura - Ha ha--that's true. Although, I'm afraid it will be a while before I finish another. And yes, of course the book diet starts after tomorrow. I can't wait!

*Jeanette - Thank you dear!!! I'm glad you're back from your blogging hiatus. :) I've been a little more lax with the challenges this year because I started to get too stressed last year. I have changed out a few books, but oh well!

*Bellezza - Thank you for your offer!! I sent you an email in regard to the book. I've been on a book buying frenzy lately, so I'll have to stop for a while--of course then comes the birthday, then Christmas so I'm sure I'll be fine. No more pouting... :)

Vasilly said...

Congratulations on finishing both challenges.

Thoughts of Joy said...

Congratulations, congratulation and congratulations! (2 completed challenges and winning the prize pack)

Woo Hoo! What a happy day! :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*N.Vasillis - Thanks! I need to come by the In Their Shoes challenge and make a post with my reads, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Thanks for the great challenge!!

*Joy - Very happy day!! It always makes me feel better about adding another challenge when I can cross a few others off the list. :) And I can't wait to indulge in some Japanese candy--hopefully it doesn't melt in the heat when it gets here. It was 105 yesterday (yuck!!).

maggie moran said...

Congrats! I've been away for weeks and am now catching up on challenger's blogs! If you haven't already, do sign-up on the wrap-up! :D I'll be giving away an autographed southern book! :)