Challenges

Despite the fact that I can't seem to meet the challenges I set for myself, I usually do fairly well with challenges that other people create.

So, in addition to the 50 Book Challenge, I'll be doing the Chunky isn't always Bad challenge (one "chunky" book per quarter), starting with Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Yeah, so I haven't actually gotten around to starting that yet. I've read three other books though that qualify). I'll also be doing the Sweet and Simple challenge (read twelve young adult novels, one per month). I actually think I've already read a young adult book (January, I think), so yay! I'm off to a great start.

ETA:

All right! I've read two young adult novels so far in 2008!

First was The Luxe, which I was sadly disappointed by. I wanted it to be more Gossip Girls-TV show, not boring characters who were stereotyped in the first chapter. You had the good-girl rich girl, the rebellious-rich girl, the scandalous-rich girl, the nice-guy rich guy, the bad-boy-with-heart rich boy, the poor boy, the poor girls, and the parents. I really, really thought this novel would be more fun, more engaging, but it wasn't. I see that there will be a sequel, but I'm going to pass.

Second was Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters, which was much more enjoyable. Cornelia is the only child of famous (and divorced) pianists, who spends her time either being ignored by her classmates, the pawn of her classmates' parents (who want to be introduced to her constantly touring mother), or alone in her room, reading her dictionaries. That all changes when Virginia Somerset moves in next door and proceeds to introduce Cornelia to the other Somerset sisters through Virginia's stories about their travels around the world. In the end, Cornelia doesn't only meet the world and the audacious Somerset sisters, but through Virginia's stories, she meets her mother, and finally, herself. This book was so much more engaging than The Luxe; I really got a sense of Cornelia's isolation from everyone and why she clung to words the way she does.

Third, well...I don't really have a list planned yet, but I think that I'll be reading The Ruby in the Smoke next. That's my tentative plan, anyway. Either way, March's book will be the first I'll link to and submit for the challenge.