This post has become a bit unwieldy, so I have moved it to its own page.  Go here for a more recently updated list.


While I am plunging back into my blog life, I have decided (advisedly) to join a couple of challenges as well.  Now, I am well aware that it is my wont to overindulge in challenges, thus making keeping up with them both a duty and an impossibility rather than a pleasure.  But (on the other hand) I do enjoy a good challenge so much when I can keep up with it, and it is the best way to stay in touch with the broad lit-blogging community.

So I have decided to start off with a couple of challenges that are wonderfully broadly conceived, and are in keeping with where my reading seems to be trending anyway.  Both are hosted by J. Kaye.

The first is 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, which will (I hope) give me permission to do as much reading as I like without feeling guilty about it.  It is, after all, for a noble purpose.

The rules are as follows:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Library books, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

Once 2010 and the Challenge begin, I will post my progress here.

Click here if you would like to join the 100+ Reading Challenge.

My progress to date (Original Post was 11/23/09, links are to my reviews):

1. Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden (1996, Australia) ***1/2, finished January 4. 
2. Reckless by Amanda Quick (1992, USA) **, finished January 4.
3. More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (2000, Canada) **1/2, finished January 6.
4. The Indiscretion by Judith Ivory (2001, USA) ***1/2, finished January 9.
5. Untie my Heart by Judith Ivory (2002, USA) ***1/2, finished January 10.
   
6. Look Back in Anger by John Osborne (1956, UK) ***1/2, finished January 11.
7. Lady Elizabeth's Comet by Sheila Simonson (2008, USA) ***, finished January 11.
8. Agamemnon by Aeschylus (458 BCE, Athens) ****1/2, finished January 12.
9. Angel in a Red Dress by Judith Ivory (1988, USA) ***, finished January 13.
10. Lord Ruin by Carolyn Jewel (2002, USA) *1/2, finished January 17.
11. Oedipus the King by Sophocles (c. 428 BCE, Athens) ****, finished January 18.
12. The Caretaker by Harold Pinter (1959, UK) ***1/2, finished January 18.
13. Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (USA) **1/2, finished January 18.
14. The Wild Child by Mary Jo Putney (1999, USA) ***, finished January 21.
15. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard (1967, UK) *****, finished January 25.
16. The Bacchae by Euripides (406 BCE, Athens) ****, finished January 25.
    
17. The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe (2009, USA) **1/2 , finished January 25.
18. The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost (2004, USA/Holland) ***, finished February 1.
19. What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton (1967, UK) ***1/2, finished February 1.
20. Lysistrata by Aristophanes (411 BCE, Athens) ***1/2, finished February 2.
21. The Proposition by Judith Ivory (1999, USA) ***1/2, finished February 6.
22. Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished February 7.
23. Equus by Peter Shaffer (1973, UK) ***, finished February 8.
24. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory (1998, USA) ***1/2, finished February 10.
25. Eyton by Lynne Connolly (2010, USA) *, finished February 12.
26. Ember by Bettie Sharpe (2008, USA) ****, finished February 13.
27. 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick (2007, USA) ****, finished February 13.
28. Everyman (15th C, England) ***1/2, finished February 15.
29. Top Girls by Caryl Churchill (1982, UK) ****, finished February 16.
30. Black Ice by Anne Stuart (2005, USA) **1/2, finished February 16.
31. Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole (2008, USA) **, finished February 17.
32. The Rebellious Ward by Joan Wolf (1984, USA) ***1/2, finished February 17.
33. The Double Deception by Joan Wolf (1983, USA) **1/2, finished February 19.
34. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811, UK) ****, finished February 22.  
35. To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney (1995, USA) ***, finished February 23.
36. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (2004, USA) ***, finished February 23.
37. Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker (1988, UK) ***1/2, finished March 1.
38. The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal (2006, USA) **1/2, finished March 1.
39. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (1590-1593, England) ***, finished March 3. 
40. Pentecost by David Edgar (1995, UK) ****, finished March 10. 
41. A London Season by Joan Wolf (1980, USA) **1/2, finished March 10. 
42. Sabriel by Garth Nix (1995, Australia) ***, finished March 12. 
43. A Gypsy at Almack's by Chloe Cheshire (1993, USA) ***1/2, finished March 12. 
44. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell (2008, USA) ***, finished March 13.  
45. Like a Thief in the Night by Bettie Sharpe (2008, USA) **1/2, finished March 14. 
46. Fuenteovejuna by Lope de Vega (~1614, Spain) ***, finished March 15.
47. Copenhagen by Michael Frayn (1998, UK) ****1/2, finished March 15.
48. Celia's Secret by Michael Frayn and David Burke (2001, UK) ***1/2, finished March 17.
49. Dark Angel by Mary Balogh (1994, Canada) ***, finished March 19.
50. Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh (1995, Canada) **1/2, finished March 20. 
51. 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane (1999, UK) ****1/2, finished March 22. 
52. Bliss by Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas (1995, USA) ****, finished March 23.
53. House by Alan Ayckbourn (2000, UK) ***1/2, finished March 25.
54. Tartuffe by Molière (1664-9, France) ***1/2, finished March 29.
55. Garden by Alan Ayckbourn (2000, UK) ***1/2, finished March 29. 
56. The Scottish Lord by Joan Wolf (1981, USA) **1/2, finished April 3. 
57. Incredible Change-Bots by Jeffrey Brown (2007, USA) ***, finished April 3.
58. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (2008, UK) ****, finished April 3.
59. Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth (2009, UK) ****, finished April 5.
60. Phaedra by Jean Racine (1677, France) ****, finished April 5.
61. Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri (2009, USA) ***, finished April 12.
62. Mind Games by Carolyn Crane (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished April 14.
63. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare (2009, USA) ***, finished April 15.
64. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (2008, USA) ***, finished April 16.
65. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin (2008, UK) ***1/2, finished April 20. 
66. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (2008, Australia) ****, finished April 21.
67. Wicked all Day by Liz Carlyle (2009) **1/2, finished May 5.
68. The Gilded Web by Mary Balogh (Wales/Canada, 1989) **1/2, finished Mary 8.
69. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (1995, USA) ***, finished May 16.
70. The Best of Saki by Saki (1904/1910/1911/1914/1923, UK) ****, finished May 24.
71. Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished May 27.
72. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008, UK/USA) ***1/2, finished May 30.
73. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991, USA) **1/12, finished June 9.
74. Pyongyang by Guy Delisle (2003, Canada) ***1/2, finished June 16.
75. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (2010, USA) **, finished June 16.