18th and 19th Century Women Writers Reading Challenge

I signed up for this challenge today. Here are the rules:

18th and 19th Women Writers Reading Challenge
Hosted by Becky of Becky’s Book Reviews
Minimum 2 books;
All of 2010

Read books written by women authors that were written and/or published between 1700 and 1900. Contemporary historical books set in this time period do not count towards this challenge! The challenge is to encourage you to read some classics.

Books read for this challenge (updated 8 April 2010 – I have now read enough books to satisfy the minimum requirements of the challenge)

1. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
2. The Doctor’s Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Year of the Historical: A 2010 Reading Challenge


I’ve signed up for another challenge! I’m looking forward to this one as I love all kinds of historical fiction.

This challenge runs from January 1st 2010 – December 31st 2010 and the idea is to read at least one historical fiction book per month for a total of 12 books.

See the challenge post at Lurv A La Mode to find out more.

Books read for this challenge (updated March 30th 2010)

1. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
2. The Divine Sacrifice by Tony Hays
3. The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
4. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
5. In a Far Country by Linda Holeman
6. O, Juliet by Robin Maxwell

New Author Challenge 2010

This challenge is hosted by Literary Escapism. The idea is to read books by authors that you’ve never tried before.

The challenge runs from January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010.

You can choose either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. I’m going to try 15.

My list of authors (updated 15th April 2010):

1. Dimitri Verhulst
2. CS Richardson
3. Tony Hays
4. Betsy Connor Bowen
5. Anne Bronte
6. Willy Vlautin
7. Melanie Benjamin
8. Tamara Allen
9. Dan Simmons
10. Horace Walpole
11. Robin Maxwell
12. Michael T. Darkow

Women Unbound: Start of Challenge Meme

The Women Unbound reading challenge has now begun. The first book I am planning to read for the challenge is Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain, the memoirs of a woman who lived through World War I.

Before I start the challenge, here are my answers to the first Women Unbound Meme.

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminism means a belief that women are in no way inferior to men. It means ensuring that women are not discriminated against because of their gender at work or in society and that they have equal rights and opportunities. Women should have the freedom to express themselves and follow their dreams.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

While I would not describe myself as an active feminist, I do believe in equal rights for women. Although I’m not a very outspoken person myself, anyone who takes a stand for feminism would have my full support.

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

I think that although women faced bigger obstacles in the past and things have improved a lot, there are still many ways in which women are discriminated against today.

There are still some employers who pay women less than men, for example, and there are still some areas of work which are male dominated. I think the biggest problem is changing people’s attitudes – there are too many people, both men and women, who have fixed ideas about what women should and shouldn’t do.

Women Unbound: A Reading Challenge

I’ve signed up for another reading challenge! This one is called Women Unbound and you can visit the challenge blog here.

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010 and the idea is to read nonfiction and fiction books related to ‘women’s studies’.

There are three challenge levels to choose from:

  • Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
  • Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
  • Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

I am aiming for the Bluestocking level, but will hopefully have time to read enough books to reach Suffragette.


Books read for this challenge (updated February 14 2010)

1. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain (nonfiction) – see my review

2. The Moonlit Cage by Linda Holeman (fiction) – see my review

3. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (fiction) – see my review

Christmas Reading Challenge

I have decided to take part in the Christmas Reading Challenge hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict. The challenge runs from November 26 2009-December 31 2009 and the requirements are to read 1-3 Christmas novels, books of Christmas lore or books of Christmas short stories.

I haven’t decide which books to read yet – I’m going to see if I can find anything interesting at the library, but if not I do already have a few Christmas books on my bookshelf. I’ll definitely try to read at least one, but will aim for two.

The link to the challenge is here.

Books read for this challenge (updated December 30 2009)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – see my review
The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder – see my review