New Year, New Challenges

Jan 12

I’ve never been one for New Year’s Resolutions. Oh, I make them — but two weeks into January, those resolutions are a distant memory.

But the topic of reading challenges intrigues me. We talked about them in an early episode of the podcast, when I first learned of their existence. For those of you not familiar, it’s pretty simple: someone (usually a blogger) devises a challenge: “finish 10 books that you started and put down,” “read 6 books, each by an author from a different country,” “read 4 books with titles beginning with the letter X”, etc. (I made those up, by the way. I don’t know if they actually exist). People who want to participate in the challenge can either sign up and blog their progress, or can just quietly make note of the idea and quietly read along.

When I learned about The Chunkster Challenge from The Booklady ‘s Blog, I was immediately intrigued. The concept: read 2-6 books that have more than 450 pages each (adult books, by the way. Sorry, Harry Potter doesn’t count). Yes, while most people resolve to slim down, this challenge encourages you to bulk up (your reading, that is).

Before I worked in publishing, I used to buy books based on page count. I was always a very fast reader, and I hated finishing a book in only a few hours. And when money was tight, the cost per page was a real selling point. I’ve gotten away from that philosophy now, as my reading time has substantially decreased, but I still love a big, fat novel.

If you are tempted to participate in the Chunkster Challenge, you can find all the details at http://feelinchunky.blogspot.com. And if you don’t have a book in mind, might I suggest that you reserve a spot for my new favorite of 2009, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese? I will talk about the book in more detail on Wednesday’s podcast (episode #22), but for now I will just say that it’s brilliant, engrossing, and weighs in at 560 pages. It will be published on February 3rd here in the U.S., but I’m sure that your local bookstore would be happy to reserve a copy if you called them before that date.

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We encourage you to write down or print out the title information and shop at your local bookstore. Titles link to the publisher’s websites. Here are the books from this post:

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese, Knopf hardcover

(all information is for the US editions)

http://www.thespottedduck.com Shelley Greenberg

I just finished Edgar Sawtelle which I believe was over 450 pages and I just flew through it. Funny how a 200 page book can take months but a certain well-written 450+ page book can take days.
http://www.thespottedduck.com Shelley Greenberg

I just finished Edgar Sawtelle which I believe was over 450 pages and I just flew through it. Funny how a 200 page book can take months but a certain well-written 450+ page book can take days.
http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

Thanks for the shout-out, Ann! I’m really looking forward to this challenge, and since I’ll be reading Cutting for Stone in the next couple weeks, it will be my first qualifying book. Can’t wait!
http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

Thanks for the shout-out, Ann! I’m really looking forward to this challenge, and since I’ll be reading Cutting for Stone in the next couple weeks, it will be my first qualifying book. Can’t wait!
http://www.litchick.typepad.com Melanie

I loved Verghese’s book The Tennis Partner and have been looking forward to this. Glad to see it’s worthwhile -
560 pages is a serious reading investment!
http://www.litchick.typepad.com Melanie

I loved Verghese’s book The Tennis Partner and have been looking forward to this. Glad to see it’s worthwhile -
560 pages is a serious reading investment!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Melanie, thanks. 560 is a lot, but once I got started, I flew through it!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Melanie, thanks. 560 is a lot, but once I got started, I flew through it!
http://micawbers.blogspot.com hans

i just wanted to let you know how much indy bookstores appreciate you urging people to shop locally.

in an amazon world–you are a doing a great service to us.

great blog, by the way.

hans
http://micawbers.blogspot.com hans

i just wanted to let you know how much indy bookstores appreciate you urging people to shop locally.

in an amazon world–you are a doing a great service to us.

great blog, by the way.

hans
Graceann

This challenge is tailor-made for me. Of the 80 books I read last year, 16 qualify as chunksters, so I signed right up. I already love the host of this challenge – she’s a kick.

Thanks for yet another great tip.
Graceann

This challenge is tailor-made for me. Of the 80 books I read last year, 16 qualify as chunksters, so I signed right up. I already love the host of this challenge – she’s a kick.

Thanks for yet another great tip.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Hans, thank you. Since Michael and I both work very closely with indie bookstores, they have a special place in our hearts.

Graceann – 80 books, that’s amazing! Have fun with the challenge.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Hans, thank you. Since Michael and I both work very closely with indie bookstores, they have a special place in our hearts.

Graceann – 80 books, that’s amazing! Have fun with the challenge.
Graceann

Ann, there’s a reason people need to make an appointment if they want to see the inside of my house. I spend most of my time reading and waste very little time doing silly things like laundry and dishes.
Graceann

Ann, there’s a reason people need to make an appointment if they want to see the inside of my house. I spend most of my time reading and waste very little time doing silly things like laundry and dishes.
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com Kathy

I have Cutting For Stone – so glad to see it’s good.
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com Kathy

I have Cutting For Stone – so glad to see it’s good.