2021 Book Challenge
It's been a while since I've challenged myself with a big list of books to read in the upcoming year. But lately I've had an urge to tackle War and Peace. Maybe it's because reading all Dickens left me with a taste for big books. Maybe it's because I read Crime and Punishment last year and so I'm not as afraid of Russian authors as I used to be.
Whatever the reason, it took me back to the days when I'd put together a list at the beginning of every year and see how I did.
I'm keeping it as short as I can because I already know I've got some big reads coming up next year. Scott and I are going to tackle The Epic of Gilgamesh and Gone with the Wind over at the podcast. The Close Reads podcast is going to take on Anna Karenina on their Patreon feed so that will help pull me along (they are why I was able to read Crime and Punishment this year). And my Catholic women's book club always keeps my reading list pretty full.
Plus some of the books below are real doozies. But they are all doozies I'm interesting in giving a fair trial to and possibly getting all the way through.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Anthony Briggs translation) — because it's there
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell — I loved the movie. Let's see if the book is as good or even better!
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry — everyone's told me to read this. Time to stop fighting them.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco — everyone's also told me to read this. Time to stop fighting them.
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck — the Novel Conversations podcast made this sound light and fun as opposed to Steinbeck's usual doom and gloom. So I'm trying it.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles — another one that's been recommended a lot and the last time it finally sounded good to me for some reason.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell — the book I've fought hardest against in recent years. Let's see if my instincts were right or wrong.
And It Was Good by Madeleine L'Engle — I feel as if I've read this before but the sample didn't sound more than vaguely familiar. Her nonfictional musings are always good.
Wilding by Isabella Tree — been wanting to read this since I read the WSJ review
Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay — a very recent recommendation from a podcast listener
Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts: Twelve Journeys into the Medieval World by Christopher de Hamel — this was a gift some time ago but I haven't done more than sample it. This is the year to read it all!
