April 2013 Reading Challenge: Reading Kryptonite

[Brendle]

What’s your reading kryptonite? Everyone has one be it classics, a particular genre or author. For me it is contemporary fiction. So much of it seems to be so serious, so depressing and full of characters I don't want to spend time with. I am not saying that I hate the entire genre, I have read a few that I have enjoyed and I know lots of people who enjoy reading it. It is GREAT for other people, but in general it is a type of book that is simply not for me.

Every so often, however, you come face to face with that kryptonite and this is my month to do that. I must read not one, but two works of contemporary fiction for the library book group. I have heard great things about each book, but if I was doing the choosing, I wouldn’t get near either one with a ten foot pole. This is what book groups are for, aren’t they? They are for making you read things you normally wouldn’t, so read them I shall. Here goes nothing…

I invite you to read along with me this month. Pick any work of contemporary fiction that you have been meaning to read and do so this month. You wanted an excuse, so I am giving you one! Alternately, you can join me in the extreme kryptonite reading challenge and select a book you would normally never consider reading.

Need a suggestion? We’ve got a few listed on our bookshelf. You can also ask a library staff member or post a request for suggestions from the group below. One lucky commenter will win a pre-publication copy of a book.

Happy Reading!

[Julie]

Raises hand . I accept the challenge and goes to my pile and finds a book to challenge myself. Can it be a classic ?? or does it have to contemporary ??

[Brendle]

Julie wrote: "Raises hand . I accept the challenge and goes to my pile and finds a book to challenge myself. Can it be a classic ?? or does it have to contemporary ??"

It can be ANY type of book that challenges you. I am actually really hoping people take on that aspect of the challenge. It will be fun to see what books people chose.

[Julie]

Brendle --thanks and I will take that challenge. Going to finally read Anna Kararina and then watch the movie :) as a bribe to myself to finish.

[Brendle]

Julie wrote: "Brendle --thanks and I will take that challenge. Going to finally read Anna Kararina and then watch the movie :) as a bribe to myself to finish."

Whoa! Russian literature! Now that is a challenge :-) Go for it!

[Brendle]

So I finished State of Wonder yesterday, just in time for today's book discussion. I had some mixed feelings about the book. On the one hand I really appreciated the writing. My reading speed slowed way down as I absorbed every word and appreciated the craft of the author. I appreciated the literary elements of the story--the symbolism for example. I would find myself pondering them while not reading, looking for clues to enrich the reading experience. The story, however...the story is where I struggled here. While it was interesting and well crafted, it wasn't something that drew me in. I didn't particularly care for the characters and found myself very disturbed by some aspects of the plot. I know that I was supposed to be, but I didn't want to be, if that makes sense. I very much realize this is a personal preference and not a general critique. I could recommend this book easily to a reader of contemporary fiction and I am glad I read it if only for that. I am beginning to think that what I need is a work of contemporary fiction that is more positive in nature. Any suggestions for me?

[Brendle]

I just saw that The Snow Child, one of the titles I am reading this month for the challenge was selected as a finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for fiction!

[Brendle]

Just a week to go now to join the challenge. Did you read something outside of your regular reading comfort zone this month? Did you read a work of contemporary literary fiction? Leave a comment here for a chance to win an advance copy of a book.

[Julie]

Brendle

I am slowly reading it .

[Brendle]

Anna Karenina is a big book so I don't blame you! I do hope you are enjoying your slow trek through it, though.

[Brendle]

As we wrap up this challenge I am about halfway through The Snow Child (the book group meeting is this Saturday) and I am surprised by how much I am liking it. It is based on a Russian fairytale and the word most used to describe it is sad. It opens with an attempted suicide, after all. But it is also lyrical and beautiful, just as promised. The Alaskan winter setting is so vivid it is almost another character. I usually avoid sad books, but I think in this case, the beauty will make the inevitable tears very much worth it.

[Brendle]

Julie!
You were willing to join me in this extreme challenge so we are sending an ARC to your home branch of Sylvan Oaks. Congrats and enjoy the rest of Anna Karenina!

[Julie]

Thanks Brendle and still sticking with this book :) Can't wait to see the surprise

[Julie]

Brendle --when should I pick it up ??

[Brendle]

Julie wrote: "Brendle --when should I pick it up ??"

Very soon--probably by Saturday.