JACMs challenge of choice 2023

[Jacm]

✅1. 19th Century - The Jungle Book: Popular Penguins by Rudyard Kipling Read May 7th 5 ★
✅2. 20th Century - The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett Read Jan 24th 3.5 ★
✅3. A book originally written in a language other than your own Beowulf by Unknown Read 30th March 4.5★
✅4. Current or Past Group Read Watership Down by Richard Adams Read 22nd Oct 4★
✅5. An Author not read before The Lamentation of a Sinner: Queen Katherine Parr byKatherine Parr Read 30th June 5★
✅6. Diversity Classic - The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré Read 1st August 5★
✅7. Science Fiction/Fantasy - The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett Read 9th April 3★
✅8. Action/Adventure - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling Read 19th May 5★
✅9. Childrens/Young Adult - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling Read 9th Feb 5★
✅10. Nonfiction - The Kings and Queens of Anglo-Saxon England by Timothy Venning Read 5th April 2.5★
✅11. Mystery/Thriller - Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor read 6th March 4 ★
✅12. Horror or Humor - Memnoch The Devil: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice Read 14th Feb 3.5★

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Enjoy your challenge.

[Jacm]

The Pillars of the Earth

Initial response:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I read Pillars years ago. I really liked it, but then Follett us one of my favorite authors.

[Jacm]

Bob wrote: "I read Pillars years ago. I really liked it, but then Follett us one of my favorite authors."

That's great Bob, I quite liked it.

[Janice]

I have two of Ken Follett's The Century Trilogy books: Fall of Giants and Winter of the World. I hope to read them some day. :)

[Luffy Sempai]

Janice wrote: "I have two of Ken Follett's The Century Trilogy books: Fall of Giants and Winter of the World. I hope to read them some day. :)"

You'll like them, even if I didn't. They are easy to follow, but there is not much else to analyse.

[Leona]

The Pillars of the Earth has been on TV as a series a couple of times. I have watched it two times.

[Jacm]

Memnoch The Devil: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

I am a huge fan of Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. The first time reading this volume I remember being really impressed. This time round though I was quite as in awe of it as previously. Although I still love Anne's poetic turn of phrase and ability to to bring things to life with her incredible descriptive language, there were elements that grated on me a little and stopped me from fully emerging myself in her concept.

This is probably mostly due to the maturity of my Christian faith now compared to 15-20 odd years ago and my ability to see through the evocative language to the premise she was laying before her reader about the nature of suffering and God's position on it.

All in all though, I am still a fan of her work.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have only read, Interview with the Vampire, and have The Vampire Lestat on my bookshelf. I had thought about reading it last year but didn’t. Interview was a good read I don’t see the series becoming a favorite, but like you I do find her writing smooth and enjoyable. I still plan to read Lestat, but I doubt I will continue the series.

[Jacm]

Bob wrote: "I have only read, Interview with the Vampire, and have The Vampire Lestat on my bookshelf. I had thought about reading it last year but didn’t. Interview was a good read I..."

I first read them in late high school and was entranced by her concept of the vampire representing the outsider in society. The series takes a turn from Lestat onwards with him taking over the narration for most of the books rather than Louis which changes up the mood of the story. I definitely recommend reading it & then deciding about the rest of the series.

[Jacm]

Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor is not a classic yet but definitely high quality Australian writing. My initial thoughts are here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jacm]

My Diversity Classic: The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré 5★

Review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

It looks like you are about ready to push back from the table. Nice work.

[Wobbley]

So many 5-star reads -- you're having a great challenge!

[Jacm]

Wobbley wrote: "So many 5-star reads -- you're having a great challenge!"

I know! I've read so many great books this year. And all of them quite varied in style & genre. Loving this challenge!

[Jacm]

Finished my last read for this challenge! A first for me as I usually sign up & never get through as many classics as I intend..

Watership Down by Richard Adams 4★

Having heard references to it for years, I finally managed to experience this classic for myself. I wasn't really sure what to expect and found the first few chapters a little slow, wondering how on earth a story about rabbits could go for long, but by the end I was completely entranced by the adventure and the complexity of characters woven throughout.

[Wobbley]

Yay, Bravo! And you finished with a bang! Watership Down is one of my all-time favourites.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Congratulations on completing your Challenge. I see I a few that I liked as well. Interview with the Vampire was good and I really liked The Pillars of the Earth too. Nice job on your challenge!

[Ila]

Congrats on finishing your challenge! The Harry Potter series is one of my favourites.