Reading challenge update for January

So this is the year of the reading challenges...

And I have been reading. Work life has been hectic, but I have had some time for reading, too.

For the Modern Mrs Darcy challenge:

The book I've been meaning to read: 

Franklin Graham: The Name.

We have bought it from a sale years ago, and it has been sitting on the shelf waiting to be read. Well, now I've read it. It's OK, but I feel I'm not exactly the target audience of this book. It's obvious that this was written and published in the aftermath of 9-11-2001 and that many of the points Graham makes in the book referred to the current 'hot issues' of the time. And perhaps this was also mainly directed for the American public?

For the HelMet libraries challenge:

I have 'done' 6 categories out of 50. I could have used these books in several more categories, but chose not to. If, by the end of the year, I find I have empty categories these can fill, I'll re-categorize :)

9. Non-fiction book:  

Currey, Mason: Daily Rituals. How great minds make time, find inspiration, and get to work.

An interesting collection of stories about the routines of various writers, scientists, artists etc. Not a lot of practical advice to glean, because apparently everyone has their own unique way that suits them best. You just need to find yours.  

15. A book you have been planning to read a long time:  

Franklin Graham: The Name

25. Published in the year you were born:  

Kirsti Kormu: Nepalin jalokivet (Jewels of Nepal)

A missionary nurse tells about her experiences in Nepal in the 1960's. Published in 1970, this was a beautiful glimpse into history. The name of the book refers to the people there, and the author's love for the people and the country shines through her words.

30. A book of comics or a graphic novel:  

Guy Delisle: A user's guide to neglectful parenting

Somewhat amusing, but not as good as I expected. I much preferred Delisle's graphic novel memoirs from living as an expat in Pjongjang, Shenzen, Burma and Jerusalem. Seems to me, in those memoirs he had something more to say - and the comic/graphic format was good for conveying his impressions.

41. Author was over 65 years old when book was published AND

43. Over 500 pages long 

Seppo Väisänen: Aikansa kutakin (Everything in its time)

Memoirs of a Finnish pastor/missionary. In my opinion, the most interesting part was about the family's experiences in Ethiopia in the 1970's. (Being married to a MK, I appreciate everything that helps me understand his perspective - though his family wasn't in Ethiopia, some experiences are probably similar.) 

The book was over 500 pages, but a quicker read than I expected. Perhaps because I liked the writer's sense of humour. The name of the book comes from a Finnish saying, something like "everything in its time, said the ram when its head was cut off." Meaning something along the lines of "there are good times and bad times, and neither of them lasts forever."

More books coming up next time, I hope.

2015: The Year of Reading Challenges

2015 looks like a year of irresistable reading challenges.

The first ever Modern Mrs Darcy reading challenge! 

How could I not participate? I have a few ideas for this one already. However, since I'm not on Instagram or Facebook, it looks like I'm going to miss quite a lot of the conversation. But I'm hoping there will be updates on the blog, too.

I'll have trouble with the book you should have read in high school, though. I was the good girl eager reader book nerd who actually read all the books we were required to read. It wasn't such a big deal. The way I remember it, we didn't get a long reading list. Instead, in most years there was just one 'required' book that the entire class was supposed to read, write an essay on, and discuss. In addition to that, we were supposed to read more, but we could choose the books for our book reports and presentations ourselves (though there were certain requirements for the books we chose).

I'll have to figure out something for this one - perhaps a book that current high schoolers are required to read? (Must have been some changes in the last 25+ years?)

Then, the other challenge that caught my fancy: 

The Year of the Book reading challenge from the HELMET (Helsinki Metropolitan) library system.

It has 50 categories! But according to the rules on the website, you can actually use the same book for several categories, if it fits all of them. (I'm making myself the rule that I can use the same book in maximum three categories.)

For those who do not read Finnish fluently, here's my quick translation of the categories. You'll notice that some overlap with the MMD challenge, so I'll be reading some books for both of the challenges:

1. Written by an author whose work you have not read before
2. A book that has been made into a film
3. Published in 2015
4. The author was under 25 when book was published
5. All the characters are not human beings
6. The name of the book is just one word
7. Collection of short stories
8. The events of the book happen somewhere other than Finland
9. Non-fiction book
10. The first book by a popular author
11. Written by your favourite author, but you haven't read this book before
12. Recommended by a friend
13. Winner of a significant book award (such as the Finlandia award)
14. Based on real events
15. A book you have been planning to read a long time
16. A book that your mother loves
17. A retelling of a classical story, e.g. a fairytale, Shakespeare play, a classic novel...
18. Over 100 years old
19. About someone who belongs to a sexual minority (LGBTQ)
20. A book you choose only based on its cover
21. A book you should have read at school but didn't
22. A memoir or a biography
23. A book you can read in a day
24. Set in a place you have always wanted to visit
25. Published in the year you were born
26. A trilogy
27. A book for teens or young adults
28. The name of the book includes a colour
29. Has magic in it
30. A book of comics or a graphic novel
31. A self help book
32. Set in your home town/municipality
33. The author is not from Europe or North America
34. The name of the book includes a number
35. The author has the same initials as you
36. A book of poetry
37. A book that is forbidden/censored in some part of the world
38. A book you have started but left unfinished
39. A book you remember from your childhood
40. Set in future (science fiction?)
41. Author was over 65 years old when book was published
42. A book you are slightly embarrassed to read
43. Over 500 pages long
44. Classic romantic novel
45. A book that frightens you
46. A book about an indigenous people or their culture (e.g. Sami people in Lapland, Native Americans, etc.)
47. A funny book
48. The main character is of different gender than you
49. Detective or suspense novel
50. Recommended by a library employee