My Reading Challenge
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read and I particularly love the classics. Before I took on the role of MindComet’s leader in August, I was working on the The Modern Library (Random House) Top 100 Novels of all times list (the Board List.)
When I set out on this adventure, I set two simple rules: 1) I had to read every book, even if I had read it in high school or college, and 2) I had to write an entry in my journal for each novel. It has been at least a year since I’ve paid any attention to this list so I’m adding a third goal: 3) read at least one book per month. I’ll have to give up some of my management, marketing and technology literature for the prose of Nabokov and Steinbeck, but I’m ready! I’m going to start from the bottom of the list and work my way up to number one, skipping the nine books I was able to finish in 2008.
This weekend I will start “The Magnificent Ambersons” by Booth Tarkington followed by “The Ginger Man” by J.P. Donleav in July. As for “Wuthering Heights”, I’m going to have to develop a serious reading strategy with dictionary in tow!
Does anyone have any advice for approaching this type of reading adventure?
Posted by Marcelle Turner on May. 29, 2009
Comments
Thanks for the advice, Jerry! You are one of the best read people I know. I agree with you on the strategy of trying to understand the context of the word vs. going for vocabulary. My guess is that every once in a while a word will just “stick” and vocab building will happen naturally. The library idea is good, too! As for the list, click the hyperlink “The Modern Library” in my post and it will take you to the list. Cheers - M
Posted by Marcelle on 05/30/2009 08:34 AM
Wow, this is quite the lofty goal! I used to be quite the reader, but have fallen off the map since moving to Orlando I need to jump back on the wagon! 
Posted by Jamie on 06/08/2009 04:17 PM
Curious - how’s the Tarkington going here mid-June? Love the path you’ve set out to travel. Wondering if you have time for non-Modern Library fiction.
Posted by Michelle on 06/15/2009 04:29 PM
Admittedly running a bit behind, but I’ve got a few plane trips this month and a few random hours of free time here and there so I’m likely to finish. I’m always open to fiction, any suggestions?
Posted by Marcelle on 06/16/2009 02:07 PM
I am the opposite of most readers. I never have a hard time finding a non-fiction book that I am interested to read, but I always seem to have a hard time picking a novel to read. I think i’ll start picking from this list! Don’t know if I’ll choose to read all 100, but thanks for the idea!
Posted by Erik Folgate on 07/08/2009 10:57 AM
I’ve found a small (paperback) dictionary works best. You’re more likely to have it around (as compared to a collegiate version) when reading. My thought is that I’m not really looking to increase vocabulary as much as trying to understand the context of the word. Another tip: check the book out of the library. It has a “return by” date that’ll force you to keep pace with your goal. Happy reading and pass along the list.
Posted by Jerry Swiacki on 05/29/2009 11:49 AM