June Gloom · 22 June 2007
The longest day has ended and from now on the year is slowly dying, each day a bit shorter than the last until we come to the other end of the pendulum and embrace the longest night.
I usually see the summer solstice as the mark of the beginning of summer, but this year it seems to mark the end of things. Perhaps I’m just a bit blue because the Once Upon a Time Challenge has ended, or maybe it’s because summer school has started. I’m even willing to accept that mercury in retrograde is dragging at me. In any case, I felt the coming of the season differently than I normally do and it’s slowing me down, making me feel like I should be preparing to burrow in my warm little den rather than out enjoying the bounty of the season.
I decided the cure for my summer blues was twofold: firstly, a good night’s sleep (which I’ve been sorely lacking and will be adjourning to immediately upon posting) and secondly, another reading challenge.
I heard about the Book Awards Challenge from TooHotty and it sounds like a good one.
The premise: Read 12 award winning books in 12 months. At only one book per month, it's an easy-paced challenge that will provide a bit of focus for my reading and hopefully introduce me to some more great books. I spent last night browsing the award lists and I’ve got my first three choices selected.
- The 1984 Nebula winner - Neuromancer by William Gibson (I may have to turn in my geek card after admitting I haven’t read this one yet).
- The 2001 Pulitzer winner The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (My sister will be glad to have this returned to her; it’s been almost a year since I borrowed it).
- And finally, the 1995 Pulitzer winner The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields.
Why these books? For the simple reason that I already own them (or have them in my hot little hands) and a book challenge provides some motivation to read them.
I’ve got a list of 29 other potential books for the remaining 9 slots. Some of these are books that I’ve been meaning to read (the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson) and some are just books with interesting titles that caught my eye (Gould's Book of Fish by Richard Flanagan). I’ll be scoping out used bookstores, paperbackswap and bookmooch to see which I can add to my collection before posting my final selections.
Despite my lethargy, I’ve got a ton of fun things planned for the blog next week. Can you imagine what blue jell-o, orange noodles, tapioca pearls, and squash have in common? Stay tuned and the answer shall be revealed! I know, you’re on the edge of your seat ;)
Book Awards Reading Challenge,
Summer Solstice
-
Share this article
The Best Laid Polish Food Turns to Indian Science Fiction Party Food
Add and View Comments
Chris · 23 June 2007, 10:26
Ooooh! I have tons of squash sitting here from my garden and no idea what to do with it…maybe you’ll give me an idea…hmmm, squash, blue jell-o, tapioca, and orange noodle casserole..yummy!
Kim · 25 June 2007, 23:02
Check it out Chris, I’ve got the squash posted. They were really tasty (minus the tentacles).
Commenting is closed for this article.