Gather Together and Read: 13 ways of looking at the Lifetime Reading Plan

Showing posts with label 13 ways of looking at the Lifetime Reading Plan. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2019 Yearly Challenges - Wrap-Up Post #ReadYourShelf #Book2MovieRC #13WLRP

This is the wrap-up post for the 2019 yearly challenges I host...2019 Book to Movie, 2019 Read Your (Book) Shelf, and yearly challenge for the 13 Ways challenge.

Note:

I am not continuing with the yearly challenge for the 13 ways challenge in 2020, but it is still a perpetual challenge. Look for the button in the sidebar and click it for full information.
I've added two new challenges this year. Check out the links at the end of this post, or look for the buttons in the sidebar.

I'm posting the links to the 2019 challenges below. If you completed the challenge (or even if you didn't) and you post a wrap-up, please link up in the original linky on the challenge sign up post. When you put your name/blog name, just add "wrap-up." Like so: truebookaddict/wrap-up

Here are the links to the 2019 challenges:

2019 Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge

2019 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge

2019 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

Be sure to leave a comment on the post so I know you added your wrap-up.

In case you missed the sign-up for this year's yearly challenges, you can find them below.

2020 Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge

2020 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

2020 Book Jar/Book List Challenge - Randomize Your Reading

1000 Books Project: Non-Fiction 2020

Happy reading in 2020...a brand new decade of reading!

Monday, December 31, 2018

2018 Yearly Challenges - Wrap-Up Post

I've decided it's much easier to do one wrap up post for the three yearly challenges I host. I hope this works okay for everyone.

I'm posting the links to those challenges below. If you completed the challenge (or even if you didn't) and you post a wrap-up, please link up in the original linky on the challenge sign up post. When you put your name/blog name, just add "wrap-up." Like so: truebookaddict/wrap-up

Here are the links to the 2018 challenges:

2018 Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge

2018 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge

2018 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

Be sure to leave a comment on the post so I know you added your wrap-up.

My yearly challenge stats for these three challenges:

While I didn't do so hot with the Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge or the Yearly 13 Ways challenge, I kind of kicked butt with the Book To Movie Challenge.

I only managed to read four (well, really three) for the Read Your Shelf Challenge, as follows:

(books without reviews are linked to my Goodreads challenge page)

Don't Look Back by Karen Fossum (Did not review)

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin (Did not review)

Rabbit, Run by John Updike (DNF - I tried. I really did. Read all about it here)

The Treatment by Mo Hayder (Did not review)

I finished two for the yearly 13 Ways challenge, which actually qualifies me for completing the Novice level. lol

I read...

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Banned Books Week write-up)

Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson (did not review)

As I said, I read quite a few for the Book To Movie Challenge. I'm pretty sure I met the criteria for at least one of the levels.

I read...

The Ritual by Adam Nevill

Howard's End by E. M. Forster

The Treatment by Mo Hayder

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

The Terror by Dan Simmons

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

My Goodreads Challenge page

In case you missed the sign-up for this year's yearly challenges, you can find them below.

2019 Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge

2019 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge

2019 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

Sunday, December 30, 2018

2019 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge! #13WLRP

We're back for year three! I created the perpetual reading challenge, 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan back in September 2017 (read all the details and sign-up here), and I promised to offer a yearly challenge to assist us in meeting our reading goals and staying accountable with the perpetual challenge.

Details...

1. Be sure to sign up for the 13WLRP perpetual challenge.

I will be hosting these year long challenges annually so you will be able to mark a lot of books off your lists.

2. Pick a reading level.

Decide how many books from the lists you want to read in 2019.

13Ways Challenge Novice: 1 to 3 books
13Ways Challenge Eager Reader : 4 to 8 books
13Ways Challenge Buff: 9 to 13 books
13Ways Challenge Devotee: 14 to 18
13Ways Challenge Diehard Reader: More than 19

3. Grab the challenge button and write a post.

grab button for Gather Together and Read

You can write the post on your blog, website, Facebook or Google+ or any other social media.

Please show your support and help spread the word by including the challenge button in your posts. You can also add the button in your sidebar. Thanks!

4. Register for this challenge in the Linky below.

Fill out the linky by doing the following:
Link title: Name and blog title (e.g. Michelle @ True Book Addict)
URL: Link to your Challenge Post, not your blog
If you ever have any difficulties using the form, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me. There's a contact me button in the sidebar.

5. Each time you read a book (and review, if you review) you can add your review to the 13 Ways Challenge review page.

Add your review on the 13 Ways Challenge review page and cross another book off your list for this challenge! Well done!

When sharing your reviews or discussing this challenge on Twitter, use the hashtag #13WLRP

6. Write a wrap-up post

I'll write up a wrap-up post at the end of 2019 and there will be a linky to link your wrap-up posts. If you finish before the end of the year, you can share your wrap-up link in the comments below.

GUIDELINES

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2019.
You can make a pre-selected list of books, or make it up along the way.
Crossing over with other challenges is encouraged!
Any book format - print, audio, ebook - is allowed.

RESOURCES

The two lists we are reading from can be found in the sidebar, or access here:
13 Ways Challenge - List 1
13 Ways Challenge - List 2

Sign up below:

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Sunday, December 31, 2017

2018 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge! #13WLRP

We're back for year two! I created the perpetual reading challenge, 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan back in September 2017 (read all the details and sign-up here), and I promised to offer a yearly challenge to assist us in meeting our reading goals and staying accountable with the perpetual challenge.

Details...

1. Be sure to sign up for the 13WLRP perpetual challenge.

I will be hosting these year long challenges annually so you will be able to mark a lot of books off your lists.

2. Pick a reading level.

Decide how many books from the lists you want to read in 2017.

13Ways Challenge Novice: 1 to 3 books
13Ways Challenge Eager Reader : 4 to 8 books
13Ways Challenge Buff: 9 to 13 books
13Ways Challenge Devotee: 14 to 18
13Ways Challenge Diehard Reader: More than 19

3. Grab the challenge button and write a post.

You can write the post on your blog, website, Facebook or Google+ or any other social media.

Please show your support and help spread the word by including the challenge button in your posts. You can also add the button in your sidebar. Thanks!

4. Register for this challenge in the Linky below.

Fill out the linky by doing the following:
Link title: Name and blog title (e.g. Michelle @ True Book Addict)
URL: Link to your Challenge Post, not your blog (e.g. http://www.truebookaddict.com/2017/01/2017-13-wlrp-challenge-signup.html
If you ever have any difficulties using the form, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me. There's a contact me button in the sidebar.

5. Each time you read a book (and review, if you review) you can add your review to the 13 Ways Challenge review page.

Add your review on the 13 Ways Challenge review page and cross another book off your list for this challenge! Well done!

When sharing your reviews or discussing this challenge on Twitter, use the hashtag #13WLRP

6. Write a wrap-up post

I'll write up a wrap-up post at the end of 2017 and there will be a linky to link your wrap-up posts. If you finish before the end of the year, you can share your wrap-up link in the comments below.

GUIDELINES

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2018.
You can make a pre-selected list of books, or make it up along the way.
Crossing over with other challenges is encouraged!
Any book format - print, audio, ebook - is allowed.

RESOURCES

The two lists we are reading from can be found in the sidebar, or access here:
13 Ways Challenge - List 1
13 Ways Challenge - List 2

Sign up below:

Friday, March 3, 2017

The Handmaid's Tale Read-Along - Discussion #Resistance #13WLRP

I'm wondering if now was a good time to read a book like this...because it scared me, and I had a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach throughout reading it. I now realize that it's an important read because it demonstrates why we must fight to keep the freedoms we have won. We must not let our status as women be demoted to that of the women in this book. We must not let the tenets of our Constitution (United States) be trampled upon. The freedom of speech, of the press, to address grievances. The separation of church and state.

I think the fear really hit me when I read this passage (p. 174, Ch. 28). "It was after the catastrophe, when they shot the president and machine-gunned the Congress and the army declared a state of emergency. They blamed it on the Islamic fanatics, at the time."

Sound familiar?

Then, when Offred (the woman she was in the past) goes to buy cigarettes and is told that her Compubank card is invalid. Then she, along with the other women who work with her, is let go from her job. She finds out later that day from her friend, Moira that "women can't hold property anymore. It's a new law."

Sucker punch. I pride myself on my independence, as I'm sure many women do, whether they're married (or in a relationship) or not. Could this happen? Is this what insidious plan some government officials might have in mind for women?

This is probably my favorite quote from the novel. "Better never means better for everyone...It always means worse for some." The commander is the one who says this to Offred. Its meaning echoes the sentiments of one who says, "Make American great again." The quote is the Commander's justification for Gilead existing when Offred asks why it is such an awful society for women. As in most dictatorships, the elite believe the change they caused were for the public good, no matter how many people suffer as a result. Again, sound familiar?

It is truly alarming when a dystopian novel, a work of fiction, may be foreshadowing what's to come if the state of our country continues to proceed down the path it is currently on. It's a cue to us that we cannot be complacent. As many of us know from history, people never believed that things could get as bad as they did during the Holocaust. They never imagined that people would be imprisoned and killed just because they were Jewish, because they didn't fit the Arian mold that Hitler coined as the supreme human.

Complacency. We cannot smugly sit by and think, "That could never happen" because it very well could.

So, what are your thoughts? Share your insight and/or, if you wrote a blog post, share the link in the comments.

Thanks for reading along!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The Handmaid's Tale Read-Along - Update #Resistance

Okay, so I got behind on the read-along. (I suck, I know) Then I got sick. 😠 So, I've decided to do a final discussion this Friday which will be open all day. I created an event for our discussion here (if you're on Facebook and are a member of our group over there, you should have rec'd invites): https://www.facebook.com/events/168940450278958/

If you haven't yet joined the group, you'll find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1625188764455723/

I will have a post up here for discussion as well, for those who are not on Facebook. Stop by, start a conversation, share your thoughts, share your blog post(s).

Thanks for bearing with me, guys. Real life (mostly politics 😉 ) keeps interfering with my reading ambitions.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Handmaid's Tale - A #Resistance Read-Along #13WLRP

In light of recent events in our country, I had decided that I was going to read Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and George Orwell's 1984 in the next couple of months. I had much interaction on Facebook about these titles and, as I've been wanting to read Atwood's book for a very long time, and the TV series is coming to Hulu soon, I decided to go for it and host a read-along next month. A bonus is that this book is on List 2 (#231 in the Going Further section) for the 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan challenge. So, it will allow participants of the challenge to mark one off their list for the perpetual challenge, and the yearly challenge.

Note: You do not have to be a challenge participant to join in on the read-along. That being said, I do hope you will take a look at the challenge and think about signing up.

This is not a very long book so there will be a simple read-along schedule. My copy is the 1998 Anchor Books trade paperback edition. Total pages, 311. That page count is including a 13 page Historical Notes section at the end of the book. Excluding those pages, the page count is 295.

Discussion will take place in our Gather Together and Read group on Facebook. I will also post a discussion post here on the blog for those who are not on Facebook. When/if you mention the read-along on social media, please use the hashtag #Resistance

Schedule:

Start reading on Febrary 1st
Read through Chapter IX - Night (ending on page 147)
Midpoint discussion will be on February 15 in our discussion group on Facebook - there will be a post here for those who are not on Facebook.
Start reading section two on February 16
Chapter X - Soul Scrolls (page 151) - read to the end of the book (you can elect, or not, to read the historical notes - we will probably discuss, as I'm sure they give insight into the book)
Discussion on section two/book as a whole on February 28 in our Facebook discussion group - there will be a post here for those who are not on Facebook.

You can sign-up by posting about it on your blog (or on social media) and adding your link in the Mister Linky widget below. Please use #Resistance when sharing about this read-along on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Join the 2017 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan Reading Challenge! #13WLRP

I created my new perpetual reading challenge, 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan back in September (read all the details and sign-up here), and I promised to offer a yearly challenge to assist us in meeting our reading goals and staying accountable with the perpetual challenge.

Here it is!

Details...

1. Be sure to sign up for the 13WLRP perpetual challenge.

I will be hosting these year long challenges annually so you will be able to mark a lot of books off your lists.

2. Pick a reading level

Decide how many books from the lists you want to read in 2017.

13Ways Challenge Novice: 1 to 3 books
13Ways Challenge Eager Reader : 4 to 8 books
13Ways Challenge Buff: 9 to 13 books
13Ways Challenge Devotee: 14 to 18
13Ways Challenge Diehard Reader: More than 19

3. Grab the challenge button and write a post

4. Register for this challenge in the Linky below

Fill out the linky by doing the following:

Link title: Name and blog title (e.g. Michelle @ True Book Addict)
URL: Link to your Challenge Post, not your blog (e.g. http://www.truebookaddict.com/2017/01/2017-13-wlrp-challenge-signup.html

If you ever have any difficulties using the form, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me. There's a contact me button in the sidebar.

Sign up below:

5. Each time you read a book (and review, if you review) you can add your review to the 13 Ways Challenge review page.

Add your review on the 13 Ways Challenge review page and cross another book off your list for this challenge! Well done!

When sharing your reviews or discussing this challenge on Twitter, use the hashtag #13WLRP

6. Write a wrap-up post

I'll write up a wrap-up post at the end of 2017 and there will be a linky to link your wrap-up posts. If you finish before the end of the year, you can share your wrap-up link in the comments below.

GUIDELINES

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2017.
You can make a pre-selected list of books, or make it up along the way.
Crossing over with other challenges is encouraged!
Any book format - print, audio, ebook - is allowed.

RESOURCES

The two lists we are reading from can be found in the sidebar, or access here: 13 Ways Challenge - List 1 13 Ways Challenge - List 2

That's it! Happy Reading!

Saturday, September 17, 2016

13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan #13WLRP

(This is a perpetual challenge. Go at your own pace, if you choose to participate.)

This list is not a “Hundred Greatest,” Jane Smiley is quick to stipulate, “only a list of individual novels that would illuminate the whole concept of the novel.” 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel

The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classic Guide to World Literature

Clifton Fadiman and John S. Major

"An Invitation to the Greatest Writers of World Literature"

I have always been interested in expanding my horizons as a reader. I'm not the only one. With challenges like Read the Nobels and The Classics Club, many of us who are passionate about reading seek to read the greats, and sometimes to read above and beyond our comfort level.

I had recently been reading from two books: 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley and The New Lifetime Reading Plan by Clifton Fadiman and John S. Major. As I was looking at the lists in both books, I thought that these lists would make for an awesome reading challenge to do just what I described above...broaden our reading horizons. And so, 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan was born!

This is a perpetual challenge, meaning there is no set ending or goal. You read at your own pace. It's really about challenging ourselves to read perhaps beyond our comfort zone, and to read books that are considered "great" or, as Jane Smiley said, books "that would illuminate the whole concept of the novel." Also, many of the titles on the lists will easily crossover with other reading challenges!

To make things a bit more challenging (just so the challenge doesn't languish, as many perpetual challenges do), I'm going to follow the lead of Read the Nobels and host a yearly challenge inside this challenge where you commit to reading a set amount of books from the lists in a year. That will kick off on January 1, 2017.

In addition, I will host read-alongs of books from the list periodically. I want to make this site about community and I think read-alongs are an excellent way to foster community.

The full lists are located in the sidebar menu - 13 Ways Challenge - List 1 and List 2. I've included links to Google docs where you can download the lists or print out, whichever is easiest. There will also be a page with a review linky where you can share your reviews, if you choose to.

Our social media hashtag is #13WLRP

I hope I've covered everything. Leave me a comment or click the contact me button in the sidebar if you have any questions. Stay tuned for the official announcement of the tie-in yearly challenge.

I'm excited! I hope you will join me. Sign up below (please link to an actual post about the challenge, not just your main blog url...if you don't mind helping me spread the word. Thanks!).