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Monday, December 7, 2020

Back to the Classics Challenge 2021


I'm glad that Karen @ Books and Chocolate has decided to host another of my most favorite reading challenge next year: Back to the Classics Challenge! And this time I will do all the 12 categories: 

1. A 19th century classic: any book first published from 1800 to 1899 – The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy

2. A 20th century classic: any book first published from 1900 to 1971. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books which were written by 1971 and posthumously published. – My Antonia by Willa Cather

3. A classic by a woman author. – Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary Elisabeth Braddon

4. A classic in translation, meaning any book first published in a language that is not your primary language. You may read it in translation or in its original language, if you prefer.  – The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

5. A classic by BIPOC author; that is, a non-white author. – Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

6. A classic by a new-to-you author, i.e., an author whose work you have never read. – Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

7. New-to-you classic by a favorite author -- a new book by an author whose works you have already read.  – Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens

8. A classic about an animal, or with an animal in the title. The animal can be real or metaphorical. (i.e., To Kill a Mockingbird). – Watership Down by Richard Adams

9. A children's classic. – The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann

10. A humorous or satirical classic. – The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse 

11. A travel or adventure classic (fiction or non-fiction). It can be a travelogue or a classic in which the main character travels or has an adventure. – Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico

12. A classic play. Plays will only count in this category. – Mrs. Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde


I can't wait to start it already, it will be super fun!


22 comments:

  1. I love your choices, Fanda: Return of the Native, The Nutcracker, Pilgrim's Progress, and Othello. My kids and I read Watership Down this summer. And I have Things Fall Apart and Nicholas Nickleby STILL on my TBR for someday.

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    1. Ruth, I've been meaning to ask you about our Dickens reading plan for February. Are you still interested? What about Nicholas Nickleby?

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    2. I did say something about that...didn't I? Well, I should keep my word. These are the Dickens I have on my shelf: Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, and Bleak House. I'm open. I'll check back...

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  2. Othello is one of my favourite plays of Shakespeare, of which I have many. Nicholas Nickleby is still on my TBR too. Can't wait to get to it. Have fun with your choices!

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    1. I've been cancelling Othello since... two years ago, I think. This category is a strong reason for me to finally do it!
      I can't wait to read Nickleby, too, Cleo.
      And have fun with yours too!

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    2. Well, I am planning to read much, much more this coming year .... ;-)

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  3. I really need to read The Pilgrim's Progress. I was looking at my copy the other day and I think I need one with bigger print 🤭

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    1. Ehmm.... that's one problem I've seen oftener these days when buying books. But we can still opt for ebook, right? ;)

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    2. Yes, ebooks to the rescue! Unless I want to hold the actual book, which in this case, I think I do!

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  4. Great choices : Hardy, Lady Audley's secret, the Tale of the Genji, Dickens, Adams, all of them ! Some I have read, others I will read next year. If I wasn't already participating in 2 challenges, I would have subscribed, but I'll drop in to see your reviews :)

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    1. Ah.. I know that reading challenges can be a burden sometimes, eh? But if you will read some classics next year, you might as well join for only 6 categories, then pick the titles along the way. But it's you choice, of course. Have fun, anyaway! ;)

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  5. I'm seeing My Antonia come up a lot! It's on my list and a few others that I've seen. :) (Well, My Antonia is on my CC list for next year...I think I used someone else for my female author entry. Austen, probably.)

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    1. Hi Stephen, actually Laurie and me are going to read My Antonia in May. Why don't you join us? It might be fun.. ;)

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  6. Great list! I remember loving Othello when I read it college, at the time it was my favorite from my Shakespeare class. I may try to reread it and see if it hits me differently now. I also really loved My Antonia and Lady Audley's Secret, which is a fun melodramatic Victorian. Happy reading and thanks for signing up for the challenge!

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    1. Thanks, Karen, for hosting it again. I am really looking forward to Lady Audley's Secret!

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  7. Great list, Fanda! I just finished reading The Nutcracker and I'm still trying to decide what I think. Different than the ballet, for sure. My Antonia and Things Fall Apart are both good. Enjoy!

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    1. Wow, I can't wait to read your review on The Nutcracker, then. Actually I have planned to read it this year, but unfortunately my ordered copy didn't make it in time ☹.

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  8. I loved Watership Down and N.N. Genji...not so much, though I am glad to have read it. It may resonate more with you. Enjoy!

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    1. I remember your post about Genji; I just hope I'd enjoy that more than you. Can't wait to read Watership Down too!

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  9. I hope you enjoy Pilgrim's Progress! I love the children's version, The Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L Taylor, who uses more modern language to help younger readers understand the plot and themes of this classic... but I have yet to read the original. I should do it!

    Here is my Back to Classics list, if interested!
    https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2021/01/back-to-classics-2021-challenge.html

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    1. Hi Elena, actually I'm a bit daunted by Pilgrim's Progress. I hope I'd love it.

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What do you think?