Congratulations to Thomas at My Porch who has finished his Century of Books! I know that he found it tough going at times, and I’m delighted that another person has joined Claire and me at the finish line – is anyone else still going?
For those who don’t know, A Century of Books is a challenge where you read one book for every year of the 20th century, in as much time as (and in whatever order) you choose. Claire and I set out to do it in a year, and both completed our century in 2012 (you can read our lists here and here). I also added in the proviso that I’d review them all, which Claire did too.
And this is advance warning that we’ll both be doing A Century of Books again in 2014! I’m going to aim to complete in a year again, but I hope others will join in on whatever scheme they set out for themselves. It’s such a fun challenge – in fact, it’s the anti-challenge challenge, because (for the first nine or ten months anyway) I didn’t even notice I was doing a challenge, since I could just fill in books as I went along in my normal reading patterns. It’s also incredibly satisfying to look back at the completed list, and see a (very subjective and selective) overview of the century.
Hope you’re interested in participating in 2014!
Maybe, just maybe, I'll finish by the end of 2014. I've been just filling in my books as I read and am up to 64. (My biggest hole is between 1900-1919; I only have 3 so far in the first two decades.) It has amazed me how many "duplicate" years I've read. I'll no doubt be looking at everyone else's lists for recommendations for the early years. :)
I'll be joining you in this challenge Bill – follow my progress on my blog http://learningtoloveliterature.wordpress.com/ – Epsie xx
I'm doing it now – need to count up but am probably somewhere in the 50s. I'm well behind with reviews, but hoping to finish within the year and start again in 2014!
Yes – I am still going steadily like a turtle going backwards through peanut butter but just finished one for 1987 I need to review and put up on the post. I too am reviewing all those I read but am not doing it in a year. More like whenever I finish it . The goal for me is to ensure that I get each year b/c the books are so different and the time varies to such an extent from beginning to end of century . Am definitely enjoying it .
I have done mine over a period of time – taking note of the dates of books I have read and then deciding to see if I had already done it, if you know what I mean! On checking my books over the years I have, indeed, read a century of books. Must put them up some time
I started on 1st Jan and am still going tho' slowed down a bit lately as I got lured away by some wonderful knitting patterns for gargoyles!
Am trying to incorporate as many Nobel prize winners as possible. Although I can't wait to finish and be free again, strangely I sat down one day and devised a Century of Books for the 1800s (lots of Balzac and Maria Edgeworth) so maybe in a year or two…
Sally Tarbox
As I'm doing a two year century, across 2013 and 2014, my plan is to read freely for a year and maybe start again in 2015. Good luck!
I may join you, but I certainly won't complete mine in a year. With three book groups going, I'll need more time! Perhaps I'll give myself three years and be leisurely about it.
(I'm almost ashamed to comment) I so much wished to finish by the end of this year, but I can see it being rather difficult. The only good thing is that I've completed my list of the books I want to read for each year, so fingers crossed I should be able to join you by mid-2014!!!
Like Sally I think I might do a century of books but the 19th century (I am a Victoianist after all), maybe next year I will do it as should (may, might) hopefully be post-PhD by early stages of 2014!
I think I may have already started (unintentionally) and will keep track of it from now on. Not going to set a timeframe but will keep it in mind as I make reading decisions in the weeks and months to come. There are only about 30 books in my TBR pile at the moment. Great idea.
I am embarrassingly excited for ACOB 2014 and have already been gathering ideas for what to read!
I failed miserably last year but if I could add the books I've read since I stopped filling in the list, I might perhaps try to complete the challenge next year. Or would that be cheating?
I definitely want to join! But I don't think I could do it in a year, or 2 years even. But it looked so exciting when I saw you and Claire do it Perhaps I'll start a little early? :)
I'll definitely join too. It sounds so fun! and if we all do it together it'll be even more fun :)
I'm getting really excited about finally joining in for 2014. I've been sifting through my shelves and making my lists…
I'm in! I've got a list started and a shelf dedicated to this project. Grand excuse to expand my personal library and read some things I might not otherwise be aware of. I too hope to review each one; we'll see how *that* bit goes! No other "official" reading projects to break my focus, except the Canadian Book Challenge, which is a very doable 13 books in a year, and I'm assuming most of the reads for that can double up.
Sounds exciting, count me in!
I'm going to have to race to finish by the end of the year but I plan to join in again next year. I've learnt so much from my first attempt about having to actively seek out the books and make them part of every month's reading rather than binge on them occasionally that I'm looking forward to seeing how much smoother it will run second time around. It's such a brilliant way to fill in gaps in reading knowledge. :)
Oh Oh I may do a translation books of the century ,give me sometime to look what I can find and I may give it a try Simon ,all the best stu
I'm definitely going to do this but with children's books. All the way from E Nesbit to JK Rowling, and I'll really enjoy them …
I am going to try for the year 2014!
I'd love to join for 2014!
I'm going to jump in for 2014! I'll do at least half a century and finish up what remains in 2015 (blog post: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-century-of-books-challenge.html)
First book done–for 1913. Only 99 more to go!
Just completed my half century. I just might make the complete 100 in one year after all.
I'm in, I've been through the books on my shelves and already noted down my possibilities http://katrinasreads.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/a-century-of-books.html
I'm going to join in, but am giving myself two years. What an interesting idea!
http://janesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-century-of-books.html
Alright, I've got my 'joining' post up, and am committed to jumping in starting January 1st! Can't wait.
I'm joining you, but will break mine up into four years. Hope that's okay. I've filled in titles for this year and made a post. http://truebookaddictchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-century-of-books.html
Thanks for hosting and thanks to Bev for posting about this.
I was determined not to sign up for any challenges this year, but here you go and have this one. But, like Michelle, there is no way I will complete it in a year so I am just going to do it as I can!