Back to the Classics Challenge 2012

As mentioned on Monday – I’ve found two reading challenges for 2012. The first is the Mount TBR Reading Challenge which you can read about here.

The second challenge I found, also thanks to Heather at Between the Covers is the:

Back to the Classics Challenge 2012 is hosted by Sarah of Sarah Reads Too Much. The challenge is fairly simple: nine books, nine categories. The categories (and the books I plan to read are below. The books may change, but the categories won’t.

1. Any 19th Century Classic – Villlette, Charlotte Bronte (also part of the Mount TBR Challenge)
   
2. Any 20th Century Classic – 1984, George Orwell
   
3. Reread a classic of your choice – Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
   
4. A Classic Play – Lysistrata, The Acharnians and The Clouds, Aristophanes
5. Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction – Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie (not sure it counts, but she made an impact – also part of the Mount TBR Challenge)
   
6. Classic Romance – Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
   
7. Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your language – Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
   
8. Classic Award Winner – The Color Purple, Alice Walker (also part of the Mount TBR Challenge)
   
9. Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime – Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak

Aside from my own selection of two Russian novels – I’m quite excited for this challenge. Overall I think it has a wide variety, but I think it would be great to add a “pre 19th Century Classic” (or even older) to the list. I thought about the ancient epics (like ) but most people I looked into seem to have included at least one, mine is I’m happy with the list I’ve chosen, but books three and nine may change. (Two Russian books is a lot, especially the tomes those two are!)

If you think you might be interested check out the rules after the jump or check out Sarah’s blog.

The nitty gritty details:

1. Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Books started before January 1st do not count, and all links/reviews/comments for each category must be posted in the correct place by December 31st. Feel free to join in at any time, but the end date is December 31.
2. Please feel free to use books in this Challenge toward any other Challenge you may be participating in. However, you must read a different book for each category of this challenge. Audio and e-books are allowed.
3. Please sign up for the Challenge using the linky list (or comment section if you do not have a blog/website). If you would be so kind, please spread the word about this challenge by creating a post on your blog/website and link back to this sign up page.
4. Once the Challenge has begun, you will see a new bar on the left hand side of this blog. This will list the places for you to link/comment your reviews of the book you have read for each category as well as a “wrap up” page. I will not be doing monthly check-in posts this year. I will probably do a “Half Way” post in June. These will be important because….
5. THERE IS A PRIZE THIS YEAR! People who complete the challenge (and I will check that all categories are completed!) will be entered into a random drawing for $30 worth of books (Book Depository will be used for an International Winner). I may have other prizes as well. Make sure you are following me via GFC, Email, Twitter, or Facebook/Networked Blogs so you are in the know!