It all started with Hugh Hewitt’s lifetime book reading list. He interviewed two brilliant men and they collaborated on what they consider the best books of all time.
Some of the list I’ve thoroughly digested, but far too many titles I’ve but the smallest acquaintance with. Thus I’ve chosen some of the top books listed to tackle in the near future–partly through the YLCF Book Society but mostly on my own. I’m a bit intimidated but also determined. If I can consume over 15,000 pages of material on a single subject (yes, I admit it, I did!) in the last several months, then I can certainly press through 1000 or so pages of Cervantes or Dostevsky. Right?
I’ve set a challenge for myself that I know is do-able, but will stretch me. My hope is to have finished these books before the end of 2008. Would any of you like to join me in reading? Almost all of the books mentioned are available online so purchasing the book is optional. If anyone wants to join in, I’d enjoy the company.
The Quest
- Choose ten books which will stretch you, preferably from either Hugh Hewitt’s list or something similar. (More lists are here and here, however they list only fiction so they are somewhat incomplete. If anyone knows of a better list please let me know!)
- Post your list here.
- Update us on your progress and what you love/dislike about your books during the Checkpoints which will appear on the Journal. Post when you finish a book, when you find a new favorite, when you reach a particularly difficult goal.
- Bonus: Take a picture of you with your pile of books for the Scrapbook!
January 7, 2008 at 6:44 pm
You inspire me! I won’t be formally joining in, but I will be reading some, and eagerly waiting for your book reviews…
I read Cervantes, Virgil, Chaucer, and Dante for my college literature class… such gems.
January 8, 2008 at 9:14 am
I would love to participate! I’ll work on making my list.
Just out of curiosity, which books will also be book society books?
January 8, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Kyndra,
I am not sure yet–the girls will decide together which ones to use. Probably not many.
January 8, 2008 at 8:11 pm
[...] of the other interesting things on the site are Quests. She’s only posted the first one, and that is to read 10 books in 2008. I’m planning to take part. I just need to choose my [...]
January 8, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Okay, I’m jumping in! I am due to have a baby girl in March and I allready have a 3 year old, so I hope I’m not going in over my head, but it’s allways good to have a challenge! Here’s my list:
1.Knowing God, JI Packer
2. Amish Grace, Kraybill, Nolt, Weaver-Zercher
3.Sheperding a Child’s Heart, Ted Tripp
4. John Newton, Johathan Aitken
5. Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
6. The Inheiritance, Louisa May Alcott
7. Gulivers Travels, Johanthon Swift
8. A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett
9. The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis
10. God is the Gospel, John Piper
If audio books count then I also have on my iPod: Pride and Predjudice, Young Goodman Brown, Scarlet Letter, and the Biogrophy of Thomas Jefferson. I’m also working on reading the Bible through in a year (I know the Bible is kind of a given on everyone’s list, but I’m working on a year long reading plan). I also have some books that I’ve allready started that I hope to finish: Calm My Anxious Heart, Pilgrims Progress, Treasuring God in our Traditions, Lord I Give You This Day, Valley of Vision, a Collection of Puritan Prayers, and Baby Wise.
Thanks for the challenge, this will be fun!
-Amy (http://godmadeplaydough.blogspot.com)
January 24, 2008 at 9:40 am
I’m finally buckling down and compiling my list! (Natalie, there should be a letter arriving in your mailbox next week with the Tea Table fee.) I decided to stick to classics that I have always heard of, but never read; therefore, I submit:
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Watership Down – Richard Adams
Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
The Great Gatsby — F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
The Grapes of Wrath — John Steinbeck
The Last of the Mohicans — James Fenimore Cooper
The Hound of the Baskervilles — Arthur Conan Doyle
The Scarlet Letter — Nathaniel Hawthorne
David Copperfield — Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
I think I’ll start with Jane Eyre, and prolly get some good reading in during next month’s long flights.
This is exciting! Looking forward to discussing and sharing with everyone.
Jana
January 24, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I’d like to join in!
Here’s my list:
1. The Wide, Wide World - Susan Warner
2. Wives and Daughters - Elizabeth Gaskell
3. Freckles - Gene Stratton Porter
4. Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
5. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
6. Persuasion - Jane Austen
7. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne
8. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
9. Middlemarch - George Eliot
10. The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Looking forward to it!
~Maribeth
January 26, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Oh! “The Wide, Wide World” is one I’ve been on the lookout for years. One of our libraries has an edited version, which was charming, but I’ve been eager to read the full text. Is it available online?
February 24, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I finally finished one of my books from my list! I probably could’ve finished it awhile ago, but with all the contractions I’ve been having, it’s been hard to focus. (I’m expecting little Anna any day now! :))
The book I finished was Amish Grace, I’ll work on a review of it for later. Just wanted to let you know that I have one down!
February 26, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Cross one more off my list! I just finished “The Inheiritance” by Louisa May Alcott. It was her first novel that she wrote at 17, but it was never published until some researchers found it in her family archives a few years ago! I’ll work up a review and post it on my blog when I get a chance.
March 10, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I just finished reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. I was challenged by Uncle Tom’s reaction to all the troubles sent his way. He never got cross at anyone and accepted what happened to him. He was also willing to help those who were worse off than he was. Uncle Tom shared his faith where ever he went. I would recommend this book to all.
Now I’ll be reading “The Tale of Two Cities”. Hopefully I’ll read it faster than the previous book.
April 14, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Question. To join in this quest…and have discussion on books, do I read what you are reading currently? Slightly confused…let me know.
April 14, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Renee,
No, you pick 10 of your own. Then follow the link above and you can see how others have posted their lists. There is also the above linked post where they are updating each other on their progress.
April 23, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Trying out my new picture. This is me…with my late-night reading. A ritual here. It’s the only chance I get to read.
Or when I’m in the car or plane.