Read Les Misérables in French
Like many others, I wanted to read Victor Hugo’s classic work as soon as I saw Les Misérables in theatres. I’m giving myself an extra challenge though. I want to read the tome in the original French. In a previous post I wrote about my desire to read in my second languages and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. The book is so long that the ebook version I downloaded is split into 5 parts. Hopefully I’ll be done by the end of the year!
Heritage Reads
As a spin-off of the POC reading challenge, I want to take a “heritage” reading challenge. This year I plan to read books by writers who (by my arbitrary estimation) share my heritage. My goals are below:
- 10 Haitian writers
- 10 Caribbean writers
- 10 African Writers
- 10 Latino writers
- 5 South Asian writers
- 5 Native/Aboriginal writers
- 5 East Asian writers
To-Read Pile
Of course I hope to finish off my to-read pile but let’s be honest: it has grown tremendously since my last count. My first goal is to tackle the unread books on my bookshelf (about 70). Next I’ll read the books on my Kobo (about 10). Finally I’ll whittle away my Goodreads to-read list (about 80). Hopefully there’s enough overlap between the two to keep things manageable.
What are your reading challenges for 2013? Any suggestion to help me meet mine?
I read a V.S. Naipaul book last year and didn’t like it but maybe I’ll try again. BUT! I’m not allowed to overlap so I’d prob put him under Caribbean. All of these are potential heritages. I don’t know the details of my ancestry.
You have all those heritages? Wow. Why not try some V.S. Nailpaul, who is both South Asian AND Caribbean. And for Latino try Newbery winner Margarita Engle’s verse novels. She’s like my fifth favorite person in the world right now. You’ll soon find out why.
Thanks! I added both to my to-read lists. My trick with dialects is to read them out loud! I get weird stares on the bus but always enjoy myself :D
I absolutely love this challenge! And my recommendation for a Caribbean writer – you must try The Lunatic by Anthony Winkler – it is hilarious! Of course – it’s probably best if you’re a little familiar with the Jamaican dialect. I also loved The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin – it’s set in Nigeria (and it’s about a polygamist whose wives are getting the better of him).
Tanya Patrice
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