Challenge

I will be spending much of the rest of the semester creating and completing my own reading challenge.  I do not enter into a challenge or a plan easily.

My Thinking

Why Challenge and Plan?

When we challenge ourselves, we stay committed to continue reading.  A challenge gives me, as a reader, a goal.  When I work through a challenge, I do not have to question what book to read next – the challenge provides that for me!

I am also a big planner!  I have been planning my life since I was a kid.  Creating a reading challenge and a plan just seems natural to me.  When I work through a reading plan, I have goals and direction in regards to how much I read.

My Criteria

This past week I have spent some time looking at various Children’s Literature challenges and lists.  I knew that I wanted to read as many books as possible.  I also knew that I wanted the books to span a number of continuums.

I wanted to read books that were published a long time ago and books that were published recently.

I wanted to read books that cover many genres and styles:  picture books, chapter books, happy books, sad books.

So, what did I choose….?

Setting the Stage

My Challenge

I have decided that I am going to begin working on Amazon’s 100 Children’s Books to Read in a Lifetime.  This list, compiled by editors over at Amazon.com, contains picture books and chapter books.  Each of the books has a “tag line” to it.  They spread publication dates (from classics to recently released).  I think this is a good cross section of Children’s Lit and fits so many of my “criteria” for a challenge.

My Rules

I’ve also set myself a plan and rules about this challenge.  I know I will never read 100 books between now and December.  Instead I will be using this fall to take a big bite out of the list.  But, I need to set myself some rules.

1. Anything I’ve read since August is considered done.
2. Each week I will read 3 books.  1 will be a picture book.  1 will be a chapter book.  The other will be a choice book.
3. I will read something new to me each week.  I can re-read some favorites, but each week I have to read something new to me.

How Can You Help?

My Current Thoughts on the Challenge

I am very excited to set out to read the 100 Children’s Books to Read in a Lifetime.  I am looking forward to reading books that are popular among children’s literature readers.  I’m also really looking forward to reading some books I wouldn’t normally pick up!

There are a few thing that will be hard for me.  First, choosing which books from the list to read will be difficult.  100 books is a lot of books, and I do want to eventually read them all.  However, where do I start?  I need you, my readers, to help direct me to books on the list that match my tastes and reviews of recent reads.  Some of the best books are the ones that others recommend.

Secondly, I know that limiting myself will be challenging.  I love to read and would love nothing better than to sit and read Children’s Lit all week.  Alas, I have adult responsibilities (booooo) and cannot do that.  So, recognizing and accepting that fact that this challenge will take more than a few months to complete will be essential for me.

You can see what I have read each week by looking at the “It’s Monday” tagged posts.  You can also see my overall progress on the “Challenge” tab at the top of the page.  Stop by each week, see what I’ve read, and recommend, recommend, recommend!

Let’s get reading….