It makes me sad but I have to face the music. I am not going to be able to finish the wonderful Summer Mystery Challenge sponsored by
Liz. I remember when I first discovered this challenge I was so excited because I was mystery deprived at the time. What an opportunity to read mysteries, which are my favorite genre. What happened you may ask? Well, I
had to plan a 5-week trip, then I
HAD to take that trip and then I came home to a
ruined basement. Otherwise, I would have curled up in my reading chair and had a blissful time soaking up those wonderful mysteries. Here's how things worked out:
1. Booked to Die2. Body Double3. A Deadly Secret4. Murder on a Girl's Night Out5. Bones6. Eye of the NeedleWhile I'm wiping the slate clean I might as well confess that I didn't finish my library's summer adult reading program, either. The challenge is to read 9 out of the 12 genres they listed. The contest only runs for the months of June and July. Here's my final results for this challenge:
Adult Classic - Scarlet PimpernelJr Classic - Anne of Green GablesNewbery - Higher Power of LuckyNonfiction - Remember Me: A Lively Tour of the New American Way of DeathBiography - BrainiacMystery - Booked to DieRomance - Princess BrideSciFi/Fantasy - A Wrinkle in Time Western - Haunted MesaFiction of Choice - Bridge of San Luis ReyShort Stories - Dreams UnderfootPoetry - One of Carolyn Pearson's booksI don't feel guilty about not finishing, I just feel bad I didn't read the ones that aren't crossed off. With the exception of Haunted Mesa I still plan to read the others. And I will still sign up for more challenges. I really enjoy them.
18 comments:
So sorry to hear about the basement disaster!!
The Catholics have the appropriate language for situations like this, but I confess that I don't know it. It goes something like... I absolve you of sin, gobney, gobney, gobney, go forth and sin no more!
The Summer Mystery Reading Challenge was designed so that people would try mysteries by authors that were new to them. But sometimes real life intervenes. My father was diagnosed with cancer, my husband was transferred, and that kid who lives with us has had all kinds of demands on our time. I am running the darn challenge and have had a hard time getting in books by new authors!
The important thing is that you keep reading when you have time. Thanks for trying and keep the faith.
Liz
You did a great job with the challenges under the circumstances. I hope things calm down for you for awhile so you can sneak in more reading time. :-)
Oooh, ouch. A backed-up sewer is *definitely* a good excuse for not finishing your reading! So sorry that happened.
We need a challenge that involves finishing the books we still want to read from other challenges! I'm sorry about the basement, but it certainly takes top priority.
Do get your hands on Scarlet Pimpernel (and series if you can). It is delightful read, and I wish it was made into a movie sometime.
It's great to have neighoburs that will help out - makes coming home to such a disaster slightly bearable.
I love the categories and books at your library summer challenge - I may try something like that for myself, just to read a variety of genres.
The challenges are all supposed to be for fun - sometimes I think making the list in the beginning is the most fun of all.
I'm not doing too well with my challenges either but of course it doesn't stop me from thinking about some of the new ones that are popping up! :)
I'm still trying to get through the Summer Mystery Reading challenge. There may be some hope there!
And, yes given what you went through with the ruined basement well I'd say you had your hands full!
Sorry, again, about the basement disaster (and not seeing you in Toronto) but I don't think you should feel any guilt about not reading. Now, if you had finished the challenge and let the rest of your family deal with the flood, then you could feel some guilt.
It's a bummer leaving things unfinished, but hey, I'd say no one has a better excuse than you! What a horrible mess. I hope the basement comes together soon for you. I'm beginning to think that I may not complete all of my challenges for the year either...we'll see!
Ah, but you had a lovely vacation and that's what counts, right? The books will always be there. That's what I keep telling myself. ;) And I agree with Jenclair. A challenge to read all those books chosen for other challenges that didn't get read in time! Perfect! :)
SuziQ, it helps to have sympathy. Thanks.
Liz, thank-you. It's so nice to be absolved of sin. Can you do something about all my other ones?
Lit, thanks for the encouragement. Actually, things are a bit calm right now because the wreckers are still tearing out dry wall.
Heather, thanks for the soothing balm of sympathy. It helps.
Jenclair, what a good idea for a challenge. Just what I need.
Fleiger, you are in luck. There is a movie starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. I used to not like Jane Seymour but she is wonderful in this. This version is absolutely delightful. It's not a musical, but after you watch it you should buy the soundtrack for the Broadway musical. Wonderful stuff.
Fleiger, I forgot to include the link. Click here.
Hello, Raidergirl3. It's like hearing from an old friend. Wish we were really neighbors so we could meet and share some seafood chowder again. The library's program is fun. I could host a challenge every summer based on that idea, huh?
Iliana, I'm cheering you on. Hope you finish all those cozy mysteries.
Cereal Girl, you are absolutely right. Thanks for the kind thoughts.
Chris, I don't know how fast it will go as we will be doing most of the work ourselves. We're still waiting for Service Master to finish what they need to do.
Les, I wouldn't trade that vacation for anything. You're right - the books can wait. I'm glad we didn't decide to rush home that last week and half. Once everything was moved out there was nothing we could do.
Don't feel bad! I have been so busy, I'm not finishing my challenges either. But it's just fun to try!
I'm just getting back from vacation this week, and I'm trying to catch up with all my favorite blogs. I saw that you finished a Willa Cather book. This past month, I read O Pioneers by Cather for the Decades challenge. It was such a wonderful book!! I defintely want to read more of her work!
Challenges can be addictive and fun, but I have a hard time finishing them, too. I get easily distracted by other books. Still it is nice to think about reading certain types of books, even if you only get to cross one off your list.
Stephanie, hope you had a great vacation. It's hard to get caught up when you get home, isn't it?
I've only read The Professor's House by Cather and, of course, Shadow on the Stones. I liked the 2nd one better.
Danielle, addictive is the best word to describe me and challenges.
So sorry you couldn't complete the mystery challenge booklogged, especially as I know it's one of your favorite genres....and oh no about the ruined basement, you poor thing!
I kinda feel like you got to the most important ones...Wrinkle in Time and Princess Bride! I wonder if adults reading A Wrinkle in Time love it as much as young adults? I read it now, and love it, but there's always the remembering of the first time, and how much I loved it then...
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