Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

I didn't get a chance to do this one last year, so I'm excited.

1899 and earlier
1. Our Nig - Harriet E. Wilson (1859) (completed 2/18/19)
2. Clotel: or, The President's Daughter - William Wells Brown (1853) (completed 2/27/19)
3. The Story of the Stone by Cao Xueqin (Vol. 1-5) (1791) (completed 4/24/19)
1900-1999
4. Thousand Cranes -Yasunari Kawabata* (1952) (completed 2/12/19)
5. The Woman in the Dunes - Kōbō Abe (1962) (completed 3/8/19)
6. Black Rain - Masuji Ibuse (1965) (completed 5/14/19)
My Wild Card Six
7. Some Prefer Nettles - Jun'ichirō Tanizaki* (1929) (completed 4/29/19)
8. Spring Essence: The Poetry of Hô Xuân Huong - Hồ Xuân Hương (1801) (completed 1/6/19)
9. Pedro Páramo - Juan Rulfo (1955) (completed 4/13/19)
10. Halfbreed - Maria Campbell (1973) (completed 4/10/19)
11. Second Class Citizen - Buchi Emecheta (1974) (completed 3/26/19)
12. For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf - Ntozake Shange (1975) (completed 1/14/19)

Alternates
A-1. The Confessions of Lady Nijō - Lady Nijō (1307) (completed 4/22/19)
A-2. Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade - Assia Djebar* (1985) (completed 5/20/19)

*Authors I've Read Before

Completed: 14/14

I've been inspired by Erin to devote this challenge to reading classics by people of color, drawing heavily from the 100 Must-Read Classics by People of Color list, which you can find here if you're interested .

I'd like to think that I'll acquire more of the list classics as 2019 continues, but for now I'll fill in the rest with works I personally feel fulfill the label of 'classic'.

I’m liking your choices and look forward to reading your reviews! 😁

Thanks Erin :)

All I can speak to is Pedro Paramo, which I haven’t read, but I hope it wins short story someday. Good luck.

Thanks Bob. I hope it wins too.

I like the publication year that lots of people are adding to the tail end of their entries, so that's what I'm going to do (after I get some dinner in me).

Is this a goodreads list or outside source? I should make it a point to read most of these. I think I’ve only read about 10 as of now.

Brina wrote: "Is this a goodreads list or outside source? I should make it a point to read most of these. I think I’ve only read about 10 as of now."

It's from Book Riot. They also made a 100 classics by women list that's worth checking out. My personal challenge board has links to both.

Thank you and I’m right I have only read 10, yet another ongoing project to read.

Your challenge looks great and thanks for the list. I've read some of them, but found a lot of books I'd like to get to.

Karen Michele wrote: "Your challenge looks great and thanks for the list. I've read some of them, but found a lot of books I'd like to get to."

Brina wrote: "Thank you and I’m right I have only read 10, yet another ongoing project to read."

I'm glad to hear that, Brina and Karen. I hope you both make some inadvertently wonderful discoveries amongst the less renowned classics.

I enjoy looking at the various Book Riot must read lists. I've found many books to add to my mountainous TBR from some of them.

Laurie wrote: "I enjoy looking at the various Book Riot must read lists. I've found many books to add to my mountainous TBR from some of them."

Same, Laurie.

What a great idea, Aubrey!
I'm afraid to admit my own list is exceedingly white, except for two or three authors.

No shame in admitting that you see it as an issue, Petrichor. It just means you have a lot of, often unfortunately underread, works that could use your engagement.

I've completed Spring Essence: The Poetry of Hô Xuân Huong and posted my review above.

Off to a great start on your challenges! :D

Thanks Erin :)

I've completed For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf and posted my review above.

You're off to a wonderful start! Two completed books already. That's terrific!

Thanks, Petra. Admittedly, those two were amongst the shorter works on this list, but as I'm currently in the midst of reading the 2200+ page behemoth that is 'The Story of the Stone', I think I'm allowed to balance it with much shorter works when I can.

I've completed Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata and posted my review above.

I've completed Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson and posted my review above.

Great list! What's your favourite among the four you've read so far?

Thanks, Lotte. I'd have to say Thousand Cranes tops the list for now.

I've finished Clotel: or, The President's Daughter and posted my review above.

I've finished The Woman in the Dunes and linked to my review above.

I've finished Second-Class Citizen and linked to my review above.

You are killing it with your challenges, Aubrey :). wtg!

Thanks, MK. I'd be going a lot faster if I had less challenges, so I guess it's a good thing that I have so many. Makes me look more normal :P

:D

I'm glad to hear that Thousand Cranes is at the top of your list (at least for now). I have it on one on my lists this year!

Tammy wrote: "I'm glad to hear that Thousand Cranes is at the top of your list (at least for now). I have it on one on my lists this year!"

Apologies for the late response, Tammy, but that's good to hear.

In addition, I've finished Halfbreed and posted my review above.

I've finished Pedro Páramo and posted my review above.

I've completed The Confessions of Lady Nijō and linked to my review above.

I've completed 'The Story of the Stone' and put my review for the final fifth volume above. I'll figure out how I want to link to all the volumes later.

Aubrey, you're doing great with this challenge! Terrific progress!

Thanks Petra. Unlike some of my other challenges, this one doesn't draw upon books I have to go to libraries for, so I'll probably finish it sooner than my others.

That is my strategy this year, too: read the books I already have. Sadly (or not), I'm still visiting the library too much and reading those books. I need to look at my at-home bookshelves first.

Ha ha, my problem is that I'm too well connected with book sales to bypass supplementing my already hundreds of books with more which cost a buck on average. As an aspiring librarian, I really should be supporting libraries in the area more instead of just increasing my own.

I've completed 'Some Prefer Nettles' and linked to my review above. At this stage I'm technically done, but I'm nothing if not a completionist.

Aubrey, great review.
Congratulations on being technically finished already! I look forward to when you complete the last 2 books on your list.

Thanks, Petra. They should happen sooner rather than later.

Aaaand I've wrapped this one up as well, bonuses and all. Woot.

Congrats on finishing your challenge, you’ve smashed it this year!

Well done, Aubrey. You are burning through your challenges.

Congratulations on a finished challenge! You always introduce me to new authors and books. Thanks.

Thanks all, and I'm glad to hear it, Lynn. I tend to specialize in the eclectic and the obscure these days.

Congratulations!