Back To The Classics Challenge 2012

Hi, everyone! Time for another 2012 Reading Challenge!!

One of the things that I really need to challenge myself with is to read more classics. So, what better way than to join a reading challenge! This challenge is being hosted by Sarah at Sarah Reads Too Much.

Here are the details copied from Sarah's blog:

Back To The Classics Challenge 2012:

Here are the nitty gritty details:

Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Books started before January 1st do not count, and all links/reviews/comments for each category must be posted in the correct place by December 31st. Feel free to join in at any time, but the end date is December 31.

Please feel free to use books in this Challenge toward any other Challenge you may be participating in. However, you must read a different book for each category of this challenge. Audio and e-books are allowed.

Please sign up for the Challenge using the linky list (or comment section if you do not have a blog/website). If you would be so kind, please spread the word about this challenge by creating a post on your blog/website and link back to this sign up page.

Once the Challenge has begun, you will see a new bar on the left hand side of this blog. This will list the places for you to link/comment your reviews of the book you have read for each category as well as a "wrap up" page. I will not be doing monthly check-in posts this year. I will probably do a "Half Way" post in June. These will be important because....

THERE IS A PRIZE THIS YEAR! People who complete the challenge (and I will check that all categories are completed!) will be entered into a random drawing for $30 worth of books (Book Depository will be used for an International Winner). I may have other prizes as well. Make sure you are following me via GFC, Email, Twitter, or Facebook/Networked Blogs so you are in the know!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if I need to make any clarifications.

Now that is all out of the way, want to see the categories? Sure you do! Here they are:

• Any 19th Century Classic

• Any 20th Century Classic

• Reread a classic of your choice

• A Classic Play

• Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction

• Classic Romance

• Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your language - To clarify, if your native language is NOT English, you may read any classic originally written in English that has been translated into your native language.

• Classic Award Winner - To clarify, the book should be a classic which has won any established literary award.

• Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime - To Clarify, this does not have to be a country that you hope to visit either. Countries that no longer exist or have never existed count.

Well, what do you think? I'm hoping that something really appeals to everyone, and that maybe one of the categories will make you a little uncomfortable. There are nine categories for twelve months. Hopefully you will have enough time to finish without stress, or shying away from a longer/more difficult book because of time constraints. You do not need to specify which books you plan on reading ahead of time, unless you'd like to.

So, go ahead and sign up with the Linky below or in the comments! Please spread the word and share the fun..... Good Luck to Everyone!!

Edited to add: There are questions about what counts as a Classic for the Challenge. Hopefully, I've answered the question HERE. Join the conversation!

If you would like to join me in the challenge, click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post.

I am going to keep track of my progress below (here are my ideas so far on what I plan to read, and I will link-up my reviews as I go):

1. Any 19th Century Classic: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
2. Any 20th Century Classic: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
3. Reread a classic of your choice: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. A Classic Play: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
5. Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction: Dracula by Bram Stoker
6. Classic Romance: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
7. Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your language: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (French to English)
8. Classic Award Winner: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham (won the 1956 Newbery Medal)
9. Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime: Lord of the Flies by Sir William Golding