2013 Translation Challenge

Hi, everyone! Time for a 2013 Reading Challenge!!

This challenge is being hosted by Ellie @ Curiosity Killed The Bookworm.

Here are the details copied from Ellie's blog:

2013 Translation Challenge

Translated fiction is becoming much more popular these days but there are still lots of readers who ignore it. Reading international fiction is a great way to see different sides of other countries' culture and every-day life as well as opening up a whole new world of fantastic books to read. So for 2013, I'd like to challenge you to read one translated book per month.

For the purpose of the challenge the book must have been translated into English. Books can be any length (indeed, novellas seem to be much more popular in continental Europe) and any genre (including non-fiction). You can read anything from mainstream Scandinavian crime to classical literature, it really doesn't matter as long as it's been translated. You do not need to be a blogger; as long as you have somewhere to post yout thoughts (Goodreads, Shelfari, Library Thing, Tumblr, ReadItSwapIt, etc.) you can join in.

As 2012 was my first year hosting a challenge, I have learned a few lessons and there will be some changes for this one. There will be one sign up linky and then one master list for books read. Instead of specific challenge giveaways, I will be offering a few translated books as prizes throughout the year and offering extra entries to those taking part in the challenge.

I'm scrapping the monthly group read however that doesn't mean there won't be a readalong or two if you enjoy that aspect. There will be a few themed months which should hopefully coincide with other events around the blogosphere (eg. Paris in July).

To get you started, you might like to browse through some of my reviews of translated fiction. There are some fabulous publishers and imprints in the UK that focus on international fiction too, so stop by their websites for ideas:

Gallic Books

MacLehose Press

Pierene Press

And Other Stories

Harvill Secker

Bitter Lemon Press

Pushkin Press

Serpent's Tale

Feel free to set additional goals such as reading books from 12 different countries or 12 from the same country. If you want to vary the number, that's fine too.

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

Reading 12 translated books next year will be a stretch for me. Since Ellie said that we were free to vary the number, I am going to aim for THREE TRANSLATED BOOKS instead of 12.

I will keep track of my progress below and link up my reviews: 

1. Snakes and Earrings by Hitomi Kanehara
2. Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa