I’ve seen this reading challenge come and go over the past several years but have never participated. Katrina wrote that the point of the challenge is to “read some books I might not otherwise read.” I have a few books that I intend to read but procrastinate because they are too intimidating. It’s time to tackle several of them!

Fiction

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell – I have yet to start reading this book even though I’ve borrowed it from the library several times.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – I asked my husband if he had any suggestions for this reading challenge. This was his immediate response. He’s only been suggesting it for the past three years; it’s probably time I accept his challenge.

Nonfiction

My Life by Bill Clinton – Another recommendation from my husband as he had heard that it was really good.

I’m a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to get through all three of these books! Each one is really long – 452, 735, and 957 pages respectively. Oh, well. That’s why it’s called a challenge, right?

Last month I decided to try an experiment. When I read through each of the Nightstand posts, I kept track of how many books were added to my to-read list due to others’ recommendations. Normally there are three or four. Last month I added 16! Nine nonfiction books and seven fiction.

Throughout the month, I kept track of how many books I finished off my to-read list, as opposed to those I picked up randomly at the library or those I was mailed to review. I finished one nonfction book (I am Nujood) and two fiction books (Evelina and William Henry is a Fine Name).

And this, my fellow readers, is why my to-read list keeps getting longer each month in spite of the numerous books I finish.

This month I read:

Bible

• Genesis

• Exodus

• Leviticus

• Numbers

• Deuteronomy

• Joshua

• Judges

• Ruth

• 1 Samuel

• 2 Samuel

• Job

Christian Fiction

• Whence Came a Prince
  by Liz Curtis Higgs – 2.5 stars. Mixed feelings. The writing is terrific. But this retelling of Jacob and Leah and Rachel is SO far off the Biblical story that it should be its own story. I was very unhappy with the ending.

• Love’s Sacred Song
  by Mesu Andrews – 4 stars. Fantastic book! I am anxiously awaiting Andrews’ next book publication.

• William Henry is a Fine Name
  by Cathy Gohlke – 4 stars. Touching and intense YA book about the Underground Railroad.

Memoir

• Mr. CSI: How a Vegas Dreamer Made a Killing in Hollywood, One Body at a Time – 3 stars. Not really about CSI but an interesting and inspiring account of a man trying and trying and trying again until he succeeds.

• I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali – 3 stars. A tear-jerking story robbed by a poorly-written narrative.

Secular Fiction

• South of Superior
  by Ellen Airgood – Barely 3 stars. It’s an adult coming-of-age book where nothing happens. I felt it was saying that life is hopeless.

• Evelina Or, the History of a Young Lady’s Entrance Into the World by Fanny Burney – 3.5 stars. One of my favorite September reads. Very witty lines and it’s obvious why Jane Austen was inspired by Burney. I can’t wait to read more of her works, especially since I’ve read Evelina is one of her weakest novels!

Currently Reading

• Bible in 90 Days Chronological Reading Plan

• Time and Again by Jack Finney – I am almost done with this story and thoroughly enjoying it. I’ve not read many time travel books but I’ve seen a ton of movies. Once I finish the book, I’ll dig around to see if they ever made it into a movie.

• The Cloister and the Hearth by Charles Reade – My current classic. I’m not sure how I came across this book but it’s interesting thus far (pg 50 out of 785).

Happy reading!