Since it is already mid-February (how did that happen?) I thought it would be a good time to take stock of my progress in the challenges I signed up for at the beginning of the year.
For the Classics Challenge, I’ve already finished one book, Great Expectations, and am a couple of chapters into my next novel, Anna Karenina. I expect Anna K will take me through April to finish and then next up is Howard’s End. Reading Forster in May sounds like a delightful proposition.
The Victorian Challenge has not gone as well. I’d originally planned to read Jane Eyre for my first book, but I think I am Jane Eyred out. I’ve read the novel a couple of times and have seen every single movie adaptation that’s come along and I don’t think I can muster the enthusiasm to jump into the familiar story right now. So, with Lisa’s encouragement, I have substituted The Warden by Anthony Trollope and expect to complete it by April. Then I will dive into Vanity Fair.
Also in April I want to participate in the Muriel Spark Reading Week, co-hosted by Simon and Harriet. I have only read one of Spark’s novels, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and am excited at the prospect of reading another of her novels. The only ones my library carries are The Mandelbaum Gate, Aiding and Abetting, and The Finishing School. Has anyone read any of these? Which would you recommend?
And finally…the Month of Letters Challenge. Well, it has been an UtTeR failure! I have only written two letters and am having a hard time making myself write more. Don’t fear if you’ve sent me your address, though – I plan to catch up this weekend so keep on the lookout for a letter from me soon!
How about you?Are you participating in any challenges? How are you doing with them?
A Certain Fondness 
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