Monday, January 2, 2012

Victorian Challenge 2012



Welcome to another year of book blogging! I hope your holidays were filled with good times and good memories! I have enjoyed visiting my favorite blogs and reading about your goals and proposed challenges for 2012, and I'm ready to join you on your reading journey in 2012.

My goal in creating this blog has always been to use Books, Belles, and Beaux as a way to share my thoughts on the books I read, learn about new authors, and connect with other readers. I like to keep the number of challenges to a minimum, and this year I have chosen to participate in just one challenge. Laura at Laura's Reviews has enticed me with the Victorian Challenge she will be hosting in 2012. Here are the details from her blog:

"For the Victorian Challenge, we will focus on the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. We will count books that were written by Victorian authors during this time period, books set during the Victorian age, or books about a Victorian author, history, manners, architecture, Queen Victoria etc... Also besides reading books, short stories, audiobooks and movies will also be accepted. The sky is the limit; I would love to make this a true celebration of all things Victorian.

Challenge Details

1. The Victorian Challenge 2012 will run from January 1st to December 31st, 2012. You can post a review before this date if you wish.

2. You can read a book, watch a movie, or listen to an audiobook, anything Victorian related that you would like. Reading, watching, or listening to a favorite Victorian related item again for the second, third, or more times is also allowed. You can also share items with other challenges.

3. The goal will be to read, watch, listen, to 2 to 6 (or beyond) Victorian items."


My first book selected for this challenge is:



Charlotte and Emily by Jude Morgan

Good luck in your challenges!

10 comments:

Cat said...

Great choice! I loved this book. Nice cover but I do wish they hadn't changed the title - A Taste of Sorrow was much better.

Joanne said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Cat! True, the Brontes were a sorrowful group -- a brilliant literary family but somber!

Mystica said...

I won't enter the challenge because my access to books is at best erratic but I am certainly following what is read so that I can pick out whatever you all recommend.

Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Reader said...

Sounds like a great challenge. I love the Victorian era. I'm looking forward to seeing what you read, and am especially eager for your review of Charlotte and Emily since it's on my tbr pile.

Anjuli said...

What a great challenge!! And I like the book you have decided to start with. I have read quite a few biographies of the Bronte sisters- and various other Victorian writers- I would love to read more.

p.s.
finally got ahold of "The Forbidden Garden" and finished it- wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep it all start with the dancing around to different years and different people- but it all tied together nicely at the end- thanks for the recommendation!

Carole Rae said...

Good luck on this challenge! Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!

Yvette said...

I think I'll join in this challenge as well. You talked me into it Joanne.

I have one other challenge, the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge and that, as they say, is that.

Two Challenges for 2012 is about all I'm up for.

Last year I did the Victorian Challenge but didn't much with it.
Though I did read WOMEN IN WHITE and DRACULA. But somewhere along the way I lost track of the challenge. I am NOT the most organized reader in the world.

This year I hope to do better.

Let me go sign up.

Joanne said...

Thank everyone for your comments and support. Good luck with the challenge, Yvette; it's always more fun to do things with friends!

Laura's Reviews said...

Joanne - I'm glad that you've joined the challenge. I can't wait ot read your reviews. I especially can't wait to read your review of Charlotte and Emily by Jude Morgan. That book has been on my rador the past couple of years. My library didn't have a copy when it was title A Taste of Sorrow. I need to check for it again and add it to my "wish" list if its not there!

Staci said...

Perfect challenge for you. I have been wanting to read this one for a while now. I will wait anxiously to read what you think!!

Favorite Period Dramas

Mount TBR

Joanne's to-read book montage

On a Highland Shore
A Light on the Veranda
Entwined
The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile
The Edwardians
Maisie Dobbs
Howards End
Lady's Maid
Instruments Of Darkness
When Maidens Mourn
Where Shadows Dance
What Remains of Heaven
Where Serpents Sleep
Why Mermaids Sing
When Gods Die
Shadowfever
Before Ever After
The Sugar Queen
Garden Spells
After the Night


Joanne's favorite books »
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