The news has been going around for a while now for Maggie's Southern Reading Challenge 2007. She has even gone to the trouble of doing a bit of research for Southern Region Defined!
I've too many books half-read already. Do I really need another Book Challenge? Like I need a root canal. But is that going to stop me from signing up? Of course not. *grin*
My interest in Southern Lit is more slanted towards what is commonly known as Southern Gothic. Been meaning to read Carson McCullers and other Southern Gothic authors for a while now. I dug into my personal library first to see what I can come up with – because Book Challenges are a good excuse to get around to reading your unread books. That's when I found this forgotten copy of Flannery O'Connor's The Complete Stories. I don't recall when I bought it. It must have been my university days when I was into the literature of the Gothic. Just as well — I've been meaning to get around to her stories since Dorothy and Jenclair started writing about her. This volume collects 31 of O'Connor's stories, so it's a good place to start.
Meanwhile, these are the shortlisted titles I am considering for the challenge:
The Complete Stories Flannery O'Connor
The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter Carson McCullers
The Color Purple Alice Walker
Orpheus Descending Tennessee Williams
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All Allan Gurganus
Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady Florence King
The Awakening Kate Chopin
Challenge starts 1st June, until August. The challenge is to read 3 books. More details later, closer to the date.
As usual, if I don't own the books, I will try to get the books from the libraries or from friends. No buying of new books for the challenges.
I'm thrilled you are joining the challenge! I thought I would work on a Southern Gothic List tonight. Thanks also for such a great list. BTW, I loved The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you enjoy the O'Connor stories if you decide to read them -- I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMaggie: Thanks for organising this challenge. It's a great excuse for me to push myself into reading Carson McCullers and Flannery O'Connor. All these books I promise myself to pick up - but never can find the time. I hope I enjoy "Heart is a Lonely Hunter" too. So looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteDorothy: I think I'm confirmed with Flannery O'Connor for the Southern Challenge. Been trying to keep my hands off it until June.
I loved the Color Purple. Maybe you would like to check out the Video Book Review. Saw the movie too.
ReplyDeleteI really want to do this challenge and like you I'm going to dig around in my shelves and see which books I can use.
ReplyDeleteI don't need any new challenges either, but I couldn't pass this one up, too. I have to decide still on my titles. I loved The Awakening by the way--and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, too! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteiliana: Good luck picking out something suitable from your stash. I didn't realise I have O'Conor hidden behind my old Lonely Planet guides until I looked. Never know what you're going to find. :)
ReplyDeleteDanielle: This challenge is just too hard to pass up, isn't it? I've only read a few of Chopin's short stories - but I like them. I thought I should tackle "Awakening" this year.
Wish me luck. Will I be able to finish all the challenges? D'oh.
Oh...I have been looking at this challenge but didn't have a clue what to read. I like your choices. (or at least, the shortlist!) I read The Awakening a couple of years ago. Great story.
ReplyDeleteStephanie: Hi, Stephanie. Thanks for dropping by. The "Shortlist" is getting longer though. Hmmm. WIll have to narrow it down, or maybe I'll just have a long list of "shortlisted" titles to pick from.
ReplyDeleteI'm never good at pinning down what I want to read next.