Sunday, February 1, 2009

The Second Unread Authors Challenge

Behold! The Second Unread Authors Challenge is upon us!

Last year I ran this challenge from September to February, and the premise was this: almost all of us have authors who we have long meant to read, but somehow never gotten around to. Perhaps you have always been intrigued but intimidated by their work. Perhaps "required reading" and your favorite authors have taken up most of your time. Perhaps they have been sitting on your shelves for years, continually trumped by new fascinations. Well, now is their time.

The rules:
  1. The challenge will run from August 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009. You may join at any time before or during those six months.
  2. During those six months, read at least SIX books by an author whose work you have never read before.
  3. You may choose six different "unread" authors to introduce yourself to, or you may choose just one or two and explore their work in greater depth.
  4. Authors may be drawn from any genre of literature. The only requirement is that they be authors whose work you substantially regret not having read yet.
  5. Your choices may overlap with other challenges you have underway.
To join the challenge:
  1. Make your list of at least six unread authors or works.
  2. Write a comment in response to this post expressing your immense, irrepressible desire to join the Unread Authors Challenge. If you have a blog, include a link to the entry in which you lay out your challenge goals. (Be sure to link to the specific entry, rather than to the blog as a whole, for the ease of those who want to view your choices.) If you don't have a blog, type out your list in the comment.
  3. If you would like to join the Unread Authors Blog (which will allow you to post copies of your list and any reviews you write directly to the blog), and you are not already a member, include an email address. I suggest using the format "email AT email DOT com" to avoid evil bots who seek out your email address for their own nefarious purposes. I will then send an invitation to join the blog's authorship to that email address.
Feel free to browse the entries below from last year's challenge participants for inspiration. Enjoy your flirtations with the new and long-ignored!
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51 comments:

  1. WendyJuly 23, 2008 at 11:44 AM

    I've added this to A Novel Challenge Blog :) Of course, I'll be participating again!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GrilsgoodJuly 23, 2008 at 11:59 AM

    I hope it starts in July I read a couple this month. I am in for it. No blog, just use the links here.

    Lindy

    ReplyDelete
  3. GrilsgoodJuly 23, 2008 at 12:54 PM

    Didnt' realize you wanted all my books up front, i mostly just pick up things and read them.

    My list
    1. Sala, Sharon Snowfall
    2. Rollins, James The Judas Strain
    3. Reich, Christopher Numbered Account
    4. Donaldson, D. J. New Orleans Requim
    5. Islieb, Roberta Deadly Advice
    6. Koontz, Dean The Funhouse

    alternates
    Leonard, Elmore Get Shorty
    Picoult, Jodi The 10th Circle

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sycorax PineJuly 23, 2008 at 1:33 PM

    Welcome to the challenge, Lindy! You should feel free to change your list as the challenge progresses, if you like (I almost always do, which is why my list of alternates is so long. :) ).

    ReplyDelete
  5. NotJustLauraJuly 23, 2008 at 1:44 PM

    I think this is a great idea and will enjoy participating.

    http://notjustreading.blogspot.com/2008/07/unread-authors-challenge-ii.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 23, 2008 at 7:59 PM

    yes, I am glad to see this challenge back. I am up for it.
    kim in ohio

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jan in EdmondsJuly 23, 2008 at 10:24 PM

    Guess I signed up for this as I see my name on the list but not my blog site. So -- see http:// jottingsfromjan@blogspot.com

    My list is:
    1. Moon Tige - Penelope Lively
    2. Staying On - Paul Scott
    3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
    4. The Conservationist - Nadine Gordimer
    5. The Line of Beauty - Alan Hollinghurst
    6. The Gathering - Anne Enright

    ReplyDelete
  8. katrinaJuly 24, 2008 at 6:30 AM

    I'm joining, I've listed way more than six in my blog as I can rarely stick to a list.
    My list is here: http://katrinasreads.blogspot.com/2008/07/second-unread-authors-challenge-aug-1st.html

    My email is katrinathomas UNDERSCORE uk AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk

    ReplyDelete
  9. WendyJuly 25, 2008 at 5:01 PM

    I've listed way more than six so I have choices...here's my list.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ShondaJuly 25, 2008 at 9:47 PM

    Sign me up! I have a long list of new-to-me authors. My list can be found here: http://memybookandthecouch.blogspot.com/2008/07/2nd-unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJuly 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM

    Yay! Sign me up! I'd love to join!

    My list/post is here: http://princesshoney.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/20089-unread-authors-challenge/

    Book challenge page is here: http://princesshoney.wordpress.com/book-challenge/

    Blog is here: http://princesshoney.wordpress.com

    E-mail is: krrismahoneyATliveDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  12. KimJuly 27, 2008 at 7:12 PM

    I am joining too! Here is a link to my post--
    *smiles*
    Kim
    http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2008/07/yesiree.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lizzy SiddalJuly 28, 2008 at 3:17 PM

    Oh yes - count me in.

    Link to my initial list of authors:

    http://lizzysliterarychallenges.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/unread-authors-challenge/

    ReplyDelete
  14. KathleenJuly 28, 2008 at 3:30 PM

    I'm in again! Here's my list: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/07/unread-authors-challenge-2008.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. WhitneyJuly 30, 2008 at 1:27 PM

    I'd love to join! Thanks for hosting.

    My List
    1. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
    2. The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory
    3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
    4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
    5. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
    6. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

    ReplyDelete
  16. joannaJuly 31, 2008 at 11:01 AM

    I'd love to join as well!

    My possibles are here:

    http://lostinagoodstory.blogspot.com/2008/07/unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnnaJuly 31, 2008 at 11:52 AM

    Great idea. :D

    Link to my post: http://unreadauthorshope.blogspot.com/

    I'd love to be added so I can post on here, too. My e-mail address is hopesblog AT hotmail DOT com.

    hope.

    ReplyDelete
  18. WhitneyAugust 1, 2008 at 11:09 AM

    I forgot to add my email so I can post to this blog, please

    whitterbehr AT mchsi DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  19. KristiAugust 1, 2008 at 12:19 PM

    Last challenge to sign up for today! Can't wait to get started - my list can be found here:
    http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2008/08/unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. RandiAugust 6, 2008 at 12:12 AM

    This sounds like fun.
    My List:
    1.) Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen
    2.) Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
    3.) Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
    4.) One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk
    5.) Dancing Shoes and Honky Tonk Blues by LuAnn McLane
    6.) With One Look by Jennifer Horsman

    The link to my blog http://randiromancereader.blogspot.com/search/label/unread%20author%20challenge

    ReplyDelete
  21. RandiAugust 6, 2008 at 12:15 AM

    This sounds like fun!

    My List:
    1.) Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen
    2.) Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
    3.) Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
    4.) One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk
    5.) Dancing Shoes and Honky Tonk Blues by LuAnn McLane
    6.) With One Look by Jennifer Horsman

    http://randiromancereader.blogspot.com/search/label/unread%20author%20challenge

    ReplyDelete
  22. AshleyAugust 8, 2008 at 1:16 PM

    I'm a little bit late but I'd still like to give this a shot.

    My list:
    http://girlthatreads.blogspot.com/2008/08/second-unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. LenaAugust 9, 2008 at 2:50 PM

    I am not currently updating my blog at all, but I am trying to get some reading done and I really want to join in the fun of this challenge so here are the six books I'll be reading:

    1. The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers
    2. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka
    3. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Chirstopher Moore
    4. Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
    5. Never Let Me Go bu Kazuo Schlink
    6. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nicole (Linus's Blanket)August 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM

    I want to join in.

    Here is my list:
    Veronika Decides to Die, Paul Coelho
    Atonement, Ian McEwen
    Journal of A Solitude, May Sarton
    The Quiet American, Graham Greene
    The Yiddish Policeman's Ubion, Michael Chabon
    The Road, Cormac McCarthy

    http://linussblanket.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousAugust 9, 2008 at 5:32 PM

    I will come up with a list soon. I know that there are authors, but I just cannot come up with any right now. Sorry, Judy

    ReplyDelete
  26. ShaneAugust 13, 2008 at 1:22 AM

    I'm thinking about the list I'm going to choose. COUNT ME IN!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. krinAugust 18, 2008 at 7:57 PM

    I enjoyed doing this challenge last year, so of course I'm doing it again this year!

    My list is here.

    ReplyDelete
  28. readerbeanAugust 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM

    I'm really excited to participate in this challenge. What a great way to motivate myself to finally pick certain books off my bookshelf. My mother is also participating and I'll be posting both of our reviews for our books each month. To see what we are reading go to my blog entry at: http://gettingbydreamingbig.blogspot.com/2008/08/another-reading-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousAugust 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM

    Hey - thought I had signed up for this one (have had it on my blog since 8/1 with all my books picked out!) My list is here - http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2008/08/unread-authors-challenge.html

    Thanks! - Kristi

    ReplyDelete
  30. Deb B.August 25, 2008 at 8:35 PM

    Sign me up!

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 27, 2008 at 5:34 PM

    Sign me up! I have a lot of upcoming books by authors that I never read before. Judy

    ReplyDelete
  32. KristiSeptember 2, 2008 at 1:39 PM

    I've finished my first book for this challenge - A Thousand Splendid Suns - Review can be found here:
    http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2008/09/thousand-splendid-suns.html

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2008 at 12:07 PM

    Immense, irrepressible desire to join the challenge? Oh yes, I'm in.
    Blog entry here: http://web.me.com/akagracie/Site/Blog/Entries/2008/9/3_The_Second_Unread_Authors_Challenge.html

    Happy to see someone else has a Christopher Moore book on his challenge. I "discovered" Moore through last year's challenge and continue to read him.
    Two books from last year's list remain unread, so they're back. It would be too shaming to carry them over another year!
    Thanks for hosting, Ariel

    ReplyDelete
  34. krinSeptember 6, 2008 at 4:51 PM

    I made a mistake and removed this blog from my dashboard. Could I be a posting member again? email: krin5292 at gmail dot com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2008 at 8:10 AM

    I plan on participting again!

    ReplyDelete
  36. 1morechapterSeptember 11, 2008 at 5:02 PM

    My list is up now. You can find it here.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2008 at 2:38 AM

    There are a ton of authors I've never read, I don't think I'll have any trouble with this challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  38. SandraOctober 4, 2008 at 6:52 AM

    Finally found out where to join. I have got my button and have been doing this on my own already. Please sign me up. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousNovember 6, 2008 at 3:00 PM

    I know that the challenge is halfway over, but I can come up with 6 authors, but I will make my list as I go as I do not know what new authors I will encounter each month. Judy

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousNovember 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM

    Hello,

    Have finished 4 books for this challenge - reviews can be found here:
    http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Unread%20Authors%20Challenge

    Thanks!
    Kristi

    ReplyDelete
  41. Desert RoseNovember 20, 2008 at 5:04 AM

    I added this challenge to my blog with a specific link. I'm still working on my list so I will be posting it soon.

    http://desertrosechallenges.blogspot.com/2008/11/second-unread-authors-challenge.html

    E mail is
    desert dot rain at runbox dot com

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Desert RoseNovember 22, 2008 at 7:19 AM

    I've started and read 6 books for this challenge and was surprised that I did not even sign up here!! I guess I was over excited LOL!
    Anyways my link to this challenge is this..

    http://desertrosechallenges.blogspot.com/2008/11/second-unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousNovember 25, 2008 at 11:30 PM

    Hello,

    I have finished this challenge! My reviews of all six of my books are here: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Unread%20Authors%20Challenge
    Must say - doesn't look much like my original list!

    Thanks for hosting!
    Kristi

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousNovember 26, 2008 at 4:43 PM

    I am ready for this one. I love reading unread authors and had fun with last year's challenge.
    kim in ohio

    ReplyDelete
  45. MarinaNovember 29, 2008 at 12:48 AM

    I know I'm really late, but I'd still like to participate in your challenge.
    here's the link to my list:

    http://texasbookwoman.blogspot.com/2008/11/unread-authors-challenge-8108-13109.html

    here's by blog:
    http://texasbookwoman.blogspot.com/

    and here's my contact:
    anntigoneatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  46. Jan in EdmondsDecember 28, 2008 at 7:21 PM

    Just wanted to say that I've officially completed this challenge & have read a total of 25new authors (including 5 of the 6 I originally listed). See my blog for reviews and details about this challenge.

    aka Jan in Edmonds

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2009 at 4:04 AM

    I am willing to give it a try again. Real life got in the way. I will come up with a list closer to the time. I think that I signed up for a challenge that is similar to this one, and I want to put my list of unread authors to that challenge, first. Thanks for your understanding!

    Judy/Intergalactic Bookworm

    http://intergalacticbookworm.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. KristenJanuary 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    I thought I'd officially signed up for this way back when you first created it. Apparently not. But I have been participating since then. LOL! So now I'm officially signing up.

    http://unreadauthors.blogspot.com/2008/07/second-unread-authors-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. raidergirl3January 9, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    I'm not sure I officially signed up, but in November I took on this challenge, and completed it in January. Here's my wrap up post:
    http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/challenge-unread-authors-update.html

    I think I did it twice over since I've been reading so many new authors.

    ReplyDelete
  50. SandraJanuary 31, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    I did this but never wrote a post about it. I hope there's another challenge like this one again.

    ReplyDelete
  51. JennyJanuary 31, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    Here is the link to my reviews.
    http://jennysimpsonjenny.blogspot.com/search/label/Unread%20authors for some reason the post about the challenge isn't coming up. I had different books listed on my blog than on my excel challenge page and I did the ones on the excel page. Fun challenge. Always lots of authors that I want to read.

    ReplyDelete