Wrap Up Post for Notable Books Challenge

The Notable Books Challenge is a perpetual challenge to read books from The Notable Books lists.

At the beginning of 2009, I challenged myself to read at least 6 books from the Notable Lists on the challenge blog. Here is how I did:

1. Netherland, by Joseph O’Neill (from NYT Most Notable – 2008) – COMPLETED April 4, 2009; rated 3/5; read my review.
2. The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery (from Christian Science Monitor Bests – 2008) – COMPLETED July 18, 2009; rated 4.5/5; read my review.
3. Out Stealing Horses, by Per Petterson (from 2008 ALA Most Notable and NBCC Best Books- 2007 and NYT Most Notable-2007) – COMPLETED January 6, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review)
4. Sea of Poppies, by Amitav Ghosh (from 2008 PW Best Books) COMPLETED July 12, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.
5. Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri (from 2008 PW Best Books, 2008 NYT Most Notable, and 2009 ALA Notable Books) COMPLETED February 22, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.
6. Matrimony, by Joshua Henkin (from 2007 NYT Most Notable) COMPLETED February 11, 2009; rated 3.5/5; read my review.
7. What the Dead Know, by Laura Lippman (from 2007 PW Best Books) COMPLETED June 16, 2009; rated 4.5/5; read my review.
8. The Good Thief, by Hannah Tinti (2008 NYT Most Notable) COMPLETED July 29, 2009; rated 3/5; read my review.
9. The Road Home, by Rose Tremain (2008 NYT Most Notable) COMPLETED January 16, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.
10. City of Refuge, by Tom Piazza (2008 Christian Science Monitor Best Book) COMPLETED October 8, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.

I also knocked off some books from the 2009/10 lists (although I didn’t know it at the time). These are:

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009 Christian Science Monitor Best Books, and 2010 Tournament of Books Best Books) COMPLETED September 3, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.
2. Follow Me, by Joanna Scott (2009 NYT Most Notable) COMPLETED April 25, 2009; rated 4/5; read my review.
3. The Believers, by Zoe Heller (2009 PW’s Best Books, and 2010 Tournament of Books Best Books) COMPLETED November 1, 2008; rated 4/5, read my review.
4. Last Night In Twisted River, by John Irving (2010 Tournament of Books Best Books) COMPLETED November 1, 2009; rated 5/5; read my review.

So with the exception of The Believers which I actually read in 2008, I finished 13 books for this challenge! And I’m happy with that!

Before the end of this year, I’ll be creating a challenge list of possibilities for this challenge in 2010.