2011 Reading Challenges

So, I stumbled across a few reading challenges that I just had to participate in–even if a quarter of the year is almost over. 🙂

The first is the Classics Challenge over at Stiletto Storytime’s blog. You have to read anywhere from 5-40 classics from Jan.1-Dec. 31. I chose the easier “Bachelor’s Degree” level–10 classics between now and the end of the year. Classics have been harder for me to read just because of how many of them are written (despite the fact I was an English major…heh). I may end up going to the “Master’s” level if I finish before the end of the year, but for now I’ll stick with 10 that I’ve chosen…and that may change as the year goes on (check my tab at the top if you’re curious).

And there’s one other challenge I simply had to sign up for: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge! How could I miss that?! Most of the books I read are historical in some way (fantasy, YA or traditional) and I’ve already read two this year (though not counting them on my list). I signed up for the highest level on that one: Severe Bookaholism, 20 books. I’m pretty sure I can hit that before the end, or at least make a good effort!

Are you participating in any reading challenges this year? It’s not too late to sign up!

Other Creative Pursuits

I know many other prospective novelists have other creative pursuits besides writing. Some draw, others are musicians and others are photographers. Me? I like working on book trailers 🙂 I’m not that talented at it, but I find it helps me find more inspiration with my writing. I probably also shouldn’t spend hours on end with it, but if it gives me a renewed perspective with my book, why not?

If you’re a writer, do you pursue other creative outlets? I’m curious 🙂

Confessions of a Geek

I won’t deny it–I’m a geek. 😛

I’ve been a geek since, well…forever. I may not be the typical stereotype of one, but I definitely like to do things that would be considered, well, geeky.

Given a choice, I’d much rather watch an interesting history documentary over much of the stuff that’s on TV now. I’ve spent hours on Hulu watching PBS documentaries (a huge fan of PBS History Detectives!) as well as some other random ones I’ll find.

I’m also a big anime fan, thanks in part to my husband and my little sister, who have been anime fans for FAR longer. Some of my favorites: Mushishi, which is based heavily on Japanese mythology, folklore, and the supernatural (plus there’s a bit of historical flavor to it, which I love), Kin’iro no Corda: Primo Passo, which is about a high school girl who finds a magical violin–with of course a group of wildly talented and handsome young men who all begin to fall for her–the typical shojo setup 😛 (silly sounding, but the show has amazing music and storylines), and the older Rurouni Kenshin, about former wandering samurai in the Meiji era .There’s one I’m anxious to see that’s a fantasy-type setting based on ancient China called Saiunkoku Monogatari. I’ve already seen the intro on YouTube and read a little about it and I really can’t wait to see it 😛

And then I found an Kawaii-Radio, an online radio station my sister and I used to listen to while we worked at our internship. It plays J-Pop and J-Rock–another little obsession of mine 🙂 I like this station ’cause you can request songs (one every 45 minutes). Some of the stuff is a little…um, odd or annoying, but that’s like any music now.

I know everyone has an inner geek. What are some of the “geeky” things you like to do?