June 1, 2011

ART OF THE NOVELLA Reading Challenge

by

Art of the Novella Reading Challenge

We recently got an email telling us something astonishing.

Frances Evangelista of the Nonsuch Book blog, told us that she is going to attempt the seemingly impossible: read all 42 titles in the Art of the Novella series during the month of August and write reviews of every one on her literary blog.

More than one book & review per day for an entire month! We can’t wait to see if she can pull it off.

In the spirit of Frances’ remarkable reading marathon we’re launching The Art of the Novella Reading Challenge.

Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. If you don’t have a book blog, just post what book(s) you’re reading in the comments section below or on your GoodReads/LibraryThing/Shelfari. Read the books in any order you like.

2. Challenge begins August 1. We’ll be giving away DAILY PRIZES (more info below) all August to randomly selected participants.

3. Here are the levels:
Curious – Read 1 novella
Fascinated — Read 3 novellas
Captivated – Read 6 novellas
Passionate — Read 9 novellas
Mesmerized – Read 15 novellas
Obsessed – Read 21 novellas
Fanatical – Read 27 novellas
Unstoppable — Read 33 novellas
Bibliomaniac — Read all 42 novellas

4. Use Mr. Linky below to add URLs to all your blog posts about the challenge. Or write about the challenge in the comments below. To be entered in our daily giveaway, email us to let us know you’re participating at contact@mhpbooks.com -  link us to a review/article you’ve written about one of the Novellas, good or bad, old or new, we don’t care any review will do.

5. Prizes! We’re giving away sets of The Duels, The Neversink Library, Melville International Crime, individual novellas, novella sets, Bartleby bags, Bartleby bags stuffed full of books, gift certificates to our website and much much more. The prizes will get better everyday.

6. Have Fun!

 

  • Lizzy Siddal

      I love this series and have been reading them for a while.  Excuse me while I link to all those I have previously reviewed …. I’ll add another 6 to these in August. 

    • Lizzy Siddal

      Got carried away in my enthusiasm there.  Please delete link 6 – there’s a book/link mismatch.

  • Lizzy Siddal

      I love this series and have been reading them for a while.  Excuse me while I link to all those I have previously reviewed …. I’ll add another 6 to these in August. 

    • Lizzy Siddal

      Got carried away in my enthusiasm there.  Please delete link 6 – there’s a book/link mismatch.

  • Ilya Zarembsky

    How about a concurrent Contemporary Novellas challenge for those with less time (there are 12, it looks like) / a preference for glossy covers and/or newer writing?

  • Ilya Zarembsky

    How about a concurrent Contemporary Novellas challenge for those with less time (there are 12, it looks like) / a preference for glossy covers and/or newer writing?

  • Anthony TFS

    How can I resist the attempt for Bibliomaniac status? My books arrived safely last week, with the very nice tote bag.

  • Anthony TFS

    How can I resist the attempt for Bibliomaniac status? My books arrived safely last week, with the very nice tote bag.

  • Words And Peace

    sounds fun! I’m signing in, just at Fascinated level for now, but will probably go higher as time goes!
    Here is my Reading Challenges page for the year, this is my 9th challenge for this year: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/my-reading-challenges/
    Thanks
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • Words And Peace

    sounds fun! I’m signing in, just at Fascinated level for now, but will probably go higher as time goes!
    Here is my Reading Challenges page for the year, this is my 9th challenge for this year: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/my-reading-challenges/
    Thanks
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • Sharon

    I am mesmerized by this list of Novellas and the thought that if I read all of these I would touch on so many wonderful authors.  Realistically, I probably need to be captivated, and sign up for 6.  What a great idea!

  • Sharon

    I am mesmerized by this list of Novellas and the thought that if I read all of these I would touch on so many wonderful authors.  Realistically, I probably need to be captivated, and sign up for 6.  What a great idea!

  • Heather

    Exciting! I’m signing on for unstoppable. Maybe bibliomaniac. But…I have to wait until August? With all these lovely novellas on my shelf? Horrors!

  • Heather

    Exciting! I’m signing on for unstoppable. Maybe bibliomaniac. But…I have to wait until August? With all these lovely novellas on my shelf? Horrors!

  • Laura

    Yeah.  I think I have three on my shelves, so I’m going to sign up for “Fascinated.”

  • Laura

    Yeah.  I think I have three on my shelves, so I’m going to sign up for “Fascinated.”

  • Laura

    Yeah.  I think I have three on my shelves, so I’m going to sign up for “Fascinated.”

  • Anonymous

    I would like to join. Do you have a list of novellas? That’s asking for a little too much. I apologize. I’ll sign up for Fascinated/3books.

  • Anonymous

    I would like to join. Do you have a list of novellas? That’s asking for a little too much. I apologize. I’ll sign up for Fascinated/3books.

  • Padfoot and Prongs

    Would love to participate on the Obsessed level being that 21 is my lucky number.  Looking forward to this challenge!

  • Padfoot and Prongs

    Would love to participate on the Obsessed level being that 21 is my lucky number.  Looking forward to this challenge!

  • Anonymous

    Put me in at the Fascinated level with The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, The Man Who Would Be King, Tales of Belkin, Bartleby the Scrivener, and The Coxon Fund.

    I’d be in at the Passionate level if I could include the Contemporary Novella books, but since this appears just to be the classic ones Fascinated it is.

  • Anonymous

    Put me in at the Fascinated level with The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, The Man Who Would Be King, Tales of Belkin, Bartleby the Scrivener, and The Coxon Fund.

    I’d be in at the Passionate level if I could include the Contemporary Novella books, but since this appears just to be the classic ones Fascinated it is.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YSYZH2JLF6TYN76KA27RGPA2KI SpikeLee3000

    I’m officially “Curious.”  Ouch.  Long road ahead!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YSYZH2JLF6TYN76KA27RGPA2KI SpikeLee3000

    I’m officially “Curious.”  Ouch.  Long road ahead!

  • http://tuulenhaiven.wordpress.com/ Sarah

    Took me awhile to decide to go for this, but I’m now committing to the “Fascinated” level. Should be fun!

  • http://tuulenhaiven.wordpress.com/ Sarah

    Took me awhile to decide to go for this, but I’m now committing to the “Fascinated” level. Should be fun!

  • http://booksasfood.blogspot.com Audrey

    In honor of Frances, please put me in as fascinated. I’m planning a Henry, the Edith, and someone I’ve never read before.

  • http://booksasfood.blogspot.com Audrey

    In honor of Frances, please put me in as fascinated. I’m planning a Henry, the Edith, and someone I’ve never read before.

  • Cbigony

    Anthony, I think I’m with you. Going for Bibliomaniac status….lord knows why because I’m heading back to college on the 26th! CANT WAIT TO GET MY BOOKS!

  • Cbigony

    Anthony, I think I’m with you. Going for Bibliomaniac status….lord knows why because I’m heading back to college on the 26th! CANT WAIT TO GET MY BOOKS!

  • Anonymous

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    Every woman has a dream of the princess, when we put on a pair of high heels such as manolo blahnik replica, our dream finally came true. Therefore, they are very concerned about the fashion conscious. But it is very difficult choices, a woman from a variety of available right thing. She made her decision to shop with caution. The wrong choice of footwear can ruin the whole look. Fashionable woman would like to find shoes with unique design, such as manolo blahnik replica.
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  • Anonymous

    manolo blahnik replica
    Every woman has a dream of the princess, when we put on a pair of high heels such as manolo blahnik replica, our dream finally came true. Therefore, they are very concerned about the fashion conscious. But it is very difficult choices, a woman from a variety of available right thing. She made her decision to shop with caution. The wrong choice of footwear can ruin the whole look. Fashionable woman would like to find shoes with unique design, such as manolo blahnik replica.
    manolo blahnik replica
    Every woman has a dream of the princess, when we put on a pair of high heels such as manolo blahnik replica, our dream finally came true. Therefore, they are very concerned about the fashion conscious. But it is very difficult choices, a woman from a variety of available right thing. She made her decision to shop with caution. The wrong choice of footwear can ruin the whole look. Fashionable woman would like to find shoes with unique design, such as manolo blahnik replica.
    The magical product called manolo blahnik replica Shoes as well as the magical factor about this product is that it looks and behaves exactly like its original brother. Whatever comfort and style do original Shoes render to your personality; the same is done by the manolo blahnik replica as nicely. The replicas are literally the mirror images of the original branded shoes and are no different from them on any grounds. And in case you get down to comparing them, you would uncover that the replicas, along with all the qualities of the original piece, have an added advantage of being cost effective. The manolo blahnik replica Shoes give you the freedom to flaunt them fearlessly as while manufacturing them, authentic and exclusive shops like ’Replica Handbags Pro’ take care of every small detail of authenticity. This makes them a reliable as nicely as cost effective get, adding on the so several advantages that the manolo blahnik replica Shoes already have. These advantages have been rendered to them, especially to serve our buyers with products that fulfill all their desires to build an effective style statement. A style statement that may be labeled as brand conscious, a statement that could be flaunted!! 
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  • Janine Allen

    I’m all set to reach “Captivated” (6 novellas) with The Awakening, May Day, The Country of the Pointed Firs, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, The Dead, and The Man Who Would Be King. I will be beginning the challenge from the remote wilderness and will not be able to post my reviews until mid-August or so. Very excited! Thanks for this wonderful challenge.

  • Katherine Gleason

    Oh, yes, I am in. Put me down for Captivated! I think I will read six of the Russian authors. Ah, but I don’t have my copies of the various Duels yet. 

  • Katherine Gleason

    Me again. My Duels arrived today, and they smell like fresh ink. Yum. Maybe I’ll have to read them first?

  • http://twitter.com/2make1thing C. Wilson

    Ordered the The Duel Set, and will go through the list to see which novellas I already have and have not read. Will probably commit to being “Passionate.”

  • Mommywantstoread

    I’m in for curious but might go for fascinated. I plan on reading F. Scott Fitzgeralds May Day

  • Blithe Spirit

    I’ve already read several of these, and I’m really looking forward to the 5 Duels. Realistically, I’m going to try and go for the Passionate level and read 9 new ones. 

  • jamesbchester

    I’m in a fascinated.  Have my first review up today.

    http://readywhenyouarecb.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-two-ivans-quarrelled-by-nikolai.html

  • Emily

    I was sure I’d already commented here, but I’m going to try for “Captivated” with six novellas (choosing among Woolf, Conrad, Melville, Joyce, Eliot, Chopin, and Twain).  Should be fun!

  • http://www.dolcebellezza.net Bellezza

    I wouldn’t miss this challenge! I’m reading Mathilde by Mary Shelley in August, and hopefully I’ll have time for more. Although sadly, not as much time as Frances!

  • http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/review-58-the-dead-art-of-the-novella-review-1/ Emma @ Words And Peace

    Here we go, here is my first review for this Challenge – I’ll just shoot for 9 titles I think, I have so many other challenges going on. I began with The Dead, by James Joyce – and that’s a pretty bad review, rather rare for me, but I had to be honest. go check it here: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/review-58-the-dead-art-of-the-novella-review-1/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • Ksfyim

    I’m trying one-a-day – got a bit of a head-start since I hadn’t read any of them before – starting with most of the authors I’m familiar with and then heading into even more uncharted territories….

    http://theseagullswings.blogspot.com/ (Tons of spoilers, but readers/comments highly encouraged)

  • http://mybookyear.co.uk Graham

    I have just posted my first novella review – May Day by F. Scott Fitzgerald – http://mybookyear.co.uk/may-day-f-scott-fitzgerald

  • http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com JoAnn

    I’m in for ‘curious’ with aspirations to become ‘fascinated.

  • http://www.theblacksheepdances.com Amy/The Black Sheep Dances

    I’m in, for “Passionate” level at least.  Great idea!

  • Jennifer Englert

    Captivated, I shall be!

  • http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/ Emma

    Just posted my 2nd review for this challenge: about Bartleby: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/review-60-bartleby-the-scrivener/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • M J

    I was planning on “Curious,” but I think i’ll strive for “Fascinated.”
    Just posted my first review, of “The Devil.”

  • http://mybookyear.co.uk Graham

    Just put up my second review of the series: the superb Lady Susan by Jane Austen – http://mybookyear.co.uk/lady-susan-jane-austen

  • http://twitter.com/CatMarieScott Catherine Scott

    Just finished my first update about the challenge! http://cinnajoon.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/art-of-the-novella-challenge-part-1/

  • Katherine Gleason

    Read Kleist’s The Duel last night. Great fun. Looking forward to exploring the Illuminations. Now, what will I read next?

  • http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/ Emma

    Just posted my 2nd review for this: on The Death of Ivan Ilych, by Tolstoy: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/review-61-the-death-of-ivan-ilych/

  • Emily

    A big thanks to y’all for the impetus to re-read Woolf’s stunning Jacob’s Room; I loved it even more this time around.  http://www.eveningallafternoon.com/2011/08/jacobs-room.html

  • Katherine Gleason

    Started Casanova’s Duel last night. Now, I must get back to it! 

  • http://twitter.com/2make1thing C. Wilson

    I have finished Bartleby the Scrivener and Benito Cereno. Still in the process of writing my reviews for Goodreads. I have started The Duel by Anton Chekhov. Had a very busy week, and may be a bit off schedule on my challenge.

  • sarah b.

    Bookseller getting in on the novella action! Happy to be “Captivated” to beat the DC heat! Here is my review for THE AWAKENING.

  • sarah b.

    Bookseller getting in on the novella action! Happy to be “Captivated” to beat the DC heat! Here is my review for THE AWAKENING: http://www.politics-prose.com/staff-reviews/current/sarah-b

  • http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/review-63-the-touchstone/ Emma @ Words And Peace

    Just posted my review of The Touchstone, by Edith Wharton: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/review-63-the-touchstone/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • http://twitter.com/2make1thing C. Wilson

    Finished Chekhov’s and Kleist’s The Duel. Starting the Conrad Duel next. Reviews? I have kids, so they will get finished when pigs fly. No, actually the Melville reviews are almost done (doing them together). Will post on Goodreads.

  • http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/review-63-the-touchstone/ Emma @ Words And Peace

    I’m stopping at the Fascinated Level. here is my wrap up:
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/art-of-the-novella-challenge-wrap-up/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

  • http://twitter.com/CedricsMom Linda Marie Harrison

    Wow. She is SUPERMAN. I think she is wildly insane, but I love this. Frances Evangelista is my hero. :-D

  • http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com JoAnn
  • Thomas at My Porch

    Just listed my first 8 reviews on Mr. Linky

  • Thomas at My Porch

    Just listed my first 8 reviews on Mr. Linky

  • Emily

    My post on Conrad’s Freya of the Seven Isles: http://www.eveningallafternoon.com/2011/08/freya-of-the-seven-isles.html

  • Thomas at My Porch

    Five more reviews posted on Mr. Linky. I am up to 13 which means I am almost mesmerized.

  • Anonymous

    I’m going for fascinated or captivated. I just finished A Sleep and A Forgetting by William Dean Howells — a young woman has lost her memory due to a traumatic experience, and the story is told from the point of view of her physician who hopes ( and fears) she will regain her past. What is it to live without memory and remembered past experience? What is it to live with them? ” Lanfear thought for a moment. Then he said, in the honesty he thought best to use with her: “For the most part I should say it was painful. Life is tolerable enough while it passes, but when it is past, what remains seems mostly to hurt and humiliate. I don’t know why we should remember so insistently the foolish things and wrong things we do, and not recall the times when we acted, without an effort, wisely and rightly.” He thought he had gone too far, and he hedged a little. “

  • http://mybookyear.co.uk Graham

    My post on Bartleby the Scrivener makes me officially Fascinated.

  • Sara (wordyevidenceofthefact.b

    Just added my third link to become Fascinated!  Looking forward to seeing Frances finish strong!

  • Emily

    Post number four, on The Dead (an old favorite): http://www.eveningallafternoon.com/2011/08/the-dead.html

  • http://twitter.com/2make1thing C. Wilson

    Have finished The Duel by Conrad and by Casanova. I still have three more novellas to go to meet my goal. Reviews still not posted. Will get to them this weekend. I hope.

  • Ksfyim

    I can “chekhov” my 15th novella with my review, when Lady Gaga meets La Horla – at http://theseagullswings.blogspot.com/

    I’m officially mesmerized.

    Not trying to be “Austen”tatious, but check out my other reviews, and I’d be so “Joy-o-ce” if anyone comments. =P

  • Anonymous

    I’m officially fascinated. Just posted my thoughts on Rasselas on Goodreads.

  • Anonymous

    Can’t figure out how to link Goodreads, so here’s review Aphoristic, well-written, with occasional flashes of humor. Rasselas, an heir to the throne of Abyssinia, lives with other members of his family in the Happy Valley–once a year the gate is unlocked, and they are visited by the King. Rasselas, his sister, her maid, and his friend, the poet Imlac escape and go to Egypt to find how to live a happy life. This is not a novel but more of a morality tale, with long dialogues on philosophy, life and experience, including one on whether or not it is worthwhile to go and see the Pyramids. (Fortunately for this reader’s interest, they decide to go.)

  • http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/ Karenlibrarian

    It’s the last day but I couldn’t resist!  I read and loved Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley.

    http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2011/08/parnassus-on-wheels-by-christopher.html

  • http://magnificentoctopus.blogspot.com Ikratynski

    As of this writing, I have officially read most of one whole novella!

  • Anonymous

    Read four this month, ending with Turgenev’s First Love, and still have Michael Kohlhaas and The Illusion of Return to read next. Enjoying these lovely books at my own pace.

  • Thomas at My Porch

    I didn’t get around to adding links to all of my 19 reviews, but I just added a link to my challenge recap. I had tons of fun and love that Frances and Melville House provided the opportunity.  http://myporchblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/summing-up-art-of-novella.html

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