I really enjoyed the Back to the Classics Challenge 2018, I am very keen to sign up for 2019: not just for a chance to win the prize ( a $30 book voucher at bookdepository!), but to force myself to read more books.  The challenge is hosted by Karen @ Books and Chocolate.

Here’s how it works:

• Complete six categories, and you’ll get one entry in the drawing;
• Complete nine categories, and you’ll get two entries in the drawing;
• Complete all twelve categories, and you’ll get three entries in the drawing

 Here’s my list for 2019.

1. 1. 19th Century Classic. Friedrich Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil I have bought a copy of this, so now it’s time to read it, I guess?
   2. 20th Century Classic. Sylvia Plath The Bell Jar  This is one of those so-called “dangerous books” and I’m worried what effect it will have one me. I will try to read it when I’m in a good place emotionally.
   3. Classic by a Woman Author. Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman I have put off reading this one for ages, but I’m looking forward to it!
   4. Classic in Translation.  Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, Les Liaisons Dangereuses Okay, so this is ambitious because I’m actually planning to read it in French. I hope this works…
   5. Classic Comic Novel. Tobias Smollett  Roderick Random This one is supposed to be funny. Can’t wait 🙂
   6. Classic Tragic Novel. William Faulkner The Sound and the Fury I’m not sure if it’s a tragic novel, but somehow the title makes me feel like it will be.
   7. Very Long Classic. Simone de Beauvoir Mandaryni [Les Mandarins] Not only is it long, but I’ve put off reading it for ages and ages…
   8. Classic Novella. George Orwell Animal Farm At least this one is nice and short — and I’ve never read it before.
   9. Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean). Henry James What Maisie Knew I like my Henry James, and I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while.
   10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia). Ngugi wa Thiong’o A Grain of Wheat I had to do a little bit of research to pick this one — but here it is. I hope my local library has it. 

1. Classic From a Place You’ve Lived. Władysław Reymont Chłopi This is a classic that I failed to finish at high school. It falls into the category of “classics that scare me” and worryingly “very long books”. Fingers crossed I get my act together this time.
2. Classic Play. Friedrich Schiller Maria Stuart I will happily admit that this is a complete shot in the dark. I don’t read plays very often, but as there’s a new movie about Mary Stuart coming up this year, I thought this might be the one to read. If all goes well, I shall attempt it in German… We’ll see how it goes.

Last year, I only managed to read 6 from the Back to the Classics list – let’s hope this year I do better!