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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

June 9, 2019

No.255: The 20th Century in Books // A 100 Book Reading Challenge

In January, I quietly started a fun reading challenge to expand my reading to more than just the newest bestseller.  The idea started after taking a peek at my reading stats on Goodreads:
I’m reading almost exclusively from the last 20 years and while there really is nothing wrong with that, I also think that it’s difficult to be wise about the future without learning from the past.  SO!  New ongoing challenge is to read one published book for each year of the 20th century.  100 books!  I’m not putting an end date on this, but I hope to be more mindful as I choose what to read in the coming years.  I’ll update the post with the full list of 100 books at the end.  
UPDATE: You can find the current status of this challenge on this page.

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Posted In: Books · Tagged: 20th century in books, reading challenges, write30days 2019

Comments

  1. cotton and may says

    June 9, 2019 at 11:16 am

    You come up with the most creative goals for yourself! Happy Reading!

    • Ashley says

      June 9, 2019 at 11:30 am

      Let me know if you have any ideas or favorites so I can add them to my TBR list!

  2. Tabitha Studer says

    June 9, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    Such an interesting idea and if I love anything it's data to back it up! Hahha, nerd for life, but not kidding. You are seriously just the coolest chick ever.

    My favorite book of all time is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (1943)

    • Ashley says

      June 9, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      Ooh, I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn years ago, but I'm definitely due for a re-read. Adding it to the list, thank you!!

  3. Laura M says

    June 9, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    What a fun challenge! I'm sure you'll read a lot of amazing books this way

    • Ashley says

      June 9, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      If you have any favorites, I'd love to add them to my list!

    • Laura M says

      June 10, 2019 at 9:40 pm

      Animal Farm, Brave New World, The man who was thursday are the only ones that come to mind… I don't think I've read much from the 1900's either 🙂

  4. Rosie says

    June 10, 2019 at 1:41 am

    Okay here are some of my older favorites:

    So Big (1924) by Edna Ferber

    A Lantern in Her Hand (1928) by Bess Streeter Aldrich

    Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927) by Willa Cather

    Shadows on the Rock (1931) also Cather (and she has some excellent earlier ones as well)

    Have you read In This House of Brede? It's from 1969, so so so good!

    • Ashley says

      June 10, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Those all sound great, thank you!!
      And yes to This House of Brede. I loved that one.

  5. Joy says

    June 11, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    What a fun challenge!! Will definitely start paying more attention to when books are published. Thanks!

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