Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?
Last night I finished reading Fahrenheit 451, and really loved it. There are tons more books in the utopia/dystopia theme: 1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm (Amazon.com's review says, " Since its publication in 1946, George Orwell's fable of a workers' revolution gone wrong has rivaled Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea as the Shortest Serious Novel It's OK to Write a Book Report About. (The latter is three pages longer and less fun to read."), The Giver, The Handmaid's Tale, and even possibly Cormac McCarthy's The Road (recently chosen as the next Oprah pick.) I've decided that this would make an excellent reading challenge for myself, so I took the time to make up some "rules" for myself (and anyone else I can convince to play along).
- Any 5 (for me, you can read more or less) books that fall into the "Scary New World" category. Interpret this as you like, but be prepared to defend questionable choices.
- They do not have to be books you've never read, but they should be books you haven't read in a long time. For example, I read Brave New World in 10th grade (1989), but will likely choose it again for this.
- The challenge begins now and ends November 6th.(I thought Nov. 4, 2008 would be appropriate, but decided that a year and a half might be a little long for this.) You may join at any point in the challenge.
I will choose my books this weekend and post my choices. Also, I need a name for this, any suggestions? If I actually convince anyone to sign up for it with me I'll start a Yahoo! group thing. If it's just me talking to myself I probably won't.
I'm in for 5. How can I not do at least as many as you? :) I will get back to you with my list.
ReplyDeleteGina
I'm not a big Yahoo fan; let's just chat here or something.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably going to watch from the sidelines as I try to catch up on some of the stuff piled up here, but other suggestions are:
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (Kate Wilhelm)
Clockwork Orange
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (isn't that the title of the book that became Blade Runner?)
Umm.... shoot. Brain freeze. But I looooove dystopias. I'll be keeping an eye on this challenge, definitely. (and that means if you a Yahoo, I'll join. Ick.)
What an interesting challenge. I think some of the ones from the Once Upon a Time Challenge going around could easily fit this category too. I think I'll watch from the sidelines for now as well but can't wait to see how your challenge goes.
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous! I just finished reading The Handmaid's Tale and LOVED it, will definately read more... (and you posted a list, which is even better)
ReplyDeleteI'm in too! :D
ReplyDeleteI will be joining too but I need to figure out the titles. Not sure I can come up with 5 but I will try!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you, Amy.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteIs there a problem if I choose all YA U/D fiction? My kids have recommended several to me and I would like to read some of those books.
Not at ALL! The choices are all up to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thank you!
ReplyDeletecan I play
ReplyDeleteOf course! There is a more recent post about the challenge that has the other participants if you want to see what everyone is reading.
ReplyDeleteYou have chosen one of my favorite topics! I haven't read several of these in awhile and now I feel like I should chose one.
ReplyDeleteI'll post soon on 2 to 3 choices!
aargh. another challenge. I can't say no.
ReplyDeletehttp://nattierosewrites.com/mt/
Here's my list:
ReplyDeletehttp://blbooks.blogspot.com/2007/05/dystopian-challenge.html
VERY cool!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Dystopia booklist:
http://slayground.livejournal.com/88462.html
Very cool! Here's my dystopia booklist.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend 1985 by Anthony Burgess to anyone who wants an interesting and alternative take on Orwell's 1984 along with a number of interesting essays on the subject.
ReplyDelete