The Longest and Most Involved Project ever undertaken by two friends (excepting marriage, of course)
How's that for a build-up? Are you curious? Impatient? Biting your nails with anticipation?
Do not worry. I will tell you about this Longest and Most Involved Project. The Shh (a.k.a.
sg_beany who never posts, so don't bother friend-ing her, if you're the friend-ing type) and I have undertaken to read the Newbery Award winners. Yes, you heard (read?) right. The winners. Plural. As in ALL of them. If you've already done it, I don't really want to know. We're already discouraged and we haven't even begun.
We're starting at the beginning and working our way forward. My thinking is that our enjoyment of the books will probably increase as we get closer to present day (because today's children's lit ROCKS), so it's better to start with what may feel completely obscure and antiquated:
The first Newbery was awarded to Hendrik Willem van Loon in 1922 for The Story of Mankind. [Don't you just love his name, by the way? I think it's fantastic.]
I've been trying to figure out how long it will take us. If we start now and read one book a month it will take us almost EIGHT YEARS to finish. 7 years and 10 months, if you wish to be exact. And that is including the winners for the next 7 years as well.
Now, I know what you're thinking:
Seriously, Jen? We're talking about children's lit here. You don't think you'll read more than one a month?
Hmm... Maybe if the first book weren't FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWO PAGES LONG!!!* Yes, that's right. And then, as though that wasn't long enough, they have since added another 164 pages. We will not be reading those non-Loon-authored pages. As if. THEY didn't merit the Newbery. Grrr.
Anyone want to come along for the ride? Huh? Come on, I know you're just dying to get in on the fun.
No one?
No one at all?
*This book violates
antof9's "books must be able to be read in bed without putting your elbows to sleep" rule. And it definitely violates her "and it helps if they can fit in your purse" guideline.
**Edited to add: X-posted to
readthenewberys. We really are nerds now.
Do not worry. I will tell you about this Longest and Most Involved Project. The Shh (a.k.a.
sg_beany who never posts, so don't bother friend-ing her, if you're the friend-ing type) and I have undertaken to read the Newbery Award winners. Yes, you heard (read?) right. The winners. Plural. As in ALL of them. If you've already done it, I don't really want to know. We're already discouraged and we haven't even begun.
We're starting at the beginning and working our way forward. My thinking is that our enjoyment of the books will probably increase as we get closer to present day (because today's children's lit ROCKS), so it's better to start with what may feel completely obscure and antiquated:
The first Newbery was awarded to Hendrik Willem van Loon in 1922 for The Story of Mankind. [Don't you just love his name, by the way? I think it's fantastic.]
I've been trying to figure out how long it will take us. If we start now and read one book a month it will take us almost EIGHT YEARS to finish. 7 years and 10 months, if you wish to be exact. And that is including the winners for the next 7 years as well.
Now, I know what you're thinking:
Seriously, Jen? We're talking about children's lit here. You don't think you'll read more than one a month?
Hmm... Maybe if the first book weren't FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWO PAGES LONG!!!* Yes, that's right. And then, as though that wasn't long enough, they have since added another 164 pages. We will not be reading those non-Loon-authored pages. As if. THEY didn't merit the Newbery. Grrr.
Anyone want to come along for the ride? Huh? Come on, I know you're just dying to get in on the fun.
No one?
No one at all?
*This book violates
antof9's "books must be able to be read in bed without putting your elbows to sleep" rule. And it definitely violates her "and it helps if they can fit in your purse" guideline.
**Edited to add: X-posted to
readthenewberys. We really are nerds now.