By "classics" you know I'm being very loose in my definition, as this challenge lets you read fairy tales, mythologies, classics, any kind of original story to compare with the retelling. Also "retelling" is pretty loose too - the original and the newer book have to relate in some way that you can define; it doesn't have to be a straight-forward retelling. Hopefully these definitions allow you the wiggle room needed to find something to fit your fancy.
Here are a few examples:
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.
The first is kind of a "classic" and in the second, the main character loves A Wrinkle in Time and it plays a part in the plot, but this is not a retelling.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series by Kenneth Oppel.
The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein is a prequel series to Frankenstein.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane by April Lindner.
Jane is a retelling of Jane Eyre, set in a modern day.
So, you can see there are lots of options for you. If you need some inspiration for retellings, I've compiled a rather extensive list of retellings. I have another list for fairy tale retellings. Also, during the Retell Me a Story celebration next month I will be highlighting some newer retellings that have been released or are coming out soon.
And, of course, there are levels of participation, so you can choose how much or how little you'd like to commit to:
Small: You read 2 related books.
Medium: You read 4 books (2 sets of related books).
Large: You read 6 books (3 sets of related books).
Super Size: You read 8 books (4 sets of related books).
Medium: You read 4 books (2 sets of related books).
Large: You read 6 books (3 sets of related books).
Super Size: You read 8 books (4 sets of related books).
Once you decide on your level of participation, post your pledge on your blog/tumblr/goodreads/in the comments and maybe give us some possibilities of what you want to read (obviously, these aren't set in stone). When you complete a pair, feel free to write reviews/reactions/comparisons/whathaveyou about the books and I'll have a monthly link up here to share our progress.
I'll probably not be able to do monthly giveaways this time, but I will have giveaways periodically for challenge participants.
And, of course, you definitely want to join in my Retell Me a Story celebration going on in January. That will have lots of fun stuff including author and blogger interviews/guest posts and giveaways.
And, now that I've talked your ears off about the challenge, you can link up to your post below and welcome to the challenge!
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Posts
Alas. I still need to read the second book in the challenge for 2012. I really suck at challenges, lol. But, I'm so glad this challenge got me to read P&P finally. I'm still hopeful that I'll get P&P&Z read before the end of the year, but we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI may sign up for this later in the month. But, I probably won't this time around. Gah! Why do I suck at these things, lol?
You are not alone in sucking at challenges! Hopefully you'll feel the desire to sign up, but if not, no worries :)
DeleteWell, I decided to join again anyway. :)
DeleteHe he and I'm super happy about it :)
DeleteAs I've so misrebly failed this year I'll have to see how I'm feeling next year but I really love this challenge. Especially because there's so many retellings out there now.
ReplyDeleteThere really are a LOT of great retellings coming out. Hope you decide to join up next year!
DeleteThanks for hosting this again! I loved the two books I read last year (Persuasion and For Darkness Shows the Stars). I think I will be ambitious and try for two pairs this year.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I'm so glad you decided to return. I hope your pair(s) turn out as great this year.
DeleteI'm in! I tend to read a lot of classics/retellings anyway, so I may as well. :D Definitely two pairs (maybe three - I'll have to take a look at my list). I'm really looking forward to reading Scarlet Pimpernel and Across a Star-Swept Sea!
ReplyDeleteYeah! I love to read retellings too and I'm SUPER excited for Across a Star-Swept Sea!!! :)
DeleteGreat challenge! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm excited to see everyone's picks!
DeleteI'm for sure in again! I will do a post soon and link up! :)
ReplyDeleteOh good! Should be a good year for retellings :)
DeleteThis challenge sounds really fun! Can't wait to get started. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you join up! I'm excited to see what you read.
DeleteI going to try for the Super Size level! This looks like a lot of fun. :- D http://alyshadeshae.com/2013/01/03/entry-classic-double-challenge-2013/
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Welcome to the challenge.
DeleteI can't believe that I haven't signed up yet! I think I'll join in at the large size.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see what you choose again this year! Welcome back!
DeleteTotally doing this again this year! I'm excited to read Red Riding Hood and Marissa Mayer's Scarlet. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! I'm happy to have you back again! I'm doing Scarlet and Red Riding Hood for one of my pairs too :)
DeleteThis is a great idea, but I can't sign on for more challenges. Good luck to everyone!
ReplyDeleteNo worries! Maybe next year :)
DeleteHi! Your description sounds great, reading as many books as we wish, relating to other stories or characters. When I get to your levels, you speak of pairs. I'd rather not read the original references and don't necessarily own them. Is it a must or may we simply read a good whack of re-tellings? :)
ReplyDelete{Replies to my blog or e-mail appreciated, so I see them. It's a pain to keep checking sites and I have to admit, my region is on dial-up}!
Part of the challenge is to encourage us to look at those classic books as well, but I'm not going to police you into doing that, it's up to you. It might be worthwhile to check them out from your library so you don't have to buy them. Also, a lot of them are in the free domain, and thus can be read online for free or downloaded to your ereader for free.
DeleteJust found this challenge and signed up! I'm so behind on my blog, but thought this could be a kick to get me to update my blog more!
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you get that desire to blog more, but if not reading is a very good substitute :)
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