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I’ve decided to host one more challenge, the Books in Translation Reading Challenge. I think this one’s pretty self-explanatory. The goal is to read translations of books. They don’t have to be in English; whatever language(s) you’re comfortable reading in is good.
You can read any genre and any age range. Crossovers with other challenges are fine. Any format that you choose is also acceptable. The challenge will run from today, January 7, through December 31, 2012.
Looking for suggestions? I have a shelf on GoodReads you can check out. There’s also a Listopia list on GoodReads.
I am not limiting the challenge to bloggers. You can also link to a review you wrote on another site, such as GoodReads or LibraryThing.
Levels:
Beginner: Read 1-3 books in translation
Conversationalist: 4-6
Bilingual: 7-9
Linguist: 10-12
I’m committing to the Conversationalist level at 4-6 books. I’ll track my progress here.
- The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad, translated by Ingrid Christopherson
- The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, translated by Lucia Graves
- The Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, translated by Lucia Graves
I hope you’ll join me! Sign up anytime throughout the year by linking below!
Post your reviews here as well. Enter your name or your blog name and the title of the book in parentheses. Example: The Introverted Reader (The Bookseller of Kabul)
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I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site.
22 Comments
Horray! I finished a challenge! Yay! This is the only one I'll finish this year too.
I'm a little late in joining, so I'm only signing up for Beginner Level. I have one that I want to read that would qualify!
Thanks for the challenge!
And another. I'm on a roll.
Doh… cocked up with one of my links up there. (no. 33)
thebookcoop.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/book-reviewthe-dark-side-of-love-by-rafik-schami/
Here's my first:
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis, originally written in Spanish.
inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2012/07/death-of-detective-pablo-de-santis.html
At least you're reading translations of any kind–my progress is pretty abysmal this year. I will have to work on it the next 6 months.
Just added another book and realised I have read another one that could be counted but forgot to add… a Swedish one. Will have to fish it out.
I probably should only count books that are translations of languages/from countries I haven't read in before. I seem to get stuck in Japan!
Although I applaud any suggestion that a reader step outside of their nation's literature and realize that it is only a small part of the world's literature, I also have a tinge of displeasure when I see a open recognition that there is something unusual about reading books from other countries and other cultures, in translation or in the VO.
In my reading the origin of the literature is generally unimportant except in understanding the text: I need to be aware of customs, geography, etc. to read a book in context, but knowing it is from another country is no more important than knowing it is science fiction or a murder mystery.
Looking back at this year, I have read 14 or 15 books that were not originally in English and looking ahead I see many more. No, not a linguist … just an ecumenical reader.
Sounds like a fun challenge! I've signed up for the beginner's level.
Woohoo, I'm at "bilingual!"
What an interesting challenge. Is sign up still open? About 90% of what I read is translated litterature, and mostly from English to my language, but you say whatever language we're comfortable with, so I guess it's ok…
I'll commit myslef to read at least 20 translated books 🙂 Thanks for the challenge!
Hi: I've just posted about Elie Wiesel's Night. #5 of my books in translation – I'm at conversationalist level, yea! Ruby aka Kathy
Hi: Two more down – this time around two Scandinavian mysteries by Jo Nesbo and by Asa Larsson. Thanks! Kathy aka Ruby
Hi: Two down – one polish, one german – this was fun, I'm aiming for linguist, so still a ways to go. yearofreadingmybooks.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/bullies-priories-poles-and-following-whipple-pilch-and-klute/ Happy reading, Ruby
Can't resist this one — it's just what I need. Thanks so much for hosting!
Fantastic! I had a personal challenge of this sort but I love signing up for challenges online too so here I am. My personal goal is to read at least 8 so that puts me at the Bilingual Level. Thanks for hosting!
Just added this challenge – thanks!
This sounds an interesting challenge especially as crossovers are allowed! I do read a lot of literature in translation even without thinking about it so should manage bilingual maybe!
well, I could not resist that one either. aiming at linguist level, as I read 13 in translation last year. thanks for hosting!
I'm in! As long as I'm reading War and Peace already….Meg wheresupposedtobe.com
Hi: Books in Translation – what a great idea. I've been trying to work my way through more of my Open Letters Press (translates and publishes one book a month) books that I subscribed to – this sounds like a great motivator to do so. Thanks, Ruby
yearofreadingmybooks.wordpress.com/
Oh darn… I might do this. I have 3 other challenges and come to think of it going that I complete them I will be reading 3 at least anyway. Wanting to read more translated fiction is one of my goals anyway…
So I think I will join ANOTHER challenge for this year, golly ghosh! Not doing so well with them at the moment though haven't not even started a new book during this year.
I'll sign up proper tomorrow sometime.