(This is mainly a housekeeping post for me-I’ll probably post a review later on today!) Like many of the blogging community, I am mildly addicted to reading challenges. Mainly, I love making book lists. And I like all of the pretty buttons.

Anyway, I’m a little worried about how to continue doing my challenges while at grad school, since all of my lists are either books the library has (and I’m moving) or books I own (and I must fit all of my worldly possessions in my car). Fortunately, most of them don’t end until December, so I can use winter break to catch up. I’m also considering a bribery scheme with my mother whereby we create a ‘lending library’ with my own bookshelves and that wonderful thing known as media mail. All of this has led me to really look at my current challenges, and I’m about to do some shifting.

First off, I’ve read four out of five for the Numbers Challenge, and the likelihood of me reading Catch-22 by the end of August is slim. So I’m going to wrap that one up-I still need to review Five Children and It (which I read back in March). I’ve just finished the Southern Reading Challenge, so that’ll get a wrap up soon too. Also, I’ve fallen way behind on the My Year of Reading Dangerously challenge, and while it’s an awesome challenge, I doubt I’ll get to the other books when I’m supposed to. So I’m going to go ahead and cut that one, while reiterating my love for Andi and Estella’s Revenge (the new edition is up, fyi). The others I’m progressing well on, so I’m not going to worry too much!

And, since I cut My Year of Reading Dangerously, I’m letting myself join the Japanese Literature Challenge. Yay! I was sad not to have joined it last year. You have to read three books by Japanese authors between now and December, so here’s my list:
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
I’ve been wanting to read Yoshimoto for awhile, partly because of her name (!), and partly because I’ve seen lots of good reviews. This is apparently her ‘most beloved’ work.
The Dancing Girl of Izu by Yaunari Kawabata
I love the 1920s, and I love short stories, so add Japan to the mix and I’m definitely in!
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
I really enjoyed Norwegian Wood, and this looks like a cult favourite. Also, it has a cool cover. :p
Tales of Moonlight and Rain by Ueda
It’s a collection of Japanese gothic short stories. How cool is that? I’m always up for a little bit of gothic fright.