MID-YEAR READING CHALLENGES 2016

When I started picking up reading at the end of last year again, I wasn't as serious and addicted to it as now. I had only one goal; to read 50 books (which I had done before so I knew it wasn't that much of a challenge). Now that we are halfway through 2016 I want to set my self some specific reading challenges for the rest of 2016, starting today.

CLASSICS
I want to read 5 more classics this year. I feel like I am really lacking on my knowledge of classics and I really want to read and appreciate them.

HISTORICAL FICTION
I also want to read 5 historical fictions. I want to find out more about this genre because I really think that this could be a favourite genre of my. I never experienced a lot with genres beside contemporary and light-fantasy but I think that this has real potential to be one of my favourite genres.

DUTCH FICTION
I want to read 2 Dutch books. I only choose two books because for one, Dutch books are twice or triple the price of the English books I read, and second, I only can think of two that I really want to read. For 2017 I might take this challenge to a higher level and set an higher goal, but for now, two books it is.

TRANSLATED FICTION
I want to read 7 translated fictions. I want to get to know a wider variation of authors, stories, settings etcetera.

POETRY
I want to read 5 books of poetry. I used to write my own poetry, but I almost never ever have read poetry. Actually, I only read two books of poetry. Five books of poetry might be a bit to high but I see how far I can come.


Do you have any mid-year reading challenges? 

BOOK REVIEW | DAY OF TEARS BY JULIUS LESTER

Title: Day of Tears
Author: Julius Lester
Published: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5

"On March 2 and 3, 1859, the largest auction of slaves in American history took place in Savannah, Georgia. More than 400 slaves were sold. On the first day of the auction, the skies darkened and torrential rain began falling. The rain continued throughout the two days, stopping only when the auction had ended. The simultaneity of the rain storm with the auction led to these two days being called: "the weeping time"."

Day of Tears is my first time ever reading a historical recreation. This story is about the biggest slave auction in American history and Julius Lester took a couple of characters from the real historical account. These characters are Pierce Butler, his daughter Sarah and Frances, the auctioneer and Fanny Kemble. This book, which has been written completely in dialogue, tells how they experienced this slave auction.

Julius Lester brings us great characters, who'm you really feel sorry for sometimes. The story is put together great and Julius Lester thought of every last detail writing this book. The story is as heartbreaking and as heartwarming.

Julius Lester knows exactly how to describe things. The choice in words he makes is absolutely beautiful and takes the story to a high level. The fact that you can really tell by reading the book, why the name 'Day of Tears' has been given to to this book is amazing as well.

I don't have anything negative to say about this book. I find that we in school, don't learn enough about slavery, slave auctions and it's history. I think we should learn more about this subject and I think that once we might will, this book should be used in classes.