2014 Australian Women Writers’ Reading Challenge

If you’re looking at my blog more generally, you can probably tell that I’m in catch up mode for finishing off my 2013 reviews for the Australian Women Writers’ reading challenge. Given I’m focused on the challenge today, I thought I’d also announce my intention to give it a whirl again in 2014.

Once again I’ll be trying the Franklin level – read at least 10 books, review at least 6. And this year I’ve given particular consideration to trying to extend my reading beyond speculative fiction. My heart has warmed as I’ve read of others that have expanded their horizons, and reaped the rewards of an enhanced and more nuanced view of the world. People have almost uniformly announced that they are better people for reading more widely, and it has been pointed out to me that I should take any opportunity to be a better person. I’m working from a fairly low base.

But bollocks to that – I’m lucky to find any time at all to read, and I’m always feeling guilty that I don’t keep up with all the releases in the speculative fiction field. I don’t want to feel guilty across multiple genres. And besides, being a better person is overrated.

So, Franklin level is the name, and speculative fiction is the game. I’ve got quite a few books that I didn’t get to in 2013, plus a lot of new releases and old series I’m looking forward to getting stuck into.

Interested in participating in this year’s challenge? Go to the 2014 challenge website and sign up. You won’t regret it. (*)

(*) Musing of a Wannabe Speculative Fiction Writer cannot guarantee a 100% absence of regret for any activities advocated on this site.  I’d put this in the low 90s though.

Author: mark

A writer of speculative fiction and all round good egg. Well, mostly good. OK, sometimes good. View all posts by mark