Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

Okay, I think I may have officially crossed the threshold from ambitious to insane when it comes to blog challenges. But at least I'm trying, right? :) Laurel Ann at Austenprose is hosting The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Here are the challenge details from Laurel Ann's post:

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

We are very pleased to announce the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011. If you have not read Jane Austen’s masterpiece or would like to revisit it in honor of its significant anniversary, seen all of the movies or read all of the sequels and spinoffs, this is the year to join the challenge along with other Janeites, historical fiction readers and period drama movie lovers.

Challenge Details

Time-line: The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 runs January 1, through December 31, 2011.

Levels of participation: Neophyte: 1 – 4 selections, Disciple: 5 – 8 selections, Aficionada: 9 – 12 selections.

Enrollment: Sign up’s are open until March 1, 2011. First, select your level of participation. Second, copy the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 graphic and include it in your blog post detailing the novels or movies that you commit to reading and watching in 2011. Third, leave a comment linking back to your blog post in the comments of this announcement post. If you do not have a blog you can still participate. Just leave your commitment to the challenge in the comments below.

Check Back Monthly: The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 officially begins on Wednesday, January 26, 2010 with my review of the novel The Three Weismanns of Westport. Check back on the 4th Wednesday of each month for my next review in the challenge.

Your Participation: Once the challenge starts you will see a tab included at the top of Austenprose called Reading Challenges. Click on the tab and select the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011. Leave a comment including the name of the book or movie read or viewed and a link to your blog review. If you do not have a blog, just leave a comment about your selection that you finished with a brief reaction or remark. It’s that easy.

The Prizes

Oh, of course there are prizes! There will be giveaways each month of the book or movie that I review in the challenge here on Austenprose to be drawn from comments left with each post, and one lucky Grand Prize Winner of all 12 titles tucked into a Jane Austen tote bag ($200.00 value) to be drawn from comments left at any and all of the reviews left on this blog or yours. Yes, that means that your readers who comment on your challenge reviews have a chance to win too. Winners will be announced monthly two weeks after each blog post, and the Grand Prize winner will be announced on January 01, 2012. Shipment to US or Canadian addresses only.

So, make haste and join the challenge today. I am so looking forward to revisiting Jane Austen’s classic tale through her eyes and others.

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Be sure to check out Laurel Ann's post for a list of suggested books and films that are eligible for this challenge. I'm signing up for this challenge at the Neophyte level (1-4 selections), though since films are eligible maybe I will be become a Disciple before the end of the year. :) Here's my tentative list:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility (Marvel Illustrated)
Sense and Sensibility 1995
Sense and Sensibility 2008

Possible alternate/bonus selections:
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Patillo (releases April 2011)
From Prada to Nada (releases January 28, 2011)

Let the fun commence! :)

8 comments:

Unknown said...

so...um, how many is that now? ;)

Unknown said...

SIX!! I have lost my flippin' mind!!! :P

Laurel Ann (Austenprose) said...

It's all good Ruth. Calm yourself. It's not as crazy as you think. Four of the challenges dovetail into each other, so you are fulfilling multiple challenges while reading one book. Thanks for your enthusiasm. I am looking forward to your reviews.

Unknown said...

@Laurel Ann - LOL! Thanks for the encouragement. :) I am really quite excited about the focus I think (read: hope) these challenges will bring to my blog and reading habits this year.

Traxy said...

Tempting, but I think I shall pass. Too much pressure! However, I'll do my best to see if I can manage to re-watch both '95 and '08 adaptations of S&S and maybe I could even get through all of Austen's books this year. But no challenge! :) Good luck with yours!

Unknown said...

@Traxy - HA! I think you have a much better track record with challenges than me, but we'll see how I do. :) Thanks!

Traxy said...

@Ruth: I doubt it. I have only participated in two and I've not finished either of them. The only straggling thing on the DH Lawrence is visiting the Heritage Centre in Eastwood - but that's only because I removed four books off the reading list! ;)

Unknown said...

@Traxy - If you'd never told me this, I could've lived forever with the illusion that you were a challenge-devouring alpha blogger! ;) I was so impressed with all of your Jane Eyre reviews and Lawrence posts!