A Nautical Adventure

Halloween is not yet here but that hasn't stopped me from looking to the future, through a telescope no less. =) A new reading challenge begins at the closing of the RIP II Challenge. The Seafaring Challenge begins Nov. 1st and runs through Jan. 31st. Ever since I read in Ex Libris by Fadiman about her love of high sea adventure reading, that and watching the BBC movie Shackleton, I have wanted to read these nautical tales for myself. In fact, last month I bought 2 such books.

The Challenge has several rankings to choose from with different levels of commitment. I will be going all out; it's Admiral for me.

Fourth Rank: Admiral
Read four books, any length, any genre or sub genre you choose.

On top of the usual goal setting there are a couple of optional side adventures to look into. You could add the reading of one of five specific books that Christina has set aside as special(Master and Commander looks good). Added to that is the Short Story Sunday option. If you visit her site you can see the many suggestions for titles that would fit in perfectly with the seafaring life.

I pulled all the unread books off my shelves that might fit into this category. (I left Moby Dick. I am NOT reading that stinker again, thank you very much!) Paring down titles from there was difficult but I managed to get it down to five:

• Endurance by F.A. Worsley-this is the story of Shackleton as told by the captain of the Endurance.
• In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick-this is the tragedy of the whaleship Essex. It is a National Book Award winner and a NYT Bestseller.
• Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham-a Newbery Award winner that my son found very funny. Also from my Newbery Challenge list.
• The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway-from my Book Awards Challenge list. I've never read Hemingway before but I have a feeling I will like him.
• Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe-I am almost ashamed that I've never read this classic. It's about time.

If I find extra time on my hands(snort) I will turn to:

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
• Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian
• Little Puck is just as excited about this challenge as I am.

I almost forgot to add that I will be reading aloud to the kiddos from The Princess Bride as well. And Dragon Slayer has enjoyed his dips into the Arctic in the past so he has agreed to join me in reading and discussing. This is going to be so cool!