May Reading Challenge: An Introduction

Happy May Day! Whether you’re celebrating with baskets or treating this as just another day, thank you for taking some time to find out what I’ll be reading this month.

The first book is one of short stories by Ron Rash entitled Nothing Gold Can Stay. Ron Rash’s stories have appeared in The New Yorker, the Washington Post, in Slate magazine, and other publications. I chose these short stories because 1. Short stories are my favorite medium to read, and 2. Because they will nicely complement my additional Reading Challenge selections.

This year, the literary and writing communities have been celebrating Charlotte Brontë’s 200th birthday. Most know her as the sister of Emily and Anne, and of course, as the author of Jane Eyre. In addition to that marvelous work and a posthumously published novel, The Professor, Charlotte Brontë also published Villette, her “last and most autobiographical novel.” Another addition to my Barnes & Noble Classics, and by the end of the month, I hope, another addition to my favorite classics list.

I’m going to add just one more: Love and Freindship [sic]. Yes, spelled incorrectly on purpose, this small volume of early works by Jane Austen beckoned me from its shelf, so I’ll also be reading it throughout May.

I can’t believe it, but next month is June, and the beginning of summer! I will be compiling a list of summer reads, and I think this year I will carry out my Reading Challenge strictly on this list basis, rather than month by month. I’m still putting together the details, so stay tuned for an update at the end of the month, as well as my discussions of the above three titles. As always, let me know if you’re joining me or what you’re reading this month by contacting me or leaving a note in the comments. Happy reading!