Back to the Classics 2014 Reading Challenge

Hosted by Books and Chocolate

There will be six required categories that all participants must complete. There will also be five optional categories.

All books must be read in 2014.  Books started prior to January 1, 2014 are not eligible. Reviews must be linked by December 31, 2014.

I am defining a classic as a book that was published at least 50 years ago.  Therefore, any book published after 1964 is ineligible. 

The 2014 categories: 

Required:

1. A 20th Century Classic To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. A 19th Century Classic Persuasion by Jane Austen
3. A Classic by a Woman Author Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
4. A Classic in Translation  Middlemarch by George Eliot
5. A Classic About War  Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
6. A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Optional Categories:

1. An American Classic  Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
2. A Classic Mystery, Suspense or Thriller The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
3. A Historical Fiction Classic.  A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 
4. A Classic That's Been Adapted Into a Movie or TV Series.  Any period, any genre!  This is practically a free choice category.  However, it's a separate category than the required categories.
5. Extra Fun Category:  Write a Review of the Movie or TV Series adapted from Optional Category #4.  This should be some kind of posting reviewing the book read for the previous optional category above. It can be any adaptation -- does not have to be adapted before 1964.  For example, if you chose Pride and Prejudice as your the optional classic above, you could review any adaptation -- 1940, 1980, 1995, 2005, etc. These two optional categories go together, but this must be a separate blog posting -- no fair just mentioning it in the book review!