1. Read a minimum of 8 books in 8 consecutive decades in ‘08.
2. Books published in the 2000’s do not count.
3. Titles may be cross-posted with any other challenge.
4. You may change your list at any time.
5. Peruse the eligible book lists and reviews from last year. Any book from that decade is eligible; it doesn’t have to be on the list to qualify. Another good source to find out when books were published is wikipedia. For example if you follow this link, you will see how easy it is to search books by a particular decade. Another resource is fantasticfiction.co.uk.
6. If you participated in By the Decade ‘07 and I didn’t put your review up, please let me know in the comments for the appropriate decade and I’ll include it in the space before the Mr. Linky. Please don’t post ‘07 reviews in the Mr. Linky–that’s for the ‘08 reviews.
7. Sign up through Mr. Linky below. Please use the url of your specific post for this challenge rather than just your blog url.
8. Come back and post your reviews in the appropriate Mr. Linky (I’ll have them up after January 1). You are encouraged to post all the books you’ve read for that decade if you’re participating in Decades ‘08.
9. Prizes: One credit or in-stock book each will be given away to 8 individuals through paperbackswap or bookmooch. International is okay. The grand prize winner will get 8 credits or in-stock books! If you complete 8 decades, that is one entry for the prize. For each additional decade you complete consecutively, that is an additional entry. So, if you complete 12 consecutive decades, that would be 5 entries for the prize.
10. Have fun reading!
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 5:28 am
You have done an absolutely fabulous job with this site for the challenge!!! I want you to know that all your hard work is appreciated and it has encouraged me to seriously consider rejoining for this coming year. Thank you, 3M!
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Thought you’d never ask! I also have a site I can post which has publications listed since 1589!
Jan
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Thank you so much, Joy, and I really hope you participate!
Jan, I’ll list the site you posted on anovelchallenge group. Glad you’re joining!
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:12 am
I’m in but just one questions. For the extra books over and above the 8, do they have to be from other decades not already read from or could you read a second book from a decade already covered?
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I am so in on this one for it is a great help with my ongoing 20th Century challenge. Will join up officially nearer the time.
Fantastic blog you’ve set up also. Well done and thanks for all your efforts.
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Callista–so glad you’re joining! Yes, for the prizes, you have to choose books from the decades not already read yet.
Lizzy–welcome to the challenge and thanks!
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:37 am
[...] is repeating the Decades Challenge in 2008. I have to do this as it dovetails with my personal 20th Century challenge. So I will [...]
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Forget the waiting - I’ve joined officially!
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
G’day
I am going to give it a whirl next year. 8 books is manageable especially as I can combine the challenges.
Is it the date the issue was first published or the date the edition I am reading was published? eg Little house in the prairie has been re-printed just about every decade - do I take 1st published - or the date of my issue?
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Hi Sally, so glad you’ve joined.
Yes, the year used should be the year it was first published.
on Oct 5th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I’m in. My list is posted here and I will be reviewing the books on my main blog.
I’m not a member of either bookmooch or paperbackswap but the challenge still sounds like fun.
on Oct 6th, 2007 at 10:01 am
As you see, Michelle - I caved in
This is a great challenge - many of these books dovetail nicely with my other reading challenges and book groups. Thanks for hosting again 
on Oct 7th, 2007 at 10:46 am
I missed out this year, and was really hoping there was going to be a 2008 version! (I think I’ve even convinced my husband to come up with a list and join in, too.)
Thank you so much for hosting this!
on Oct 7th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I think I can read eight books. I’ll look through those 1001 books to read before I die. See you all soon.
on Oct 7th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Argh, I messed up on Mr. Linky as I linked to my blog main page and not my choices list. Here’s the link to my tentative list.
on Oct 8th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Thanks for doing this again!! I missed out on the first one and I’m excited to get to do this one!!
on Oct 8th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
[...] blbooks 8:10 pm Michele (3M) is hosting a By The Decades reading challenge for 2008. I didn’t participate in the 2007 challenge, but I was hoping that [...]
on Oct 8th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
This was a favorite challenge from last year. I felt so bold, joining in with you when I didn’t really know anybody. And you seemed so wonderfully organized - which you are.
Yoou’ve got some doosy’s on your list - War and Peace, Middlemarch, wow.
I read a book this year, Restless, that referred to The Magnificent Ambersons continually. The main character was teaching English using that book, so I’ve been intrigued.
on Oct 9th, 2007 at 9:54 am
I’m in!
on Oct 9th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Joy, raidergirl3, Kristina, Athena, Debi, Wendy, Pussreboots–So glad you all joined!
Raidergirl, yes, I have some long ones. That may change later! I really enjoyed this challenge in 2007 also.
Kristina, glad you get to join in this year!
Athena, I corrected the Mr. Linky.
Wendy, so glad you’re participating!
Pussreboots, you don’t have to be a member of either to get the prize. I’ll send you the books through my accounts.
on Oct 9th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Thanks but I have another question. Can my extra books be from any other decade or do they still have to be consecutive? For example if my 8 are 1910-1990 can my extra be from the 1500’s? Or must it be 1900 and lower?
on Oct 9th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Callista, yes it still has to be consecutive. So you would have to start at 1900 and then go to 1890, etc.
The only exception would be if you had a separate 8 altogether such as 1710-1780. Then there would be 8 extras to go along with the other 8.
on Oct 10th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I missed the 2007 challenge, but I think I might be up for this one! Let me get a tentative list together, and I’ll be back to do it all “official”.
Thanks for hosting it again; it sounds like a lot of good reading!
on Oct 11th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Count me in! I don’t blog but hopefully I can join through this comment here.
on Oct 11th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
how am i ever going to finish all my challenges if new ones keep popping up?!
it seems that with cross-listing, this would be doable - so i’ll get thinking about some books and let you know. thanks!
on Oct 18th, 2007 at 10:13 am
[...] blbooks 4:13 pm Michele (3M) is hosting a By The Decades reading challenge for 2008. I didn’t participate in the 2007 challenge, but I was hoping that there’d be another [...]
on Oct 21st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
What a great idea! I just signed up and my list is on my website. Thanks for starting this! I’m very excited to have motivation to actually finish some books on my pile.
on Oct 25th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I’ve never done a reading challenge before and this’ll be my first. But it’s super exciting! My list will be up on my website. I’m going to that that right now.
on Nov 2nd, 2007 at 11:56 am
This is my first reading challenge and also my first blog. I’m very excited to participate and am looking forward to it. I’ll get working on my list and have it up as soon as possible.
on Nov 3rd, 2007 at 7:52 am
This is the first time I’m entering a reading challenge, but it seems like a lot of fun. I almost wish January 1st were tomorrow! ;D
on Nov 3rd, 2007 at 9:08 am
I am very excited about this challenge. Just like
Susan this is my first reading challenge and my first blog. My list is on my blog. Check it out.
on Nov 3rd, 2007 at 12:51 pm
This is a fascinating idea! Here’s to your turn-out and your achievements being strong on this concept.
on Nov 4th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Thanks for such an awesome challenge! I look forward to it immensely!
on Nov 4th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Great idea! It makes us think about ways to balance our reading and broaden our literary experiences.
on Nov 6th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Count me in!
on Nov 22nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I am rather new to the book blogs and reading challenges and the like, but I’d like to join if I can. This sounds fun!
on Nov 30th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
My Final list - I am ready for January
(1920’s) Winnie the Poo by AA Milne (1926)
(1930’s) Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingels Wilder (1932)
(1940’s) Five go to Smuggler’s Top by Enid Blyton (1947)
(1950’s) Charlotte’s Web by EB White (1952)
(1960’s) Chocky by John Wyndham (1968)
(1970’s) The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)
(1980’s) Golden Witchbreed by Mary Gentle (1984)
(1990’s) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling (1997)
on Dec 3rd, 2007 at 10:03 pm
This is going to be a great challenge. I can’t wait until January 1st. Here’s my tenative list:
1860s-Little Women
1870s-Black Beauty
1880s-Washington Square (I think)
1890s-The Awakening
1900s-Anne of Green Gables
1910s-My Antonia
1920s-The Great Gatsby
1930s-Rebecca
Some of these books I have wanted to read for a very long time. Now I’ve have the perfect reason from them to move up on my TBR list!
Kathy
on Dec 4th, 2007 at 7:04 am
I’d like to do it too! Give some books I wouldn’t normally read a try.
on Dec 4th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I’m in - didn’t participate in 2007, but I’m looking forward to the 2008 version. I’ve got my probable list posted (may have to take advantage of that Rule #4
on Dec 9th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Did last year without signing up so am looking forward to being official this year. ::grin::
on Dec 15th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I would love to join this challenge. I am not a member of either the swap or bookmooch but still want to participate - this is my first year of challenges and I am signing up for a few. I am glad we can cross-post to other challenges.
Thanks for hosting a great challenge.
on Dec 15th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
My list is at the moment consisting of far too many books, but I shall narrow it down when, well, I get the time. I am very much looking forward to this challenge!
on Dec 17th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
it is fun to discover I have already read something from every decade. Now I can start gonig through again! I am going to be combining this with some other challenges. I will be concentrating on 1800 - 1900 as that is what I will be teaching in the 2008 calendar year. I’m excited!
on Dec 19th, 2007 at 12:21 am
I was trying to limit challenges to just two at a time, but I couldn’t resist this one. Sounds like fun!
on Dec 19th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I’m in, though I haven’t the foggiest yet what I’ll be reading!!
on Dec 23rd, 2007 at 3:25 am
I’ve just signed up but my list is still ongoing… I’ll surely make some changes along the way. There are so many book I’d love to read. Thanks for the nice challenge!
on Dec 25th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Do rereads count for this challenge? Or must they be new reads?
Thanks!
Lisa L
on Dec 25th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Just finalized my list and posted it on my blog:
http://lisalit.blogspot.com/2007/12/decades-challenge.html
Can’t wait to begin!
on Dec 26th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I just joined the challenge. I’m really excited about it!
One question, though, do the books have to be read in chronological order, or does it matter?
on Dec 29th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Thank you for hosting this. I’m new to blogging and looking forward to being part of the challenge this year.
on Dec 30th, 2007 at 2:40 am
Please add me to the list of participants! I have had a lot of fun checking out different challenges. This one will really encourage me to read outside my *rut*! Thank you 3M for all your hard work on this page-it definitely helped me decide that I could join this challenge and have a chance at being successful in completing it.
I look forward to reading everyone’s reviews as they come in!
*smiles*
Kim
on Dec 30th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
My list is up. I twiddled about and didn’t join in on 2007’s, but I’m looking forward to this one!
on Jan 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Better late than never, right?
I’m terribly new at all of this, but I’m jumping in. I’m sure the water is fine!
Looking forward to all the fun!
Lezlie
on Jan 21st, 2008 at 1:55 am
I’m joining in as well, but I signed up with Mr Linky before I blogged about the challenge, so can you change my link to the correct one:
http://foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/2008/01/decades-08.html
Now I’m off to build a list…
on Jan 26th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I’m sorry to be so bothersome, but since I signed up for the challenge, my blog has moved. The correct URL to my challenge list is http://www.straytalk.net/challenges/decades-08-the-list/
It would be ever so kind of you if you could change to that one in the list of participants.
Thank you. =)
on Jan 27th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I have my first review ready: Nine Stories.
on Feb 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
My first three reviews are up (if I can manage the HTML for the links…)
Little Jarvis (1890)
Second Year of the Look-about Club (1889)
Six Little Cooks (1877)
They’re all substitutions: the decades were on my original list, but not these titles. (I’m exploring the world of obscure children’s books…)
on Feb 5th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Hi there I’m participating in this challenge but have changed my blog address. I no longer have a blog at girlplusdirt.blogspot.com. The link to my challenge post is at : http://randomfieldnotes.blogspot.com/2007/12/by-decade-challenge.html Thanks!
on Feb 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I realize I may be insane to start this now but I have been thinking about it for a while and this looks like so much fun, I figured I should at least try! Thanks for hosting this!
on Feb 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
[...] the Decades Challenge 2008 Posted on January 10, 2008 by blbooks Michele (3M) is hosting a By The Decades reading challenge for 2008. I didn’t participate in the 2007 challenge, but I was hoping that [...]
on Feb 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Oops! I was too eager (as I see others have been) and I linked before doing an actual decades post to link to. If possible, please change my link to http://weartheoldcoat.blogspot.com/2008/02/decades-challenge.html
Thanks — and sorry!
This is a great idea!
on Feb 26th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I just joined the book challenge a couple days ago. I also just started a new book blog, and I just changed the URL (I promise that this is the first and only time that will happen), so the URL in the link above no longer works. The correct URL is:
http://bookmews.blogspot.com/2008/02/decades-08-challenge.html
Sorry about that!
on Apr 27th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
What a great challenge! This is actually the first reading challenge I have ever participated in. I can’t believe I haven’t done this before!I can’t wait to dig in to some of the “Classics” to complete this challenge. Thanks for hosting this.
on May 17th, 2008 at 4:56 am
I am starting in late, I know. I just joined A Novel Challenge last week, and I saw your challenge. I will try my best. Judy
on Aug 13th, 2008 at 6:40 am
New and still exploring the blogging world. Saw this challenge and thought I’d give it a try! I know it’s late, but hopefully I can get through it. Thanks!!
on Sep 5th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Another latecomer. But I’m reading quite a lot at the moment so think I can fit this challenge in amongst my others!