Michelle Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Many thanks to 'abecedarian' for introducing us to this... The Olympic Challenge is about reading around the world. The person who thought of it is a Bookcrossing member, and she first issued the challenge in December 2005. The idea is to read one author per nation participating in the Olympic Games by the end of the 2008 Summer games. http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/6/3057734/174 The list of participating nations is something like 180 or so, I think, but there are 202 world nations in all. Scotland is not included in the Olympic list because they go with Great Britain, and I personally wanted to include this country, so I have. I would say that those starting at a later date can just extend their timeframe. The point is to enjoy finding new authors and new viewpoints. Our suggestion is to start your own thread to chart your progress, in the form of a 'blog' or maybe just a list that you keep updated. This forum can also be used to ask general questions about the challenge, discuss author suggestions, or discuss your book choices. Have fun, and good luck to everyone having a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abecedarian Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 What a great idea, having participants start their own threads. Somebody asked about short stories and nonfiction and the short answer is a hearty YES!! Just a few days ago someone at bookcrossing asked about a collection of Asian stories with stories from several countries. The lady who issued the challenge was behind it 100%, saying to count indiviudal stories for the harder-to -locate countries. As for the book from the writer from the Ukraine who now lives in Germay..that's your call. German writers are easier to find in English translation than Ukrainians..so I'd plug it in there if it were me..Specially if the book is set in Ukraine..Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyCatcher Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I am in for the Olympic Challenge, but I just have a quick question - Do the books that I count for this challenge have to be ones that I read from now, or can books that I have already read this year (I keep a list) count as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abecedarian Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I am in for the Olympic Challenge, but I just have a quick question - Do the books that I count for this challenge have to be ones that I read from now, or can books that I have already read this year (I keep a list) count as well? I don't see why you can't count them, since the challenge was first issued in mid December of last year. Everyone else doing this started then or at the first of the year. Use what you've already done so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyCatcher Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I am in for the Olympic Challenge, but I just have a quick question - Do the books that I count for this challenge have to be ones that I read from now, or can books that I have already read this year (I keep a list) count as well? I don't see why you can't count them, since the challenge was first issued in mid December of last year. Everyone else doing this started then or at the first of the year. Use what you've already done so far. Thanks for the reply. I will use some of what I have read, but I will try to read new ones as much as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abecedarian Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I am in for the Olympic Challenge, but I just have a quick question - Do the books that I count for this challenge have to be ones that I read from now, or can books that I have already read this year (I keep a list) count as well? I don't see why you can't count them, since the challenge was first issued in mid December of last year. Everyone else doing this started then or at the first of the year. Use what you've already done so far. Thanks for the reply. I will use some of what I have read, but I will try to read new ones as much as I can. As a favorite pirate likes to say, "Rules are just.... guides!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 According to an article in Wiki, this is the list of countries expected to take part in the 2008 games.. * Afghanistan * Albania * Algeria * American Samoa * Andorra * Angola * Antigua and Barbuda * Argentina * Armenia * Aruba * Australia * Austria * Azerbaijan * Bahamas * Bahrain * Bangladesh * Barbados * Belarus * Belgium * Belize * Benin * Bermuda * Bhutan * Bolivia * Bosnia and Herzegovina * Botswana * Brazil * British Virgin Islands * Brunei * Bulgaria * Burkina Faso * Burundi * Cambodia * Cameroon * Canada * Cape Verde * Cayman Islands * Central African Republic * Chad * Chile * China (PRC) * Chinese Taipei (TPE) * Colombia * Comoros * Congo DR * Congo Republic * Cook Islands * Costa Rica * C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoopeybird Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 This sounds a fab idea and I am up for it too.Its quite exciting isnt it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Is anyone who started still doing this? It does sound great, but I don't read fast enough, and what with my real-life bookworms group and AS Level English, I wouldn't have enough time to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I am - I'm just spacing out the foreign author books as I have so many others I want to read too. I very recently read Autobiography of a Geisha as one of my Olympic Challenge books. Technically it was my 2nd for Japan, but it was one of those that was really calling to me - I'm intrigued by the whole "Flower & Willow" world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andmark1 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I think I will join in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Is anyone still doing these challenges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I still update my list when I add a new country. I'm trundling along very slowly, mind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Me too - I pick one up every now and then and tick the country off my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceinwenn Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 What a great idea! Shame I hadn't know about this before! Maybe I'll start one & do mine in honour of the 2010 Olympics in my home country of Canada........hmmm (quickly wanders off to start finding books to read) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 What a great idea! Shame I hadn't know about this before! Maybe I'll start one & do mine in honour of the 2010 Olympics in my home country of Canada........hmmm (quickly wanders off to start finding books to read) The original challenge had a time limit, but I'm sure it can be adapted to whatever suits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I believe that when the challenge was originally conceived it was to start immediately after the 2004 Summer Olympics and finish at the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, but many people came to it much later and have taken it on as a longer-term "reading project" - myself included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I'm thinking of aiming to finish by the time of the Oxford Olympics in 2046 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I'm glad you're setting realistic goals, Andy. Olympics in Oxford, hey? Sounds good; I might start saving for it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I believe that when the challenge was originally conceived it was to start immediately after the 2004 Summer Olympics and finish at the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, but many people came to it much later and have taken it on as a longer-term "reading project" - myself included. I thought that's what it was. I might take it up now and read in time for the London ones instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Library Nook Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Does anyone know where there is an updated list for 2012? I looked on wikipedia but no joy unless I am being daft! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I can't find it officially either! I've seen "205 countries" on several sites but no confirmed list. This challenge started on Bookcrossing (I believe) so I'll have a shufty over there and see if I can find any more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 This was at the beginning of the thread it is book crossing http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/6/3057734/174 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Does anyone have any suggestions for authors from Greenland and/or Iceland? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I don't know of any for either group, but I found this list on Wiki for Icelandic writers. With regards to Greenland, I only found this, Greenland's long tradition of oral storytelling (stories and songs) has always concerned itself primarily with explaining Inuit myths and standards of moral behavior, as well as the relationship between the Inuit people and the creatures (seal, bear, walrus, whale, fox, etc.) on which they relied for survival. This tradition remains a viable one in Greenlandic communities, and its most talented practitioners are respected figures. Written literature is less established in Greenland, but reading and writing are increasingly popular pastimes.Culturally beautiful and meaningful, but of no actual use to you Janet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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