Challenge for 2014

I thought I had already written this post, but I guess not. Maybe that's just as well, because I've changed my mind about one thing. I had decided to take a break from reading challenges and the sketchbook challenge this year. I completed my revolutionary war reading challenge in 2013 by reading five books (my goal was to read 4-10 books); you can see a list of the books I read here. I didn't do as well with my sketchbook challenge; I only did 6 of the 12 monthly challenges. But after reading about Back to the Classics 2014 challenge on my friend Kathy Johnson's blog, hosted by Books and Chocolate, I've decided to join this challenge. I haven't read as many classics as I'd like, so this will (hopefully) motivate me to read more. I haven't chosen any of my books yet, since I just made the decision to participate today, but I'll post again once I choose my books.

Here are the categories:

Required:

1. A 20th Century Classic
2. A 19th Century Classic
3. A Classic by a Woman Author
4. A Classic in Translation  If English is not your primary language, then books originally published in English are acceptable.  You could also read the book in its original language if you are willing and able to do so.
5. A Classic About War  2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.  Any book relating to a war is fine -- WWI, WWII, the French Revolution, the War of the Worlds -- your choice.
6. A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You This can be any author whose works you have not read before.  It doesn't necessarily have to be an author you've never heard of.  

Optional Categories:

1. An American Classic
2. A Classic Mystery, Suspense or Thriller 
3. A Historical Fiction Classic.  This is any classic set at least 50 years before the time when it was written.  For example, Margaret Mitchell published Gone with the Wind 70 years after the end of the Civil War; therefore, it is considered a historical novel.  A Tale of Two Cities and The Scarlet Letter are also historical novels.  However, older classics set during the period in which they were written are not considered historical; for example, the novels of Jane Austen.
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!