Life begins…
Some say I look like I’m still in my twenties, even more say I act like I am. But – ladies and gentlemen – the rumours are true…I am about to hit the big FOUR-OH. Life begins ‘n all that.
So, in order to celebrate this momentous occasion with my book-loving friends I have decided to do a 40 day challenge in…guess what? Yep, the 40 days leading up to the big day itself (October 9th).
The 40 day book challenge
So, commencting 31st August I will be posting daily under the following headings:
1) A favourite book of 2011 (so far)
2) A book I wish I could live in
3) A book with a favourite character
4) A favourite translated book
5) A favourite non-fiction book
6) A book that changed my life
7) A favourite YA book
8 A book that blew me away
9) A favourite crime fiction book
10) A book that gave me the creeps
11) A book that made me cry
12) A favourite historical novel
13) A book that made me laugh out loud
14) A favourite 19th century novel
15) A book that I have read the most number of times
16) A favourite book from childhood
17) A book with the best evil character
18) A book that I tell people I have read but haven’t
19) A book that scared me
20) A book with a character most like me
21) A book I am embarrassed to say I like
22) A book I hope I get for my birthday
23) A book that is a most treasured possession
24) An “unputdownable” book
25) A favourite chicklit book
26) A favourite science-fiction book
27) A book I love that deserves to be better known
28) A book I loved but nobody else did
29) A favourite book with animals in
30) A favourite sensational novel
31) A book that everyone else seems to love except me
32) A book that has been on my shelf unread for more than 5 years
33) A book that I would love to read but never do
34) A book I wish I had written
35) The longest book I have ever read
36) A favourite book recommended by another book blogger
37) A book that I still think about years after having read it
38) An author crush
39) A book I expected to hate but loved
40) A favourite book about a celebration
If anyone would like to join me on all or some of the days, you are more than welcome. If not, just make sure you pop by and see what bookish surprises I have in store each day (there may even be a little giveaway or two) 
Oh 40! It’s a (little) while ago, but when I almost turned 40 I mentioned I had a Big-Oh day coming up, and someone thought I was turning 30. The best present!
Are you planning something BIG with Mr. Boof as well as with your readers? Or are you hoping for that one present that he hasn’t bought you yet. I went to Iceland for a long weekend when I turned 40 and it was a great experience.
Yes, that would have been a great present, Judith
Planning a huge family meal one weekend and then me and Mr Whisperer will go away for another but not sure where. I have been to Iceland before – isn’t it amazing???
Oh I turn it next march boof great idea mag do something similar next year all the best stu
Yay for the 40-club this year, Stu!
This is a great idea and I’m sure i’ll adding more books to my wishlist because of it
Of course…
Great idea Boof ! I turned 40 almost 7 years ago but still feel like I am 20 in my head and in my heart too and it is wonderful !
Yay to being 20 in your heart, Virginie
Congrats! Let me tell you the big SIX-O feels like the 30 to me! And will I dress appropriately? Nah. I love your blog!!!
That’s good to know, Martine
40 was when my metabolism came to a complete HALT and i go to bed regardless of how many pages i have left! will be interested to see a review of “homeless rats”…not that i have a particular interest in rats!
Oh dear – I think mine already has though
I’v already read Homeless Rats and loved it!
Great idea. I will join in some days
Hurray!
That’s a great idea, I will come back from time to time to check out your posts. Sounds like an interesting project. I was thinking of something similar when a friend of mine mentioned National Novel Writing Month but that seems like too much of a commitment right now.
Until next time…
Look forward to seeing you around, Delia
As someone who has met you in real life, I can vouch for the fact that you DO NOT look almost 40!!
This is a great idea! I will definitely be reading each day – I love the little factoids of information you get from posts like these! I am even going to try to join in as I’ve been in a big slump with my blog recently and I think your idea could be a great way to get it going again! So, thanks! Hehe!
Hee hee, thanks Kirsty!!
Look forward to seeing what you come up with too
I like the way you celebrate! I will definitely join in as i’ve been doing something similar every Friday on my blog.
I’ve seen your last couple of pryday’s, Anbolyn, and really enjoyed reading them
I will definitely celebrate with you Boof, some fun topics. I’m a libra also, Oct 3, you have me by 4 years though. I hear 40′s are amazing though
Another Libra! I’ll let you know what 40′s like before you catch me up….
I’m a Libra too
27th Sept. Only 26 this time though!
What a great idea!
Great idea! About two years before I turned 40, a friend and I each made a list of “Forty things to do before turning forty” and it was such a great experience! They weren’t all big-deal things (buy a good bra, re-read a favorite book, plan a dinner party), but it sure made life purposeful (in a silly way) and although I didn’t accomplish them all (life happens), One of the things on my list was to play an accordion, and wouldn’t you know, on the night of my birthday I went out with friends and Oktoberfest had just started and there was a man playing accordion in the band! I got to play it a bit and have pictures to prove it! I still have that list (I may frame it!) and will make another sometime soon. I love lists. I will try to participate in some of your 40 days – my birthday is October 1 and I’ll be 43!!! Yay! Life is good…
I love that idea! I may pinch that for myself
I like that idea a lot! I was thinking of joining the 101 things in 1001 days (Day Zero Project) but 40 (or 50 in my case) things sounds good, too. I’m not even sure I’d come up with that many.
If you do make a list, Boof, will you show it to us? Or at least the non-embarrassing items?
Great way of celebrating! Enjoy.
Emma @ Words And Peace – who has already passed the 40th bar…
Thanks Emma
That’s a brilliant way of celebrating! Will be checking in:)
Congrats on the big 40. This sounds like a great idea and I can’t wait to read all the post.
Very cool! I just turned 40 myself. It actually felt kind of good, because you feel like you’ve accomplished something. I also appreciated getting lots of comments about not looking 40. I like your post ideas although I won’t be around for half of September. Happy almost-birthday!
Oh how cool, we’re the same age! Happy time away in September (whatever you’re doing)
Bex, this is a super fantastic idea! How on earth did you come up with all of these 40 things?!
Mandy, just stuff I would be nosey enough to want to know about other peoples blogs 8)
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What a wonderful idea. I’m afraid my list would have to be a bit longer! That said, the big 4-0 is really nothing to fear, the next one was a bit harder. I shall look forward to seeing your daily posts…
The frightening thing is that it doesn’t seem like 2 minutes since I was celebrating my 30th! I’ll be catching up with you soon…;)
At that rate, it may be just one minute until you turn 50! Don’t close your eyes or you’ll miss your 5th decade!
Oooh, I love this idea! I’m going to do this though I’ll still be posting things like reviews and lists, etc. But I LOVE this.
Hurray! Look forward to seeing your choices, Jordyn
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Lovely idea, Boof. I turned 40 a couple of years ago but didn’t really celebrate it. (I did compose a Top 40 list of books on my blog though!)
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What a wonderful idea, Boof. I turned 40 almost 10 (gasp!!) years ago, and I thought it was more interesting and easier than turning 30, oddly enough. Your 40 day book challenge sounds fantastic. I’ll be following along and might even chime in here or there. Welcome to your next decade!
What a great idea! I don’t know if I could commit to posting everyday for 40 days!! I need to blog more…
[...] 4 of the 40 day book challenge is ‘a favourite translated [...]
[...] 5 of the 40 day book challenge is ‘a favourite non-fiction [...]
This is a fantastic idea! I will definitely join you on some of the days, swiftly approaching my 30th and I don’t know where the years have gone! Roll on 40!
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Love your blog and your 40 day book challenge! I might just need to pick up some of your recommendations.
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[...] 11 of the 40 day book challenge is ‘a book that made me [...]
[...] 12 of the 40 day book challenge is ‘a favourite historical [...]
[...] 4 of the 40 Day Book Challenge asks for a favorite translated book. I’m not going to lie: I don’t read a lot of [...]
[...] 13 of the 40 day book challenge is ‘a book that made you laugh out [...]
Ooh, I’m going to bookmark this and browse more fully when I have time. I might pinch your list and use it as a basis for some posts on my own blog – although not sure I can find a book for every heading there!
I bet you can!
Look forward to seeing what you come up with if you go ahead.
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[...] 7 of the 40 Day Book Challenge asks for a favorite YA book. Considering that the vast majority of what I read is YA literature, [...]
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