Thursday, December 18, 2008

100+ Book Challenge 2009 + the Read & Review Challenge

Finished

Click on the picture above to go to J. Kaye's rules for this challenge.

January

1. Dragonheart by Todd McCaffrey review here
2. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke review here
3. Dead Over Heels by Charlaine Harris review here
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick review here
5. Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch review here
6. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger review here
7. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez review here
8. Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith review here
9. No Nest for the Wicket by Donna Andrews review here
10. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown review here
11. Just Another Judgement Day by Simon R. Green review here

February
12. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson review here
13. A Long Way Gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah review here
14. The Memorist by M. J. Rose review here
15. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch review here
16. Adam by Ted Dekker review here
17. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich review here
18. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski review here
19. Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels review here
20. Just the Two of Us by Will Smith review here
March
21. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown review here
22. Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy review here
23. Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown review here
24. Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons review here
25. Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler & Dirk Cussler review here
26. Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke review here
27. Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen review here
28. Fool by Christopher Moore review here
29. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows review here
30. Horton Hears a who by Dr. Suess review here
31. Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett review here
April
32. The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell review here
33. Mean Streets by Jim Butcher, Simon R. Green & More review here
34. Tarzan and the Golden Lion by Edgar Rice Burroughs review here
35. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe review here
36. Deader Still by Anton Strout review here
37. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson review here
38. 1776 by David McCullough review here
39. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison review here
40. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson review here
41. In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez review here
42. Borderline by Nevada Barr review here
43. Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey review here
44. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie review here
45. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith review here
May
46. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher review here
47. Power Play by Joseph Finder review here
48. Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits by Celia Rivenbark review here
49. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs review here
50. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith review here
51. The Little Painter of Sabana Grande by Patricia Maloney Markun review here
52. Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe review here
53. Darkness Falls by Kyle Mills review here
54. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy review here
55. The Christmas Day Murders by Sheriff J.B. Smith review here
56. The Mystery of Grace by Charles De Lint review here
57. Divine Justice by David Baldacci review here
58. The Help by Kathryn Stockett review here
59. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald review here
June
60. A Breed Apart by Pierre Davis review here
61. Eternity in Death by J.D. Robb review here
62. Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker review here
63. Resolution by Robert B. Parker review here
64. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck review here
65. Glory In Death by JD Robb review here
66. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen review here
67. Thanks For the Memories by Cecelia Ahern review here
68. The Lost City of Z by David Grann review here
69. Bless Your Heart, Tramp by Celia Rivenbark review here
70. The Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler and review here
71. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb review here
72. The Camel Club by David Baldacci review here
July
73. Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child review here
74. Savage Run by C.J. Box review here
75. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson review here
76. Death Match by Lincoln Child review here
77. The Collectors by David Baldacci review here
78. Sail by Patterson and Roughan review here
79. Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie review here
August
September

October
109. The Zookeepers Wife by Diane Ackerman review here
110. Battle on the Bay by Edward T. Cotham, Jr. review here
November
112. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen review here
113. Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen review here
114. Hold Tight by harlan Coben review here
115. Fire Me by Libby Malin review here
116. Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C.J. Box review here
December

5 X 4 Self Challenge 2009

FINISHED!!


In all the years I've been reading I've never planned it out. I read books that catch my fancy, that appeal to me from the shelf at the library, bookstore or garage sale, or that friends talk about. I found last year when I joined the 888 challenge I felt.......cornered. It DID help me to broaden my reading to new genres and helped me to see I could enjoy reading them. However, I didn't finish the challenge by 3 books. This year in an effort to widen my reading range but still have lots of room for the books I come across that I want to read, I've created this pared down version, The 5X4 Self Challenge. Four books in each of five categories. These are books I wouldn't normally read or that I want to read and never get around to. That's a quarter of my 100 book reading goal for this year. I'm going to plan the books, but will change if something else comes along that catches my interest. Who knows, I may read more than four in each category. Of course, I already own all these books. The categories I've chosen are:



Classics
1 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald review here
2 Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe review here
3 Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck review here
4 Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe review here



Non-Fiction
1 Me Talk Pretty Some Day by David Sedaris review here
2 The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson review here
3 The Lost City of Z by David Grann review here
4 The Christmas Day Murders by Sheriff J.B. Smith review here


Books Older Than Me That Are Sitting on My Shelf
1 Kazan The Wolf Dog by James Oliver Curwood review here
2 Brewster's Millions by G. B. McCutcheon review here
3 Tarzan and the Golden Lion by Edgar Rice Burroughs review here
4 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith review here


Award Winners
1 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson (Mcavity Best First Novel)
2 The Time-Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (Booker Prize)
3 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick review here
4 The Killing Floor by Lee Child ( Anthony Award for Best First Novel) review here

Histories
1 1776 by David McCullough review here
2 The Zookeepers Wife by Diane Ackerman review here
3 Battle on the Bay by Edward T. Cotham, Jr. review here
4 The Lost City of Z by David Grann review here

Audiobook Challenge 2009

Finished!

Click on the picture above to go to J. Kays rules for this Audiobook Challenge! Our goal is to listen to 12 audiobooks in 2009.

1. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke review here
2. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audre Niffeneggar review here
3. Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith review here
4. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown review here
5. Adam by Ted Dekker review here
6. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown review here
7. Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown review here
8. Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler & Dirk C. review here
9. Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen review here
10. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows review here
11. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe review here
12. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by bill Bryson review here

The challenge ended at 12, but I'll keep list all audiobooks I "read" this year.

13. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie review here
14. Power Play by Joseph Finder review here
15. Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark review here
16. Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe review here
17. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy review here
18. Divine Justice by David Baldacci review here
19. Eternity in Death by J.D. Robb review here
20. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck review here
21 Thanks For the memories by Cecelia Ahern review here
22. The Camel Club by David Baldacci review here

The What's In a Name Challenge

Finished!


In this fun challenge you must read a book from each of 6 categories. The challenge runs form Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009. Click on the picture to go the host's site.

My Books

Title with a profession: (Fool)
Fool by Christopher Moore review here


Title with a time of day:
Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels review here


A Title with a relative:
Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen review here


Title with a body part:
Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy review here

Title with a building:
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez review here


Title with a medical condition:
Deader Still by Anton Strout review here

Chunkster Challenge

Finished April, 2009
Ok. Only one more challenge. I decided to join the chunkster challenge. Several reading plans are offered. I have opted for the "Do These Books Make My Butt Look Big" plan, mostly because I thought it was funny. Rules from the Chunkster site:
*A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction)
*No Audio books in the chunkster
*If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more
*Books may crossover with other challenges


Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? - this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to 3-5 Chunksters over the next ten months.



Here are my chunksters:


1. Dragonheart by Todd McCaffrey (544 pages) review here
2. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (480 pages) review here
3. The Memorist by M. J. Rose (464 pages) review here
4. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (576 pages) review here
5. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (504 pages) review here

Read Your Own Books Challenge 2009

Click on the picture to read the rules
at MizB's Challenges You. I've chosen to set my
goal at 50 of my own books. Should be easy,
I have TONS of books here at home
that I haven't read.
1. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke review here
2. Dead Over Heels by Charlaine Harris review here
3. Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch review here
4. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez review here
5. Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith review here
6. No Nest for the Wicket by Donna andrews review here
7. Just Another Judgement Day by Simon R. Green review here
8. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch review here
9. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich review here
10. Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels review here
11. Just the Two of Us by Will Smith review here
12. Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy review here
13. Fool by Christopher Moore review here
14. Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett review here
15. The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell review here
16. Tarzan and the Golden Lion by ERB review here
17. Deader Still by Anton Strout review here
18. I am Legend by Richard Matheson review here3
19. 1776 by David McCullough review here
20. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson review here
21. In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez review
22. Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey review
23. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie review
24. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith review
25. Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark review
26. The Little Painter of Sabana Grande by Patricia Maloney Markun review here
27. Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe review here
28. Darkness Falls by Kyle Mills
29. Divine Justice by David Baldacci review here
30. The Help by Kathryn Stockett review here
31. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald review here
32. Thanks For the Memories by Cecelia Ahern review here
33. Bless Your Heart, Tramp by Celia Rivenbark review here
34. The Camel Club by David Baldacci review here
35. Cemetery Dance by Douglas and Child review here
36. Savage Run by C.J. Box review here
37. Sundays at Tiffany's review here
38. Death Match by Lincoln Child review here
39. The Collectors by David Baldacci review here
40. Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie review here

Support Your Local Library Challenge

Finished :)


I am adding J Kaye's Support your Local Library Challenge to my list of challences. Click on the picture to read the rules. I love the library and read lots of books from there every year. Boy does that save a ton of money! I think I'll set my goal at 25 library books.
1. Dragonheart by Todd McCaffrey review here
2. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke review here
3. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick review here
4. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown review here
5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson review here
6. A Long Way Gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier review here
7. The Memorist by M. J. Rose review here
8. Adam by Ted Dekker review here
9. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle review here
10. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown review here
11. Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy review here
12. Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown review here
13. Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons review here
14. Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler & Dirk C. review here
15. Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke review here
16. Pandora's Daughter review here
17. Fool by Christopher Moore review here
18. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows review here
19. Mean Streets by Jim Butcher etc review here
20. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison review here
21. Borderline by Nevada Barr review here
22. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher review here
23. Power Play by Joseph Finder review here
24. The Christmas Day Murders by Sheriff J.B. Smith review here
25. The Mystery of Grace by Charles De Lint review here

May 22, 2009 - YEA! I've finished another challenge. I love going to the library so I know I will be getting more books from the library. I will keep track of the rest of them for the year below.

26. Eternity In Death by JD Robb review here
27.Tortilla Flat
28. Glory in Death by JD Robb review here
29. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen review here
30. The Lost City of Z by David Grann review here
31. Sail by Patterson and Roughan review here
32. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
33. Relentless by Dean Koontz

John Steinbeck Mini-Challenge

Finished!!

The second challenge from Mini-challenges Hosted by Becky I've decided to join is the John Steinbeck Mini-Challenge.

This mini-challenge, the John Steinbeck Mini-Challenge, is for the 2009 year. It will be from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.The goal of the challenge is to read TWO books by John Steinbeck. (Audio books are welcome.) One movie can be substituted for one of the books if you prefer.

My two choices for this challenge are:
1. Tortilla Flat. – New York 1935 review here
2. Cannery Row. – New York : Viking, 1945 review here

Daniel Defoe Mini-Challenge

Finished!

At this late date, I have decided to join a couple of Mini-challenges at Mini-Challenges Hosted by Becky. I feel safe as it only consists of two books and I've chosen books that I've wanted to read for awhile!


This mini-challenge--the Daniel Defoe Mini-Challenge--will be for the 2009 year. January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.The challenge is to read TWO books by Defoe. (One movie may be substituted in the place of one of the books.) Audio books are acceptable as well.
The two books I've chosen are:
1. Robinson Crusoe (1719) review here
2. Moll Flanders (1722) review here

Books Around the States

Click on the picture of the states to visit Books Around the States.

Alabama -To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee review here (2008)
Alaska - The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon review here (2008)
Arizona - The Walking by Bentley Little review here (2008)
Arkansas - Shakesphear's Trollop by Charlaine Harris (2007)
California - Cat Pay the Devil by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review (2008)
Colorado - Hard Truth by Nevada Bar (2007)
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida - Atomic Lobster by Tim Dorsey
review here (2008)
Georgia - Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns review here (2008)
Hawaii -
Idaho - Blue Heaven by C. J. Box review here (2008)
Illinois -Devil in the White City by Eric Larson review here (2008)
Indiana
Iowa - The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson review here (2009)
Kansas-In Cold Blood by Truman Capote review here (2008)
Kentucky - Icy sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio review here (2008)
Louisiana-From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Maine - Dolores Claiborne by Steven King (2007)
Maryland
Massachusetts - Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock by Jean Fritz review here (2008)
Michigan - A Superior Death by Nevada Barr review here (2008)
Minnesota
Mississippi - A Time to Kill by John Grisham (2007)
Missouri - Bitsy's Bait and BBQ by Pamela Morsi
review here (2008)
Montana - Swan Peak by James Lee burke review here (2009)
Nebraska
Nevada - Prey by Michael Crichton (2007)
New Hampshire
New Jersey-Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich review here (2008)
New Mexico - Blasphemy by Douglas Preston review here (2008)
New York - Reckless Abandon by Stuart Woods review here (2008)
North Carolina - Spider Mountain by P.T. Deutermann review here(2008)
North Dakota
Ohio - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
review here (2008)
Oklahoma - Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts review here (2008)
Oregon - Monster by Frank Peretti (2007)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig review here (2008)
South Dakota
Tennessee - Full speed by Janet Evanovich (2007)
Texas - Gun Shy: A Blanco County Texas Mystery
review here (2008)
Utah -Thunderhead by Preston and Child (2007)
Vermont - Wife For Hire by Janet Evanovich (2007)
Virginia - Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews review here (2008)
Washington - Moon Called by Patricia Briggs review here (2008)
Washington, D.C. Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich review here (2008)
West Virginia
Wisconsin - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle review here (2009)
Wyoming - Open Season by C. J. Box review here (2008)



visited 37 states (74%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or vertaling nederlands duits?

Books Around the World


Books Around the World

(Af. Botswana) Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith
(Af. Congo) The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
(Af. Egypt) The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
(Af. Egypt) Year of the Hyenas by Brad Geagley
(Af. Nigeria) Cross Country by James Patterson
(Af. Sierra Leone) A Long Way gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
(As. Afghanistan)The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
(As. Japan)The Dragon King's Palace by Laura Hoh Rowland
(As. Russia) Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dotstoevsky
(As. Russia) Soviet Union) Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
(Eu. Austria) The Memorist by M. J. Rose
(Eu. Belgium) The lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
(Eu. England) Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
(Eu. France) The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
(Eu. Germany) Night by Eile Wiesel
(Eu. Ireland) Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern
(Eu. Netherlands) Girl With The Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
(Eu. Poland) The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
(Eu. Spain) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
(Eu. Sweden) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
(Eu.Guernsey) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
(Eu.Italy) The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
(Eu.Vatican city) Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
(N.A. Cuba) The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
(N.A. El Salvador) Blood of Paradise by David Corbett
(N.A. Panama) The Little Painter of Sabana Grande
(N.A. United States)To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
(N.A.Canada) Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat
(S.A. Brazil) The Lost City of Z by David Grann
Continents


visited 22 states (9.77%)
Create your own visited map of The World

Create your own visited map of The World or try another Douwe Osinga project

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge '09

FINISHED!

I have decided to join yet another challenge, but this should be easy because suspense and thriller novels are my favorite! So I copied the rules from J. Kaye's place:
This is for the ones who finished the 2008/09 Suspense & Reading Challenge are ready for another. Rules of this challenge: * Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009. * You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go. * Your books can crossover into other challenges. * You don't need a blog to join in this challenge. For those who do, this is important. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your S/T books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed. * BLOGGERS: Link your reviews here.
My Books:
2009
1. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke (Hard Boiled) review here
2. Dead Over Heels by Charlaine Harris (Cozy Mystery) review here
3. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez (Comic Thriller) review here
4. Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith (Private Dective) review here
5. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (Religious Thriller) review here
6. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Locked Room (island) Thriller) review here
7. Night of the Loving Dead by Casey Daniels (Paranormal) review here
8. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown (Seriel Killer) review here
9. The Memorist (Psychological) review here
10. Arctic Drift (Eco Thriller) review here
11. Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke (Police Proceedural) review here
12. Pandora's Daughter (Action Thriller ) review here

2008 Wrap Up

I read so many good books this year and thanks to the 888 Challenge I broadened my reading across the genres quite a bit.

My very favorite books I read this year were:
1. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan review here
2. The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright review here
3. Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith review here
4. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich review here
5. Moon Pies and Movie Stars by Amy Wallen review here
6. Stop Dressing Your 6 Year Old Like a Skank by Celia Rivenbark review here
7. Light From Heaven by Jan Karon review here
8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Books I didn't like:
1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde review here
2. Blood of Paradise by David Corbett review here
3. The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon review
4. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky review

I hesitated to put those two classics on the "Did Not Like" list for fear of being branded unsophisticated. However on my sidebar I have the Readers Rights posted and they state that I don't have to justify my reading tastes.

I read some great cozy mysteries, edge of your seat mysteries, wonderful sci fi/fantasy, and some very funny books. I enjoyed several non fiction books (which I hardly ever read.) All in all it was a great reading year for me!

Book Challenges - 2008

I love books. I love to read books. I love to hold books. I love to smell books. I love to own books. So, I've decided to join some book challenges I've come across on the net. The book challenges I choose will be shown in separate posts.

1. The 888 Challenge (below) Missed it by 3 books
2. The What's in a Name Challenge FINISHED! (below)
3. Reading Around the States (below) To be continued in 2009
4. 100 Book Challenge (below ) FINISHED!
5. The Southern Reading Challenge FINISHED! (below)
6. What an Animal Reading Challenge (below) FINISHED!
7. Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge (below) To be continued in 2009

Book Give Away Contests (below)