Friday, December 17, 2010

2011 Reading Challenges

Once again I have chosen to do more challenges than I think I should probably try. Here is a list of all the challenges I have deicide to do this year. Click on the title of a challenge to go to my post about it. This will be the fourth year I have participated in the 100+ Reading Challenge. 2010 Reading Wrap-up Books read in 2010

2011 Challenges

100+Reading Challenge (125/100) Complete


5 x 4 Reading Challenge (16/20)

 
 Off The Shelf Reading Challenge (41/75)

Stephen King Reading Challenge(8/8) Complete

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge (6/6) Complete


2011 Global Reading Challenge (5/7)

E-Book Reading Challenge (12/12) Complete

What's In A Name 4 (6/6) Complete!

What an Animal 4 (6/6) Complete!

Audio Book Challenge 2011 (20/20) Complete!

TwentyEleven Reading Challenge (20/20) Complete!

Read Your Name Challenge (6/6) Complete!


 Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge (4/4) Complete!

NaJuReMoNoMo (13/12) Complete!


Christian Fiction Reading Challenge (5/12)

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge (12/36)

Chunkster Challenge 2011(6/6) Complete

Thursday, December 16, 2010

100+ Reading Challenge 2011






This challenge, which was formally hosted by J.Kaye, is now being hosted by Home Girl's Book Blog. She is challenging you to beat your 2010 record this year! Can you read over 100 books this year? Learn more and sign up by visiting and reading the post about the challenge.
This will be my third year to participate in this challenge.
January
1. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb
2. Kindred in Death by JD Robb
3. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
4. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
5. Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson
6. Horns by Joe Hill
7. Death Splits a Hair by nancy Bell
8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
9. Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith
10. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
11. Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
12. Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Thomas E. Sniegoski
13. The Last song by Nicholas Sparks
14. Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
15. Bear's New Friend
16. Bear Snores On


Feburary
17. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
18. Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
19. I, Sniper by Stephen Hunter
20. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
21. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
22. The Regulators by Richard Bachman (Stephen King)
23. Luke Goes to Bat by Rachel Isadora
24. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
25. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
26. The End of the Road by Sue Henry
27. Ibis: A True whale Story by John Himmelman
28. A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer
29. The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl
30. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley


March
31. Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
32. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
33. Lone Star Noir
34. Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
35. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss
36. Riding the Bullet by Stephen King
37. Darkness Under the Sun by Dean Koontz
38. Trouble Maker 2 by Janet Evanovich
39. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
40. Play Dead by John Levitt
41. The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
42. Dex: The Heart of a Hero
43. Decision Points by George W. Bush
44. Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston
45. Hell's Corner by David Baldacci


April
46. The Devil's Right Hand by Lilith Saintcrow
47. Wet Dog by Elsie Boach
48. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
49. Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag
50. Dex: The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Bruehner
51. Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
52. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
53. When the Monkeys Came Back by Kristine Franklin
54. Jewel by Bret Lott
55. Against Medical Advice by Friedman and Patterson
56. Catalyst by McCaffrey and Scarborough


May
57. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
58. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
59. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga61. 3 picture books by Leo Lionni
60. Countdown by Iris Johansen
61. D-Day: The Battle for Normandy by Anthony Beevor
62. Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
63. Dog Boy by Eve Hornung
64. On the Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith
65. Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz


June
66. The Black Dove by Steve Hockensmith
67. The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Picard
68. The Crack in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith
69. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
70. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
71.  Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
72. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
73. The City and the City by China Mieville 
74. The Quotable Rogue edited by Matt Lewis
75. The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy
76. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

July
77. The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
78. Caught by Harlan Coban
79. Silas Marner by George Eliot
80. Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo


 August
81. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
82. Tails of Wonder and Imagination edited by Ellen Datlow
83. Deliver Us From Evil by David Balducci
84. Hawk's Harbor by S.E. Hinton
85. True Blue by Davie Balducci


September
86. The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker
87. The Spy by Clive Cussler
88. Pursasion by Jane Austen
89. The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
90. Blue-Eyed Devil by Robert B. Parker
91. Halfway To the Grave ty Jeainne Frost
92. The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
93. One Foot in the Grave by  Jeaniene Frost
94. Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin
95. All the Flowers are Dying by Lawrence Block
96. Wife for Hire by Janet Evanovich
97. Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly
98. The Postmistress by Sara Blake

October
99. Rumors of God by Whitehead & Tyson
100. Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler
101. Crimes by Moonlight ed. by Charlene Harris
102. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
103. Cold Vengence by Preston & Child
104. Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
105. Cujo by Stephen King
106. Eve by Iris Johansen
107. The Black Tulip by Alexander Dumas


November
108. Shadow Zone by Iris Johansen
109. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
110. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
111. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
112. Gateways by F. Paul Wilson
113. Monkeewrench by PJ Tracy
114. Death's Excellent Vacation ed. by
115. The Closers by Michael Connelly
116. Firestarter by Stephen King
117. Desperation by Stephen King

December
118. Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen
119. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
120. Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven
121. Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers
122. The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu by Sax Rohmer
123. The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer
124. Union Pacific by Paul Colt
125. Shadow Prowler by Alexy Pehov
126. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
125.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

5x4 Reading Challenge 2011

This is a challenge I created for myself. I had True Crime in my categories last year but didn't read any. Maybe this year. I am still hoping to broaden my reading horizon. I have read the ones in blue and they are linked to my review.

1.Oprah's Book Club
a. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

b. Giliad
c. One Hundred Years of Solutitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
d. Jewel by Brett Lott


2. Pulitzer Prize Winners
a. Olive Kitteridge

b. The Poisonwood Bible
c. Lonesome Dove
d. Gilead

3. Short Story Collections

a. Lone Star Noir
b. Tails of Wonder and Imagination
c. Death's Excellent Vacation
d. Crimes by Moonlight

4. Non Fiction
a. Travels With Charley

b. D-Day: the Battle for Normandy
c.
Decision Points
d. Against Medical Advice

5. Classics
a. Jane Eyre
b. Atlas Shrugged
c. The Black Tulip
d. Silas Marner

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Read To Me Picture Book challenge


I’ve been in search of a challenging and fun picture book reading challenge and and I found it at There's A Book. This will be the first annual Read to Me – A Picture Book Reading Challenge.

•The objective of the Read to Me Challenge is to read with the kiddos in your life and/or enjoy picture books in general.
•Books must be ones written expressly for children ages 9 and under. Board books, early readers, picture books, etc.
•Print or eBook format is acceptable.
•Anyone can join. You don’t have to be a blogger, and you don’t have to live in the United States. Open worldwide.
•You do not have to have an blog to participate.
•You can join at anytime. Deadline to join is November 20, 2011. (not 2010 you still have PLENTY of time to sign up!) The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

Please visit There's A Book for the rest of the details.

I have decided to join at the “Unjacketed” and read and review 36 picture books during the year . I plan to review 3 each month. I'm a teacher so I'll read many many more than that but will choose some I like especially through the year.
January
1. Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
2. Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson
3. Bear Snores On By Karma Wilson


February
4. Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
5. Luke Goes to Bat by Rachel Isadora
6. Ibis: A True Whale Story

March
7. And To Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street
8. The Lorax
9. McElligot's Pool


April
10. Dex: The Heart of a Hero
11. Wet Dog
12. When the Monkeys Came Back

May
13. It's Mine
14. Fredrick
15. A Flea Story

June
3 by Jan Brett
16 The Hat
17 The Mitten
18 Armadillo Rodeo

July
3 by Kevin Henks
19 Chrisanthemum
20  Owen
21 Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

August
3 by Eric Carle
22 The Very Hungry Caterpillar
23 The Very Grouchy Ladybug
24 Brown Bear

 September
3 by Laura Numeroff
25 If You give a Mouse a Cookie
26 If You Give a Moose a Muffin
27 If You give a Pig a Pancake

October
3 by Arnold Lobel
28 Small Pig
29 Frog and Toad are Friends
30 Owl at Home

November
3 by Kate Waters
31 On the Mayflower
32 Samuel Eaton's Day
33 Sarah Morton's Day

December
34 How The Grinch Stole Christmas
35 The Night Before Christmas
36 The Wild Christmas Reindeer

Off The Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

Bookish Ardour is hosting this challenge so visit her blog for the details.. When I ran across it and read about it it felt as if she was talking about me! My books seem to multiply on the shelves. This challenge is just what I need to encourage me to read the books I already have. I have chosed all the books for my personal 5x4 Challenge from my own shelves. I have chosen to do the "Flying Off - read 75 books" option.
1. Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith
2. Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
3. Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Thomas E. Sniegoski
4. Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
5. Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson
6. Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
7. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
8. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
9. The Regulators by Stephen King
10. The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl
11. Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
12. Lone Star Noir
13 And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street
14. Play Dead by John Levitt
15. Jewel by Bret Lott
16. Shadow Zone by Iris Johansen
17. Rumors of God by Whitehead and Tyson
18. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
19. The Devil's Right hand by Lilith Saintcrow
20. The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy
21. Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin
22. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
23. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party
24. Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer
25. Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers
26. Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz
27. Rumors of God by Whitehead and Tyson
28. All the Flowers are Dying by Lawrence Block
29. The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
30. Hawk's Harbor by S.E. Hinton
31. Heaven is for Real by Tod Burpo
32. Silas Marner by George Eliot
33. The Quotable Rogue ed. by Matt Lewis
34. The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Picard
35. The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
36. Beaglemania
37.The Red Queen by Phillipa Gregory
38. A Murderous Procession by Arianne Franklin
39. Rumors of God
40. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
41. Cold Vengence by Preston & child
42. Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen
43. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christy

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge


The Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge is hosted by My Reader's Block. The goal is to read mysteries written before 1960. Please visit her for the rest of the rules and options. I signed up at the "In a Murderous Mood" level with the goal of reading four to six books, by at least two different authors, by the end of the year. Click on each title to read my thoughts about it.

1. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
2. Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers (1923)
3. Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen (1949)
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
5.Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers (1926)
6. The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu by Sax Rohmer (1913)

Christian Fiction Reading Challenge

This Challenge is being hosted by Jamie The Book Junkie's Book Shelf. The goal of this challenge is to read AT LEAST 12 novels that are Christian based fiction between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Please visit Book Junkie's Book Shelf for the rules. I've been wanting to read more Christian based fiction and this will be the encouragement I need!

1. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
2. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
4. Persuasion by Jane Austen
5. The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Chunkster Challenge 2011

  Complete




Wendy at caribousmom is hosting this fun challenge. The challenge sign-up post is here.

I have decided to sign up for the Plump Primer level and read 6 chunksters this year. That means reading six books over 450 pages long.

I have 5 on my list already that I plan to read this year:
1. Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah

2. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
3. Desperation by Stephen King
4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
5. Jewel by Bret Lott
6. The Regulators by Stephen King

Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge 2011


The Book Vixen is hosting the Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge 2011. The goal is to read or re-read as many Nicholas Sparks novels as you’d like. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge. Visit The Book Vixen for all the rules. It looks like fun.

I am going to start at First Date. I have yet to read any of Sparks' novels but have a couple in my TBR pile and a couple on my wish list.

Levels:

First Date – Read 1–4 Nicholas Sparks novels
Going Steady – Read 5–8 Nicholas Sparks novels
Engaged – Read 9–12 Nicholas Sparks novels
Married – Read 13–16 Nicholas Sparks novels

1. Safe Haven
2. The Lucky One

Stephen King Challenge 2011

Complete
This challenge is being hosted by Book Chick City. Being a Stephen King fan, I have read many of his books, but there are still a few out there I haven't read.

Challenge Details
•Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011
•Rules - There are two levels: Read either SIX (6) or TWELVE (12) Stephen King novels in 2011 (6 is the minimum but you can read more than 12 if you wish!)


I will join in to read six.

For the rest of the rules and to join in visit Book Chick City.

1. Full Dark, No Stars

2. Cujo

3. Desperation

4. The Regulators

 5.Riding the Bullet
6. Firestarter

What An Animal 4

The What an Animal Reading Challenge IV is hosted by Socrates' Book Review Blog. It began on March 1, 2011 and end on February 29, 2012. I'm entering just a little late. The rules are really simple, a short version of them is listed below. Please visit Socrates' Book Review Blog for the full set of rules.
1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:

a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).
2. The animal can be any type of animal
3. Challenge runs from March 1, 2011 to February 28, 2012.
4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.

6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).

7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.

8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.

9. Books can be in any format of your choice (print, audio, ebooks)

My Books: Each book is linked to its review.
1. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
2. Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
3. Play Dead by John Levitt
4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
5. Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnstone
6. Catalyst by McCaffrey & Scarborough

What's in a Name 4

Complete!

I have had fun with this each year I've done it, and this year is no exception. I would not have read Jewel if not for this challenge even though it has been languishing in my TBR pile. I see now that would have been a shame. I would not have gotten to The Devil's Right Hand either. It was OK but not as much fun as I thought it would be. This is a fun challenge and I look forward to doing it again next year. Thanks Beth Fish!
Welcome to the fourth What's in a Name Challenge! This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, Beth at Beth Fish Reads took over the challenge. Here's How It Works Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, read one book in each of 6 categories. I have tentatively listed mine here:

A book with a number in the title:
The Lucky one by Nicholas Sparks

A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:
Jewel by Bret Lott

A book with a size in the title:
Little Bee by Chris Cleave

A book with travel or movement:
Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Thomas E. Sniegoski

A book with evil in the title:
The Devil's right Hand by Lilith Saintcrow

A book with a life stage in the title:
The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl

Look here for suggestions but you can read whatever book you want to fit the category

Monday, December 13, 2010

2011 Global Reading Challenge

The Global Reading Challenge is hosted by Dorte at the 2011 Global Reading Challenge blog. You can read the rules and sign in here. I decided to do the Easy Level.
The Easy Challenge
Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011:

Africa

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith

Asia
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (India)
Dog Boy by Ava Hornung (Russia)

Australasia


Europe

Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith
The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl

North America

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (new-to-me author)
From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.
(Elizabeth Strout is a new-to-me author)


South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)

The Seventh Continent (here you can either choose Antarctica or your own ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it).
D-Day:The Battle for Normandy by Anthony Beevor (history)

Play Dead by John Levitt (Urban Fantasy)

E-Book Reading Challenge 2011


The Ladybug Reads is going to be taking over the E-Book Reading Challenge for 2011. It was previously hosted by Alaine at Queen of Happy Endings.

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

I will start with the Addicted and shoot for 12 e-books this year. Click on each title to view my review.

1. Horns by Joe Hill
2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
3. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
4. Riding the Bullet by Stephen King
5. Darkness Under the Sun by Dean Koontz
6. Dog Boy by Eve Hornung
7. Silas Marner by George Eliot
8. Heaven is for Real by Tod Burpo
9. The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu
10. Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers
11. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
12.The Hunger Games

Audiobook Challenge 2011

The 2011 Audio Book Challenge is being hosted by Teresa at Teresa's Reading Corner. The 2010 edition was hosted by Alaine of Queen of Happy Endings. When Alaine was looking for someone to take over for her, Teresa happily volunteered. The 2011 Audio Book Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

The levels are as follows: Curious: 3 Audio Books
Fascinated: 6 Audio
Books Addicted: 12 Audio Books
Obsessed: 20 Audio Books
I'm going to go for the Obsessed level!
1. Promises in Death by JD Robb
2. Kindred in Death by JD Robb
3. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
4. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
5. Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson
6. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker
7. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
8. I, Sniper by Stephen Hunter
9. Eclipse
10. Breaking Dawn By Stephenie Meyer
11. A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer
12. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
13. Jolie Blon's Bounce by James Lee Burke
14. The Glass Rainbow by James Lee burke
15. Hell's corner by David Baldacci
16. Decision Points by George W. Bush
17. Travels with Charley by John Stenibeck
18. A Red Herring With Mustard by Alan Bradley
19. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
20. Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag
21. Secrets to the Grave by Tmi Hoag
22. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

TwentyEleven Reading challenge


While looking at Challenges I found that Darren from Bart's Bookshelf was hosting this fun challenge. Please go visit for the complete rules. The Twenty Eleven Challenge asks that you read a book in each of the following categories:

And the categories for TwentyEleven are:

*1. To YA or not YA (read from the genre you read least)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan


*2. With a Twist
(sub-genre you don't often read)
(twist: Christian Murder Mystery)
(twist: Fantasy-steampunk)

3. Hot off the Presses (pub. in 2011)
I read Litttle Bee because of a review I read at Book Journey.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I read Olive Kitteridge because of a review I reat at Caribousmom

*5. Show It Who Is Boss (from your TBR pile)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

*6. Babble Fish (translated)
The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl (translated by Don Bartlett)

*7. Will Power? What Will Power?
(just had to buy it, new books only)

*8. Mind the Gap (finish the series)

9. Back in the Day (rereads)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

*10. Way Back When (published before you were born)

11. Slim-Pickings (novellas)
Riding the Bullet by Stephen King
Darkness Under the Sun by Dean Koontz

To complete the challenge you will need to read twenty books, at least one in every category. It's your choice on which categories will merit two books.

Read Your Name Challenge 2011

Complete!!

Read Your Name Challenge
❥☪LIZZ☪❥ from All About Challenges on Goodreads came up with this cute challenge with no time limit which is perfect :) I have listed books but may change my mind.


Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks



Horns by Joe Hill



Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson



Regulators, The by Stephen King


Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout




Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks