Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge

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Once again My Reader's Block is sponsoring the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge. This year it's all about the themes--for full details go to the info post (link above). You can sign up for as  many themes as you would like so check it out. I'm signing up for Cherchez le Homme in which you read 8 books by male authors OR 8 books with male detectives.

Progress site

1. The Big Four by Agatha Christie (1927)
2. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (1953)
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Cruisin' Through the Cozies 2012

I love cozy mysteries and didn't read nearly as many as I would have liked to last year. I have SEVERAL in my TBR pile already. When I saw this challenge at Socrates' Book Reviews I decided to join. Click on the link or the button above to go to Socrates' for all the info on this challenge.

I'm joining at Level 2 - Investigator - and plan to read 7 to 12 Cozies in 2012.

1. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
2. A hard Day's Fright by Casey Daniels
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Chunkster Reading Challenge

I have decided to join the Chunkster Challenge again this year. There are a lot of great books that are 450 or more pages long so this challenge is quite an encouragement to me. I have decided to join at the Plump Primer level and read 6 chunksters this year.If you are interested in joining or finding out more about the Chunkster Challenge plese click on the link or on the picture above.

Below is some info from the Chunkster Challenge page:

Below are the details and sign-ups for 2012. Wendy and I have made a few changes to the rules including the date. Next year’s challenge starts the first day of the year instead of in February as it usually did. That way participants who didn’t sign up for the 2011 challenge or those who’ve already finished, can start reading their chunksters in January and count them for this challenge.

Definition of a chunkster:

A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature, whether non-fiction or fiction. A chunkster should be a challenge.

If you read books in large print, your books will need to be 525 pages or more. The average large type book is 10-15% larger or more so it’s a fair estimate.

The rules:

• No audio books. (There are exceptions to this rule.)
• No e-books allowed. This was discussed in much detail in the 2011 challenge. The short version: a chunkster isn’t a challenge if you’re reading it on an e-reader. (There are exceptions to this rule.)
• This year for the first time, essay, poetry, and short story collections will be allowed. Collections have to be read in their entirety to count. If you’ve needed a reason to finally pick up your copy of The Collected Works Of ____ now is the time.
• Books may crossover with other challenges.
• Anyone may join. (If you don’t have a blog, just leave a comment on this post with your challenge level and your progress throughout the challenge.)
• You don’t need to list your books ahead of time.
• Once you’ve picked a level, that’s it. You’re committed to it!

Post reviews here.
My Chunksters for 2012
1. 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz (451 pages)
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson
3. John Adams byMcCullough, David
4. Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
5. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
6. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
7. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami, Haruki
8. Kraken by Miéville, China

5x4 Reading Challenge 2012

I'm hoping that this personal challenge will help me be a more well rounded reader. I've changed some of my categories from last year, but will keep the Classics, Short Story Collection and Pulitzer Prize categories. The two others will be Harold Bell Wright and Presidents. Past categories included Oprah Book Club Picks & Non-Fiction.

Classics
1. A Tale of Two cities
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Prize Winners
1. Middlesex

Presidents
1. River of Doubt
2. John Adams by David McCullough
3. Killing Linclon by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

Harold Bell Wright


Short Story Collections
1.Discount Noir
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