Books To The Ceiling (Challenges)

2015-12-19T11:18:00.012-06:00

Click here to view my thoughts on books I've read.

Click here for memes and other bookish things.

Challenges in 2012

2012-01-02T15:00:00.005-06:00

This year I have chosen to pare back my number of reading challenges. Last year I participated in 16 and managed to complete most of them. This year i am starting out with only 8. They are:

*Books Read in 2012 (10/100)

*2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge (1/30)

*Chunkster Reading Challenge 2012 (1/8)

*Why buy the Cow Reading Challenge

*2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

*What's In a Name 5 (1/5)

*Men in Uniform Reading Challenge

* 5x4 Personal Reading Challenge 2012 (1/20)

*Cruisin' Through the Cozies 2012

*Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2012 (2/8)

My wrap-up for 2011 is here:
2011 Wrap-up

Books Read in 2012 (100+ Personal Challenge)

2012-01-01T22:22:00.010-06:00

Books Read in 2012

100+ Personal Challenge

I will keep track of all the books I read this year here be they fiction or non-fiction. My personal goal is 100+. I wanted to join a group but found the ones I looked at didn't allow audio books, or only allowed fiction. I will be reading a mixture of books and wish to count them all.

January

1. The Big Four by Agatha Christie

2. The Brave by Nicholas Evans

3. 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz

4. Quinn by Iris Johansen

5. Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

6. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

7. Killing Lincoln by O'Rilley and Dugard

8. Legacies by F. Paul wilson

9. Snuff by Terry Pratchett

10. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge

2011-12-29T08:37:00.005-06:00

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

2011-12-11T12:13:00.008-06:00

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.

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Chunkster Reading Challenge

2011-12-08T12:42:00.005-06:00

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)
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5x4 Reading Challenge 2012

2011-12-05T05:25:00.009-06:00

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
2. Little Droit
3. Huckleberry Finn
4. Little Women

Prize Winners
1. March by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer)
2. Three Junes by Julia Glass (National Book Award)
3. Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy (Pulitzer)
4. Three cups of Tea (Kiriyama Prize)

Presidents
1. River of Doubt
2. John Adams by David McCullough
3. Killing Linclon by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard
4. Zachary Taylor by John S.D. Eisenhower

Harold Bell Wright
1. The Calling of Dan Matthews
2. The Winning of Barbara Worth
3. The Eyes of the World
4. That Printer of Udell's

Short Story Collections
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Men in Uniform Reading Challenge

2011-11-19T17:15:00.002-06:00

This challenge, hosted by The Book Vixen, sounds like fun! Thanks for hosting it! If you would like to learn more about this challenge, please click on the button or link. I will join at the Sergeant level – Read 1–5 men in uniform novels.

1. Profiles in Courage
2. March by Geraldine Brooks
3. Hot Shots
4. A Memory Between Us
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What's In A Name 5

2011-11-19T16:42:00.008-06:00

I looking forward to this, my 5th time to participate in this creative challenge! Thanks to Beth Fish Reads for hosting again. You can click on the button or link to go there and read the rules.

1.A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title:
Caribou Island

2.A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title:
Bad Moon Rising by Jonathan Maberry (ebook, TBR)

3.A book with a creepy crawly in the title:
June Bug by Jess Lourey (cozy, ebook, TBR)

4.A book with a type of house in the title:
A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware (ebook, TBR)

5.A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title:
Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

6.A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title:
A Hard Day's Fright by Casey Daniels (TBR)

2012 E-Book Reading Challenge

2011-11-19T16:27:00.004-06:00

This is another great challenge for me since I have a LOT of boooks on my Nook sitting there ready to be read. A big thanks to The Eclectic Bookshelf for hosting this. If you are interested in this challenge click on the button or link to read the rules. I have joined at the The Mega Size E-Book Challenge – Read 25 or more E-Books.

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Why Buy the Cow Reading Challenge

2011-11-19T16:20:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012! This reading challenge was previously called the Show Me the FREE RC, but this year, the hosts decided to shake things up a bit.

Quick FYI: This is not a library books, books you've won, or ARCs reading challenge. There are already plenty reading challenges for those specific type of books. You can find them here: A Novel Challenge.

This reading challenge has been developed specifically for FREE and LEGAL downloaded books. As many of you with e-readers know, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and a few other site periodically offer FREE books for your e-reading devices.

The above info is from the post for this challenge. Click on the link or the button for all of the info. I've decided to join at the Coupon Clipper level and read 12 of the free books I already have on my Nook.

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2012 TBR Pile Challenge

2011-11-19T16:08:00.001-06:00

This will be a great challenge for me since I have SO many books around here that I haven't read yet. Thank you Evie at Bookish, and the 9 other hosts. I'm looking forward to the mini-challenges as well as clearing some room on my shelves. If you are interested in this challenge click on the button or on the link for the info and rules of this challenge.

I'm going in at the - A Sweet Kiss level, that's 21-30 books. Hopefully I'll get more than that done!

1. The Big Four by Agatha Christie

2. Killing Lincoln by O'Riley and Dugard

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Wrap-up for my 2011 Challenges

2011-11-18T08:44:00.000-06:00

I had a great reading year in 2011. There are so many books to read both old and new that I will never get to them all but I sure try to buy as many of them as I can. I am sad to say that I did not meet my own personal 5x4 Reading Challenge goal but came closer than last year. Perhaps I'll do better next year on my personal challenge. I did read over 100 books this year.

Absolute favorites of 2011:
1. Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith - This was a sweet book with soft humor. The dog was the best!
2. A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer - One of the best mystery books I read all year!
3.Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck :)
4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - Why did I wait for so long?
5. The Postmistress by Sara Blake - Loved it
6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Again...Why did I wait so long to read this wonderful book?
7. The City and The City by China Mieville - Weird and wonderful. This author has an unstoppable imagination.
8. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - All I can say is wow!
9. Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz - I'm always a sucker for a dog and I really liked this one.
10. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory - This wonderful historical fiction book made me want to read more by this author.

Other Favorites:
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley
Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
Chasing Fireflies by Charles Marti
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin
Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
Silas Marner by George Eliot

Books out of my comfort zone:
D-Day: The Battle for Normandy by Anthony Beevor

Books I just knew I would like but didn't so much:
The Last song by Nicholas Sparks
Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston

Some of my least favorites:
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Union Pacific by Paul Colt
All the Flowers are Dying by Lawrence Block

I'm revisiting an end-of-year survey that Perpetual Page Turner hosted last year.
Best Book of 2011I had a hard time choosing the best book I read in 2011 but decided on Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. Or Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Worst Book of 2011 I thought I would never get through Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Worst book might be a little harsh to describe how I feel about this one, but oh my...

Most Disappointing Book of 2011 Catalyst by McCaffrey and Scarborough. I've read many of McCaffrey's books and several of Scarborough's and have generally liked them. I fully expected to like this one.

Most Surprising (in a good way) Book of 2011 The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. I didn't think I'd like them all that much, but truly enjoyed the reading of them.

Book You Recommended to People Most in 2011
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith

Best Series You Discovered in 2011
The Holmes on the Range series by Steve Hockensmith. This is a western series with likable characters, lots of amusing situations and just plain fun to read.

Favourite New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2010
Barbara Kingsolver, Steve Hockensmith, Jo Nesbo

Most Hilarious Read of 2011
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book of 2011
A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin

Book You Most Anticipated in 2011
The City and the City by China Mieville. This had been on my wish list for a while and I was really looking forward to it.

Favorite Cover of a Book Read in 2011
It's hard to choose so I will put 4 of them here!

Isn't this just beautiful?

Most Memorable Character in 2011
Danny Cartwright in A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer

Most Beautifully Written Book in 2011
The Poisonwood Bible - sigh

Book That Had the Greatest Impact on You in 2011
D-Day: The Battle for Normandy by Anthony Beevor. Things should not be forgotten, such as the sacrifice of all the people involved in this action: soldiers from many countries as well as the local people.

Book(s) You Can't Believe You Waited UNTIL 2011 to Finally Read
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012
Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz

Best Moment of Book Blogging in 2011
There isn't a single moment. I always enjoy it when people post comments and I find things in common with other readers.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Oh yes, I did. I unfortunately joined 16 challenges last year. I finished 12 of them including the 100+ Reading Challenge.

Best Bookish Discovery
The book blogger community continues to amaze me, so this isn't a new discovery. But so many of the things I read make me stop and think, I love it.

LOOKING AHEAD…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?
I can't wait to read The next book in the Corduroy Mansions series. It has been sitting on my shelf and I need to read it before I can go on to the third one.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith. I can't wait to get my hands on this, the newest installment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series!

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
One goal of mine is to read books I already own and buy no (or very few) new books. Really, they are piled to the ceiling and I need to read them, not just keep on getting more! I would also like to visit my book blogger friends more and make new friends.

2011 Reading Challenges

2010-12-17T09:45:00.114-06:00

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

100+ Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-16T03:22:00.082-06:00

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
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5x4 Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-15T01:59:00.024-06:00

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

Read To Me Picture Book challenge

2010-12-14T22:12:00.016-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:15:00.022-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:14:00.005-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:13:00.004-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:12:00.012-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:11:00.006-06:00

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

3. Nights in Rodanthe

4. the Last Song

Stephen King Challenge 2011

2010-12-14T10:10:00.007-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:09:00.020-06:00

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

2010-12-14T10:09:00.018-06:00

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

2011 Global Reading Challenge

2010-12-13T08:42:00.010-06:00

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

2010-12-13T08:41:00.056-06:00

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

2010-12-13T08:41:00.052-06:00

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

2010-12-13T08:41:00.049-06:00

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)

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

(twist: Christian Murder Mystery)

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

(twist: Fantasy-steampunk)

3. Hot off the Presses (pub. in 2011)

Play Dead by John Levitt

Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston

*4. It Wasn't Me (was recommended)

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

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)

Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith

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)

Dancing on the Head of a Pin

Lonestar Noir

*8. Mind the Gap (finish the series)

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The End of the Road by Sue Henry

9. Back in the Day (rereads)

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

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

And then There Were None by Agatha Christy

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

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

2010-12-13T07:05:00.010-06:00

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

National Just Read More Novels Month 2011

2010-12-13T07:04:00.011-06:00

This challenge, National Just Read More Novels Month (or NaJuReMoNoMo)has been offered for five years and this is my 4th year to participate. Celebrated every January, it is devoted to the appreciation of fiction. You can go here to visit FOMA, the host of this challenge and to view the official rules. I will post them here as well:

*Must Be A Novel. Works of fiction only, please. Memoirs, non-fiction, how-to books, and Doonesbury collections, no matter how thick, don't count, no matter how obviously fictional.
*Memoirs Aren't Novels. No matter how made up the story, anything ostensibly true isn't a novel. This used to be known as The James Frey Rule, but is now called the Decision Point.
*Start and Finish in January. I guess if you got some cool books for Christmas, Hanukkah or some other gift-giving event and jumped the gun, you can't be blamed. But I only count books I start and finish within the 31 day window.
*Re-reading Doesn't Count. Try something new. Read something by your favorite author or try an entirely new author. This is a great chance to cut down on the height of the nightstand stack.
*Have Fun. Nobody is grading you or paying you or judging you. Read what you like and like what you read.

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. 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

2010 Reading Wrap Up

2010-12-13T07:04:00.000-06:00

Again, I had a great reading year. There are so many books to read both old and new that I will never get to them all. But that just means I'll never run out of great reading material. I am sad to say that I did not meet my own personal 5x4 Reading Challenge goal but I did read 100+ books this year. Perhaps I'll do better next year on my personal challenge.

Absolute favorites of 2010:
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Elvis and the Dearly Departed review
Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck review
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
The Three Miss Margaret's review
The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright review
Thereby Hangs a Tale by Spencer Quinn review
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley review
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin review
The Double Comfort Safari Club review
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin review

Other Favorites:
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot review
Jackdaws by Ken Follett review
Master of None by Sonya Bateman review
The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin review
Snow Angels by James thompson review
The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke review
To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn review
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris review

Books out of my comfort zone:
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
Nineteen Minutes by Judy Pichoult

Books I just knew I would like but didn't so much:
And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer

Some of my least favorites:
The Gate House by Nelson DeMille
Falling Man by Don DiLillo
The Front by Patricia Cornwell

Perpetual Page turner is hosting an end-of-year survey that I'm going to take a crack at:

Best Book of 2010
I had a hard time choosing the best book I read in 2010 but decided on Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck. No, it would be Pride and Prejudice. Wait, really it's Shepherd of the Hills....

Worst Book of 2010
I thought I would never get through The Gate House by Nelson DeVille, but The Falling Man was even worse for me. I didn't know anything about the Falling Man or it's author so I wasn't particularly disappointed. However I've read several books by DeVille and just knew I'd like this one. :(

Most Disappointing Book of 2010
And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer . I just knew I would love this. It wasn't nearly as funny, to me, as the books that came befor it.

Most Surprising (in a good way) Book of 2010
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley . I was surprised by how very much I liked this book.

Book You Recommended to People Most in 2010
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. This was such an interesting book, it was a great read all the way around.

Best Series You Discovered in 2010
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. I read Mistress of the Art of Death and was transported to Adelia's world. I found the next two as soon as I could and read them.

Favourite New Authors I Discovered in 2010
Ariana Franklin, Spencer Quinn,Tana French, Alan Bradly

Most Hilarious Read of 2010
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. His books always make me laugh.

Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book of 2010
Void Moon by Michael Connelly. This was a great mystery.

Book You Most Anticipated in 2010
The Likeness by Tana French. I read Into the Woods and enjoyed it so I was really looking forward to the next book.

Favourite Cover of a Book Read in 2010

I loved the cover of The Wake of Forgiveness, I thought it was beautiful. The cover of Elvis and the Dearly Departed made me laugh. Both are among my favorites.

Most Memorable Character in 2010
Flavia de Luce from The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

Most Beautifully Written Book in 2010
The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. This is a book I read every so often and love it more each time.

Book That Had the Greatest Impact on You in 2010
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. This affected me in several ways. It has caused me to want to read more books like this, historical fiction.

Book You Can't Believe You Waited UNTIL 2010 to Finally Read
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin This was my first read of this great book. I loved the humor.

New Favourite Book Blog Discovered in 2010
I can't choose just one!

Favourite Review I Wrote in 2010
Just from skimming a few, I like my retro review of The Hours by Michael Cunningham (click to read).

Best Discussion You Had on Your Blog
I enjoyed the Monday Mailbox and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? memes. I have found several great books through these. It is always interesting to me to see what others are reading.

Most Thought-Provoking Review or Discussion You Read on Someone's Blog
Hummmmm.......

Best Event That You Participated In
It would have to be the memes that I participate in. They are all fun.

Best Moment of Book Blogging in 2010
I found the gadget that posts flags from the countries of people who visited your blog. Wow!

Best Bookish Discovery
That our library now has a digital branch and I can borrow audio books for my iPod! I am getting a Nook for Christmas and will be trying to figure out how to borrow books for it as well.

If you participate in this survey, leave your link in the comments field. I'd love to read your responses :)

2010 Reading Challenges

2010-12-12T01:00:00.001-06:00

I am looking forward ot another year of great reading. 2009 was one of my best years yet. Here is a list of the challenges I have joined this year along with links to to my post about each one. Once there you can find the link to the home of each challenge.

2009 Reading Wrap Up
Books read in 2009

2010 Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge (100/100) Completed!
5x4 Reading Challenge 2010 (8/20)
Decades Challenge 2010 (4/10) abandoned
eBook Reading Challenge 2010 (8/20)
2010 Cat Book Challenge (3/12)
What's In A Name Challenge (6/6) Completed!
Audio Book Challenge 2010 (20/20) Completed!
Flashback Challenge 2010 (6/6) Completed!
Typically British Reading Challenge 2010 (6/6) Completed!
Opposites Attract Challenge (10/10 matches) Completed!
Monthly Mixer Melee (64/74) (ended 11/2/10)
NaJuReMoNoMo (12/12) Completed!

On going Challenges:
Books Around the States
Books Around the World

100+ Reading Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:59:00.060-06:00

This is the third year I've joined The 100+ Reading Challenge. It is always fun and sure does encourage me. I enjoy seeing what others are reading. The only drawback to seeing so many good books that others have read is that my wish list is really l....o....n....g. Click on the picture or HERE to go to J. Kayes Book Blog for the details. Happy reading.

January

1. Ravenheart by David Gemmell review

2. Sandstorm by James Rollins review

3. Elvis and the Dearly Departed review

4. In the Woods by Tana French review

5. Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck review

6. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot review

7. Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

8. Gone For Good by Harlan Coben review

9. Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton review

10. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett

11. Psych: Mind Over Magic by William Rabkin

12. King Rat by China Mieville review

13. The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe

Feburary

14. Cat Playing Cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

15. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett review

16. The Three Miss Margarets review

17. The Black Stallion review

18. Three Days to Dead review

19. And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer review

20. The Briar King by Greg Keyes review

21. The Gate House by Nelson DeMille review

22. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane review

March

23. Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne Watson review
24. Void Moon by Michael Connelly review

25. Secrets by Jude Deveraux review

26. Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann B. Ross review

27. The Last Car to Elysian fields by Janes Lee Burke review

28. Jackdaws by Ken Follett review

29. Snow Angels by James thompson review

30. The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke review

31. The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters review

April

32. Arguing with Idiots by Glenn Beck review

33. Falling Man by Don DiLillo review

34. The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright review

35. Thereby Hangs a Tale byS pencer Quinn review

36. The Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker review

37. Fever Dream by Preston and Child review

May

38. The Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson review

39. The Overlook by Michael Connelly review

40. Bitterroot by James Lee Burke review

41. Below Zero by C.J. Box review

42. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown review

43. Wild Orchids by Jude Deveraux review

June

44. Master of None by Sonya Bateman review
45. Changes by Jim Butcher review

46. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey review
47. Dead to Me by Anton Strout review

48. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley review

49. The Good, the Bad and the Uncanny by Simon R. Green review

50. The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl review

July

51. Dead Man Talking by Casey Daniels review

52. Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti review

53. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin review

54. The Double Comfort Safari Club review

55. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin review

August

56. City of Thieves by David Benioff review

57. Nineteen Minutes by Judy Pichoult review

58. Sizzling sixteen by Janet Evanovich review

59. The Devil's Punchbowl by Gret Iles review

September

60.The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin review

61. Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark review

62. Dead matter by Anton Strout review

63. Twlight by Stepnenie Meyer review

64. The Front by Patricia Cornwell review

65. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd review

66. The Likeness by Tana French review

67. The Colorado Kid by Stephen King review

October

68. The Wake of Forgiveness by Bruce Marchart review
69. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly review

70.Dexter is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay review

71.Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris review
72.To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn review

73. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Graham-Smith review
74.Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
75.The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry

November

76.Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

77.Vixen by Jillian Larkin
78. The Bone Vault by Linda Fairstien review

79. A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman review

80. A Kiss Before the Apocalypas by Thomas E. Sniegoski review

81.Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout review

82. Blood Memories by Barb Hendee review

83. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory review

84. Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson review

85. Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson review

December

86. Echo Park by Michael Connelly

87. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

88. Tomb With a View by Casey Daniels

89. Heat Wave by Richard Castle

90. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag review

91. The narrows by Michael Connelly review

92. How To Talk To a Liberal by Ann Coulter review

93. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tommie dePaola review

94. Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini review

95. Perfect Little Cats by Lesley Anne Ivory review

96. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer review

97. Perdido Street Station by China Melville review

98. Wicked Appitite by Janet Evanocvich review

99. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein review

100. A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid review

101. Rage by Jonathan Kellerman review

102. Eat, Love, Pray

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

5x4 Reading Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:25:00.019-06:00

Once again 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'm doing my own Challenge: 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. The categories I've chosen are:

Classics:

1. Pride and Predjuice by Jane Austin

2. Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck

3.The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

4.Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot review

Award winners:

1. The Lincoln Lawyer (Mccavity award for best novel)

2. In The Woods by Tana French (Edgar Award)

3. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett (Edgar Award)

4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradly (Agatha Award)

True Crime:

Books On My Shelf That Are Older Than Me:

Non Fiction:

1. Arguing with Idiots by Glenn Beck

2. Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim review

3. Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout review

4. Belle Weather by Ceila Rivenbark review

All of my Reading challenges are listed here.

Decades Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:23:00.018-06:00

Abandoned

This challenge is hosted by 1morechapter . Sounds like fun. Please visit the host to sign up and read the rest of the rules. Decades 2010 Rules: Read a minimum of 10 books in 10 consecutive decades in 2010. Books published in the 2000’s do not count. Titles may be cross-posted with any other challenge. You may change your list at any time.

1890's
Dracula by Bram Stoker 1897

1900's
The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton (1907)

1910's
Greatheart by Edith Dell (1919)

1920's
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne (1922)

1930's
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)

1940's
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley review

1950's
Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck (1954)

1960's
Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton (1964)

1970's
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett (1978)

1980's
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

eBook Reading Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:10:00.024-06:00

Click on the picture above to read the GUIDELINES and to sign up for this challenge at Royal Reviews. Thanks for another fun challenge! I purchased a Kindle last year and I haven't used it as much as I thought I would, so this challenge is perfect for me.

I think I will join at the Obsessed Level – Read 20 E-Books.:

1. Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck review
2. Psych: Mind Over Magic by William Rabkin review
3. The Briar King by Greg Keyes review
4. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane review
5. Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne Watson review
6. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradly review
7. The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny by Simon R. Green review
8. Dead Man Talking by Casey Daniels review
9. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradly
10. Perdido Street Station by China Melville

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

17.

18.

19.

20.

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

2010 Cat Book Challenge

2009-12-20T00:10:00.020-06:00

Beth's Book Review Blog is hosting a fun challenge: The 2010 Cat Book Challenge! I've already got too many challenges, but since I love cat books, hae several on my TBR pile, I thought I'd just bite the bullett and go ahead and join this one.

Here are the guidelines from Beth's blog:

You can join anytime, but don't start reading your books before January 1, 2010.
This challenge is for 2010 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2010.
When you sign up with Mr. Linky below, use the direct link to the post where your challenge book list will be listed, not your blog homepage. If you don't have a blog, just leave the URL blank.
The goal is to read 1 cat book per month for a total of 12 for the year. This can be any book with "cat" in the title or about cats (cats as characters, etc.).
These can be audiobooks, children's books, non fiction, mysteries, whatever, as long as it's cat related.

January
Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

Feburary
Cat Being Cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

March
Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne Watson review

April
The Golden Cat

May
The Knot Garden

June
The Cotswold Portal by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

July
Dewey by Vicki Myron

August

September

October

November

December

Typically British Reading Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:08:00.022-06:00

Completed!

This fun new challenge is being hosted by Book Chick City. Click on the picture to visit her for the complete set of guide lines. I have listed a part of them here:

Timeline: 1st Jan 2010~ 31st Dec 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.
Details:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. There are four levels:
• "Put The Kettle On" – Read 2 Typically British novels.
• "Gordon Bennett" – Read 4 Typically British novels.
• "Bob's Your Uncle" – Read 6 Typically British novels.
• "Cream Crackered" – Read 8 Typically British novels.
3. Any book format counts. Must be fiction not non-fiction.

I'm going for "Bob's Your Uncle" just because I like that saying, it always makes me smile.

1. Ravenheart by David Gemmell
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
3. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
4. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
5. King Rat by China Mieville
6. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

Terry Pratchett Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:08:00.014-06:00

I love reading Terry Pratchett's books so imagine my delight when I found this challenge. It is hosted at Marg at Reading Adventures. Click on the picture or the link for the full set of guidelines.

The challenge will start from 1 December 2009 and run through to 30 November 2010.There are several different levels of participation for you to choose from:
1-3 books - Cashier at Ankh-Morpork Mint
4-5 books - Guard of the City Watch
6-8 books - Academic at the Unseen University
9-10 books - Member of Granny Weatherwax's Coven
10-12 books - Death's Apprentice

I am going to set my goal for this year at 6-8 books. If I read more, I figure I can up to the next step. My first book will be Unseen Academicals as my husband is getting the audio for me for Christmas.

1. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
2. Soul Music
3. Ladies and Gentlmen
4. Hogfather
5. The Truth
6.

What's In A Name3 Challenge

2009-12-20T00:06:00.024-06:00

Completed!

(See wrap up at the bottom)

The What's in a Name Challenge will be hosted by Beth Fish Reads this year. I have participated in this for the last two years while it was hosted by Annie and enjoyed it. It is an easy, fun challenge. Click on the picture or the name of the challenge above for all the details! Once I have read the book I will add a link to the review.

Basicaly this is how it works: Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:

1.A book with a food in the title:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

2.A book with a body of water in the title:
The Wake of Forgiveness by Bruce Marchart review

3.A book with a title (queen, president) in the title:
The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe

4. A book with a plant in the title:
The Briar King by Greg Keyes review

5. A book with a place name (city, country) in the title:
Web of The Witch World by Andre Norton review

6. A book with a music term in the title:
Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

Wrap Up

Did it! I'm done with this challenge and had a lot of fun doing it! I hope that Beth will host it again next year. Above is the list of books I read along with the categories. I hope you had as much fun with this as I did!

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

Audio Book challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:04:00.020-06:00

The Queen of Happy Endings is now hosting this challenge. Click on the picture or HERE to read the guidelines. With most of us having IPods or MP3 players these days listening to audio books has become an easy activity. I have been listening to books in the car and around the house for several years now.

I am signing up for the:

Obsessed level– Listen to 20 Audio Books.

1. Sandstorm by James Rollins review

2. In the Woods by Tana French review

3. Gone For Good by Harlan Coben review

4. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett

5. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett review

6. And Another Thing ... by Eoin Colfer review

7. The Gate House by Nelson DeMille review

8. Void Moon by Michael Connelly review

9.Wild Orchids by Jude Deveraux review

10. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown review

11. The Overlook by Michael Connelly review

12. Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn review

13. The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright review

14. The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl review

15. Pride and Prejudice review

16. Nineteen Minutes by Judy Picoult review

17. The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles review

18. Twilight review

19.The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd review
20.Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris review

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

Flashback Challenge 2010

2009-12-20T00:03:00.033-06:00

Complete

A truly great book should be read in youth,

again in maturity and once more in old age,

as a fine building should be seen by morning light,

at noon and by moonlight. ~ Robertson Davies ~

The Flashback Challenge will run from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010. It is hosted by Aarti at Booklust. This sounds like a fun challenge. I've been wanting to do some rereads so this is perfect! I'm glad I found it. I will list some of the particulars here but please click on the picture or the link above to read all the guidelines.

You can sign up for the following levels:
Bookworm - Up to three books
Scholar - Four to six books
Literati - Over six books

Within these levels, we have mini-challenges! These are:
1. Re-read a favorite book from your childhood
2. Re-read a book assigned to you in high school
3. Re-read a book you loved as an adult

I think I will choose the Scholar level - Four to six books
My Flashback reads for 2010:
1. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley (childhood)
2. The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright (adult)
3. The Cat n the Hat(childhood)
4. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett (adult)
5. Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton (High School)
6. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot (Adult)

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

NaJuReMoNoMo Reading Challenge

2009-12-20T00:03:00.029-06:00

Complete!

This is the third year I have participated in this challenge. I think it is a great way to start out a new year of reading! This reading challenge is hosted by Live by the FOMA. Click on the highlighted text and it will take you to the guidelines. Last year I made it to 11 books by the end of Jan. I'm hoping to up that number a little this year!

1. Ravenheart by David Gemmell review
2. Sandstorm by James Rollins review
3. Elvis and the Dearly Departed review

4. In the Woods by Tana French review

5. Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck review

6. Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

7. Gone For Good by Harlan Coben review

8. Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton review

9. Eye of the Needle by Ken follett review

10. Psych: Mind Over Magic by William Rabkin review

11. King Rat by China Mieville review

12. The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe review

2009 Reading Wrap-up

2009-12-20T00:01:00.007-06:00

What a great reading year 2009 was. I read 135 books, finished all 11 of my 2009 my challenges, made good progress on my two on going challenges, read several books out of my comfort zone and all in all had a great time.

My absolute favorites this year were:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski review
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer & Barrows review here
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith review here
Thanks For the Memories by Cecelia Ahern review here
The Help by Kathryn Stockett review here
Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck review here
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris review here
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery review
Dog Days by John Levitt review

Some of my other favorite books this year were:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger review here
Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith review
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson review
The Lost City of Z by David Grann review here
Bless Your Heart, Tramp by Celia Rivenbark review here
Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson review here
Brewster's Millions by George Barr McCutcheon review here
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck review here
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez review here
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith review here
Fire Me by Libby Malin review here
Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman review
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson review here
Divine Justice by David Baldacci review here
Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker review here
1776 by David McCullough review here

Books out of my comfort zone:
A Long Way Gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah review here
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe review here
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe review here
The Christmas Day Murders by Sheriff J.B. Smith review here
Battle on the Bay by Edward T. Cotham, Jr. review here

Some of my least favorite were:
Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy review here
I just assumed that I would like this since I like to read urban fantasy. The main character irritated me. I thought I might read another in the series anyway, but so far not so.

Obsessed by Ted Dekker review here
I am a Ted Dekker fan so I was surprised that I found one of his books I didn't like.

The Night Gardner by George Pelecanos review here
I really disliked the end. The book wasn't anything like I thought it would be.

Death Match by Lincoln Child review here
It's not that I disliked this one so much as I got bored in the middle of it.

Cross Country by James Patterson review
It didn't seem like I was reading about Alex Cross.

Why Beulah Shot Her Pistol Inside the Baptist Church by Clayton Sullivan review
I was disappointed in this book.

2009 Challenges

2009-12-11T19:32:00.001-06:00

I had a lot of fun with the Challenges I joined last year and decided to join more this year.
(My 2008 Wrap Up is here.)
The Challenges I've chosen to join or continue this year are:

1. The 100+ Reading Challenge + The Read & Review Challenge (below) Finished! :)

2.The 5X4 Self Challenge (below) Finished! :)

3. The Audiobook Challenge (below) Finished! :)

4. The 2009 Read-Your-Own-Books Challenge (below) Finished! :)

5. Books Around the States (Continued from 2008) (below)

6. Suspense & Thriller 2009 Challenge (below) Finished! :)

7. Support Your Local Library Challenge 2009 (below) Finished :)

8. Chunkster Challenge (below) Finished! :)

9. What's In a name Challenge (below) Finished :)

10. The Daniel DeFoe Mini-Challenge (below) Finished :)

11. John Steinbeck Mini-Challenge (below) Finished! :)

12. The Southern Reading challenge (below) Finished! :)

Reading Around the World (see the sidebar)

Opposites Attract Challenge

2009-11-08T06:25:00.033-06:00

Look at this fun challenge! I found it at Jen's Book Talk. To play just read books that have at least one word in the title opposite to another book title's word. You can only use a book once though; not in 2 different sets. And be sure to use some of these with your other challenges if you can! (ex: salt, pepper - good, bad - this, that, - angry, happy - angel, devil - empty, full.) Click here or on the button above to go to Jen's for the rest of the guideline>

I won't make a list ahead of time. Instead I'll just list as I go. I am shooting for 10 matches this year. My opposites:

1. Hold Tight by Harlen Coban
Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C. J. Box

2. Fire Me by Libby Malin
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan

3. Call after Midnight by Tess Gerritsen

Dog Days by John Levitt

4. Below Zero by C.J. Box
Psych: Mind Over Magic by William Rabkin

5. The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe
The Briar King by Greg Keyes

6. Bitterroot by James Lee Burke

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

7. Gone For Good by Harlan Coben

The Good, the Bad and the Uncanny by Simon R. Green

8. Snow Angels by James Thompson

The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

9. Master of None by Sonya Bateman

The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

10. Below Zero by C.J. Box

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

Monthly Mixer Mele

2009-11-04T18:55:00.071-06:00

Since I have finished all my challenges for 2009 I thought I might start a new one a little early. this is it: Monthly Mixer Mele hosted by Jen's Book Talk.

Rules right from Jen's Book Talk:
All you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book that begins with the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter). There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have each letter a book by it.Challenge begins November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010 so you have a whole year to complete! Lets break out them books and get busy!

Note: If there is not a review link I have not read the book yet. It is just listed in anticipation.

N New Tricks by John Levitt review
O Wild Orchids by Jude Deveraux review
V Void Moon by Michael Connelly review
E Elegance of the Hedgehog, The by Muriel Barbery review
M Murder Packs a Suitcase by Cynthia Baxter review
B Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C.J. Box review
E Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb review
R Psych: Mind over Magic by Willam Rabkin review

D Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding review

E Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett review

C Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris review

E the golden One by Elizabeth Peters review

M Cat Playing cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review

B Black Stallion, The by Walter Farley review

E Last Car to Elysian fields by James Lee Burke review

R Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey review

J Sudden Fury by William W. Johnstone review
A Skeeter: A Cat Tale by Anne Watson review

N The Gate House by Nelson DeMille review

U Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett review
A Asylum Prophecies, The by Daniel Keyes review
R Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark review
Y

F Fire Me by Libby Malin review
E Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich review
B Briar King, The by Greg Keyes review

U Unleashed by John Levitt review
R
A Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton review
R
Y Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz review

M King Rat by China Mieville review
A The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe review
R
C Wild Rain by Christine Feehan review
H Hold Tight by Harlan Coben review

A And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer review
P Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson reiew
R Ravenheart by David Gemmell review
I In the Woods by Tana French review
L Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen review

M Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy review
A Snow Angels by James Thompson review
Y

J Dog Days by John Levitt review
U The Good, the Bad and the Uncanny review
N Nineteen Minutes by Judy Picoult review
E And Another Thing by Eoin Cofer review

J Sandstorm by James Rollins review
U The Good, the Bac and the Uncanny by Simon R. Green review
L The Three Miss Margarets by Louis Shaffer review
Y

A Arguing with Idiots review
U
G The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen review
U
S Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck review

T Call After Midnight by Tess Gerritsen review

S Why Beulah Shot Her Pistol.... by Clayton Sullivan review
E
P Fever Dream by Preston and Child review
T Wailing Wind, The by Tony Hillerman review
E Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich review
M Dakota by Martha Grimes review
B Boneshaker by Cherie Priest review
E
R

O Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot review
C Cross Country by James Patterson review
T Texas Bound II review
O
B Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker review
E
R

N Master of None by Sonya Bateman review
O Overlook, The by Michael Connelly review
V
E
M Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater review
B The Lost symbol by Dan Brown review
E
R

If you decide to join Jen in the 2009/2010 Monthly Mixer Mele, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to Jen's post on your blog. That way others can find their way there and join in the fun! When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your books will be listed in the URL spot.

All of my 2010 Challenges are listed here.

The Southern Reading 2009 Challenge

2009-05-06T18:29:00.008-05:00

Finished!

Yea! The Southern Reading 2009 Challenge is here. this was so much fun last year and I have been waiting anxiously for it again. Maggie makes it so much fun with friendship, projects, and prizes. Go visit her and sign up. To participate you simply sign up then read three southern books between May 15th and August 15.

Here are the three books I plan to read:

1.Bless Your Heart, Tramp and Other Southern Endearments by Celia Rivenbark review here

2.From Dead to Worse Charlaine Harris review here

3. The Help by Kathryn Sockett review here

and I just might read The Color Purple by Alice Walker extra.

100+ Book Challenge 2009 + the Read & Review Challenge

2008-12-18T20:04:00.067-06:00

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

80. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

81. Relentless by Dean Koontz
82. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

83.Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
84.Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters

August

85.Fingerlickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
86. Made in the U.S.A by Billie Letts
87. The Girls He Adored by Jonathan Nasaw
88. When She Was Bad by Jonathan Nasaw
89.Marked Man by William Lashner

September

90. Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
91. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
92. Nuclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey
93. The Judas Strain by James Rollins
94. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

95. Paronia by Joseph Finder

96. Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us

97. Underground by Kat Richardson

October

98. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

99. Obsessed by Ted Dekker

100. Brimstone by Robert B. Parker

101.Curse the Dark by Laura Anne Gilman

102. Degrees of Separation by Sue Henry

103. Bring It On by Laura Anne Gilman

104. The Night Gardner by George Pelecanos

105. The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry

106. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

107. Kazan by James Oliver Curwood

108. Killing Floor by Lee Child

109. The Zookeepers Wife by Diane Ackerman review here
110. Battle on the Bay by Edward T. Cotham, Jr. review here

111. Brewster's Millions by George Barr McCutcheon

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

117. Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
118. Cross Country by James Patterson

119.The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

120. The Asylum Prophecies by Daniel Keyes

121. Why Beulah Shot Her Pistol Inside the Baptist Church by Clayton Sullivan

122. Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

123. Call After Midnight by Tess Gerritsen

124. Murder Packs a Suitcase by Cynthia Baxter

December

125. The Last Gunfighter: Sudden Fury by William W. Johnstone

126. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
127. Dakota by Martha Grines

128. Dog Days by John Levitt

129. The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman
130. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

131. Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
132. New Tricks by John Levitt

133. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

134. Unleashed by John Levitt

135. Texas Bound II

136. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

5 X 4 Self Challenge 2009

2008-12-18T20:03:00.015-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:02:00.019-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:02:00.017-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:01:00.051-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:01:00.049-06:00

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

41 Relentless by Dean

42 P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

43 .Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

44. Fingerlickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

45. Made in the U.S.A by Billie Letts

46. The Girls He Adored by Jonathan Nasaw

47. When She Was Bad by Jonathan Nasaw

48. Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman

49. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

50. Nueclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey

Support Your Local Library Challenge

2008-12-18T20:01:00.048-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:00:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-18T20:00:00.002-06:00

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

2008-12-18T19:59:00.009-06:00

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

2008-12-18T19:59:00.008-06:00

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

2008-12-18T19:59:00.000-06:00

FINISHED!

Suspense & Thriller 2009 Challenge

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