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2017 Reading Challenges Update #2

At this point in the year, I would like to see all my reading challenges at least 50% complete. Let's see how I've done in the first half of 2017...

Total Challenges:  1/13  7.7%

Total Spots: 151/346  43.6%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Perpetual Reading Challenges  12/20   60%
  • Mount TBR   25/60  41.7%
  • Read Your Shelf   4/12  38.3%
  • Popsugar  20/40 50%
  • Fairytale Retelling   12/12  100%**
  • What’s in a Name   1/6  16.7%*
  • Discworld   1/12  8.3%*
  • Back to the Classics  1/12   8.3%*
  • New to Me  8/20   40%
  • Wired into Scifi   0/12   0%*
  • Graphic Novel  17/24   70.8%**
  • I Love Libraries  23/24  91.7%**
  • Picture Books   27/92   29.3%

**Successes: I've officially finished one challenge (Fairytale Retelling) and am getting close on a few others (I Love Libraries and Graphic Novel).

*Failures (Needs Improvement):  Oh where do I start? I haven't even started the science fiction challenge and I've only read one book for three other challenges. I really need to get moving on those ones...

Next up on the TBR pile!

jujutsu11.jpg liminal.jpg jujutsu12.jpg enchantra.jpg water moon.jpg uzumaki.jpg alley.jpg deserter.jpg black paradox.jpg tombs.jpg gyo.jpg soichi.jpg book of the most.jpg great big.jpg jujutsu13.jpg jujutsu14.jpg jujutsu15.jpg seoulmates.jpg twisted1.jpg lore7.jpg jujutsu16.jpg twisted2.jpg twisted3.jpg twisted4.jpg
tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Friday 07.21.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

fall-into-reading (1920).jpg

Look at all these finished challenges!  I did good this year...

Goal: 35/35 books   DONE!!!!!

  1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  2. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  3. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)
  5. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  6. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
  7. Gulliver’s Travel’s by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  9. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  10. Her Ladyships Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  11. The Sandman Vol. 11 (9/27/13)
  12. The Sandman Vol. 12 (9/27/13)
  13. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  14. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (9/29/13)
  15. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  16. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  17. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
  18. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
  19. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
  20. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  21. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  22. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
  23. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  24. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
  25. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  26. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  27. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  28. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  29. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  30. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)
  31. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  32. B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
  33. Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
  34. Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
  35. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!!

The Required Categories:

  1. 19th Century Classic — Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (12/18/13)
  2. 20th Century Classic — The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  3. Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic — Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  4. Classic that relates to the African-American Experience – The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  5. Classic Adventure — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  6. Classic that prominently features an Animal - Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne(9/10/13)

Optional Categories:

  1. Re-read a Classic — Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
  2. Classic Non-Fiction title –The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  3. Classic Children’s/Young Adult title — The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
  4. Classic Short Stories – The Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
  2. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  3. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
  5. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  6. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  7. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  8. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  9. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  10. Sandition by Jane Austen (12/18/13)

 

 

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  2. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  3. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)
  4. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  5. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)

Goal: 60/60 Books   DONE!!!!!!!!

  1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
  2. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
  3. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  4. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  5. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
  6. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  7. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  8. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
  9. Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
  10. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
  11. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  12. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
  13. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  14. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
  15. One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  16. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
  17. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  18. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  19. Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (1/4/13)
  20. Locke and Key Vol 2: Head Games (1/4/13)
  21. Locke and Key Vol 3: Crown of Shadows (1/5/13)
  22. Locke and Key Vol 4: Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
  23. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  24. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
  25. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
  26. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  27. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
  28. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
  29. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
  30. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  31. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  32. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
  33. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  34. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  35. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
  36. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  37. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
  39. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
  40. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  41. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
  42. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  43. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  44. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  45. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
  46. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  47. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  48. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  49. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  50. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
  51. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  52. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  53. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  54. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
  55. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  56. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  57. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  58. Boneshaler by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  59. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  60. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)

Goal: 52/52 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
  2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  3. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  4. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  5. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  6. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  7. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  8. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  9. The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
  10. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  11. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  13. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
  14. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  15. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  16. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/13/14)
  17. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  18. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
  19. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  20. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  21. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
  22. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
  23. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  24. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
  25. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/22/13)
  26. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  27. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  28. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  29. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  30. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13)
  31. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
  32. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  33. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
  34. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  35. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
  36. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
  37. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
  39. The Sandman Vol. 11: The Dream Hunters (9/27/13)
  40. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  41. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  42. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  43. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  44. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  45. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  46. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  47. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  48. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  49. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)
  50. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  51. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  52. Sandition by Jane Austen  (12/18/13)
550

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. History- US, World, European – Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  2. Autobiography, Biography, Memoir – A Long Way Gone by Ishamel Beah (1/21/13)
  3. Food – Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  4. Family, Relationships, Parenting, Dating, Love – MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  5. Music, Film, TV – Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  6. Health, Medicine – Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  7. Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy – The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  8. Anthropology, Archaeology – Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  9. How To – A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman (9/10/13)
  10. Cultural Studies – Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  11. Business, Finance, Management – The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  12. Home – Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  13. Crafts – B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
  14. Technology – Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
  15. Government – Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
monthly key word challenge

Goal: 12/12 Books  DONE!!!!!

  • January (cold) – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
  • February (family) – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  • March (valley) – Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
  • April (garden) – The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
  • May (name) – Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
  • June (never) – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  • July  – Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  • August – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
  • September (shadow) – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  • October (witch) – Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  • November (number) – The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  • December – The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)

Goal: 20/20 movies/books  DONE!!!!

  1. The Reader (1/24/13)
  2. Mansfield Park (2/3/13)
  3. A Game of Thrones (1/9/13)
  4. One Day (1/29/13)
  5. The Secret Garden (4/30/13)
  6. Emma (5/22/13)
  7. Never Let Me Go (6/20/13)
  8. Coraline (3/21/13)
  9. Stardust (4/11/13)
  10. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
  11. 300 (2/12/13)
  12. Warm Bodies (6/13/13)
  13. The Color Purple (6/24/13)
  14. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (6/26/13)
  15. Guns, Germs, and Steel (8/12/13)
  16. The Host (8/24/13)
  17. Pride and Prejudice (8/28/13)
  18. The Count of Monte Cristo (11/22/13)
  19. Gulliver’s Travels (10/3/13)
  20. The Road (12/6/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  3. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
  5. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  8. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  9. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
  10. Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
graphicnovelchallenge (1920).jpg

Goal: 20/20 books   DONE!!!!

  1. 300 (2/12/13)
  2. Cowboys and Aliens (2/9/13)
  3. The Walking Dead Book 5 (5/14/13)
  4. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
  5. Wanted (1/2/13)
  6. Chicken with Plums (1/2/13)
  7. Locke and Key Vol. 1 (1/4/13)
  8. Locke and Key Vol. 2 (1/4/13)
  9. Locke and Key Vol. 3 (1/5/13)
  10. Locke and Key Vol. 4 (1/6/13)
  11. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
  12. A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel (3/1/13)
  13. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  14. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
  15. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
  16. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
  17. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  18. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
  19. American Vampire Vol. 1 (8/21/13)
  20. Hyperbole and Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

  1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  2. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  3. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
  4. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  5. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
zombiechallenge (1920).jpg

Goal: 6/6 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  2. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
  3. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
  4. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
  5. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
  6. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)

Goal: 12/12 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Translated fiction – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  2. Historical mystery – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
  3. Romantic suspense – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  4. Made into a movie – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  5. New Adult – Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker Smith (11/7/13)
  6. Urban Fantasy –London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  7. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  8. Memoir – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  9. LGBT – Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
  10. Action Adventure –The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  11. Humour– Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  12. Published in 2013 – And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

  1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  2. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
  3. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  4. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  5. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  2. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  3. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  4. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  5. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
  6. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  7. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  8. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  9. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  10. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  11. Gulliver’s Travel by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  12. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  13. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
  14. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  15. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!!

ROMANCE

  1. Contemporary – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  2. Historical – Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  3. Paranormal – Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)

HORROR

  1. Science Fiction – London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  2. Psychological – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  3. Young Adult – Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)

THRILLER/SUSPENSE

  1. Historical – A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  2. Action – Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  3. Supernatural – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)

SCIENCE/FANTASY

  1. Vampire – Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  2. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  3. Epic Fantasy – A Game of Thrones by George Martin (1/9/13)

MYSTERY/CRIME

  1. Historical – The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  2. Romantic – Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
  3. Classic Whodunit – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (2/26/13)

Goal: 25/25 Ebooks  DONE!!!!!

  1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  2. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson (2/26/13)
  3. Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  4. Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  5. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
  6. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3/21/13)
  7. 300 (2/12/13)
  8. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  9. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  10. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
  11. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  12. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
  13. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
  14. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  15. Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
  16. Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
  17. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)
  18. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
  19. Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  20. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (9/10/13)
  21. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  22. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  23. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (9/20/13)
  24. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  25. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)

Goal: 8/8 series DONE!!!!

Started in 2012

  1. Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series (6,7,8,9,10,11,12) (9/27/13)
  2. Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (3) (7/24/13)
  3. Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood series (2) (3/11/13)

Started in 2013

  1. Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) (10/5/13)
  2. Jennifer Armintrout’s Lightworld/Darkworld series (1,2,3) – DNF’d
  3. Nora Robert’s Morrigan’s Cross series (1,2,3) (3/17/13)
  4. Ally Condie’s Matched series (1,2,3) (7/12/13)
  5. Susan Wiggs’ Chicago Fire series (1,2,3) (6/13/13)
  6. Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles (1,2,3,4,5) (9/5/13)
Neil-Gaiman (1920).jpg

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Neverwhere (3/30/13)
  2. Good Omens (1/10/13)
  3. Coraline (3/21/13)
  4. Stardust (4/11/13)
  5. M is for Magic (9/1/13)
  6. Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
  7. Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
  8. Sandman Vol 8 (8/29/13)
  9. Sandman Vol 9 (8/29/13)
  10. Sandman Vol 10 (8/29/13)
  11. Sandman Vol 11 (9/27/13)
  12. Sandman Vol 12 (9/27/13)
  13. Anansi Boys (10/7/13)
  14. The Graveyard Book (9/20/13)
  15. The Ocean at the End of the Lane (9/29/13)

Goal: 30/30 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  3. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  4. Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  5. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  6. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  7. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  8. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  9. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
  10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  11. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
  12. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  13. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  14. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
  15. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  16. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  17. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  18. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
  19. The Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
  20. The Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
  21. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  22. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
  23. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  24. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13)
  25. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
  26. The Sandman Vol. 9 (8/29/13)
  27. The Sandman Vol. 10 (8/29/13)
  28. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
  29. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
  30. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)

Goal: 6/6 Books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. Up or Down: Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  2. Kitchen Find: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  3. Party or Celebration: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  4. Fire: Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
  5. Emotion: Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  6. Lost or Found: Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
Genre Variety

Goal: 18/18 Books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. Contemporary – One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  2. Historical – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  3. Paranormal – Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  4. Fantasy – A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
  5. Romance – The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  6. Thriller – The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/12)
  7. Nonfiction – The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
  8. Women’s Fiction – The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  9. Chick Lit – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/1713)
  10. Dystopian – Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  11. Horror – Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  12. Biography – Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  13. Fairy Tales – The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  14. Classics – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
  15. SciFi – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  16. Short Stories – The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
  17. Erotica – Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  18. Epic Fantasy – A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors  DONE!!!!!

  1. Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  2. Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  3. Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
  4. Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  5. Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  6. Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  7. Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  8. Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  9. Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  10. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  11. Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
  12. Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  13. Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
  14. Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  15. Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
  16. Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  17. Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  18. Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  19. Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  20. Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
  21. Lynne Thomas (2/3/13)
  22. Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  23. Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  24. Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  25. Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors   DONE!!!!!!

  1. Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  2. Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  3. Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  4. Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
  5. David Brin (5/27/13)
  6. Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  7. Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  8. Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  9. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  10. Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
  11. Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  12. Joe Hill (1/4/13)
  13. Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
  14. Laurie King (2/26/13)
  15. Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  16. David Levithan (8/15/13)
  17. George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
  18. Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  19. David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  20. Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  21. Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  22. Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  23. Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  24. Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  25. Jen Turano (1/3/13)

Goal: 24/24 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  2. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
  3. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  4. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
  5. A Game of Thrones: Graphic Novel Vol. 1 (3/1/13)
  6. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  7. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  8. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  9. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
  10. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
  11. London Eye by Time Lebbon (3/15/13)
  12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  13. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  14. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  15. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  16. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  17. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  18. The Walking Dead Book Five (5/14/13)
  19. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
  20. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
  21. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
  22. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/113/13)
  23. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  24. Reached by Ally Condie (7/12/13)
tags: 52 books in 52 weeks, blogger recommendation, Books to Movies, classics, dusty bookshelf, ebook, eclectic books, fall into reading, genres, graphic novel, Jane Austen, library, monthly key word, mount tbr, Neil Gaiman, Nerdy Nonfiction, New Author, RC Check-up, romance, Seriously Series, steampunk, Sub Genre, TBR Pile, What's in a Name, witches, women authors, zombies
categories: Reading Challenges
Friday 01.03.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Failed Edition

Not too bad this year.  I didn't have a ton of failed challenges...  but here they are.

Goal: 10/12 books

  1. Vampires — The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  2. Werewolves/Shifters –
  3. Fey — Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
  4. Angels/Nephilim — As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  5. Mermaids –
  6. Dragons — Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  7. Zombies — Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
  8. Demons — The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
  9. Witches/Wizards — Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
  10. Ghosts — The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
  11. Aliens — The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13)
  12. Other (Djinn) — Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)

 Goal: 4/6 books

  1. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
  2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)
  4. 1984 by George Orwell
  5. Reahed by Ally Condie (7/12/13)
  6. Children of Men by P.D. James

Goal: 3/5 books

  1. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  2. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  3. Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
  4. TBD
  5. TBD

Goal: 1/5 books

  1. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  2. All for Love
  3. The Devlin Diary by Christi Philips
  4. The Rossetti Letter by Christi Philips
  5. Pope Joan
  6. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir

Goal: 2/5 books

  1. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
  2. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13)
  3. TBD
  4. TBD
  5. TBD

1 from TBR — Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)

2 from TBR — Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13); Wanted by Mark Millar(1/2/13)

3 from TBR — Locke and Key Vol. 1 (1/4/13), Locke and Key Vol 2 (1/4/13), Beauty and the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)

4 from TBR — The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13), The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13), Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13), Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman(3/30/13)

5 from TBR — One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/22/13), The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13), The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13), Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)

1 from series — Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)

2 from series — Locke and Key Vol. 3 (1/5/13), Locke and Key Vol. 4 by Joe Hill (1/6/13)

3 from series — Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13), The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13), Reached by Ally Condie (7/12/13)

4 from series — Heat Stroke (1/12/13), Chill Factor (1/13/13), Firestorm (2/16/13), Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)

5 from series — Princess of the Midnight Ball (3/2/13),Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13), The Ghost and the Goth (3/6/13), Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade(3/8/13), The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)

1 from 2013 releases — Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)

2 from 2013 releases — And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13), Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)

4 from 2013 releases — A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book (9/10/13); The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (9/29/13); Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith(11/7/13); 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)

5 from 2013 releases — Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)

1 from everyone but me — The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)

2 from everyone but me — The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13), A Storm of Swords by George Martin (7/26/13)

3 from everyone but me — Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13), The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (9/20/13); The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)

4 from everyone but me — Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13); Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13); The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)

5 from everyone but me — A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13), The Walking Dead Book Five (5/14/13), The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13), The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13), The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)

1 reread — Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)

2 rereads – Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3/21/13), The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)

3 rereads — The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13); Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne(9/10/13); The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)

4 rereads — Persuasion (1/21/13), Mansfield Park (2/3/13), Emma (5/22/13), Pride and Prejudice (8/28/13)

5 rereads –

Free space — Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)

Point Total: 190/250

  1. Read the second book in a series – The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  2. Read a book with water on the cover –
  3. Read a book with a colour in the title –
  4. Read  a book set in the 1900′s – And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini   (8/8/13)
  5. Read a book whose author name begins with M (First or last) – Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
  6. Read a book published during your birth year – The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  7. Read a book with a door, lock or key on the cover –
  8. Read a book with a flower/flowers on the cover – Wedding of the Century (8/14/15)
  9. Read a book with something ‘hot’ in the title (sun, fire, heat, etc) – The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
  10. Read a book whose author name begins with J (first name only) – The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga (7/27/13)
  11. Read a book currently on a bestseller list – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  12. Read a book that shows a woman from behind – The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
  13. Read a book with a moon or stars on the cover –
  14. Read a book with an adjective in the title – The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
  15. Read a book whose author name begins with J (last name only) –
  16. Read any book in one weekend (Friday to Sunday) – Fables Vol 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  17. Read a book with a child on the cover – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  18. Read a book with over 400 pages – Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  19. Read a book with an animal on the cover – A Storm of Swords by George Martin (7/26/13)
  20. Read a book whose author name begins with A (first or last) – Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)

Point total: 245/250

  1. Read a book with a famous painting on the cover –
  2. Read a book with a man and woman on the cover – Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  3. Read a book by a new to you author – Locke and Key Vol 2 by Joe Hill (1/4/13)
  4. Read a book that you’ve read before – Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
  5. Read a book whose author name begins with J (First or last) – Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
  6. Read a book that’s a collection of short stories – Stories of Hans Christian Anderson (2/26/13)
  7. Read a book about family – The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  8. Read a book currently on the NYT Bestsellers list – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  9. Read the first book in a series – Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  10. Read a book whose author name starts with F (first or last) – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  11. Read a bio/auto bio/memoir – A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  12. Read a book with a first and last name in the title – Good Omens (Agnes Nutter) by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/3/13)
  13. Read a historical mystery – A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  14. Read a book by a female author – Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
  15. Read a book whose author name begins with M (first or last) – Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
  16. Read a cult classic – Locke and Key Vol 4 Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
  17. Read a book no longer under copyright – Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  18. Read a fantasy/scifi/steampunk – A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
  19. Read a book you got for Christmas – Locke and Key Vol 3 Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill (1/5/13)
  20. Read a book whose author begins with A (first or last) – Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
tags: book bingo, dystopian, fairy tales, historical fiction, paranormal, RC Check-up, t4mc
categories: Reading Challenges
Thursday 01.02.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenges Update #3

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes…

Total Challenges: 5/34   14.7%

Total Spots: 553/771  71.7%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads  115/175  65%
  • The Four Month Challenge Part 11 19/20    95%
  • The Four Month Challenge Part 12  15/20   75%
  • Sub Genre   14/15   93.3%
  • Nerdy Nonfiction   8/15   53.3%
  • Genre   18/18  100%
  • Paranormal    7/12  58.3%
  • Dystopia    3/6  50%
  • Witches   2/5  40%
  • Telling Tales   3/5  60%
  • Historical Fiction  0/5  0%
  • Back for the Classics   5/11  45.5%
  • Romance  3/5  60%
  • Neil Gaiman  10/15  66.7%
  • Jane Austen  4/10  40%
  • YA/MG Fantasy  2/5  40%
  • Graphic Novel  19/20  95%
  • Steampunk  2/5  40%
  • Zombies  4/6  66.7%
  • New Author   25/25  100%
  • What's in a Name   6/6  100%
  • Monthly Key Word   8/12  66.7%
  • Women Authors  25/25   100%
  • Ebooks  18/25   72%
  • Mount TBR  32/60  53.3%
  • TBR Pile  29/30  96.7%
  • Library  24/24  100%
  • Seriously Series  5/9   55.6%
  • Dusty Bookshelf  9/15  60%
  • Books to Movies  17/20   85%
  • Eclectic  10/12  80%
  • Blogger Recommendation  7/10  70%
  • 52 Books in 52 Weeks   36/52  69.2%
  • Book Bingo   49/73  67.1%

*Successes: I've knocked out five reading challenges so far: Library, New Authors, What's in a Name, Genre, and Women Authors.  But to be fair, they were the easy ones.  I'm hoping to knock out many more in the next month or so.  And I'm on track to hit my 75% of spots goal.

**Failures (Needs Improvement): Some of my very specific genre challenges are suffering right now (Telling Tales, Witches, and especially Historical Fiction).  I feel like these will be my leftovers at the end of the year, but I'm going to keep trying.

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Monday 09.02.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenges Update #2

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes…

Total Challenges:   0/34  0%

Total Spots:    420/771  54.5%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads  84/175    48%
  • The Four Month Challenge Part 11    19/20    95%
  • The Four Month Challenge Part 12    10/20  50%
  • Sub Genre    13/15  86.7%
  • Nerdy Nonfiction   6/15  40%
  • Genre   13/18  72.2%
  • Paranormal    5/12  41.7%
  • Dystopia    2/6  33.3%
  • Witches   2/5  40%
  • Telling Tales   2/5  40%
  • Historical Fiction  0/5 0%
  • Back for the Classics   4/11  36.3%
  • Romance  2/5  40%
  • Neil Gaiman  4/15  26.7%
  • Jane Austen  3/10  30%
  • YA/MG Fantasy  1/5  20%
  • Graphic Novel  17/20  85%
  • Steampunk  2/5  40%
  • Zombies  1/6 16.7
  • New Author   22/25  88%
  • What's in a Name   4/6  66.7%
  • Monthly Key Word   6/12  50%
  • Women Authors 21/25  84%
  • Ebooks  13/25  52%
  • Mount TBR  26/60  43.3%
  • TBR Pile  16/30  53.3%
  • Library  23/24  95.8%
  • Seriously Series  3/9  33.3%
  • Dusty Bookshelf  5/15  33.3%
  • Books to Movies  14/20  70%
  • Eclectic  8/12  66.7%
  • Blogger Recommendation  6/10  60%
  • 52 Books in 52 Weeks   26/52  50%
  • Book Bingo   38/73  52.1%

*Successes:  Many of my genre challenges are moving along quit nicely.  I've almost knocked out my sub-genres and genres.  Very exciting!

**Failures (Needs Improvement): I failed the T4MC Part 11; missed it by one book.  I'm trying again for this go around.  I also need to work on historical fiction, classics, and the T4MC Part 12.  Overall, I need to get moving on my overall reading totals to compensate for the anticipation of slower reading after October.  Newborns really tend to cut into free time.

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Tuesday 07.02.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenges Update #1

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes…

Total Challenges: 0/33  0%

Total Spots: 284/741  38.3%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads  57/175  32.6%
  • The Four Month Challenge Part 11  19/20  95%
  • Sub Genre  11/15  73.3%*
  • Nerdy Nonfiction   3/15  20%
  • Genre   9/18  50%
  • Paranormal  4/12  33.3%
  • Dystopia    0/6  0%**
  • Witches   2/5  40%
  • Telling Tales   2/5  40%
  • Historical Fiction  0/5  0%**
  • Back for the Classics   1/6  16.7%
  • Romance  1/5  20%
  • Neil Gaiman  3/15   20%
  • Jane Austen  2/10  20%
  • YA/MG Fantasy  1/5  20%
  • Graphic Novel  12/15  80%*
  • Steampunk  1/5  20%
  • Zombies  0/6  0%**
  • New Author   17/25  68%*
  • What's in a Name   4/6  66.7%*
  • Monthly Key Word   3/12  25%
  • Women Authors  14/25  56%*
  • Ebooks  10/25  40%
  • Mount TBR  20/60  33.3%
  • TBR Pile  13/30  43.3%
  • Library  12/24  50%*
  • Seriously Series  2/9  22.2%
  • Dusty Bookshelf  5/15 33.3%
  • Books to Movies  7/20  35%
  • Eclectic  7/12  58.3%*
  • Blogger Recommendation  3/10  30%
  • 52 Books in 52 Weeks   13/52  25%
  • Book Bingo   26/73  35.6%

*Successes:  I've made huge progress in my challenges.  I just need to keep the momentum up for the rest of the year.

**Failures (Needs Improvement): Dystopia, Historical Fiction, and Zombies.  0 books read for any of these.  I see some in my future, so not too worried yet.

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Tuesday 04.02.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

2012 Reading Challenges Update #3

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes... Total Challenges:    8/27   29.6%

Total Spots:    470/742  63.3%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads   135/175  77.1%
  • Fall into Reading  1/50  2%
  • Semi-Charmed Summer    9/14  60% -- Failed**
  • Zombies    17/24  69%
  • Young Adult    12/12 100%*
  • Fantasy    8/10 80%
  • Vampires   10/10 100%*
  • Romance    10/10 100%*
  • Telling Tales (fairy tales)   5/10 50%**
  • Historical Fiction   4/10 40%**
  • Graphic Novels   20/20 100%*
  • Shakespeare    8/12 66.7%
  • SciFi   2/5 40%**
  • Outlander series   0/5 0%**
  • Mixing It Up    12/16 75%
  • Back to the Classics   5/9 55.6%
  • Harry Potter series   7/7 100%
  • Fables   5/5 100%
  • Read Your Name   23/23 100%
  • A to Z   23/26 88.5%
  • What's in a Name? 5   4/6 66.7%
  • Library    37/37 100%
  • Mount TBR    59/150 39.3%**
  • Dewey Decimal System   16/38 42.1%
  • Book2Movie   17/20 85%
  • MyYears 20/30 66.7%
  • Color Coded 1/9 11.1%**

*Successes: I've knocked off some more challenges.  Yipee!!! Plus a few others are very very close to being completed.  In fact, I plan on completing the zombie challenge during October's FrightFall Readathon (and possibly Dewey 24 Hour Readathon).  I've also got an end of year plan to complete most of the challenges.  I don't think I'll get them all, but I want at least a 75% on total challenges.

**Failures (Needs Improvement): Scifi, Telling Tales (fairy tales), historical fiction, and Outlander.  For whatever reason, these just fell by the wayside.  I want to focus on these, but fear that at least two won't be completed (definitely Outlander, maybe telling tales).  I know the color coded challenge will not be finished and my Mount TBR challenge will not reach 150 by year's end (that would be almost 100 more books in three months.  Even I'm not that voracious of a reader).

 

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Saturday 09.29.12
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2012 Reading Challenges Update #2 -- Mid-Year Point

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes...

Total Challenges:    1/25   4%

Total Spots:    325/696  46.7%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads   88/175  50%
  • Semi-Charmed Summer    7/14  50%
  • Zombies    14/24  58.3%
  • Young Adult    6/12 50%
  • Fantasy    6/10 60%
  • Vampires   5/10 50%
  • Romance    5/10 50%
  • Telling Tales (fairy tales)   4/10 40%
  • Historical Fiction   4/10 40%
  • Graphic Novels   14/20 70%
  • Shakespeare    3/12 25% **
  • SciFi   2/5 40%
  • Outlander series   0/5 0%  **
  • Mixing It Up    8/16 50%
  • Back to the Classics   2/9 22%
  • Harry Potter series   5/7 71.4% *
  • Fables   4/5 80% **
  • Read Your Name   23/23 100% *
  • A to Z   20/26 76.9% *
  • What's in a Name? 5   3/6 50%
  • Library    33/37 88.2%
  • Mount TBR    38/150 25.3%
  • Dewey Decimal System   7/41 17.1%
  • Book2Movie   8/20 40%
  • MyYears 15/30 50%
  • Color Coded 1/9 11.1%**

*Successes: I finished the Read Your Name Challenge using all 23 letters of my full name.  One done... many to go.  I'm almost done with the Harry Potter, Fables, and A to Z Challenges.

**Failures (Needs Improvement): I really need to get moving on a couple of the challenges (Shakespeare and Outlander).   I had also hoped to finish the Fables Challenges by now, but it got shoved on the back burner. Definitely by September...

I'm pretty happy with a total spot percentage of 46.7%.  Close to halfway done...

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Thursday 06.21.12
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2012 Reading Challenges Update #1

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes... Total Challenges: 0/25   0%

Total Spots: 193/707  27.3%

Individual Challenge Progress:

  • Goodreads 52/200  26%
  • Zombies 12/24 50%
  • Young Adult 3/12 25%
  • Fantasy 4/10 40%
  • Vampires 2/10 20%
  • Romance 4/10 40%
  • Telling Tales (fairy tales) 0/10 0%  ****
  • Historical Fiction 2/10 20%
  • Graphic Novels 7/20 35%
  • Shakespeare 3/12 25%
  • SciFi 1/5 20%
  • Outlander series 0/5 0%  ***
  • Mixing It Up 3/16 18.8%
  • Back to the Classics 1/9 11.1%
  • Harry Potter series 3/7 42.9%
  • Fables 4/5 80% ***
  • Read Your Name 20/23 87% ***
  • A to Z 14/26 53.8%
  • What's in a Name? 5 3/6 50%
  • Library 18/37 48.6%
  • Mount TBR 24/150 16%
  • Dewey Decimal System 4/41 9.8%
  • Book2Movie 2/20 10%
  • MyYears 9/30 30%
  • Color Coded 1/9 11.1%

Successes: Fables and Read Your Name are almost finished.  Very excited about that!  Plus I have made some great headway with some others (HP, Romance, Fantasy, Zombies)

Failures (Needs Improvment): I really need to get moving on a couple of the challenges (Fairy tales and Outlander).  I revised my master month-by-month spreadsheet plan (yes, I am that dorky) to try and compensate for my failures so far.  I don't think I'm going to finish all 25 reading challenges, but I am shooting for a 75% completion rate by December.  Hopefully by June I will have knocked out a few  challenges...

tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Friday 04.06.12
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Reading Challenge Mid-Year Check-up

Happy June!  Summer's Here and It's Time for Reflection!  As part of this month's craziness, I wanted to do a mid-year check-up on my reading challenges.  I am so excited about the progress I've made in these five months, but I have a long way to go.  So what progress did I make?  And what still needs to be done?  Any changes?  Here we go... stay with me.

Progress Made:

I've made some great progress so far.  Finished one big challenge.  Close to finishing many others.  Here's the breakdown:

  • Young adult 11/12
  • Steampunk 3/12
  • Outlander 0/7
  • Zombies 10/10 <--- COMPLETED!
  • Georgette Heyer 1/5
  • Science Fiction 0/10
  • Contemporary Romance 9/10
  • Fantasy 9/12
  • 2011 8/20
  • Amazon Best of 2010 2/20
  • Page to Screen 3/10
  • Support Your Local Library 71/100
  • Historical Fiction 3/10
  • Vampires 16/20
  • A to Z: Titles 17/26
  • A to Z: Authors 13/26

Total entries made (not separate books) -- 176 (56.8% done)

Progress to Make:

Obviously there are a few areas that I need to work on.  Specifically science fiction.  I've tried I swear, I just keep getting distracted by pretty library books.  J is going to kill me.  I promise to do better.  Really I will!    And I haven't made at all a dent in the Amazon list.  Those books really don't crossover much to other lists.  There's a lot of nonfiction which I'm excited about.  I have just been on a fiction kick lately.  I have a few of these at home.  I should bump them up on the TBR list.

Total entries to make (obviously not separate books, but slots to be filled) -- 134 (43.2% to go)

Changes:

  • I decided to drop the Year of Reading Challenges.  They just weren't unique enough to keep track of.  Sorry but they have to go.  So my last of those monthly challenges will be May.  I finished May.  I'm done.
  • I was wondering if I should increase my zombie challenge (basically double it to 20) but decided to keep it as a finished challenge and try to focus on other genres.  I'll still read zombie books, I just won't be counting them for a separate zombie challenge.
  • Overall, I updated some of the books to be read.
  • I decided to not allow a book to be listed in more than 3 reading challenges if one of those challenges is Support Your Local Library.  And only 2 challenges otherwise.  On top of that, they are 9 challenges that a book can't be crosslisted in each other.  Confusing?  Sorry.  I have my own new method of listing and I think it will work better overall and specifically for crosslisting to get a variety.
  • I decided to create my own Fables series challenge.  Basically I read the first volume, Legends in Exile, and loved it so much I want to read the entire series, plus the Jack of Hearts series.  So I am creating my own challenge for it.  Look for the sign-up post coming soon.

I decided to join Book Chick City's2011 Summer Romance Reading Challenge  I read romance right?  And I've found myself buying some romance, so I thought a summer romance reading challenge was just the ticket!  Here's my initial post and tentative reading list.  I think I'll focus on Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance and I've decided to do 8 of each! What do I get myself into?

Timeline: 1st June 2011 ~ 30th Sept 2011. Only books started on June 1st count towards this challenge.

Details:

  1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
  2. 4 months, 8 books - that's doable, right? Or if you want to push yourself further, double it to 16!!
  3. Any book format counts except audiobooks.
  4. The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
  5. If you decide to participate in this challenge with me, please use the link I have set up below with the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun. Also, be sure to create a post telling others with a link back to this post so others can join in.
tags: RC Check-up
categories: Reading Challenges
Friday 06.03.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

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