2015 Seriously Series and Book Blogger Recommendations Reading Challenges

For this year's reading challenges, I decided to do something very different and drastic.  I am going to read women authors.  I feel like I've been neglecting all those wonderful female authors sitting on my shelves.  I will be tailoring my challenge participation to account for this overall goal.  I do have a few exceptions.  I may read a male author if 1) I've already started the series and desperately want to finish it (i.e. Song of Ice and Fire) 2) It is a book club selection (out of my hands) or 3) If it is a male author writing nonfiction specifically about a women subject (e.g. a biography of Kate Chopin).  Other than those three exceptions, I want to discover some wonderful women authors. From The Geeky Zoo Girl:

One of my favourite challenges to take part in during 2012 and 2013 was The Book Blogger Recommndation Challenge, which was hosted by Reading with Tequila but seems to have since disappeared.

In case you don’t know, the challenge was simple: book bloggers nominated their favourite books, and then a list was made, with books nominated the most often at the top.  To take part in the challenge, you picked a level and read a specified number of recommended books from the list.

I think it’s a really great challenge, because you get to discover books other bloggers loved and share your own favourites (and isn’t that kind of the point of book blogging?).  I put out a call for book recommendations, and have had some great feedback already, so I’m going to try hosting it for 2015.  I’m still putting the list together but there will be at least 100 titles to choose from – if I’m a few short, I’ll be using people’s end of the year favourites lists or something to make sure we hit that.

The rules are crazy simple:

1. The challenge runs from January 1st 2014 to December 31st 2015
2. There are five levels to choose from. You can increase your goal as many times as you want, or (because we all know real life happens!) you can decrease your goal once at any point throughout the year.
3. The full list of books to choose from will go up on New Year’s Eve
4. You don’t have to commit in advance to your choices, though of course you can plan them if you want to.

I want to recommend some books!

Please do!  You can either vote using the form available here, or leave a comment on this post. I’ll be taking recommendations up until the 25th of December – that gives me a few days to add them in before the full list goes up on New Year’s Eve.

Is there a giveaway?

There will definitely be a giveaway at the end of the year.  I haven’t figured out the details of that yet but I’ll let you know!

The LevelsBronze – 3 books Silver – 5 books Gold – 10 books Platinum – 25 books Diamond – 50 books +

I did this 2 years ago and enjoyed the challenge.  I think I'll join the Gold level this time around.

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Genre: Classics

Pages: 1276

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- Adventure; Mount TBR; Blogger Recommendations; Book to Movie; Fall into Reading; Rory Gilmore (perpetual)

How I Got It: iPad

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantes is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and becomes determined not only to escape but to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. A huge popular success when it was first serialized in the 1840s, Dumas was inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment when writing his epic tale of suffering and retribution.

I had put off reading this classic for far too long.  When it showed up on the list for the Blogger Recommendations Challenge, I knew I had to add it to my 2013 TBR list.  After taking forever to finish it (I blame the baby and Dumas' lack of brevity), I found that overall I really enjoyed the book.

The Good

Dumas can create very interesting and intriguing characters.  I especially loved Dantes, but of course the audience is supposed to connect with him throughout the adventure. The other supporting characters play their parts well.   I also enjoyed the storyline even if I knew it before reading the book.  I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The Bad

As this was published in serial form in the 1840s, the novel lacks any sense of editing.  Dumas rambles on and on, especially the dialogue sections.  Characters take 20 pages to say something that could have been conveyed in 2 pages.  There were times that I had to put the novel down because I was getting tired of the slow pace.  As such, it took me three weeks to finish it.  Also, I loved the passages with Dantes as the main point of view, but felt distracted by chapters from the other characters.  Those chapters just didn't seem as engaging.  The switching of narrators was tiresome.

While, I had some issues with the novel, this is a classic that everyone should experience at some time in their lives.

Movie:

We happened to own the 2002 version of the novel, so I watched that one.  While I enjoyed the film on its own, it definitely changes much of the novel.  Dantes is still imprisoned and enacts his revenge once he escapes.  But most of the other parts and even character relationships have been changed.  I found the weird renewed romance between Dantes and Mercedes to be the most troublesome aspect of the changes.  I just couldn't get behind it, even if they made Albert their son instead of Mercedes and Fernand's son.  On a much happier note, I loved the action scenes and the introduction of the Count by way of hot air balloon.  To any thinking they can watch this movie instead of reading the book, you will miss so much...  Go read the book first!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

Title: Anansi Boys

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow 2005

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Mount TBR; Blogger Recommendations; Fall into Reading; Bingo -- 4 from everyone but me; Fantasy Project

How I Got It: iPad read

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed -- before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.

Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

Overall, I really liked this novel, but it wasn't quite on par with Neverwhere or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.  I think it had to do with the fact that I could never truly get behind Fat Charlie.  Sure, he's gotten a bit of the short end of the stick in terms of his childhood and family, but the fact that he continues to be a sad sack throughout the novel bugged me a bit.  While I don't like Spider's actions, I could completely understand why he did certain things.  He was predictable, he was interesting, he was almost charming.  I found myself wanting to read more about Spider's journey than Charlie's.  For that reason, I took this one down a star.  Don't get me wrong, it's still a great Gaiman story.  It has the interesting little fantastical twists.  It has wonderfully constructed sentences.  The narrator (even not being first person) connects to the reader.  I really enjoyed this one, just not quite as much as some of Gaiman's other works.

Every Day by David Levithan

Title: Every Day

Author: David Levithan

Publisher: Knopf 2012

Genre: YA Fiction

Pages: 324

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: New Author; Eclectic - LGBT; Blogger Recs; Book Bingo - 3 from everyone but me

How I Got It: Library Loan

Every Day is technically for young adults, but the premise of this unusual book goes much deeper. It asks a question that will resonate with the young and old alike: Can you truly love someone regardless of what they look like on the outside? The main character, A, wakes up every morning in a different body. Day to day, A can be male or female, any ethnicity, any size, and in any type of household. The only constant is that he (we'll go with that pronoun for convenience) is 16. A has been body jumping for as long as he can remember, and he has learned to not leave behind any trace of his presence--until he meets Rhiannon. For the first time in his life, A feels a true connection with another person. But can she love him back? Levithan handles their romance with great aplomb, building to a poignant and beautiful ending that took my breath away. --Caley Anderson

I'll admit that reading the summary for this book, I wasn't hooked at all.  I thought it would be some whiny teen romance book with a gimmick.  I am not afraid to say that I was wrong.  This was a very interesting insightful young adult aimed novel.  While the romance with Rhiannon kept the novel moving forward, I really zeroed in on the passages about what A has learned from being in so many different bodies.  I especially like the chapter where A discusses gender or the feelings of being genderless while body hopping.  It's an interesting take on identity and sexuality.  And I thoroughly enjoyed it!

2013 Book Blogger Recommendation Reading Challenge

From Reading with Tequila:

The Levels:Level I - Read 5 books from the 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation List Level II - Read 10 books Level III - Read 15 books Level IV - Read 20 books Level V - Read 20+ booksThe Rules:

Challenge will run January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Participants can join anytime throughout the challenge.Create an intro post, linking back to this post. Sign up with the Linky below. Please link to your challenge intro post, not your blog home page. Chose your own books from the list. You can decide to read books only on the Top 25 list or from the entire recommendation list. You do not have to make a list of books before the challenge begins.All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.)Rereads do not count towards the completion of the challenge. The challenge is about discovering books that are new to you.You don't need a blog to participate.Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

Complete List (already read are bolded):

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
3. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5. Divergent by Veronica Roth
6. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
7. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
8. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
9. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
10. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
11. Partials by Dan Wells
12. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings
13. Persuasion by Jane Austen
14. Plague Town by Dana Fredsti
15. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
16. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
17. The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
18. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
19. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
20. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
21. Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince by J.K.Rowling
22. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
23. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
24. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
25. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
26. The Prestige by Christopher Priest
27. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
28. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped by Madeline Roux
29. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
30. Every Day by David Levithan
31. I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe
32. Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
33. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
34. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
35. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
36. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
37. The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
38. 84 Charring Cross Road by Helene Hanff
39. A Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
40. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
41. Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare
42. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
43. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
44. Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
45. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
46. The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain
47. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
48. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
49. Crewel by Gennifer Albin
50. MWF seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
51. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
52. The Night Is Large by Martin Gardner
53. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
54. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
55. Under The Dome by Stephen King
56. Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
57. Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman
58. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
59. Gone by Michael Grant
60. Perfume by Patrick Suskind
61. Sail by James Patterson
62. Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
63. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
64. Soulless by Gail Carriger
65. The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
66. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
67. Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer
68. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
69. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
70. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
71. Explosive 18 by Janet Evanovich
72. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
73. North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
74. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
75. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
76. Strong Poison by Dorthy L Sayers
77. The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer
78. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
79. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
80. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
81. Matched by Ally Condie
82. Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder
83. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
84. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
85. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
86. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer
87. The Snow Child be by Eowyn Ivey
88. This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers
89. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
90. Feed by Mira Grant
91. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
92. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
93. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
94. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
95. The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
96. The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C Clarke
97. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
98. Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
99. A Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
100. A Storm of Swords part 1 by George R.R. Martin
101. Books, Baguettes and Bedbugs (Time Was Soft There) by Jeremy Mercer
102. Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
103. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
104. Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
105. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

I'm signing up for Level II: 10 books.  Out of the 105 books on the list, I've already read 21.  Looking at the remaining books, I narrowed it even further to 31 possibilities.  I've italicized my must-reads.  The other options are up for grabs.

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
3. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth
5. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
6. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
8. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
9. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
10. Every Day by David Levithan
11. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
12. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
13. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
14. MWF seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
15. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
16. Under The Dome by Stephen King
17. Gone by Michael Grant
18. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
19. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
20. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
21. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
22. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
23. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
24. Matched by Ally Condie
25. Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder
26. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer
27. This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers
28. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
29. Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
30. A Storm of Swords part 1 by George R.R. Martin
31. Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry