2012 Back to the Classics Challenge

From Sarah Reads Too Much:

Are you excited?  I am!!  I have had a lot of fun running the Back To The Classics Challenge 2011 - but I will admit that a learning curve was involved.  This is the second year of the Challenge, and I hope that this year's categories interest and excite you.  There are some repeats, which I think you'd expect, but I've had a lot of fun choosing new categories.

Here are the nitty gritty details:

1. Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.  Books started before January 1st do not count, and all links/reviews/comments for each category must be posted in the correct place by December 31st.  Feel free to join in at any time, but the end date is December 31.
2. Please feel free to use books in this Challenge toward any other Challenge you may be participating in. However, you must read a different book for each category of this challenge.  Audio and e-books are allowed.
3. Please sign up for the Challenge using the linky list (or comment section if you do not have a blog/website).  If you would be so kind, please spread the word about this challenge by creating a post on your blog/website and link back to this sign up page.
4. Once the Challenge has begun, you will see a new bar on the left hand side of this blog.  This will list the places for you to link/comment your reviews of the book you have read for each category as well as a "wrap up" page.  I will not be doing monthly check-in posts this year.  I will probably do a "Half Way" post in June.  These will be important because....
5. THERE IS A PRIZE THIS YEAR!  People who complete the challenge (and I will check that all categories are completed!) will be entered into a random drawing for $30 worth of books (Book Depository will be used for an International Winner).  I may have other prizes as well.  Make sure you are following me via GFC, Email,  Twitter, or Facebook/Networked Blogs so you are in the know!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if I need to make any clarifications.

Now that is all out of the way, want to see the categories?  Sure you do!  Here they are:

• Any 19th Century Classic
• Any 20th Century Classic
• Reread a classic of your choice
• A Classic Play
• Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction
• Classic Romance
• Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your languange   - To clarify, if your native language is NOT English, you may read any classic originally written in English that has been translated into your native language.
• Classic Award Winner  - To clarify, the book should be a classic which has won any established literary award.
• Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime  - To Clarify, this does not have to be a country that you hope to visit either.  Countries that no longer exist or have never existed count.

Well, what do you think?  I'm hoping that something really appeals to everyone, and that maybe one of the categories will make you a little uncomfortable.  There are nine categories for twelve months.  Hopefully you will have enough time to finish without stress, or shying away from a longer/more difficult book because of time constraints.  You do not need to specify which books you plan on reading ahead of time, unless you'd like to.So, go ahead and sign up with the Linky below or in the comments!  Please spread the word and share the fun..... Good Luck to Everyone!!

My TBR List

• 19th Century -- TBD
• 20th Century -- This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1920)
• Reread Classic -- Jane Austen
• Classic Play -- TBD
• Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime -- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1891)
• Classic Romance -- Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes (late 12th century)
• Translated Classic -- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (1857)
• Classic Award Winner -- TBD
• International Classic -- TBD

2012 Outlander Reading Challenge

From Literary Escapism:

I am a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER series and I keep hearing how people want to read this series, but never do.  Sadly, I haven’t read any of the Outlander novels since A Breath of Snow and Ashes came out in 2005.  The seventh novel, An Echo in the Bone, has already been out for a year and the eighth novel, Written in My Heart’s Own Blood, will be coming out soon (although not soon enough).  So I’m thinking I really need to get reacquainted with Jamie, Claire and all the other wonderful characters in the Outlander novels by starting from the beginning. I’m also thinking this is the perfect time for all everyone who keeps saying they want to read it, to finally picking them up.  Plus, for those who have read Outlander, but haven’t picked up the Lord John novels – yea, I’m including those too.  *grin*

So for 2012, I’m hosting the Outlander Reading Challenge.  Here are the details:

1. The challenge will run from January 1st through December 31st.
2. The goal is to read all 7 Outlander novels as well as all 4 Lord John novels, listed below, or as many as you can or want to do.
3. Once a month, we’ll get together and chat about where and what we’ve read (more details about this to come).
4. After reading one of the novels, write your review and then come back to the main challenge page and add your link to Mr. Linky.  Make sure you include your name and which title you’ve read.

I tried to complete the Outlander series last year failed miserably.  I didn't even read one.  So, I thought I would challenge myself yet again.  Hope this year goes better!  I'm only setting a goal of the first 5 novels.

1. Outlander (1991)
2. Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
3. Voyager (1994)
4. Drums of Autumn (1997)
5. The Fiery Cross (2001)

2012 Fables Reading Challenge

I love the Fables series. I just had to do another Fables Reading Challenge for this year.  I knocked out a lot of the volumes last year, so I'm only setting a goal of 5 this year.  I should be caught up by the end of this year.

1. Vol. 1 Legends in Exile
2. Vol. 2 Animal Farm
3. Vol. 3 Storybook Love
4. Vol. 4 March of the Wooden Soldiers
5. Vol. 5 The Mean Seasons
6. Vol. 6 Homelands
7. Vol. 7 Arabian Nights (and Days)
8. Vol. 8 Wolves
9. Vol. 9 Sons of Empire
10. Vol. 10 The Good Prince
11. Vol. 11 War and Pieces
12. Vol. 12 The Dark Ages
13. Vol. 13 The Great Fables Crossover
14. Vol. 14 Witches
15. Vol. 15 Rose Red
16. Vol. 16 Super Group
17. 1001 Nights of Snowfall
18. Jack of Fables: Vol. 1 The (Nearly) Great Escape
19. JF: Vol. 2  Jack of Hearts
20. JF: Vol. 3 The Bad Prince
21. JF: Vol. 4 Americana
22. JF: Vol. 5 Turning Pages
23. JF: Vol. 6 The Big Book of War
24. JF: Vol. 7 The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
25. JF: Vol. 8 The Fulminate Blade
26. JF: Vol. 9 The End
27. Peter and Max: A Fables Novel
28. Fables Covers by James Jean
29. Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love
30. Cinderella: Fables are Forever

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Run's January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.

The Rules:

• Anyone can join.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
• Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
• No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

1. The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
2. The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
3. The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
4. The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

I am going to shoot for the "Mini" level of 12 books.  I am enjoying young adult, but need to vary my reading, so no 100 YA novel commitments.

My TBR List:

1. The Hunger Games -- Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #1) (2009)
2. Catching Fire -- Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #2) (2009)
3. Mockingjay -- Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #3) (2010)
4. A Great and Terrible Beauty -- Libba Bray (2005)
5. Rebel Angels -- Libba Bray (2006)
6. A Sweet Far Thing -- Bray (2009)
7. City of Bones -- Cassandra Clare (2008)
8. City of Ash -- Cassandra Clare (2009)
9. City of Glass -- Cassandra Clare (2010
10. The Golden Compass -- Philip Pullman (1995)
11. The Subtle Knife -- Philip Pullman (1997)
12. The Amber Spyglass -- Philip Pullman (2000)

2012 Reading Shakespeare Challenge

From Breadcrumb Reads:

Sometimes, good intentions never see the light of day. I’d bought myself the complete works of Shakespeare a few months ago with the intention of taking part in a challenge that was being hosted this year. Unfortunately, the times has never been right to pick up a play. I’ve been so intent on whittling down my to-read novel list, that plays have completely been neglected (save for one) this year.

So, I’ve decided to run a Shakespearean Group Read, of sorts, in 2012. The idea is to read, with others who might be interested, one play a month. At the end of each month a discussion post will be posted along with a link-up for fellow readers to add their posts. A schedule of the plays being read in 2012  will be put up in a sign-up post towards the middle of December. For now, though, we need to decide on the plays.

I didn’t want to just pick them out on my own and selfishly expect others to join in. So I’ve decided to hold a poll – rather 3 polls. I will be dividing Shakespeare’s works into comedies, tragedies and histories. Considering we have 12 months, therefore 12 plays to read next year, I figured four plays from each of these categories should work well.Please do pass the word around so that we might have a lovely reading experience of Shakespeare together!

Oh, and as I have been asked – you are not obligated to join in on every play group read if you don’t want to or can’t.

So then, here goes!

Really excited about revisiting The Bard.  My goal is to do the readalongs, discussions, and watch the movie versions when available.

1. January -- A Midsummer Night's Dream
2. February -- Macbeth
3. March -- Henry V
4. April -- Much Ado About Nothing
5. May -- Antony and Cleopatra
6. June -- Richard III
7. July -- As You Like It
8. August -- King Lear
9. September -- Cymbeline
10. October -- Twelfth Night
11. November -- Othello
12. December -- Pericles

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

As part of my holidays, I am taking a bit of a blogging break.  I want to spend time with all three of my boys and relax.  So, I will not be actively blogging.  I have scheduled my reading challenge posts to appear on a daily basis until I return.  I have some great ideas for the upcoming year.  See you in 2012!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pondering Reflections

I am at a crossroads... with this blog I mean.  My blog is basically a year old.  I started it sometime in November, but didn't really get the hang of it until the first of the year.  I signed up for a ton of reading challenges.  I jioned a few memes.  I created a few regular features.  And now it's time to decide where to go from here.  I've already began to organiaze my TBR piles and reading challenges for next year.  The basement theater is lookiong a bit ridiculous and I'm sure J is about done with my mess.  But I love being organized.  And usually that means making a crazy mess for a bit before everything looks all pretty again.  There are so many great books sitting in the garage.  I want to read them all.  But I know that's a crazy goal.  So I need to try and organize and scale back.

I'm also trying to figure out the overall shape of my blog.  I know that I'll still do book reviews and reading challenges.  But what about all those other little feature things (meal plan, music monday, top ten tuesday, etc)?  I have to think about what I want to commit myself to, especially since taking on a full time job and wanting to plan things for when I have the boys (and possibly a vacation with or without the boys).

All this leads to a pondering Tobe.  What to do?  What to do?  In some ways I love these times of decisions.  And then I panic and think "Am I doing the right thing?"  I guess it's all about the decisions the time.  I can't get caught up in "What Ifs."  So I'll ponder and make decisions.  And make a big year end wrap-up post.  Also, I think I'll be taking a bit of blog vacation for the second half of December.  A bit of a break to energize sounds like a great idea.

U.S. Presidents Reading Project

I found this great idea for a reading challenge, but decided to change it to a perpetual reading challenge.  I was trained as a U.S. History teacher, so reading about the Presidents sounds like great fun to me.  I plan on getting started after the New Year. 

The rules are simple:

1. Read at least one non-fiction book about each of the U.S. Presidents 2. Take as much time as you need 3. Have fun learning about U.S. history and its leaders 4. And if you like buttons for your blog, feel free to add this one provided by the fabulous Michele at A Reader's Respite. Thanks, Michele!

That's it! If one book about each president sounds a bit like "too much information" to you, feel free to choose books that talk about more than one president at a time and count it for each one. Tailor this project to suit your personal level of interest. Maybe you just want a passing knowledge of each one. Maybe you found a couple presidents interesting enough to read two or three or more books about them. Maybe you'll discover so many avenues you'd like to explore that we'll need to start an American History Reading Project. :-) The possibilities are endless!

LIST OF U.S. PRESIDENTS

1. George Washington (1789-97)
2. John Adams, 1797-1801 (Federalist)
3. Thomas Jefferson, 1801-9 (Democratic-Republican)
4. James Madison, 1809-17 (Democratic-Republican)
5. James Monroe, 1817-25 (Democratic-Republican)
6. John Quincy Adams, 1825-29 (Democratic-Republican)
7. Andrew Jackson, 1829-37 (Democrat)
8. Martin Van Buren, 1837-41 (Democrat)
9. William Henry Harrison, 1841 (Whig)
10. John Tyler, 1841-45 (Whig)
11. James Knox Polk, 1845-49 (Democrat)
12.  Zachary Taylor, 1849-50 (Whig)
13. Millard Fillmore, 1850-53 (Whig)
14. Franklin Pierce, 1853-57 (Democrat)
15. James Buchanan, 1857-61 (Democrat)
16. Abraham Lincoln, 1861-65 (Republican)
17. Andrew Johnson, 1865-69 (Democrat/National Union)
18. Ulysses Simpson Grant, 1869-77 (Republican)
19. Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 1877-81 (Republican)
20. James Abram Garfield, 1881 (Republican)
21. Chester Alan Arthur, 1881-85 (Republican)
22. Grover Cleveland, 1885-89 and 1893-97 (Democrat)
23. Benjamin Harrison, 1889-93 (Republican)
24. William McKinley, 1897-1901 (Republican)
25. Theodore Roosevelt, 1901-9 (Republican)
26. William Howard Taft, 1909-13 (Republican)
27. Woodrow Wilson, 1913-21 (Democrat)
28. Warren Gamaliel Harding, 1921-23 (Republican)
29. Calvin Coolidge, 1923-29 (Republican)
30. Herbert Clark Hoover, 1929-33 (Republican)
31. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933-45 (Democrat)
32. Harry S. Truman, 1945-53 (Democrat)
33. Dwight David Eisenhower, 1953-61 (Republican)
34. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1961-63 (Democrat)
35. Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1963-69 (Democrat)
36. Richard Milhous Nixon, 1969-74 (Republican)
37. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr , 1974-77 (Republican)
38. James Earl Carter, 1977-81 (Democrat)
39. Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1981-89 (Republican)
40. George Herbert Walker Bush, 1989-1993 (Republican)
41. William Jefferson Clinton, 1993-2001 (Democrat)
42. George W. Bush, 2001-2009 (Republican)
43. Barack Hussein Obama, 2009- (Democrat)

Contemporary Romance Challenge Finished!

Goal: 10/10 Books  FINISHED!!!!

I was really concerned about this challenge for awhile.  I just didn't think this was going to get finished.  I struggled to finish the contemporary romance section of the Summer Romance Reading Challenge, so this seemed dead in the water.  And yet, I pulled it out with two months to go.  And really the thanks should go to Jill Mansell for writing some contemporary romance that I just love.  I think I've now read four of her books and I want to read more.  My favorite reads of this challenge are Take a Chance on Me and Austenland. The rest were entertaining, but I don't think I will ever reread them.  This will not be challenge that I will be repeating next year, but it was a nice chance from my usual reading.

1. The Royal Treatment – MaryJanice Davidson (1/5/11)
2. The Royal Pain – MaryJanice Davidson (1/7/11)
3. Valentine’s Day is Killing Me – MaryJanice Davidson, Leslie Esdaile, Susanna Carr (2/7/11)
4. The Royal Mess – MaryJanice Davidson (2/14/11)
5. Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania – Loree Lough (2/21/11)
6. Austenland – Shannon Hale (2/27/11)
7. Under Cover – MaryJanice Davidson (3/22/11)
8. Surrender Bay – Denise Hunter (3/23/11)
9. Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon – Melody Carlson (4/25/11)
10. Take a Chance on Me — Jill Mansell (11/4/11)

Vampire Challenge Finished!

I started out strong at this reading challenge and then I hit a delay.  Finally, I got back into the challenge and finished it out.  I think this is one that I will be repeating next year.  Maybe not 20 books, but more than 10.  Overall I read some so-so books for this challenge.  I really need to dig up some great vampire novels for next year.

1. A Girl’s Guide to Vampires — Katie MacAlister (1/11/11)
2. Bloodsucking Fiends — Christopher Moore (1/19/11)
3. You Suck — Christopher Moore (1/20/11)
4. Bite Me — Christopher Moore (1/24/11)
5. Bespelling Jane — Mary Balogh (2/1/11)
6. “Unleashed” from Cupid Cats – Katie MacAlister (2/16/11)
7. Twilight: The Graphic Novel – Stephenie Meyer (2/28/11)
8. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner – Stephenie Meyer (2/28/11)
9. Sex and the Single Vampire – Katie MacAlister (3/7/11)
10. Blue Bloods – Melissa de la Cruz (3/11/11)
11. Masquerade (Blue Bloods novel) Melissa de la Cruz (3/13/11)
12. Revelations (Blue Bloods novel) – Melissa de la Cruz (3/14/11)
13. The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods novel) – Melissa de la Cruz (3/15/11)
14. Keys to the Repository (Blue Bloods novel) – Melissa de la Cruz (3/16/11)
15. Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods novel) – Melissa de la Cruz (3/24/11)
16. Bloody Valentine (Blue Bloods novel) – Melissa de la Cruz (3/25/11)
17. Little Vampire Women – Louisa May Alcott and Lynn Messina
18. Hunger – Barbara J. Hancock
19. The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire (8/21/11)
20. Night World Vol. 1 – L.J. Smith (10/23/11)
21. Night World Vol. 2 – L.J. Smith (10/26/11)
22. Night World Vol. 3 – L.J. Smith
23. Accidentally Dead – Dakota Cassidy (10/8/11)

Page to Screen Challenge Finished!

With finishing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I completed the Page to Screen challenge.  I only signed up for 10 this year and I think that was appropriate.  I definitely want to do this next year, but am thinking about increasing the number.  As you can see, there's a few books/movies on my list that I didn't get to yet.  I'm sure there'll be more to add as the months progress.

This year's list:

1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (10/24/11)
2. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (7/18/11)
3. The Children of Men by P.D. James
4. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore (1/28/11)
5. The Prestige by Christopher Priest (6/14/11)
6. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd (4/23/11)
7. Watchmen by Alan Moore (4/30/11)
8. Water for Elephants by Anne Gruen
9. HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (8/11/11)
10. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (8/21/11)
11. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler (9/20/11)
12. Contact by Carl Sagan
13. Heat Wave by Richard Castle (10/13/11)

Graphic Novel Reading Challenge -- Finished!

 So the rules are basically still the same:

1. The challenge starts January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011. You can start anytime you want to especially if you want to start early.
2. The level of participation: Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels),Intermediate (3-10 books), or Expert (10+)
3. Overlaps with other challenges is definitely okay
4. Re-reads count
5. Feel free to post your list at any time

I went for the Expert level (10+ books).  I am at 10 books right now, and plan to read at least a few more in the next month.  I am declaring this challenge completed!  I look forward to this challenge again next year.

 

Here's my final list:

 

1. The Walking Dead: Book One (8/24/11)

2. Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood (8/24/11)

3. Greek Street: Cassandra Complex (8/29/11)

4. Hatter M Vol. 1

5. Hatter M Vol. 2

6. Hatter M Vol. 3

7. The Walking Dead: Book Two (9/25/11)

8. The Boys: The Name of the Game (10/5/11)

9. The Boys: Get Some (10/6/11)

10. The Boys: Good for the Soul (10/9/11)

11. The Boys: We Gotta Go Now (10/9/11)

12. The Boys: Herogasm (10/11/11)

13. The Walking Dead: Book Three (10/13/11)

 

 

 

Summer Romance Reading Challenge -- Finished!

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.

5. The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

6. 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.

Romance Sub-Genres:

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal Romance

• Science Fiction Romance

• Contemporary Romance

• Romantic Suspense

• Western Romance

• Fantasy Romance

• GLBT Romance

To be completely honest, I didn't think I was going to finished this one.  I zoomed through the Historical Romance category.  I enjoyed the Paranormal Romance category.  But Comtemporary Romance just stumped me.  I picked up so many and then pratcically threw them down in disgust.  There's so much crap being touted as Contemporary Romance.  I need a good storyline, good characters, and yes, good romance.  But all three must be present.  Finally, I found a few books I really liked.  Yeah me!  I finished another reading challenge!  The following were the books I eventually settled upon.

Historical Romance

1. The Lightkeeper’s Ball – Colleen Coble (8/22/11)

2. The Outlaw’s Bride – Catherine Palmer (6/20/11)

3. A Matter of Class – Mary Balogh (7/12/11)

4. My Lord Scandal – Emma Wildes (7/20/11)

5. One Wicked Mistake – Emma Wildes (7/22/11)

6. His Sinful Secret – Emma Wildes (7/24/11)

7. Lessons from a Scarlet Lady – Emma Wildes (8/4/11)

8. At the King’s Command – Susan Wiggs (8/13/11)

Paranormal Romance

1. Faeries Gone Wild (6/7/11)

2. Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Romance (8/6/11)

3. Tall, Dark, and Dead – Tate Hallaway (8/8/11)

4. The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (8/26/11)

5. Warrior – Zoe Archer (9/4/11)

6. Scoundrel – Zoe Archer (9/8/11)

7. Rebel – Zoe Archer (9/13/11)

8. Stranger – Zoe Archer (9/18/11)

Contemporary Romance

1. Lucky Girl – Cate Lord (8/23/11)

2. Men in Kilts – Katie MacAlister (8/24/11)

3. Perfect Timing – Jill Mansell (8/27/11)

4. Miranda’s Big Mistake – Jill Mansell (8/28/11)

5. The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather – Alexandra Potter (8/30/11)

6. Just a Little White Lie – Lynnette Hallberg (9/18/11)

7. The Jane Austen Book Club – Karen Joy Fowler (9/20/11)

8. Staying at Daisy’s – Jill Mansell (9/23/11)

Books Around the States Challenge

To go along with the World Challenge, I'm also adding a Books Around the States challenge.  What better way to see U.S. in fiction and nonfiction than through a challenge.  This one will also be a perpetual challenge.

From Book Around the States:

The United States is a union of 50 states. Let's "book around the states"and find at least one excellent book for each state of the union. The book should help us learn something ABOUT that state and not just be one written by somebody who lives there.

Of course if you notice my sidebar challenge status, you will see 51 total books.  I can't forget about the District of Columbia.  Although I will forget about the territories.

Books Around the World Challenge

I've decided to join another challenge...  but this one is perpetual.  Good thing!  I definitely can't add more challenges to end December 2011.  I've already got one counting towards this.  Only how many to go?  Good graciousness!  Oh well!  I do like a challenge.

From Book Around the World:

The world has many countries, some big and some small, and I want to find the best books about each country. The book should help us learn something ABOUT that country and not just be one written by somebody who lives there. Let's "book around the world" and find at least one excellent book for each country in the world.

I'll be attempting to read a book from every country...  For purposes of this challenge, I am going by the U.S. Department of State's country listing.  There's 195 countries according to our definition of a country. I'll count the primary setting of fiction and nonfiction books in my listings.  This should be interesting.

Fables 2011 Reading Challenge

I have fallen in love with this series, but have only read the first three volumes...  I want to do a complete series read (at least what's been published so far) so I'm made  challenge for myself.  Join me if you're interested.

The Rules:

1. The challenge starts August 19, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011. You can start anytime you want to especially if you want to start early.
2. The level of participation: Beginner (3 volumes), Intermediate (4-9 books), or Expert (10+)
3. Overlaps with other challenges is definitely okay
4. Re-reads count

I'm not doing this challenge with posts/linkies/etc.  I just want to have fun and track my reading.  But feel free to grab my button and join me!

Complete series list (with spinoffs and related):

• Vol. 1 Legends in Exile
• Vol. 2 Animal Farm
• Vol. 3 Storybook Love
• Vol. 4 March of the Wooden Soldiers
• Vol. 5 The Mean Seasons
• Vol. 6 Homelands
• Vol. 7 Arabian Nights (and Days)
• Vol. 8 Wolves
• Vol. 9 Sons of Empire
• Vol. 10 The Good Prince
• Vol. 11 War and Pieces
• Vol. 12 The Dark Ages
• Vol. 13 The Great Fables Crossover
• Vol. 14 Witches
• Vol. 15 Rose Red
• Vol. 16 Super Group
• 1001 Nights of Snowfall
• Jack of Fables: Vol. 1 The (Nearly) Great Escape
• JF: Vol. 2  Jack of Hearts
• JF: Vol. 3 The Bad Prince
• JF: Vol. 4 Americana
• JF: Vol. 5 Turning Pages
• JF: Vol. 6 The Big Book of War
• JF: Vol. 7 The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
• JF: Vol. 8 The Fulminate Blade
• JF: Vol. 9 The End
• Peter and Max: A Fables Novel
• Fables Covers by James Jean
• Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love
• Cinderella: Fables are Forever

Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011 (Wrap-Up Post)

My Original Plan

Going for Fascinated Level (6 books).  My choices for the Fantasy Reading Challenge (with any cross listings):

1. The Dark Divine – Bree Despain (YA)
2. Beautiful Creatures – Kami Garcia (A to Z: G)
3. Evermore – Alyson Noel (TwentyEleven: It Wasn’t Me)
4. Inkheart – Cornelia Funke (YA; A to Z: F)
5. The Prestige – Christopher Priest (Pages to Screen)
6. Archenemy – Frank Beddor (YA: TwentyEleven: Mind the Gap)

Completed Plan

I upped my challenge number to the Addicted Level (12 books) in May (I think).  My final list:

1. Archenemy – Frank Beddor (1/26/11)
2. A Girl’s Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones novel) – Katie MacAlister (1/11/11)
3. Heroes Vol. 1: The Graphic Novel (2/22/11)
4. A Dirty Job – Christopher Moore (2/24/11)
5. Heroes Vol. 2: The Graphic Novel (2/26/11)
6. Fables: Legends in Exile – Bill Willingham (4/4/11)
7. Fables: Animal Farm – Bill Willingham (4/12/11)
8. The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (4/14/11)
9. No Rest for the Witches (4/22/11)
10. The Iron King – Julie Kagawa (7/25/11)
11. The Iron Knight – Julie Kagawa (8/16/11)
12. This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer (8/18/11)

Of the ones I committed to the challenge, my favorite was

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore.  Had all the fantasy elements (death, monsters, vampires, angels, etc) but also make me laugh out loud.  Awesome book!  

My least favorite was the last book I read:

This World We Live by Susan Beth Pfeffer.  It was just not a great book to end the trilogy.  I was highly disappointed.  Overall this was a fun challenge.  Just because I'm finished doesn't mean that I won't keep reading fantasy.  For that matter, I read other books this year that would fall under fantasy, but were committed to other challenges.  I definitely read a lot of fantasy.  Looking forward to next year's challenge.  Maybe I'll commit myself to the Obsessed Level (20 books)!

P.S. I'm still planning on reading

• The Dark Divine
• Beautiful Creatures
• Evermore
• Inkheart

before this year ends...

Graphic Novel Reading Challenge 2011

I think I've gone crazy.  It's August and I've joined another 2011 reading challenge...  But this one will be easy, I swear!

Hey guys! It's Vasilly and I'm the newest host for the the Graphic Novels Challenge. I want to thank Nymeth and Chris for keeping this challenge going strong for the rest of us in 2010. This was one of the challenges that Dewey started and I'm happy to see that it's still going on years later.

So the rules are basically still the same:

1. The challenge starts January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011. You can start anytime you want to especially if you want to start early.
2. The level of participation: Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels),Intermediate (3-10 books), or Expert (10+)
3. Overlaps with other challenges is definitely okay
4. Re-reads count
5. Feel free to post your list at any time

One of the things that will change is mini-challenges. I don't think I'm going to have them this year but I will host a monthly spotlight on one book or author every month. I'm also hoping to feature a guest post every month along with monthly prizes. So sign up!

I'm going for Expert.  I've already read a ton of graphic novels in 2011, but have decided not to count these ones so far...

Here's my list of read before the challenge:

1. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1 by Alan Moore
2. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 2 by Alan Moore
3. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier by Alan Moore
4. Heroes Vol. 1
5. Heroes Vol. 2
6. Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Stephanie Meyer and Young Kim
7. Coraline: The Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman
8. V or Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
9. Watchman by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
10. Buffy Omnibus Vol. 1
11. Buffy Omnibus Vol. 2.
12. Buffy Omnibus Vol. 3
13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Pale Reflections
14. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: False Memories
15. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Haunted
16. Buffy Omnibus Vol. 5
17. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
18. Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale

Wow.. that's quite a list.  But that's okay, I've got more ready to read (The Boys, The Walking Dead, Cowboys and Aliens, Scott Pilgrim, etc.)

Newly Organized Perpetual Reading Challenges

Just a quick note to tell you about some changes around here. I had committed myself to two perpetual reading challenges (1,000,000 Pages and 1001 Books) but didn't really have a place for them on the blog.  So, I added another page at the top to collect those stats.  And I added a progress bar on the right hand side.

Finally, I added another perpetual change to the list: NPR's Top 100 SciFi/Fantasy Books as polled by listeners.  I'm really excited about this one.

My progress currently:

1,000,000 Pages -- 3294 down, 967,338 to go

NPR list -- 20% done

1001 Books -- 6.9% done

Wonder how long these are going to take me? Stay tuned for the results.

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.