2013 Library Reading Challenge

Hosted by Gina at Book Dragon's Lair

Our love of reading can be expensive! Not only are we purchasing books but we also need space to keep them. I've started using the library (again) but couldn't find a challenge to help me. Here it is. There are a number of levels, for those who don't have a library card yet to those that live there. Enjoy! Requirements:

• choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
• check books out of the library
• books may overlap with other challenges
• any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
• reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is.
• a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in

Levels:

• board book - 3
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• adult - 36
• just insert IV - 50

I'm going to go for the Young Adult level of 24 books as I really want to read from my personal hoarde.  But I'm sure that I will be patronizing the library at some point in the year.

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

From Fikshun:

Welcome to 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

6 BLOGGERS, 12 MINI-CHALLENGES, 24 BOOKS TO WIN!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they’re gifted to us. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we’ll finally decide to pick them up.

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you’ve been telling yourself you’ll read next time you’ll get a chance. This is your chance! And we’ve got PRIZES!!!

Challenge Guidelines…

•  This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013***
• Anyone can enter! You don’t have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you’ve read! (On your blog, Amazon, Goodreads or Shelfari!)
• Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that’s been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2012 or earlier! NO  2013 ARCs or 2013 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
• You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood suits you.
• When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge.
• You can move up levels, but no moving down.
• Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
• On the 20th of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will be a unique theme, and include a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from that month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of your choice from The Book Depository. It’s open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e., the entire year).
• If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking.
• December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you’ll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway for a box of books.

Levels…

• 1-10 – A Firm Handshake
• 11-20 – A Friendly Hug
• 21-30 – A Sweet Kiss
• 31-40 – Love At First Sight
• 41-50 – Married With Children

Wrap-up Post Schedule…

Jan. 20th: Evie @Bookish (www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com) Feb. 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (www.fiktshun.com) Mar. 20th: Justin @Justin’s Book Blog (www.justinsbookblog.com) Apr. 20th: Tiffany @Escaping…One Book At A Time (escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com) May 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca) Jun. 20th: Justin @Justin’s Book Blog (www.justinsbookblog.com) Jul. 20th: Emily @Doodle’s Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com) Aug. 20th: Tiffany @Escaping…One Book At A Time (escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com) Sept. 20th: Rachel @Fiktshun (www.fiktshun.com) Oct. 20th: Emily @Doodle’s Book Blog (doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com) Nov. 20th: Bonnie @Words At Home (www.wordsathome.ca) Dec. 20th: This one will be posted on all the blogs. There will also be a huge BOX OF BOOKS giveaway and this time you can link up ALL YOUR TBR Pile REVIEWS you wrote for the entire month!

I'm going with the A sweet kiss level of 30 books.

My TBR List:

1. Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
2. Child of Darkness by Jennifer Armintrout
3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
4. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
5. Emma by Jane Austen
6. Matched by Ally Condie
7. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
8. The Passage by Justin Cronin
9. The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
10. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
11. Veil of Shadows by Jennifer Armintrout
12. Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout
13. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
14. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
15. Crossed by Ally Condie
16. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
17. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
18. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
19. Whisper Cape by Regan Walsh 
20. Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock
21. Rococo by Adriana Trigiani
22. Switched by Amanda Hocking
23. Sundial in a Grave by Mary Gentle
24. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
25. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson
26. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce
27. The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge
28. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
29. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
30. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

From My Reader's Block:

Challenge Levels (I've adjusted the levels just slightly this year):

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

And the rules: *Once you choose your challenge level, you are locked in for at least that many books. If you find that you're on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a taller mountain, then you are certainly welcome to upgrade.

*Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2013.

*You may sign up anytime from now until November 30th, 2013.

*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2013. No ARCs (none), no library books. No rereads. [To clarify--based on a question raised last year--the intention is to reduce the stack of books that you have bought for yourself or received as presents {birthday, Christmas, "just because," etc.}. Audiobooks and E-books may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.]

*You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided that you had 50% or more of the book left to finish in 2013.  I will trust you all on that.

*Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

*Feel free to submit your list in advance (as incentive to really get those books taken care of) or to tally them as you climb.

*A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post a challenge sign up and link THAT post (not your home page) into the linky below. Non-bloggers, please leave a comment declaring your challenge level--OR, if you are a member of Goodreads, I will once again put together a group for the challenge there. Feel free to sign up HERE.  And, finally, I am contemplating a review tracker for this year.  I will post a link if that works out.

Last year, I signed up for the Mount Everest level, but I failed miserably.  I spent a ton of time reading library books instead of my own.  This year I am determined to decrease my TBR boxes (yes boxes).  I am signing up for the Mt. Kilimanjaro level of 60 books.

My Tentative TBR (so far):

1. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
2. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
3. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
4. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
5. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
6. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine
7. Firestorm by Rachel Caine
8. Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
9. The Devlin Diary by Christie Philips
10. The Rossetti Letter by Christie Philips
11. Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
12. Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
13. Next by Michael Crichton
14. Velveteen by Daniel Marks
15. Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
16. Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
17. Wedding of the Century
18. Unknown by Rachel Caine
19. Undone by Rachel Caine
20. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
21. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
22. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
23. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
24. Lessons in French by Lauren Kinsale
25. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
26. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
27. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
28. Gale Force by Rachel Caine
29. Thin Air by Rachel Caine
30. Windfall by Rachel Caine
31. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason
32. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason
33. Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
34. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason
35. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
36. Year Zero by Jeff Long
37. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
38. The Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
39. Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand
40. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
41. One Day by David Nicholls
42. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
43. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
44. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
45. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
46. Collapse by Jared Diamond
47. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
48. Almost America by Steve Tally
49. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
50. The Selected Stories of O. Henry
51. Vanity Fiar by William Makepeace Thackeray
52. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
53. Ganymede by Cherie Priest
54. Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
55. TBD
56. TBD
57. TBD
58. TBD
59. TBD
60. TBD

2013 Ebook Reading Challenge

The 2013 Ebook Challenge. Encouraging readers to expand past just physical books to embrace ebooks in all forms, whether on Kindle, Kobo, computer, or any other reader.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

Floppy disk – 5 ebooks CD – 10 ebooks DVD – 25 ebooks Memory stick – 50 ebooks Hard drive – 75 ebooks Server – 100 ebooks Human brain – 150 ebooks

I'm going for the DVD level of 25 books.  I really want to read more on my iPad.

My TBR List:

1. Lost by Gregory Maguire
2. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin
3. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
4. Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne
5. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
6. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson
7. Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire

2013 Women Reading Challenge

From Peek a Book:

Checking the books I have read in the last year I noticed that I have read a lot of authors who are men and far fewer women writers.There is no real reason because, of course, I don’t choose books based on the author’s sex, but this intrigued me and I decided to create a challenge called the "Women Challenge".This challenge will make us want to read more books of any kind written by women, so choose whatever you like and get involved!Set your level and, if you like, leave me a comment on this post listing your three favourite women writers, in order to suggest new names to other participants as well.Here are mine (they are just the first ones coming to my mind):* Isabel Allende* Marcela Serrano* Kathy Reichs

Rules:

* anyone can join;

* you don't need a blog to partecipate: if you are a non-blogger please leave a comment with a link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the list of the books you read and the level you choose;

* audio, e-books, bound books and re-reads are ok;

* create a sign up post on your blog and post the link in the linky below (scroll down please, it's at the end of the italian translation);

* challenge goes from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013

Levels:

Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 1 to 5 books written by a woman author

Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 10 books written by a woman author

Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 11 to 15 books written by a woman author

Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 16+ books written by a woman author

I am wanting to do a women authors challenge, but failed to find one out there.  And this popped up on A Novel Challenge and I got super excited.  This is just what I wanted.  I am going for Level 4: Wonder Woman.  I actually am setting a goal of 25 women authors for myself.  Here's my tentative list:

1. Rachel Caine
2. Jane Austen (my beloved author!)
3. Ally Condie
4. Jennifer Armintrout
5. Deanna Raybourn
6. Stephenie Meyer
7. Emily Giffin
8. Jane Aiken Hidge
9. Nora Roberts
10. Allison Weir
11. Susan Wiggs
12. Christie Philips
13. Lauren Kinsale
14. Julie Kagawa
15. Cherie Priest
16. Georgette Heyer
17. Colleen Gleason
18. Sarah Addison Allen
19. Melissa de la Cruz
20. Melody Anne
21. TBD
22. TBD
23. TBD
24. TBD
25. TBD

2013 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge

From Bookmark to Blog:

For this challenge I have chosen ten key words associated with each month in 2013. Your task is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the key words for that month. For instance, in January I might read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. The key words are listed below.

GUIDELINES

* The title you choose can be a variation on one of the key words. For example- your title could include the word 'snowing' or 'snowflake'even though the key word is 'snow.'

*Key words can be tweaked. For example- You could read "Cinder" or "Ashes" for the key word 'Fire' and that would be just fine. If the key word is 'family' then your title could include the word 'sister' or 'mother.'If the key word is 'food' then your title could include the word 'cake.'

* Link up below to participate and add additional links any time you post about the challenge or post about a book you read for the challenge.

My tentative TBR List:

• January -- Chill Factor by Rachel Caine
• February -- Child of Darkness by Jennifer Armintrout
• March -- Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
• April -- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• May -- Emma by Jane Austen
• June -- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• July  -- Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason
• August  -- The Sugar Queen by Rachel Caine
• September -- As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason
• October -- Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
• November  -- Billionaire Wins the Game
• December -- TBD

2013 What's in a Name 6 Reading Challenge

From Beth Fish Reads:

Welcome to the sixth What's in a Name challenge This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.

I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.

Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

My TBR List:

1. Up or Down: Windfall by Rachel Caine
2. Kitchen Find: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
3. Party or Celebration: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin
4. Fire: Firestorm by Rachel Caine
5. Emotion: Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce
6. Lost or Found: Lost by Gregory Maguire

2013 New Authors Reading Challenge

From Literary Escapism:

Here are the guidelines:

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
• Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
• I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky. We all want to know about your new experience.
• After reading your new author, write your review and then come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky. Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
• Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome. You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.

I'm going to shoot for 25 new authors.  I think that's a nice attainable number.  My tentative author list:

1. Ally Condie
2. Matthew Flaming
3. Justin Cronin
4. Sarah Addison Allen
5. Jared Diamond
6. Craig Nelson
7. Mary Gentle
8. Alison Weir
9. Amanda Hocking
10. Adriana Trigiani
11. Caro Peacock
12. Regan Walsh
13. Brunonia Barry
14. Colleen Gleason
15. Jeff Long
16. David Nicholls
17. Maria Snyder
18. Cecelia Ahern
19. Karen Marie Moning
20. Deanna Raybourn
21. George R.R. Martin
22. Bernhard Schlink
23. Jen Turano
24. Elin Hilderbrand
25. Jennifer Donnelly

2013 Graphic Novel Reading Challenge

From Graphic Novels Challenge:

It's almost time for the 2013 challenge to start and so we'll start taking names of participants now.  There will be two ways to play and two levels this year!  Please write a sign-up post on your blog and then sign-up below with a link to your specific sign-up post.  Here is how the Challenge will play this year:runs from Jan.1 - Dec. 31, 2013

Levels

Level 1: read and review 12 books during the year (you could spread them out and read one a month or have a blast and read all 12 in a row!)

Level 2: read and review 24 books during the year (same as above only you would read two a month for the slow rate)

Game Play

Basic: no change from last year. just read any book generally considered a graphic novel, manga, or collection of comics, write a review and link to your post.

Advanced:  For advanced play we are going to play categories.  Players will pick 1 book from each of the 12 categories below.  If you are playing at Level 2 you could double up, choosing two from each category, or use the remainder as free picks.  You only have to read one book from each of the 12 categories.

1. manga
2. superhero
3. classic adaptation (a classic work adapted into the graphic format)
4. memoir
5. fantasy
6. translated from a foreign language
7. a single-issue comic book
8. science-fiction
9. crime or mystery
10. fairytale or mythology (true to the original or fractured, such as Fables series)
11. children's book (specifically written for children)
12. anthology (a collection of short stories by different authors/artists)

I've definitely fallen in love with graphic novels and comics.  And yet again I am joining this challenge.  Because of my intent to diversify my reading, I am only going to commit to 12 this year and I'm only going for the Basic level, so no categories.  TBR List:

1. 300
2. Cowboys and Aliens
3. Fables:
4. Fables:
5. TBD
6. TBD
7. TBD
8. TBD
9. TBD
10. TBD
11. TBD
12. TBD

2013 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge

From The Book Cellar:

• Books can be any YA or MG fantasy, they do not need to be specific to 2013. I will still be doing roundups  of releases each month just to keep news up on new releases.
• Giveaways are no longer just for reviews – they will be for all challenge participants. Reviews will be worth the most entries and each giveaway will be run bimonthly, so there will be 6 prize packs available throughout the year.

Another challenge that I was looking for.  I have some great YA/MG books that have been sitting around for awhile (and when I saw awhile, I mean years).  This is the perfect challenge to get going on those.  I am committing to 5 books to start with.  Depending on my year, I may up this to 10.  TBR List:

1. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
2. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
3. Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry
4. TBD
5. TBD

2013 Jane Austen Etc. Reading Challenge

I've been working my way through Jane Austen's novels (for the fourth or fifth time in my life).  This year I wanted to finish the rereads (Mansfield Park, Emma, Lady Susan, Sandition) and branch out into some Jane Austen-esque or inspired books.  Anyone else planning on having a Jane Austen year?

My TBR List:

1. Mansfield Park (with movies) by Jane Austen
2. Emma (with movies) by Jane Austen
3. Sandition by Jane Austen
4. Lady Susan by Jane Austen
5. The Watsons by Jane Austen
6. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
7. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
8. Jane Austen and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron
9. something by Amanda Grange (Diaries series)
10. another Grange or Heyer

2013 Romance Reading Challenge

Hosted at The Bookworm:

1. The challenge runs from January 1st, 2013 through December 31st, 2013.

2. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

3. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time.  Crossovers between other challenges are fine.  All kinds of books count, ebooks and audiobooks too.

4. Read your book selections at your own pace in 2012 then post the link to your review(s). You don't need to have a blog, posting your reviews on Goodreads and LibraryThing counts as well.

This year, I am hosting two giveaways for those who participate. One winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentines Day. The other winner will be announced on June 1st.The giveaway prize is: A $15.00 U.S. Amazon Gift E-Cardor a  $15.00 U.S.Barnes & Noble Gift E-Card.To enter to win:1. Sign up for the Romance Reading Challenge 2013. 2. You have to have a minimum of one book read and reviewed for the challenge. Everyone who joins the RRC this year and has at least one book read and reviewed for the challenge will be eligible to win a gift card. Each book read and reviewed for the RRC gives you one entry. So the more books you read and review, the more times your name will go in the draw. I'll use Mr. Linky to keep track of books reviewed so make sure to link your reviews there.3. Leave me a comment on this post with your valid email addy. Let me know which gift e-card you prefer.4. I will announce the winning name at my blog on the two dates I mentioned. I will also notify the winner via email. If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours, the first runner up will be chosen.

Good luck and happy reading! Contest is open worldwide.

My TBR List:

• The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
• The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
• Wedding of the Century
• Lessons in French by Lauren Kinsale
• TBD

2013 Neil Gaiman Reading Challenge

I really fell in love with Neil Gaiman's writing last year when I finally picked up his Sandman series.  I had read Coraline and Stardust in the past, but somehow the comic series really grabbed my attention and refused to let go. So I decided that 2013 will be the year of Gaiman.  I want to read a good chunk of his catalog.  Specifically I want to finish The Sandman series.  Anyone else love Gaiman?  Join me! I won't be doing any review link ups or giveaways, but I'm just going to enjoy reading the books....

My TBR List:

1. Neverwhere
2. Good Omens
3. Coraline
4. Smoke and Mirror
5. The Sandman Vol. 6
6. The Sandman Vol. 7
7. The Sandman Vol. 8
8. The Sandman Vol. 9
9. The Sandman Vol. 10
10. The Graveyard Book
11. Anansi Boys

2013 Back to the Classics Reading Challenge

I am making a few small changes this year, including requiring less categories to complete.  Wait, did I say*requiring*?  Yes, I did.  This year will feature 6 required  categories that all participants must complete.  Then, I will have additional categories that those super-motivated participants can choose to complete if they'd like. All reviews must be linked on the appropriate pages again, and those will be listed on the left hand side of this page.  When you've finished, you will also need to link a wrap-up post.  Everyone who completes the 6 required categories and the wrap up post will be entered to win a $30US Amazon.com gift card or choice of book(s) from The Book Depository.  Any one who completes 3 categories from the optional list will earn one additional entry into the prize drawing.  Any one who completes all 5 categories from the optional list will earn two additional entries into the prize drawing.

• All books must be read in 2013.  Books started prior to January 1, 2013 are not eligible.  Reviews must be linked by December 31, 2013.
• E-books and audio books are eligible!  Books can count for other challenges you may be working on.
• If you do not have a blog, you may link your review from Goodreads or other publicly accessible online format.
• Please sign up for the challenge using the linky below BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2013. Please link to your sign-up announcement post (if possible/applicable)
• You do not have to list your books prior to starting the challenge, but it is more fun that way :)  You can always change your list at any time.  You can read the books in any order (including mixing in the optional categories at any time)
• You can decide to attempt the optional categories at any point (you can also bow out of the optional categories at any point as well).
• Please identify the categories you've read in your wrap up post so that I may easily add up your entries for the prize drawing!

The Required Categories:

1. A 19th Century Classic
2. A 20th Century Classic
3. A Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic
4. A Classic that relates to the African-American Experience - This can be an African-American author, or a book relating to slavery, civil rights, or African-American culture.
5. A Classic Adventure
6. A Classic that prominently features an Animal - This can feature animal characters or animals in the title (real or imagined)

Optional Categories:

    A.  Re-read a Classic

   B.  A Russian Classic

   C.  A Classic Non-Fiction title

   D.  A Classic Children's/Young Adult title

   E.  Classic Short Stories - collection must include at least 3 short stories by the same author, or at least 3 stories collected together by genre, time period, etc.

I'm doing this one again this year.  And I hope to add some of the optional categories into my reading.  I haven't chosen my books yet, but I'm sure they will be coming out of my TBR boxes.

2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

From Historical Tapestry:

We are excited to announce that the we will again be hosting the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge in 2013, and we hope that you are all excited at the prospect of joining in.The challenge will run in the same way as it has over the last couple of years that we have hosted the challenge. The only thing that has changed is the names of the categories.

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

• everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)
• add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)
• any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

20th century reader - 2 booksVictorian reader - 5 booksRenaissance Reader - 10 booksMedieval - 15 booksAncient History -25+ books

You can tailor the challenge to suit you in whichever way you like! For example, I know of one participant who over the last couple of years has only read historical mysteries as it suits their own reading tastes!

The challenge runs from 1 January to 31 December 2013.

With all my other challenges this year, I am only going for the Victorian Reader level of 5 books.

My TBR List:

1. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
2. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
3. The Rossetti Letter by Christie Philips
4. The Devlin Diary by Christie Philips
5. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2013 Telling Tales Reading Challenge

From An Armchair by the Sea:

Here are the rules:

• The challenge runs from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2013. You can sign up at any point throughout the year.
• Again, any genre counts as long as it is in some way related to fairytale and/or mythology. Once again, if you are unsure, as long as you can make an argument for its' inclusion, it counts!
• Re-reads count, and you are more than welcome to overlap books with other challenges.
• Please leave me your email address in the comments if you want to participate (I promise not to harrass you, it's just so that people get a reminder every now and again about the monthly link ups, and also so I can contact you for competitions etc).
• Please link up your reviews every month in the posts which will go up on this blog.
• In your sign up post, please indicate the level you aim to complete. You are entirely welcome to change this as the year progresses. You can make your lists beforehand, or as you go. Whichever you prefer!
• When you sign up, please leave the link to your sign up post, rather than just to your blog in general.
• You don't have to have a blog to participate - you can review on Goodreads, Amazon, wherever, just let me know where you will be reviewing!

The levels are as follows:

Pixie - read 2 books

Troll under the Bridge - read 5 books

Princess - read 10 books

Prince Charming - read 15 books

Evil Queen - read 20 books

Dragon - read 30 books

King/Queen of the Silver Screen - read any number of books and watch the film adaptations.

As last year was a struggle, I'm going for the Troll Under the Bridge level of 5 books.  Here's my TBR list:

1. Lost by Gregory Maguire
2. Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire
3. TBD
4. TBD
5. TBD

2013 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Challenge Rules:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013.  I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
2. Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on  Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
3. Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts.  They may be fiction or non-fiction.  However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
4. Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
5. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
6. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
7. When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.
8. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
9. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
10. Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate:  Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden:  Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother:  Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone:  Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

The Prize:

Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository!

Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level  will be given one entry for every review they link up.  The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest!  An additional entry will be given to any who complete or exceed their challenge level! Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2014 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews.

I'm going for the Initiate Level of 5 books.

My TBR List:

1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
2. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
3. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
4. TBD
5. TBD

2013 Dystopia Reading Challenge

From Blog of Erised:

Love Dystopian books? Then this is just the right thing for you! If you're as big of a fan as I am of post-apocalyptic dystopia books (and even if your are not) you are welcome to join the challenge!

We will try to read 24 Dystopian books in 2013 as the challenge goal, which means 2 per month, if you would like to read them monthly. You can of course make your own schedule. 2 per month is plenty because it still gives you time to explore and love books from other genres.

At the end of the year there will also be a giveaway with great prizes!

Rules

> The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Each month will have its own link form so you will be able to share your book reviews. You do not have to review the books you read to participate, but only those who read/reviewed at least one dystopian book will be able to participate in the giveaway (you can track your reading without the reviews with Goodreads, Shelfari etc.).

> Books that count in this challenge must include any form of post-apocalyptic theme (book sites like Goodreads are good sources of genre information). The books must be full-length.

> All formats allowed.

> Rereads allowed.

> It does not matter whether it's a series or a stand-alone book.

> If you are participating, grab the challenge button from below and post it on you blog. You can also make a post with the header (the code is also below). Please include the link back to this post so others will be able to participate as well.

> If you will participate, put the sign-up link to your blog post (about the challenge) or blog (for the button) directly into the linky below. Sign-ups will be open until December 20, 2013.

> You do not have to list your books in advance, go and do as you please. Read as many as you want (you can read more than 24!) and whenever you want, as long as you have fun!

> Info about the giveaway will be available in December 2013.

Levels

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)

Level 2: Rebel (7 to 12 books)

Level 3: Revolutionist (13 to 18 books)

Level 4: Leader (19+ books)

Each time you reach a new level, you will receive a badge.

I am going to start with the Recruit level of 6 books.  This may be increased as the year goes on.  My tentative TBR list:

1. TBD
2. TBD
3. TBD
4. TBD
5. TBD
6. TBD

T4MC Part 11 -- Starting Line

5 Point Challenges

Read a book with a famous painting on the cover

Read a book with a man and woman on the cover

Read a book by a new to you author

Read a book that you’ve read before

Read a book whose author name begins with J (First or last)

10 Point Challenges

Read a book that’s a collection of short stories

Read a book about family

Read a book currently on the NYT Bestsellers list

Read the first book in a series

Read a book whose author name starts with F (first or last)

15 Point Challenges

Read a bio/auto bio/memoir

Read a book with a first and last name in the title

Read a historical mystery

Read a book by a female author

Read a book whose author name begins with M (first or last)

20 Point Challenges

Read a cult classic (Helpful link)

Read a book no longer under copyright

Read a fantasy/scifi/steampunk

Read a book you got for Christmas

Read a book whose author begins with A (first or last)

I've been wanting to try one of these, but I always miss the start dates.  I finally looked ahead and got involved.  Tentative TBR:

• Read a book with a famous painting on the cover --
• Read a book with a man and woman on the cover --
• Read a book by a new to you author -- The Read by Bernhard Schlink
• Read a book that you’ve read before -- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• Read a book whose author name begins with J (First or last) -- Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
• Read a book that’s a collection of short stories -- Stories of Hans Christian Anderson
• Read a book about family --
• Read a book currently on the NYT Bestsellers list --
• Read the first book in a series -- Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
• Read a book whose author name starts with F (first or last) --
• Read a bio/auto bio/memoir -- The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge
• Read a book with a first and last name in the title --
• Read a historical mystery -- A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock
• Read a book by a female author -- Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi
• Read a book whose author name begins with M (first or last) -- Wanted by Mark Millar
• Read a cult classic --  Locke and Key Vol. 1 Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill
• Read a book no longer under copyright -- Persuasion by Jane Austen
• Read a fantasy/scifi/steampunk -- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
• Read a book you got for Christmas --
• Read a book whose author begins with A (first or last) -- Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge

From Megan Like Books:

Welcome to the 2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge hosted by Megan Likes Books and Auntie Spinelli Reads! There are so many awesome sub-genres of paranormal books, that it's easy to find one you like and stick with it. So that's why I decided to make a reading challenge with the goal of reading about all kinds of paranormal creatures.The goal is to read one book featuring each of the following paranormal creatures:

1. Vampires
2. Werewolves/Shifters
3. Fey
4. Angels/Nephilim
5. Mermaids
6. Dragons
7. Zombies
8. Demons
9. Witches/Wizards
10. Ghosts
11. Aliens
12. Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)

Guidelines: 1. This challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. 2. You must have a blog to able to participate, since reviews must be added to the linky. 3. When you sign up with the linky, please put the link to your post about joining the Paranormal Reading Challenge. 4. You're welcome to list your books beforehand or just add as you go. 5. Sign-ups are open until December 1, 2013 6. At the beginning of each month, I will post a kick-start post, each month featuring a different category of paranormal creature. This post will also include a linky to include your reviews from that month. 7. Each review you link will qualify you for an entry into the monthy giveaway and if your review includes the feature paranormal creature of that month, you get a bonus entry. 8. Each book can only count for one category, even if it contains more than one paranormal creature. For example, Twilight contains both vampires and werewolves, but you can't use it for both the vampires and werewolves/shifters categories. 9. Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a grand prize giveaway at the end of the year. 10. If you read multiple books from one category, feel free to add them to the linkies. Don't stop at just one! 11. Book can count for other challenges.

I thought it would be nice to have a variety of paranormal books to read this year.  Here's my tentative TBR list:

1. Vampires -- Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
2. Werewolves/Shifters
3. Fey -- Switched by Amanda Hocking
4. Angels/Nephilim
5. Mermaids
6. Dragons
7. Zombies
8. Demons
9. Witches/Wizards -- Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
10. Ghosts
11. Aliens
12. Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.) -- Ill Wind by Rachel Caine