Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Challenges that Broke Atlas' Back


So this is the last installment of reading challenges.

E-book Challenge

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Pretty self-explanatory, I have a kindle, and now prefer to do as much of my reading on that than a DT book, so I figure I can manage Memory stick - 50 ebooks


Classic Double Challenge

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From the site: "read one older book (classic) and a newer book that relates to the older one in some way."  I will sign up for the Medium: You read 4 books (2 sets of related books).  I plan to read a few classic books, and I will likely read at least one Jane Austen book, and I will hopefully find some modern books that will tie in somehow with the originals. I expect to do so easily with Jane Austen, for I have several Austenesque books waiting to be read.

What's in a Name challenge

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Hosted by Beth Fish Reads

Read one book in each of the following categories:
  • A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
  • A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
  • A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
  • A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
  • A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
  • A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking


I thought that this would be a fun challenge to try to do. I will probably read Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergen, Northanger Abbey or Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, and Farthing by Jo Walton.

European Reading Challenge

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Hosted by 

From the site: "The idea is to read books by European authors or books set in European countries (no matter where the author comes from). The books can be anything – novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, or any other genre. You can participate at different levels, but each book must be by a different author and set in a different country – it's supposed to be a tour."

Alas, the UK counts as one. I know I will probably read several books set in England and Scotland, and I'll be reading the Phantom of the Opera, so France will be taken care of. Part of Dracula is set in Romania, Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergen is set in Italy, and Cornelia Funke has written a few books I've not caught up on, so that would be Germany. I would also have to look to see if Eoin Colfer is a citizen of which part of Ireland to see if he would count too, or where his protagonist, Artemis Fowl, lives.  So I think I could manage at least Five Star (Deluxe Entourage): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.

The Dusty Bookshelf Challenge

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Hosted by Books: A True Story

Like the other challenges of this type, read through the books you've had for awhile on your shelf. I decided to go for the highest level Grungy – Read 20+ books

Double Crossing by Meg Mims- a few months
The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier- a few months
Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles- a few months
Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair- a few months
A Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell- a few months
Miserere by Teresa Frohock- 6 months
Twixt Two Equal Armies by Gail McEwen- a few months
Cryoburn by Lois Bujold McMaster- 1 year
The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green- 1 year
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie- 1 year

Award-Winning-Books Reading Challenge

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"We are not restricting this to children’s and YA book awards. We also welcome entries on adult literature such as books that won the Man Booker Prize, Man Asian Literary Prize, the Pulitzer, and other recognition of exceptionality in literary works. This is also not restricted to international awards, local/regional award giving bodies would likewise be honored."

I have no idea how many of the books I've been planning to read, or will read, have received awards. I generally find that the speculative fiction award-winners are books that I am more likely to read than the Man Booker winner, or other heady ones, for they're rarely my bag. However, I am willing to nose around and see if there are any interesting books from the various award winners. Ergo, I will be aiming for Level 1 (10 books or less) – Bronze Medal.  I will be reading a Spirit Ring by Lois Bujold McMaster and Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany, and I beleive both won a Hugo. Connie Willis will be releasing a new book which might well win another Hugo for her! I'll try to find other genres though. I know there are a few in mystery, and I think I've read one or two of their winners in the past.

Get Steampunked!

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Hosted by The Bookish Ardour

Basically read books that are steam punk. I enjoy reading books in that genre, so I think I will try to do Geared – Choose 5 books to readI know that I will read Timeless by Gail Carriger. I also have been wanting to read Cherie Priest, and the latest from Scott Westerfeld.

I had to laugh when I discovered the next challenge.
Reading Challenge Addict

Reading Challenge Addict

So, yeah, a challenge for reading challenge addicts. So far I have decided to participate in a mind boggling 22 challenges, and I doubt that I will finish them all, but I will make a stand and say that I will make it to this level: In Flight: 11-15 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
I know there are several other challenges knocking around, and maybe I'll even wind up entering those later one, but these are the ones that I will commit to today.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

More Reading Challenges

 So the next batch of reading challenges in which I shall overextend myself are:

Mystery & Suspense Challenge
Hosted by Book Chick City


This has become one of my favorite genres, so I think I will be able to make 24 books easily.  Some of the books I plan to read are:

The Devil's Game by S.L. Pierce
There Must Be Murder by Margaret C. Sullivan
Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourne
Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer
The Wheel Spins by Ethel White (The basis for the movies The Lady Vanishes)
Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Doors Open by Ian Rankin


Immortal Reading Challenge

 
Hosted by Under the Covers

Vampires, angels, demons, werewolves and fae. If you can’t pick a favourite, then that’s okay!

At UTC, we love them all! So let’s celebrate our love for all things immortal with 2012’s Immortal Reading Challenge.

Here’s the rundown:
1. The Immortals Reading Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime from now and throughout the year. This is a 2012 challenge, so books read before January 1 will not count to your progress.  
2. You pick your goal! Read as many books as you’d like for each species. This means that you can do just one category or all five or a combination of. The choice depends on you and your reading pace.
*We have chosen to have a three book per species standard. However, if this is a breeze for you, then feel free to tackle on the additional bonus entries of two more books of the same level.
3. Re-reads are acceptable.
4. Books chosen can be of any genre.
5. To participate, copy and paste this post on your blog along with the challenge button. We ask that you provide a link back to the sign-up page in case others wish to participate.
6. Readers without blogs can still participate! Keep track of your progress with Goodreads, Shelfari or LibraryThing.

To sign up:

1.  Make a sign up post announcement, listing the level you've chosen and a list of books you plan to read.  If you don't have a blog, post on GoodReads or another site as a thread where we can access your list of books.  Be sure to take the image code above.

2.  Come back here and using the list below, add your entry with a link directly to that post so we can see what you'll be reading.

You're done!  Every month during 2012 we will make a challenge update post where you can come and updates us on how you're doing with your challenge.

Category 1: Vampires
Some ideas for Vampire books
Read any THREE books with vampires as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with vampires

Category 2: Angels and Demons
Some ideas for Angels and Demons books
Read any THREE books with angels and/or demons as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with angels and/or demons

Category 3: Fae
Some ideas for Fae books
Read any THREE books with Fae as the main characters
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on Fae.

Category 4: Shifters/Werewolves
Some ideas for Shifter books
Read any THREE books with shifters or werewolves as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on shifters or werewolves.

Happy Reading Maidens!

Well, I know I will be reading books that feature paranormal creatures, so I figure I can easily complete the vampire, and maybe werewolf category. I'm not so sure about angels/demons and fae, but I'll have a go.

Vamps:
Whatever Charlaine Harris and Rachel Caine publishes this year.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Timeless by Gail Carriger

Shifters:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Without Mercy (Mystic Wolves) by Belinda Boring
Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Angels:
???

Fae:
???


Free Reads Challenge

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Hosted by Bookish Ardour

This is a challenge that is all about the free books- those that were won, found, or given, which include ARCs (Advanced Reader's Copy). I think I can do Bargain – Choose 30 books to read.  I've won quite a few giveaways and participated in the Indie Book Collective's giveaways, so I have quite the literal and figurative piles of books from these sources.

Antique Charming by Natalie-Nicole Bates
The Trouble with Spells by Lacey Weatherford
Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott
Without Mercy by Belinda Boring
Caressed by Moonlight by Amanda J. Greene
Parallel by Claudia Lefeve
Evil Within: A Horror Anthology by Amber Scott, Cristyn West, Kelli McCracken, Matt Posner, Patricia McCallum, and Elena Gray
Gifts of the Blood by Vicki Kiere
Toonopolis by Jeremy Rodden
Double Crossing by Meg Mims
The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier
Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles
Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair
A Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell
The Sorcerer's Songs by Kiki Howell
The Relic Master by Catherine Fisher
Moon Burning by Lucy Monroe
Lethal by Sandra Brown
West by West by Jerry West
Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz
A Millions Suns by Beth Revis
Across the Universe by by Beth Revis
Miserere by Teresa Frohock
Twixt Two Equal Armies by Gail McEwen
Jane Made Me Do It by Laurel Natress
The Red Gate by Richard Sutton
The Nightmare by Nancy Means Wright



Mount TBR Challenge

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Basically work through all the books you've had sitting around and finally read them! I am aiming for Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile but I am hoping to do more than that!  Most of the books that I listed for the Free Reads definitely apply to this challenge as well, but here are a few others I hope to tackle this year.

Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
The Wild Machines by Mary Gentle
Doors Open by Ian Rankin
Assasination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
City of Lights by Lauren Belfer
Dancing with Mr. Darcy by Sarah Waters

Dragonfly in the Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Vintage Mystery

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"This year it's all about Vintage Themes. In order to participate, you will need to choose at least one Vintage Theme listed below (minimum 8 book commitment)...  All books must have been written before 1960 and be from the mystery category..."

1. Colorful Crime: 8 books with colors in the title
2. Murder by the Numbers: 8 books with a number in the title
3. Occupational Hazards: 8 books with a "detective" who is not a P.I.; Police Officer; Official Investigator (Nurse Keate, Father Brown, Miss Marple, etc.)
4. Perilous Policemen: 8 books with a policeman as the primary investigator
5. Lethal Locations: 8 books that are all about place (for instance: country houses, hospitals, schools or even particular cities/countries)
6. Dangerous Beasts: 8 books with an animal in the title (The Bat; The Canary Murder Case; etc.)
7. Deadly Decades: 8 books, one from each time period plus one of your choice (Pre-1900s; 1900-09; 1910-19; 1920-1929; 1930-1939; 1940-1949; 1950-59)
8. Golden Age Girls: 8 books by female authors OR 8 books with female detectives
9. Cherchez le Homme: 8 books by male authors OR 8 books with male detectives
10. Murderous Miscellany: Choose your own theme. Get creative--surprise us! The only stipulation is that the theme cannot be reading books by a single author.


There are several themes, but one I think I can do is "Golden Age Girls: 8 books by female authors OR 8 books with female detectives" I plan to read Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, and Georgette Heyer. I think I have some Louisa May Alcott hanging around too. And whilst reading and collecting potential books, I'll keep an eye on the other themes too.

Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer- 1932
The Wheel Spins by Ethel White (The basis for the movies The Lady Vanishes)
Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie


Sci-Fi: Not Just For Stormtroopers

 

This challenge asks that you read at least one sci-fi book a month, and I bet I could manage that! I have a few books by Lois Bujold McMaster to read, a new S.M. Stirling book, and Dhalgren by Samuel L. Delany I've been wanting to read.


Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge



"Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction."

I think I will try for the Initiate: Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books level. I don't have any books other than the Cast Off Coven and The Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz in mind.


Back To The Classics Challenge
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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 language - 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.

Jane Austen will fit in two or three categories (19th, reread, romance), I'll be reading at least one Sherlock Holmes, or Agatha Christie book, so mystery will work. Not sure what i will do exactly with romance, if Austen isn't really considered part of that. The Phantom of the Opera was probably originally written in French, and I'll have to think about a book set in a country I'm not likely to visit.... Maybe Romania in Dracula? I would like to visit it, but it's pretty low on my list.

There are still more challenges I wish to go for, but for now, I'm done!

Throwing the Gauntlet: A Modest Number of Challenges

So, I'm participating in a crap-load of challenges.  I've decided to list them all in three separate posts. The lucky first few challenges are:


2012 Science Fiction Reader Challenge 

My parents were die-hard science fiction and fantasy readers, and so I read quite a lot of it growing up, so this challenge is a great way of continuing that habit.

  YA/MG Science Fiction title
 Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Adult Science Fiction title
 To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
 Blood Music by Greg Bear

  Hugo Winner
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
 To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
 Blood Music by Greg Bear
Spirit Ring by Lois Bujold McMaster

Science Fiction Classic - Pre-1950s
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide by Robert Louis Stevenson

Science Fiction Modern Classic - 1951-1992
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany

Steampunk Timeless by Gail Carriger

Robots/Cyborgs/Androids ???

Spaceships/Aliens Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold

Time Travel/Alternate History/Parallel Universe
Dragonfly in the Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Kindred by Octavia Butler

Apocalyptic/Dystopia/Utopia
the latest S.M. Stirling book

Cyberpunk
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Mad Scientists/Genetic Testing/Environmental Disaster
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells



Death by Gaslight Reading Challenge


I love mysteries, and lately I've been digging Victorian era mysteries. From the site:
"the goal is to read mysteries set in or written during the Victorian and Edwardian eras (1837 - 1910). I'll probably be reading mysteries set in England... but any location is acceptable, as long as the time frame fits. No more than 3 titles can be from the same series"

I think I can do at least the level of Burke and Hare, Body Snatchers: 15 books with the help of Anne Perry, Tasha Goodrich, Deanna Raybourn, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and maybe some Wilkie Collins. I'll have to check if Georgette Heyer's mysteries were set in Edwardian times, but I suspect they're probably more likely to be 1930s and '40s

 I think I might also do the special challenges.
 The Great Detective: Read 5 (or more) books featuring Sherlock Holmes, at least one of which must be an original story by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Arsenic and Air Ships: Read 5 (or more) books which are steampunk mysteries. I'm not sure where I will get the steampunk books, though I will definitely be reading Timeless by Gail Carriger, which tends to have elements of both steampunk and mysteries, among other genres.


Historical Romance Reading Challenge



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 From the site:
"The challenge is to read 12 Historical Romance novels in a year. Each month you will post your review using the linky tool in that months post. Your book can be a paranormal, fantasy, erotica etc. as long as it takes place in history and is a romance novel."

I've been reading a lot of historical romances lately, so I will probably do just fine. I will likely read a few Georgette Heyer books, for they have been piling up on my TBR list. Ashley March, Shana Galen, and Stephanie Laurens are all also on my list. As are Of Noble Birth by Brenda Novak  and Eulogy's Secret by Grace Elliot.

Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge



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Hosted by The Unread Reader

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

I have sooooo many free books on my kindle, but I haven't read too many of them really, so this is a great challenge to spur me to do it. I am aspiring to the Coupon Clipper: 12 Books level. These are some of the books I plan to read and I believe that they were all free downloads:

Give Me, A Fairy Tale by L.K. Rigel
Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan Bright
Young Things by Anna Godbersen
The Devil's Game by S.L. Pierce
Mayne Attraction by Ann Mauren
Waterfall: A Novel by Lisa T. Bergren
Providence by Jamie McGuire and Ginger Hunter
 There Must Be Murder by Margaret C. Sullivan
Six Moon Summer by S.M. Reine
Of Noble Birth by Brenda Novak
Eulogy's Secret by Grace Elliot
Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark
A Clockwork Fairy Tale by Helen Scott Taylor
Raven by Suzy Turner


The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge

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Hosted by Book'd Out

"The aim of The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge is to push you a little outside your comfort zone by reading up to 12 books during the year from 12 different genres." To be honest, I seem to read a fairly wide range of books, though it is a stretch for me to come up with any horror or literary fiction that I've read (outside of Jane Austen related books it seems), and I rarely read non-fiction other than knit and food related books.

Genres Literary Fiction-
Crime/Mystery Fiction- Doors Open by Ian Rankin
Romantic Fiction- Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen
Historical Fiction- Waterfall: A Novel by Lisa T. Bergren
Young Adult- Hourglass by Myra McIntyre
Fantasy- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Science Fiction- Cryoburn by Lois Bujold McMaster
Non Fiction- The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
Horror- Thriller /Suspense- The Devil's Game by S.L. Pierce
Classic- The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Your favourite genre- Speculative Fiction


Good god, just one more and I'm calling it quits for a day or two.

TBR Pile Reading Challenge



Hosted by Evie from Bookish - @SeoEvie
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading @caitlingss
From the site: "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 2011 and earlier! NO ARCs and 2012 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!"

 I will try for 21-30 - A Sweet Kiss. Most of the books from the Why Buy The Cow challenge will overlap this one, but here are a few others that are on my list:

Cryoburn by Lois Bujold McMaster
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Dragonfly in the Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
The Wild Machines by Mary Gentle
Doors Open by Ian Rankin
Assasination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
City of Lights by Lauren Belfer
Dancing with Mr. Darcy by Sarah Waters

Tuesday, January 10, 2012


As part of a resolution for the new year, I decided that I wanted to start reviewing the books that I have read, in part because I want to leave reviews on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles to add my voice to the clamor pointing at this book or that because I loved them and want others to read them as well.  Or I thought they were not that great and perhaps a tad over-hyped.  I also want to improve my ability to think and write about books beyond the basic “I liked it” or “I thought it sucked” and a bonus is that I should improve my writing abilities.
A facet of my resolution is to get involved in all these reading challenges that I saw all over the blogosphere.  I like the idea of challenges because I do often get into reading funks, when I can’t decide what I want to read next but whatever it is, it’s most certainly not the 700 books in my kindle, or the 200 or more sitting around in the house.  I think reading challenges will help me avoid that, and also help me from disappearing down a genre rabbit hole.  The last few months I had largely been reading a lot of historical romances- nothing inherently wrong with that, but it’s seemingly addictive, and it feels so long since I’ve read a proper sci-fi or mystery novel!  At any rate, challenges should help me keep a little balance and variety in my readerly life.
So I plan to join a few challenges, well,  much more than a few because I keep finding more and interesting ones, and since most allows overlap... and well, I know I'm biting off more than I can chew.  I'll be posting the ones in which I plan to participate.