2010 Ireland Challenge

OK, I know I said I was done with reading challenges, but for some reason, I'm addicted.

BethFishReads turned me onto this challenge, even though I have been resisting it for some time.  I'm also going to sign up for: Shamrock level: 2 books.

The first of my two books will be reviewed next week.  See how easy that was to get 50 percent done?

What's stopping you from joining?  There are prizes...and we know how everyone loves those.

Check out the challenge information by clicking on the challenge button!

Reagan Arthur Book Perpetual Challenge

I wholeheartedly point the finger at Kathy from Bermudaonion for convincing me to join yet another challenge.  Yup, we were chatting during That's How I Blog, and here I am today, joining another challenge.

The best part of this challenge is that there are no deadlines or minimums to meet!  I just have to read books with the Reagan Arthur imprint!

Reading can be print or e-books and audio!  Don't you just love flexibility.  I know I do.

Here are some of the books I plan on reading for the challenge:

1.  The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris
2.  Black Hills by Dan Simmons
3.  Still Midnight by Denise Mina

What books will you be reading for the challenge?

FTC Disclosure:  Clicking on title links will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page, no purchase necessary.

2010 Vampire Series Challenge

I know. . . I said I wasn't signing up for any more challenges, and then I went ahead and signed up for another poetry reading challenge. . . and then I found a Vampire Series Challenge!  How could I resist?

I'm waffling between option #3 and #4.  For now, I'm going to shoot for option #3 to read any 6 books from a series in which vampires are main characters.

Challenge runs from January 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2010.

Here's the other options, if you are interested:

Level One: Vampire Newbie ~ read Book 1 of three (3) different vampire series (for a list of series’ featuring vampires, see my All In Order blog, or check out Kathrin’s list here –but note that some of the ones she mentions may not be series books). So, for example, you could read: “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer (book 1 in the “Twilight” series), “Evermore” by Alyson Noel (book 1 of the “Immortals” series), and “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare (book 1 of the “Mortal Instruments” series). NO re-reads allowed for this level, as you’re supposed to be introducing yourself to new vampire series.


Level Two: Vampire Addict ~ Choose either to: reread 2 vampire series books you’ve already read; OR read 2 more books from a vampire series that you’ve already started reading. For example: if you’ve already read books 1 & 2 of the “Twilight” series, now go and read books 3 & 4. OR, if you’ve already read the whole “House of Night” series by P.C. Cast, go back and read 2 of the books from that series.

Level Three: Vampire Enthusiast ~ Read 6 books from any series featuring vampires as key/main characters. This can be a mix of different series, or you can read all 6 books from one series, or whatever.

Level Four: Vampire Lover ~ If you’re really feeling crazy about vampires, this is the level for you! Read 3 full series featuring vampires as key/main characters. Example: The whole “House of Night” series, the whole “Twilight” series, the whole “Vampire Academy” series, or whatever. Totally up to you. And, I don’t care if you’re re-reading them. So long as you read the whole series.

Go to the Mr. Linky to sign up! You know you want to.

Clover, Bee & Reverie: A Poetry Challenge

Regular Rumination is hosting another poetry reading challenge, Clover, Bee & Reverie: A Poetry Challenge, which will run between now and the end of the year.  Additionally, participants are not restricted by time period and can read any poetry from Emily Dickinson to more contemporary poetry from the likes of John Amen.

What will I be reading?  Not sure yet, but I do have 3-4 must-read contemporary collections in mind for this challenge.  You'll just have to wait and see what else I come with as time goes on.

1.  The Wrong Miracle by Liz Gallagher
2.  The Guilt Gene by Diana Raab
3.  Your Ten Favorite Words by Reb Livingston, which will be the book club selection for my stint on Linus's Blanket's That's How I Blog! on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. I hope you will join us.
4.  Questions of Fire by Gregg Mosson

Consider joining in the fun, expanding your poetry reading horizons!

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title links or images will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page; No purchase necessary.

Jane Austen Challenge 2010

The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object is hosting the Jane Austen Challenge 2010!  And you knew I would join, didn't you?

Here are the reading levels to help you choose:

• Newbie 2 books by J. Austen, 2 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors) 
• Lover 4 books by J. Austen, 4 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors) 
• Fanatic 6+ books by J. Austen, 5+ re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)

The challenge runs from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010.  You can change your reading level during the challenge, any book format counts, and books can overlap with other challenges.

OK, so I guess you are interested in what level I'm signing up for . . . Yes, I am crazy about Jane and the other contemporary versions.  These books could change as well.

I'm a Fanatic

Here are my 6 Jane Austen books:

1. Persuasion by Jane Austen
2. Lady Susan by Jane Austen
3. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
5. Love & Friendship by Jane Austen or Sandition by Jane Austen
   
6. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen or Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Here are my 5+ Spinoff, rewrites, etc.:

1. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy:  The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds
2. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
3. Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters
4. Impulse & Initiative by Abigail Reynolds
5. According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
   

What will you be reading for this challenge?

War Through the Generations Challenge 2010: Vietnam War

2010 is right around the corner.  Have you signed up for your reading challenges yet?  I know you've seen some of mine, which I posted over Thanksgiving break.  Take a look if you're interested.

But today isn't about any old reading challenge.  Today is my announcement unveiling the 2010 War Through the Generations Reading Challenge on the Vietnam War.

In 2009, Anna and I were surprised by the number of participants.  Many of you already have finished your goals.  Don't worry there are still prizes to be had.  So, congrats to you, and I hope you'll think about joining us for the new year.

Sign ups for the 2010 Vietnam War Reading Challenge are up NOW.  Click here to find out the various reading goal options.

Sign up officially using this Google Form link.  We'd love to have you.  The minimum is 5 books in 12 months, and you know you want to see your name on this list.

If you're not sure about joining because you haven't seen many or read many Vietnam War fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or other books, you're in luck!  We're compiling a list for you.  Check out the recommended reading.

Signups for this challenge are ongoing throughout 2010, so you have plenty of time to decide based on books you have lined up or come across on a whim.

For those who sign up, we have a bunch of buttons for you to use on your blog, but Vietnam War specific buttons are still in the works.  Keep your eyes on the War Through the Generations blog for other announcements.

The only things I have left to talk about are the fun group reading project we have planned this year with Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann, which we hope to have read and reviewed with everyone who participates midway through the challenge, and my own reading goals.

Ok, I guess I just did tell you about Paco's Story!

So here are my reading goals; I will read 11 or more books throughout 2010 in which the Vietnam War is a primary or secondary theme.

2009 and 2010 Challenges

I'm participating all weekend Nov. 27-29, 2009, in the Thankfully Reading Weekend as well.  Check out the details at the Book Blog Social Club.

It's that time again to start thinking about some reading challenges. Anna and I at War Through the Generations are working on the announcement post for the 2010 Viet Nam Reading Challenge.  I hope that you will all consider our challenge in the new year, since we had such a great time with the WWII Reading Challenge this year.

Ok, here are some of the challenges I'm planning on for 2010:

For the All About the Brontes Challenge, sponsored by Laura's Reviews, you just need to commit to reading, watching, or listening to between 3 and 6 Bronte items (books, movies, audiobooks, etc.) between January 2010 and June 30, 2010.

I'm going to strive to read/watch 3-5 items, and these are the three I've picked, though I could change my mind:

1.  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Book/Movie)
2.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Book/Movie)
3.  The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James (Book)
4.  Emily's Ghost: A Novel of the Bronte Sisters by Denise Giardina (Book)

Won't you join me?!

S. Krishna's Books is hosting the South Asian Author Challenge, which given the swath of South Asian Books I've seen and those I've read, I'm going to commit to reading 3 books that qualify between January 2010 and December 2010.

These are the 3 books I'm currently considering for this challenge: (Links are to S. Krishna's reviews)

1.  The Sari Shop Widow – Shobhan Bantwal 
2.  Burnt Shadows – Kamila Shamsie
3.  The Enchantress of Florence – Salman Rushdie

Please check out her list of South Asian Authors' Books that qualify for the challenge and the breakdown of those authors by genre.  Won't you join the fun?!



Next up is a challenge that is likely to be tough to finish for me, but I'm going to sign up anyway because I love the genre.  Book Chick City is hosting the Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010.  The goal is to read 12 thriller/suspense books between January 2010 and December 2010.

I haven't preselected any books for this challenge.  I think I'm going to pick these twelve books as I go along.

I hope you'll consider this great challenge too.

Last, but not least.  I'm jumping on this bandwagon late, but Regular Rumination is hosting the Valparaiso Poetry Review of contemporary Poets and Poetics.  I'm going to dive into the deep end on this one, since I adore poetry.   This means I have to read between 11 and 15 books between May 16, 2009 and May 16, 2010.

I'm hoping that some of the poetry books I've read this year count for the challenge, which would be the following:  (Click on the links for my reviews).

1.  How to Read a Poem by Molly Peacock
2.  Becoming the Villainess by Jeannine Hall Gailey
3.  Green Bodies by Rosemary Winslow
4.  Apologies to an Apple by Maya Ganesan
5.  Carta Marina by Ann Fisher-Wirth
6.  More of Me Disappears by John Amen
7.  Fair Creatures of an Hour by Lynn Levin

If they don't, I have my work cut out for me.  I hope you'll consider adding some poetry to your reading!

Here are the guidelines from Literary Escapism:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. After reading your new author, write your review and then add your link to Mr. Linky. Make sure you include your name and the author.

5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome

I don't have a list ready for this challenge yet, but I think it will fill out throughout 2010 with all the challenges I've joined. I'm going to start with a small goal of 15 new-to-me authors.

What challenges are you joining?

FTC Disclosure:  Clicking on certain book titles will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate Page; No purchase necessary.

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge!

I know, I know, I said I only had time for one reading challenge this year--The War Through The Generations: WWII Challenge--BUT Beth Fish Reads is now hosting the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge.

What is a Sookie Stackhouse Challenge? Have you been living in a cave? I know I was last year, but I kept hearing great things about the HBO series TRUE BLOOD, and started watching this season, which just started. Well, this series is based upon---BOOKS---by Charlaine Harris about VAMPIRES. And this time, they're Southern! But don't forget the shapeshifters and the mind readers.

The challenge runs from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. You have to read the series from any starting point and post reviews of the books (I presume). I'll be starting from book 1 in the series, Dead Until Dark.

There already are prizes up for grabs and of course there will be Twitter conversations, use hashtag #SookieSRC. And of course, you have to sign up on Beth Fish Reads with Mr. Linky.

Why did I decide to join? Well, for two simple reasons. I needed a new vampire television show addiction, and once those start, I always read the books the shows are based upon. Simple, right? Ok, maybe I am a bit odd, but it makes these posts more interesting. Don't you think?

Don't forget my current giveaways:

2-year Blogiversary, here and here.