New Author Challenge - 2011

Yes, I know ... ANOTHER CHALLENGE! It really is some sort of disease I have that I have to keep signing myself up for challenges.

The New Author Challenge in the I love Reading Challenges book group on Shelfari hosted by Tenia:

Here are the details:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

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. For me, I’m trying another 50 new authors. If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop.
4. After reading your new author, Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
5. New Author Challenge 2010Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome

I will try for 20 -- here it goes:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Jan 09
2. Bankok 8 by John Burdett - Jan 16

3. Something wicked this way comes by Ray Bradbury - Feb 06

What's in a Name Challenge 2011

Another Challenge Hosted by Laurie W on Shelfari's I Love Reading Challenges Group
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What's in a Name 4: Information and Sign-Up
Welcome to the fourth 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, 2011, read one book in each of the following categories:

A book with a number in the title: First to Die, Seven Up, Thirteen Reasons Why
A book with jewelry or a gem in the title: Diamond Ruby, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Opal Deception
A book with a size in the title: Wide Sargasso Sea, Small Wars, Little Bee
A book with travel or movement in the title: Dead Witch Walking, Crawling with Zombies, Time Traveler's Wife
A book with evil in the title: Bad Marie, Fallen, Wicked Lovely
A book with a life stage in the title: No Country for Old Men, Brideshead Revisited, Bog Child

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

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.
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My Results:

A book with a number in the title: Bangkok 8 by John Burdett - Jan 09
A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:
A book with a size in the title:
A book with travel or movement in the title:
A book with evil in the title: Something Wicked this way Comes by Ray Bradbury - Feb 06
A book with a life stage in the title:

Pick a Year Challenge - 2011

I know I know, I can't stop joining challenges - it's a sickness really. So here's another!

From the PBT group on Shelfari the challenge is as follows:
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Pick any year you want and read one book per month (for a total of 12) from that year over the course of 2011.

Please use a single message (as well as replies to that message) to share your year choice, what books you think you might read, and what books you actually read.

Reviews should still be posted in our normal monthly review threads please. No need to post them here (unless you want to).

Some people have come up with creative modifications to this challenge. If you are using a modified version, please share your idea in your message.
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So, since I get a lot of ARCs for review and last year I was horrible at doing my duty to the publishers this year I am going to make up for it by choosing 2011.

I am not going to plan for this one, I'm just going to go with the flow on what I receive as Arcs.

0/12 so far:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

NO MORE BOOKS Challenge - 2011

This Challenge i hosted by Laurie W on the Shelfari I Love Reading Challenges group here.

The following is from Laurie W's post:

The rules:

1. You are not allowed to purchase any new books until your current TBR pile is gone. (These are physical books already in your house that you own.)

2. You may "swap" books with others.

3. You may borrow books from the library or friends.

4. Books read can be used in other challenges also.

5. You can borrow ebooks or download FREE ebooks.

6. You can use gift cards you already have to purchase books. We can't let them go to waste!

That's it! The challenge is to see who can get rid of their pile first or be the last one to purchase a book!

I'll be keeping a List updated here:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Jan 09 (Borrowed Nook Book)

2. Bangkok 8 by John Burdett - Jan 16 (Borrowed Nook Book)

3, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - Mar 04 (Borrowed Nook Book)

4. MockingJay by Suzanne Collins - Mar 05 (Borrowed Nook Book)

Bangkok 8 by John Burdett

Rating: 1/5 Stars

• Pub. Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Format: NOOKbook (eBook)
• Sonchai Jitpleecheep Series , #1
• ISBN: 1400040914

Sonchai Jitpleecheep is a cop in Bangkok, one of the few cops who don't take money or free sex from prostitutes. When is partner, Pichai, dies at a chrime scene with a dead farang (American) marine, the FBI gets involved. Out for revenge for Pichai's death, Sonchai tries to stay one step ahead of the FBI.

For me something was very off in this book, I think it was mostly the fact that there was so much information about sex and prostitutes in Bangkok's red light district that it seemed obsessive. There was a murder mystery intertwined with all the sex and prostitution stories but in the end it all came down to a very strange outcome that completely creeped me out and made me wish I could have the time I spent reading the book back. I want to say more but I don't want to give away plot details in case someone happens to want to read this book which I do not recommend.

This is the first book in the series and I can assure you that I will not read more. I see at Amazon there are many good reviews for this book so it's hit some kind of niche for some readers but not this one.

This book fits the following Challenges:

Hogwarts: Arithmancy

A-Z title : B for Bangkok

A-Z 2011 Challenge

Laurie W on Shelfari is hosting this challenge on the I Love Reading Challenges Shelfari Group here.

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

Here is the challenge in Laurie's words:

"How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you. "

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I've decided for some reason to do BOTH, mainly because I'm crazy and a gluten for punishment. I'm going to try to fill up the titles first and when a title doesn't fit then I'll move to Authors.

Titles:
A
B - Bangkok 8 by John Burdett - Jan 16
C - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - Mar 04
D
E
F
G
H - The HUNGER Games by Suzanne Collins - Jan 09
I
J
K
L
M - MockingJay by Suzanne Collins - Mar 05
N
O
P
Q
R
S - Something Wicked this way comes by Ray Bradbury
T
U
V
W

AUTHORS:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2011

I joined this challenge last year and it was a lot of fun so here I go again! Hosted by Bunnitas at Worth reading it?

Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2011

January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011

In the Hogwarts Reading Challenge you are a student of the school. You will be sorted into houses. Each book you read must fit in to the subject of one the classes. You do not have to read books that fit all the subjects. Each book equals one point (toward the house cup).

You must read at least 5 books (audio books counts) before you are enter in to the drawing. At the end of the Challenge one person will win a $15 Amazon Gift Card and one house will win the House Cup (purely a pride thing). (from the WorthReadingit? Blog)

Bunnitas will post all of the Mini Challenges in the next few days so that everyone can plan out their books in advance.

To be eligible to win prizes you must have a blog and sign up using Mr. Linky. Then start a Hogwarts Reading Challenge post and link it back to the original post. ****Update you can be eligible for prize if you become a member of I Love Reading Challenges on Shelfari and keep the list of the books you read for this challenge under the Hogwarts Challenge post there. You can also become a fan of the I Love Reading Challenges Facebook fan page and keep you list there as well.

Click here to go to the Sorting Hat. Please be honest. If there are too many in one particular house you may be place into another. So if the Sorting Hat places you in Sytherin you are Sytherin for duration of this challenge.

Click here to check your individual points and your house points.

Reading one of the 7 Harry Potter books earns you 25 house points. You can only read this books once during the challenge. 15 points for any other Harry Potter related book such as Tales of Beedle the Bard or A Parent's Guide to Harry Potter, again these books and only be read once during the challenge.

Have any questions leave them in a comment and I will get back to you. Have fun, good luck and Happy Reading!

****you can also find this challenge at my group I Love Reading Challenge on Shelfari

The Houses :

Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin

If you were a part of this challenge before you can stay in the house you were in or go to any house of your choosing just leave a comment letting me know what house you are in.

I am staying in Hufflepuff!

The Classes

Transfiguration - read any book that has trans or figure in its title, is about shape shifting, has a shape shifter in it, or is about anything having to do with changing one thing into another
Defence Against the Dark Arts - read any book that has defence(defense), dark and/or art(s) in its title, read any book that is about self defense, war, history of war/marital arts, murder mysteries

Charms - read any book that has charm in its title, any book that deals with gives something or someone a new aspect (for example the nerdy guy become a handsome doctor)

Potions - read any book that has potion in its title, cookbooks count but you must cook at least one recipe out of the book

Astronomy - read any book that has astronomy in its title, books about planets, stars, etc, sci-fi

History of Magic - read any book that has history or magic in its title, books about magic, witches, etc

Herbology - read any book that has herb in its title, again cookbooks count and again you must cook at least one recipe out of the book

Arithmancy - read any book that has arithmancy in its title, any book with a number in its title, any book that deal with numbers or math

Ancient Runes - read any book that has ancient or runes in its title, books about historical places like the pyramids, Stonehenge, great wall of china, or any book about symbols
Divination - read any book that has divine in its title, any book about psychics or psychic abilities, tarot reading etc

Care of Magical Creatures - read any book that has magical or creatures in its title, about supernatural beings

Muggle Studies - nearly any book works here, what better why to understand Muggle than to read what they read

How to list your books and keep track of points:

When you copy this post onto your blog just list the book you read for the challenge under the subject to which it fits. Please list books using numbered bullet points. This makes keeping track of points easier for me.

Example:

History of Magic - read any book that has history or magic in its title, books about magic, witches, etc
1. Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts 3/12/2010

My January Reads for this Challenge:

Transfiguration -

Defence Against the Dark Arts - Jan 1)The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 09 Jan

Mar 1) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 04 Mar

Mar 2) MockingJay by Suzanne Collins - 05 Mar

Charms -

Potions -

Astronomy -

History of Magic - Feb 1) Something Wicked this way comes by Ray Bradbury - 2/6

Herbology -

Arithmancy - Jan 2) Bangkok 8 by John Burdett - 16 Jan

Ancient Runes -

Divination -

Care of Magical Creatures -

Muggle Studies -

Long Book Challenge 2011

Over the next week or so I'll be posting about what challenges I've decided to join in on this year.

The first one is from the Play Book Tag group on Shelfari called: Long Book Challenge 2011.

The idea is to read 4000 total pages from books that are 600 pages or more this year.

Here is my plan :


The Passage by Justin Cronin (766 pages)


Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (656 pages)


Pillars of the Earth by : Ken Follett (973 pages)


The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (720 pages)


Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (756 pages)

That brings me to 3871 pages so I guess I'll pick the last one as I go. I'm sure another 600+ page book will jump out at me sometime during this year.

Has anyone read any of these? Any comments or suggestions for my last book choice? If so, Please comment below.

Watch my progress throughout the year on the left side of my blog.

1/3/11 - Updated to Add The Girl who Played with Fire by Steig Larson (630 Pages) bringing me a total of 4501!

Now lets do this! ;)

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

My Dear Readers!!! I have not posted in a long while and that thought really disappoints me. My Blog was one of my favorite things to do last year and when November hit, something happened to my blogging and my reading. I can't explain it but I can say I'm sorry! But it's a new year and with a new year brings a new chance at making it work. I will not dwell on the fact that I let a lot of things fall by the wayside at the end of last year, especially my reading. So here I am begging you for forgiveness for not posting in a while and I hope that with the coming year you'll stick with me and continue to read as you previously did.

January is the 1 year anniversary of my face to face book club (the WoWO's) and we will be reading the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. So look for that post somewhere around the 23rd of the month.



This is my first book read of the year and then I will move on to Bangkok 8 by John Burdett. The Hunger Games so far is amazing and I'm glad that it is my first of the year. We have some fun things planned for the WoWO Meeting this month and I can't wait to show all of you how it turns out.

I'm feeling very positive about this year and I know its going to be a great one! Lots of good book reads and discussions and hopefully a few more giveaways this year.

Oooh I almost forgot! I got a Nook for Christmas and I'm excited to tell you that I love love love it! Now I have to figure out what to do with the 300 books I have on my shelves! Besides reading the ones I really want to read I think I'll be donating a lot of them.

Thanks for hanging in there with me readers!