This past year I barely read half the amount of books I read the year before, and I don't expect to do much better this year. Still, I have caught challenge fever. I am limiting myself to five challenges. Five too many, I know. Call me crazy.
I am a series addict. I have started a gazillion series with every intention of reading more in each series only to get distracted by other books, sometimes other series. When I saw that Yvonne was hosting the Finishing the Series Challenge, I had to join in.
The challenge requires that all books be part of a series. The number of books a person has left to read in the series is open to the reader. The challenge will span over the course of 2012.
Yvonne offers three levels (Level 1 = 1 Series; Level 2 = 2 Series; Level 3 = 3 or more Series)--and while I have enough series going I should sign up for Level 3, I am going to aim lower in order to be more realistic (and so I won't feel so bad joining other challenges).
Level 2 - Complete 2 Series
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (I have read 9 out of 14 books in the series so far)
The Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton (I have read 19 out of 22 books in the series so far)
Yvonne offers three levels (Level 1 = 1 Series; Level 2 = 2 Series; Level 3 = 3 or more Series)--and while I have enough series going I should sign up for Level 3, I am going to aim lower in order to be more realistic (and so I won't feel so bad joining other challenges).
Level 2 - Complete 2 Series
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (I have read 9 out of 14 books in the series so far)
The Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton (I have read 19 out of 22 books in the series so far)
I have been tempted to join Carrie's Essay Reading Challenge in past years but my love for full length novels always won out. I have several books full of essays that I have been meaning to read and occasionally come across one online or in a magazine that I just have to read. And what better way to fit in a little reading when I only have a brief moment to do so than by reading an essay or two?
Running from January 1st to November 30th, participants are asked to read anywhere from 10, 20 or 30 essays. I am going to set my sight on reading 10 essays this year. I considered going up to 20, but think I'd better play it safe for now.
Now I have an excuse to get to those Nick Hornby books as well as the one by Michael Chabon I've been meaning to read.
Now I have an excuse to get to those Nick Hornby books as well as the one by Michael Chabon I've been meaning to read.
One of my absolute favorite challenges is the What's in a Name Challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads, and I am happy to be participating in the challenge this year.Participants are assigned to read one book from each of the following categories within the year:
A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title.
A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title.
A book with a creepy crawly in the title'
A book with a type of house in the title.
A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title.
A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title.
I can't wait to browse my shelves looking for the perfect titles to fit those categories!
Among the more ambitious challenges I am taking on this year is the Eclectic Reader Challenge hosted by Book'd Out. Open through the entire year, this challenge asks readers to read one book from twelve different categories, the goal being to give the reader a variety of tastes from the different book types.
Participants will read books from the following categories:Literary Fiction
Crime/Mystery Fiction
Romantic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Young Adult
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Non Fiction
Horror
Thriller/Suspense
Classic
Participants Favorite Genre
I am not going to make a list of books ahead of time--my options right now are limitless. I do hope to read books already on my personal shelves, however, which will be good for both my TBR pile and my bank account.
It wouldn't be right if I didn't participate in my own challenge, the Merely Mystery Reading Challenge, now would it? I am really excited about exploring the mystery genre more fully. I love a good mystery and can't wait to dive in. The challenge spans the entire 2012 year. My goal is to complete the Shamus Who Has Seen It All Level, which means reading one book from each mystery sub-genre:
The Whodunit
Locked Room Mystery
Cozy
Hard-Boiled/Noir
The Inverted Detective Story
The Historical Whodunnit
The Police Procedural
The Professional Thriller
The Spy Novel
Caper Stories
The Psychological Suspense
Spoofs and Parodies
Which challenges are you participating in this coming year?
Locked Room Mystery
Cozy
Hard-Boiled/Noir
The Inverted Detective Story
The Historical Whodunnit
The Police Procedural
The Professional Thriller
The Spy Novel
Caper Stories
The Psychological Suspense
Spoofs and Parodies
Which challenges are you participating in this coming year?
© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Good luck with all of your challenges!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteOH dear Wendy. You ARE crazy. ;) Kidding. I LOVE making challenge list but the follow through makes me crazy. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so glad to be feeling in the reading mood again, Trish. LOL I'm afraid my outside interests aren't as varied as yours--so reading is about all I've got in the little spare time I get. Hopefully I will be able to get a reasonable amount done this year. It's the only way I'll stay sane!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Finishing the Series challenge! I love challenges even if I don't complete them all. Good luck this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne! Even if I only get a little closer to finishing those two series, I will be happy.
ReplyDeleteExcept for the ongoing Amy Einhorn Challenge (which really isn't a challenge) and maybe RIP, I will be doing no challenges. I get all caught up in the fever, then I get all stressed out when I don't finish them. Silly I know. If I were joining some though, I would do What's In a Name and the Series one.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Essay Challenge! You are in for a treat with the Nick Hornby - I love his collections. Also, I really enjoyed Chabon's Maps and Legends when I read it.
ReplyDeleteI STILL haven't decided on which challenges that I'm joining. I'm late to the game this year :) I hope that you have participating in all of these!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are joining me for the Eclectic Reader Challenge! I look forward to seeing what you choose to read :)
ReplyDeleteShelleyrae @ Book'd Out
I missed not participating in challenges last year. Good luck with these!
ReplyDeleteSandy - I don't think that's silly. I get the same way. I just haven't learned my lesson yet.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - Thanks, Carrie! I am looking forward to the challenge!
Samantha - It's okay. There is plenty of time to sign up for most of the challenges, I am sure.
Shelleyraie - Thanks so much! I figured I needed to add a challenge that would give me a break from mysteries. :-)
Michelle - I missed not participating in challenges last year too. I think that's why I'm overdoing it this year. :-S
Good luck with your challenges! I'm only planning to join one myself, and obviously I'm slow with that as it's already after the first of the year and I haven't gotten around to it yet. haha!
ReplyDeleteKris - Thanks, Kris! Good luck to you too!
ReplyDeleteAh, the beginning of the year always holds such high hopes! Good luck with all of your challenges.
ReplyDeleteLisa - High hopes in the beginning and big falls in the end. Haha Seriously though I'm going to at least give it my best effort. No pressure. :-)
ReplyDelete