Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

Click here to see the entire 2010 Book Blogger Recommendation List.

The Levels:
Level I - Read 5 books from the 2010 Book Blogger Recommendation List
Level II - Read 10 books
Level III - Read 15 books
Level IV - Read 20 books
Level V - Read 20+ books

The Rules:
Chose your own books from the list. You can decide to read books only on the Top 25 list or from the entire recommendation list. You do not have to make a list of books before the challenge begins.
All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.)
Rereads do not count towards the completion of the challenge. The challenge is about discovering books that are new to you.

I'm going to attempt Level 1

1. Simply Irresistible - Jill Shalvis (May 2011)
2. Nine Rules to Break When Romacing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (June 2011)
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (June 2011)
4. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (September 2011)
5. Angel's Blood - Nalini Singh 

COMPLETED OCTOBER 2011

Here are some other books I may read:
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
Persuasion - Jane Austen
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffennegger
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Dark Lover - J.R. Ward
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2011

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
hosted by The Book Vixen

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. You can sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.

Levels:

Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books     

Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books      

Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books  

I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I want to read 100 books this year.  Last year I read 93, so that means I have to be "out of breath" and read 7 more books than I did last year.  I think I can!  I think I can! 

Total so far (thru 12/19/11): 128 books read

*Updated 8/14/11 -- I'm not going to have any problem getting to 100 books, so my new goal is to read one more than my best reading year ever.  In 2008, I read 127 books, so I'm going to try to best it by one and read 128 books and to do that, I need to be "on fire"!
*Updated 12/19/11 -- Woo hoo!  I made my goal.  There are still about ten days left in the month, so I should be able to read a few more books.  I think I should get past 130 no problem!  Yay me! 

2011 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

The Rules:

The goal of this challenge is to read AT LEAST 12 novels that are Romantic Suspense between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.

There is no need to create your list now. Please feel free to use your challenge post to keep track of your titles if you so desire.

Here is a helpful list on Goodreads if you are looking for some ideas for titles.

So far this year I've read:

1. In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz

2. Cry No More by Linda Howard

3. After the Night by LInda Howard

4. Trial By Fire by Jo Davis

5. Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann

6. Extreme Bachelor by Julia London

7. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

8. Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper

9. Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

10. Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann

11. Forever Blue by Suzanne Brockmann

12. Heat Wave by Richard Castle

13. Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann

14. She Went All the Way by Meggin Cabot

15. The Reef by Nora Roberts

16. Lethal by Sandra Brown
17. Prey by Linda Howard
18. Canyons of Night by Jayne Castle 

Wendy the Superlibrarian's TBR Challenge 2011

What is the TBR Challenge?  Simply put, it's where readers pick up a long neglected book from their TBR pile.  The idea is to read those long neglected books that you just had to get your hands on at the time, but have been languishing in your pile, all lost and forgotten.

Since some readers like a little guidance, I will also be keeping with tradition and providing themes.  These themes are totally voluntary.  If you don't have anything in your TBR that fits, the theme doesn't appeal, or you just want to read something else - go for it!  Again, this is meant to be a fun challenge.

Theme Suggestions (see below)

Since I'm not posting reviews, I'm just going to pick and choose from the list of themes.

January - Steamy Reads (Erotic romance, erotica, something spicy!)

Bad Kitty by Debra Glass

February - New-to-you author 

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt 

March - Ugly Ducklings (Heroes and/or heroines who aren't "pretty")

Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

April - Other genre besides romance

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

May - Holiday themes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, it's all good!)

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

June - Fairy tale themes (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, etc.)

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

July - Category Romance

I don't usually read Category romance, but I did read what I think was originally released as a category romance back in the day, so I'll choose that book:

Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann

August - Paranormal or Romantic Suspense

Key of Light by Nora Roberts

September - Series Catch-up (Pick up a book from a series you're behind on)

To  Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt

October - Contemporary Romance

Prey by Linda Howard

November - Marriage of convenience, arranged marriage or pretend engagement

Shadow Music by Julie Garwood

December - Western (contemporary or historical)

Anything for Love by Connie Brockway

• For help scoping out some of these themes from your massive TBR pile, check out the highly awesome Special Title Listings over at All About Romance.

A to Z Challenge 2011 (Character Names)

From Haley @ The Life (and Lies) of Inanimate Flying Objects Book Blog

http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2011/01/alphabet-challenge.html 

1. 26 books!

2. only one letter per book!

3. Crossovers are fine

It runs January 1st 2011 –December 31, 2011. For each letter, read a book that has a main character or key supporting character  (not some random minor character mentioned twice!) whose name starts with that letter. It doesn’t have to be the title of the book, just the name. Ex: Alice (in wonderland), Bella (twilight), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Dracula (Dracula) Estella (Great Expectations),  etc.

Levels:

Level 1: 10 Letters

Level 2: 20 Letters

Level 3: Completes all 26 letters (yes, that means X and Z and Q. I’m sure you can find something.)

COMPLETED 12/6/11!!!!

A: Amanda (Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas)

B: Brodrick (Ransom by Julie Garwood)

C: Cornelia (Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips)

D: Dirk (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams)

E: Eloise (To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn)

F: Faith (True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson)

G: Gray (After the Night by Linda Howard)

H: Harry (And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke)

I: Izzy (Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann)

J: Judith (The Secret by Julie Garwood)

K: Kat (Trial By Fire by Jo Davis)

L: Lazarus (Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt)

M: Milla (Cry No More by Linda Howard)

N: Neville (A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp)

O: Olympia (Deception by Amanda Quick)

P: Passion (Passion by Lisa Valdez)

Q: Quentin (Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas)

R: Randolph (A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh)

S: Sybil (The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh)

T: Tasha (Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair)

U: Uram (Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh)

V: Venitia (To Scotland, With Love by Karen Hawkins)

W: Will (Morning Glory by Lavyrle Spencer)

X: Xdana (Brianna by Judy Mays)

Y: Yelverton, Piers (When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James)

Z: Zack (In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz)

New Author Challenge 2011

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.

I made 15 so I'm going to try for 25!

1. Elizabeth Hoyt (Wicked Intentions)

2. Lisa Valdez (Passion)

3. Meredith Duran (The Duke of Shadows)

4. Judith McNaught (Something Wonderful)
5. Jo Davis (Trial By Fire)

6. Laura Lee Guhrke (And Then He Kissed Her)
7. Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan (Beyond Heaving Bosoms) 
8. LaVyrle Spencer (Morning Glory)
9. Deborah Harkness (A Discovery of Witches)
10. Sarah Vowell (Assassination Vacation) 
11. David Sedaris (Me Talk Pretty One Day)

12. Sarah MacLean (Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake)

13. Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) 
14. Tina Fey (Bossypants)
15. Kay Hooper (Stealing Shadows)
16. Lynsay Sands (A Quick Bite)
17. Jennifer Ashley (The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie)  

18. Richard Castle (Heat Wave)

19. Kieran Kramer (When Harry Met Molly) 
20. Collen Gleason (The Rest Falls Away)  

21. Nalini Singh (Slave to Sensation)
22. Sherry Thomas (Not Quite a Husband)
23. Gail Carriger (Soulless)
24. Antoine de Saint-Exupery (The Little Prince)
25. Marcella Burnard (Enemy Within) 
26. Sabrina Jeffries (The Pirate Lord)
26. Tom Standage (A History of the World in Six Glasses) (currently reading)
27. M. K. Reed (Americus)
28.Robyn Carr (Virgin River)
29. Judy Mays (Brianna)
30. Patricia Briggs (Moon Called)

31. Karen Marie Moning (Beyond the Highland Mist) 

 

Other possibilities:

Michelle Moran (Nefertiti)

J. R. Ward (Dark Lover)

Kathryn Stockett (The Help)
Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants)

Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game)

Jude Devareaux (A Knight in Shining Armor)

Karen Marie Moning (Darkfever)

Georgette Heyer

Dara Joy (Knight of a Trillion Stars)

Off the Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

Off the Shelf

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Hosted by: BA Reading

I plan to "Make a Dent" by reading 30 books from my TBR shelf!

1. Predators and Prey (BTVS Season 8)

2. Three Weddings and a Kiss by Kathleen Woodiwiss et. al.

3. Retreat (BTVS Season 8)

4. Twilight (BTVS Season 8)

5. Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

6. Trial By Fire by Jo Davis

7. Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan

8. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

9. Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn 

10. Extreme Bachelor by Julia London

11. One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney

12. Sold to a Laird by Karen Ranney

13. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

14. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

15. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

16. Steamed by Katie MacAlister

17. To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

18. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

19. To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

20. To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

21. Don't You Forget About Me - Edited by Jaime Clarke (currently reading)

22. As You Desire by Connie Brockway

23. Tall, Dark and Dangerous by Suzanne Brockmann

24. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Other possible reads:

Everything Bad is Good For You by Steven Johnson

Contact by Susan Grant

Body Guard by Suzanne Brockmann

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Fools Rush In by Kristin Higgins

Further Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes

Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

Just One of the Guys by Kristin Higgins

Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard

Support Your Local Library Challenge

Support Your Local Library
January 1 - December 31, 2011
Hosted by: The Book Junkie Bookshelf
There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your poison:
--The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books.

--"Fun" Size – Check out and read 40 library books.

--Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.

I'm going to aim for the "Mega Size."  I think I can!  I think I can!

Update - had to downsize to "Fun" size

Read so far this year:

1. More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh

2. A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde

3. A Christmas Proposal by Mary Balogh

4. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

5. Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase

6. In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz

7. Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

8. Deception by Amanda Quick

9. Cry No More by Linda Howard

10. The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh

11. Ransom by Julie Garwood

12. Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught

13. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

14. True Love & Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson

15. To Scotland, With Love by Karen Hawkins

16. The Secret by Julie Garwood

17. Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann

18. Morning Glory by Lavryle Spencer

19. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

20. Quicksilver by Amanda Quick

21. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood

22. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

23. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

24.Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

25. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 

26. Bossypants by Tina Fey

27. Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper

28. A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands

29. The Bride by Julie Garwood

30. Carnal Knowledge by Nora Roberts

31. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
32. The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh 
33. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen
34. She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
35. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
36. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
37. Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas
38. Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood
39. Lethal by Sandra Brown
40. Prey by Linda Howard
41. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
42. A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage
43. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
44. Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd

Other possible reads:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Summer of Love by Katie Fforde
Pretty in Pink by Jonathan Bernstein
Why Buffy Matter by Rhonda Wilcox
Key of Light by Nora Roberts
The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh
The MacKade Brothers: Rafe & Jared by Nora Roberts

What's in a Name Challenge #4

The What's in a Name Challenge is being hosted by by Beth Fish Reads and 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

One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney

A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:
The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh

A book with a size in the title:

The Little Prince by Antione de Saint-Exupery

Book with travel or movement in the title:
Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

A book with evil in the title:

Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

A book with a life stage in the title:
Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann

Challenge Completed!

Read the Alphabet Challenge 2011

Read the Alphabet Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011
Hosted by: A to Z Challenge

A: After the Night by Linda Howard

B: Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan

C: A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh

D: The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

E: Extreme Bachelor by Julia London

F: Freaks by Tess Gerritsen

G: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

H: Her Master & Commander by Karen Hawkins

I: In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz

J: Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

K: Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn

L: The Lady Most Likely... by Julie Quinn, Eloisa James & Connie Brockway

M: More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh

N: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
O: One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney

P: A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde

Q: Quicksilver by Amanda Quick

R: Ravished by Amanda Quick

S: Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

T: To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

U: Untie My Heart by Judith Ivory or Under Fire by Jo Goodman
V: Vision in White by Nora Roberts

W: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

X:

Y: Your Scandalous Ways by Loretta Chase

Z:

Ist in a Series Challenge 2011

 

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels for this challenge:

• Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in any series.
• Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in any series.
• Series Expert: Read 12 books that are the first in any series.
• Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in any series.

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. Any genre counts.
I made it to Series Lover, Series Expert and even surpassed the Series Fanatic number.  Now I need to stop reading the first books in series and start reading the next books!

1. Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt (Maiden Lane Series)

2. Passion by Lisa Valdez (The Passion Quartet)

3. Trial By Fire by Jo Davis (The Firefighters of Station Five) 

4. The Secret by Julie Garwood (Highland Lairds)

5. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens (Cynster Series)

6. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy) 

7. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis (Lucky Harbor)

8. To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt (Legend of the Four Soldiers)

9. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (Love By Numbers Trilogy)

10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Trilogy)

11. Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit)

12. A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands (Argeneau Vampire Series)

13. The Bride by Julie Garwood (The Lairds' Fiancees)

14. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (Highland Pleasures)

15. Heat Wave by Richard Castle (Nikki Heat Series)

16. When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer (Impossible Bachelors Series) 

17. Key of Light by Nora Roberts (Key Series)

18. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (Gardella Vampire Hunters)

19. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (Psy -Changlings Series) 

20. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (Princes Trilogy)

21. Some Like It Wicked by Teresa Medeiros (The Kincaid Highland Series)

22. Soulless by Gail Carriger

23. Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard (Enemy Series) 

24. One Touch of Scandal by Liz Carlyle (Fraternitas Aurea Crucis Series)

25. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunters Series) 

26. The Pirate Lord by Sabrina Jeffries (The Lord Trilogy)

27. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn (The Smythe-Smith Quartet)

28. Virgin River by Robyn Carr (Virgin River Series) 

29. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught (Westmoreland Series) 

30. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson Series)

31. Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd (Governess Brides Series)

32. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander Series)

Other possibilities:

Dark Lover by J. R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood)

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (Fever Series)

Original TBR Challenge 2011

  

You're supposed to read something more than 6 mos old from your TBR shelf each month.  Since I didn't start this challenge until March, I'll read three in March and go month by month from there!

January: n/a

February: n/a
March: Trial By Fire by Jo Davis
March: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

March: Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan

April: Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

May: Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

June: Last Gleaming Buffy comics

July: As You Desire by Connie Brockway

August:

September:

October:

November:

December: