I found a new literary criticism of the romance novel via Smart Bitches, Trashy books. It's called New Approaches to Popular Romance and the people who put together the book have an academic journal: Journal of Popular Romance.
Also via Smart Bitches, Trash Books is an annotated bibliography about romance readers. This bibliography is a compilation of all articles and books that somehow identify/quantify romance readership.
A place to keep track of all the books I've read and the reading challenges I'm doing.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Serial Killer...er...Reader Challenge 2012
From the Goodreads Romance Readers Reading Challenges Group
SERIALKILLER READER CHALLENGE
As requested, a series challenge. The duration of this challenge is one year from the sign-up date. You can cross challenge with other challenges, but within Serial Reader the books you list cannot repeat.
This one is monstrous, not for the faint of heart!!! In order to complete it officially, you'll have to read: 27+ books and 15+ different series. Yup, you're reading it right. But fear not, I'm willing to compromise: if you omit some of the subcategories and then call it quits - fine by me - you just won't be all that notorious then. Of course, you can post as you go, but be sure to sing up to set the start date. (note: it's ok to back date if you wish to do so)
So Serial Readers, are you up for the challenge?!
1) Jack the Page Ripper (15 books):Choose fives series and read:
Five Books from the First Series:
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Women of the Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong
Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
Read one book from each of the genres. It does not have to be the first book in the series, but it must be a series book, not a stand-alone:
3) Spree Series Killer (1+ book):Try out a totally new author. If the book turns out to be a stinker, you have to TRY AGAIN. Repeat until you find a series that you like and are willing to keep on reading in the future.
The Turners by Courtney Milan
4) Author-ican Psycho (1 book)Try a book from the author you've "given up" on - call it one more try. It can be the same series you previously found only so-so, or a totally different series by the same author. It's up to you.
Ladies of Lantern Street by Jayne Ann Krentz
Just read it already. Go on
Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward
Darkest London Series by Kristen Callihan
The McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks
The Hallows by Kim Harrison
SERIAL
As requested, a series challenge. The duration of this challenge is one year from the sign-up date. You can cross challenge with other challenges, but within Serial Reader the books you list cannot repeat.
This one is monstrous, not for the faint of heart!!! In order to complete it officially, you'll have to read: 27+ books and 15+ different series. Yup, you're reading it right. But fear not, I'm willing to compromise: if you omit some of the subcategories and then call it quits - fine by me - you just won't be all that notorious then. Of course, you can post as you go, but be sure to sing up to set the start date. (note: it's ok to back date if you wish to do so)
So Serial Readers, are you up for the challenge?!
1) Jack the Page Ripper (15 books):Choose fives series and read:
Five Books from the First Series:
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
- Blood Bound
- Iron Kissed
- Bone Crossed
- Silver Borne
- River Marked
Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
- Dead Until Dark
- Living Dead in Dallas
- Club Dead
- Dead to the World
Women of the Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong
- Bitten
- Stolen
- Dime Store Magic
Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
- Changeless
- Blameless
Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
- Bitten
Read one book from each of the genres. It does not have to be the first book in the series, but it must be a series book, not a stand-alone:
- Chick-Lit -Somthing Borrowed by Emily Giffin
- Romance - Dance of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries (Spinsters of Swanlea)
- Mystery - Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries)
- PNR/Urban Fantasy/Fantasy/Sci Fi - Star King by Susan Grant (Star Series)
- Young Adult - Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (Underland Chronicles)
3) Spree Series Killer (1+ book):Try out a totally new author. If the book turns out to be a stinker, you have to TRY AGAIN. Repeat until you find a series that you like and are willing to keep on reading in the future.
The Turners by Courtney Milan
- Unveiled
4) Author-ican Psycho (1 book)Try a book from the author you've "given up" on - call it one more try. It can be the same series you previously found only so-so, or a totally different series by the same author. It's up to you.
Ladies of Lantern Street by Jayne Ann Krentz
- Crystal Gardens
Just read it already. Go on
Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward
- Dark Lover
Darkest London Series by Kristen Callihan
- Firelight
- Ember (short story)
- Moonglow
The McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks
- In Bed with a Highlander
- Seduction of a Highland Lass
- Never Love a Highlander
The Hallows by Kim Harrison
- Dead Witch Walking
Toy Stories Reading Challenge 2012
Toy Stories Reading Challenge
Put together by Valorie and the ever active members that contribute in the Challenge Suggestions thread, here is a reading challenge inspired by popular toys.
Read 10 books plus an option of bonuses within a six month period. You may begin anytime you want, as long as you put your start date and end date.
Duration: 6 months
Total No. of books: 10 required + 2 bonus of your choice
Earliest start date for this challenge is its launched date: October 10, 2010.
Enjoy playing, everyone.
1. Barbie: Read a book with a character that is a fashion designer, interior designer, writes about fashion or is just really into fashion.
Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
3. Easy Bake Oven: Read a book with a character that is a chef or baker, owns a restaurant or bakery, or there is a type of food in the title or on the cover.
8. Etch-A-Sketch: Read a book with a character that is an artist of some kind, draws, or is a graphic artist or read a graphic novel.
Bonus two: Pick your favorite toys and post your own book categories!
11. Monopoly: Read a book with a character who works in real estate or in business or has a number in the title .
12.
Put together by Valorie and the ever active members that contribute in the Challenge Suggestions thread, here is a reading challenge inspired by popular toys.
Read 10 books plus an option of bonuses within a six month period. You may begin anytime you want, as long as you put your start date and end date.
Duration: 6 months
Total No. of books: 10 required + 2 bonus of your choice
Earliest start date for this challenge is its launched date: October 10, 2010.
Enjoy playing, everyone.
1. Barbie: Read a book with a character that is a fashion designer, interior designer, writes about fashion or is just really into fashion.
Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
2. G. I. Joe:
Read a book with a character that is in the military or was in the
military, or the story takes place during a war of some kind.
Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann3. Easy Bake Oven: Read a book with a character that is a chef or baker, owns a restaurant or bakery, or there is a type of food in the title or on the cover.
4. Hot Wheels:
Read a book with a character that works on cars or races cars, or there
is a car, motorcycle, or some type of vehicle on the cover.
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
5. Lite Brite: Read a book with a colorful cover (3 or more colors) or has a color as part of the title.
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
6. Rock'em Sock'em Robots: Read a book with a character who is a boxer, fighter, or warrior of some kind.
Assassin's Honor by Monica Burns
7. Cabbage Patch Kids: Read a Young Adult novel or a book with a character that is a child or teenager.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 8. Etch-A-Sketch: Read a book with a character that is an artist of some kind, draws, or is a graphic artist or read a graphic novel.
9. Connect Four: Read the 4th book in a series or has 4 words in its title.
Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell
10. Raggedy Ann & Andy: Read a book with a red cover or a book with a character that is a red head.
Sudden Death by Allison Brennan Bonus two: Pick your favorite toys and post your own book categories!
11. Monopoly: Read a book with a character who works in real estate or in business or has a number in the title .
12.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I Spy Reading Challenge 2012
From Goodreads SOS Serious Overload of Series Group:
I
love challenges where we have to go on a little scavenger hunt through
our TBR to find books that fit. This one is a TITLE search
challenge--it's not based on finding pictures on the cover, but finding
words in the title of the book.
But
instead of giving you specific words to search for, we're going to do
categories. I've listed a bunch of examples, but you're not limited to
those--use your imagination and find words that fit the categories.
You may use anthologies & rereads.
Also, if you are having a hard time with a category, you many use the
series name if it is printed on the cover of the book. Everyone can do
that for up to 3 categories.
_____________________________________________________________________
In the TITLE of a book, find a word that fits the below categories:
1. Color -- don't forget the good ones like crimson & indigo
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
2. Number: one, two, three, as well as once, twice, first, second
1st to Die by James Patterson
Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick
4. 4 Seasons: spring, summer, fall, autumn, winter
Autumn in Scotland by Karen Ranney
5. First Name: Dick, Tom, Harry, Harriet
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Brook Street: Thief by Ava March
7. Body Part: heart, eye, hand, bone, skin, mind, foot
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
8. Weapon: knife, sword, arrow, dart, poison, blade, razor
Dark Lover by J. R. Ward (A Black Dagger Brotherhood Novel)
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
10. Form of Water: ice, fog, rain, snow, water, mist
Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn
Hot Island Nights by Sarah Mayberry
12. Heavenly Body: sun, moon, star
Star King by Susan Grant
The Wicked House of Rohan by Anne Stuart
14. 5 Senses: sight, sound, touch, scent, taste
15. Royal Title: king, queen, princess, duke
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
16. Family Member: brother, daughter, mother
The Husband List by Victoria Alexander
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
18. Time of Day : morning, noon, night, evening, midnight, twilight, dusk, dawn
After Midnight by Teresa Medeiros
19. Metal: gold, silver, bronze, iron, steel
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks
21. Animal/Insect: dog, cat, wolf, tiger, bird, spider, fox, crow, goose, snake
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown and Sneakie Pie Brown
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris et. al.
23. Gender Identifier: boy, girl, man, woman, wife, husband, lady
The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Southern Vampire Series)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Spring MADIOAS Challenge
The MADIOAS group's April challenge is to come up with a spring or Easter related word and read books with titles or authors for the first letter in each word. I chose "Allergies" for my word and here's my list:
L - Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward
E - Everyday, Average Jones by Suzanne Brockmann
A - Assassin's Honor by Monica Burns
L - Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward (reading now)L - Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward
E - Elizabeth Lowell's Always Time to Die
G - Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
I - Isaacson, Walter - Steve JobsE - Everyday, Average Jones by Suzanne Brockmann
S - Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
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