Oh, what a challenge (The 2010 wrap-up post)

by | Jan 1, 2011 | Events for the Bookish | 0 comments

reading_medieval_-_2The challenges of 2010.  The suffering and guilt, the fantastic books and prizes – here’s a wrap-up of the challenges I conquered, and the ones that nearly conquered me!

There was the 100+ Reading Challenge, over at (what once was) J.Kaye’s Book Blog.  I managed to get 71 books read, which was a record for me but still didn’t get me over the bar.  It was also the first year I participated in The Story Siren’s Debut (YA) Author Challenge – for which I read and reviewed 9 out of 12 debut novels. Then there was J.Kaye’s YA Reading Challenge, for which I read a grand total of 37 books.  Pretty impressive given the fact I’d set out to read only 25.

I also took part in two of Literary Escapism’s New Author Mini-Challenges.  These were super fun, as they only lasted a month and I actually managed to complete them!  First there was The League of Reluctant Adults Mini-Challenge (where I discovered Jaye Wells and Richelle Mead), and then there was the Deadline Dames vs. Fangs Fur & Fey Mini-Challenge.

The award for most neglected challenge of 2010 goes to… the Finish that Series Challenge.  To be honest, I just forgot about this one once I’d signed up for it.  You didn’t have to check in monthly, there were hardly any wrap-up posts, and well… I still managed to complete the Mercy Thompson series (although a new book has since been released!).

The only challenge I regret not completing was the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Readalong.  I managed to get half-way through Two Towers before I accidentally abandoned the books.  I truly do plan on finishing this series at some point in my life – just a shame I didn’t manage to do it in 2010!

I also participated in two of Dewey’s 24-hour Read-a-thons.  I didn’t get too many books read, but they were great fun! I really look forward to the September 2011 Readathon.

Completed! New Author Mini-Challenge: Battle Royale

by | Mar 30, 2010 | Events for the Bookish | 1 comment

I have just signed up for the New Author Mini-Challenge: Deadline Dames vs. Fangs, Fur and Fey going on in coordination with the New Author Challenge over at Literary Escapism. Basically, we read/review up to 5 NEW authors in April from either one of these author blogs.

I really shouldn’t be doing this – this is exam month and I have very little reading time… but I just couldn’t help myself! I had such a good time with the League Mini-Challenge in February and I didn’t want to miss out on the fun.

The selection of authors is a hell of a lot larger for this challenge – which makes it slightly less challenging, but equally as fun. As per my last mini-challenge, I already have a bunch of these authors on my TBR pile. This is going to be great incentive to get to them!

My Planned Reading List:

    Completed! The League of Reluctant Adults – A New Author Mini-Challenge

    by | Jan 25, 2010 | Events for the Bookish | 0 comments

    I’ve just signed up for the League Mini-Challenge for Febraury going on in coordination with the New Author Challenge (which I am not part of, but sounds brilliant) Basically, we read/review 3 to 5 League of Reluctant Adult authors in February and get entered for some great prizes.  Kinda awesome, right?

    Since I have a few of these awesome authors on my TBR pile, this gives me a great incentive to actually read them!

    The challenge runs Feb.1 to Feb. 28, and you can sign up for it here!

    My planned reading list (these are the ones on my TBR Shelf!)

      

    ETA: My first completed challenge of 2010!  This one was so much fun, and I have added two new authors to my favourites list!  Literary Escapism is planning a similar challenge for April 2010, check out the details on her site.

    100+ Reading Challenge

    by | Jan 4, 2010 | Reading Challenges | 2 comments

     
    I’ve done it again…!  This is my very last challenge for 2010 – cross my heart!  But unlike my other challenges, this one really will be a tough one to accomplish.  I have never broken the 50-book line in a year, so why am I joining a 100+ book challenge?  Partly because I am compulsive (and kinda insane) – but also because I really really need to clear out my TBR pile!  I have 150+ books waiting to be read – so even cutting down on my book buying addiction is not going to help.  I need to take action, rally the troops… so I joined a challenge?

    Click here to sign up for J.Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge – and visit the site to check out our reviews!

    Read in 2010

    1. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson – 4 stars
    2. The Espressologist by Kristina Springer – 4 stars
    3. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – 4 stars
    4. Firespell by Chloe Neill – 4.5 stars
    5. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler – 4.5 stars
    6. Fallen by Lauren Kate – 3.5 stars
    7. Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey – 3 stars
    8. Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells – 5 stars
    9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – 5 stars
    10. Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland – 2 stars
    11. Untamed Heart by Ally Blue – 3 stars
    12. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
    13. Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast – 2 stars
    14. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs – 5 stars
    15. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder – 4.5 stars
    16. A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary by Alain De Botton – 4 stars
    17. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward – 4 stars
    18. Frostbite by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
    19. Need by Carrie Jones – 4 stars
    20. Claimed By Shadow by Karen Chance – 2.5 stars
    21. Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead – 4 stars
    22. Fade Out by Rachel Caine – 4 stars
    23. Shiver by Maggie Steifvater – 5 stars
    24. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – 5 stars
    25. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs – 4.5 stars
    26. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong – 5 stars
    27. (novella) Bring the Heat by M.L. Rhodes – 4 stars
    28. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore – 2 stars
    29. The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells – 5 stars
    30. Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow – 4 stars
    31. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles – 4 stars
    32. The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton – 4 stars
    33. Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk – 3.5 stars
    34. Beating Heart by A. M. Jenkins – 3 stars
    35. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan – 3.5 stars
    36. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder – 3.5 stars
    37. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase – 4 stars
    38. Ondine by Ebony McKenna – 4 stars
    39. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
    40. The Line by Teri Hall – 2.5 stars
    41. Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans – 3 stars
    42. Betrayals by Lili St. Crow – 3.5 stars
    43. Graceling by Kristin Cashore – 4.5 stars
    44. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill – 4 stars
    45. Seven Sorcerers by Caro King – 4.5 stars
    46. Rogue by Rachel Vincent – 3 stars
    47. (novella) Blood Soup by Kelly A. Harmon – 3.5 stars
    48. Old Magic by Marianne Curley – 3 stars
    49. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine – 4 stars
    50. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner – 2 stars
    51. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles – 5 stars
    52. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr – 3 stars
    53. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick – 1.5 stars
    54. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan – 4 stars
    55. Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine – 3.5 stars
    56. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre – 5 stars
    57. TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow – 3.5 stars
    58. Jealousy by Lili St. Crow – 3.5 stars
    59. Succubus Nights by Richelle Mead – 4 stars
    60. The Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda – 3.5 stars
    61. Linger by Maggie Steifvater – 5 stars
    62. Captivate by Carrie Jones – 3 stars
    63. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs – 2.5 stars
    64. Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson – 3 stars
    65. Stargazer by Claudia Gray – 3.5 stars
    66. Dark Life by Kat Falls – 4.5 stars
    67. Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre – 4.5 stars
    68. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs – 4 stars
    69. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs – 4 stars
    70. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin – 3.5 stars
    71. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting – 2.5 stars

    2010 Finish that Series Challenge

    by | Dec 30, 2009 | Events for the Bookish | 0 comments

    I know I said I was going to stick to the challenges I had already signed up to – but this one just needed to be joined! Also, I am already in the middle of so many series, action really needed to be taken to move me along! So I have joined the Finish that Series challenge over at Royal Reviews.

    This is an opportunity to finish all of those series that have been sitting on your book shelf looking at you. With this challenge you count series completed, not books read. The object of this challenge is to finish the series.

    I am going to be conservative – and go for “Fascinated” and finish 3 series! I am not going to count trilogies (like the Study trilogy that I plan on finishing) and, since most of the series I am reading are ongoing, it is reasonable to assume that I will be “finishing” the unfinished!

    Here is my list!

    • Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs – COMPLETE!
    1. Blood Bound – 5 stars!
    2. Iron Kissed – 4.5 stars
    3. Bone Crossed – 4 stars
    4. Silver Borne – 4 stars
    • Shifters/Werecats Series by Rachel Vincent
    1. Rogue – 3 stars
    2. Pride
    3. Prey
    • Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward
    1. Lover Awakened – 4 stars
    2. Lover Revealed
    3. Lover Unbound
    4. Lover Enshrined
    5. Lover Avenged

    I already own all these books – so finishing them will help clear out my TBR pile!

    31/12/2010 – I only managed to complete one of these series!  Admittedly, hoping to finish the Ward series was somewhat optimistic…