Books and Needlepoint: Search results for airel

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Airel by Aaron Patterson (Book Review and Giveaway)

Shared by Kristi

Title: Airel (The Airel Saga, Book 1)

Author: Aaron Patterson, Chris White
Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

About the book: All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous...and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

My thoughts: Where to start? This was a very complex story - actually two stories. The book opens in the present day in Idaho. You begin to learn about a young girl named Airel, with all the typical teenage angst that is normal. What is not normal is that seemingly overnight Airel's appearance is changing. Her complexion is becoming flawless, her hair luxurious. Even though she sees the changes in the mirror, she still questions when the boy of her dreams, Michael, appears to be infatuated with her. When she discovers that she has the ability to heal quickly, she wonders who or what she really is.

The second storyline takes place in Arabia in 1250 B.C. Kreios, a fallen angel, has lost his wife right after the birth of his daughter and is on a journey to now save his daughter's life. In order to achieve this, he has to, quite literally, take flight. This flight attracts the unwanted attention of The Brotherhood. These are demons whose mission is to destroy all the angels who came to earth and married a mortal. The description of these demons, as well as the angels and the world they live in is told in great detail.

Even though the stories are thousands of years apart, they are eerily similar. You see, the demons are on the trail of Kreios in Arabia, and there is a killer on the loose in Idaho as well. Airel and Michael are kidnapped soon after Airel witnesses a killing while at the movies. They are taken to an unbelievable house seemingly buried in the forest. Airel doesn't know whether the killer has kidnapped her or saved her from being killed. What she does know is that she is falling in love with Michael and learning about who she really is.

I did enjoy this story, but felt like I kind of got bogged down in the center. The beginning grabbed me, but when it first flipped to Arabia, I kind of got lost. I stuck with it though and am glad that I did. The ending left me wide-eyed with - 'You can't stop there!' on my mind.

The second book in the series, Michael, is due out in May of this year.

~I received a complimentary ebook of Airel from StoneHouse Ink in exchange for my unbiased review.~

You can find out more about Airel on Facebook and Twitter.

Airel
Publisher/Publication Date: StoneHouse Ink, August 2011
ISBN: 978-0982607862
425 pages

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Challenges:
Speculative Fiction Reading
New Authors
Where Are You Reading?
A to Z Reading Challenge
YA Reading Challenge
Immortal Challenge
Paranormal challenge
Paranormal Romance
1st in a Series
ARC Reading Challenge (So Many Precious Books, So Little Time)
ARC Reading challenge (Eclectic Bookshelf)
E-Book Reading Challenge (Eclectic Bookshelf)
Ebook Reading Challenge (Workaday Reads)
Free Reads Challenge
Reading Romances Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge (the bookworm)
Speculative Romance Challenge

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Michael by Aaron Patterson Blog Tour and Giveaway

Shared by Kristi

Please comment and help me win a kindle for my sister! Tomorrow is her big 5-0 Bday!

ONE DAY BLOG TOUR!
MAY 17th!

Michael, book two in the Airel Saga, is live on Amazon TODAY ONLY for a discounted price!!

To promote Michael I’m helping host a contest where you can win a free copy of Airel and help me win a free Kindle Fire.

To take advantage of this awesome deal, head to Amazon and check out the eBook version of Michael at its promotional price, then see below to enter the contest. Also, leave me a comment on this post. The blogger with the most comments will win the Kindle Fire! If I win, I’ll also get the chance to be part of a special giveaway in the next few months.

Michael

by Aaron Patterson

Michael did the unthinkable to save Airel from death, but now he must live with the choices he has made – both good and evil. Tortured by his past and haunted by what he believes might be his future, Michael seeks redemption – but will the past prove to be too strong? How can he break free of it and be the man he longs to be for Airel? If only he had never. . .

Airel. Michael’s one true love. He had forced her to drink in new life only to find that old wounds and deep scars do not heal overnight. Can she truly forgive Michael, can she truly love him? And can he accept that forgiveness? Or is it all for nothing, and has he gone too far already? As the darkness of past choices closes in on them, chases them, intercepts them, coming at them from everywhere at once, how can their love possibly survive?

Aaron Patterson is the author of the best-selling WJA series, as well as two Digital Shorts: 19 and The Craigslist Killer. He was home-schooled and grew up in the west. Aaron loved to read as a small child and would often be found behind a book, reading one to three a day on average. This love drove him to want to write, but he never thought he had the talent. His wife Karissa prodded him to try it, and with this encouragement, he wrote Sweet Dreams, the first book in the WJA series, in 2008. Airel is his first teen series, and plans for more to come are already in the works. He lives in Boise, Idaho with his family, Soleil, Kale and Klayton. His daughter had an imaginary friend named She.

Chris White has an award for reading 750 books in one school year — from the 3rd grade. So yes, he’s more of a nerd than Aaron. Chris loves history, Sherlock Holmes, and anything that’s not virtual, like old motorcycles and mechanical typewriters. He also doesn’t get why we have these things called “smart phones” when all they do is make people dumber. Chris recently celebrated 10 years of marriage with his wife, April, and has two boys: Noah, age 8, and Jaden, age 3, who inspired the Great Jammy Adventure series; the OK-to-color-in picture books. Chris is working on a short story called The Marsburg Diary that will further explore the prologue to Airel, and he is finishing up his first novel, entitled K: phantasmagoria, due out in 2011. Chris has a major crush on Audrey Hepburn, who is now dead. His wife is okay with all of this.

My review of Airel: This was a very complex story - actually two stories. The book opens in the present day in Idaho. You begin to learn about a young girl named Airel, with all the typical teenage angst that is normal. What is not normal is that seemingly overnight Airel's appearance is changing. Her complexion is becoming flawless, her hair luxurious. Even though she sees the changes in the mirror, she still questions when the boy of her dreams, Michael, appears to be infatuated with her. When she discovers that she has the ability to heal quickly, she wonders who or what she really is.

Read more: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search?q=airel#ixzz1v5YCVA1U

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Move over Twilight! Here comes Aaron Patterson!"
--Joshua Graham, bestselling author of Beyond Justice and Darkroom

"I was surprised by how much I really, really liked this book. I have not jumped on the whole "fallen angel" bandwagon, just as I didn't jump on all of the vampire stories that came out after Twilight. This is not your typical fallen angel story. It is one that has left me breathlessly waiting for the next one in the series. Hurry up please!!!"--Sandra Stiles

"It takes rare talent for a man to write a novel from a male POV and have it published to great critical and commercial acclaim. But it takes a miracle for that same male, or in this case males, to write a novel from the POV of a teenage girl and have it turn out as incredibly as did the new StoneHouse YA by Aaron Patterson and Chris White, AIREL. From the first sentence, I felt compelled to dive into this young woman's story and just as importantly, I felt like I personally knew her, which means I laughed, stressed and cried right along with her. A beautifully written and crafted fiction about teenage innocence, faith, loss and love. A must read for teens and adults alike."
--Vincent Zandri, International Bestselling Author of The Remains, The Innocent, and Concrete Pearl

"I am happy to say that this novel is one of my favorites of its kind. I never thought I could read a novel like this and be so swept away! I am always willing to try new books, but I usually steer clear of this kind of novel. Not anymore! Not when I can be so engrossed into the character's story, like I was with the beautiful AIREL, that before I know, it's over. I kept turning the pages , wanting to, no-NEEDING, to know what was going to happen next."--Molly Edwards, Willow Spring, NC

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pyxis by K.C. Neal (Two Giveaways - One for a Kindle!!!)

Shared by Kristi

Title: Pyxis: The Discovery
Author: K.C. Neal
Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

About the book: Corinne lives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with her best friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriend Mason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s food dyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistibly alluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of a dark force that consumes everything in its path.

Pursued by shadowy figures and a crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who her grandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, she learns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams. She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It started out as what I would say as just a very gentle and nice read, pulling you in, making you want to find out more and more. Little clues are dropped along the way, especially concerning Mason, and you want to know who this Mason is and what his relationship with Corinne is all about.

I was instantly drawn to Corinne and was kind of rooting for her, even though I didn't know who or what I was rooting against. She just came across as a really nice girl - the kind you want your daughter to be friends with, or your son to date (lol).

As the title of the book says Pyxis: The Discovery, Corinne is left a box by her Grandma Doris when she passes away. It is a wooden box with the word PYXIS enscribed on the top and 5 bottles of liquid inside. Together with her friend Ang, they discover that these liquids have some kind of magical quality, though they don't seem to work the same on everyone. This is only the beginning of what they find though. Pyxis is much more than just a box of magical liquids. Together with Mason and Ang, Corinne sets out to discover what her grandmother has really left her.

Pyxis by K.C. Neal is touring right now with Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White, which I reviewed a couple of days ago (with a giveaway) and Arson by Estevan Vega. For Pyxis, K.C. Neal is giving away a Pyxis notebook and pen and a signed Pyxis bookmark right here! (I am jealous! I want to win this!) To enter for the Pyxis swag, just leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway is for U.S. entrants only.

In addition to that though, the author is also hosting a Kindle giveaway that you can enter using the Rafflecopter form below, or you can enter at her blog, K.C. Neal's Blog.

Check out each of these books on Amazon!

99c on Amazon.com

Pyxis by K.C. Neal

Corinne lives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with her best friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriend Mason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s food dyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistibly alluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of a dark force that consumes everything in its path. Pursued by shadowy figures and a crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who her grandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, she learns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams. She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.

$2.99 on Amazon.com
Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White

Airel is a story about an angel who falls so deeply in love with a woman that he chooses to fall from heaven to be with her. She gives birth to a daughter in Arabia, 1250BC. The girl is pursued ferociously, relentlessly by an enemy in the deepest darkness. In present day Boise, Idaho is just a girl: Airel. She's just your average high school student...who turns out to be anything but average. It's because of who she is, because of her ancestry, because of her lineage. Past and present crash in on each other in the final pages as what has been twisted comes dangerously unraveled.

99c Amazon.com

Arson by Estevan Vega

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster.

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THE PYXIS SWAG WITH YOUR EMAIL!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, January 2, 2012

Romance Reading Challenges for 2012

Shared by Kristi

So as not to overwhelm everybody with so many challenge posts, I have decided to group them together, with the first set being Romance Reading Challenges. So, in no particular order. . .

Speculative Romance Challenge - Hosted by Book Chick City

Challenge details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
There are Four levels to choose from:

One Sexy Demon - Read 6 Speculative Romances
Two Sexy Werewolves - Read 12 Speculative Romances
Three Sexy Vampires - Read 18 Speculative Romances
Four Sexy Archangels - Read 24 Speculative Romances

You don't have to preselect your books, but can add them as you go along. Your books can also cross over with other challenges.
You can join at anytime, but any books read in 2012 count.
There will be links each month for reviews.
Audiobooks do not count.
Fiction only.
You don't have to have a blog to join - see host site for details.
Genres include

Paranormal romance
Dark Fantasy Romance
Urban Fantasy Romance
Steampunk Romance
Sci-fi Romance
Apocalyptic romance
No Historical or Contemporary Allowed!

Books:

Romance Reading Challenge - hosted by . . . the bookworm. . .

Challenge details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Romance is defined as any story that has romantic love between the two main characters.
Choose at least 5 novels.
Crossovers are allowed.
All books count (e-book, audiobook, etc)
You don't need to have a blog, see host site for details.

Books:

Harlequin Silhouette Reading Challenge hosted by Islandgirl Reads Romance

Challenge details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
All of the books must be from the Harlequin family of imprints (Includes Mira)
Read one book for each of the following requirements:

The name of a place in the title (country, small city, town, etc)
A weather condition in the title (snow, rain, storm, etc)
A Title must be in the title of the book (Prince, Countess, etc)
The author's first or last name must begin with the letter M
A Holiday/Season in the title (Valentine, Christmas, Summer, etc)
A Color must be in the title (red, blue, green, etc)

Do not need to post a list ahead of time.
Books can be in any format
Crossovers are allowed
Go to eHarlequin for book information - anything you can purchase there counts for the challenge.
There will be a raffle and prize at the end of the year - please see host site for details.

Books:

(Name of a Place/Title) - The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy

Reading Romances Challenge hosted by Reading Romances

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
This challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you'll have read when the challenge is over. The goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance to open our minds to new genres you wouldn't normally read.
Anyone can join.
You don't need a blog, please see host site for details.
A list of romance sub-genres and a few cool themes will be posted each month at the host site to choose from.
You do not have to choose your books ahead of time.
You don't have to participate every month.
You can sign up at any time.
Crossovers are allowed.
Books can be in any format.
There will be a monthly roundup post to post your reviews to.
There will be random giveaways throughout the year for active participants.

January books:

Options - Read a book that is first in a series, by an author that is "new" to you or a debut author; OR read a romance that has a teen as a protagonist; OR read an erotic romance or erotica.

Airel by Aaron Patterson, Chris White - This book is first in a series (The Airel Saga, the author is new to me and it is a romance with a teen as protagonist!)
Pyxis by K.C. Neal - This book is first in a series (Pyxis) the author is new to me and it is a romance with a teen as a protagonist!

Feb Challenge - Read a book with a red cover, that has a kissing or embracing couple, or has Kiss, Heart or Love in the title; or read a book by an author you have given up; read a novella or anthology; Read one of the oldest books on your TBR shelf or read a historical fiction (that takes place in some notable period of history)

March Challenge - Read a book with a woman on the cover or author with three names. My book was both

Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

April Challenge - Read a contemporary book where something is different in the world than what reality reflects. (vampires, magic, etc)

Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

May Challenge - Read a book from a favorite genre

Paskagankee by Allan Leverone

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

TBR Reading Challenges

Shared by Kristi

I have grouped all of these challenges together, because they were books that are either already on my shelf, or that I have won, or received for review.

Again, in no particular order:

ARC Reading Challenge hosted by So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Challenge details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Bronze - If you have 11 or fewer ARCs to read during the year, you would have to read them all and would fall in this category.

For those with more than 12 ARCs:

Silver - 24 ARCs
Gold - 30 ARCs
Platinum - 35+ ARCs

An ARC is considered any book that an author or publisher gives you for a review.
You can join anytime throughout the year.
You do not have to make a list ahead of time.
Crossovers are allowed.
Ebooks and audiobooks are allowed as long as they were received for a review.
You do not need a blog to participate, see host site for details.
Monthly post on host blog for reviews.

Books: (I choose Silver Level - 24 books)

Books Won Reading Challenge hosted by So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Honorable Mention - Read 1-3 books you've won
Bronze - Read 4-6 books won
Silver - Read 7-9 books won
Gold - Read 10+ books won

You must write a review for each book read in order for it to count.
You do not have to have a blog, see host site for details.
You can join anytime.
Crossovers are okay.
Any book types won count.
You do not have to make a list ahead of time.
Monthly linky will be posted at host site for reviews.

Books: (I choose Honorable Mention 1-3 books)

Free Reads Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

For Me? - Choose 5 books to read
On the Cheap - Choose 15 books to read
Bargain - Choose 30 books to read
Presents - Choose 50 books to read
So Free - Choose 75 books to read
Gift Addict - Choose 76 - 135 books to read
Speechless - Choose 136+ books to read

There are some extra challenges - see host site for details.
Must read books you've received without purchasing: gifts, ARCs, prizes (but not library books).
Can sign up anytime before Dec 15, 2012.
Crossovers allowed.
Do not need a blog to join, see host site for details.
Any book types count as long as they were won.

Books: (I choose For Me? 1-5 books)

Ebook Challenge hosted by Workaday Reads

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Floppy Disk - 5 ebooks
CD - 10 ebooks
DVD - 25 ebooks
Memory Stick - 50 ebooks
Hard Drive - 75 ebooks
Server - 100 ebooks
Human Brain - 150 ebooks

Anyone can join.
You don't need to have a blog, see host site for details.
Any book counts as long as it is an ebook.
You do not need to list your books in advance.
Can sign up anytime until Dec 15, 2012.
Roundup post at the host site at the beginning of each month for reviews.
Drawings each month for each review you post.
Grand prize drawing at the end for those who met their goals.

Books: (I choose CD - 10 ebooks)

Off the Shelf Reading Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Tempted - Read 5 books
Trying - Read 10 books
Making a dent - Read 30 books
On a Roll - Read 50 books
Flying off - Read 75 books
Hoarder - Read between 76-135 books
Buried - Read 136+ books

Must read books acquired before 2012
Can sign up until Dec 15, 2012
Crossover to other challenges are okay
Do not need a blog to enter, see host site for details.
Reviewing is optional

Books: (I choose Tempted - 5 books)

Read Your Own Books Reading Challenge hosted by Tales From the Crypt

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Level 1 - Read 1-5 Books
Level 2 - Read 6-10 Books
Level 3 - Read 11-20 Books
Level 4 - Read 21+ Books

Must have received the book before 2012
Anyone can join
Do not need a blog to participate, see host site for details
Reviews are not required
All books count
Re-reads do not count
Do not need to make a list in advance
Crossovers are okay
Review books not eligible

Books: (I choose Level 1 1-5 books)

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

TBR Pile Reading Challenge hosted by Bookish

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

A Firm Handshake - 1-10 Books
A Friendly Hug - 11-20 Books
A Sweet Kiss - 21-30 Books
Love at First Sight - 31-40 Books
Married with Children - 41-50 Books

Only bloggers can enter
Only books released and received before 2012 are eligible
Do not need to list books in advance
Can sign up until Dec 15, 2012
At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and a place for you to link up your reviews from that month. Each linked review will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. You will get 1 additional entry for participating in the mini challenge.
If you miss a wrap-up, you can post your reviews in the next month's wrap up - but cannot post one review more than once!
December is the wrap-up for the whole year. All the books linked for the entire year will be entered into a giveaway for 12 winners!
Must follow the hosts to be entered in the giveaways

Hosts:

Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Wrap Up Post Schedule:

January - Donna (Theme: Let It Snow + Book Cover Challenge)
February - Nicole (Theme: Un-requited Love/Love Gone Wrong + Advice Column Challenge)
March - Rie (Theme: Green or Pinched + Green Cover Challenge)
April - Bonnie (Theme: Easter + Mini Challenge)
May - Christa (Theme: MayDay - Disaster Books! + Cover Disaster Challenge)
June - Jenna ( Theme: Camping + Sentence Challenge)
July - Rie (Theme: International Day + Cover Comparison Challenge)
August - Angel (Theme: Summer Memories + Send Your Fav Character On Vacation Challenge)
September - Nicole (Theme: Life Changing Books + Mini Challenge)
October - Caitlin (Theme: Thanksgiving Theme + Share-A-Book Challenge)
November - Vicky (Theme: Spooky Halloween + Book Puzzle Challenge)
December - Evie (Theme: Xmas Bliss + Book Bachelor Challenge)

Books: (I choose Level - A Firm Handshake 1-10 books)

Unread Book Challenge hosted by The Hopeful Librarian

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Sign up through the end of January
You may count every book that you read in 2012 that you own but haven't read yet. Books you add to the stack in 2012 are allowed!
There will be giveaways throughout the year

Books:

Mount TBR Reading Challenge hosted by My Readers Block

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Pike's Peak - Read 12 books
Mt. Vancouver - Read 25 books
Mt. Ararat - Read 40 books
Mt. Kilimanjaro - Read 50 books
El Toro - Read 75 books
Mt. Everest - Read 100+ books

Must complete challenge level selected, but can always move up
Sign ups allowed through Nov 30, 2012
Books must be owned prior to 2012. No ARCS, no library books, no re-reads
Crossovers are allowed
Do not need to make a list ahead of time.
There will be a progress post at the host site
Blog and reviews are not necessary to participate

Books: (I choose Pike's Peak - 12 books)

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Dystopian and Paranormal Challenges

Shared by Kristi

There was a whole slew of challenges for these popular genres. I can't wait to see all the books that fall into these categories this year!

12 Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic in 12 Month Reading Challenge hosted by Rosey's Reviews

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Goal is to read 12 books
You can join at anytime
Books can be in any format
You do not have to be a blogger to participate
You do not have to make your list in advance
Reviews are not required

Books:

The Dystopia Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Asocial - Read 5 books - My Level
Contagian - Read 15 books
Soldier - Read 30 books
Drone - Read 50 books
Conditioned - Read 75 books
Brainwashed - Read 76 - 135 books
Totalitarian - Read 136+ books

Sign up through Dec 15, 2012
Challenge includes Dystopia, Post-Apocalypse, and Ecotopia (environmentally dystopian)
Crossovers are allowed
Choose a level, but can change at any time
Any format allowed - including short stories and graphic novels
Do not need a blog to participate - see host site for details
Extra challenges available at host site.

Books:

Read Dystopia Challenge hosted by Book Journey

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Beginner: 1-3 Dystopian Books - My Level
Intermediate Post World Trainee: 4-6 Dystopian Books
Leader of Your District: 7-10 Dystopian Books
Survivor: 11+ Dystopian Books

Dystopia - an imaginary place where the conditions and quality of life are unpleasant. The opposite of Utopia.
Dystopia - a work of fiction describing an imaginary place where life is extremely bad because of deprivation or oppression or terror.
Great list of dystopian books here

Books:

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge hosted by Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Levels:

Initiate - Read 1-5 Witchy Books - My Level
Maiden - Read 6-10 Witchy Books
Mother - Read 11-15 Witchy Books
Crone - Read 16-20 Witchy Books

There is a nice list of witch books at the host site
Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts - Fiction or non-fiction.
Books can be any format
Rereads and crossovers allowed
No need to list books in advance
Choose a level, can move up, but not down
Can sign up until Dec 15, 2012
Participants will be given one entry into a giveaway for every review they link up

Books:

The Thirteen by Susie Moloney

Immortal Reading Challenge hosted by Under the Covers Book Blog

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
There are 4 categories and you can choose how many books you want to read and which categories you want to choose from