Books and Needlepoint: Current Challenge

Showing posts with label Current Challenge. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2008

2009 ARC Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Now through December 31, 2009

This is a year long challenge.

Complete rules are listed at Teddyrose's blog. Thanks Teddyrose for hosting!

Here are my current ARC's - or ones that I am expecting soon:

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting this series challenge. The challenge starts December 1st, 2008 and goes until November 30th, 2009.

The rules are easy:

1) Pick a couple series you already started and now want to finish (meaning, you'll be all up to date with the series when it ends).

2) Read at least 4 books, more are also okay, of course!

3) Post your review of the books on your blog or in the comment section at Crazy Cozy Murders , no matter how long. If you post the review on your blog, please post a link to the review at Crazy Cozy Murders in the comment section so that everyone else can check out your review.

4) Have fun!

I can already think of 3 series that I need to finish:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Hollow by Nora Roberts (Sign of Seven Trilogy)

Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts (Sign of Seven Trilogy)
Watcher in the Woods - Robert Liparulo
The Gatekeepers - Robert Liparulo

If I think of more I will add them as I go along - there is always the J.D. Robb series - but I still have tons of books to go there!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Whitcoulls Challenge - Take 2

Shared by Kristi

I have decided to do this challenge, as upon looking over the list for 2008, found that many of these books were already on my TBR list. To sign up for this challenge please go here.

The rules are that you just need to read a minimum of 4 books (all must be new reads) from the same year's list, between Nov 15, 2008 and Nov 15, 2009. You can find lists for 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2008.

My TBR list includes:

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
The Lovely Bones - A Novel - Alice Sebold
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Eragon - Christopher Paolini
H.P. and the Half-Blood Prince - JK Rowling
H.P. and the Deathly Hallows- JK Rowling

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Genre Challenge

Shared by Kristi

I seem to be spending more time reading blogs and about book challenges than actually reading books - but I am going to sign up for a couple of more challenges that are starting this month. The first one is the Genre Challenge.

This challenge will run from November 1, 2008 – November 1, 2009

The goal: To read one book in the following genres:
1.crime fiction - Fatal Illusions - Adam Blumer
2. detective fiction - Scream for Me - Karen Rose
3. mystery fiction - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
4. horror fiction - Duma Key by Stephen King
5. thriller fiction - Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
6. romance fiction -The Christmas Edition by Robin Shope
7. science fiction - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
8. action/adventure fiction
9. fantasy fiction - Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
10. realistic fiction - Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale
11. historical fiction - In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett
12. western fiction

Specific definitions of these genres can be found in this post.

There are three options if you want to join:
A: Read 10 books, drop the genre you read the most and one of your own choosing.
B: Read 11 books, drop the genre you read the most.
C: Read 12 books.

The rules:
You may not read more than 1 book per genre.
All books must be read within the challenge period.
No crossovers within the challenge, each genre should have a separate book.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
Audio books are allowed, graphic novels are not.
You may make a list of books, but that’s not mandatory and you can change your picks at any time before or during the challenge.

To join, click here.

I think that I will probably try to read all genres since I would not be able to pick one to exclude! As I decide on my list, I will post it here.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Countdown Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Here is an interesting challenge - though it does involve a lot of books, you can retroactive in back to August. That should help with some of the reading!

Go here to sign up - but rules are below.

The goal of this challenge is to read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000s — 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. The total number of books required, therefore, is 45.
This challenge lasts from 8/8/08 through 9/9/09. Yes, it is retroactive to August 8th!
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and your lists may change at any time.

After looking at the books I have read since august - already have these books done:

2009 - Gatekeepers - Robert Liparulo
2009 - Be Strong and Curvaceous - Shelley Adina
2009 - For the Love of Pete - Julia Harper
2009 - Lost in Las Vegas - Melody Carlson
2009 - Scrapping Plans - Rebeca Seitz
2009 - Lessons From San Quentin - Bill Dallas
2009 - Simple Wishes - Lisa Dale
2009 - The Spring of Candy Apples - Debbie Viguie
2009 - Age Before Beauty - Virginia Smith
2008 - Duma Key by Stephen King
2008 - Assaulted by Joy - Stephen Simpson
2008 - In the Shadow of Lions - Ginger Garrett
2008 - Drinkwater - Eric Hopkins
2008 - The Christmas Edition - Robin Shope
2008 - House of Dark Shadows - Robert Liparulo
2008 - Watcher in the Woods - Robert Liparulo
2008 - Walking with Wolf - Kay Chornook & Wolf Guindon
2007 - A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
2007 - The Maidenstone Lighthouse by Sally Smith O'Rourke
2007 - Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill
2007 - Diamonds in the Shadow - Caroline B. Cooney
2007 - Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
2007 -
2007 -
2006 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
2006 - The Road by Cormac McCarthy
2006 - Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man - Claudia Mair Burney
2006 -
2006 -
2006 -
2005 - Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
2005 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
2005 -
2005 -
2005 -
2004 -
2004 -
2004 -
2004 -
2003 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - JK Rowling
2003 -
2003 -
2002 - Coraline by Neil Gaiman
2002 -
2001 -

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

From the Stacks Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Here I go with challenges again - this one might actually get me reading all of those TBR books! You can sign up here - rules are below:

From the Stacks Challenge 08
The basic rules are the same:

If you are anything like me your stack of purchased to-be-read books is teetering over. So for this challenge we would be reading 5 books that we have already purchased, have been meaning to get to, have been sitting on the nightstand and haven't read before. No going out and buying new books. No getting sidetracked by the lure of the holiday bookstore displays.

The bonus would be that we would finally get to some of those titles (you know you picked them for a reason!) and we wouldn't be spending any extra money over the holidays.

Possible picks:
Cold Mountain -Charles Frazier
Remains of the Day - Kazua Ishiguro
H.P. and the Half-Blood Prince - JK Rowling
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
His Family - Ernest Poole

Actual books:
Assaulted by Joy - Stephen Simpson
In the Shadow of Lions - Ginger Garrett
Drinkwater - Eric Hopkins
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Walking with Wolf - Kay Chornook & Wolf Guindon

The time frame would be Nov. 1st until Jan. 30 and there will be some small, fun prizes awarded to random participants and/or those with clever review posts.

What's In a Name - 2009

Shared by Kristi

I just found this new challenge over at A Novel Challenge. It sounds like a lot of fun. Go here to sign up, but the rules are below:

Runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2009

Choose one book from each of the following categories.

A book with a "profession" in its title. Examples might include: The Book Thief, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Historian My Choice is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

A book with a "time of day" in its title. Examples might include: Twilight, Four Past Midnight, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - My choice is Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

A book with a "relative" in its title. Examples might include: Eight Cousins, My Father's Dragon, The Daughter of Time -My choice is Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker

A book with a "body part" in its title. Examples might include: The Bluest Eye, Bag of Bones, The Heart of Darkness - My choice is Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

A book with a "building" in its title. Examples might include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Little House on the Prairie, The Looming Tower - Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search For Home by Kim Sunee

A book with a "medical condition" in its title. Examples might include: Insomnia, Coma, The Plague - My choice is Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer.

You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don't use the same book for more than one category.

There will be some small prizes scattered throughout. There will also be a prize awarded at the conclusion to one participant who completes the challenge.

You don't need to decide exactly which books you will be reading ahead of time

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Lit Flicks Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Signing up for yet another challenge- Rules are:
RULES
1. Challenge runs from September 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009.
2. Read 5 books/pieces of literature that have been made into movies.
3. Then watch at least 2 of the movie adaptations of the works you read.
4. Your list may change at any time and may include overlaps with other challenges.
6. Check in at http://thebluestockings.com/lit-flicks-challenge/ around the first of each month to find activities and giveaways for participants.
7. Link to your reviews and posts using Mr. Linky below.

LISTS OF QUALIFYING BOOKS *
Based on the Book - an extensive list of books made into movies
The Guardian’s 50 Best Film Adaptations
Amazon’s Top 50 Movie Adaptations
*Books do not have to be on the above lists to qualify

I have chosen my books -

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold - move set for release Dec 2009
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
The Road - Cormac McCarthy (Movie release for 2009)
Holes - Louis Sachar
Kristi

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Book To Movie Challenge

Shared by Kristi

New challenge starting Sept 1, 2008 - Must read 3 books in 3 months that have been made into movies, or are in production to become movies.

My list is:
1. And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
2. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenis - J.K. Rowling
I must say that when I looked at the list provided - I was amazed at the number of titles that I recognized and I had no idea they were inspired by a book

Friday, August 1, 2008

Naming Conventions Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Ok - one more challenge, then I really must stop!

K -King, Stephen - Duma Key
R - Rose, Karen - Scream for Me
I - Ishiguro, Kazua -Never Let Me Go
S - Simpson, Stephen - Assaulted by Joy
T - Tyndall, M.L. - The Red Siren
I - Ibomu, Afya - Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps

Daring Book for Girls Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Ok - had to sign up for one more - Don't know which tract I will be doing - depends on how much time I get to read here in the beginning! I also want to go through the books that I own and see which ones of these that I have.

Will probably do #2 - 9 books from the list in 12 months and the ongoing challenge of reading them all.

Choices for #2 -
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg
Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry
Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Brink

Ok - we will see how this goes!

Unread Authors Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Ok - Last challenge to sign up for today - Must read 6 authors that I have previously not read but have wanted to before Jan 31 - List below:

1. Assaulted by Joy - Stephen Simpson
2. And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
3. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
4. 1000 Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
5. The Magician's Assistant, Ann Patchett
6. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

New Classics Challenge

Shared by Kristi

This is the list for the New Classics Challenge that starts today: I have only read 6 (bolded) so this leaves me alot to choose from! Must read 6 books and review them before Jan 31 - Here we go!~ The ones in Red are the ones that I am going to try to read for this challenge. The ones in blue are finished and reviewed!

1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)

Book Awards Challenge

Shared by Kristi

This is my first book challenge that I have signed up for - but pretty sure that I will sign up for more today - now that I have a blogspot... The rules for my first challenge are as follows:
Rules:
Read 10 award winners from August 1, 2008 through June 1, 2009.
You must have at least FIVE different awards in your ten titles.
Overlaps with other challenges are permitted.
You don't have to post your choices right away, and your list can change at any time.
'Award winners' is loosely defined; make the challenge fit your needs, keeping in mind Rule #2.

I am going to post my list of books later, as soon as I have a chance to go through some award sites!

Ok - here is my list of some possible books:
1. Never Let Me Go - Kazua Ishiguro (Alex Award)
2. The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros (American Book Award)
3. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen (Alex Award 2007)
4. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg (Newberry 1968)
5. The Gathering - Anne Enright (Man Booker - 2007

I will have to choose the next 5 after I finish these!

Cormac McCarthy - The Road - Bookseller's Award
Nancy Pickard - The Virgin of Small Plains (Agatha Awards)
Sachar, Louis - Holes (Newberry Award and National Book Award)
Amy Tan - The Joy Luck Club (National Book Award)
Powers, Richard - - The Echo Maker - National Book Award