Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

YA Reading Challenges (Some of my favorites!)

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YA books have turned into some of my favorite books - they are entertaining and quick to read - and ones that I can share with my daughters.


YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by Katies Book Blog and Reading Angel


Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Sign up until May 1, 2012
  • Read any Contemporary YA novel PUBLISHED between Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • All formats are accepted
  • Your challenge hosts created a spreadsheet of acceptable books that will be published this year.  They will add books to it if they meet the criteria.
  • Anyone with a blog, or a member of Goodreads can join.
  • There will be giveaways throughout the year and a grand prize at the end
  • List of books not required ahead of time
Books:
  1.  The Jerk Magnet by Melody Carlson
  2.  Night Sky by Jolene Perry
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Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • You must choose a number of books (between 1-99) to read from each of the years - 2010, 2011, 2012 (I am choosing 1 book from each year)
  • Anyone can join - do not need to have a blog
  • Any YA contemporary book published in 2010, 2011, 2012 qualifies.  Challenge host has provided some lists to get you started:
  • Crossovers are okay
Books
  1.  2010 -
  2.  2011 -







Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Can set your own goals and levels
  • Monthly updates and mini-challenges at the beginning of each month
  • Weekly link-up for reviews
  • Reviews are not mandatory, but will get you extra entries in giveaways
  • Do not need to be a blogger to participate
I am hoping to just add more contemps to my reading - so I will go for 6 this year.
  1.  The Jerk Magnet by Melody Carlson
  2.  Night Sky by Jolene Perry
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Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Listen to at least 12 YA Audiobooks
  • Review the audiobooks on your blog or goodreads and link back to host site
    • Reviews should include the length of the audiobook and name of narrator(s) at minimum, and also include your opinion of the narrator(s)/production.
    • There will be a linky open here each month to link up your reviews. You don't have to link a review each month, however to complete the challenge you must link a total of 12 by the end of 2012.
  • There will be at least one giveaway
Books:
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Mailbox Monday (Jan 9, 2012)

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 Mailbox Monday will be hosted in December by Alyce at At Home With Books.  In My Mailbox is hosted Sundays at The Story Siren. Please visit these posts and take a look at what packages everybody else got this week! 

I have had a slow start to the new year, but have received one book for review and three that I have won from giveaways.

The Jerk Magnet
by Melody Carlson

When Chelsea Martin's future stepmother helps her transform from gawky and geeky into the hottest girl at her new school, Chelsea is pretty sure it's the best thing that ever happened to her.  But her hot new look has a downside.  She's attracting lots of guys who all have one thing in common:  they're jerks.  Oh, and stealing the attention of all the guys in school doesn't exactly make her BFF material for the girls.

Finally a great guy catches her eye.  But he's the only one around who doesn't give her a second glance.  Can Chelsea come up with a plan to get his attention?  Or will her new image ruin everything?



Pregnant Pause
by Han Nolan
 
Okay, I'm pregnant, and so here's what I'm scared about.  What if my kid turns out to be a mass murderer?  You know, one of those kids who shoots half the school, then shoots himself?  Or maybe a drug dealer, or really, just -- just what if my kid lies to me, or sneaks out a window to go see her boyfriend, or gets pregnant at sixteen like me?  I'd hate to have me for a kid.
 
Eleanor Crowe has a mind of her own, and nobody gets away with bossing her around.  She usually makes decisions based on who she can piss off most, although that hasn't always worked out so well.  Now she's pregnant and sixteen -- and her opinion doesn't seem to matter to everyone who's trying to tell her what to do.
 
But as Elly's delivery date approaches, she has more questions than answers.  Is she being punished for being such a rotten daughter?  Does she really love this boy she married?  And what's she going to do with this baby?  Being headstrong got her into this mess. . .maybe now it can get her out of it.  But is that what she really wants?
 

I won these next 2 books plus a Book Lover's 2012 Calendar from Mary at Bookhounds
 
Season for Temptation
by Theresa Romain

Two sisters. . .
Julia Herington is overjoyed when her stepsister, Louisa, becomes engaged -- to a viscount, no less.  Louisa's only hesitation is living a life under the ton's critical gaze.  But with his wry wit and unconventional ideas, Julia feels James is perfect for Louisa.  She can only hope to find a man like him for herself.  Exactly like him, in fact. . .

One choice. . .
As the new Viscount Matheson, James wished to marry quickly and secure his title.  Kind, intelligent Louisa seemed a suitable bride. . .until he met her stepsister.  Julia is impetuous -- and irresistible.  Pledged to one sister, yet captivated by another, what is he to do?  As Christmas and the whirl of the London season approach, James may be caught in a most scandalous conundrum, one that only true love, a bit of spiritous punch -- and a twist of fate -- will solve. . .




Tis the Season to be Sinful
by Adrienne Basso

The season for surprises. . .
Juliet Wentworth knew what she was getting into:  a marriage of convenience that will save her estate and protect her family long into the future.  But she wasn't expecting to find the passion of a lifetime in her new husband's arms.  After just one night, Juliet knows a marriage in name only will never be enough. . .

The season for seduction. . .
Richard Harper's beautiful new bride has him reeling with desire -- and running for cover.  After all, falling in love was never part of the bargain.  Yet when Christmastime celebrations bring him back to their country manor and back into Juliet's arms, Richard finds his wife is determined -- and all too able -- to win over his heart, one kiss at a time. . .

What books came home to you this week?
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Dystopian and Paranormal Challenges

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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!



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:
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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:
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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.
Books:


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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:
  1.  The Thirteen by Susie Moloney
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Challenge Details:
I am not sure if I am going to do more than one category - but I am going to start with Angels/Demons
  1. Airel by Aaron Patterson, Chris White
  2. Until Next Time by Amy Lignor








Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Level 1 - Read 1-5 Vampire Novels (My Level)
    • Level 2 - Read 6-10 Vampire Novels
    • Level 3 - Read 11-20 Vampire Novels
    • Level 4 - Read 21+ Vampire Novels
  • Anyone Can Join
  • Do not need a blog to participate
  • Reviews not required
  • Crossovers are okay
  • All book format okay
  • No need to list books in advance

Books:
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Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Level 1 - Read 1-5 Paranormal Novels (My Level)
    • Level 2 - Read 6-10 Paranormal Novels
    • Level 3 - Read 11-20 Paranormal Novels
    • Level 4 - Read 21+ Paranormal Novels
  • Anyone Can Join
  • Do not need a blog to participate
  • Reviews not required
  • No Vampire books allowed
  • Crossovers are okay
  • All book format okay
  • No need to list books in advance
Books:
  1.  Airel by Aaron Patterson, Chris White
  2.  Pyxis by K.C. Neal
  3.  Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
  4. The Thirteen by Susie Moloney
  5.  Until Next Time by Amy Lignor
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Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Level 1 - Read 1-5 Paranormal Romance Novels (My Level)
    • Level 2 - Read 6-10 Paranormal Romance Novels
    • Level 3 - Read 11-20 Paranormal  Romance Novels
    • Level 4 - Read 21+ Paranormal Romance Novels
  • Anyone Can Join
  • Do not need a blog to participate
  • Reviews not required
  • No Vampire books allowed
  • Crossovers are okay
  • All book format okay
  • No need to list books in advance
Books:
  1. Airel by Aaron Patterson, Chris White 
  2. Pyxis by K.C. Neal 
  3. Until Next Time by Amy Lignor


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Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern (Book Review)

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Title: The Gift
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: Harper

About the book: Lou Suffern's successful career demands that he be in two places at one time -- and neither of those is with his devoted wife and children.  One frigid morning Lou meets a homeless man named Gabe and buys him a cup of coffee. . . then gives him a job -- a surprising random act of kindness.  But soon Gabe is meddling uncomfortably in Lou's life, popping up at the most inopportune times -- as if Gabe actually can be two places at once.  With Lou's personal and professional fates at important crossroads and Christmas looming, Gabe resorts to some unorthodox methods to show his stubborn patron what truly matters and how precious the gift of time is.  But can he help him fix what's broken before it's too late?

My thoughts:  I read this for the TuesBookTalk Read-a-Longs at Goodreads.  I have been part of this group forever but this is only the second book that I have read "with" them - or as much with them as I can.  This was the December book and I just finished it last night.  I must say though, that this was a great book to read in December. 

While it is Lou's story, it is actually being related to a young boy who has gotten in trouble and is waiting for his mom to pick him up from the police station.  I would get so engrossed in the story that when they would go back to the police officer telling the story it was like - "oh yeah - I forgot about them!"

I felt a little sorry for Lou, especially in the beginning.  He had such little will power in certain situations, and even though he thought he was in control, I think the situations were really controlling him.  He didn't even understand his own motivations toward Gabe when he gave him the coffee and offered him the job.  He quickly resented Gabe when he felt like Gabe was getting attention and praise that he deserved, but at the same time he came to feel that Gabe was one of the few people that he could trust.  You see, Gabe gave him a pill that allowed him to be in two places at once - so he was able to attend two important meetings, staying out late with one of them, but also going home after the other one and tending to a sick wife and daughter.  Even though he didn't understand how that was possible, he didn't question the accolades that he received on his accomplishments at the two meetings.  It wasn't until later that he began to appreciate the time that he had been able to spend with his family while he was "split".

This was a really good book with a good lesson about the gift of time, and spending it with those that really matter. But first you have to decide what it is that really matters to you. 


Challenges:  Unfortunately this book does not count towards any challenges as it was started in December.

The Gift
Publisher/Publication Date: Harper, Nov 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-170626-4
302 pages
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More Reading Challenges

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These reading challenges all center around a particular series in some way or another.  The awesome thing is that most of these series I already own in completion (or mostly own) and I haven't read them!  So they will count towards my TBR challenges as well!  Since I own them, it goes without saying that they are ones that I have wanted to read! So here we go, in no particular order:




Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Odd Thomas' Mailman - 3 books - My Level
    • Odd Thomas' Neighbor - 6 books
    • Odd Thomas' Best Friend - 9 books
    • Odd Thomas' Stalker - 12+ books
  • Read any book by Dean Koontz (See list here)
  • Anyone can join.
  • Must pick a level, but do not need to choose books ahead of time.  Can "upgrade" level if you so desire.
  • Crossovers are allowed.
  • Physical and ebooks allowed.
  • Reviews are not mandatory.
Books:  I have so many Dean Koontz books waiting to be read, including the Odd Thomas series that I have no idea where I will start!









Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Perpetual
  • You can join the challenge at any time and at any place in the series.
  • Crossovers are allowed
  • You do not need a blog to participate - please see host site for details.
  • All formats are acceptable (audio books as long as unabridged)
  • Quarterly link-ups on host blog with wrap up post at the end of the year.
  • Read the Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton
Books:
  1. A is for Alibi
  2. B is for Burglar
  3. C is for Corpse
  4. D is for Deadbeat
  5. E is for Evidence
  6. F is for Fugitive
(There are many more, but we will list those for starters)







Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Anyone can join, with any place in the series
  • You don't need a blog to participate - please see host site for details
  • Crossovers are allowed
  • Any format is acceptable
  • Read the Rizzoli and Isles series by Tess Gerritsen
Books:
  1. The Surgeon
  2. The Apprentice
  3. The Sinner
  4. Body Double
  5. Vanish
  6. The Mephisto Club
  7. The Keepsake (Keeping the Dead)
  8. Ice Cold (The Killing Place)
  9. The Silent Girl









Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Level 1 - Read 1-4 books - My Level
    • Level 2 - Read 5 - 8 books
    • Level 3 - Read 9 - 11 books
    • Level 4 - Read all 12 books
  • Must choose level, but can always move up
  • Quarterly link up for reviews on host site with a year end wrap up and giveaway for challenge finishers
  • Crossovers are allowed
  • Can join at any time - all books read in 2012 allowed regardless of when you sign up
  • Read the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris
Books:
  1. Dead Until Dark
  2. Living Dead in Dallas
  3. Club Dead
  4. Dead to the World






Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Perpetual
  • Anyone can join, at any time, at any place in the series
  • You do not need a blog to participate - please see host site for details
  • Crossovers are allowed
  • All formats are allowed (as long as unabridged)
  • Quarterly link ups at host site with a wrap up at year's end
  • Read the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich

Books:
  2. Two for the Dough
  3. Three to get Deadly
  4. Four to Score
  5. High Five
  6. Hot Six
(There are many more, but we will stop there for now)





Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Must read all 7 books to complete challenge
  • All formats acceptable
  • Crossovers are allowed
  • Do not need a blog to participate - please see host site for details
  • Reviews not mandatory, but there will be a linky for those who review.  There will also be a monthly discussion post at host site
  • Read The Dark Tower books by Stephen King.
Though I have had this series for what seems like forever, this will be the first time through for me!

Books:
  1. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
  2. The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
  3. The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands
  4. The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
  5. The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
  6. The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
  7. The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
  8. The Dark Tower VIII: The Wind Through the Keyhole (BONUS book - publishing Spring of 2012)










Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Not really any other rules. . .
  • Read the Cedar Cove books by Debbie Macomber
Books:
  1. 16 Lighthouse Road
  2. 204 Rosewood Lane
  3. 311 Pelican Court
  4. 44 Cranberry Point
  5. 50 Harbor Street
  6. 6 Rainier Drive
  7. 74 Seaside Ave
  8. 8 Sandpiper Way
  9. 92 Pacific Boulevard
  10. 1022 Evergreen Place
  11. 1105 Yakima Street
  12. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane (release date - Sept 27)
Two related stories
5-B, a novella in the Hearts Divided anthology
A Cedar Cove Christmas









Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in a series
    • Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in a series (My Level)
    • Series Expert: Read 9 books that are the first in a series
    • Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in a series
  • You do not need to list your books in advance
  • Can join anytime during the year
  • Read any book that is the first book of a series
Books:
  4. The Surgeon
  5. Dead Until Dark
  7. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
These are just the books for the series on this page - and I am sure there will be other ones that I stumble across this year as well!










Challenge Details:
  • Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
  • Levels:
    • Single Play - Read books that correspond to 1 TV show (my level)
    • Mini-series - Read books that correspond to 2 TV shows
    • Series - Read books that correspond to 3-4 TV shows
    • Soap Opera - Read books that correspond to 5+ shows
  • Read books that TV shows are based on
  • You don't have to read the ENTIRE series that the TV shows are based on, just the books that correspond to the seasons of the TV show (i.e. the first four books of the Sookie Stackhouse series, which formed the basis for the first seasons of True Blood that are currently available)
  • Do not need to list books in advance
Books - mine are from Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood
  1. Dead Until Dark
  2. Living Dead in Dallas
  3. Club Dead
  4. Dead to the World






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Friday, January 6, 2012

Creativity Goes Hand in Hand With. . . Discipline? (Guest post by Elizabeth Ann West with a free ebook!)

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An unfinished scarf from learning to sew last Christmas
Over the course of two Navy deployments I learned how to embroider, cross-stitch, bead, crochet, and eventually sew. Most of my projects had one very important feature in common...they were all unfinished! When I began writing my debut novel CANCELLED in January 2011, I was adamant the book would NOT join the pile of unfinished projects.
Crafting is a very worthwhile past time. Unfortunately, too many of the folk art skills are being lost on the newer generations. We don't have older relatives nearby to hand down the techniques and who has the time? Living four years with a husband deployed 77% of the year, I spent many Friday nights with my DVR and a new craft. For the last deployment, I spent MOST of my Friday nights with a fellow crochet buddy and her sons watching Hayao Miyazaki films. We made crocheted Christmas gifts for our family members.

My first sewing project, a netbook bag!
Christmas 2010
The personal qualities of crafters are fairly universal. Most crafters are very generous, often using hours of their time to create homemade gifts from the heart. Maybe that's why there aren't many knitting-needle fencing matches at Stitch 'n Bitch circles! My sister, Christine, still wears the scarf I crocheted for her in 2006. I can't think of another Christmas gift I could buy and have it still treasured five years later.

While crafting takes a high level of creativity, the only way to avoid the high pile of unfinished projects is discipline. Yet it's not a word that quickly comes to mind when you think “creative.” For most creative men and women, the hardest part isn't the idea, it's following through. We're chock full of ideas!

In 2005, before kids, this aquamarine beaded bracelet
I made was too big! Maybe one day it'll fit once more!


When I meet a fellow artist, whether it's painting, needlepoint, or writing, I am always most impressed by the sheer amount of work she has accomplished. I know first hand how much fun a new project brings. Ask me about the time I was going to make beaded pico drop necklaces for all six of my bridesmaids! They ended up with jewelry sets purchased from a department store.

So in the spirit of the generous nature of crafters, and because I am so proud I didn't add to my unfinished project pile, I am offering a free, signed copy of my ebook CANCELLED to the readers of Books and Needlepoint. To receive the ebook, please sign up for my newsletter so I know where to email the correct file format. Each ebook is a unique file with a handwritten note inserted digitally right after the cover. You will need to use a USB to miniUSB cable to send the file over, it's the little cable that came with your ereader. If you have questions, I'm happy to help! (My newsletter comes out every 25th and only once per month, covering my latest writing projects, fun activities for readers, and technology tips for our growing digital lives).

Also, each week this month on Saturday at 5 PM EST I am drawing one name from that week's newsletter registrations. This reader wins a signed, annotated copy of CANCELLED shipped to their home. I will ship internationally. :)

Thank you so much for letting me visit! I wish I had more time to craft, but I struggle to make time to write. In many ways, my experiences, both triumphs and shortcomings, in my crafting attempts shaped the kind of writer I am today. I thrive on writing in 30 minute increments before I am distracted by something else! In the comments below, why don't we all share our strategies to keep that Unfinished Project pile as small as possible?


Elizabeth Ann West is a Jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none! After writing non-fiction professionally for three years, she made the jump to fiction in 2011 with her debut novel, CANCELLED. A chicklit/romance from the male POV, Elizabeth's novel challenges the conventions of modern romance. CANCELLED is now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble as both an ebook and paperback. Elizabeth also writes regular posts about technology subjects on Mark Williams international, and her sites eawestwriting.com and eawestwriting.blogspot.com.
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