Books and Needlepoint

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

Vampires (List of Vampire Books)
Angels and Demons (List of Angel and Demon Books)
Fae (List of Fae books)
Shifters/Werewolves (List of Shifter/Werewolf Books)

I am not sure if I am going to do more than one category - but I am going to start with Angels/Demons

Vampire Reading Challenge hosted by More Tales From the Crypt

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:

Paranormal Reading Challenge hosted by More Tales From the Crypt

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:

Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge hosted by More Tales From the Crypt

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:

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern (Book Review)

Shared by Kristi

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

More Reading Challenges

Shared by Kristi

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:

Dean Koontz Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Garden

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!

Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge hosted by Darlene's Book Nook

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:

A is for Alibi
B is for Burglar
C is for Corpse
D is for Deadbeat
E is for Evidence
F is for Fugitive

(There are many more, but we will list those for starters)

Rizzoli & Isles Reading Challenge hosted by Socrates' Book Review Blog

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:

The Surgeon
The Apprentice
The Sinner
Body Double
Vanish
The Mephisto Club
The Keepsake (Keeping the Dead)
Ice Cold (The Killing Place)
The Silent Girl

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge hosted by Darlene's Book Nook

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:

Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World

Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge hosted by Darlene's Book Nook

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:

One for the Money
Two for the Dough
Three to get Deadly
Four to Score
High Five
Hot Six

(There are many more, but we will stop there for now)

The Dark Tower Reading Challenge hosted by Leighanne's Lit

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:

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower VIII: The Wind Through the Keyhole (BONUS book - publishing Spring of 2012)

Welcome to Cedar Cove Challenge hosted by Book Dragon's Lair

Challenge Details:

Timeline: Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
Not really any other rules. . .
Read the Cedar Cove books by Debbie Macomber

Books:

16 Lighthouse Road
204 Rosewood Lane
311 Pelican Court
44 Cranberry Point
50 Harbor Street
6 Rainier Drive
74 Seaside Ave
8 Sandpiper Way
92 Pacific Boulevard
1022 Evergreen Place
1105 Yakima Street
1225 Christmas Tree Lane (release date - Sept 27)

Two related stories

5-B, a novella in the Hearts Divided anthology

A Cedar Cove Christmas

1st in a Series Challenge hosted by A Few More Challenges

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:

Airel by Aaron Patterson, Chris White (The Airel Saga, Book 1)
Pyxis by K.C. Neal (Pyxis #1)
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
The Surgeon
Dead Until Dark
One for the Money
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
16 Lighthouse Road
Shore Excursion by Marie Moore
Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

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!

TV Addict Reading Challenge hosted by Belle's Bookshelf

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

Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World

Friday, January 6, 2012

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

Shared by Kristi

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.

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

The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman (Book Review)

Shared by Kristi

Title: The Kingdom of Childhood
Author: Rebecca Coleman
Publisher: MIRA Books

About the book: The Kingdom of Childhood is the story of a boy and a woman: sixteen-year-old Zach Patterson, uprooted and struggling to reconcile his knowledge of his mother's extramarital affair, and Judy McFarland, a kindergarten teacher watching her family unravel before her eyes. Thrown together to organize a fundraiser for their failing private school and bonded by loneliness, they begin an affair that at first thrills, then corrupts, each of them. Judy sees in Zach the elements of a young man she loved as a child, but what Zach does not realize is that their relationship is, for Judy, only the latest in a lifetime of disturbing secrets. As the walls close in, Zach finds himself needing to disentangle himself from premature adulthood. but the lines between adult and child have blurred, and life and sanity are unraveling faster and further than anyone could ever have imagined.

My thoughts: This was a disturbing book to read. Like a car wreck that you can't look away from, I found it hard to put this book down. We slowly learn about Judy's past throughout the book, and the secrets that she has either been keeping or repressed from her childhood. Born into a dysfunctional family, I was surprised that she kept things together for as long as she did before she began to spiral out of control.

I did feel sorry for Zach in the book. He may have helped instigate the relationship, but it should have been Judy, as the adult, who behaved appropriately and didn't pursue it. She was definitely out of control mentally, and being a mom to two teen girls I couldn't even imagine having a relationship with any of their friends! Rebecca Coleman did a great job in portraying both Judy and her mental instability and the feelings that Zach was having as a teenager in a relationship in which he didn't belong. I highly recommend this book to all readers!

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Meryl L. Moss Media in exchange for my review.~

The Kingdom of Childhood

Publisher/Publication Date: MIRA Books, Oct 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7783-1278-9

352 pages

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Switched by Amanda Hocking - Giveaway!!!

Shared by Kristi

Switched

by Amanda Hocking

SWITCHED… at birth:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

I got this book in the mail last week and can't wait to get it started! It is the first book in a new trilogy, Trylle. The other great thing about this trilogy is that there isn't much time between books! The second book, Torn, goes on sale 2/28/12 and the third book Ascend goes on sale 4/24/12.

Giveaway details: Giveaway will end on Jan 10th at Midnight. Following is not necessary, but it will get you extra entries! Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada only.
Please give rafflecopter a second to show up.

a Rafflecopter giveaway