Books to Movie Reading Challenge

For the Book to Movie Challenge, you just have to read books that have been or are going to be made into movies,tv shows, or mini-series. Neither the book or the production has to be from 2016.  It is being hosted by ebookclassics.

Three book/movie adaptions that I am looking forward to in 2016 include Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Ransom Riggs), The 5th Wave (Rick Yancey) and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Jane Austen/Seth Grahame-Smith)  I am partway through the Peculiar Children series and am interested in how they are going to do some of the special effects.  I have wanted to read The 5th Wave for quite awhile and hope to get it in before the movie comes out.  And for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - who doesn't like a good zombie movie?  

Color Coded Reading Challenge

For the Color Coded Challenge, the color can either be in the title or the dominant color of the book. It is hosted at My Readers Block. 

Here are the rules:

*Read nine books in the following categories.

1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title/on the cover. 

2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title/on the cover.

3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.)in the title/on the cover.

4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title/on the cover.

5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title/on the cover.

6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title/on the cover.

7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc) in the title/on the cover.

8. A book with any other color in the title/on the cover (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.).

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.).  - For "implies color" the image implying color should dominate the cover--for instance a large rainbow, a field of flowers, or the image of a painter.  

*While reviews are not required, they can be posted at their Review Headquarters Page.

Women Challenge

This challenge is to read any kind of book authored by a woman.  

It is hosted at Peek a Book!

Levels:

Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books written by a woman author
Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books written by a woman author
Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books written by a woman author
Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books written by a woman author

She also asks that we list our three favorite woman authors.  These three were the first to come to mind:  Alex Kava, Emily Bronte, Veronica Rossi.

I am going to go for Girl Power!

1. Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
2. Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
3. Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
4. How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
5. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
6. A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes

Read the Nobels Challenge

Simple concept - read a book authored by a Nobel Laureate.  This challenge is sponsored by Guiltless Reader @ Read the Nobels.  For a list of Laureates, see here.

Levels:

• Nobel dabbler: 1 to 3 books 
• Nobel keener : 4 to 8 books 
• Nobel enthusiast: 9 to 13 books 
• Nobel devotee: 14 to 18 
• Nobel zealot: More than 19

I am just going to be a dabbler this year.  

New Authors Reading Challenge

The challenge - to find authors that are 'new-to-you' - they don't have to be debut authors.  It is being hosted at Literary Escapism.

There are no levels, so I think I will choose 15 new authors.  

After writing the review - links can be added here. 

1. Goat Mountain by David Vann
2. Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
3. How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
4. Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
5. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington
6. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
7. A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes

Southern Literature Reading Challenge

For this challenge, books must have that Southern Literature "feel" (use your best judgement) and be set in one of the following states:
South Carolina
Georgia
Alabama
North Carolina
Virginia
Tennessee 
Mississippi
Louisiana
Kentucky 
West Virginia
Texas
Arkansas
Florida

It is being hosted at The Introverted Reader. 

Levels:
Level 1--C'mon in the house! Read 1-2 books.

Level 2--Pull up a seat and stay a while! Read 3-4 books

Level 3--Have a glass of sweet iced tea, honey. Read 5-6 books

Level 4--Y'all come back now, y'hear! Read 7-8 books

I am going to try for Level 2 - Pull up a seat and stay awhile!

1. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington
2. 
   

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

Books for this challenge need to be in the mystery, suspense, thriller or crime genres. These are some of my favorite genres, so I had to join this challenge.  It is hosted by Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and Barb @ Booker T's Farm. 

Levels:

1-10 books – Amateur sleuth

11-20 books – Detective

21-30 books – Inspector

31+ books – Special agent

I will just be doing the Amateur Sleuth level. 

1. Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
2. A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes

Cover Reveal: The Society by Jodie Andrefski

Cover Reveal: Her Australian Hero by Margaret Way

Title: Her Australian Hero 

Author: Margaret Way 

Publisher: Lyrical Press 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Format: Ecopy

“If you’ve never read Margaret Way before, you’re in for a treat.” —New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer 

An epic tale of modern day Australia, where greed, desire, tragedy, and ambition collide . . .

Alexandra Ross has always known Lavender Hill will be hers one day. The grand old house, with its waving jacaranda fronds circling around it like a canopy against the white-hot Australian sun. The acres of orchards, trees heavy with sweet-smelling mangoes and prickly pink lychee. The rushing emerald creek that claimed her brother’s life; the genteel boudoir where her mother died of grief, gin, and stroke. Even the quad bike her bullheaded father uses to tear around the plantation like a teenager, as his covetous young wife plays tea party with Alex’s mother’s favorite china.

Someday Alex will undo her father’s blunders and be the good neighbor her childhood friend Rafe Rutherford deserves. The yearning she feels for Rafe can never overcome the heartbreak they’ve lived through together, but at least she will have his companionship.

Until her father is killed and the plantation is divided. If she wants to keep the land she loves Alex must break free of guilt and hesitation. And once she begins to fight for what her heart desires, there’s no telling where she’ll stop . . .

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Margaret Way has written more than 130 books, many of them International Bestsellers. She has been published in 114 countries and 34 languages. Her novels are set in her beloved Australia, where she was born and lives to this day. Her stories always contain the beauty and rugged nature of the rural and Outback Australia, as well as the rainforests and coral reefs of Northern Queensland.

Tour Schedule

Author C.A. Milson

Extreme Bookaholics

Books and Needlepoint

Around the World in Books

Alpha Book Club

Teatime and Books

Reads and Reviews

I'm Shelf-ish

The Review From Here

The Literary Nook

The Book Czar

PUYB Virtual Book Club

Harmonious Publicity

The Dark Phantom

Literal Exposure

Bent Over Bookwords

2016 Audiobook Challenge

I listen to books in my car and while I am walking on the treadmill.  Just recently I also learned that I can stream my phone through my car - so that has increased my audiobook time also!  This challenge is hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens. 

Levels

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I will be trying Stenographer for this challenge. 

2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

This is always a fun challenge as most of your books will fit this one!  You can drop the A's and The's from the beginning of the title. 

Each Letter Counts As 1 Spoonful

The first main word needs to start with the letter you are using for the challenge.  Q, X and Z can be found anywhere in the title though. 

• a
• b - Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
• c
• d
• e
• f
• g - Goat Mountain by David Vann
• h - How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
• i - Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
• j
• k
• l - Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
• m
• n
• o - Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
• p
• q
• r
• s
• t
• u
• v
• w
• x
• y
• z

2016 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

For this challenge, each month is assigned a certain motif or theme. Your task is to read one book per month that fits in with the motif for that particular month.   It is hosted by Tanya at GirlXOXO. 

There will be a linky put up the beginning of each month that will remain open until the 10th day of the following month. 

The Motifs

JANUARY- Who Dunnit?
Crack the case and solve the mystery with your first book of the year.
Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

FEBRUARY- New Releases
Read a book released in the last year.
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian

MARCH- Take a Trip
Time Travel or read a book set in a country different than where you live
Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

APRIL- Best of the Best
Read a book that has won recognition or a literary award

MAY- Story of Survival
Make it out alive, beat the odds, save yourself stories. Try thinking beyond the typical wilderness survival. Surviving high school? Surviving a family road trip? Yep- those count too! PS. Dystopians would work great in this motif too.

JUNE- Girlxoxo Recommends
We’ve read a lot of great books. Check out our archives and pick one of our recommendations off our book lists.

JULY- LOL
Hilarious memoirs, silly chick lit, comedic scifi. Pick a book that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.

AUGUST- Genre Jumble
Read from a genre that you don’t normally read from

SEPTEMBER- Steampunk, Science Fiction, and Fantasy
Pretty self explanatory and loads of great books to pick from in this motif.

OCTOBER- Things That Go Bump in The Night
Cozy mystery ghost stories, paranormal creeptastic, murder mystery- it’s up to you!

NOVEMBER- Fiction Takes A Break
It’s all about Nonfiction November this month!

DEC- That’s a Wrap
Finish a series you’ve been meaning to finish or read the next book in a series you started but never finished.

2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge

Dystopia is one of my favorite genres to read, so joining this challenge was a no brainer for me.  It is hosted by Tracy @ Cornerfolds and Claudia @ My Soul Called Life.   

Some rules: 

• There are badges that you will receive for completing each level of the challenge. 
• Quarterly Giveaways
• Dystopia prompts (optional) and review links. 
• Monthly Dystopia Newsletter. 

Levels:

1. Recruit (1-5 books)
2. Rebel (6-10 books)
3. Revolutionist (11-15 books)
4. Leader (16+ books)

I am gonna try to be a Rebel!

Important Dates:

• March 25th - First Quarter Update & Giveaway
• June 24th - Second Quarter Update & Giveaway
• September 30th - Third Quarter Update & Giveaway
• December 30th - Challenge Wrap-Up & Giveaway

Monthly Linkups

• January

Dystopian Book Lists

• Best Dystopian & Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
• Best YA Dystopia Novels

2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

My TBR pile was so huge, that I had to clean them out and pass some on without reading them last fall.  I packed up and donated 15 boxes of books -- yes, that was not a typo - 15 boxes...  And in looking at all the books I still have, you wouldn't know I got rid of any.  (Hint to husband -- more shelves. . .)

Anyway, this challenge is to read those TBR books that are still collecting dust in various places in my house.  It is being hosted by Evie @ Bookish Lifestyle.

Some rules I wanted to note:

• There will be a wrap up post every other month on the last Monday of that month. 
• There will be giveaways but you must follow Bookish to enter.
• Use #2016TBRPile in messages. 
• They are also having a TBR Pile Book Club, but you do not have to join it to do their challenge. 

Levels: 

• 1-10 A Firm Handshake
• 11-20 A Friendly Hug
• 21-30 First Kiss
• 31-40 Sweet Summer Fling
• 41-50 Could This Be Love?
• 50+ Married with Children

I will be attempting the first level only - as new releases don't count, I will be doing those this year as well. 

Cover Reveal: Heartland by Sara Walter Ellwood

Title: Heartland 

Author: Sara Walter Ellwood 

Publisher: Lyrical Shine 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Format: Ecopy

Sex, drugs, and country music. That was the lifestyle for Emily Kendall, a Texas girl who hit it big on the country music charts--until she found herself pregnant and battling addiction. Now out of rehab and seeking a new life for herself and her unborn child, Emily returns to her hometown of McAllister. The last thing she's looking for is trouble, no matter how good it looks in uniform. . .

A widower, single father, and former Army Ranger struggling with PTSD, Sheriff EJ Cowley has his own demons to battle while keeping folks safe. The last thing he needs is a troubled celebrity speeding through town in her bright red Mazerati. But when someone from Emily's past threatens her safety and the peace of McAllister, EJ has no choice but to protect her. And soon both will learn there's more to the other than meets the eye. And that wounded hearts can love again. . .

 

About the author: Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up. 

She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.

 

Tour Schedule

Author C.A. Milson 

Extreme Bookaholics

Books and Needlepoint

Authors and Readers Book Corner

Around the World in Books

Bitten by Romance

Alpha Book Club

Born to Read Books

Teatime and Books

E-Romance News

Reads and Reviews

I'm Shelf-ish

Harmonious Publicity

The Review From Here

A Title Wave

The Dark Phantom

  

COVER REVEAL: In the After by Elisa Dane

In the After

Published by: Swoon Romance

Publication date: February 2nd 2016

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

     Sadie Reynolds is a liar with secrets. At school, she’s part of the popular crowd known as AE, despite being broken inside. She hides it well. She has to. The slightest bit of imperfection will land her in the same shoes as her Geeky neighbor named Ian.
     Ian and his only friend are the object of Sadie’s friends’ ridicule, ire, and entertainment. The AE rule the school with intimidation and retribution against anyone who would dare question their supremacy.
     Sadie steers clear of most of it, terrified someone will find out her secret. She isn’t the least bit perfect. In fact, she suffers from PTSD stemming from the murder of her mother right before her eyes when she was a child. She can barely cope from day-to-day, hiding her truth and trying to fit in. But she knows it’s only a matter of time.
     Hayden is a “Waverly,” a kid with the misfortune of living in the small farming town of Waverly that borders the very affluent Lexington Parrish. The AE doesn’t mix with “Waverlies.” Ever.
     Desperate to get away from her oppressive friends, Sadie crashes into Hayden at a bonfire and the attraction that sparks between them is nothing short of electric. But Hayden’s an outsider and when things heat up, Sadie will be forced to choose between her friends and her new boyfriend.
Only Queen Bee Britt isn’t having it. She will not allow Sadie to cross her. Sadie can either do what Britt wants her to do or she will reveal Sadie for the PTSD freak that she is.
     Sadie does some soul searching about who she is and who she wants to be. She can’t live her life like this. Not any more. One fateful night will help her see how much things have to change.
     She’s determined to no longer allow the AE to rule her life. She will be strong, stand up for Ian and love who she wants in Hayden. Determined and invigorated, Sadie goes to school feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.
But, the unthinkable happens.
     Shooters attack dozens of students before the two eventually take their own lives, leaving the school a decimated shadow of what it once was.
Suddenly who lives where, wears what or loves whom seems like the least of Lexington Parish’s problems as everyone and everything changes forever in the after.

IN THE AFTER by Elisa Dane is a hard-hitting and heart-warming story of tragedy, love, loss and redemption. It is recommended for readers 14+.

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

     ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she's a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it's her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.
     Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she's human.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Finishing the Series Challenge

The goal of this challenge is to complete a series - starting from where ever you are - up until the last published book.  

(Challenge is hosted by Bea's Book Nook.)

Level 1 (Novice series reader) - Complete 1 series.
Level 2 (Testing the waters) - Complete 2 -4 series.
Level 3 (Experienced) - Complete 3 - 6 series.
Level 4 (Expert series reader) - Complete 7 or more series.

Series that I am currently in the middle of:

The Singular Menace - John Sanford - I have read the first book, Uncaged.

Undertow - Michael Buckley - I have read the first book, Undertow.

Nil - Lynne Matson - I have read the first two books, Nil and Nil Unlocked.

The Enemy - Charles Higson - I have read the first two books, The Enemy and The Dead.

Worldwalker - Josephine Angelini - I have read the first book - Trial by Fire.

Ship  Breaker - Paolo Bacigalupi - I have read the first book - Ship Breaker.

Wolves of Mercy Falls - Maggie Stiefvator - I have read the first book, Shiver.

Monument 14 - Emmy Laybourne - I have read the first book - Monument 14. 

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs - I have read the first book, Miss Peregrine's                         Home for Peculiar Children.

New Release Challenge

This challenge is to read books that were published in 2016. There will be monthly update posts that you can link too, and each quarter - the end of March, June, September and December, there will be a giveaway with the update as well. 

(Challenge hosted  by (un)Conventional BookViews and Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!)

Levels: 

1-15 books per year – New Release Newbie

16-30 books per year – New Release Pro

31-45 books per year – New Release Veteran

45+ books per year – New Release Enthusiast

I am just going to be a New Release Newbie for this challenge. 

1. Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

2. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington

3. Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian

4. How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay

5. Love Me Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
6. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor