2010 Challenge Wrap Up

This year, the challenges plum wore me out. It is easy to get excited about them. Library! I can do that! Audiobooks? That is totally my gig. Memoirs? I love memoirs. Graphic novels? I want to try them. But at the end of the day, there were things I wanted to read, but didn't. Now I'm irritated.

Despite my annoyance, I did pretty well. Here are the list of my challenges and the results - I failed to complete one. I am not going to add titles or links, because that is way more work than I want to do right now. I'm tired!

1. Support Your Library Reading Challenge - 25 out of 25 read

2. 100+ Reading Challenge - 140 books read

3. Graphic Novels Challenge - 3 out of 3 (plus a whole lot more!)

4. Memorable Memoir Reading Challenge - 4 out of 4

5. Amy Einhorn Perpetual Challenge - 2

6. E-Book Challenge - 6 out of 6

7. Audiobook Challenge - 20 out of 20

8. Twenty Ten Challenge - 20 out of 20

9. Read and Review Challenge - up to date

10. TBR Challenge - 7 out of 12 (My big failure!)

11. Read the Book/See the Movie Challenge - 4 out of 4

12. Read From My Shelves Project - 30 out of 30

13. Vietnam War Challenge - 5 out of 5

14. Okra Challenge - 4 out of 4

15. RIP Challenge - 4 out of 4 (plus more!)


For 2011, I have taken the TBR Dare from James, and will only read my printed books from now through April 1st. It will be good for my soul. I will continue to keep track of Amy Einhorn imprints - that one offers no pressure. I may read a western in May with James. I may be sucked into RIP in the fall, because it is tradition. But as of right now, I'm laying low and doing as I please!

Happy New Year everyone!

2010 Challenges (Part 3)

I warned you, didn't I? Well, I found some more challenges in which I must participate. Here we go, round 3:














Audio Book Challenge - I haven't gone back and counted up all the audios I listened to this year, but my bet would be close to 50% of the 113 I read in total. This is one I would call a "no brainer". I will be signing up for the "Obsessed" level, or 20 audio books. (Hosted by Royal Reviews).














E-book Challenge - I do so love my Kindle. I have a habit of having a glass or two of wine and playing with it, ordering almost impulsively (compulsively?). I don't think I will have any trouble hitting the "Fascinated" level of 6 books. (Hosted by Royal Reviews.)











Graphic Novels Challenge - The moment I've been waiting for has arrived! I pretty much convinced myself this year that Graphic Novels was a genre I needed to explore, and started to compile my list. I will be signing up for the Intermediate level (3 to 10 novels) with a few particulars in mind:

Fun Home - Alison Bechdel
Maus I and II - Art Spiegelman
The Color of the Earth - Kim Dong Hwa
American Widow - Alissa Torres
Blankets - Craig Thompson
Stitches - David Small
Malice - Chris Wooding
French Milk - Lucy Knisley
Something by Joe Sacco
Somthing by Chris Ware

(Hosted by Ana at Things Mean Alot and Chris at Stuff Dreams Are Made Of.)



Am I finished? I have no idea! That is the fun of the whole thing. Stay tuned!

2010 Challenges (Part 2)

After strategic planning, I have decided to commit to four more challenges. And they are:

Twenty Ten Challenge - This challenge requires 20 books to be read over 10 categories, which is kinda fun! I think I can make this challenge dovetail with some of my others, so I decided to take the plunge. (Hosted by Bart's Bookshelf.)

Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge - As most of you know, from my Monday Movie Meme participation, I love movies. During BBAW, C.B. James and I collaborated on discussion-type reviews for Blindness the book, and Blindness the movie. What an awesome, three dimensional experience! I couldn't help myself with this one. I am going to commit to the Saturday Movie Marathon level (4 books/movies). I'd love to do more, but at this rate, I'm going to be reading 300 books next year! (Hosted by Ready When You Are, C.B.) Here is my tentative list, all books from my bulging shelves:

• Let the Right One In - John Lindqvist
• Anatomy of a Murder - Robert Traver
• Sense & Sensibility - Jane Austen
• Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

TBR Challenge - I participated in this challenge for 2009, and I loved the structure. Once the list is published, you must stick to it, fickle heart be damned! (Hosted by MizB.) So here they are, now officially set in stone for 2010:

Fingersmith - Sarah Waters

The Complete Works of Irene Nemirovsky

The Drinker - Hans Fallada

Stone's Fall - Iain Pears

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri

Brooklyn - Colm Tolbin

Belong to Me - Maria de los Santos

In the Woods - Tana French

My Cousin Rachel - Daphne du Maurier

The Monster of Florence - Douglas Preston

The Strain - Guillermo del Toro

War Through the Generations Challege: Vietnam - I participated in this year's War Through the Generations Challenge (which was focused on WWII) and it was by far my favorite. I have what some may call a sick and twisted obsession with war novels, particularly WWII. I'm going to sign up for the "Dip" level, which commits me to five novels. One will be a group review project mid-year called Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann. I have some personal friends who are Vietnam Vets, so I will be turning to them for recommendations for this challenge. (Hosted by Anna and Serena.)


I will tell you that I am on the lookout for a Graphic Novel Challenge, which has yet to surface, but I have my list ready and waiting!

2010 Challenges (Part 1 of ...who knows?)

Dozens of challenges fly by my eyes on a daily basis, and I've been making my list and checking it twice. So here is my first stab of many, at some exciting challenges for 2010.  I will start with my "no brainers"!














Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge - I have an amazing library. Not only can I reserve books online, but they deliver to my door. Plus they have a huge selection. However, I have an insane number of books on my shelves that I intend to whittle down this year. So I am going to take the "Mini" Challenge of 25 books. (Sponsored by J.Kaye's Bookblog.)

100+ Reading Challenge - Before I started blogging, I never would have guessed I read so many books in a year's time.  I should hit somewhere between 110 and 120 books this year, so I'm going to go for this one.  (Sponsored by J.Kaye's Bookblog.)

Read 'N Review Challenge - I participated in this challenge for 2009, and unless I get overwhelmed and can't get to all my reviews next year, it should be a slam dunk.  (Sponsored by MizB.)




Reading From My Shelves Project - Whether it be my impulsive purchases with my Borders coupons, my used book store around the corner, books won from giveaways, ARCs, or late night Kindle shopping after a glass or two of wine, I have an insane number of books on my shelves crying for love and attention.  I'm going to commit to 30 books for this one!  (Sponsored by Bibliophile By the Sea.)


I promise there will be more.  I have to get my lists in order, and will be back for more abuse!