2011 Challenges

I’m really trying to narrow down the challenges I want to participate in this year, so that I will complete as many of them as possible.  There are so many great challenges out there and I want to really challenge myself, so I’m staying away from a few all-encompassing challenges I have participated in the past – Series Challenge, YA Reading Challenge – mostly because I found that these are not particular “challenges” for me anymore.

First off, my goal for 2011 is to read more books than ever before. My current yearly record is 50 in 2010, so my 2011 goal is set at 60 books.  Check out my progress on my Books Read Archive page or on Goodreads.

FINAL STATUS: 56/60

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YA – 1/3

YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

• Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count). You can join at anytime. You can sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• Read as many YA books that were originally published in the 80s and 90s as your heart desires. The only requirement is that the book(s) have to have been first published sometime between 1980 – 1999.

I am so excited about this challenge. I have recently wanted to read more YA books, so why not add some books from my youth?

CURRENT STATUS: 1/3 – FAIL

BOOKS READ:

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (HP#2 – reread x3) by J.K. Rowling and narrated by Jim Dale – Audio Book Challenge, YA of the 80s and 90s (1999), Fantasy Reading Challenge, unabridged, 9 hrs, April 2011, 5/5
2. 
   

MY LIST OF POSSIBILITIES:

• Cynthia Voigt – Tillerman Cylce (Homecoming (1981), Dicey’s Song (1982), A Solitary Blue (1983), The Runner (1985), Come a Stranger (1986), Sons from Afar (1987), Seventeen Against the Dealer (1989)
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (1998)
• Choose Your Own Adventure Books – I LOVED Choose Your Own Adventure #16: Secret of the Ninja by Jay Leibold (1987)
• Patricia MacLachlan – Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985)
• Robin McKinley – The Blue Sword (1982), The Hero and the Crown (1984), Outlaws of Sherwood (1988)
• Judy Blume
• Beverly Cleary
• Newbery Award Books

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HISTORY

YA Historical Fiction Challenges 2011 – 11/15

There are 2 (that I know of) of these challenges listed this year.  Both look great, and are basically the same challenge, so I just couldn’t choose one! Both hosts have great lists if you’re looking for some ideas.

1 – YA BLISS – YA Historical Fiction challenge

Choose your level:

Level 1: 5 YA HF books in 2011
Level 2: 10 YA HF books in 2011
Level 3: 15 YA HF books in 2011

Rules:

• All Historical Fiction books must be YA or MG
• Books don’t have to be 2011 releases.
• Anyone can join. Please link to a public (web) place I can find you.
• You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011

2 – BOOKS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND - YA Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

The Challenge

Are you looking for  an escape from the contemporary world?
Are you a big historical fiction fan who has never delved into the YA section of the genre?
Or maybe you have been meaning to try a new genre for a while….?
Or are you a YA historical fiction lover already?

If so, this challenge is for you!

Levels

You can choose any of the following levels to aim for. I have started it from just reading one YA historical fiction novel in 2011 for those who just want to get a small taste of the genre to start off with:

1) Inquisitive- read 1-3 YA HF novel in 2011
2) Fascinated- Read 5 YA HF novels in 2011
3)  Captivated- Read 10 YA HF novels in 2011
4) Head over heels in love- Read 15 YA HF novels in 2011
5) Addicted- Read 15+ YA HF novels in 2011

Rules

• All books read for the challenge must be YA (or for slightly younger children.) For the purposes of this challenge, anything set in the past and centering around the historical period will count.
• The challenge is open to everyone
• It does not matter when the books were published or what time period they were set in but you may want to set yourself a small goal e.g. read 2 2011 releases
• The challenge starts on 1st January 2011 and ends on December 31st and you can sign up from now

CURRENT STATUS: 11/15 – CLOSE, NOT QUITE

HAVE READ:

1. The Poisoned House by Michael Ford – Audio Book Challenge (Text-to-Speech on Kindle), YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 328 pp, July 2011, 3/5
2. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and narrated by Stephen Hoye – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, US Civil War Challenge, unabridged, 13.5 hrs, August 2011, 4/5
3. Pirate of My Heart by Jamie Carie – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 320 pp, August 2011, 4/5
4. Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 204 pp, September 2011, 5/5
5. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter and narrated by Mary Starkey – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, abridged, 11 hrs, September 2011, 5/5
6. Waterfall (River of Time #1) by Lisa T. Bergren – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 352 pp, September 2011, 5/5
7. The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, RIP VI Challenge, 278 pp, September 2011, 4/5
8. Cascade (River of Time #2) by Lisa T. Bergren – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 399 pp, September 2011, 5/5
9. Nightshade (The Poison Diaries #2) by Maryrose Wood – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, RIP VI Challenge, 288 pp, September 2011, 3/5
10. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and narrated by L.A. Theater Group – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 3 hrs, October 2011, 3.5/5
11. The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 272 pp, November 2011, 4/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle Trilogy
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Chains and Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
• L.M. Montgomery – Anne #6-8
• Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
• Jennifer Donnelly – Revolution
• Caddie Woodlawn & Caddie Woodlawn’s Family by Carol Ryrie Brink
• Laura Ingalls Wilder

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HISTORICAL FICTION CHALLENGE hosted by Historical Tapestry

This challenge is for any HF, but since I’m already signed up for 2 YA HF challenges, I’m only reading Adult HF for this challenge.

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

• everyone can participate, even those who don’t have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)
• add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)
• any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,…)
• you can overlap this challenge with others kind of challenges
• During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

1. Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
2. Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
3. Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
4. Daring & Curious: 5 books
5. Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

The challenge will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

CURRENT STATUS: 10/10 – COMPLETED!

HAVE READ:

1. Christy by Catherine Marshall and narrated by Kellie Martin – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 19 hrs, Jan 2011, 4/5
2. The Valley of Horses (Earth’s Children #2) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 21 hrs, March 2011, 5/5
3. The Mammoth Hunters (Earth’s Children #3) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 26 hrs, April 2011, 3/5
4. The Bride’s House by Sandra Dallas – Historical Fiction Challenge, 374 pp, June 2011, 2.5/5
5. The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy – Historical Fiction Challenge, 403 pp, June 2011, 4.5/5
6. The Plains of Passage (Earth’s Children #4) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 32.5 hrs, July 2011, 3/5
7. To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer – Historical Fiction Challenge, 347 pp, August 2011, 4.5/5
8. The Legacy by Katherine Webb – Historical Fiction Challenge, 496 pp, August 2011, 3/5
9. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and narrated by John Randolph Jones and David LeDoux – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, 11.5 hrs, October 2011, 5/5
10. The Doctor’s Lady by Jody Hedlund – Historical Fiction Challenge, 378 pp, December 2011, 4/5

MY LIST:

• Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
• Masquerade by Nancy Moser
• Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
• Possession by A.S. Byatt
• Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati
• Juliet by Anne Fortier
• Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

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U.S. Civil War hosted by War Through the Generations – 1/5 FAIL

The challenge will run from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011.

Rules:

This year you have options when reading your fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc. with the U.S. Civil War as the primary or secondary theme.

Books can take place before, during, or after the war.  Books from other challenges count so long as they meet the above criteria.

Dip: Read 3-5 books in any genre with the U.S. Civil War as a primary or secondary theme.

Wade: Read 6-10 books in any genre with the U.S. Civil War as a primary or secondary theme.

Swim: Read 11 or more books in any genre with the U.S. Civil War as a primary or secondary theme.

Additionally, we’ve decided that since there are so many great movies out there about U.S. Civil War, that you can substitute or add a movie or two to your list this year and have it count toward your totals.

If you have a blog and have reviewed a book you’re counting toward the challenge, please email the review links to warthroughgenerations AT gmail DOT com.  We’d be happy to post the first paragraph (or the first few sentences, depending on paragraph length) and a link to your blog.

CURRENT STATUS: 1/5 – FAIL

HAVE READ:

1. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and narrated by Stephen Hoye – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, US Civil War Challenge, unabridged, 13.5 hrs, August 2011, 4/5
2. Currently Reading: Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles

MY LIST: THESE ARE BOOKS I ALREADY OWN =O !

• Annie, Between the States by L.M. Elliot (YA)
• The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
• Alice’s Tulips by Sandra Dallas
• Lee: A Life of Virtue by John Perry
• How Come They Always Had The Battles in National Parks? A Factual and Funny Survey of American History from the Beginning Through the Civil War by Peter Bales
• Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison by Belle Boyd
• The Killer Angels by Michale Shaara (YA)
• The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (YA)
• March by Geraldine Brooks
• Mothers of Invention: Women of the Slaveholding South in the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust (reread)
• My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
• On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon by Kaye Gibbons
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt (YA)
• On Agate Hill by Lee Smith
• Cane River by Lalita Tademy

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School of Life Reading Challenge hosted by Bethy @ Cataloging My Life – FAIL

Do you miss being a student? Did you major in English but you haven’t read a classic in years? In this reading challenge you can pick and choose books that are assigned in classes related to your old major.

How To Participate
1. Decide which major or subject you would like to study
2. Visit your alma mater’s website and see if they have class syllabi online. If they don’t, check one of the hundreds of free online classes at Yale, MIT, or any other college
3. Pick a few classes in your major
4. Choose one or more books required in each class syllabus
5. You do not have to write reviews
6. You may keep in touch and leave links to your reviews below, if you choose to write them
7. You do not have to have a blog
8. The books you choose can be overlaps from other reading challenges
9. The challenge begins January 1 and ends December 31, 2011

Levels of Participation
cum laude: 6 books
magna cum laude: 8 books
summa cum laude: 12 books

After a B.S. & M.S. in Geology, I’ve managed to acquire a few books on the subject. I’ve listed a few I haven’t gotten around to reading yet and would really like to.  I also love history and my minor in history does not help the TBR situation   Along these same lines, I am interested in genealogy and have started my family tree on ancestry.com and there are a few books on the subject in general, as well as specific places my family are from that I’m interested in reading about.

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY

-The People

• Hypatia’s Heritage: A History of Women in Science from Antiquity through the Nineteenth Century by Margaret Alec
• The Seashell on the Mountaintop: How Nicholas Steno Solved an Ancient Mystery and Created a Science of the Earth by Alan Cutler
• Giants of Geology by Carroll Lane and Mildred Adams Fenton
• The Map that Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Geology by Simon Winchester

-National Parks: The History,  Geology, and People

• Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith
• Windows into the Earth: The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by Robert B. Smith
• The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell
• Big Bend Vistas: A Geological Exploration of the Big Bend by William MacLeod
• Canyonlands Country: Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks by Donal L. Baars
• Park Ranger True Stories from a Ranger’s Career in America’s National Parks byNancy Eileen Muleady-Mecham
• Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America’s National Parks by Jim Burnett
• Hey Ranger 2: More True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America’s National Parks by Jim Burnett
  

GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

• Tracing Your Mississippi Ancestors by Anne S. Liscomb
• The First Seventeen Years: Virginia 1607-1624 by Charles E. Hatch, Jr.
• Sisters, Seeds, & Cedars: Rediscovering Nineteenth-Century Life Through Correspondence from Rural Arkansas and Alabama by Sarah Fountain

Random:

Anasazi Archaeology Reading List: http://www.crowcanyon.org/education/reading_list_general.asp

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2011 Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Darlyn & Books – 11/20 – NOT QUITE!

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

There are four levels:

1. Curious – Read 3 Fantasy Fiction novels.
2. Fascinated – Read 6 Fantasy Fiction novels.
3. Addicted – Read 12 Fantasy Fiction novels.
4. Obsessed – Read 20 Fantasy Fiction novels.

CURRENT STATUS: 11/20 – NOT QUITE!

HAVE READ:

1. The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa
2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Ari Graynor – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, unabridged, 14 hrs, Feb 2011, 4.5/5
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (HP#2 – reread x3) by J.K. Rowling and narrated by Jim Dale – Audio Book Challenge, YA of the 80s and 90s (1999), Fantasy Reading Challenge, unabridged, 9 hrs, April 2011, 5/5
4. Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz – Fantasy Reading Challenge, 384 pp, June 2011, 4/5
5. Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck – Fantasy Reading Challenge, 403 pp, June 2011, 4.5/5
6. Winter’s Passage (Iron Fey #1.5) by Julie Kagawa– Fantasy Reading Challenge, 59 pp, August 2011, 4/5
7. The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julia Kagawa– Fantasy Reading Challenge, 359 pp, August 2011, 4/5
8. Fallen by Lauren Kate – Fantasy Reading Challenge, 452 pp, August 2011, 4/5
9. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Natalie Moore – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 13 hrs, October 2011, 3/5
10. The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens and narrated by Jim Dale – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 11.5 hrs, November 2011, 5/5
11. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Natalie Moore – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 15 hrs
12. Currently Reading: The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa
13. Currently Reading: Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

MY TBR LIST:

• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (Read-along)
• The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (Read-along)
• The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien (Read-along)
• Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson #2) by Patricia Briggs
• Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) by Patricia Briggs
• Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson #4) by Patricia Briggs
• Fire (Seven Kingdoms #2) by Kristin Cashore
• The Warrior Heir (The Heir #1) by Cinda Williams Chima
• City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
• Nightshade (Witches War #1) by Andrea Cremer
• Timeline by Michael Crichton
• Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
• Hush, Hush (Fallen Angels #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Crescendo (Fallen Angels #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
• The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa
• Winter’s Passage (Iron Fey #1.5) by Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa
• Summer’s Crossing (Iron Fey #3.5) by Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa
  
• Fallen by Lauren Kate
• Torment (Fallen #2) by Lauren Kate
• Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
• Umm, I could list more, but I won’t…

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2011 Audio Book Challenge hosted by Teresa’s Reading Corner – 19/20 SOOOO CLOSE!!!

Welcome to the 2011 Audio Book Challenge.  The 2010 edition was hosted by Alaine of Queen of Happy Endings. When Alaine was looking for someone to take over for her, I happily volunteered.  The 2011 Audio Book Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

I’m going to go ahead and continue with the same levels that were previously established:

• Curious:       3 Audio Books
• Fascinated:  6 Audio Books
• Addicted:  12 Audio Books
• Obsessed: 20 Audio Books

Last year I almost made it to 20 audio books, finished 18, which was definitely a new record for me!

CURRENT STATUS: 19/20

HAVE READ:

1. Christy by Catherine Marshall and narrated by Kellie Martin – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 19 hrs, Jan 2011, 4/5
2. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie and narrated by Stephanie Cole – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 5 hrs 23 min, Jan 2011, 3/5
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and narrated by Simon Vance - Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 16 hrs 30 min, Feb 2011, 4/5
4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Ari Graynor – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 14 hrs, Feb 2011, 4.5/5
5. Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival written and narrated by Anderson Cooper – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 6 hrs, Feb 2011, 4/5
6. The Valley of Horses (Earth’s Children #2) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 21 hrs, March 2011, 5/5
7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (HP#2 – reread x3) by J.K. Rowling and narrated by Jim Dale – Audio Book Challenge, YA of the 80s and 90s (1999), Fantasy Reading Challenge, unabridged, 9 hrs, April 2011, 5/5
8. The Mammoth Hunters (Earth’s Children #3) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 26 hrs, April 2011, 3/5
9. The Plains of Passage (Earth’s Children #4) by Jean M. Auel and narrated by Sandra Burr – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, unabridged, 32.5 hrs, July 2011, 3/5
10. Snowfall at Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles #4) by Susan Wiggs and narrated by Joyce Bean – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 12 hrs, July 2011, 3.5/5
11. The Poisoned House by Michael Ford – Audio Book Challenge (Text-to-Speech on Kindle), YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 328 pp, July 2011, 3/5
12. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and narrated by Stephen Hoye – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, Civil War History Challenge, unabridged, 13.5 hrs, August 2011, 4/5
13. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter and narrated by Mary Starkey – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, abridged, 11 hrs, September 2011, 5/5
14. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and narrated by John Randolph Jones and David LeDoux – Audio Book Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, 11.5 hrs, October 2011, 5/5
15. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Natalie Moore – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 13 hrs, October 2011, 3/5
16. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and narrated by L.A. Theater Group – Audio Book Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 3 hrs, October 2011, 3.5/5
17. The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens and narrated by Jim Dale – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 11.5 hrs, November 2011, 5/5
18. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Natalie Moore – Audio Book Challenge, Fantasy Reading Challenge, 15 hrs, December 2011, 4/5
19. Paula Deen: It Ain’t All About the Cookin’ written and narrated by Paula Deen – Audio Book Challenge, abridged, 6 hrs, December 2011, 3/5