2012 Challenges

Links to previous challenges/book lists I have participated in can be found by hovering on this page’s tab.

*****************************************************************

Seasonal Challenges:

NetGalley January – Hosted by Emily @ Red House Books – COMPLETED – 6/6

• Between January 1st and January 31st, I challenge you to read as many NetGalley books as you possibly can!

Books Read:

1. May B. by Caroline Rose Starr – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), 240 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
2. Exclusively Yours (Kowalski #1) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Month (Jan), 352 pp, January 2012, 5/5
3. The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), 288 pp. January 2012, 4/5
4. Woodrose Mountain (Hope’s Crossing #2) by RaeAnne Thayne – NetGalley Month (Jan), 384 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
5. The Guardian Duke (Forgotten Castles #1) by Jamie Carie – NetGalley Month (Jan), Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, 320 pp, January 2012, 4/5
6. Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (Young Reader’s Edition) – NetGalley Month (Jan), 216 pp, January 2012, 4/5

*****************************************************************

Game of Thrones Readalong – Hosted by BaffledBooks2.0 & Booksessed

• Schedule
  (Page numbers from my paperback copy, I’ve put the names down to help you find it in your book but it’s not too important to get it perfect)
  • January 1: Reading starts (or has started already)
  • January 8: Progress post #1; Pages 1 (Prologue) - 189 (End of Jon)
  • January 15: Progress post #2; Pages 190 (Eddard) - 395 (End of Daenerys)
  • January 22: Progress post #3; Pages  (Bran) 396 – 617 (End of Tyrion)
  • January 29: Final progress post; Pages 618 (Sansa) – 807 (End of Daenerys)

**********************************************************

Year-long Challenges:

Mount TBR Reading Challenge hosted by My Reader’s Block

CURRENT STATUS: 5/40

This year I want to focus on all the great books…I ALREADY OWN!!…not to say I won’t be buying any new books because there are SO MANY great releases that I am looking forward to!

Challenge Levels:

Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

• Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2012. No ARCs (none), no library books. No rereads. [To clarify--based on a question raised--the intention is to reduce the stack of books that you have bought for yourself or received as presents {birthday, Christmas, "just because," etc.}. Audiobooks may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.]

Books Read:

1. Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles – Mount TBR Challenge, 308 pp, January 2012, 4/5 (Bought fr Amazon – August 17, 2011)
2. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneggar and narrated by Bianca Amato – Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR, unabridged, 14 hours, January 2012, 3.5/5 (Bought December 2010)
3. The Fellowship of the Ring (LOTR #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien and narrated by Rob Inglis – Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR, unabridged, 19.5 hrs, March 2012, 5/5
4. Legacy by Cayla Kluver and narrated by Anna Chlumsky – YA Historical Fiction, Audio Book Challenge, Mt. TBR, unabridged, 12.5 hours, April 2012, 3.7/5
   CR: The Eagle by Rosemary Sutcliff – Mount TBR, YA Historical Fiction (Bought fr Amazon – August 2, 2011)
5. Hourglass by Myra McEntire – Mount TBR, 390 pp, July 2012, 3/5

Books I MUST READ in 2012:

1. A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
4. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
5. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
7. Heist Society by Ally Carter
8. Fire by Kristin Cashore
9. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
10. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
11. Entwined by Heather Dixon
12. Incarceron by Catherine Fischer
13. Everlasting by Angie Frazier
14. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
15. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
16. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
17. The Bronze Horsemen by Paullina Simons
18. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
19. Tensleep by Sarah Andrews
20. The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel
21.  Spoken From the Heart by Laura Bush
22. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
23. Beastly by Alex Flinn
24. Juliet by Anne Fortier
25. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
26. The Luxe by Anne Godbersen
27. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
28. The Native Star by M.K. Hobson
29. Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

**********************************************************

2012 NetGalley Reading Challenge – Hosted by Emily @ Red House Books

Goal:

Gold Star – read 30+ NetGalley Books in 2012

CURRENT STATUS: 28/30+

Books Read:

1. May B. by Caroline Starr Rose – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), 240 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
2. Exclusively Yours (Kowalski #1) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Month (Jan), 352 pp, January 2012, 5/5
3. The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), 288 pp. January 2012, 3.5/5
4. Woodrose Mountain (Hope’s Crossing #2) by RaeAnne Thayne – NetGalley Month (Jan), 384 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
5. The Guardian Duke (Forgotten Castles #1) by Jamie Carie – NetGalley Month (Jan), Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, 320 pp, January 2012, 4/5
6. Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (Young Reader’s Edition) – NetGalley Month (Jan), 216 pp, January 2012, 4/5
7. How to Dance with a Duke (Ugly Ducklings #1) by Manda Collins – Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 352 pp, February 2012, 5/5
8. The Humming Room by Ellen Potter – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 192 pp, February 2012, 5/5
9. Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Debut Authors 2012 Challenge, 272 pp, March 2012, 3/5
10. I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 433 pp, March 2012, 4.5/5
11. River’s Call (Inn at Shining Waters #2) by Melody Carlson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Glass Roads PR Blog Tour, 315 pp, March 2012, 4/5
12. Before the Scarlet Dawn (Daughters of the Potomac #1) by Rita Gerlach – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 327 pp, 4.5/5
13. Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, March 2012, 3.5/5
14. Love on the Range by Jessica Nelson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 288 pp, March 2012, 4/5
15. Allegiance (Legacy #2) by Cayla Kluver – YA Historical Fiction, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 490 pp, May 2012, 4/5
16. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 352 pp, May 2012, 3.5/5
17. Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked by Mary Miley Theobald – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 144 pp, May 2012, 3.5/5
18. What about Cimmaron? by Lauraine Snelling – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 96 pp, May 2012, 2/5
19. Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 383 pp, June 2012, 5/5
20. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 395 pp, June 2012, 4/5
21. The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 250 pp, June 2012, 3.5/5
22. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, June 2012, 3/5
23. Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 331 pp, July 2012, 3.5/5
24. Slow Summer Kisses (Kowalski Family #3.5) by Shannon Stacey – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 80 pp, July 2012, 3.5/5
25. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, August 2012, 4/5
26. Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, August 2012, 3/5
27. How to Romance a Rake (Ugly Ducklings #2) by Manda Collins – Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 336 pp, Sept 2012, 4.5/5
28. Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire – Big Book Challenge 2012, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 432 pp, Sept 2012, 4/5

**********************************************************

Debut Author Challenge – Hosted by The Story Siren

• YA Authors debuting in 2012

Goal: 12 books

CURRENT STATUS: 7/12

Goodreads Group

Books Read:

1. May B. by Caroline Rose Starr – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), Debut Authors 2012, 240 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
2. Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, 204 pp, September 2011, 5/5
3. Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Debut Authors 2012 Challenge, 272 pp, March 2012, 3/5
4. Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 383 pp, June 2012, 5/5
5. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 395 pp, June 2012, 4/5
6. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry – Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 384 pp, August 2012, 4/5
7. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, 287 pp, Sept 2012, 5/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
• The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
• Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
• Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
• After the Snow by Sophie Crockett
• Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould
• Don’t You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire
• Velveteen by Daniel Marks

**********************************************************

YA Historical Fiction Challenge 2012 – Hosted by YA Bliss

• All Historical Fiction books must be YA or MG

Level 3: 15 books

CURRENT STATUS: 4/15

Books Read:

1. May B. by Caroline Rose Starr – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), Debut Authors 2012, 240 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
2. Legacy by Cayla Kluver and narrated by Anna Chlumsky – YA Historical Fiction, Audio Book Challenge, Mt. TBR, unabridged, 12.5 hours, April 2012, 3.7/5
   20. Love on the Range by Jessica Nelson – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 288 pp, March 2012, 4/5
3. Allegiance (Legacy #2) by Cayla Kluver – YA Historical Fiction, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 490 pp, May 2012, 4/5
4. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen – YA Historical Fiction Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, 287 pp, Sept 2012, 5/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle Trilogy
• 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
• The Luxe by Anne Godbersen

 ********************************************

Christian Historical Fiction Challenge – Hosted by Creative Madness

• The goal is to read and promote Christian Historical Fiction by reading at least 24 titles.

CURRENT STATUS: 6/24

Goodreads Group

Books Read:

1. The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Month (Jan), NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 288 pp. January 2012, 3.5/5
2. The Guardian Duke (Forgotten Castles #1) by Jamie Carie – NetGalley Month (Jan), Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, 320 pp, January 2012, 4/5
3. River’s Call (Inn at Shining Waters #2) by Melody Carlson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Glass Roads PR Blog Tour, 315 pp, March 2012, 4/5
4. Love on the Range by Jessica Nelson – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 288 pp, March 2012, 4/5
5. Before the Scarlet Dawn (Daughters of the Potomac #1) by Rita Gerlach – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 327 pp, 4.5/5
6. Out of Control (Kincaid Brides #1) by Mary Connealy – Christian Historical Fiction Challenge, 336 pp, July 2012, 5/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar
• Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
• Masquerade by Nancy Moser
• Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

 ********************************************

Historical Fiction Challenge – Hosted by Historical Tapestry

This challenge is for any HF, but since I’m already signed up for a YA HF and a Christian HF challenge, I’m only counting Adult, non-Christian specific HF for this challenge.

• Any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,…)

Struggling the Addiction: 10 books

CURRENT STATUS: 2/10

Books Read:

1. How to Dance with a Duke (Ugly Ducklings #1) by Manda Collins – Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 352 pp, February 2012, 5/5
2. How to Romance a Rake (Ugly Ducklings #2) by Manda Collins – Historical Fiction Challenge, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 336 pp, Sept 2012, 4.5/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
• Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
• The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
• Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

********************************************

Willa Cather Novel Reading Challenge – Hosted by WildmooBooks

The Reading List:

1. January: Alexander’s Bridge (1912)
2. February: O Pioneers! (1913)
3. March: The Song of the Lark (1915)
4. April: My Ántonia (1918)
5. May: One of Ours (1922)
6. June: A Lost Lady (1923)
7. July: The Professor’s House (1925)
8. August: My Mortal Enemy (1926)
9. September: Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927)
10. October: Shadows on the Rock (1931)
11. November: Lucy Gayheart (1935)
12. December: Sapphira and the Slave Girl (1940)

********************************************

Dystopia 2012 Challenge – Hosted by Bookish Ardour

Books Read:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Dystopia 2012 Challenge, 374 pp, January 2012, 4.5/5
2. Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collines – Dystopia 2012 Challenge, 391 pp, Sept 2012, 4/5

MY List of Possibles:

• Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano
• A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
• Ashen Winter (Ashfall #2) by Mike Mullin
• The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Gone Series by Michael Grant
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Matched by Ally Condie
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• Enclave by Ann Aguirre
• Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
• Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
• Blood Red Road by Moira Young
• All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

********************************************

The Big Book Challenge 2012 – Hosted by Deb @ Debra’sBookCafe

Guidelines:

Books over 400 pages.
These can be one novel,
a collection of short stories,
or a bind-up of several novels.
eBooks can count too as long as the total pages on your reader is over 400!

CURRENT STATUS: 4/5

Goodreads Group

Books Read:

1. I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella – NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Big Book Challenge 2012, 433 pp, March 2012, 4.5/5
2. Allegiance (Legacy #2) by Cayla Kluver – YA Historical Fiction, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, Big Book Challenge 2012, 490 pp, May 2012, 4/5
3. Awry (Archers of Avalon #2) by Chelsea Fine – Big Book Challenge 2012, 495 pp, July 2012, 5/5
4. Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire – Big Book Challenge 2012, NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012, 432 pp, Sept 2012, 4/5
5. Throne of Glass

********************************************

Audio Book Challenge – Hosted by Teresa @ Teresa’s Reading Corner

Once again, there are four levels to the challenge

• Flirting-Listen to 6 Audio Books
• Going Steady- Listen to 12 Audio Books
• Lover- Listen to 25 Audio Books
• Married-Listen to +++  Audio Books

More than likely I will listen to more than 12, but I feel like I am setting myself up to fail if I commit to 25.  For the last 2 years, I have committed to the 20 book level – and reached 18 in 2010 and 19 in 2011. While I do have a long commute to work, sometimes I just have to have some tunes!! Plus, I often listen to REALLY LONG books on audio, like more than 30 hours.

CURRENT STATUS: 9/12

Books Read:

1. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneggar and narrated by Bianca Amato – Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR, unabridged, 14 hours, January 2012, 3.5/5
2. The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell and narrated by Sarah Vowell and Eric Bogosian – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 7 hours, January 2012, 3.5/5
3. The Fellowship of the Ring (LOTR #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien and narrated by Rob Inglis – Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR, unabridged, 19.5 hrs, March 2012, 5/5
4. The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns and narrated by the Authors, unabridged, 6 hrs, March 2012, 5/5
5. Legacy by Cayla Kluver and narrated by Anna Chlumsky – YA Historical Fiction, Audio Book Challenge, Mt. TBR, unabridged, 12.5 hours, April 2012, 3.7/5
6. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and Narrated by Christopher Evan Welch – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 7 hours, June 2012, 3/5
7. Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Jennifer Ehle – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 15.5 hrs, August 2012, 3.5/5
8. City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Ed Westwick and Molly Quinn – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged, 15 hrs, Sept 2012, 3.5/5
9. Room by Emma Donaghue and narrated by Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Robert Petkoff, and Suzanne Toren – Audio Book Challenge, unabridged,7 hrs, Sept 2012, 3.5/5
10. Up Next: Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson