2012 Reading Challenge Addict

7/18 challenges
Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Reading Challenge Addict
Hosts : Reading Challenge Addict
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Complete the reading challenges I've signed up for.
Levels: Four; I am going to try for the third level: 11-15 challenges
Prizes? Yes, TBA
Sign up page 


Why I'm Interested:  

Well, I've already signed up for 15 16 17 18 19 18 challenges, so I think I qualify as an addict!

Challenges Completed:

7. Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
6. Free Reads
5. Finishing the Series Challenge
4. The Dystopia Challenge
3. Just Contemporary Reading Challenge
2. Bucket List Challenge
1. YA Mythology Challenge

Have you signed up for this challenge? What level are you going for?

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2012 Free Reads Challenge

15/15 books + 6  

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Free Reads Challenge
Hosts : Bookish Ardour  
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read books you’ve received without purchasing: gifts, ARCs, prizes that you haven’t read yet. Library books do NOT count.  
Levels: Seven; I am going to try for the second level: Read 15 books  
Prizes? Not that I see
Link Your Reviews: Yes, HERE
Sign up page 
Report completion page

Why I'm Interested:  

I have a LOT of books on my shelves. It's like once I acquire a book it goes into a black hole where I neglect them terribly in favor of library books. NO MORE!

Plus, it looks like ARCs sent for review will count toward this challenge, which should make this an easier challenge to finish (while, um, still probably neglecting my other free books, but shhh).

Some books I'm considering: 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
The Dragon of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen

A TON more.

Books Completed:

26. The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
25. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
24. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
23. Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut
22. Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep
21. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
20. The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats
19. Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
18. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
17. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
16. Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm
15. Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan
14. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
13. Fetching by Kiera Stewart
12. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
11. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
10. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren
9. Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
8. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
7. Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
6. Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
5. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
3. The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander
2. Athena the Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Tweet

2012 Time Travel Reading Challenge

2/6 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics: 

Name: 2012 Time Travel Reading Challenge
Hosts : Library of Clean Reads
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read time travel books.  
Levels: Four; I am going to try for the second level: Read 4-6 books  
Prizes? Not that I see
Link your reviews: Yes, HERE
Sign up page   

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm a hopeless devotee of time travel books. I especially love seeing modern characters go back in time.

Some books I'm considering: 

I freely admit, on some level a part of me is hoping that signing up for this challenge will somehow MAKE Tributary get itself published and delivered into my desperate little hands (that would be the *please please please* fourth book in the River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren).

Barring that, I'll settle for Lia and Luca's story.

Oh, wait, do you want something more concrete and, well, other than the River of Time? Ok, fine, I'm also considering these:

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Old Magic by Marianne Curley
Tempest by Julie Cross
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

Books Completed:

2. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
1. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

9/15 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics: 

Name: 2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Hosts : YA Bliss  
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read YA or MG historical fiction books.  
Levels: Three; I am going to be ambitious and try for the third level: Read 15 books  
Prizes? Not that I see
Sign up page   

Why I'm Interested:  

I LOVED this challenge last year! I was hoping Sab would host the challenge again in 2012. Historical fiction is a genre I love, but I don't read it as often as I wish I did. There are also a bunch of Big Name historical fiction authors I've been meaning to read...but still haven't (like *cough* Mary Hooper). Hopefully 2012 will be the year!

Some books I'm considering: 

Books from my Goodreads shelf. Last year historical fantasy was acceptable, so hopefully the same holds true this year. If so, then I have a whole 'nother list to pull from.

Books Completed:

9. The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
8. Duchessina by Carolyn Meyer
7. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
6. The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner
5. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
4. The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats
3. Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan
2. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
1. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Mythology Challenge and Fairy Tales Retold Challenge

10/10 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  


Name: 2012 Mythology Challenge
Hosts : For Those About to Read  
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read 10 YA or MG novels that incorporate any type of Mythology in the story line (Greek, Egyptian, Norse, etc.).  
Levels: Just the one: 10 books  
Prizes? Not that I see
Sign up page   

Why I'm Interested:  

Because I am a mythological junky, of course. A lot of books from my TBR qualify.

Some books I'm considering: 

The challenge host has created this list, which I'll probably use for inspiration. I also have my own Goodreads shelf to browse through for ideas (my list also includes fairy tale retellings, but I'm pretty sure those don't count for the challenge).

Books Completed:

10. Poseidon and the Sea of Fury by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
9. Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
8. Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
7. The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
6. Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep
5. Medusa the Mean by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
4. Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
3. Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
2. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
1. Athena the Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

4/12 books

Challenge Basics:

Name: 2012 Fairy Tales Retold Challenge
Hosts : Debz Bookshelf
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Fairy tale retellings! Or original fairy tales.
Levels: Five; I am going to go for the fourth level: Read 12 books
Link your reviews? Yes, monthly TBA
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page

Why I'm Interested:

Because I am a fairy tale addict.

Books Considered:

Fairy tales on my Retellings Goodeads shelf.

Books Completed:

4. Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
3. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
2. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Have you signed up for these challenges? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Classic Double Challenge

0/6 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:

Name: Classic Double Challenge
Hosts : One Librarian's Book Reviews
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read a classic, fairy tale, or myth, and then read a modern book that somehow relates back to the original.
Levels: Four. I am going to try for level 3: Read 6 books (three pairs)
Prizes? Yes, to be determined
Sign up page 

Why I'm Interested:  

I've put off reading Jane Eyre for FAR TOO LONG. Other than that, I think I can knock this challenge out with all the fairy tale retellings on my TBR.

I also like that the challenge makes me think of a big cheeseburger.

Some books I'm considering: 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

The Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Books Completed:

9. The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
8. Medusa the Mean by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
7. Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
6. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
5. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
4. Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
3. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
2. Athena the Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Sophomore Challenge & 2nds Challenge

5/10 books  

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge
Hosts : Chick Loves Lit  
Starts: January 1, 2012  
Ends: December 31, 2012  
Eligible Books: Read 10 sophomore books released in 2012 (the second book the author wrote)
Levels: Just one- Read 10 books  
Prizes? Yes, throughout the year
Sign up page   

Why I'm Interested:  

There are a lot of sequels I plan on reading anyway, so this should be an easy challenge to meet.  

Some books I'm considering: 

Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
Outpost by Ann Aguirre
The Fourth Stall: Part II by Chris Rylander
Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow

Books Completed:

5. The Archived by Victoria Schwab
4. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
3. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
2. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis

1.The Fourth Stall: Part II by Chris Rylander

10/12 books  


Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 2nds Challenge
Hosts : A Few More Pages 

Starts: January 1, 2012  
Ends: December 31, 2012  
Eligible Books: Read books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you’ve read the author.
Levels: Four. I am going to try for level 3: Read 12 books  
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page   

Why I'm Interested:  

I did this challenge last year and had a lot of fun with it. There are a lot of authors who I've read and enjoyed, and I want to read more of their books.  

Some books I'm considering: 

The same as above, plus:

Juliet Marillier
Elizabeth Marie Pope
Kristina Springer
Elizabeth C. Bunce
Leah Cypess
Emily Whitman
Clare B. Dunkle
Lisa Klein

Books Completed:

11. The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington
10. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman
9. The Archived by Victoria Schwab
8. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
7. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
6. Outpost by Ann Aguirre
5. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
4. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
3. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
1. The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Library Challenge

10/36 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  


Name: 2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge
Hosts : The Eclectic Bookshelf
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read library books.
Levels: Four; I am going to try for the third level: 36 library books
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page 


Why I'm Interested:  

I work in a library, so this challenge is pretty much my DUTY. I also have a lot of Bucket List books I hope to get to this year, and they'll probably be coming from the library.

Books Completed:

10. Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
9. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
8. Duchessina by Carolyn Meyer
7. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
6. Red Glove by Holly Black
5. White Cat by Holly Black
4. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
3. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
2. The Prophecy by Hilari Bell
1. Illyria by Elizabeth Hand

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading?

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2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

6/10 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Hosts : Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf 
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Any book that contains a witch as a main character or witchcraft elements.
Levels: Four; I am going to try for the second level: Read 6-10 books
Prizes? Yes! But only if you link your reviews.
Link Your Reviews: Yes, HERE
Sign up page 

Why I'm Interested:  

Because witches are awesome! Do I really need another reason?

Some books I'm considering: 

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble
Bewitching by Alex Flinn
A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Books Completed:

6. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman
5. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
4. Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde
3. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
2. Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
1. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Dystopian Challenge

8/5 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Dystopia Challenge
Hosts : Bookish Ardour  
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read dystopian and post-apocalyptic books.
Levels: Seven; I am going to try for the first level: Read 5 books
Prizes? Not that I see
Link Your Reviews: Yes, HERE
Sign up page 
Report completion page

Why I'm Interested:  

While I'm overall more of a happy books kind of reader, every once in a while I like to put on my Chicken Little IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!! hat and read about plagues of zombies, diseases, government control, and other Bad Things. I'm more into the post-apocalyptic books than the dystopians.

Some books I'm considering: 


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Spark (Sky Chasers #2) by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Outpost (Razorland #2) by Ann Aguirre

+ More. Huh, there are a lot more post-apoc/dystopian books on my TBR than I thought. I actually may be able to complete this challenge!

Books Completed:

8. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
7. Defiance by C. J. Redwine
6. Outpost by Ann Aguirre
5. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
4. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 YA/MG Fantasy Challenge

20/10 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  


Name: YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge  
Hosts : The Book Cellar
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read 10 YA or MG fantasy that are released in 2012
Levels: Just one- Read AND review 10 books  
Prizes? Yes, monthly giveaways you enter by linking your reviews
Link your reviews: Yes, monthly signups 
Sign up page 

Why I'm Interested:  

I love fantasy! Much as I enjoy many other genres, fantasy has a special place in my heart. The vast majority of my Special Shelf books come from the fantasy genre.

Some books I'm considering: 

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards
Bewitching by Alex Flinn
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Queen of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Books Completed:

20. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
19. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
18. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
17. The Prophecy by Hilari Bell
16. Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell
15. Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde
14. Claws by Mike and Rachel Grinti
13. Defiance by C. J. Redwine
12. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
11. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
10. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
9. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
7. The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5. Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
4. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
3. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
2. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren
1. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Bucket List Challenge

19/8 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:

Name: 2012 "Bucket List" Book Reading Challenge
Hosts : The Eclectic Bookshelf
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Books I have been meaning to read for a long time, but still haven't read.
Levels: Four. I am going to try for the second level 8 books
Link your reviews? Yes, HERE
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page

Why I'm Interested:

I WANT to read these books, but I always push them aside for some reason. NO MORE!

Books Considered:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Alanna, The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The Blue Sword/The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Everlasting by Angie Frazier


And other books that have been on my TBR prior to 2012

Books Completed:

19. Players Ruse by Hilari Bell
18. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
17. Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David
16. Red Glove by Holly Black
15. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
14. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
13. White Cat by Holly Black
12. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
11. The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian
10. Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell
9. Magic Can be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde
8. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
7. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
6. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
5. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Debut Author Challenge

5/12 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:

Name: 2012 Debut Author Challenge
Hosts : The Story Siren
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Books written by 2012 debut YA/MG authors.

Levels: One. Read AND review a minimum of 12 books 
Prizes? Yes, details TBA.
Sign up page

Why I'm Interested:

Because of the massive amount of win that seems to be debuting in 2012!

Books Considered:

Books on my 2012 Debut Goodreads shelf.

Books Completed:

5. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
4. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
3. Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
2. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Off the Shelf Challenge

13/15 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:

Name: Off the Shelf 2012
Hosts : Bookish Ardour
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Books I own from any genre (2011 and older)
Levels: Seven. I am going to try for the second level 15 books
Link your reviews? Yes, HERE
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page
Report completion page

Why I'm Interested:

Because I'm always neglecting my own books and they're piling up fast!

Books Considered:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison
How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-boyfriend by Janette Rallison
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
Dust and Decay by Jonathan Maberry
The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson
The rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian

Um, and that's just what's on the shelf right in front of me.

Books Completed (owned 2011 and earlier):

13. The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian
12. Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell
11. Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde
10. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
9. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
8. Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
7. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
5. The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander
4. Athena the Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Books Completed (owned 2012):

39. Poseidon and the Sea of Fury by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
38. Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
37. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman
36. Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
35. The Archived by Victoria Schwab
34. Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
33. Legend of the Ghost Dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
32. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
31. The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
30. Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David
29. Undead by Kirsty McKay
28. Outpost by Ann Aguirre
27. Claws by Mike and Rachel Grinti
26. Shift by Kim Curran
25. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
24. Amber House by Kelly Moore
23. All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin
22. The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
21. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
20. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
19. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
18. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
17. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
16. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
15. Soulbound by Heather Brewer
14. The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner
13. Scary School by Derek the Ghost
12. The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
11. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
10. Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut
9. Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep
8. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
7. Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
6. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
5. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren
4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
3. Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
2. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
1. Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read?

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2012 Just Contemporary Reading Challenge

9/5 books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  


Name: 2012 Just Contemporary Reading Challenge
Hosts : Books From Bleh to Basically Amazing
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read books that fall into the contemporary genre.
Levels: Two; I am going to try for the first level: Just read SOME contemporary books. I am going to make my personal goal 5.
Prizes? Yes, TBA
Link Your Reviews: Yes, weekly linkups will be available
Sign up page 


Why I'm Interested:  

I always say contemporary is so NOT my genre, and that's true. Very true.

Until I look at my TBR and realize I actually have a lot of contemporaries I want to read! So hopefully this challenge will help me get to them.

Some books I'm considering:

Books from my Contemporary Goodreads shelf.

I'd especially like to get to:

How to Take the Ex-Out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm
The Fourth Stall, Part II by Chris Rylander

Books Completed:

9. Legend of the Ghost Dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
8. All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin
7. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
6. The Classroom by Robin Mellom
5. Illyria by Elizabeth Hand
4. Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm
3. Fetching by Kiera Stewart
2. Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
1. The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading? Do you have any suggestions that I absolutely MUST read? I like funny and romantic contemporaries.

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2012 E-Book Challenge

13/20 books  

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  


Name: 2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
Hosts : The Eclectic Bookshelf
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Read e-books.
Levels: Four; I am going to try for the third level: 20 e-books
Prizes? None that I see
Sign up page 


Why I'm Interested:  

I get a lot of e-books for review, but I don't have an e-reader so a lot of them expire before I can get to them. I'm hoping this challenge will help give me a little extra motivation to stare at my computer screen for hours and actually read the e-galleys I get.

Books Completed:

13. Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder
12. Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
11. Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
10. The Other Normals by Ned Vizaini
9. Defiance by C. J. Redwine
8. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
7. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
6. The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats
5. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
4. Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm
3. Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan
2. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
1. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Have you signed up for this challenge? What books are you planning on reading?

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2012 Finishing the Series Challenge

0/TBD books

How do you make a progress bar? 

Challenge Basics:  

Name: 2012 Finishing the Series Challenge
Hosts : Socrates' Book Reviews
Starts: January 1, 2012
Ends: December 31, 2012
Eligible Books: Finish a series you have already started.
Levels: Three. I am going to try for the first level: Finish one series, but if I only have to read 2 or fewer books to finish the series, I'm going to try for level 2: Finish two series. 
Prizes? Not that I see
Sign up page 

Why I'm Interested:  
I have a few series that I've started, but for whatever reason I never finished them. I'd like to try to finish them in 2012.

Some books I'm considering: 

The Spook's Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney
The Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo
The Pendragon Adventure series by D. J. MacHale
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian

Books Completed:

17. Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder
16. Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
15. The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian
14. Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
13. Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
12. Outpost by Ann Aguirre
11. Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell
10. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blae
9. The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
8. Medusa the Mean by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
7. Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep
6. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
5. Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren
4. Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
3. The Fourth Stall Part II by Chris Rylander
2. Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
1. Athena the Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Series Started and Completed in 2012:

9. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
8. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
7. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
6. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
5. The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
4. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Tweet

The Big Challenge Wrap Up + Small News

So how did I do?

2011 was my first year for participating in reading challenges. Always a subscriber to the "more is more" philosophy, I signed up for a whopping 11 challenges! But signing up for challenges is easy. It's the actual reading books and finishing the challenges that's the hard part. So how did I do?

Gothic Reading Challenge

8/10 books

Goal: Level 3, read 10 books
Did I finish? No, sadly I did not.
How did I do if I squint a little? Pretty good! I read 8 books and by the end of December I will mostly likely finish one more. So 9 out of 10 isn't too shabby. I can totally squint and call this one a win.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

Off the Shelf Challenge

5/15 books

Goal: Level 2, read 15 books
Did I finish? Hahahahaha, no.
How did I do if I squint a little? I can't even squint and get away with this one. BUT! I did read 33 books I acquired during 2011, so that's 33 books that could have gone unread on my shelves but didn't! I count that as a personal win, even if it doesn't really count for the challenge.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

350 Page Books Challenge

10/10 +24 books

Goal: Read 10 books
Did I finish? Heck yes! I DOMINATED this challenge! I am a 350 page reading champion. I laugh in the face of my fear of large books. And by the end of December, I should even have a few more chunksters to add to the list. 

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

YA Historical Fiction Challenge

15/15 +12 books

Goal: Level 3, read 15 books
Did I finish? Yep, I am a YA historical fic reading machine! The Historical Fantasy Jubilee helped me cross off a bunch of books for this challenge.


Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

Most Awaited YA Releases Challenge

12/12 +33 books

Goal: Read 12 books
Did I finish? Oh yeah, I OWNED this one. Then again, Me + My penchant for instant gratification + 2011 being a year of awesome releases = Easy challenge to finish.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

2nds Challenge

12/12 +11 books

Goal: Read 12 books
Did I finish? Yay, another win! I'm surprised because I wasn't expecting to do very well with this one. I'm also happily surprised that ten of them aren't even sequels.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

Into the Old World Reading Challenge

10/10 +11 books

Goal: Read 10 books
Did I finish? I totally rocked it! I'm very pleased with this challenge. I was able to cross a lot of books off my TBR that have been sitting there for, obviously, YEARS. I'm really happy I knocked out the Percy Jackson series, plus two of the books I ended up reading were even on my goal list for this challenge (though most of them were not!)

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

Wish I'd Read That Challenge

20/20 +5 books

Goal: Level 4, read 20 books
Did I finish? Score! This was another challenge that got me to cross off a lot of books from my TBR. This was an easy challenge, too, because most of the books were crossovers with the Into the Old World Reading Challenge.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

12/12 +15 books

Goal: Read 12 books
Did I finish? Yes I did! With books to spare! 2011 was a great year for debuts.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

Library Reading Challenge

40 books

Goal: There didn't seem to be a goal.
Did I finish? I guess? Since there wasn't a goal I can't technically "finish" but I did read 40 books from the library and I'm working on a few more that I should be finished with this month. I think that's pretty good.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

YA Series Challenge

20/30 books

Goal: Level 6, read 23-30 books
Did I finish? Nope, fail! Looks like I bit off more than I could chew with this one.
How did I do if I squint a little? If I look at the low end of 23 books, then I was only three off. I guess that's not so bad! I'm really happy I can finally mark the Percy Jackson series as read in full.

Click to see the books I read for this challenge.

All said and done?

I'd say I did pretty good! I entered 11 challenges and completed 8 of them, most with way more books read than I needed. I am proud of myself. I think the trick is to sign up for challenges that allow crossovers. I got a lot of mileage out of some of the books I read.

Now I'm looking forward to 2012's challenges! If you thought 11 challenges were a lot, I went even more overboard for 2012! From tomorrow until the end of December I will have a new challenge sign-up post each day (and sometimes two per day!) Yeah, that's a lot of challenges.

Small News:

I will also be on a slight hiatus from tomorrow until the end of the month. By "slight" I mean I am going to try to ignore my computer and actually get some work done (like, preparing for January's Busting the Newbie Blues and its sister event Busting the Big Blogger Blues!), but you know me and self-control...

What to expect in January:

• Busting the Newbie Blues and Busting the Big Blogger Blues! 
• Reviews, WoWs, IMM, No More Waiting!, discussions, and recaps--so if you're not a blogger, there should still be enough "business as usual" going on for you throughout the month. 
• Submissions open for the next Review Comparison
• No Spotlight Lists in January (they'll be back in February)
• Two additional Tips & Tricks posts 
• The debut of a new book-related feature. 

What to expect in February:

• Business as usual, mostly.
• I'll be trying out a new schedule in February, but don't worry, I'm mostly just shuffling things around to better accommodate my busier schedule.

How about you? Did any of you participate in any 2011 challenges? Did you participate in any of the same challenges I did? How did you do? What strategies worked for you? Are you planning on tackling any challenges in 2012?

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Spotlight List: The Giant List of 2011 Recommendations (GP)

Looking for another list?

I am also guest posting today at The Happy Booker!

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Spotlight List: The Giant List of 2011 Recommendations (7)

I made a really big list

I'm a list maker, as is probably pretty obvious by this feature. So of course I HAD to make an end-of-the-year list recapping all of the books I read in 2011. It's like a snapshot of reviews, but you can click on the titles to go to my full reviews.

I broke this up into seven posts (plus a guest post) that will go up throughout the day. Settle in, this is going to be a long one!

The Specialist Special Shelf

The elite section of the Special Shelf. These are the books that I pull off the shelf when I want to visit old friends and favorite scenes. These are the type of books I am constantly searching for and treasure when I find them. If the house was burning down, these are the books I'd be saving. They may not be perfect books, but they're perfect for me.

StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Spies, thievery, blackmail, shifting alliances, secret organizations, and court intrigue set in a snowed-in castle. YES MORE PLEASE!

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier (review to come)
Why did I wait so long to read this?!

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder (review to come)
Post-apocalyptic fantasy is my new favorite genre.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (review to come)
Assassins, court intrigue, and hate-turned-love romance. I am SO glad this is going to be a trilogy!

Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Historical fiction done exactly how I want it. I RAGED, and cried, and wanted to reach in and hug Selene because I was so happy and proud!

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell
SO much more than I was expecting. I could talk about this book for hours.

Catspaw by Joan D. Vinge
A re-read of an old favorite. Cat is one of my absolute favorite characters ever.

Plain Kate by Erin Bow
Beautiful. Absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. Taggle!

The River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren
LOVE! Every. Single. Thing.

Which books made your Specialist Special Shelf in 2011? Have you read any of these? What did you think of them?

But wait! What did I think about all those other 2011 reads? Follow along to find out and weigh in on your own 2011 reads!
Part 1

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Part 5
Part 6
Guest post!

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