2013 Reading Challenges

Drum roll please...  I've chosen my 2013 Reading Challenges!  I really pushed it to the last minute this time but I finally came up with a group of challenges that I'm happy with.  I ended up very happy with my 2012 book challenges and really learned from my huge 2011 book challenge fail.

In the past two years, I've learned...
1. Challenges can put a lot o pressure on me if I let them.
2. Challenges can get me out of a reading funk.
3.  If I push myself, challenges can be exciting.
4.  Audiobooks really help with challenge completion.

So let's talk about 2013 challenges.


1.  First up I've got the Goodreads challenge.  I love this challenge because it keeps up with the books I read each year.  It also helps at the end of the year when it is time to do "Best of..." posts.  I can look back through the year to see what I read.  This year I did well with this challenge, completing 104 books.  My goal was set for 75.  This year, I'm raising my goal to 85.  I'm not quite ready to set my goal at 100 because I face another year of uncertainty when it comes to my schedule.  So 85 to play it safe.

TBR Pile Challenge Wrap-Up

Here's the wrap-up for my last challenge.  I really loved that this challenge made me read books I had on my bookshelf.  Some of them I had forgotten about and others I had forgotten why I had purchased them.  Definitely one of my favorite challenges.

The collage is below.  It isn't clickable because all of the books haven't been reviewed.

Best Audiobooks of 2012

And... it's top 10 Week!  I've been waiting for this week...holding myself back :)

Top 10 of 2012 is hosted by Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Rachel from Fiktshun, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, and Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic.  It was difficult to narrow my favorites last year, but this year it's insane!


Today's Topic: Best of _____ of 2012.  I've chosen to share the best audiobooks I've listened to in 2012.

I've listed my choices below.  They should be clickable.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Our Christmas tree :)
It is NOT  a Charlie Brown Tree!
(The Hubby get's offended when people say so)

In the coming days I'm going to enjoy the holidays with my family and friends.  You can expect a renewed spirit in the New Year and more fun from Reflections of a Bookaholic.  For now, I hope your holidays will be filled with the special things and moments that are important to all of you.  And for those of you who are experiencing the holidays without a loved one or in harder times, I understand and my heart is with you.

Top 10 Book Covers from 2012

And... it's top 10 Week!  I've been waiting for this week...holding myself back :)

Top 10 of 2012 is hosted by Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Rachel from Fiktshun, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, and Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic.  It was difficult to narrow my favorites last year, but this year it's insane!

Today's Topic: Top 10 Covers (from 2012):

**My list is a little shorter because I don't always read books when they are new and I only wanted to include books I've read**

December Giveaways of Maeve Binchy

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway consists of a trio of Maeve Binchy.  I loved her as an author and I was sad when she passed away this year.  She left some fantastic writing behind.  I loved how she included so many wonderful characters and I always felt her books held such warmth and comfort.  Fill out the Rafflecopter before the end of December to enter.

Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy

Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy

Silver Wedding by Maeve Binchy

Top 10 Books Read in 2012

And... it's top 10 Week!  I've been waiting for this week...holding myself back :)

Top 10 of 2012 is hosted by Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Rachel from Fiktshun, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, and Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic.  It was difficult to narrow my favorites last year, but this year it's insane!

My choices are below and they should be clickable.  Should be.

Today's topic: Top 10 Books Read in 2012

December Giveaway of Christian Fiction

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway consists of two AMAZING Christian fiction authors.  I don't review a lot of Christian fiction on the blog because I'm so picky.  I absolutely LOVE these two authors and they are two of my go to for Christian fiction.  Fill out the rafflecopter before the end of December to enter.

When Breaks the Dawn by Janet Oke (not reviewed on blog)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (not reviewed on blog)

Closet turned Library

Source: adorable-decor.com via Brittany on Pinterest

I'm always looking at fantastic home libraries and saying, "I want that."  But I never know if you have to buy a place already equipped or how much it would cost to make my library cute and cuddly.  But THIS... I get this!  I could do this in any home.  LOVE IT!  I want to turn a closet into a library!

December Giveaway...Start of a Series and a Contemporary Read

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway consists of a start of a series and a contemporary read.  Here's book 1 and book 2 of Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Mysteries.  And then there's Bond Girl, a book about a career woman working in the financial sector during the economy crash.  Can you see those heels on the cover?  Enough Said.  Fill out the Rafflecopter before the end of December to enter.

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry (review not on blog)

Calander Square by Anne Perry (review not on blog)

December Giveaway...Two Mysteries and Some Drama

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway consists of two mysteries and some drama.  I'm not quite sure why I originally paired them but there was something about them at the time that seemed to fit.  I'm getting old so I can't remember.  So just trust me on this one.  Fill out the rafflecopter by the end of December to enter.

Come the Shadows by Wendy L. Young

Split Second by Catherine Coulter (ARC)

Goddess of Vengence by Jackie Collins (ARC)

December Giveaway of Women's Fiction

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway involves a trio of books that could be described as women's fiction.  There's more to them than that of course.  We see some historical fiction and such as well.  Fill out the rafflecopter before the end of December to enter!

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chaverini

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrence

The Mirrored World  by Debra Bean

December Giveaway of Historical Fiction Reads 2

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes three more historical reads.  This is the second giveaway that include historical fiction.  To enter fill out the rafflecopter below before the end of December.

All the Flowers in Shanghai by Duncan Jepson (ARC)

The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff (no review on blog)

Bell Canto Ann Patchett (a little worn on the back cover)

Multicultural Book Challenge Wrap-Up

Whoohoo! I joined this challenge to because I wanted to ensure a more diverse reading experience this year and this one hit the spot. This challenge was set up so that participants would read a multicultural book once a month. I was horrible at that. I read them when I read them and that was that. I also cheated a little bit. Not all of these books are YA though most are. Some are new adult and one is an adult book with YA characters. Check the collage below for the books I chose. You can also click each image for the reviews.

Favorite read... Too many! Night Swim & Teenie & Fire Baptized & Silver Sparrow

Runner-ups:  The Burning Bush

Best Writing... Night Swim

Unique Premise...The Maze Runner

Easiest to Connect To... Teenie

Eclectic Challenge Wrap-up

I finished this challenge earlier in the year.  I thought I was an eclectic reader but I had to stretch myself for a few genres.  This was probably the easiest challenge to complete out of all of the challenges I committed to.  Collage below.  You can click on each image for the review as well.

Favorite in this challenge... Delirium

Unique premise... Graveminder (Grab it right now if you haven't already!)

Most fun... Twenties Girl

December Giveaway of Books Explaining Past Events

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes a trio of books that attempt to explore some significant past event.  They are all intriguing but different.   Our Man in the Dark explores the last days of Dr. Martin Luther King but there is corruption, sex, and blackmail.  Perla and The Year of the Gadfly both explore similar themes but The Year of the Gadfly explores a made-up event.  This is a powerful combo.  Fill out the rafflecopter before the end of December to enter.

Our Man in the Dark by Rashad Harrison

Perla by Carolina de Robertis

The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller

December Giveaway of Romance

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway is a trio of romance.  We've even got all kinds!  There's historical romance, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter before the end of December to enter!

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Last Dance at Jitterbug Lounge by Pamela Morsi (no review on the blog)

Confessions of an Improper Bride by Jennifer Haymore

December Giveaway of Nonfiction

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes a trio of nonfiction reads and they are all quite different.  While I didn't review Dead Man Walking on the blog, it is one of my favorite nonfiction reads.  It was made into a movie but the book is quite different.

Dead Man Walking by  Sister Helen Prejean ( not reviewed on blog)

Love For Grown-Ups Ann Blumenthal Jacobs and others

In Her Wake by Nancy Rappaport

December Giveaway Not Quite Chick-Lit

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes three books that aren't quite chick-lit and aren't quite women's fiction.  I wouldn't call them chick-lit because they aren't so light and quirky but maybe not serious enough to be women's fiction.  They are fun though!  I especially enjoyed Spin.  To enter fill out the rafflecopter below before the end of December.

Lucky Bunny by Jill Dawson

Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh

I'm Gonna Do It. I'm Going To Ask.

Source: starringinmyownstory.tumblr.com via Lena on Pinterest

I will say and have always said Gone with the Wind.  But if I had to pick my favorite for this year, I really just can't decide quite yet.  Maybe Unwind.  Maybe Falling Together.  Maybe Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  Oh.  Maybe Delirium.  Crap.  This is hard.

You?

December Giveaway of Historical Fiction

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes a trio of historical fiction reads.  Just fill out the rafflecopter below before the end of December!

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigani

The Firemaster's Mistress (not reviewed on blog)

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin (ARC)

December Giveaway of Thoughtful/Inspirational Reads

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

This giveaway includes a trio of thoughtful and inspirational reads.  I enjoyed all three of these books!  Just fill out the rafflecopter below before the end of December.

Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison

Things Are Weird Here...Sorry!

Things are very very strange over here at Reflections of a Bookaholic.  It's one of those things where I have blog posts but I don't want to post them because I'll get further and further behind with things that come with new posts... like comment replies and such.  I'm just going to pause things till I can catch up and feel good about a being a blogger and friend again.  Maybe tomorrow...or the next day...or the day after that.

I've got to get back on track!

Who Needs Fancy Cars?

Source: themetapicture.com via Lena on Pinterest

I seriously think this when I see some of those reality tv stars with 5 Escalades.  I'm so not impressed.

Dystopia Challenge Wrap-up Part 2!

I'm taking forever with these wrap-up posts, I know, I know!  I'll have wrap-up posts for the other challenges as well but they'll be quicker.  How's that?  I also have to pick new challenges for next year.  Which challenges are you guys doing?

P.S.  Here's my Part 1 of the Dystopia Challenge Wrap-up
P.P.S.  Here's where you can find all the books I completed for this challenge in one place.  It's because I'm nice like that.

As always you can click on the pictures for reviews (Yes, I'm aware that it hasn't always been this way).

Review: The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison
Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 290 (Hardcover)
Source: Publisher: Algonquin Books
Author's Website | Twitter | Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:

Benjamin Benjamin has lost virtually everything--his wife, his family, his home, his livelihood. With few options, Ben enrolls in a night class called The Fundamentals of Caregiving, where he is instructed in the art of inserting catheters and avoiding liability, about professionalism, and on how to keep physical and emotional distance between client and provider. But when Ben is assigned to tyrannical nineteen-year-old Trevor, who is in the advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he soon discovers that the endless mnemonics and service plan checklists have done little to prepare him for the reality of caring for a fiercely stubborn, sexually frustrated adolescent with an ax to grind with the world at large. Though begun with mutual misgivings, the relationship between Trev and Ben evolves into a close camaraderie, and the traditional boundaries between patient and caregiver begin to blur as they embark on a road trip to visit Trev's ailing father. A series of must-see roadside attractions divert them into an impulsive adventure interrupted by one birth, two arrests, a freakish dust storm, and a six-hundred-mile cat-and-mouse pursuit by a mysterious brown Buick Skylark. Bursting with energy, this big-hearted and inspired novel ponders life's terrible surprises and the heart's uncanny capacity to mend.

My Rating:

My Review:

December Giveaway of Mysteries

The holidays are a time for family, food, and gifts. I can't share food or my family.  So let's do some giveaways shall we? I mean...why not?!

In this giveaway we have a mystery trio.  Two are Maisie Dobbs books, which can be read out of order easily.   I believe that some of these should be read out of order (to skip topics that don't interest you).  The giveaway starts now and ends on Christmas Day.  US entrants only (sorry!).

Come and Find Me by Hallie Ephron

Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

Giveaway Results (Long Time Coming)

RESULTS ARE IN!!

Congratulations to Patsy. She has won Lavendar Plum with Blacked Pepper Lollipops. 

Don't remember this giveaway?  I don't blame you.  It ended in October.  I'm a slacker.  But we have a winner so that's awesome :)
Thank you everyone who entered my giveaway : )

The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their address. If there is no response, I will choose a new winner. Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway. This was a rafflecopter giveaway

Didn't win this time? No worries, there will be a new giveaway in about 10 minutes :)