2018 Book Challenges

It's that time again!  I need to do a wrap-up post for my 2017 Reading Challenges (which were very successful if I do say so myself) and I will.  BUT today, I want to share what I've taken on for this year. 

I've chosen the 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge and for ONCE that's the only challenge I'm going with this year--maybe a bit of a let down--but ehh.  I've chosen to read 60 books which is better than last years 45, but a far cry from 100 books read from past years.  It is what it is.  I'm accepting it.

I'm only doing one reading challenge because I already know that this year is the year of FLUFF.  The fluffier the better!  I've been reading a lot of dark YA lately and I just don't want to do that right now.  I'm probably going to continue to listen to YA Science Fiction and Fantasy and read more romance and mystery as long as it is fluffy.

Good luck everyone!  Be sure to tell me what you are doing about challenges in 2018.  Are you challenging yourself to do something new?  Or are you done with the pressure that challenges sometimes bring?

I can't wait to recap my 2017 challenge where I read all of the books that were nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards for 2016 and give you guys my final opinion.  It was fun and different than anything I've done.  But it did drag a bit at times.  Look for later posts for my final reviews and thoughts!

2017 Best of... Reading Challenge Detailed

I mentioned in my Challenge post that I was hosting the 2017 Best of... Reading Challenge.  I'm not really hosting a challenge, per se.  It's simply a thing I've been wanting to try for a while.  What is this thing, you say?

I'm simply picking one of the Goodreads Choice Awards categories from the previous year, and reading all the nominees in the category.  I'll also get to see if I agree with the chosen winner.   Most people haven't read every book nominated and you can only vote for the book(s) that you've read. I have a theory that the winner of each category is more of a popularity contest, rather than the best book in the category and I simply want to test that theory.

You can try it if you are interested, I'd be interested to hear how this little experiment works out for different categories (or the same).

I've chosen the Best Young Adult & Science Fiction Category from the 2016 Choice Awards, which means I'm reading the following:



The difficult part of this challenge is that I have to also read the earlier books in the series of some of these. I guess I don't HAVE to, but it is how I roll (eyeing United as One warily  I'm kind of nervous but I really want to give it a shot.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments?  Do you agree or disagree with me about the winners of Goodreads Choice Awards?  If you were to take on this challenge, which category would you take on?

2017 Challenges... Trying Again

Hey Ya'll!

I wanted to pop in and share my 2017 challenges because I'm so excited about them.  And yes, I'm going to ignore the fact that I've been ghost for so long.  It's 2017 and I've got some New Year's Resolutions (Wink! Wink!).  Anyways, let's talk about challenges.

Some people don't like challenges because it puts pressure on them.  I, on the other hand, am a goal-oriented person, and I'm motivated by them.  Sometimes I don't reach them (i.e. all of 2014) but hey, I need something to strive toward.

These are the reading challenges I'm striving towards in 2017:

  Good Reads 2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge

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Challenges Update...Ehhh I Could Have Done Better

When I signed up for three challenges last year, I thought I was really doing something.  Wrong.  I've seen other blogs sign up for and complete a lot more challenges.  I'm often laughing at my naive early blogger self.  Here's a quick update on my challenges and I'll post soon about the challenges I am joining for the new year.

1.  The 2011 Goodreads Challenge.
Completed 78/60 so far this year.
I definitely read more books than I expected to this year.  I didn't actually think I was going to make it.  Earlier in the year, my goodreads update was screaming at me that I was really behind.  Come summer I really beasted this challenge and said "now what."  I will be participating again in the coming year but I haven't set my new goal as of yet.

2.  Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

Completed 17/20 so far this year.
I'm pretty sure I will finish this challenge before the end of the year but I didn't expect to cut it so close.  Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I thought it would be a piece of cake to complete.  I didn't count on all the amazing book recommendations I would find on other blogs or by friends and family.  It caused me to really veer away from what I thought I would be reading this year.  It was very surprising and fun.  I'm so excited by this unexpected turn of events that it has made a huge impact on the challenges I enter next year.  More on that later.

3.  2011 E-book Challenge
Completed 36/50 books so far this year.
Epic fail.  I will not be completing this challenge this year.  After receiving my ereader, I only read books on it so I didn't expect this challenge to be difficult.  I didn't account for the many giveaways I would participate and win or many of the book requests that I accepted.  While, I do prefer to read book form when convenient, I can't help but feel disappointed in myself for failing in this challenge.  I can't help it.  I'm a perfectionist and if I say I'm going to do something, I will only be satisfied by getting it done.  I've got to let it go though.  I will be picking my challenges more carefully for next year.

All in all, these challenges really made me excited when I joined the book blogging community last January (yes, it has been almost a  year).  I am super excited to choose more challenges and I hope to keep up with them better this time around.

How did everyone do on their challenges this year?  Have you decided on your challenges for next year?  What advice would you give newbies like me this time last year?

Dewey's 24 HR Read-A-Thon

Whelp!!  I'm going to do it.  I'm taking a day off of studying to participate in the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon (some of you may wonder if I take every day off, but that is besides the point).  I've been waiting till the last minute to post this because I was still unsure if I could get my Law School Reading done in time to participate...still crossing my fingers.

As for food...

Strawberry yogurt and cereal

I'm hoping for some gumbo and crackers. 

Maybe a turkey wrap or sandwich

Frozen red grapes

Sweet tea, water, and 1 glass of wine for dessert

I plan to post once and keep updating that same post over the day.  I don't want to bombard your Readers : ) And in case you are worried about me... never fear, I won't be doing this alone.  I will complete this challenge with my darlings Layla (top) and Lily (bottom).

Here's my list of books that I am planning to read.

1. Creed's Honor by Linda Lael Miller
2. The Shack by WM. Paul Young
3. The Gathering by Anne Enright
4. When Breaks the Dawn by Janette Oke

Other Reads:

Undercover Marriage by Amy J. Fetzer

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons

New Challenge: 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

This challenge is hosted by La Coccinelle @ The Lady Bug Reads.

I read most of my books on my e-reader so I decided to give this challenge a try.  I've decided to attempt the "possessed" level.  Wish me luck :)



Challenge Rules:

Anyone can join.  You don't need a blog to participate
Any genre counts
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post.
Sign-up up here.
Challenge Begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.



There are four levels:

Curious - Read 3 e-books
Fascinated - Read 6 e-books
Addicted - Read 12 e-books
Obsessed - Read 20 e-books
Possessed - Read 50 e-books
Fanatical - Read 75 e-books
Monomaniacal - Read 100 e-books

New Challenge: Historical Fiction 2011 Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Historical Tapestry.

I've been seeing challenges and buttons around the book blogosphere and I began to feel a tad left out.  Although I have no time outside of law school, moot court, and reading the modest amount of books on my reader, I have decided to join a challenge.  It makes me feel like a real blogger :)

The rules are easy:

• Any kind of historical fiction book is accepted (Fantasy, YA, etc...)
• Books may overlap with other challenges (thankfully)
• You add a review link to the monthly post at historical tapestry

Here are the levels:

• Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
• Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
• Struggling the Addition: 10 books
• Daring & Curious: 5 books
• Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books