Library Thing Author Challenge

September 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008

Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books is hosting her first challenge. The Library Thing Author Challenge is all about reading more books from authors on Library Thing. What is a Library Thing author? Simply put, “an author who lists their personal library on Library Thing.” So here are the rules:

1. Make a list of LT Authors and books that you’d like to read (keeping in mind that the list of possible authors is always growing, so your wish list may change)
2. Crossovers with other Challenges are allowed
3. Post your reviews on your blog and on LibraryThing
4. Leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post about this Challenge

And Dawn is giving away a prize. She writes:

At the end of the Challenge I’ll give a $20 gift card (your choice: IndieBound, Borders, Barnes & Noble or Amazon) to one random winner; one entry per LT Author book completed according to the above guidelines.

She's also looking for someone to make her a button...and you can earn five extra chances to win the prize if you do!

Classics Bookclub - EVENT

Hosted by 5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books is hosting the Classics Bookclub on the first Tuesday of each month. Here's how to participate:

• Read or re-read the book in question
• If you'd like write a "before" post stating why you are reading the book, or what your impressions are going into it, feel free.
• Whether or not you write a before post, link up your after post on the day in question. The host will give you some questions to ponder or address in your wrap-up post if you'd like.
• If you'd like to visit and comment on other's wrap-up posts, you can truly enjoy the virtual bookclub.

To take part in this monthly event, visit 5 Minutes for Books on the first Tuesday of each month to discover the selected read of the month.

Children's Classics - EVENT

Hosted by 5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer of 5 Minutes for Books is hosting the monthly Children's Classics Carnival. Each month a topic surrounding Children's Classics will be offered. Jennifer writes:

I'd love to tap into your expertise or simply allow you to share your opinions about what you like as recommendations for your children, or even what you enjoy for yourself as an adult.

So on the second Tuesday of each month, check in with 5 Minutes for Books to find out the topic for that month...then share your thoughts!

What's On Your Nightstand - EVENT

Hosted by 5 Minutes For Books

Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books is hosting the monthly What's On Your Nightstand Carnival. The event occurs on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Here are the guidelines:

• Write a post on your own blog (or feel free to play along in the comments if you don't have a blog).
• You can simply post a picture, or tell us how and when these books got into your to-be-read pile, or give a mini-review of the books in progress.
• Link up to the monthly post (please use the permalink that will take us directly to that post, not the main page of your blog).
• Read around through the links and find out "What's on Their Nightstand?"

To play, visit 5 Minutes for Books on the 4th Tuesday of every month.

R.I.P. III Challenge

September 1 - October 31, 2008

Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings is once again hosting the RIP Challenge. The 3rd annual RIP Challenge once again encourages reading from genres such as horror, suspense-thriller, gothic, etc...

Carl writes:

It was a desire share the love of eerie, creepy, things-that-go-bump-in-the-night literature that brought me into the online reading challenge game for the first time back in September of 2006. My goals today, in this its third iteration, are no different than the inaugural R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge:

1. Have fun reading.
2. Share that fun with others.

It is that simple.

The Sub-genres:

• Mystery.
• Suspense.
• Thriller.
• Dark Fantasy.
• Gothic.
• Horror.
• Supernatural.

Choose a Peril:

Read Four books of any length, from any sub-genre of scary stories.

Read Two books of any length, from any sub-genre of scary stories.

Read One book of any length from one of the sub-genres listed above.

Sound like fun? To participate leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your list of books. For each book you read, post a link to your review on the R.I.P.ing Yarns blog using Mr. Linky.

September Short Story Challenge

September 1 - 30, 2008

Hosted by C. B. James at Ready When You Are, C.B., the September Short Story Challenge challenges readers to read as many short stories as they want to in the month of September. By posting reviews of these stories, and providing C.B. with the links, participants become eligible to win prizes (books!).

To read more and sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

Ghostly Challenge

September 1 - October 31, 2008

Callista is hosting A Ghostly Challenge which requires that participants read a minimum of two books which feature ghosts or which are 'ghostly.' The rules are:

1. All books are allowed, audiobooks, picture books, non fiction, fiction, short stories, whatever.
2. Books of short stories count as one book though.
3. Crossovers allowed.
4. You can make a list beforehand or add to it as you go.

To sign up, visit the blog dedicated to the challenge and leave a comment.

Lambda Literary Challenge

Perpetual Challenge with no Time Limit

Adventures in Reading is hosting the Lambda Literary Challenge to read as many (or as few) books which have won the Lambda Award as you'd like. Adventures in Reading writes:

A few weeks ago I posted the article “Separate and Unequal” from Publisher’s Weekly relating to the lack of gay and lesbian literature available from mainstream presses in the USA. I confess to my own scanty experience with literature featuring homosexual protagonists that I haven’t fallen upon by accident. Resulting from this, I am launching my own reading challenge: The Lambda Challenge.

The challenge has no time limits and participants can join at any time. For more information and to sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

Lit Flicks Challenge

September 1, 2008 - February 28, 2009

Jessica from The Bluestalking Society is hosting the Lit Flicks Challenge which challenges participants to read FIVE books which have been made into movies AND to watch TWO of those movies. Lists can change at any time. There will be activities and give-aways offered each month of the challenge.

For more information and to sign up and link your reviews, visit the official challenge page.

2008 Ban on Spending Book Challenge

Current through December 31, 2008

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog has come up with a challenge that most of us obsessed readers should probably join (although I'm the first to admit I could never, ever complete this one!). The 2008 Ban on Spending Book Challenge is all about self control. Here's the rules:

1. No purchasing books for yourself until all the books listed are gone. No purchasing books for other people with the intention of reading them after they are finished. Library or other borrowed books can’t be listed.
2. Any books won in a raffle or given as a gift will be added to this list.
3. Books to be reviewed for promo companies, other blogs, authors, etc. do not count and are not added to the list.
4. Start anytime and list as many or as few books as needed. Once all books are checked off from the list, the ban is lifted and the spending can begin again.
5. The ending date for each person can vary to a few weeks or months as long as it doesn’t exceed December 31, 2008. This ban can be lifted earlier if all books listed have been read or donated.
6. If you don't have a blog and would like to still join, list your books in the comment section of the post about the challenge.

I know I should join this one...but I won't because I'm not ready to admit I have a problem (okay, so I have a problem, but I'm not ready to deal with it yet!).

2008 Seconds Challenge

September 1 - December 31, 2008

Joy from Thoughts of Joy is once again hosting the Seconds Challenge. The idea is simple: read 4 books by authors of whom you have only read one other book. Sign ups are through Mr. Linky at the challenge post.

Cozy Mystery Challenge

September 1 - 30, 2008

Kris at Not Enough Books is hosting the Cozy Mystery Challenge again this fall.

1. Decide on a number of cozy mysteries to read in September. No minimum number required.
   
2. Create a post on your blog with the number you plan to read for this challenge and possible title selections. Create a link back to the post about the challenge so others can easily find the challenge home if they wish to join.
   
3. Sign-up with Mr. Linky on the post about the challenge, putting the number of cozies you plan to read behind your name.
   
4. At the end of the challenge, go back to Kris' blog and use Mr. Linky to let everyone know how you did!

Sound like fun? Why not pop over to Not Enough Books and sign up?

Georgette Heyer Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limits

Becky from Becky's from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting the Georgette Heyer Perpetual Challenge on its own dedicated blog. There are no time limits and no set number of books to read. Becky writes:

While Heyer spent some years out of print, each year more and more of her novels are being rereleased for a new generation to enjoy.

There is a list of Heyer's books on the blog. To join, simply leave Becky a comment on the post about the challenge, and if you want to contribute to the challenge blog also include your email address.

Olympic Challenge

August 8 - August 24, 2008

Just in time for the Olympics is The Olympic Challenge hosted by Annie at Reading, Writing, and Ranting. Annie writes:

It's country against country in the battle to prove your reading patriotism. The ultimate prize will be awarded to the individual who earns the most gold medals - a US $20 Amazon.com Gift Voucher. The runner up will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Voucher. Both 1st and 2nd place will also receive a special 'winner' badge to place on their blog.

Here's the rules:

1. You are to read as many books possible written by authors from your own country during the period the Olympics are on. The genre and length of the books will be up to you.
2. Each time you finish a book, post your name, country, blog address, book title and author as a comment on the challenge post. That will earn yourself and your country a silver medal. If you do all the above plus post a link to your review of the book you earn yourself and your country a gold medal.
3. A running country medal tally will be kept down the right hand side of Annie's blog as well as the individual currently topping the leader board.
4. To win the Amazon Gift Voucher, you must be a gold medal winner (ie you must have submitted a review).
5. Re-reads are permitted and it is okay if you were half-way through a book when the challenge started.

Sound like fun? Pop over to Annie's post about the challenge and leave her a comment!

2008 Book To Movie Challenge

September 1, 2008 - December 1, 2008

Callista is once again hosting the Book to Movie Challenge. Participants are asked to read at least three books which have been made into movies (and Callista provides a link to a HUGE list of these).

RULES:

1. You can use books that fulfill other challenges if you want but you must read them AFTER Sept. 1.
2. Non-bloggers are welcome to join, just post your picks in the comments of the post about the challenge and post your thoughts on the books in the comments too.
3. It is not required that you watch the movies and compare them to the books but this would be a good idea if you want to.
4. Audio books are okay
5. Books that will be made into movies in the future (they've started work on them) are acceptable too.

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge and leave a comment with a link to YOUR challenge post.

Mailbox Monday - EVENT

Hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page

August 1, 2008: This event has been moved to Marcia's new blog.

Marcia is hosting a weekly event called Mailbox Monday. She writes:

There's nothing better than venturing out to your mailbox and finding books! We all love books especially those we've won through a giveaway or requested as an ARC. I won't have books to list every Monday but that doesn't mean that one of you hasn't gotten some little gem in the last week.

She's asking for people to leave comments to share their "gems" ...so go to The Printed Page each Monday to play along!