2009 A to Z Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

The A to Z challenge has changed hands. Becky will now be hosting this annual challenge beginning in 2009 (Patti has started the ABC Readers Yahoo Group which is a sister site to the challenge!). The 2009 A to Z Challenge has several options for participants to choose from:

• Option A: Read authors A to Z. Commit to reading 26 books theoretically speaking.
• Option B: Read titles A to Z. Commit to reading 26 books theoretically speaking.
• Option C: Read both authors A to Z and titles A to Z (52 books; this is the challenge Joy created)
• Option D: Read internationally A to Z (books representing 26 different countries) (The books could be from international authors (writers from that country); however, it's fine if a book is only set in that country. If need be, instead of countries one could use cities, states, regions, etc. The idea is to use proper place names. If you'd like you could even use a few fictional countries.)
• Option E: Read 26 Alphabet books. Embrace your inner child and go visit the children's section!

To sign up for 2009, visit the sign up post on the brand new dedicated blog for this challenge! To join the Yahoo group, visit the ABC Readers at Yahoo.

Thursday's Thoughts - EVENT

Hosted by Sher at Thursday's Thoughts
(Sister site: A Novel Menagerie)

Thursday's Thoughts is a weekly Event which is linked to prize giveaways. Sher writes:

I started Thursday’s Thoughts as a weekly MEME, of sorts. I created it as a means to get to know the book bloggers out there and make some new, solid connections. I’ve really found a passion for blogging and I’d like to meet those great book review bloggers! Also, I noticed that nearly all book bloggers give away books for contest winners. I wanted to contribute to the efforts of the book bloggers out there. So, I ended up deciding to make a “sister site” to A Novel Menagerie called “Thursday’s Thoughts.”

Each Thursday, I will present a post about the contest for the week. The contest will be open to both bloggers and blog readers, alike. For the bloggers, I ask for them to write a post on their site answering the weekly MEME question. Then, they insert the link of this post into the comments section under the post for that week’s contest. Each week, there will be a different prize. So far, I have given away books, gift certificates, and even a semi-precious stone.

Want to play? Visit Thursday's Thoughts each Thursday for the new contest.

Fall 2008 - 24 Hour Read-A-Thon - EVENT

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon Scheduled

October 18-19, 2008
Hosted by Dewey at Hidden Side of a Leaf

For those bloggers who have joined Dewey in the past for her 24 Hour Read-A-Thons, I know you are anxiously awaiting the next one. The Read-A-Thon is a blow out reading and blogging session that lasts 24 hours. There are always fabulous prizes.

This fall there will be some potential changes. The biggest change is the time the event begins. Dewey writes:

Last time, there were problems with starting at 9am Pacific. This meant that people in later time zones, which was almost everyone, were starting late in the morning. So they were already up for hours before they started their 24 hours. So this year, let’s start at Noon GMT.

Visit the post about the Fall Event for more information and Watch Dewey's blog for sign ups and more information in the next few weeks.

First YA Book Awards - EVENT

Hosted by Hope at Hope's Bookshelf

Hope at Hope's Bookshelf is hosting the First Annual YA Book Awards beginning SEPTEMBER 28th.

Here's the schedule:

• September 28 - November 30th at midnight (eastern time): Nominations
• December 1st - December 31st: Voting
• January 1st (or maybe the second. . .): Winners announced!

Here's What You Do:

1. Read the information for each of the categories (found on the post about the event).

2. E-mail Hope with your top three choices for each category. This doesn't mean you have to nominate a book for every category.

3. Come back in December to vote! (More information about voting will be posted in December.)

Book Requirements:

1. All books are okay as long as they were published in 2008 and are young adult books, and fit with the category you nominate them for.

There is LOTS more information over at Hope's blog...so please do go to the post about the event to read the details.

Every Month Is A Holiday - 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kim is hosting the Every Month is A Holiday Challenge again for 2009. Participants read a book a month relating to one of the themes, special days or holidays. Those who have joined in for 2008 have had a great time...

5 Under 35 Challenge

PERPETUAL challenge beginning October 1, 2008

I am hosting the 5 Under 35 Perpetual challenge at Caribousmom.The National Book Foundation recognizes five young writers each year in its 5 Under 35 Program. The National Book Foundation writes:

These five writers have each been selected by a previous National Book Award Finalist or Winner as someone whose work is particularly promising and exciting and is among the best of a new generation of writers.

This challenge is designed as a perpetual challenge (no end date) to read the five books selected each year by the National Book Foundation in the 5 Under 35 Program. To see the lists of books chosen, follow the links below:

2006 Winners

2007 Winners

2008 Winners

Participants in the challenge should sign up by using the SIGN UP Mr. Linky at the post about the challenge. If you do not have a blog, you can still sign up…read more on Caribousmom!

Reading and Blogging for Darfur - EVENT

Hosted by Natasha at Maw Books Blog

My apologies for not posting this sooner - the month really got away from me. Natasha at Maw Books is hosting this month long event (September 2008) to raise money and awareness of the situation in Darfur. It is not too late to get involved. Please visit the original post about the event, and then also read through all of Natasha's posts related to this event this month.

Waiting on Wednesdays - EVENT

Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Waiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. She writes:

I have decided to start a weekly post spotlighting a soon-to-be-released book that I'm much anticipating. Hopefully, this will be another opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

To join in this event, visit Jill each Wednesday and leave her a link to your post.

London 2012 Challenge

Begins ANYTIME - Ends on the opening day of the London 2012 Summer Olympics

Katrina at Katrina Reads is setting a personal challenge to read one author's work from the 202 participating countries in the Summer Olympic Games by 2012. She is inviting other readers to join her.

As always it's great to have fellow challengers, for company and recommendations, so if any bloggers wish to join me let me know in the comments section. You don't have to read a novel per country, it could be a novel, essay, poetry, non fiction or graphic novel, just so long as the author is a citizen of that country.

If you decide you want to carry the torch with her, visit Katrina's post about the challenge and leave her a comment.

Book Review Carnival - EVENT

Hosted by Clark Bjorke at Book Review Blog Carnival

The Book Review Carnival is a bi-monthly event (every other Sunday) which links readers to book reviews around the blog-o-sphere. Clark writes:

In a blog carnival, a group of bloggers who have some sort of organizing principle in common, submit posts to be included. One blog, acting as host, writes a post, on the appointed day, which includes links to all of the blog posts submitted and accepted for the carnival. This post is then a central point from which readers can go to red those posts, which all hold an interest to their readers, through that organizing principle.

The next event begins Sunday, September 28th. To learn more and to get involved, visit Clarks post What is a Blog Carnival and Why Do It.

Book Bloggers Giveaway Carnival - EVENT

November 3- 8, 2009
Hosted by Bookroomreview's Weblog

Bookroomreview's Weblog is hosting a Book Bloggers Giveaway Carnival in November. Based on the popular Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, The Book Bloggers Giveaway Carnival is all about giving away books. Bookroomreviews will provide a Mr. Linky for participants to link to their giveaways.

They are looking for someone to make a button for this event.

To learn more and to sign up to be involved, visit the post about the event.

Daniel Defoe Mini Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky of Becky's Book Reviews is hosting the Daniel Defoe Mini Challenge in 2009. The challenge is to read TWO books by Defoe. (One movie may be substituted in the place of one of the books.) Audio books are acceptable as well.

To sign up, visit Becky's post about the challenge and leave a comment.

Scott Westerfield Mini Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting the Scott Westerfield mini challenge in 2009. The goal of this one is to read TWO of his books.

To sign up, visit Becky's post about the challenge and leave a comment.

Sarah Dessen Mini Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting a Sarah Dessen Mini Challenge for 2009. The goal of this challenge is to read TWO of her books. (Audio books are welcome.)

To sign up, go to Becky's post about the challenge and leave a comment.

John Steinbeck Mini Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting another mini challenge - this one revolves around John Steinbeck. The goal of the challenge is to read TWO books by John Steinbeck. (Audio books are welcome.) One movie can be substituted for one of the books if you prefer.

Becky provides a list of all Steinbeck's books on her site.

To join the challenge go to the post about the challenge and leave a comment.

2009 - 18th and 19th Century Women Writers Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting the 2009 18th and 19th Century Women Writers Reading Challenge. Challenge participants should read no fewer than four and no more than twelve books written by a woman who lived and wrote from 1700 to 1900. Post-1900 books are NOT allowed. (Becky notes a small loophole here: If a book was written during these two centuries 1700-1900 and was not published until after the author's death...and that publication date just happened to be in the 1900s or 2000s...then that would count.)

Overlaps with other challenges are allowed. Becky provides links to sites where readers can get ideas for their lists.

To sign up, go to Becky's post about the challenge and leave her a comment.

Celebrate the Author - 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews has created a dedicated blog for the Celebrate the Author Challenge beginning in 2009. As with the 2008 challenge, Celebrate the Author 2009 will encourage readers to “celebrate” author birthdays by choosing one author for each month of the year. Read at least one book a month. 12 authors. 12 birthdays. Becky writes:

The challenge is designed to ‘celebrate’ the special bond–the connection–that occurs between the author AND the reader as well as the connection between readers.

The 2009 challenge will encourage readers to leave links to reviews.

To sign up, leave Becky a comment on the blog.

Mind, Body and Soul Challenge

October 1 - 31, 2008

Annie at Reading, Writing and Ranting is hosting the month long Mind, Body and Soul Challenge. Annie writes:

The idea behind this challenge is to use reading to inspire the mind, care for the body and nurture the soul over 31 days. Pretty much it's just a fun way to stretch our reading muscles and a good excuse for me to give away some prizes!

Pick a category and an option (1 or 2) from the following:

Mind Category:

1. Choose a real person whose life you find absolutely fascinating. Arm yourself with knowledge...go read a biography on your person! Once you've got the facts straight, follow it up with a fiction novel based on the same person.
2. Choose a classic novel sitting on your bookshelf you've always wanted to read but have never gotten around to. When you've finished, read a follow-up novel to your classic written by a different author. This could be a sequel to Pride and Prejudice or a modern novel modeled on your classic.

Body Category:

1. Combine reading and workouts. Listen to your favorite audio book while you are exercising. Set a daily exercise goal and use reading to get you through it!
2. Learn more about your body. Read a nutrition/diet book or try a few recipes from a low-fat cookbook.

Soul Category:

1. Read something inspirational. Choose an autobiography of someone whom you really admire, a self-help book you've been wanting to read or a spiritual novel.
2. Read your favorite love story. Reread an old favorite or read the book version of your favorite chick-flick.

The Rules:

• To join the challenge, leave a comment on Annie's post about the challenge telling her which category (mind, body or soul) from which you will be reading and which option you chose.
• Submit reviews for the books you read or listen to during this challenge and you'll receive a bonus entry for the giveaway.
• Subscribe to Annie's feed and advise her you did so, and earn another bonus entry.
• Blog about the challenge and advise advise Annie you did so and earn another bonus entry.

Annie is giving away some great prizes for this challenge - why not stop by her blog and read all about them and learn more!

Books About Food Challenge

October 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009

Bibliohistoria is hosting the Books About Food Challenge - a six month challenge to read at least five books about food. Here are the "rules":

• Books read must be about food or drink. They can be recipe books with some history in them, they can be anything on the history of food or drinks. NO Health, Medical, Scientific or Diet books are permitted.
• Foods from anywhere - any country - are acceptable. The more exotic the food, the more interesting.
• Participants must read at least 5 books

There is a blog dedicated to the challenge...to learn more about it, to sign up and to contribute to the group blog, visit the post about the challenge.

An Award...

Thank you to Jenn at Should Be Reading for recognizing A Novel Challenge blog for this award! The feeling is mutual - Jenn's blog is great. Have you visited her for her weekly events yet?

Musing Mondays
Teaser Tuesdays
Friday Finds

Shannara Perpetual Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limits

Twiga from Journey to the End of the TBR Pile is hosting a perpetual challenge. The Shannara Challenge is designed to encourage readers to read all the Shannara books by Terry Brooks. The challenge has no "rules" or time lines and there are no formal sign ups. But, Twiga would love to have you join her in this personal challenge. She writes:

I'm not having official sign-ups or anything as this is an ongoing challenge and you can set your own pace. Whether you've read these before and want to read them again, or it's your first time entering the Shannara world, feel free to join.

Visit her post about it and leave her a comment.

Tolkien Reading Quest Challenge

September 22, 2008 - ??

Sylvia is challenging readers to join her in reading all ofTolkien's Middle Earth books (she provides a great list on her site). This one looks to be a challenge with no end time limit. Sylvia has started a blog specifically for the challenge and writes:

I've started this blog to give other serious Tolkien enthusiasts like myself a chance to join me. I'll be posting up on my progress and sharing my thoughts and a few tidbits as I plow through this considerable pile of books. I imagine it'll be a lot more fun and probably more motivating if I have some friends along with me doing the same thing. The adventure starts on September 22. "What say you?"

To learn more, visit the Tolkien Reading Quest blog.

3rd Annual Fall Into Reading Challenge - 2008

September 22 - December 20, 2008

Katrina at Callipidder Days is once again hosting the Fall Into Reading Challenge. Participants get to choose the number of books they want to read and can change their lists at any time. Katrina asks that you visit her blog on September 22 to sign up via Mr. Linky and then again on December 21st to link to your wrap up post.

And as always, there will be a prize ($10 Amazon gift certificate for one participant - chosen at random) AND book giveaways through Bethany Books.

Interested? Visit Katrina's post about the challenge to learn all the details.

Read Around the Genres Challenge

September 1 - December 15, 2008

Cindy at Cindy Reads Romance is hosting the Read Around the Genres Challenge. Readers for this challenge must read 10 books from 10 different romance genres. The genres are:

1. Pirate or Viking
2. Vampire
3. Contemporary
4. Chick Lit
5. Medieval
6. Time Travel
7. Romantic Suspense
8. Inspirational
9. Historical
10. Paranormal

There will also be computerized trophies for the following:

• First Person Completed
• Most Pages Read (applies to these 10 books)
• Least amount of Authors read (JD Robb and Nora Roberts count as 2 authors)
• Challenge Winner (a random drawing will be held for all who complete the challenge)

To read more about the challenge and to sign up, visit Cindy's post about the challenge.

Romance Fall 2008 Reading Challenge

September 1 - November 30, 2008

Readers of Romance (a Shelfari.com group) is hosting the Romance Fall 2008 Reading Challenge. Readers for this challenge may choose to read 5, 10, or 15 books that fit a pre-set category. Categories include:

1. Title that reminds you of a fairytale (Once upon a time, Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast, Princess)
2. Book based on the cover
3. Read a book that was read and reviewed on the blog in the Summer Book Challenge
4. Read a book from a genre you have not read yet (or if you have read all genres, read from the genre you read the least)
5. Read a book that has an “N” word in the title for November
6. Read an author that last name or first name starts with "S" for September
7. Read a book by Johanna Lindsey
8. For Halloween…. Read a book that is "spooky" (ghosts, vampires, werewolves, mystery, suspense)
9. Title with an address or a place in it (city, State, lake, cottage, river, etc)
10. Title that has a name in it (Nicknames are okay)
11. Read a Series Book
12. Read a Series Book
13. Read a New (to you) author
14. Title that has an animal in it
15. Title that is 2 words

Some other "rules":

• Audio books are okay
• Rereads are okay
• You can change your list at anytime

To learn more about the challenge and how to sign up, visit the post about the challenge.