2009 Baker Street Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

In honor of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 150th birthday, Ruth from Bookish Ruth is hosting the 2009 Baker Street Challenge. The challenge has its own dedicated blog. Here are the rules:

1. Choose a goal of 3, 4, 5, or 7 books and add your name to the sign up page.
2. The challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2009. You can sign up for the challenge any time before December 21, 2009.
2. You do not have to choose your books in advance. You may change your reading list at any point in the challenge.
3. Overlapping with other challenges is fine.
4. Audio books and eBooks are allowed.
5. Feel free to post reviews or general thoughts about your reading to the Baker Street Challenge blog. To be added to the blog, email Ruth.

Ruth has reading suggestions posted to the blog.

To sign up, visit the sign up post.

2009 A Novel Challenge Mini Challenges

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Once again I am hosting a year of mini-challenges through my Yahoo Group: A Novel Challenge. I would love for you to join the group, but you do not have to be a member of A Novel Challenge Yahoo Group in order to participate. Here are the rules:

• Complete all 12 mini-challenges between January 1st and December 31st, 2009.
• Challenges can be completed in any order.
• Overlaps are allowed.
• IF you are a member of the Yahoo group, you do not need a blog to participate. IF you are NOT a member of the Yahoo group, you will need a blog.
• Sign up by either joining the Novel Challenge Yahoo group OR leave me a comment on the post about the challenge.
• Have fun! Challenge yourself to do something literary every month of the year!

Here are the 12 challenges:

1. Read a collection of short stories and either blog about it, OR tell the group about what you read.
2. Read a play. Blog about it, OR tell the group about your experience.
3. Read a nonfiction book; write a review on your blog or post it to the group.
4. Read an 2 essays from the same collection; write a review on your blog or tell the group about what you read.
5. Go to a book event; blog about it or tell the group about it.
6. Borrow a library book, read it and review it on your blog (or tell the group about it).
7. Read a book by a new to you author. Do a little research on the author…do they have a blog? How many books have they written? Have they won any prizes? Where do they live? etc… Blog about the book you read and the author OR tell the group about them.
8. Make a donation. You can either donate to an organization that supports reading OR make a physical donation of a book (or books) to ANYONE. Blog about it or tell the group what you did.
9. Promote literacy. This is wide open - use your imagination. You could give a child a book, or read a book to someone who cannot read, or volunteer at an event which promotes literacy, or donate to your local library, or write something on your blog with a link to a group which promotes literacy, or anything in between. The only rule with this one is that you must PROMOTE literacy in some way…
10. Participate in a buddy read or Group discussion. This can be a face to face group, an on-line group or a one on one discussion with a friend who read the same book. Either way, blog about your experience or share with the group. Did the discussion give you greater appreciation or insight into what you read?
11. Read a book outside your comfort level or from a genre you don’t normally read. Blog about it, or tell the group about it.
12. Read a classic (defined as anything published before 1970). Tell us why it fits the category of being a classic. Write a review or tell the group about the book.

The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limit

Sharon at Ex Libris is hosting The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels Challenge - a perpetual challenge to read from this interesting list. Sharon writes:

This is a perpetual challenge to read the The Board's List of 100 best novels from The Modern Library. It can also include The Reader's List of 100 best novels and, if you are really ambitious, the Radcliffe's Rival 100 best novels list. (Don't worry, this really isn't a total of 300 books. Some titles appear on more than one list.)

Sharon has started a dedicated blog for the challenge. Participants may join the blog to post reviews, or simply post to their own blog and provide links to their reviews.

To sign up or get permission to post to the blog, visit Sharon and let her know!

Montgomery Mini Challenge 2009

January 1 - November 30, 2009

Maria at Reading My Way Through Life is hosting the Montgomery Mini Challenge which honors author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Maria writes:

There are so many wonderful books by Lucy Maud Montgomery that get overlooked because most readers only know about the Anne-series, and aren't aware that she wrote more than 20 novels as well as several short-stories and poems. I think that's a shame, so therefore this challenge to introduce people to the rest of her work.

The rules are:

1. Read books of LMM that aren't part of the Anne series.
2. How many books should you read? Well, up to you really, but at least four, in order to get a proper variety of her work.
3. Audiobooks and E-books are allowed.
4. Books can be used for other challenges as well.

Links to all her novels are here. For a complete list of her works (including short-stories, poetry and non-fiction) go here.

Sign up by leaving a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your post. If you don't have a blog, just post the list in the comments.

2009 Serial Reader Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Beth at Just Your Average Carpool Queen is hosting a series challenge. The 2009 Serial Readers Challenge is designed for readers who like to read series or trilogies. Here are the rules:

1. Read books in series/trilogies/related by author. (Julie Garwood’s Lion’s Lady, Castles, The Gift are related.)
   
2. For a series to count you must read each book in that series during 2009 calendar year. (Rereads and audio books welcome!)
   
3. If you previously started a series and do not wish to re-read, then only the titles read after 01/01/09 will count towards your total books read. You will not however get "credit" for total series read. Only series started and finished in 09 will count toward the prize for # of series read.
4. Post your list on your blog and link it back to the post about the challenge. Your list is not something, you need to decide in advance. Please add as you go!
5. Rate and review each title on your blog. When you do so, please label it SRC or Serial Readers Challenge so other participants can read your reviews and maybe be inspired to try a new series for ourselves.
6. There will be prizes! Woo Hoo! Some of the prizes may be simple online trophies, and some will be book give-aways. (Titles to be determined) Prizes will be given for most books read, most # series read, most pages read, and some maybe at random!
7. To wrap up the challenge next winter, comment on the post about the challenge linking your wrap-up post by December 31! Prizes will be awarded January 2010!

For more information, visit Beth at the post about the challenge.

To see more challenges related to reading a series, visit this link.

In Their Shoes Challenge 2009

January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Vasilly over at 1330V is sponsoring the Memoir, Autobiography, Biography challenge again for 2009. She's created a group blog here.

The rules are simple:

1. You pick the number of books that you want to read.
2. You also pick the books you read. They just have to be either a memoir, autobiography, or biography. If you don't know the differences, Vasilly has provided definitions for you!
3. You can cross challenge books from other challenges with this one .
4. You can also re-read books.
5. You do not need to make a list. This challenge is flexible and the goal is to have fun and read.

Participants should post links to their reviews in the comments on the post about the challenge.

Books into Movies OR TV Series

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting the Books into Movies OR TV Series Challenge, designed for readers who enjoy books made into movies or TV series.

The goal is to read 2+ books made into a movie or books that relate to TV series (Murder She Wrote and the likes).

For more information and to sign up, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post.

If you're up for a shorter time frame to complete the challenge and want to do a similar challenge later in the year check out Callista's blog - sometime in August 2009 she should have info on her challenge up!

2009 Military Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting the Military Challenge, designed for readers who enjoy books about the military.

The goal is to read 2+ books about the military in 2009,

For more information and to sign up, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post.

2009 Agatha Christie Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting the Agatha Christie Challenge. The goal is to read 2+ books by or about Dame Agatha in 2009, that's it.

To sign up, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post.

2009 Paranormal Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting the Paranormal Challenge, designed for readers who enjoy books with paranormal aspects - this can be werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches, ghosts, mediums, psychics etc. It's pretty much your pick!

For this challenge, readers only have to read 2+ books.

To sign up, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post.

2009 Pages Read Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kathrin at Crazy Cozy Murders is hosting the Pages Read Challenge. Participants select a number of pages they hope to read for the year and to complete the challenge must read that total. Here are the rules:

• List all the books and other stuff you read with the pages and add up the pages as you go.

That's it!

To sign up, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog post.

World Citizen Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

UPDATE DECEMBER 28, 2008: There is now a dedicated blog for this challenge. To sign up visit the sign up post.

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Eva at A Striped Armchair is hosting the World Citizen Challenge. She writes:

There are a ton of challenges focused on almost every aspect of fiction imaginable, but not very many on non-fiction. So, hopefully all of those with ‘inner bookworms’ (as Bybee calls it) guilt-tripping you for not reading enough non-fiction will be interested. And, of course, all of you who love non-fiction should be perking up too!

I struggled with what to call this challenge, but I finally decided on World Citizen. That’s because, in this day and age, it’s important for all of us to know something about the world around us.

Eva has set up several participation levels:

1. The Prospie Level - This is for those of you with no time to read another book, but who still want to do something. There will be a different mini-challenge each month of the challenge, and all you have to do to be a prospie is say you want to participate in at least one of them. There will be prizes!
2. The Auditor Level - For this level, you just need to declare your interest in the challenge. Anything else you might want to do: the mini-challenges, making a list of potential books, participating in the discussions, etc. is completely up to you. Maybe you want to commit to reading a newspaper or magazine instead of a book-go for it.
3. The World Citizenship 101 Level - For this level, you need to commit to one book.
4. The Minor Level - For this level, you need to commit to three books, from at least two different categories (listed on the post about the challenge).
5. The Major Level - For this level, you need to commit to five books, from at least three different categories.
6. The Postgraduate Level - For this level, you need to commit to seven books, including one book from each category.

There is a lot more information on the post about the challenge - and Eva is setting up a dedicated blog as well.

Diversity Rocks Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Ali from Worducopia is hosting the Diversity Rocks Challenge. Ali writes:

The point of this challenge is to ensure racial and ethnic diversity in the authors that we read.

Ali has made this challenge accessible to everyone by providing a multitude of "levels of participation" from reading only one book, to reading up to 24 books, to simply including this challenge as part of another challenge you are doing, to being a cheerleader.

To read more about the levels of participation and to sign up with Mr. Linky, visit Ali's post about the challenge on the dedicated blog.

Martel-Harper Challenge

Quarterly, Perpetual Challenge

UPDATE DECEMBER 28, 2008

In the fourth quarter of 2008, Dewey began the Martel-Harper Challenge. This challenge is to read two books during the quarter from the list that Yann Martel sends Stephen Harper, a list that is always growing.

Dewey wrote:

You may know that Yann Martel sends books to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper every two weeks. He’s sent 38 so far, and you can read the letters he sends along with them at that site. For our challenge, I propose that we also read those books. I’ll ask people to sign up quarterly, committing to two to three books each time they sign up.

Dewey passed away shortly before Thanksgiving 2008, but many bloggers are continuing her events and challenges in her honor. Rebecca from Rebecca Reads has picked up the Martel-Harper Challenge. To read about the challenge and to link to (and sign up for) the first quarter of the challenge, visit the Hub Page for the Challenge.

2009 Outlander Challenge

December 21, 2008 - September 30, 2009

Michele from A Reader's Respite is hosting the 2009 Outlander Challenge with the goal to read all of Diana Gabaldan's books from the Outlander series BEFORE the newest book in the series (An Echo in the Bone) is released in September 2009. The rules are:

• You must read each of the six current Outlander Series novels prior to the publication of An Echo in the Bone (scheduled publication September 2009).
• The format can be of your choosing (audio, book, Kindle, etc).
• You must post your thoughts/comments/inspirations/criticisms at least once on each book.
• Books can crossover to other reading challenges if you wish.

To sign up, visit the SIGN UP page on the dedicated blog and leave a comment.

2009 TBR Lite Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

UPDATE: SIGN UPS FOR THIS CHALLENGE ARE NOW OPEN. Visit the post about the challenge and leave a comment.

For those of you who felt too much "pressure" with the TBR challenge, Jenn has created another option for you. The TBR Lite Challenge for 2009 is designed to get readers to read from their TBR mountains.

You have your choice of ONE of the 3 options:

OPTION A: read 6 books in 12 months ~ your list of books CANNOT be changed, but you are allowed to have an “Alternates” list to choose from (like in the Original TBR Challenge).

OPTION B: read 6 books in 12 months ~ you CAN change you reading list throughout the year

OPTION C: make up a list of however many books you think you could get read in 12 months, as long as they are from your TBR stack/list, and then read them between January 1st and December 31st

General Guidelines:

• You must have at least 3 books on your list.
• You are allowed to overlap with other challenges
• Audiobooks are allowed
• e-Books are allowed, but must still be books that you’ve wanted to read for at least 3, or more, months
• You should still have a list of books posted somewhere for others to see
• You don’t have to read your books in the order you put them on your list.

There is a Yahoo Group for this challenge.

2009 TBR Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Jenn is once again hosting the TBR Challenge for 2009. Here are the rules:

• The challenge is to read 12 TBR books in 12 months -- you can read those all in one month if you want, or one a month, or however you wanna do it.
• You need to have a list posted somewhere for others to see
• You CANNOT change your list after January 1st, 2009!!!
• You can create an Alternates list of MAXIMUM 12 books, if you want, in order to have options to choose from (you can read these in place of books on your original list).
• Audiobooks and e-books ARE allowed
• Re-reads are NOT allowed, as they aren't TRUE "TBRs"
• You CAN overlap with other challenges

OPTIONAL: you can join the Yahoo! Group created for participants of the TBR Challenge, if you want to have a place to keep your list, or just to share with others about how you're doing!

There are LOTS of new buttons for 2009 on the post about the challenge. To sign up with Mr. Linky and for more information, go to the post about signups.

**Please note, for those readers not wanting to commit to 12 books, Jenn is also hosting the TBR Lite Challenge.

2009 Read and Review Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

UPDATE: THIS CHALLENGE HAS BEEN MOVED. I have changed the links in this post to reflect the new address of the challenge.

MizB is hosting the Read and Review Challenge. Participants are challenges to review each and every book they read in 2009. There are only a few "rules" below:

• PLEASE keep your reviews clean & respectful ~ these books we read are the hard work of an author, and we don’t need to be mean. Even if you didn’t like the book, please try to find something you can say that would be encouraging to the author.
• reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish
• you MAY overlap with other challenges
• eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed
• if there will be spoilers in your review, please note this in the subject line of your post so that those who
• don’t want to read them can skip that review.
  

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

2009 Graphic Novels Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

For those readers who loved Dewey's Graphic Novels Challenge in 2008, here is a new one to tempt you. Laza of Gimme More Books is hosting the 2009 Graphic Novels Challenge on it own dedicated blog.

The Rules:

1. Choose a level of participation:
Minor: Read 6
Major: Read 12
Masters: Read 18
Doctorate: Read 24

2. Can I Overlap? Titles may overlap with any challenges and your list can change at any time.

To join the challenge and learn more, visit the post about the challenge on the dedicated blog.

Childhood Favourites Reading Challenge

December 21, 2008 - June 21, 2009

Lynda from Lynda's Book Blog is hosting the Childhood Favourites Challenge. She's given the challenge its own dedicated blog. Here are the rules:

1. Read a minimum of 5 books which you loved as a child. Anything from Dr.Seuss and Beatrix Potter to Water Scott - you choose your favourites.
2. They must be books you read as a child, not new children's books
3. Cross overs with other challenges, audio books, eBooks all acceptable.

To join and learn more, visit the dedicated blog for the challenge.

Winter Reading Challenge 2009

December 21, 2008 - March 20, 2009

Robin from My Two Blessings is hosting the Winter Reading Challenge. Robin writes:

December 21st marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. As the days grow shorter and colder, the nights longer, it is a perfect time to curl up by the fire with a hot cup of tea and a good book. I have so many books in my To Be Read pile that I decided to continue on with a seasonal challenge.

The rules are flexible:

1. Choose any number of books you would like to read and post them on your blog.
2. Books may be fiction and/or nonfiction including e-books and audiobooks
3. Books may overlap with other challenges.

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge and use Mr. Linky.

ARC Reading Month - JANUARY (EVENT)

Hosted by Callista at SMS Book Reviews

For those of you addicted to ARCs, Callista at SMS Book Reviews is hosting a monthly event. ARC Reading Month will be in January 2009. Callista writes:

Why January? Most of your challenges have finished, many are just starting and so you have plenty of time to work on them and as far as I know, none end in January so you don't have that mad rush. To get a fresh start in the new year as well. I think January is perfect!

The goal of this event is read as many ARCs as you can in January.

To join Callista, visit her post about the event and leave a comment.

Saturday Search - EVENT

Hosted by Callista at SMS Book Reviews

UPDATE: Please note that this event is changing from a WEEKLY event to a MONTHLY event. Beginning January 3rd, Saturday Search will be held on the first Saturday of each month!

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Saturday Search is a MONTHLY event hosted at SMS Book Reviews. Callista writes:

Do you have just a counter to see how many people came by your site or a site status counter to see where they came from and what they were searching for when they visited you? I have the latter.

If you do too, check your site stats every Saturday and post a list of a few of the search terms used to find your site. Especially any very interesting ones. You can also include a blurb about where to find the item if it is on your site or what you think made the search engine drop them off at your site or any other comments.

Visit SMS Book Reviews each Saturday to post a link to your post and visit other reader's Saturday Search posts.

2009 Christian Readers Challenge

January 1 - April 30, 2009

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2009 Christian Readers Challenge. The rules are:

1. Create a list of Christian books that you’d like to read…
2. Titles can be fiction, nonfiction, or a mixture of both
3. Overlaps with other challenges ARE allowed
4. E-Books and Audiobooks ARE allowed
   

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge and click the specified sign up link.

2009 Erotica Romance Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2009 Erotica Romance Challenge. The rules are:

1. Read 10 erotica in 2009.
2. Overlaps with other challenges are fine.
3. You do not have to list your books ahead of time. If you decide to, you can change them as you go.
   
4. You must be 18 years or older to join.

To sign up visit the post about the challenge and use Mr. Linky.

2009 E-Book Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2009 E-Book Reading Challenge. The rules are:

1. Read 10 eBooks in 2009.
2. Overlaps with other challenges are fine.
3. You do not have to list your books ahead of time. If you decide to, you can change them as you go. Feel free to remove or add titles as needed.

To sign up visit the post about the challenge and use Mr. Linky.

The Essay Reading Challenge 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Carrie at Books and Movies is hosting the 2009 Essay Reading Challenge. The rules are:

1. If you read a book of essays, that book can also apply to any other challenges you are working on.
2. Choose a goal of reading 10, 20, or 30 essays during 2009, and then write a challenge post, linking back to the post about the challenge.
3. You don’t have to list your essays ahead of time, just post them as you go.
4. At the end of the year, everyone who completes the challenge will be eligible for a giveaway - prize to be determined later.
   

To join, leave a comment on the post about the challenge with the link to YOUR challenge post.

Victorian Challenge 2009

January 1 - June 30, 2009

Alex is hosting the Victorian Challenge. She writes:

The Victorian Era is one of my favorite historical times and I noticed that I'm reading less and less about it. I can blame my huge TBR but the truth is that I'm always postponing some books I meant to read and they stay in the shelf gathering dust. So there, I decided to join a Victorian Challenge...and found none.

Do you love Victorian Era novels? Then this challenge is for you. The challenge is open to everyone who wishes to participate. Choose one of the participation levels below:

1. A drink at Whitechapel: 3 books
   
2. A walk in Hyde Park: 4 books
   
3. A tour of the British Museum: 5 books
   
4. A visit to Buckingham Palace: 6 books

Books allowed include:

• books wrote during the Victorian Era (authors like Elizabeth Gaskell, Lewis Carroll, Sheridan Le Fanu, George Eliott, Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, the Brontë Sisters, Arthur Conan Doyle...)
• books set during that period ( Kept by J. D. Taylor, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, The Last Waltz by Tasha Alexander, Silent Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn, The Glass of Time by Michael Cox, The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber,...)
• books about that period or biographies (The Victorian House by Judith Flandres, The Victorian by N. H. Wilson, Victorian People and Ideas by Richard D. Altick, Queen Victoria by Elizabeth Longford, Dickens: A Biography by Fred Kaplan,...)

To read more and to join the dedicated blog, visit the post about the challenge and follow the directions!

The Patricia A. McKillip Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Lenneth is hosting The Patricia A. McKillip Challenge to read at least 3 books by this award winning fantasy writer. You do not need a blog to participate. To sign up, visit the post about the challenge and leave a comment. There is a comprehensive list of all the books McKillip as written there as well!

ARC Challenge 2009

December 17, 2008 - December 31, 2009

For those readers whose shelves are overflowing with unread ARCs, you will be thrilled (as I was) to learn that Teddy from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is once again hosting the ARC Challenge for 2009. And you don't have to wait until January 1st...the challenge starts NOW!

Here are the rules:

1. List all of the ARC's that you have to read right now.
   
2. Throughout the year, you must continue updating that list as you receive more ARC's. (This is important). You should also strike out the ones that you finish.
3. You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.
4. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
5. Audio-books are allowed as long as they are ARC's.
6. Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Leave a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to each of your reviews.
7. How many do you have to read?

• (a) All of us who have or will have more than 12 ARC's must read and review 12.
• (b) All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARC's must read all of the ARC's we have.
• Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to catagory (a).

Teddy will be posting updates to the challenge over the course of the year, so you may want to subscribe to her blog.

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge and leave a comment linking directly to YOUR post and preliminary list.

Cornelia Funke Challenge

December 1, 2008 - March 1, 2009

Zoealea at Zoe's Book Reviews is hosting the Cornelia Funke Challenge. I am a little late getting this one posted, but it is not too late to join! The rules are:

1. You must read at least three books that are written by Cornelia Funke (i.e. Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath, etc.)
2. When you join, please leave a comment on the post about the challenge, with a link to where you posted which Cornelia Funke books you are going to read.
3. You can join at any time between today and March 1, 2009.
   

My Year of Living Dangerously 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

My Year of Reading Dangerously is back for 2009 and Estella writes:

We're making the challenge EVEN EASIER this year! I know, we didn't think it was possible either! Instead of hosting a list of "dangerous reads" this year is all about you.

To participate, simply read 12 books you deem "dangerous." between January 1st and December 31st 2009. They may be banned or challenged books, new-to-you genres, books that seem to inhabit a permanent space on your stacks, or authors you're afraid of.
Whenever you finish a dangerous book, go leave the link to your review on the Dangerous blog.
To join, leave a comment on the post about the 2009 challenge.

Chick Lit Challenge 2

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Twiga at Books and Life is hosting the second Installation of the Chick Lit Challenge. The rules are:

1. Read at least 10 chick lit books.
   
2. Books can overlap with other challenges.
3. You can change your list at any time.

To sign up, visit Twiga and leave her a comment on the post about the challenge.

Blog Improvement Project - EVENT

Hosted by Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness

This is a year long project for 2009 that takes the form of a bi-monthly event. Kim writes:

Every first and third Monday of the month I’ll post an activity here at Sophisticated Dorkiness that will related in some way to making your blog better. Each participant should spend the next two weeks focusing on that aspect of their blog. Possible topics include goals setting, writing better content, building community with readers, getting more readers, and blog layout and design.

If you choose to participate in this project, there is no obligation to participate in every challenge, and you can customize each challenge so it makes sense for your particular blog and goals.

If you are interested in participating in the 2009 Blog Improvement Project, leave a comment on the page for the project with your name and a link to your blog. Signing up is NOT a commitment to participating in every activity.

Dewey Decimal System Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

The Novel World is hosting the Dewey Decimal System Challenge.

I’m only 12 pages into a book about the history of libraries and it reminds me of a goal I had for myself back when I first started High School. I wanted to read every single book in the library before I graduated High School. I even checked out 5 books, one from each section (nonfiction, children’s, adult, etc). The first nonfiction book I read was of a scientists from Texas who swore he was abducted by aliens. My goal frittered out after that book.

I’ve decided that in 2009, I’m going to revive this lofty goal for myself, but with a few modifications. Instead of trying to read every single book, I’m going to follow the Dewey Decimal System, and read 1 book from each Dewey century.

The Dewey Chain goes as follows:
000 - Generalities
100 - Philosophy and Psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Natural Sciences + Math
600 - Technology
700 - The Arts
800 - Literature and Rhetoric
900 - Geography and History
The Novel World is asking interested readers to join in. Leave a comment on the post about the challenge to work with the host to come up with some fun monthly topics and points of view for that month’s Dewey category.

2009 Seconds Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2009 Seconds Challenge. The rules are:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need to have a blog to participate.
   
2. Read 12 books by authors that you have only read once. It doesn't have to be a series.
3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009. Don't start reading until January.
4. You may list your chosen books any time during the year. Change the list if needed.

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

Spiritually Speaking Challenge

January 31 - June 30, 2009

Lilly from Reading Extravaganza is hosting the Spiritually Speaking Challenge. The rules are:

1. Read 6 books with the main theme of all the titles you choose being spiritual, metaphysical or self-help.
2. The books can be both fiction & non-fiction.
3. You don't have to have a blog to participate (read this post to see how to participate without a blog)

A new copy of 'Happiness is a Choice' by Barry Neil Kaufman will be raffled away at the end of the challenge among the participants.

To read more about the challenge (and sign up if you have a blog), visit Lilly's post about the challenge. To sign up without a blog, make sure you check the "amendment" post.

2009 Caribbean Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Scavella at Scavella's Blogosphere is hosting the 2009 Caribbean Reading Challenge where participants commit to read by the end of 2009 six books written by Caribbean writers or that deal significantly with Caribbean people and/or issues.

The rules are:

1. Create a blog post with your list of books to read for the challenge.
2. When you read a book, write a review of it and post it on your blog. Then leave a comment on the page about the challenge with your blog-name and the book you are reviewing with a link to the review.

Scavella writes:

I’ve narrowed the challenge down somewhat, partly because the Caribbean’s probably one of the most misrepresented regions in literature, and I deliberately excluded books that take merely place in the Caribbean. Read them if you like, but try do so in the light of books written by/about Caribbean people. Often our islands (these generic, featureless “islands”) are no more than backdrops for the activities of “real” people. If you asked me, Christie’s A Caribbean Mystery, while a fun read, wouldn’t count for the challenge; nor would the hundreds of Harlequin romances of various flavours that are set on the Spanish Main (a.k.a. the Caribbean Sea) or on endless stretches of beach with funny-talking natives. Read them by all means; just don’t count ‘em.

To learn more and to sign up, visit the page about the challenge and leave a comment.

Books for the Heart -EVENT

Hosted by Michelle at 1 More Chapter

Fifteen years ago, Michelle's father died at the age of 44 while waiting for a heart transplant. In his honor and for other people who have died or suffered from a heart-related illness, Michelle is hosting a special event for the week of Valentine's Day.

This purpose of the reading event Books for the Heart is to raise money for the American Heart Association and/or to honor a loved one. [Edit: if you live outside of the United States you can donate to the major heart organization of your own country!]

There are many ways to participate. You can sponsor yourself and donate a certain amount of money for every book you read or every page you read during February 1-14. You can ask for sponsors. You can donate a set amount. You can donate in a loved one’s name. Michelle asks that by participating you commit to donating a minimum of $5 to the American Heart Association. Other than that, you decide on how you’ll participate.

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

Dewey's Books Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Chris at Stuff Dreams Are Made Of and Robin at A Fondness for Reading are hosting a very special challenge in honor of Dewey from The Hidden Side of A Leaf. Chris writes:

Dewey was such a prolific reader and her reviews were honest, intriguing, and beautifully written. What better way to celebrate her wonderful life than by having a year long challenge in her name!

Dewey's Books Reading Challenge asks participants to visit Dewey's blog and peruse her archives. Then do one of the following:

1. Pick one book from each of the 6 years of which Dewey has archives. You can access her archives by clicking on the archive link in the sidebar of her website. It’s a dropdown menu. For instance, you would read one book that she reviewed in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 for a total of six books.
2. The other option is to read 5 books that Dewey reviewed. These can be from any year.

There will be Mr. Linky's to link to reviews, and a prize draw or two.

To read more and sign up, visit the dedicated blog and leave a comment on the post about the challenge.

20 Books in 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Lynn is hosting the 20 Books in 2009 Challenge where participants are asked to read a total of 20 books in 2009. The rules are:

• You must create a progress page, which will be updated each time you complete one of your 20 books.
• You can read as many books as you want by an author or in the same series.
• If the book is a re-read, it must be from a year ago.
• If you begin the book in 2008 and finish it in 2009, it does count for this challenge.
• The following do not count: comics, catalogs, manga, journals.
• You must link back to this challenge with one of the buttons provided or one that you make for your own personal use.
• If you intend to participate, leave a comment on the main entry stating so. You will then be added to the participants list.
• Everyone who successfully completes the 20 in 2009 challenge will win a small award graphic to display on their website

To read more and sign up, visit the dedicated blog for the challenge.

Read Your Name Challenge 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Victoria from My 50 Book Challenge is hosting the 2009 Read Your Name Challenge. The rules are:

1. Using your first name, or blogger name, or your pets name, or even your favorite literary character's name; whichever you like, choose books with first title letters that spell out your name.
2. Bloggers and non-bloggers alike are free to join. If you do not have a blog and would like to post your reviews/titles that spelled your name somewhere, you may do so at the group blog. Just send Victoria an e-mail (phantombibliophile [at] gmail [dot] com), or leave a comment on the group blog letting her know you'd like to join.
3. If you have your own blog, go back to the group blog every month and leave a comment containing the link to your challenge page containing the books you've read or each review you've written for books that count for this challenge. (Crossovers with other challenges are okay.)
   
4. You may join at any time.
   

To sign up and learn more, visit the group blog.

2009 Suspense-Thriller Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

For those readers who have already completed the first Suspense-Thriller Challenge, J.Kaye is hosting another one specifically for 2009. Guidelines are:

• Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.
• You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go.
• Your books can crossover into other challenges.
• You don't need a blog to join in this challenge.

There is a great list of all the sub-genres for this challenge on the post about the challenge. To sign up, go there and use Mr. Linky.

2009 YA Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

J. Kaye of J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2009 YA Challenge to read 12 YA novels during the challenge period. Anyone is welcome to join - you do not need a blog to participate. Sign ups and more information are on the post about the challenge.

Manga Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Rhinoa at Rhinoa's Ramblings is hosting the Manga Challenge. The guidelines are:

1. Read at least 6 manga novels in 2009 (cross overs with other challenges are fine and please feel free to rad more!).
2. Sign up with Mister Linky on the post about the challenge.
3. Add your reviews to the monthly Mister Linky on Rhinoa's blog. You do not need to set a list of books to read in advance, just fill them in as you go if it's easier.

War Through The Generations Challenge 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Anna from Diary of an Eccentric and Serena from Savvy Verse and Wit have started a dedicated blog for challenges related to war and its impact. They write:

We have always been interested in war and its impact, so naturally, our first hosted reading challenge would be about this theme. Rather than host a single challenge on the very broad topic of war, we decided to break it down into several challenges over the long term. We hope you’ll join us, whether it’s only for one challenge or more. (We’re pretty obsessive about our reading, so we’ve planned a few years in advance.) We plan on holding six-month to one-year challenges, so check back to find one that tickles your fancy.

Their first challenge beginning January 1, 2009 is World War II. Readers must commit to reading at least five books throughout the year. Anna and Serena write:

The books can be fiction or non-fiction, and they can be about any aspect of WWII. WWII should be the primary or secondary theme, and it doesn’t matter whether the book takes place during the war or after the war.

There is a link for suggested reading as well.

There will be a prize drawing for those participants who meet or exceed their reading goal!

Go to the post about the 2009 Challenge to read more and to sign up. Sign ups are ongoing, but if you want to be included in the prize giveaway, you must sign up no later than January 31st.