By the Chapter

By the Chapter is a bi-weekly event hosted by Marcia of The Printed Page.

Welcome to By the Chapter. To say this is like a book club would be a serious exaggeration. By the Chapter is an informal, laid back place for book bloggers and fellow readers to come together Monday to Friday to read and comment on the week’s featured book.

By the Chapter is hosted here at The Printed Page and participcating co-host book blogs. By the Chapter usually has 2 to 5 active participants any given week. Currently By the Chapter is held the 2nd and 4th week of every month.

Host and co-host(s) read the featured book and post to their respective blogs, on their host day, a summary of where they are in the book and their thoughts and feelings about what they’ve read. Hosting bloggers are encouraged to post in the morning, or late the night before, so that visitors can stop by throughout day and follow the book’s progress. Visitors are encouraged to participate by commenting on the hosting blogs.

Sound like fun, an interesting idea, you’re debating about hosting? Don’t be shy, take a look around and if you like what you see join us for By the Chapter.

To learn more and to participate, go to By the Chapter.

Banned Books Challenge - 2009

February 22 - June 30, 2009

The Pelham Library is once again hosting its annual Banned Books Challenge for 2009. Participants are encouraged to read banned books during the challenge and Fahrenheit 451 blog provides suggestions in its sidebar as well as on Library Thing.

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

Literary Locals - EVENT

Hosted by Tif at Talks Books

Tif at Talks Books is hosting a monthly event to recognize lesser known, local authors. She writes:

Many of us are aware of the popular authors from Stephen King to Toni Morrison to James Patterson and more; however, what about those local authors that do not receive as much PR as the big-named ones that have movies made out of their books? I have a special place in my heart for these "little" authors and wanted to give them a bit more kudos for their work!

Tif will be encouraging readers to post links to reviews of books by local authors at her site on the last day of each month. The guidelines are:

• Local Authors Defined: Authors that you can find in either your hometown or home state, or the equivalent if you are not in the States.
• Home Defined: Your hometown or home state can be either past or present, meaning you can use your current location or anywhere you have ever lived.
• Type of Books: The books can be childrens picture books to adult novels and everything in between.
• Literary Local Icon: Feel free to copy and paste my little icon for the meme/challenge on your own blog and proudly support those local authors!!

Interested? Stop by the post about the event and leave Tif a link to your blog in the comments.

These Books Were Made for Walking - EVENT

Strumpet of Strumpet's Life is hosting this new monthly event.

We review books, and stuff in WoW all the time, and I KNOW you all travel at least a LITTLE bit sometimes. So, every third Wednesday of the month (a random day I didn't find associations with another meme) I thought we could blog about a book and travel in some way.

This month's theme is: What book do you most associate with the beach and why? The theme will change every month.

For more information of to join, go to These books were made for walking ... new meme .

Freedom to Read Canada - EVENT

February 22 - 28, 2009

Canadian Freedom to Read week is coming up in February. This annual event celebrates reading banned books. The Fahrenheit 451 Blog posts updates on this event. Visit their site during the dates of the event to learn more.

A Colorful Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Rebecca from Lost in Books is hosting A Colorful Reading Challenge which encourages participants to read books with colors in their titles. Here are the guidelines:

1. Read 9 books with 9 different colors in the title.
   
2. Six colors are required, while the last 3 can be your choice.
   
3. Books may be overlapped with other challenges.
   
4. At least 6 of the books should be new to you (doesn't matter which 6).
   

The Required Colors are: Blue, Red, White, Black, Silver, Gold

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

LOST Books Challenge

January 21, 2009 - Series Finale of show in 2012

The Lost Books Challenge has a new blog and a new set of guidelines! Amy is hosting this challenge which revolves around the popular television series LOST.

Here are the guidelines for participation:

• Participants are asked to choose at least five books off the list of books alluded to or mentioned on the show to complete by the time the series concludes in 2010. If participants did not complete the first challenge, they can use those same books again. Find books here, here, or here.
• The LOST books challenge will have its own blog. Participants can cross post their reviews directly onto the blog. But to add to the fun, participants can post about anything related to LOST (except for spoilers)...recaps of the episodes, theories, etc. It will be sort of a fun place for book blogging Losties.
• There will be interesting with mini-challenges and contests.
• Anyone who signs up by January 30th, will be eligible for a drawing for season 3 of LOST on DVD.

To read more and to sign up and learn how to become a poster to the blog, visit the sign up post.

First In A Series Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the second installment of the First in a Series Challenge. The guidelines for participation are:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.
3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

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

Poe Fridays - EVENT

Hosted by Kristen at We Be Reading

Poe Fridays is a fun weekly event (occurring every Friday) at We Be Reading. Kristen writes:

In honor of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday on January 19, I decided to set up a goal to read Poe weekly for at least the next year. Poe has 73 tales and a couple dozen poems so there is plenty of material to choose from. This isn't a challenge but more of an opportunity. Each Friday I will discuss a Poe short story or poem and post the title for the following week. You can either stop by to learn more about Poe's genius or you can read along and post your comments and/or links on each week's post.

The event begins January 23rd with "A Dream Within A Dream". If you don't have your own copy of Poe's complete tales and poems, you can read the entire works online at The Literature Network.

New Classics Books PERPETUAL Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - no time limits

Some of you may be familiar with Joanna's New Classics Challenge which was time limited and challenged readers to read 6 books from the list. That challenge ends on January 31st (I'm not sure if Joanna is planning to host this again in 2009).

But for readers who don't want a time limit and who wish to read ALL the new classics, perhaps you'd be interested in The Review from Here's Perpetual Challenge to read all of Entertainment Weekly's New Classics (100 books).

Interested? Visit the post about the challenge to sign up using Mr. Linky.

Orbis Terrarum 2009

March 1 - December 31, 2009

The Orbis Terrarum 2009 Challenge is set to begin ... and this annual challenge now has its own blog! Bethany from B&B Ex Libris is the host. Here are the 2009 rules:

1. For the challenge each reader is to choose 10 books (for the 10 months).
2. Each book must from a different country, I have decided to go by the country of origin of the author, or the country he/she lives in is fine as well.
3. You don't have to have a list, that means you can change your mind at any time.

Bethany wants some input on the idea of a book swap at the end of the challenge. She writes:

At the end of the challenge each OT challenger could select one of their favourite books that they read during that challenge to pass on to someone else who also finished the challenge. It would be like a: bests of 2009 OT swap!!FUN.Tell me what you think!!
If some people didn't want to be involved, they could just opt out, no problem.

There are also going to be optional mini-challenges throughout the year. So far this is what is being offered:

• Orbis Terrarum Film Mini Challenge (to watch 10 films, 10 different countries, by 10 different directors in the 10 months)
• Orbis Terrarum Bilingual Mini Challenge (to read books in other languages - this one is still being developed!)
• Orbis Terrarum Short Story Mini Challenge (hosted on Katrina's blog - to travel through 10 countries through 10 short stories during the summer months)

To learn more and to see updates, visit the Orbis Terrarum blog. Looks like Bethany will be creating a blogroll for participants as well!

Awards...

This blog has been honored twice in the last week or so.

Thank you to J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog for recognizing A Novel Challenge for the Well Worth Watching Blog Award! J. Kaye writes:

This is for all those blogs you cannot wait to read every day, that you look forward to seeing updates on and that have inspired you in your own blogging. There are no rules for this one, but feel free to pass it on to whomever you feel deserves it!

Thank you to Jenn at Should Be Reading for awarding A Novel Challenge the Kreative Blogger Award! Jenn calls this blog the "most organized" and writes that it:

[...] helps us all keep track of what challenges & events are taking place in the blog-o-sphere, and where to find them!

Electronic Book Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limit

**Update: January 11, 2009: This challenge has been changed to a PERPETUAL challenge.

Judy from Intergalactic Bookworm is hosting The Electronic Book Challenge which is all about reading books electronically. The rules are simple:

1. You can have crossovers from other book challenges.
2. It doesn't matter if you are reading on Mobipocket Reader, Adobe Digital Reader, Kindle, Plucker, whatever, but you will HAVE to provide the link to the specific book your are currently reviewing.
3. If you do not have a blog, you can post your reviews to the challenge blog.

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

Short Story Mondays - EVENT

John from The Book Mine Set has been hosting this event and was thinking about giving it up. It was never introduced here at A Novel challenge, so I encouraged him to give it another go.

I know that there are short story fans out there and this would work well with the short story challenges that are happening. So come on, show John that there are more of us short story fans out there and paticipate in this weekly challenge!

Just go over to his friendly blog on Monday and comment on his Short Story Mondays post with a link to your review of a short story. Didn't read a short story this week? Then leave a comment telling John that you intend to paticipate in the future. I hope to see you there!

Just For The Love Of It Challenge - 2009

January 1 - April 30, 2009

Sheri at A Novel Menagerie is hosting a fun challenge called: Just for the Love of It. Sheri writes:


Want to join? Visit the post about the challenge and use Mr Linky to sign up.

On The Porch Swing Reading Challenges

January 1 - December 31, 2009

On The Porch Swing is a Yahoo group which hosts its own reading challenge. To be a member of the group, visit the home page and click on the join button.

Here are two of the challenges I am aware of being offered through this group:

In Their Shoes
Read 4 MEMOIRS in 2009

**PLEASE NOTE: There is a challenge with the EXACT SAME name being offered which is not connected to this group. To read more about THAT challenge, visit its dedicated blog.

Group Challenge - 4 books as follows:

1. 1. Pick a title with the word "marriage" or "marrying" or "married" in it

2. Pick a title with the word "friends" or "friendship" in it
3. Pick a title with the word "summer" or "winter" in it
4. Pick a title with a flower name in it

Agatha Christie Reading Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limits

Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise is hosting a perpetual challenge to read all of Agatha Christie's novels IN ORDER. This is a personal challenge in which she invites other readers to join her. Kerrie writes:

I am going to use the list at Wikipedia of novels and collections of shortstories

So that means I'm looking to read them in this order

1. 1920	The Mysterious Affair at Styles
2. 1922	The Secret Adversary
3. 1923	The Murder on the Links
4. 1924	The Man in the Brown Suit

5. 1924 Poirot Investigates (short stories: eleven in the UK, fourteen in the US)

So if you are into crime fiction, or cozies, or murder mysteries, I invite you to accompany me on this "journey."

Interested? Visit the post about the challenge and leave a comment.

*NOTE: There is an Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival associated with this challenge.

*NOTE: There are at least two other time-limited challenges to read Agatha Christie books which may be found here.

Prey Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - no time limits

Gina at Book Dragons Lair is hosting the Prey Challenge - a perpetual challenge to read all the books in John Sandford's prey series.

The rules are:

1. Books must be read in order
2. Start at any time, take as long as you need
3. Review (no spoilers please) or at least tell us what you thought.

In case you're wondering...here are the books (so far) in the series, in order of publication:

• Rules of Prey
• Shadow Prey
• Eyes of Prey
• Silent Prey
• Winter Prey
• Night Prey
• Mind Prey
• Sudden Prey
• Secret Prey
• Certain Prey
• Easy Prey
• Chosen Prey
• Mortal Prey
• Naked Prey
• Hidden Prey
• Broken Prey
• Invisible Prey
• Phantom Prey
• Wicked Prey (May '09)

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

Reading Through the Seasons 2009 Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Gina at Book Dragons Lair is hosting the Reading Through the Seasons Challenge. The challenge has 3 different participation levels in which to choose:

• Level 1: read four books, one for each season.
• Level 2: read 16 books, four for each season.
• Bonus: a complete series with all four seasons

The "rules" are:

1. Overlap with other challenges is perfectly acceptable
2. Holidays do not count unless a season is also included (Winter Dreams, Christmas Love)
3. Children's books are allowed on level but only for half the title.

For more information and to sign up using Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival

A monthly event hosted by Kerrie at Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival

This is a companion MONTHLY EVENT to the Agatha Christie Reading Challenge, hosted by Kerrie of MYSTERIES in PARADISE . You must be signed up for the challenge to participate in this monthly carnival. Kerrie writes:

I've been trying to work out a way that those of us who are interested in comparing notes on our journey through Agatha Christie's novels and short stories can keep in touch with each other and I've decided on setting up an "official" Monthly Carnival.

This means that participants can contribute links to their own blog postings and book reviews on a monthly basis. The inaugural Carnival will be posted on about January 23 with submissions closing on January 20.

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

Library Loot

Weekly Event

This weekly event is brought to you by Alessandra and Eva. They both came up with this great idea - a weekly meme about your visits to the library. Now, they are planning on jointly hosting.

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

It's Good to Be Queen Challenge

January 30-June 2, 2009

Dani of Dani's Bookshelf is hosting her very first challenge, the It's Good to Be Queen Challenge.

I am going to jump in and host my first challenge and I hope others will join. Since I have tons of books on My TBR about Women were a Queens or tried to be come one .I decided that this would be the perfect challenge to host.
Chose 2-4 books on any women who reigned as Queen. Your Queen can be from any era as long as she held the title Queen Or Empress at some point in her lifetime.
The books can be fiction or nonfiction which ever your prefer.
To read more and to sign up, visit the post about this challenge.

BE INSPIRED Reading Challenge

January 1 and March 31st, 2009 (Read)

April 1st and December 31st, 2009 (Action)

Jenn has done it again, she's come up with a new challenge. It's the BE INSPIRED Reading Challenge.

I, personally, am HUGELY guilty of being majorly inspired by a self-improvement book, but then never actually putting its principles into practice in my own life. So I’m never changed by it. I want to get out of that habit, and see these books actually HELP me, more than just increasing my *knowledge* of things. This challenge will hopefully push me to do just that!

The “Be Inspired” Reading Challenge asks you to:

* choose ONE self-improvement-type book (be it for weight-loss, finances, clutter-control, spirituality, or whatever), and read it between January 1 and March 31st, 2009.

* take one or more principles from the book that INSPIRED you to make a change, and actually APPLY it in your life bewteen April 1st and December 31st, 2009!

* Edited to add: You may have to go through a couple of books before you find one that truly inspires you, and that’s okay, too… but hopefully you can find one before the March 31st “deadline“!

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

Reading My Name Challenge

February 1 - June 30th, 2009

Callista is hosting this reading challenge again.

Reading My Name Challenge encourages readers to read a minimum of two books written by an author who shares your name.

They can share your first name, middle name or last name. They can share your nickname or online name or email name. They can share a form of your name. If you have a very rare name, just do your best to get as close as you can.

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

21 Cultures Reading Challenge

Rebecca of Lost in Books is hosting the 21 Cultures Reading Challenge.


There is a challenge called Around the World in Books with the goal of reading a book from every country in the world. I find that a little daunting for myself. So I have decided to begin a smaller challenge.

My challenge to myself is to read 21 books about 21 different cultures. It can be modern culture or old traditions and customs of a culture. It does not have to be nonfiction, but it should not be a fictional culture. The challenge starts now and ends on December 31, 2009.


If you would like to join Rebecca in this challenge, visit the post about the challenge.

666 Horror / Paranormal Book Challenge (2009)

Valorie of Morbid Romantic is hosting the 666 Horror Paranormal Challenge.

I’m a HUGE fan of horror books and books about paranormal creatures and powers. My love for the paranormal, for the dark and unusual, led me to come up with this idea for a book/reading challenge. Do you love books about Vampires? Everything by Clive Barker? Own the entire Stephen King collection? Do you collect cute books about teenage witches or vampire boyfriends? Devour books full of thrill and gore?

If so, this challenge is for you.

The horror categories are as follows, though not limited to. You must pick SIX of these to read books about. If you have an idea for a suggested category, simply leave me a comment with it. Keep in mind it has to have something to do with horror, thriller, the supernatural and/or monsters.

1. Vampires
2. Werewolves
3. Witches/Warlocks
4. Psychics
5. Human’s with special powers (like telepathy, telekinesis, etc).
6. Creatures from other worlds
7. Horror creatures
8. Monsters
9. Ghosts/Poltergeists
10. Paranormal creatures/events

Rules:

1. You must read 6 books in 6 categories by at least 6 authors
2. Books must be horror, thriller, or supernatural.
3. You cannot include audiobooks, journals, comic books, or manga. You can include ebooks.
4. Keep a running book count/completed list.
5. If rereading a book, you have to have finished it at least a year ago.

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

TBR Challenge 2009 (Avid Reader)

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Here is another challenge to read from your to-be-read pile. Avidbookreader.com is hosting the 2009 TBR Challenge with a monthly twist. Here are the rules:

• No 2009 titles.
• The older the title the better.
• Books can be of any genre, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, etc.
• The day to post your review will be every third Wednesday of the month with reminders from Avidreader the week before or the week of.
• There will be a separate page of participants, this is all voluntary.
• Readers can continue to join even after the challenge has started.

Avid Reader writes:

This is supposed to be fun and there are readers who already do this but I structured this challenge in such a way for readers like me who like to read a lot of the current stuff and don’t really allow themselves time to read some of the older books in their stockpiles.

The Twist:

Avidreader has assigned a particular challenge for each month with the default being that if you can’t do the assigned challenge, you can read whatever you like from your TBR pile and post your review as per usual.

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

*NOTE: there are at least two other TBR challenges out there that I know of. Jenn at Should Be Reading is hosting both the 2009 TBR lite and 2009 TBR challenges.

The V.C. Andrews Movement / Reading Challenge

Taren from The Chick Manifesto and Steph from Reviewer X are co-hosting this challenge.

Taren and Steph said, “Know what? We need a way to spice up this new year.” So they both came to the simultaneous conclusion that we’re making this a themed year—V.C. Andrews (hereafter VCA) will proliferate in their blogs. Which goes to say they’ll do a VCA post once in a while, but it’ll be an ongoing thing; their regular blog activities will continue to ensue the majority of the time, don’t worry.

But wait, that doesn’t work if most of their (more so Steph’s than Taren’s) readership isn’t familiar with the novels, does it? They’ll be doing recaps, essay-style posts, so on so forth (way funnier than it sounds, promise), and they don’t want to alienate anyone. Both do hope to draw in new people, but also keep their oldies (and—don’t let anyone know this but—besties).

So! They contemplated. And…! Since everyone’s got these reading challenges going on, THEY WILL, TOO.

How will it work?

It is generally understood that there are 12 months in a year, yes? Well, this is a year-long thing, but only 11 books have to be read, one a month, at the end. You get a freebie month somewhere, whenever you so choose.

Because Taren feels the newer books suck ass, we’ll be limiting the eligible titles to VCA’s earliest series—Dollanganger, Casteel, Cutler, Landry and Logan—and her sole standalone, My Sweet Audrina. (Click on the link of the challenge to see the complete list of books and more details).

This gives you a pool of 26 books, and you only have to choose 11 of them. You can read two complete series and My Sweet Audrina, or you can jump around, divide and conquer, whatever. It’s your choice.

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

09 Debut Authors Challenge

Kristi from The Story Siren is hosting the 09 Debut Authors Challenge.

In the midst of the new year, you’ve probably noticed a lot of book challenges being started! I loved doing all my challenges last year. My favorite challenge of 2008 was Jocelyn of Teen Book Review’s 2k8 Challenge. I was very disappointed to hear that Jocelyn wouldn’t be hosting it again this year. With her blessing I will be taking over the challenge.

For lack of creativity on my part at the moment, the challenge will be called ‘09 Debut Authors Challenge. If anyone would like to join, please do!

The Rules:

• Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. But if you are a blogger feel free to review your challenge books! If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by writing a review for Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site. The objective, obviously, is to read a set number of YA or MG novels from debut authors published this year. I’m hoping to read at least 30, but choose a number that you feel comfortable with. You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year.
• The challenge will run from January 1, 2009- December 31, 2009. You can join at anytime!

To learn more and sign up using Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge

Chunkster Challenge 2009

Begins when you sign up through November 15, 2009

For those of you wondering...YES, Dana will be hosting the Chunkster Challenge again this year... She writes:

Apparently many people in the blogosphere are gluttons for punishment. There is a HIGH demand for reading big fat books and being held accountable to read big fat books. So, back by popular demand: The Chunkster Challenge '09. Too Big To Fit the Average Book Bag.

***Details are now UP ON THE BLOG...and it starts for you as soon as you sign up using Mr. Linky...But hurry because sign ups END MARCH 1st.

This year there are some changes:

1. A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) Don't complain folks, I read all thousands of pages of the Twilight series and they were good, but not a challenge. A chunkster should be a challenge.
2. If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more I asked around and the average LT book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.
3. No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn't seem right. Words on paper for this one folks.
4. You may start any time after signing up. You must complete your reads before or on Nov 15th.
5. Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
6. Books may crossover with other challenges (see option 4 for a collaborative effort with TBR challenge)
7. Only option 4 requires that you make a set list of books to complete the challenge

There are four options for the challenge...and even if you think you do not want to participate, at least go over to the post about the challenge and read the titles of the options - I was laughing out loud!

Bookworms Carnival - EVENT

Hosted in Memory of Dewey at The Bookworms Carnival

The Bookworms Carnival is a monthly blogging event designed 'to build the community of book bloggers.' This wonderful idea was birthed by Dewey at The Hidden Side of A Leaf. When Dewey unexpectedly passed away in November 2008, a group of her fellow bloggers decided to keep the Carnival going in her memory.

The Bookworms Carnival has a new home. It is a bi-monthly event which is hosted by a different blogger for each edition. Hosts are emailed a guide that will help them organize their editions of the carnival. Each carnival is themed. The host blogger decides on a theme, how many submissions to accept, and which submissions to accept. Hosts are appreciated, but you don't have to host a carnival to participate. Participants may submit ANY BLOG POST relevant to the chosen theme.

Sound like something you'd enjoy? To learn more information or to sign up to host a carnival, visit the Info for Participants page. Visit the Upcoming Editions page to see a schedule of pending carnivals.

Weekly Geeks - EVENT

Hosted in Memory of Dewey at Weekly Geeks

Weekly Geeks is a weekly blogging event which is thematic in nature. The idea was birthed by Dewey at The Hidden Side of A Leaf - a fellow blogger and tremendous community builder. When Dewey unexpectedly passed away in November 2008, a group of bloggers decided to keep this event going in her memory.

Weekly Geeks has a new home and will be starting up again on Saturday, January 10, 2008. Themes are posted each Saturday and 'everyone who joins agrees that they will try to check each week to see what the theme is, although they DO NOT have to participate each week, only when they feel like it.' Participants link their blogging posts through Mr. Linky and spend time visiting other bloggers and commenting on their posts.

Sound like fun?

To read more visit the Weekly Geeks Information Page. Want to see who else is playing? Visit the Geek Community Page. Grab a button off the button page or email the Geek Team to share one of your own.

Weekly Geeks is all about community - if you have an idea for a theme, you are encouraged to email the team.

Medical Mystery Challenge 2009

February 1-December 1, 2009

It's back - and better than ever. Twiga from The Twiga Blog is once again hosting the Medical Mystery Challenge. She writes:

Having been inspired by the expansion of the Chick Lit Challenge, and with my access to books mostly through the mail, I have decided to expand the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge this year. Rather than just doing it during the summer, this challenge will run from February 1 through December 1.

The "Rules":

1. Books can overlap with other challenges. You can substitute if a book ends up not appealing to you.
2. Pick anywhere from 5 or more medical mysteries/thrillers to read and discuss with fellow medical thriller fans.
3. Seeing others' lists would give us more ideas of other medical thrillers out there that we might not be aware of yet. Those that want to read the same books can do buddy reads if they'd like.
4. Post the list of medical thrillers that you plan to read on your blog and then sign up by living a comment on the post about the challenge.

Welcome Teddy to A Novel Challenge Blog

Please join me in welcoming Teddy of So Many Precious Books, So Little Time who has graciously agreed to assist me with the maintenance of this extremely busy blog!

I never imagined when I started A Novel Challenge how it would take off. I have discovered there is no one more obsessive then a reader who loves reading challenges. This December/January I was simply overwhelmed with new challenges pouring into my mailbox. I regret that I was unable to keep up and post new challenges within 24 hours (as I like to do). So, I asked Teddy to join me in the madness...and she happily agreed.

I hope that by adding Teddy to the blog, we will be able to post challenges in a more timely manner...and four eyes out in the blog-0-sphere has to be better than two when looking for new challenges to tempt you.

Thank you, Teddy!!

Worthwhile Books Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

The Common Room is hosting the Worthwhile Books Reading Challenge - a challenge to read 12 books outside of your "normal, comfortable, regular reading fare." Want to know more? Go to the post about the challenge to help develop your own reading list.

Sign ups are on this post at The Common Room (use Mr. Linky).

Read a Book a Month Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Kitty Cat at Right Reads for Kids has a challenge for parents to read with their kids. The Read A Book A Month Challenge encourages parents to read 12 books with their child (or children) in 2009. The rules are:

1. Make a list of 12 books you will read with your child in 2009. Join in anytime and don’t worry if you haven’t got your list yet!
2. Start off with 1-2 books you have at home…(textbooks NOT allowed!)
3. If you have a blog, add a comment on the post about the challenge with a link to your blog.
4. If you don’t have a blog, add a comment on the post about the challenge with your list of books. You’re welcome to check in regularly to keep each other on track!

To read more, and find out why you should join...visit the post about the challenge.

Political History Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Sharon from Ex Libris is hosting The Political History Challenge which encourages participants to read a minimum of 4 non fiction books which encompass the area of Political History. Books can be about wars (as they are mostly political in nature) and/or effects of war on a culture, memoirs or biographies of political figures (and their families), or any theme that involves politics in a historical context.

More guidelines:

1. Review your books either on your own blog or the challenge blog (or both).
2. Books can be in any format - book, electronic, or audio.
3. Books can overlap with other challenges.

To join, leave a comment on the post about the challenge. Sharon will send you an invitation to join the challenge blog (if you wish).

The "I Suck At Challenges" Challenge

January 1 - July 31, 2009

Just when I think I have seen every possible challenge out there, along comes Chris at Book-A-Rama with the I Suck At Challenges Challenge. Chris writes:

I always wanted to host a reading challenge but never had a topic in mind. Of course, I realized that my track record with challenges is less than stellar. What I really need is a challenge to complete my challenges! So I invented The I Suck at Challenges Challenge. It's rather tongue in cheek but it might keep some of you challengees on the path to actually completing one or two. Lord knows there's enough challenges starting up now to tempt you all.

Choose your category: Slacker or 12-Stepper and create your challenge post.

To sign up (and read more details), stop over to the post about the challenge BEFORE FEBRUARY 1st, and leave Chris a comment with a link to YOUR post about the challenge.

Young Reader's Challenge 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is hosting the Young Readers Challenge for 2009. The rules are:

1. Read 12 children's books in 2009.'Children's books' are defined as anything written to be read (or read aloud) to children 12 and under.
2. No list is required. If you choose to post one, you can change it as needed. But it isn't required at all.
3. Audio books work.
4. Rereads are acceptable, but try to mix it up old and new if you can.
5. Overlaps with other challenges are acceptable.
6. You may consider yourself 'finished' with the challenge if/when you complete the twelfth book. (You could finish it January if you're ambitious. But there is no requirement to read one book per month all year long.) If you want to keep going past twelve books, that's fine.

If you want to challenge yourself further you might consider going with a theme:

*Read twelve picture books published in 2009
*Read twelve children's fantasy titles published since 2000
*Read twelve children's books that have been made into a movie
*Read three books on shapes, three books on numbers/counting, three books on the alphabet, three books on colors.

To read more and to sign up (by leaving a comment) visit the post about the challenge.

Dream King Challenge 2009

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Jessi from Casual Dread is hosting the Dream King Challenge. The challenge is to read Neil Gaiman's work. Here are the rules:

Neophyte: Read one work and watch one movie
Acolyte: Read three works (from three different categories) and watch one movie
Devotee: Read six works (from six different categories) and watch one movie
Zealot: Read twelve works (from at least six different categories) and watch one movie

There will also be mini-challenges (with prizes!) and other fun activities during the year. Re-reads are okay - I'm sure a lot of us have already read a few of Neil's books before. This challenge can (and will!) overlap with other challenges.

To sign up, visit the post about the challenge on the dedicated blog.

National Just Read More Novels Month

January 1 - January 31, 2009

Foma is hosting National Just Read More Novels Month (or NaJuReMoNoMo). Formulated on the famous NaNoWriMo where participants WRITE a novel in a month, NaJuReMoNoMo encourages participants to simply READ a novel in a month. Here are the rules:

1. Only Novels Count. This means no non-fiction books, memoirs, short stories, essay collections, or books based on internet memes like LOLcats. The judge is out on graphic novels. It's your call.
2. Memoirs Don’t Count. Even if they are fictional. And especially if they are fake memoirs about the Holocaust.
3. It Can’t Be A Novel You Have Already Read. Expand your horizons. Try some new authors.
4. You Must Start At The Beginning. If the book is on your nightstand, you have to start over. We are looking at January 1 to January 31. That is 31 days. We are on a deadline.
5. Have Fun. This a lark. You wouldn't be reading if you didn't enjoy it.

You get to brag about your literacy ability by posting a "Winner" badge on your site. Any book qualifies for the Blue Winner badge. Now a lot of people read more than one. Three books qualifies for the Green Badge. Five gets the Silver Badge and ten is the Gold level.

To read more and to pick up your badge, visit the post about the challenge.

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2009

January 1 - March 31, 2009

The Historical Fiction Reading Challenge is back for 2009 and hosted by Annie at Royal Reviews.

• Read 3 historical fiction books in 3 months from 1st Jan 09 - 31st March 09.
• Historical fiction will be counted as anything set or written prior to World War II. This will include classic novels, time travel novels or anything you feel fits the genre.

For an extra bit of fun, you can choose to participate in one of the following themes:

• The Royal Twist - Read 3 based on or inspired by 3 different royals. Emporers, Queens, Kings whatever inspires you!
• The Twilight Twist - Read a selection of 3 of the classic novels that inspired the Twilight Saga. There's Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte or A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare.

To join the challenge leave a comment on the post about the challenge.

This year, discussions will be held on a GoodReads Group. Anyone is welcome to join.

There will also be giveaways associated with this challenge.

Ignite Your Faith Mini-Challenge

January 1 - March 31, 2009

CDN Girl At Heart from Eat, Sleep, Read is hosting the Ignite Your Faith Mini Challenge. She writes:

I imagine I am not the only one out there who has made it their New Year's Resolution to read the Bible so if you would also like to "kick off" your own personal Bible reading resolution feel free to join me in this mini-challenge.

Here are the guidelines for this challenge:

1. Read any 3 books about religion, faith, or spirituality.
2. Audio books are allowed.
3. They may overlap with other challenges but your list can NOT include the Bible. These books are in ADDITION to your Bible reading.

To join, post a comment to the post about the challenge with a link to your list {if you have a blog}.

2009 Buy and Read One Book

January 1 - December 31, 2009

Amy from My Friend Amy is promoting book buying...and in the 2009 version of Read One Book she's made a few changes. Amy writes:

We live in a culture so saturated with choice that the past time of reading a novel seems to be falling by the wayside. There are many Americans who don't even read a single book in the span of a year. Books, once considered to be recession proof, are facing the same economic troubles as everyone else.

This challenge is designed to encourage you to rediscover the joy of reading, while supporting the authors who bring us books.

There are two levels or choices for this challenge.

1) The first option is to simply buy one book and read it. The book you buy and read should be a book you have chosen for yourself for pleasure. It should not be work related and books read to your children do not count.

2) The second option is to buy one book a month and read it. I am asking that those of you who will probably already have one book read by January 2 choose this option. Books can be on your other challenge lists, it is only necessary that you buy them and read them!

Books should be bought in 2009, since part of the goal of this challenge is to promote the book industry. However, Amy is allowing that three of the books you read can be books bought prior to 2009.

To join, leave a comment on the post about the challenge. At the end of the year, there will be a prize draw from each pool of participants to win a 10 dollar Amazon gift card.