The Classics Challenge 2010

 

April 1 - October 31, 2010

Trish of Trish's Reading Nook is hosting The Classics Challenge 2010. She writes:

Classics: We love them, we hate them, now we are going to challenge ourselves to read more of them.

**Choose Your Level (Keep reading for Bonus)
1. Classics Snack - Read FOUR classics
2. Classics Entree - Read FIVE classics
3. Classics Feast - Read SIX classics

**Rules/Guidelines
1. Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!)
2. Audiobooks are fine
3. Re-reads are acceptable, BUT books must be finished after April 1st to count for the challenge
4. Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time
5. Have Fun!!
6. You do NOT need a blog to participate.

**Bonus!! (Optional)
In the past two challenges we compiled a list of books that we think might be considered classics one day. I've wiped out that old list so we can start fresh.  If you want to participate in the bonus round, choose a book from the list and read that in addition to the classics you have picked.

To join, go to The Classics Challenge 2010.

Paranormal Reading Challenge 2010

January 1 - December 31, 2010

I just learned of this one this morning - but it is not too late to join up. Storywings is hosting the 2010 Paranormal Reading Challenge. She writes:

The Paranormal Reading Challenge is for anyone who loves reading ANYTHING paranormal!!!
- Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Ghosts, Angels etc...so the scope is pretty big!!!

Rules:

1. The books may be from any sub genre under Paranormal - romance, YA, mystery, etc...
2. The book has to be a book. No free short stories, or writing sites.
3. If you are a blogger please post a link back to the challenge on your page to let others join in the fun.
4. Non-bloggers - it's ok, you can join to and you can keep track of your progress by yourself, and post a comment on the wrap-up page, or you can send comments to the post about the challenge to keep track of your progress.
5. Cross-overs from other challenges are accepted. As are re-reads. Books that were started in 2009 don't count.

Choose a Level:

1. Human - 5 books
2. Witch - 10 books
3. Oracle - 20 books
4. Were - 30 books
5. Vampire - 40 books
6. Angel - 50 books

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

What an Animal III Challenge

March 1, 2010 - February 28, 2011

Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews will be hosting the third installment of the What An Animal Challenge as Kristi (Passion for the Page) will no longer be able to host.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:

a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...


3. You can still sign up after March 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by February 28, 2011 


4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.


5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.


6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).


7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.


8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.


To learn more or to sign up (or link up reviews), visit the post about the challenge.

The New York Challenge 2010

February 1 - May 15, 2010

Jill from Fizzy Thoughts is hosting a fun challenge centered around the upcoming BEA in NYC in May. She writes:

Since BEA and the Book Blogger Convention are on a lot of people’s minds right now, I thought New York needed its own reading challenge. Many readers like to read about places they will be visiting, so this will give the BEA attendees a chance to start thinking about NY (like we need an excuse). And if you can’t make it to BEA this will give you a chance to still have some NY fun.

The reading portion of the challenge will be super easy. All you have to do is read one book set in New York City. The rest of the challenge is optional, and devoted to fun New York stuff. Over the next few months I’ll be asking you to write posts about New York…memories, travel tips, lists, trivia…you get the picture. Then, during the week of BEA I’ll feature a few wrap-up posts, highlighting everyone’s posts (and New York!). And yes, there might even be a few prizes along the way…I’ll have to hunt down a few NY-themed goodies.

Guidelines:

1. Between February 1st and May 15th, read 1 (one) book set in New York City and post your review.
2. The book can be non-fiction or fiction, poetry or prose, graphic novel or audio book…whatever floats your boat. It can even be a guidebook. It just has to have New York City as its primary setting. And no fair using a book you’ve already read.
3. Jill will create a separate post with a Mr Linky for everyone to post their reviews. Look for that soon.
4. Each month there will also post a sort of mini-challenge asking people to write a post about New York. You do not have to participate in any of these

Here is the mini challenge for February.

Learn more or sign up by going to the post about the challenge.

2010 Ireland Reading Challenge

February 1 - November 30, 2010

Carrie at Books and Movies is hosting the Ireland Reading Challenge. She writes:

At the beginning of the year, I was clicking through my to-read shelf on Goodreads, and I noticed how many books I have on my shelves that are in one way or another connected to Ireland. I am Irish by heritage – my maiden name is Shannon, like the river – and so have a habit of picking up both fiction and nonfiction written by Irish authors, set in Ireland, or involving Irish characters. That gave me the idea for this challenge.

Guidelines:

~Join anytime. The challenge runs from February 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010.
~Any books read for this challenge can also apply to other challenges you are working on.
~Re-reads are allowed.
~Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply.
~Choose your commitment level:

1. Shamrock level: 2 books
2. Luck o’ the Irish level: 4 books
3. Kiss the Blarney Stone level: 6 books

~ Write up a post indicating that you are participating and then add your challenge post’s link to the Mr. Linky on the main challenge page.
~ You don’t have to list your books ahead of time – just have fun reading throughout the year.
~ Everyone who fulfills their challenge level and writes at least one review is eligible for the giveaway prize at the end of the challenge: a copy of Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney.

Wrap-up post and giveaway details will go up at the beginning of December 2010.

To learn more and to sign up (as well as link your reviews and wrap ups), visit the main challenge page.

2010 Reading My Name Challenge

January 15, 2010 - June 15, 2010

My apologies to Callista who told me about this challenge - and then I did not post it in a timely manner! Callista is once again hosting the Reading My Name Challenge in 2010 and there is still time to join. The goal of the challenge is to read at least two books by authors that share your name or part of your name OR book titles with your name in them.

Callista writes:

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. (e.g. If your name is Raina, then Rain or Rayne would be okay.) The character can have the same name as you too.

For example, my real first name is Kathleen. I could also read books by a Kathy, Katherine or Katie as these all come from the same name. Even Cathy, Catherine and Catie. I could read a book by a Callista (online name) or someone who shares my middle or last name. Or any of those names in the title.

Guidelines:

• You don't have to have a blog to participate
• You don't have to make a list beforehand

To learn more or to join, visit the sign up post and leave a comment.

Nerds Heart YA Tournament - EVENT

January 1 - December 31, 2010

Jodie (Book Gazing), Trish (Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin?), Amy (My Friend Amy) and Michelle (Galleysmith) are taking over the reins from Renay (YA Fabulous) who set up Nerds Heart YA with the aim of showcasing books that had not received as much publicity as the big hitter books of 2009.

Now in 2010, Nerds Heart YA is back and we’re bigger than ever! From the ABOUT page on the dedicated blog, the coordinators write:

This year we’ll move to showcase 32 books via an additional level of brackets. This year the central focus of the tournament will be diversity. The new organizers (appointed because Renay is off getting her intellect on at college) are seeking to build dynamic long and short lists of books that represent one of a series of relatively under publicized categories.

Specifically, the lists will consist of books that:

• Were published in 2009
• Have received minimum press on blogs
• Feature characters, or are penned by authors, who fall within the following categories:
  

  • Person(s) of Color (POC)
  • GLBT
  • Disability/Mental Illness
  • Religious Lifestyle
  • Lower Socioeconomic Status

Nerds Heart YA has always tried to involve those in the blogging world who love young adult literature. In 2010 you can get involved by nominating titles.

Subscribe to the dedicated blog to get updates as the process moves forward.

Gothic Novel Challenge

 

February 16 - December 31, 2010

Monica of The Bibliophilic Book Blog is hosting the Gothic Novel Challenge.  Here's what she says:

After reading 'Northanger Abbey' I wanted to read 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' and upon wiki-ing the book I came across a beautiful list of Gothic Novels....so an idea was born...the Gothic Novel Challenge!

You can participate in a few different levels:

Easy: Read 5 Gothic Novels

Intermediate: Read 10 Gothic Novels

Expert: Read 20 Gothic Novels

Here is a link to help you choose some books.

To join, go to Gothic Novel Challenge.

More Steinbeck! Mini-Challenge

 

January 1, 2010-February 14, 2011

Mini Challenges hosted by Becky is hosting the More Steinbeck Mini Challenge.  Here's what she says:

Last year I hosted the John Steinbeck Mini-Challenge. At the time I hadn't read any of his books, and I was curious but skeptic. This year, I want to host the challenge again. Because I'm just so excited to have discovered him! So I want to encourage you to join with me this year in reading more Steinbeck! How many books you read (or how many movies you watch) is completely up to you. To "qualify" as a participant, you need to read at least one book. You can also read books about Steinbeck.

To join, go to More Steinbeck Mini Challenge.

The Heartbreakers Challenge

 

February 1-February 28, 2010

Book Soulmates are hosting the The Heartbreakers Challenge.  Here's what they say:

The Rules:

♥ Read as many heartbreaking books as you can between February 1 - 28, 2010.
Ex. The book has to have some kind of heartbreak in it. Even if the book ends with a happy ending (which, lets face it, most of them do) as long as there's some kind of heartbreak, you can count it towards the challenge.

♥ Anyone can join!
Bloggers need to post a review on their site and then link it back here under the specific month. Do not link back with your general blog link. Paste the link to the actual REVIEW post.

Non-Bloggers can write a review and post it on any leading book site, such as Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc. Then, after you post it on one of those sites, paste THAT link under the respective month.

♥ If you are a blogger and you decide to participate in this challenge, then please copy and paste the above image icon onto the sidebar of your blog.

♥ You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. You can choose along the way.

♥ Your books CAN cross over into any of our other challenges.
Ex. If you are participating in iChallenge Playlist and you read a book about a werewolf who breaks a girls heart, then you can count it toward both Heartbreakers and iWere :)

♥ You cannot use old posted reviews.
In other words, if you read a book last year that you already wrote a review on, you cannot count it towards these challenges unless you read it again and write a fresh review.

♥ There WILL be a prize at the end of the month. The prize item is to be determined.

♥ The prizes will only be sent within the U.S. and Canada.

Sorry about that! We pay for this ourselves and we will not be able to send anything outside of the U.S. and Canada.

♥ Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

To join, go to The Heartbreakers Challenge.

iWitch Challenge

 

February 1, 2010 - February 1, 2011

Book Soulmates are hosting the iWitch Challenge.  Here's what they say:

Read anything & everything about witches. Like all the others, the main character does not have to be a witch as long as there are witches in the book you can count it towards the challenge.

SPECIAL NOTE: Magic books can also count towards this challenge. For example, if you read a book that doesn't specifically say there are witches but does deal with magic, we will allow you to count it towards the challenge.

The Basic Rules that apply:

♥ Read as many books as you can between
Feb 1, 2010 & Feb 1, 2011.

♥ Anyone can join!
Bloggers need to post a review on their site and then link it back here under the specific month. Do not link back with your general blog link. Paste the link to the actual REVIEW post.

Non-Bloggers can write a review and post it on any leading book site, such as Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc. Then, after you post it on one of those sites, paste THAT link under the respective month.♥ If you are a blogger and you decide to participate in this challenge, then please copy and paste the above image icon onto the sidebar of your blog.

♥ You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.

♥ Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.

♥ You cannot use old posted reviews.

In other words, if you read a book last year that you already wrote a review on, you cannot count it towards these challenges unless you read it again and write a fresh review.

♥ There WILL be prizes at the end of each month while this challenge is active.

♥ The prizes will only be sent within the U.S. and Canada.

Sorry about that! As I stated earlier... we pay for this ourselves and we will not be able to send anything outside of the U.S. and Canada.♥ We will announce ONE winner & ONE prize per month for ALL of the iChallenges. If we are able to do more, then we might choose more winners for the individual iChallenges, but please do not expect that to happen every month! Bottom line, we will have a minimum of one winner per month, more if we could!

To join, go to  iWitch Challenge.

iWere Challenge

 

February 1, 2010 - February 1, 2011

Book Soulmates are hosting the iWere Challenge.  Here's what they say:

Read as many werewolf books as you can this year. The main character does not have to be a werewolf though. Any book counts as long as there is a werewolf in it.

 The Basic Rules that apply:

♥ Read as many books as you can between
Feb 1, 2010 & Feb 1, 2011.

♥ Anyone can join!
Bloggers need to post a review on their site and then link it back here under the specific month. Do not link back with your general blog link. Paste the link to the actual REVIEW post.

Non-Bloggers can write a review and post it on any leading book site, such as Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc. Then, after you post it on one of those sites, paste THAT link under the respective month.♥ If you are a blogger and you decide to participate in this challenge, then please copy and paste the above image icon onto the sidebar of your blog.

♥ You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.

♥ Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.

♥ You cannot use old posted reviews.

In other words, if you read a book last year that you already wrote a review on, you cannot count it towards these challenges unless you read it again and write a fresh review.

♥ There WILL be prizes at the end of each month while this challenge is active.

♥ The prizes will only be sent within the U.S. and Canada.

Sorry about that! As I stated earlier... we pay for this ourselves and we will not be able to send anything outside of the U.S. and Canada.♥ We will announce ONE winner & ONE prize per month for ALL of the iChallenges. If we are able to do more, then we might choose more winners for the individual iChallenges, but please do not expect that to happen every month! Bottom line, we will have a minimum of one winner per month, more if we could!

To join, go to iWere Challenge.

iVamp Challenge

 

February 1, 2010 - February 1, 2011

Book Soulmates are hosting the iVamp Challenge.  Here's what they say:

 Anne Rice novels, specifically, are the kinds of Vamp books we're talking about for this challenge. We've seen some other challenges out there for Vamps and don't want to step on anyone's toes. However, we haven't seen one specifically for Anne Rice though... so that's what this one's about! Edward is going to have to step aside for this one. We want to read about your dark, brooding, blood-thirtsty kind of vampire!

The Basic Rules that apply:

♥ Read as many books as you can between
Feb 1, 2010 & Feb 1, 2011.

♥ Anyone can join!
Bloggers need to post a review on their site and then link it back here under the specific month. Do not link back with your general blog link. Paste the link to the actual REVIEW post.

Non-Bloggers can write a review and post it on any leading book site, such as Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc. Then, after you post it on one of those sites, paste THAT link under the respective month.♥ If you are a blogger and you decide to participate in this challenge, then please copy and paste the above image icon onto the sidebar of your blog.

♥ You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.

♥ Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.

♥ You cannot use old posted reviews.

In other words, if you read a book last year that you already wrote a review on, you cannot count it towards these challenges unless you read it again and write a fresh review.

♥ There WILL be prizes at the end of each month while this challenge is active.

♥ The prizes will only be sent within the U.S. and Canada.

Sorry about that! As I stated earlier... we pay for this ourselves and we will not be able to send anything outside of the U.S. and Canada.♥ We will announce ONE winner & ONE prize per month for ALL of the iChallenges. If we are able to do more, then we might choose more winners for the individual iChallenges, but please do not expect that to happen every month! Bottom line, we will have a minimum of one winner per month, more if we could!

To join, go to iVamp Challenge.

iFae Challenge

 

February 1, 2010 - February 1, 2011

Book Soulmates are hosting the iFae Challenge.  Here's what they say:

Read a whole bunch of Faery books! Yayyy! Who doesn't love that?! The main character does not have to be a faery as long as there are faeries in the book you can count it towards the challenge.
**I wonder how many people are going to read Peter Pan and count it towards the challenge? LOL!**

The Basic Rules that apply:

♥ Read as many books as you can between
Feb 1, 2010 & Feb 1, 2011.

♥ Anyone can join!
Bloggers need to post a review on their site and then link it back here under the specific month. Do not link back with your general blog link. Paste the link to the actual REVIEW post.

Non-Bloggers can write a review and post it on any leading book site, such as Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, etc. Then, after you post it on one of those sites, paste THAT link under the respective month.♥ If you are a blogger and you decide to participate in this challenge, then please copy and paste the above image icon onto the sidebar of your blog.

♥ You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time.

♥ Your books CAN cross over into other challenges.

♥ You cannot use old posted reviews.

In other words, if you read a book last year that you already wrote a review on, you cannot count it towards these challenges unless you read it again and write a fresh review.

♥ There WILL be prizes at the end of each month while this challenge is active.

♥ The prizes will only be sent within the U.S. and Canada.

Sorry about that! As I stated earlier... we pay for this ourselves and we will not be able to send anything outside of the U.S. and Canada.♥ We will announce ONE winner & ONE prize per month for ALL of the iChallenges. If we are able to do more, then we might choose more winners for the individual iChallenges, but please do not expect that to happen every month! Bottom line, we will have a minimum of one winner per month, more if we could!

To join, go to iFae Challenge.

The 50 Book Challenge

March 2010- February 2011

 

Reading With Sea is hosting the The 50 Book Challenge.  Here's what she says:

 

Goal: To read 50 books within the challenge timeline. This challenge is for those of us who cannot quite conquer 100 books in one year, but who still want to be motivated to continue reading and to read more.

Timeline: This challenge will be running from March 2010 through February 2011

Guidelines: Participants will read 50 books of their choosing, fiction or non-fiction, within the challenge timeframe.
Books can overlap with other challenges.  Participants may also sign up for both the 50 and 100 book challenge at the same time.  The first 50 books read will count towards completing both challenges.

To join, go to The 50 Book Challenge.

Reading Journal Challenge

March 2010- February 2011

 

Reading With Sea is hosting the Reading Journal Challenge.  Here's what she says:

Goal: To keep a journal that lists your monthly book purchases and reads.

Timeline: This challenge will be running from March 2010 through February 2011

Guidelines: Participants will keep a journal, which is to include the minimum  information:
Books bought and books read in each month. 

To see an example the journal and join, go to Reading Journal Challenge.

The Heavy Reading Challenge

March 2010 - February 2011

 

Reading With Sea is hosting The Heavy Reading Challenge.  Here's what she says: 

 

Goal: To read 12 long novels of 500+ during the challenge period

Timeline:  This challenge will be running from March 2010 through February 2011

Guidelines:
-Participants will read as many books containing a minimum of 500 pages as they can during the given timeframe.
-Overlaps with other challenges are allowed as long as books are read during the period of the challenge.
-Post as you go or make a list of all the books you intend to read for this challenge.

To join, go to The Heavy Reading Challenge.

Oldies But Goodies: A Classics Challenge

Perpetual Challenge

Reading With Sea is hosting the Oldies But Goodies: A Classics Challenge.  Here's what she says:

Goal: To read classic and timeless novels.

Timeline:  This challenge will be running for as long as it takes to make it through the list.

Guidelines:
-Participants will read the listed novels.
-Overlaps with other challenges are allowed.
-Post the books as you go and make your way down the list.
-Participants can read the novels listed below in any order they wish.

Books to be read:

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Victory by Joseph Conrad
The Hills Beyond by Thomas Wolfe
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Lord of the Rings (The full Series) by Tolkien
Intruder in the Dust by William Faulkner
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Native Son by Richard Wright
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
The Stranger by Albert Camus

To join, go to Oldies But Goodies: A Classics Challenge.

100 Books in a Year Challenge

March 2010 - February 2011

 

Reading With Sea is hosting the 100 Books in a Year Challenge.  Here's what she says:

Goal: To read 100 books in one year.
 
Timeline:  This challenge will be running from March 2010 through February 2011
 
Guidelines:
-Participants will read 100 novels during the challenge timeframe.
-Overlaps with other challenges are allowed as long as books are read during the period of the challenge.
-Post as you go or make a list of all the books you intend to read for this challenge.

To join, go to 100 Books in a Year Challenge.

Banned Book Challenge 2010

February 1 - June 1, 2010

Pelham Public Library is hosting a world wide Banned Books Challenge.  Here's what they say:

It is time once more for our Banned Book Challenge. Choose a goal for the number of challenged or banned books you can read between Feb. and June. Let us know about your goal on our form, so we can keep track. Not sure what to read? Check out our suggested reading and the many links on the right side bar.

The Freedom to Read organization has put together a list of challenged or banned books and magazines for Canada.

Robert P Doyle has put together a list of books that have been banned or challenged in 2008-2009 in the US.

To join, go to Banned Books Challenge.

The Birth Year Reading Challenge

February 1 - December 31, 2010

C.S. and J.G. of Hotchpot Cafe are hosting The Birth Year Reading Challenge. They write:

What books were published the year you were born? This challenge encourages you to find out, and then read some of them. You might even draw some conclusions about what was going on in the literary world that year.

RULES

1. Join anytime between now and November 30, 2010. The challenge ends at midnight EST on December 31, 2010.

2. Books may come from your TBR pile or list, but they don’t have to.

3. Overlaps with other challenges are allowed and encouraged.

4. Change your list at any time.

5. Reviews and reactions are encouraged, but you don’t need to have a blog to participate.

6. All genres and formats are eligible. If it’s a book, you can count it.

7. One candle is awarded for each qualifying book you read. There is no limit on how few or how many candles you can earn.

PRIZES

When you meet your reading goal, you can select a book from the Hotchpot Cafe library – most likely a gently used trade paperback – and C.S. and J.G. will mail it to you. But keep reading because . . .

GRAND PRIZE

On January 1, 2011, the three readers who’ve earned the most candles will be entered into a drawing to win a collectible first edition/first printing copy of Junot Diaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2008.

Interested? Visit the post about the challenge to learn more and sign up!