Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge

July 1 - 30, 2010

Carrie of Reading to Know is hosting the second annual Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge. Carrie writes:

I invite you all to join me on a summer vacation into the world of Narnia. The idea is to spend as much time as you can in this magical land created by C.S. Lewis. I absolutely adore this series (so much that both of our children are named after Lewis in a form or fashion) and delight in sharing the journey it with others.

There are seven books in the The Chronicles of Narnia series and for the purposes of this challenge, I invite you to read at least one, or perhaps all of them, along with me during the month of July.

To participate, do any of the following:

1. Read (or re-read) the The Chronicles of Narnia books.
2. Read adapted stories of Narnia aloud with your children.
3. Make a family movie night out of the challenge and watch any of the film adaptations (cartoons or live action) that you'd like as a family.

Carrie will have a post up on her blog (which will include a Narnia giveaway) on Thursday, July 1st. Come and commit yourself to the challenge on that date and enter to win a Narnia Prize Package. She's asking that participants write up an introductory post of their own, telling us how long you plan on traveling through Narnia and what particularly strikes your fancy about any of C.S. Lewis' characters from this series and link that up to the introductory post.

The challenge will conclude on Friday, July 30th. Look for a closing post on Carrie's blog. You are invited to link up all the blog posts that you have written up over the course of the month during the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge. If you blogged about a particular character from the series, or a book, a movie, a song, or whatever - go and link it up!

Learn more about the challenge on the introductory post.

The Four Month Reading Challenge Part 4

July 1 - October 31, 2010

Martina at She Read a Book is hosting part 4 of the Four Month Challenge. Here are the categories and points:
5 Point Challenges

• Read a chick lit book
• Read a name with a proper name in the title
• Read a historical fiction book
• Read a book with a one word title
• Read a book made into a movie

10 Point Challenges

• Read a book with a Civil War theme (any country)
• Read a Biblical fiction book
• Read a hardcover book
• Read a book about a king or queen
• Read a book set in France

15 Point Challenges

• Read a book by an author you’ve never read before
• Read a biography or autobiography
• Read a book with a number in the title
• Read any book and then post a review
• Read any book but read it outside

20 Point Challenges

• Read a book in a series AND the one after it
• Read a book that was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
• Read a book considered Christian fiction
• Read a book from The Modern Library Top 100
• Read a book by an author born in July, August, September or October

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

Indigenous Literacy Reading Project

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limit

Susan at Reading Upside Down is hosting a wonderful perpetual reading challenge to support the Indigenous Literary Project. She writes:

When I interviewed Australian Indigenous author Anita Heiss recently, she brought the Indigenous Literacy Project to my attention. I am hoping to help my children organise a Great Book Swap to benefit this organisation later this year, but I thought I might also start a reading challenge with the list of Indigenous books and authors offered in the ILP reading list.

Many of the books on the list are picture books or children’s books. Susan has the complete list on her challenge post, but you can also download a pdf list from the Indigenous Literacy Project website or follow this link for the Indigenous Literacy Project Reading Challenge spreadsheet.
Susan notes that this reading challenge is not affiliated with the Indigenous Literacy Project. The only association is the use of the ILP book list.
To learn more or sign up to participate, visit the post about the challenge.

The Divine Comedy Read-A-Long: EVENT

July 2 - September 5, 2010

Richard is hosting a Read-A-Long of The Divine Comedy this summer. He writes:

One of my biggest regrets from my college days is never having signed up for one of those semester- or year-long surveys on Dante that would have taken me all the way through The Divine Comedy with a Trecento specialist as my guide. Another thing I could look back and complain about is not yet having pursued Italian beyond the one (marvelous) year I studied it in a night class not so very long ago. To help make up for these two, how shall I say, distinctly nerdy tragedies, I've decided to host a Dante group read/readalong July through September this year. If any of you are interested in joining me for any or all of the "program," please get in touch as it would be great to have a lot of minds/opinions weighing in on this medieval poetry classic.

To join, leave Richard a comment on the post about the event...or simply show up and join in the discussion on Richard's blog.

The Horrible Dare Challenge 2010

May 24 - September 21, 2010

The very funny Raych at Books I Done Read is hosting a tongue-in-cheek reading challenge called The Horrible Dare Challenge. The challenge consists of reading three books which are "horrible." Raych lists the books to be read:

The Horrible List of Horror! *ominous violins, thunder*

LA Candy - Lauren Conrad: You may not watch The Hills. *I* don't watch The Hills. But I'mma go out on a limb and say that LC got this book deal specifically because she was on The Hills, and that it is therefore probably terrible. Which is really the only prereq for the HDC.

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick: This Here-Comes-Another-One paranormal romance seems like just the kind of thing we'll hate. TSTL protagonists, bad-boy love interests, raving teenage fans. You think it can't get worse than Twilight, but you're wrong.

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater: Uh...ditto? Only with werewolves, not angels.

She adds:

So that's it. Short but deadly. Can you stomach it, TY? Have you balls enough? All three books must be read and reviewed before the end of the summer (i.e. Sept 21, 2010). Failure to do so will result in ridicule and finger-pointing.

Also, for bonus marks, I will make you one of my patented MS Paint buttons if you read anything by Danielle Steele. The button will have to do with balls, and they will be brass.

Vive l'horreur!

Want to read some horrible books this summer? Visit Raych at the post about the challenge!

Madame Bovary Read-A-Long: EVENT

Hosted by Frances at Nonsuch Book

October 1 - 31, 2010

Frances at Nonsuch Book is hosting a Madame Bovary Read-a-Long in October. She writes:

The first week of September, right before the release of this new translation, Penguin will sponsor a giveaway here for 10 copies of the book. Then there will be a few guest posts on the novel leading up to the shared read in October. The novel is a very manageable size at approximately 300 pages. Here is the reading/posting schedule:

• Part 1: Thursday, October 14 (58 pages)
• Part 2: Thursday, October 21 (141 pages)
• Part 3: Thursday, October 28 (106 pages)

To join, visit the post about the read-a-long and leave a comment.

Paris in July - EVENT

Hosted by Karen of BookBath and Tamara of Thyme for Tea

July 1 - 31, 2010

BookBath and Thyme for Tea have decided to join forces for a special celebration called Paris in July. Karen writes:

We are two friends with a deep interest and love of French culture and way of life - although we experience and demonstrate this passion in very different ways. Karen has only recently discovered the magic of Paris - the city, the architecture, the fashion and the literature whereas the French experience has been a part of Tamara's life for a long time, leading her to learn the language and experience the culture in a deeper way. But for both of us as Australian's, the reality of traveling to France is a costly and timely experience - so we need to find ways of bringing France to us!

So, in order to help us do that we will be jointly hosting a French themed blogging experience running from the 1st - 31st July this year called "Paris In July".

AND:

There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of Paris In July - just blog about anything French and you can join in. Some ideas for the month might include;

• Reading a French book - fiction or non-fiction
• Watching a French movie
• Listening to French music
• Cooking French food
• Experiencing French art, architecture or travel

There will be weekly French themed prizes during the month. Tamara from Thyme For Tea will be writing weekly wrap up posts on the 10th and 24th July, and Karen from BookBath on the 17th and 31st July for you to link your posts to.

To learn more and to be included in this event, visit the post about Paris In July and leave a comment.

WIN an early bird prize by posting one of the Paris in July buttons by Friday 25 June!!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - EVENT

September 13 - 17, 2010

It is that time of year again: Book Blogger Appreciation Week is slated for September 13th through 17th. The rules are different this year...all participants MUST register their blog in one of several Niche Categories no later than July 7th. You can also choose to register in one of three optional categories. To read all the guidelines go to this post. You can see a schedule of the BBAW Awards Process here.

What are you waiting for? Don't miss out on all the fun - register your blog today!!

TKAM Month: EVENT

Hosted by Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books

I have a feeling you are going to be seeing more of these...but here is at least one place to go to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the classic: To Kill A Mockingbird. Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books is planning a month long celebration of the book to include a re-read of the novel, live-tweeting a discussion as we view the movie “together” in our own homes, and featuring a 2-part read-along, trivia, armchair travels to the setting of the novel.

Watch for a full schedule in the coming weeks at She is Too Fond of Books.

Japanese Literature Challenge 4

Bellezza is continuing with the Japanese Literature Challenge...the fourth installation of this challenge can be found HERE (note that this is a new site). Check out suggested reading...and peruse the links to reviews.

Arabic Summer Reading Challenge 2010

May 26 - August 20, 2010

Arabic Literature (In English) is hosting the Arabic Summer Reading Challenge. You only have to commit to ONE book. Here is what she writes:

So why not an Arabic literature reading challenge? I asked a few critics, professors, booksellers, writers and translators which five books they would suggest one must read “before you die.” (You will note a few seem to have trouble with their math skills.)

There will be a prize winner announced on August 20th (and it is a GREAT prize!). To participate, visit the post about the challenge and check out all the great authors and works in translation listed there. Simply choose ONE book and leave a comment there to join in the fun.

The LOST Books Perpetual Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limit

Amy and Heather have decided to make the LOST Books Challenge a perpetual one. Amy writes:

Now that LOST is over, we have more time than ever to reflect on what it all meant! Therefore, Heather and I are pleased to announce that we'll be keeping the LOST Books Challenge Blog and we're introducing the perpetual challenge.

LOST was a literary show. The writers and creators based so much of the show on the history of great stories as told through books. They named their characters and episodes after literary giants. They seamlessly wove books into many scenes and left us all to ponder what it all meant.

And while the show is over, the speculation around LOST lives. There's still so much to think about and many theories that can be formed...therefore we still find value in reading the many books mentioned on LOST.

Here are the details of the challenge:

1. This is a perpetual challenge--which means there's no end in sight! You have plenty of time to read the books mentioned on LOST. It starts for you the moment you sign up!
2. You can choose books from the LOSTpedia Book List, the LOST book club on ABC, or the LOST books list on DarkUFO. Feel free to look in other places as well!
3. Email lostbookschallenge@gmail.com to be added as a contributor to the blog. You can post your reviews in their entirety on the dedicated blog or a snippet with a link back to your blog.
4. You can also post other items and notes of interest to LOST fans.

To learn more or to sign up, visit the sign up page on the dedicated blog.

African Diaspora Read-A-Thon: EVENT

Hosted by Brown Girl Speaks

12 hours on Saturday, July 10, 2010

Brown Girl Speaks is hosting the African Diaspora Reading Challenge - a Read-A-Thon event. Beginning at 7 am CST (8 am EST/ 5 am PST) on July 10th, the challenge is to read great African Diaspora literature for half a day (twelve hours). Brown Girl Speaks writes:

There will be a designated post for the event so participants can check in and share what their reading as well as the progress on individual goals. Even though 12 hours does not allow time for challenges, I'm still giving away a prize. The deets on the prize and how winners will be chosen will be revealed the day of the read-a-thon.

Participants should also feel free to give this a twofold purpose and make a charitable donation to the organization of their choice. I'm still deciding on who I'll support.

To learn more and to participate, visit the post about the event, or simply show up on Brown Girl Speaks on the day of the event.

Huge TBR Readathon - EVENT

June 14 - June 20, 2010

Bookworming in the 21st Century is hosting a week long readathon to help you clear off your shelves. The Huge TBR Readathon began today and extends through Sunday. Simply visit the post about the challenge and enter a link to your post on Mr. Linky. That's it! Have fun - make a dent in that TBR pile!

You May Have Noticed...

...that I have been a little absent from this blog over the last couple of months. Thanks to Teddy, the blog has stayed current.

My life has been an emotional roller coaster since December when my sister was diagnosed with colon cancer. She had surgery and I was back on the East coast for nearly the entire month of January to be with her and her kids. We had a bit of a scare when it was thought that the cancer had metastasized to her liver...and so my energy was really with my sister for the last few months. Luckily, they are now thinking that the mysterious spots on my sister's liver are not the cancer, but an autoimmune type inflammatory condition.

Between my sister and work, and then my trip to NYC for the BEA and Book Blogger Convention, I have been pretty overwhelmed with keeping up this site. I hope now things are settling down a bit and I'll be able to post more frequently.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!