What An Animal IV Reading Challenge

March 1, 2011 - February 29, 2012

Yvonne at Scocrates' Book Reviews is hosting the fourth installation of The What an Animal Reading Challenge. The rules are really simple...

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


• there is an animal in the title of the book

• there is an animal on the cover of the book

• an animal plays a major role in the book

• 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 29, 2012.


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.


9. Books can be in any format of your choice (print, audio, ebooks)

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

The Booklovers Project - Perpetual Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limit

Amanda at The Zen Leaf is hosting The Booklovers Project which is a perpetual challenge with no time limit. Although this is a personal challenge, Amanda is inviting other readers to join her. She writes:

Last year, the lovely Ana of Things Mean a Lot introduced me to the song “The Booklovers” by The Divine Comedy. I adore this song, and while listening to it recently, I started to wonder about some of the authors it touches on. If you’ve not heard the song, it lists literary authors from hundreds of years ago to the present, and as it calls their names, they each respond. Their responses often have to do with their books, their relationships, and/or the perception we have of them. For all those authors I’ve read, I understand their responses, but many of the responses from writers I’ve never read go completely over my head.

Hence, this project. I’ve never been tempted to try to read every author off any other list – awards lists, BBC top 100 list, ML top 100, 1001 books to read before you die, etc. But this list, these 73 authors – I want to be sure to try each of them, and then to come to understand their lines in “The Booklovers.”

Amanda has also included some additional authors in the challenge (those who terrify her!!). To see the entire list and to get more information, visit the post about the project.

Read Your Own Books Challenge

February 17-December 31, 2011

For the Love.. is hosting the Read Your Own Books Challenge.  She writes:

I was reading a discussion post over on Mindful Musings about the books we haven't read and I was discouraged when I found that of all the books pictured in the post I had read or attempted to read only 2.  So I have decided that I am going to try and remedy that situation.  I am going to try and read more of my own books in 2011. If you would like to participate in the challenge with me here are the "rules:"

1. Please create a post for the challenge.

2. As long as the book(s) you are reading are books that you CURRENTLY own they count towards this years challenge.

3. The object is to read as many of your own books, regardless of format, as possible by the end of the year.

To join, go to the Read Your Own Books Challenge

Catherine Ryan Hyde Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Shooting Stars Mag is hosting the Catherine Ryan Hyde Challenge.  They write:

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde's books. I've only read a few, but I really want to read the other ones because they sound great for the most part.

Catherine writes books for YA and Adult, and this challenge ecompases everything. Read what you like and feel good about it!

To sign up for this challenge, you have to agree to read ONE Catherine Ryan Hyde book in 2011. Great odds of succeeding, isn't it? I don't want to make it too hard. I just want people to start reading more of her books, spreading the word, and hopefully helping a wonderful author have some awesome sales next year.

Obviously, you can borrow a book from the library or get it second hand...but if you can buy at least one book, it would mean a lot. Especially if it's one of her new ones like Jumpstart the World that came out a couple months ago.

Feel free to divvy up the books for other challenges too if you can! We certainly don't mind!

To join, go to the Catherine Ryan Hyde Challenge.

In Memory of Brian Jacques: Redwall Nostalgia Challenge

February 9-May 31, 2011

The Story Girl is hosting the Redwall Nostalgia Challenge, in memory of the author, Brian Jacques.  She writes:

I'm sure many of you in the book blogging world heard the sad announcement yesterday that Brian Jacques, author of the popular Redwall books (along with others), passed away from a heart attack on February 5 at the age of 71. (For an obituary, click here).

As a child, I loved the Redwall books. I still remember reading Redwall for the first time. My grandma bought me the book because of a recommendation, and I remember finishing the last page and being absolutely breathless. I remember rereading the last page, unable to believe that it was over, and then hugging the book to my chest. Lucky for me, there were several more books in the series. (And lucky for current Redwall fans, there is one more unpublished book coming out in May). I haven't read all the Redwall books, but I devoured them energetically throughout elementary and middle school and many of my stories of that period featured talking animals.

I have been wanting to revisit the Redwall books for a few years now, and with Jacques' recent death, I think a challenge to myself to revisit at least one of the books will be a good opportunity to pay my respects to the author that enchanted me when I was younger. I'm also going to extend the challenge to everyone else who loved Jacques in childhood or are discovering him for the first time. So here's the plan:

Read a Redwall book. You can revisit an old beloved story or discover a new one. Read as many books as you want.

The challenge will begin today, February 9, and run through May 31. This will give time for readers to get a hold of the last Redwall book, The Rogue Crew, scheduled to be released on May 3.

Once you've read your book (or books) write a post about why you were enchanted (or not, if the books didn't work for you) by the world of Redwall. Why do you think the books have enthralled so many young readers? Do you have any special memories of the books?

There will be a prize of a Brian Jacques book from Book Depository. 

To join, go to Redwall Nostalgia Challenge.

Read Outside Your Comfort Zone Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

A Tapestry of Words is hosting the Read Outside Your Comfort Zone Challenge.  She writes:

I've seen some other bloggers initiating challenges for 2011, and it inspired me to come up with my own. So lo and behold...the Read Outside Your Comfort Zone Challenge!

I think most of us like to stick with certain genres of books, but every once in a while, it's good to explore something we might not normally read. You never know, you might end up discovering some fabulous reads!

This challenge encompasses any and all genres; the point is to pick some books you would ordinarily pass by or shy away from. Don't read many books with male protagonists? Don't quite see the appeal of werewolves? Never tried a graphic novel before? Jump on in (or at least test the water!) They do not all have to belong to the same genre - the goal is just to stretch your reading choices a little.

The levels:

1-3 books: Peering Out the Window
4-6 books: Opening the Door
7-10 books: Standing on the Porch
11-15 books: Walking through the Neighbourhood
16-20 books: Exploring the Unknown

At the end of the year there will be a giveaway (and hey, you can choose the easiest level and still be entered!)

To join, go to the Read Outside Your Comfort Zone Challenge.

50 Books In A Year Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Zimilicous is hosting the 50 Books In A Year Challenge.  She writes:

1. The goal of this challenge is to read 50 books within 365 days. Very reasonable, no?

2. Anyone can join in.

3. Everything counts: any genre, eBooks, AudioBooks, re-reads, textbooks, books read for other challenges.... As long as it exists and you read it, it works! (Essays, single short stories, etc. do not count, obviously.)

4. You do not have to make a list and stick to it. Go ahead and make a list if you like, of course, but you don't have to stick to it.

To join, go to the 50 Books In A Year Challenge.

Read 104 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

 January 1-December 31, 2011

Leetid's Reading is hosting the Read 104 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.  She Writes:

Reading 52 books in 52 weeks is to read one book per week.

To join, go to the Read 104 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Leetid's Reading is hosting the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.  She Writes:

Reading 52 books in 52 weeks is to read one book per week.

To join, go to the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.

Persephone Reading Weekend

February 25-27, 2011

Claire and Verity are hosting the Persephone Reading Weekend.  They write:

We hope that you will continue to throw yourself into the Persephone fest with as much enthusiasm as before or that a weekend fits more conveniently into your own plans.  As for the format, it won’t change between week and weekend: we will post Persephone features, reviews of Persephone titles and hopefully give away a Persephone or two as prizes.  All you have to do is read one (or more) Persephone books and join in the fun.

Now to narrow choose which of those beautiful grey books to read over the weekend…

To join, go to Persephone Reading Weekend.

Dystopian February

February 1-28, 2011

Presenting Lenore is hosting Dystopian February.  She writes:

I do hope you'll join me in celebrating dystopian lit this month.  Pull out those books in your TBR and get reading!

Here's what I have on tap:

• Reviews of over 20 dystopian novels
• Interviews with authors of dystopian fiction
• Dystopian Mash-ups 
• Previews of dystopian fiction coming out later this year and beyond
• Contests and book giveaways and more!

All you have to do to enter to win is read and review at least one dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel during the month of February

To join this event, go to Dystopian February.

Classics Challenge 2011

January 1-December 31, 2011

Stiletto Story Time is hosting her own version of the Classics Challenge in 2011.  She writes:

Choosing my reading challenges for the year is always one of my favorite things to do. This year I really wanted to incorporate a challenge into my classical reading tastes. I love classic literature. I love discovering those classics that have gotten away from me or re-reading my favorites. It’s been a love of mine for almost as long as I have been reading. In college I chose to study English Literature and then moved on to get my Master’s in Library Science so that I could share my love of classics with others. So in that spirit I have decided to host my very first challenge.

The challenge is simple: Read classic literature. It can be from any period or genre you choose. The only rule is that it must in some way be considered a classic. What is a classic you ask? A classic to me is a book that has in some way become bigger than itself. It’s become part of culture, society or the bigger picture. It’s the book you know about even if you have not read it. It’s the book you feel like you should have read.

Levels

Student: Read any 5 Classic Books

Bachelor’s Degree: Read any 10 Classic Books

Master’s Degree: Read any 20 Classic Books

P.H.D.: Read any 40 Classic Books

To join, go to the Classics Challenge.

2011 PUB Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Michelle at 1MoreChapter is hosting the 2011 PUB Challenge. She writes:

Thanks to those Pub challenge participants who have participated in the past. I hope you’ll consider joining the 2011 Pub as well. For those who didn’t participate last year but want to read more 2011 releases, join us. New members are always welcome! Books you’ve read in January through December 2011 count for this challenge.

Here are the 2011 rules:

1. Read a minimum of 11 books first published in 2011. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2011, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2010, and then published in the USA in 2011, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2011.
2. At least 6 titles must be fiction.
3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
4. You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

Learn more and sign up by visiting the sign up post.

2011 Japanese Literature Book Group, Read-A-Longs, and Mini Challenges

Just posting an update to Tanabata's wonderful Japanese reading events. She has simplified things a bit and has also posted the 2011 schedule for the book group. Go to this post to see it all and join in the fun!

Stephen King's IT Read-A-Long - EVENT

August 1 - December 31, 2011

Serena at Savvy Verse and Wit and Anna at Diary of an Eccentric are co-hosting a read-a-long of Stephen King's novel IT. Serena writes:

Anna and I have talked about reading Stephen King’s IT together for a long while, so we decided this would be the year. I haven’t read this novel since I was about 10 years old, which is probably why I had nightmares at the time. I think its time to read it again.

We’ve come up with a schedule, and we’re announcing it early so that other people can join us.

The read-a-long will run from August through December, and we’ll be reading one part per month, plus the immediate interlude following each part.

Posting schedule for discussions:

August 24: Discussion of part 1 on Savvy Verse & Wit
Sept. 28: Discussion of part 2 on Diary of an Eccentric
Oct. 31: Discussion of part 3 on Savvy Verse & Wit
Nov. 30: Discussion of part 4 on Diary of an Eccentric
Dec. 21: Discussion of part 5 on Savvy Verse & Wit
Visit the host blogs on the appointed dates for the discussions or if you prefer write up your thoughts on your own blog and post a link at the host blog to your post on the day of the discussions.

Villette Read-A-Long - EVENT

February 1 - March 31, 2011

Unputtdownables is hosting the Villette Read-A-Long ... and even though it started February 1st, it is not too late to join in.

Guidelines:

• Each week, on Thursday, post your thoughts about the previous week’s reading. If you are stuck on what to post about, you can use these discussion questions to get you started.
• Go to Unputdownables, and put the link to your post in the comments section (and take a minute to visit others’ blogs to see what they’ve thought of the reading). If you do not have a blog, feel free to post your thoughts on the reading directly in the comments section. *please refrain from posting ahead, even if you have read ahead, as to not spoil the book for others*

The Schedule:

Week #/ dates :: Chapters to Read

Week One/ February 1st-7th :: ch. 1-5 (i.e. read chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)
Week Two/ February 8th-14th :: ch. 6-11
Week Three/ February 15th-21st :: ch. 12-17
Week Four/ February 22nd-28th :: ch. 18-22
Week Five/ March 1st-March 7th :: ch. 23-27
Week Six/ March 8th-March 14th :: ch. 28-32
Week Seven/ March 15th-March 21st :: ch. 33-37
Week Eight/ March 22-March 28th :: ch. 38-42

Catch up days, and extra days to process book before final review :: March 29th-31st.

Visit the starting post to learn more and sign up.

The Battle of the Prizes: British Version (Booker Prize v. James Tait Black Memorial Prize)

February 1, 2011-January 31, 2012

Rose City Reader is once again hosting The Battle of the Prizes: British Version.  She writes:

This challenge pits winners of the English Man Booker Prize against winners of the Scottish James Tait Black Memorial Prize in a British Version of the Battle of the Prizes.

Does one prize have higher standards than the other? Pick better winners? Provide more reading entertainment or educational value? Maybe challenge participants will be able to answer these and more questions – maybe they will simply read three or four great books!

DETAILS

OPTION ONE: Chose three books that you have not read before:

1) One that won both the Booker and the James Tait Black prizes (here is the short list of double dippers);

2) One that won the Booker but not the James Tait Black (Booker winners are here); and

3) One that won the James Tait Black but not the Booker (James Tait Black winners are here).

OPTION TWO: For those who have already read all three of the double-dippers, or otherwise do not want to read one of those three, pick two Booker winners and two James Tait Black winners for a total of four books.

OFFICIAL RULES

• You do not have to commit to your choices now; you can change your mind about books at any time.

• Overlap with other challenges is allowed -- and encouraged! The Complete Booker is a logical crossover. The great thing is, for those working on both these lists, completing the challenge means reading three books, but crossing four items off the lists.

To join, go to The Battle of the Prizes: British Version.

The Battle of the Prizes: American Version (Pulitzer Prize v. National Book Award)

February 1, 2011-January 31, 2010

Rose City Reader is once again hosting The Battle of the Prizes: American Version.  She writes:

This challenge pits winners of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction against the winners of the National Book Award in the American Version of the Battle of the Prizes.  (Click here for the British Version.)

Does one prize have higher standards than the other? Pick better winners? Provide more reading entertainment or educational value? Maybe challenge participants will be able to answer these and more questions – maybe they will simply read three great books!

DETAILS

Chose three books that you have not read before:

1) One that won both the Pulitzer and the National (here is a list of double dippers);
2) One that won the Pulitzer but not the National (Pulitzer winners are here); and
3) One that won the National but not the Pulitzer (National winners are here).

OPTION: For those who have already read all six of the double-dippers, or otherwise do not want to read one of those six, pick two Pulitzer winners and two National winners for a total of four books.

OFFICIAL RULES 

• You do not have to commit to your choices now; you can change your mind about books at any time.
  

Overlap with other challenges is allowed -- and encouraged! The Pulitzer Project and The National Book Award Project are logical crossovers. The great thing is, for those working on both these lists, completing the challenge means reading three books, but crossing four items off the lists.

 To join, go to The Battle of the Prizes: American Version.

Book Awards V Challenge

3M(Michelle) is once again hosting the Book Awards V Challenge.  She writes:

Thanks to all those who participated in the first four book awards challenges!! Are you up for a fifth? The challenge for Book Awards V will last for 10 months, from February 1 through December 1, 2011.

Rules:

1. Read 5 books from 5 different awards during February 1, 2010 through December 1, 2010.
2. Overlaps with other challenges are permitted.
3. Choices don't have to be posted right away, and lists may be changed at any time.
4. 'Award winners' is loosely defined; make the challenge fit your needs.

To join, go to the Book Awards V Challenge.

Book to Film Club

January 10-December 31, 2011

Movie Moxie is hosting the Book to Film Club in 2011.  She writes:

Hello book and film lovers!

• Do you enjoy reading books before the film adaptations come out?
• Want to know about a bunch of upcoming adaptations?
• Want to read & watch along with other folks?

So do I! Here's the plan: 11 Books + 11 Films = The 2011 Book to Film Club!

How it works:

• Read 1 book a month for 11 months
• Watch each of the films as they come out in 2011
• I'll share a book reading and film release schedule, but you are free to go at your own pace
• You can play along for as many or as few titles as you'd like.
• If you'd like to document the experience along the way by reviewing along the way, you can! I know I will! I'll put up a post with questions to explore the book and film experience, so we'll have a home base for each of the titles. You can leave a link to your own reviews so they will all be in one place for everyone to find them.
• I'll have a email list set up for reminders about book selections, film release dates and time lines.

Below are 11 books that have film adaptations scheduled for the 2011 year. We'll go through them one at a time, reading, watching and sharing along the way. It's going to be a nice pace of a book a month for the reading, and hopefully around the same pace for films. As release dates for films are subject to change (and some have yet to be announced beyond '2011'), we'll keep our fingers crossed that everything will fall nicely into place. The titles are a wide variety of titles from classics to new releases that cover many genres. I hope there is something for everyone!

Reading List:

• Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant
• Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore - book 1 of the Lorien Legacies
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
• plus room for one happy surprize along the way

Reading Schedule:

• January 2011 - I Am Number Four
• February 2011 - Jane Eyre
• March 2011 - Water for Elephants
• April 2011 - Bel Ami
• May 2011 to Dec 2011 To Be Confirmed

Film Schedule:

• January 2011 - month off!
• February 2011 - I Am Number Four, release date: Feb 18, 2011
• March 2011 - Jane Eyre, release date March 11, 2011
• April 2011 - Water for Elephants, release date: April 22, 2011
• May 2011 - Bel Ami, release date: May 12, 2011
• June 2011 - TBC
• July 2011 - TBC
• August 2011 - TBC
• September 2011 - TBC
• October 2011 - The Three Musketeers, release date October 14, 2011
• November 2011 - TBC
• December 2011 - Hugo Cabret, release date Dec 9, 2011

You can join anytime.

To join, go to Book to Film Club.

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Challenge 2011

January 31 - December 31, 2011

Elisabeth at YS Princess is hosting the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Reading Challenge. She writes:

Do you want a chance to "advertise" your reviews/blog? Are you looking for some recommended essential reads? Do you want a chance to win prizes just for reading and reviewing books? Are you still a kid at heart or are you a parent or other adult who works with kids?

In case you haven't already noticed, children's/YA books are my specialty, and sadly, when I was browsing this handy blog that has a compilation of reading challenges, I only came across maybe two that were specifically focused on children's books.

I did, however, notice the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die reading challenge (based on the list found in the book 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die) on Catie's blog, Pub Writes.

I thought this was a pretty spiffy idea, and I just so happen to own 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. So I'm taking Catie's idea (after adding my own personal touches to it) and running with it. May I present to you, my first attempt at ever hosting a reading challenge -

The Rules:

• Sign up anytime between January 31 and December 30 (2011) on the sign up page. Prize eligibility requires sign-up.
• The official start date for the challenge is January 31, 2011), but reviews done any time in 2011 are acceptable.
• Read and review as many books as you want from the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Die list (If you do not already own or wish to purchase a copy of 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Die but would still like to participate in this reading challenge, a complete list of the books can be found here on listology*).
• There will be a monthly link-up where you can link to each of your eligible reviews.
• There will be monthly giveaways for books - see the post about the challenge for details.
• Books from other Reading Challenges can cross-over, as long as they are from 2011.

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

Eur-Crazy Reading Challenge

March 1, 2011 - February 29, 2012

Only Orangery is hosting the Eur-Crazy challenge to read books located in each of the 42 countries in Europe.

Here are the rules:

1. Read one book from each of the 42 countries in Europe. (There is a list of the countries on the sign up page). The location of the book must be primarily, though not exclusively, in that country.
2. Books must be more than 100 pages to qualify.

Special Rule #1: There are also 8 microstates. If you cannot find a book you'd like to read for a particular country, you may substitute a book from one of the microstates.
Special Rule #2: You may include books that are from specific regions but unspecified countries.
Special Rule #3: Turkey and Russia are transcontinental states, meaning they are in both Europe and Asia. You should try to make sure the book is located within Europe, but it's not going to disqualify you if you don't.
Special Rule #4: Re-reads are okay, but you must read the book during the time frame of the challenge.

3. Check in with Only Orangery on the first of the month to post an update of your progress. You MUST write reviews of the books as proof that you have actually read them.
4. Everyone who completes the challenge will be placed in a random drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Better World Books.

Get more information and sign up by visiting the post about the challenge.