Themed Reading Challenge 2011

February 15-August 15, 2011

I am hosting the Themed Reading Challenge this year at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time.  I write:

The Themed Reading Challenge is a challenge that was thought up and hosted by Wendy at Caribousmom.  She was looking for someone to take over hosting it and I jumped at the chance.

This is a six month challenge designed to help readers clear books from their to-be-read stacks which center around a common theme or themes.  

 Rules

1. Readers may join at ANY TIME between now and August 15th.
2. Books should be chosen from the reader’s TBR pile (this may be an actual physical pile or a virtual pile).
3. The goal is to read AT LEAST 5 books linked by theme and review them.
4. Overlaps with other challenges are allowed.
5. Readers may change their list of books OR their theme(s) at any time.

Readers may choose from three different levels of participation:

1. Read at least 5 books which share the same theme.
2. Read at least 5 books which share TWO themes.
3. Read at least 5 books which share MORE THAN TWO themes.

Themes can be geographic, genre, author, subject matter, or anything in between! Last year’s themes were wonderfully creative and varied…check out the sign up links from the 2010 challenge to get an idea of what others have chosen for themes.

Jean Plaidy & Victoria Holt Reading Challenge

January 1, 2011-January 1, 2012

All Things Historical Fiction is hosting the Jean Plaidy & Victoria Holt Reading Challenge.  She writes:

Jean Plaidy is my all time favorite author and her real name is Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert and she wrote under many pseudonyms. Since work under the pseudonyms Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt are my two favorites I've decided that this challenge should include her works under both names. Feel free to join in the fun and the more the merrier! 

Rules:
1. The books must be written under the pseudonyms Jean Plaidy and/or Victoria Holt. Feel free to mix and match!

2. You must read at least 3 books but if your as crazy about her as I am I guarantee 3 won't be enough!

3. As with all my other reading challenges, a review is not mandatory but it would be nice to see what you thought about the books you read for this challenge.


You do not have to have a blog to join this challenge.

To join, go to the Jean Plaidy & Victoria Holt Reading Challenge.

Henry VIII 2011 Reading Challenge

January 1, 2011- January 1, 2012

All Things Historical Fiction is hosting the Henry VIII 2011 Reading Challenge.  She writes:

1. The book must be centered around Henry VIII in some way obviously and the books can overlap other challenges you may be participating in.

2. You must read at least 3 books and they can't be one's that you've already read because that sort of defeats the purpose.

  3. It's not mandatory to post a review but it would be nice so other people can read them.

To join, go to the Henry VIII 2011 Reading Challenge. 

Loving the Reviews Challenge

February 1-28, 2011

Brandi of Blkosiner's Book Blog and Sniffly Kitty of Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books are hosting the Loving the Reviews Challenge.  She writes:

We invite you to join us! The concept is pretty simple you link up your new reviews for the month of February and win some pretty awesome prizes.

To join, go to the Loving the Reviews Challenge.

Top Ten Tuesday

Tuesdays, Weekly

The Broke and the Bookish is hosting a weekly event every Tuesday, Top Ten Tuesday.  She writes:

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

To join, go to Top Ten Tuesday, on a Tuesday. 

The It's Not What You Read But Where You Read It Challenge 2011

January 1-December 31, 2011

I Heart Monster is hosting The It's Not What You Read But Where You Read It Challenge.  She writes:

I'm challenging myself to a reading challenge.  Wanna join me?  It's not what I read that matters, it's where I read it.  Not only does it challenge me to read, it challenges me to plan and to focus while I'm in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings.

Here's how it works:

1. Choose on place from each category.  It's up to you - you can do one of the suggested places, or you can pick one from your life that you think fits.
2. Read in that category for at least one hour.  Ten minutes six times counts and sixty minutes one time counts, you get the picture. 
3. Wait for March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 30 to see if you're the lucky finisher that was drawn for a prize.  

What are the categories?  Dude, you know I'll tell you.

Twist Your House
Read somewhere inside your house that you have never sat (or stood I suppose) and read before.  It could be the bathroom (but I won't 'cause I think, ew gross), the bathtub, the corner, the closet, the guest bedroom, the dining room table - it just can't be somewhere that you've read before.  Think outside the box.

Place of Commerce
Read somewhere that things are sold.  Coffee shop? Sure.  While you're waiting for your wife to try on clothes?  Absolutely.  At the fountain at the mall while you're scoping out guys?  Uh, that's a stretch but give it a try.

Move
Read on the bus, on a train, on the light rail, on a plane, in a car, while you're walking, while you're on the treadmill at the gym.  It doesn't have to be somewhere you haven't read before, just somewhere where you are moving through space.

Nature
This one could be hard for city folk, but there is a park somewhere, right?  The requirement is that you are sitting/standing on something that isn't manmade.  Man could have planted it, but not created it.  Granite countertop?  Um no.  Granite boulder?  Um yeah.

You Don't Call Home
Out of state?  Sure.  At your neighbor's house?  Sure.  Hotel?  Yup.  But it can't do double duty for any of the other categories.

Probably Shouldn't
Think work, church, grocery shopping.  DO NOT READ WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING YOUR BIKE OR ROLLERBLADING/SKATING.  BE SAFE.  Be creative.

In Pairs
I don't care where you are as long as someone else in the room is reading their own book too.  Before bed with the hubbie?  Sure.  In a hotel lobby?  Absolutely.  In a bookstore?  Dude, you get the picture.

Seven hours of reading in a place that you probably wouldn't normally.  That's the challenge.  Think you can take that over the course of a year?   The more people that finish the challenge by December 30th, the bigger the prize will be.  There will also be quarterly prizes for those who have finished, so the earlier you finish, the bigger your chances of winning.  And the first prize will be a $10 online bookstore gift card.  Oh yeah, and we're open worldwide baby.

To join, go to The It's Not What You Read But Where You Read It Challenge.

Five Star February Challenge

February 1-28, 2011

West Virgina Red Reads is hosting the Five Star February Challenge.  She writes:

So I have been thinking about all of the great books that we read and tell people about.  I have a few go-to books I always used when asked for book recommendations; The Road, American Gods, My Sister's Keeper, The Historian.  It all depends on who is asking as to what I say.  But there are a many, many 5 star reads that I have been left behind.  So, this month I will be posting a 5 star recommendation every day. These will not be full blown reviews just a short synopsis, the reasons I loved it and who I think would enjoy it also. Come join along.

Tell me what books you love!

To join, go to the Five Star February Challenge.

Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge

February 1, 2011-January 31, 2012

Reading With Tequila is hosting the Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge.  She writes:

Curious about the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward?

Books:

1. Dark Lover
2. Lover Eternal
3. Lover Awakened
4. Lover Revealed
5. Lover Unbound
6. Lover Enshrined
7. Lover Avenged
8. Lover Mine
9. Lover Unleashed (release date: March 29, 2011)

Rules:

• All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.), rereads are allowed and these books and be used for other challenges.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

To join, go to Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge.

Lords of the Underworld Reading Challenge

February 1, 2011-January 31, 2010

Reading With Tequila is hosting the Lords of the Underworld Reading Challenge.  She writes:

Curious about the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter?

Books:

The Darkest Night
The Darkest Kiss
The Darkest Pleasure
The Darkest Whisper
The Darkest Passion
The Darkest Lie
The Darkest Secret (release date: March 29, 2011)

Rules:

• All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.), rereads are allowed and these books and be used for other challenges.
• You don't need a blog to participate. J
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

To join, go to

Kay Scarpetta Reading Challenge

February 1, 2011-July 31, 2012

Reading With Tequila is hosting the Kay Scarpetta Reading Challenge.  She writes:

Curious about the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell?
Or do you want to get caught up with Kay?

Books:

1. Postmortem
2. Body of Evidence
3. All That Remains
4. Cruel & Unusual
5. The Body Farm
6. From Potter's Field
7. Cause of Death
8. Unnatural Exposure
9. Point of Origin
10. Black Notice
11. The Last Precinct
12. Blow Fly
13. Trace
14. Predator
15. Book of the Dead
16. Scarpetta
17. The Scarpetta Factor
18. Post Mortuary

Rules:

• All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.), rereads are allowed and these books and be used for other challenges.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

To join, go to the Kay Scarpetta Reading Challenge.

Lauren Willig Reading Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Lizzy from Historically Obsessed is hosting her first challenge, the Lauren Willig Reading Challenge 2011,

She writes:

Welcome to the Lauren Willig 2011 reading challenge. The challenge this year is to read as much of the lovely Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series as you can in one year. There are currently seven books available with number eight releasing on January 20th so there is plenty of reading material to bide your time in 2011.

Levels:

Eighth Level: Orchid

Seventh Level: Mistletoe

Sixth Level: Lily

Fifth Level: Jasmine

Fourth Level: Rose

Third Level: Ring

Second Level: Tulip

First Level: Carnation

To join, go to the Lauren Willig Reading Challenge.

Outlander Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages is hosting her own version of the Outlander Challenge in 2011.  She writes:

The Outlander Series (Diana Gabaldon) is another one that I've tried to do for two years now. As you can see I've not managed it since I'm giving it another go. I will add my links to my reviews as I read the books. Anyone is welcome to join in; just let me know.

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. The Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone

Wish me luck!

To join, go to the Outlander Challenge.

Jean M Auel Earth's Children Series Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages is hosting the Jean M Auel Earth's Children Series Challenge.  She writes:

I read Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel years ago and loved. I went out and bought all the books and then never did read any more of them. Well this is the year and I'll be starting at the beginning since it's been so long.  As always, if anyone wants to join in, just let me know. The more the merrier!

1. Clan of the Cave Bear
2. The Valley of the Horses
3. The Mammoth Hunters
4. The Plains of Passage
5. The Shelters of Stone
6. The Land of Painted Caves

Wish me luck!

To join, go to the Jean M Auel Earth's Children Series Challenge.

Sara Donati Wilderness Series Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages is hosting the Sara Donati Wilderness Series Challenge. She writes:

Sara Donati's Wildnerness series is one I've wanted to read for ages and I fully intend to do it this year. I will add my links to my reviews as I finish the books. As always anyone is welcome to join me; just let me know.

1. Into the Wilderness
2. Dawn on a Distant Shore
3. Lake in the Clouds
4. Fire Along the Sky
5. Queen of Swords
6. The Endless Forest

Wish me luck!

To join, go to the Sara Donati Wilderness Series Challenge.

Jane Austen Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

The Life (and Lies) of An Inanimate Object is hosting the Jane Austen Challenge.  She writes:

Year 2! yahooo! hopefully I'll finish my own challenge this year :) I'm not going to pick my level ahead of time… we'll just see where I end up. :)

Rules:

--overlap with other challenges is fine.
--Any format counts: bound book, e-book (check online for free downloads of J.A’s copyright-free books), audio book, or any other thing you can think of. Just no abridged stuff!
--You can change which level you read!
--you don't have to be a blogger or reviewer, just leave a comment letting me know you're joining.
 
Levels:
**Newbie, 4 books total:  2 books by J. Austen, and 2 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)
**Lover, 8 books total: 4 books by J. Austen, 4 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)
** Fanatic, 12+ books total 6+ books by J. Austen, 6+ re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)

To join, go to the Jane Austen Challenge.

Alphabet Challenge

 January 1-December 31, 2011

The Life (and Lies) of An Inanimate Object is hosting the Alphabet Challenge.  She writes:

Thought this would be fun… totally came up with it randomly.

 
Rules:
1. 26 books!
For each letter, read a book that has a main character or key supporting character  (not some random minor character mentioned twice!) whose name starts with that letter. It doesn’t have to be the title of the book, just the name. Ex: Alice (in wonderland), Bella (twilight), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Dracula (Dracula) Estella (Great Expectations),  etc.
2. only one letter per book!
3. Crossovers are fine
4. audio, e-book, bound book, someone reading it out loud to you, reading a book to your little brother or sister, it all counts.
5. any length—short stories, books of the Bible, etc. they all count for this one.
6. Don’t have to be a blogger, don’t have to review the book. Just tell me you're participating. Goodreads is a great way to keep track of books for non-bloggers (make a shelf for this challenge and keep track of them that way!)

Levels:
Level 1: 10 Letters
Level 2: 20 Letters
Level 3: Completes all 26 letters (yes, that means X and Z and Q. I’m sure you can find something.)

To Join, go to the Alphabet Challenge.

Vampire Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

The Life (and Lies) of An Inanimate Object is hosting the Vampire Challenge.  She writes:

See I love vampires. In general. So here you go.

1. As long as it has one vampire in it, it counts. Full length and short stories count, but poetry has to be over 5000 words.
2. e-books, audio books, bound books, galleys, whatever. as long as it’s a book.
3. can be a stand-alone or in a series.
4. crossovers are fine.
5. Don’t have to be a blogger, don’t have to review the book. Just tell me you're participating. Goodreads is a great way to keep track of books for non-bloggers (make a shelf for this challenge and keep track of them that way!)

Levels:Newborn vampire: You’re new to all this. You feel a little out of place in the world, and you’re not quite sure of yourself—or anything anymore, really. You’ll read  1-3 books

Vampire Fledgling: Ok so you’re a little stronger now. You’re kinda getting the hang of this. You think you might actually make it. You’ll read  4-7 books

Experienced Vampire: You’re pretty comfortable now, and other vamps are beginning to look to you. You’re sure of yourself and enjoy life –or death—and you will read 8-12 books.

Vampire Ruler: King or queen of the world… even though the world doesn’t know it. The other vamps do, though. Everyone looks to you. You own the place. You read 13+

To join, go to the Vampire Challenge.

Classics Forever Challenge

January 1-December 31, 2011

The Life (and Lies) of An Inanimate Object is hosting the Classics Forever Challenge.  She writes:

"Classics are books that everybody owns but that nobody has read."

who said that? idk.

Classics are Classics because they’re classic… does that make sense? no? that’s ok.

So that means they’re worth reading. C’mon, you know you want to read Crime and Punishment and War and Peace… (Kidding.) But maybe Dracula and Lady Susan merit a read?

 
Rules:
1. no new books. quite obviously. It needs to be in the public domain, meaning the copyright has expired… about 100 years old.
2. Since the copyright should be expired… you know what that means, right? Yes! you can probably download it online for free! Or if you’re like me, you can find tons of printed versions at used book stores or goodwill, or get a book on paperback swap.
3. Any format: e-books, bound, audio, etc.
4. crossovers are fine
5. No condensed or abridged versions. Read the real book, read the whole book.


Levels:
Level 1: 1-3 books
Level 2: 4-7 books
Level 3: 8-12 books
Level 4: 13+ books

To join, go to  the Classics Forever Challenge.

Whodunit Reading Challenge

January 1-June 30, 2011

Gathering Books is hosting the Whodunit Reading Challenge.  They write:

We are very excited to host our very own Reading Challenge for the first half of the year. And to start 2011, we embrace books that are shrouded in secrecy, suspense, and mystery (and crime too) – a Whodunit Reading Challenge for 2011. Here are our Guidelines for the very first Challenge that we are hosting in the Blogosphere:

1. The Reading Challenge would run from this month until June 30, 2011. We are celebrating books that have a theme of spine-tingling suspense, mystery, and crime – essentially a whodunit feel to it.
2. We only have 4 levels of participation: Level 1 (1-2 books) – Novice Profiler; Level 2 (3-5 books) – Crime Detective; Level 3 (6-8 Books) Mythic Crime Buster; Level 4 (over 9 books) Criminal Genius/Mastermind

 To join, go to the Whodunit Reading Challenge.

1.  

2011 Books of Lost Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Lazy Girl Reads is hosting the 2011 Books of Lost Reading Challenge. She writes:

Alright, I had to do it. Anyone who knows me knows that I am OBSESSED with the television show LOST. The series ending was probably the worst part of the year 2010 for me. So why not let the show live on in our minds and hearts by dedicating a book challenge to it??

If you're a LOST fanatic like me, you'll know that there are COUNTLESS books that appeared in people's hands, were mentioned by characters, were alluded to in episode titles and so forth in the series.

The levels of the challenge you can do are:

1. Don't tell me what I can't do 1-2 books
2. We have to go back 3-4 books
3. WALT!!! 5-6 books
4. Benjamin Linus 7-8 books
5. Sawyer 9 books
6. The New Jacob 10+ books

To learn more (including getting links to the books from LOST) and to sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

2011 Mini Challenge (Lazy Girl Reads)

January 1 - April 1, 2011

Lazy Girl Reads is hosting a Mini Challenge.

Rules:

• Choose 4 books according to the following guidelines:

1. Something old
2. Something new
3. Something borrowed
4. Something blue

• You don't have to pick the books ahead of time! Be creative! While the other categories are self explanatory, 'Something blue' can mean a book with a blue cover, a book with the word 'blue' in the title, a book that takes place at sea...anything you want!

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

Six Books in Six Weeks Challenge

Lauren at Little Wonder's Recommended Reading is hosting a series of shorter reader challenges which she is calling Six Books in Six Weeks. She writes:

A lot of really neat reading challenges are out there that last a whole year -- but what if you want to tackle something a little... smaller?

I am starting what will (hopefully) turn in to a series of shorter reading challenges, with a simple idea -- each will involve reading (at least) six books on the same theme or subject over the course of six weeks.

I will announce the theme and dates at least a month in advance so that you have time to decide what books to read and then get your hands on them.

If you want to participate, email the following information to littlelaurenalise@gmail.com : your name, your blog (if you have one) and your list of six (or more) books

Current Six Books in Six Weeks Challenge:

Six Books from Another Country
February 27 - April 9, 2011

In order to participate in the first Six Books in Six Weeks Reading Challenge, you must choose six books from a single country other than the United States or England. You are free to read six books from Canada or other parts of the U.K. besides England, such as Ireland or Scotland. You may also fudge it and choose six books from a region -- for example six books from Ireland/Scotland, or six books from a couple of different African countries. Please also note: the books can be from any genre, and do not have to be Young Adult Lit (although all of mine are, this time around).

Potential reading lists may be found at this page: http://wonderlauren-reads.blogspot.com/p/six-books-suggestions.html

Email Lauren using the email listed in this post or visit her on the post about the challenge for more information or to sign up.

2010 - 2011 Stream of Suggestions Challenge

June 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011

Avis at She Reads and Reads is re-booting the Stream of Suggestions Challenge. She writes:

Since I not only failed to review any of the books I read for my Stream of Suggestions Reading Challenge, but also never posted a linky for reviews, I thought I’d “reboot” this challenge by extending the deadline until the end of next year (in the hopes that this will also inspire a few more of you to join me!).

Here’s how I introduced the challenge the first time around (with slight modifications this time):

I often read nonfiction books in which the author mentions other books that sound interesting, but I rarely seek out those books. So the idea behind the Stream of Suggestions Reading Challenge is to read books based on author suggestions, starting with one book and following the “stream of suggestions” to see where it will take you...

Rules

1. Pick a book to start with (it can be any book, but nonfiction is probably easiest). This can be a book you’ve read in the last half of 2010.
   


2. The author of the next book must be mentioned in the previous book, either in the text itself or in the bibliography. (You don’t have to read the book mentioned; you can pick another book by the same author if you want.)
   


3. If you get stuck (no authors are mentioned or you can’t find their books easily or none of the ones mentioned is of any interest to you), you can go back one or two books and start again with a different author.


4. You can read as many books as you want (and you don’t need to decide in advance how many books you will read), but you need to read and review at least three books to qualify for the giveaway.


5. You don’t have to have a blog to participate, but you do need to post your reviews somewhere public (LibraryThing, Goodreads, Amazon, etc.) to qualify for the giveaway.


6. You don’t need to review all the books you read (but again you must review at least three to qualify for the giveaway).
   

Everyone who reads and reviews at least three books will qualify for the giveaway (each book reviewed will count as one entry). The prize will be the next book on your list, as long as it is available from the Book Depository and costs no more than $20 CAN. (The giveaway is therefore open internationally, as long as the Book Depository will ship to where you live.)

To learn more and to sign up, visit the post about the challenge; to link up a review, visit this post.

2011 Manga Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Rhinoa is hosting the 2011 Manga Challenge on its own dedicated blog. She writes:

Challenge rules are simple. Sign up anytime throughout 2011, read a minimum of 6 manga and link to your reviews (see separate post). If you manage to watch any anime and post it on your blog please feel free to link to it in the review links as well as the two are very closely linked. Final rule is have fun!

To sign up, visit the sign up post.

2011 Valley Of The Kings Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Miss Eliza at Strange and Random Happenstance is hosting an Egypt themed reading challenge called Valley of the Kings. She writes:

I have always loved Egypt. That fertile crescent of loveliness that has inspired countless writers. I have also wanted to host a reading challenge for quite awhile now. I thought that bringing them together in perfect harmony would be a wonderful event to host on my blog in this coming year. From Agatha Christie to Elizabeth Peters, R.L. LaFevers to Michelle Moran, there are just so many authors enthralled by the land of sand and pyramids. Great leaders from Cesar to Napoleon were held in this lands thrall. Cats were worshiped as gods, as they rightly should be, and when you look at how long our modern history has lasted, it pales to the dynasties of Egypt. So who's up for a little reading challenge eh?

The Rules:

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go.
• The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you are participating in.
• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
• Only print books and ebooks count (no audiobooks).
• The book doesn't HAVE to be set in Egypt, but has to be significantly about Egypt. For example, the 2nd and 3rd Theodosia books by R.L. LaFevers aren't set in Egypt, but they're all up in the artifacts and mummies.
• Choose from one of the five levels:

1. Hawk Horizon: 1-5 books.
2. Ibis Incline: 6-10 books.
3. Jackal Jetty: 11-15 books.
4. Feline Flats: 16-20 books.

There is a page dedicated to you, so you can link up your reviews!

At the end of the year Miss Eliza will pick a participate to win a prize. Could be random, could be most books read, could be best review...

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

Sci Fi Experience 2011

January 1- February 28, 2011

Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings is hosting the Sci Fi Experience 2011.  He writes:

There are any number of myths perpetuated both inside of and outside of the literary world in regards to Science Fiction: the genre is no longer relevant, science fiction novels lack strong characterization, science fiction appeals only to adolescent males (and overweight, mom’s-basement-dwelling males who have never grown up), all science fiction is about spaceships and laser guns, science fiction is filled with confusing concepts for non-science geeks, science fiction is not “literature”…need I continue? 

The biggest problem with misconceptions such as these is that there is enough truth to all these myths that it becomes common practice to accept them as truths. Additionally some science fiction fans, like myself, will readily admit to liking a variety of science fiction novels that could easily be held up as poster children for those very myths. If one is honest, however, I believe the same can be said about any “genre”, including what the elite would call “literature”.

Several years ago I decided to host a non-”challenge” reading event entitled “The Sci Fi Experience”, with the emphasis squarely on the word “experience”.


The purpose of The Sci Fi Experience is two-fold:
1. To spend the winter months (my favorite time of year to read science fiction) sharing my love of science fiction with others who love the genre as well.
2. To gently encourage those who have either never read science fiction, only rarely read science fiction, or have read science fiction and had a bad experience to give it a chance.

Again, this is about an experience. More than anything I want to encourage people to have fun experiencing just how exhilarating science fiction can be.

Unlike the challenges I host other times during the year, there are no specific number of books to shoot for. This is simply an opportunity to get together as a community and share a love of science fiction…and to hopefully spark a love of science fiction in those who have yet to be bit by the sci fi love bug! I will, however, have the Short Story Weekend option for those who want to read science fiction short stories in addition to or instead of science fiction novels.

To joi the experience, go to the Sci Fi Experience 2011.

Bones Challenge

January 13-December 31, 2011

A Moment With Mystee is hosting the Bones Challenge.  She writes:

I've had 6 of the Kathy Reichs books sitting on my book shelf for almost a year now. No, they aren't in order--so I have some to pick up before I can get started. I like to read in order.

Anyway, I thought since this series has been something I've wanted to read and haven't gotten to yet...there may be other bloggers out there that feel the same way. 

How's it work?

You may start anytime during the year.
You must read all 14 books from the Bones series.

To Join, go to the Bones Challenge.

Russian Literature Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

A Moment with Mystee is hosting the Russian Literature Challenge.  She writes:

Book Choice Details HERE & HERE

As you can tell, there are 2 posts of great books in top Russian Literature. Most of these books are of fairly good length. So, as much as I'd like to say that my goal is to get through 50 or 100 of them, it's just not going to be possible. I wouldn't be able to read anything else all year. 

So, you can set your goal to whatever you like. 3 being the minimum {I mean, let's take into consideration the size of War & Peace alone}. If you do more..that's great.

We'll have a post the end of the year to see who's read what they wanted and which books were chosen. We'll also plan for a part 2 of the Russian Lit Challenge for 2012.

I think I'm going to stay fairly simple and set my goal at 5 books with the extreme hope of getting at least 10 done.

 

To join, go to the Russian Literature Challenge.

Tackle it Tuesday

Every Tuesday

Tasha of Book Obsessed is hosting a weekly meme, Tackle it Tuesday.  She writes:

Tackle It Tuesday is a meme I started here, that's a play off of a similar meme of the same name hosted by Janice and Susan at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Here at the Book Obsessed version of this meme, the idea is to "tackle" books that have been sitting on your shelves collecting dust waiting to be read. Or to "tackle" those we've started, but yet to finish because life has gotten in the way. Also to help encourage blogger interaction, which is always a plus.

Anyone can participate!!

To participate, go to Book Obsessed, every Tuesday.

The Classics 2011 Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Kimberly's Cottage Bookshelf is hosting her version on The Classics Reading Challenge.  She writes:

I suppose it's my own academic background that has compelled me a great deal to challenge you to add a few of "The Classics" to your reading list this year. Now, I use the term "classics" rather broadly and this can include more contemporary classics as well such as The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, or My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki. (Just to name a few of my personal favorites).  If you google "classic reading list" or "Top 100 Classic Literature" you'll find numerous listings of books as well. Or if you're interested in reading solely Classic Women's Literature, or even Children's Classics you can google that as well.  And I'm sure there's something for everyone's liking!

Rules: To read EIGHT (8) "Classic"  novels in 2011 (8  is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)

 
You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them any time! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you are participating in.
 
You can join anytime!


To join, go to The Classics Reading Challenge. 

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon - APRIL 2011

April 9-10, 2011

It's coming up again - the Read-A-Thon of all Read-A-Thons! The crew over at the blog are looking for a little help. They write:

If you think you’d like to help us out this time in any capacity, drop us an email at deweyreadathon at gmail.com. We are going to need members for committees on Cheerleading, Mini Challenges, Prizes, and Cohosting, so please, email us if you’re willing to help.

Here is what they are looking for specifically:
Cohosting Committee: Help run the Read-A-Thon and keep it running like a great oiled machine. It combines elements of each of the committees, coordinating other committees, and posting during your shift on the actual day of the Read-A-Thon. This ends up being the catch-all committee where all of the questions, concerns, and problems get solved! It’s very fun and very rewarding.
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 6-10
When Will You Volunteer? Before, During, & After the Read-A-Thon
Cheerleading Committee: This committee is in charge of rounding up cheerleaders, organizing them, and checking in on them during the Read-A-Thon. If you ask any Read-A-Thon participant, I’ll bet they can tell you how important cheerleaders are. As soon as you hit that point in your reading where you don’t think you can go any longer, a cheerleader comes by and leaves you a comment and makes you laugh, inspires you, or just brightens your day, pushing you through the next hour. Read-A-Thon cheerleaders totally rock and we need helpers to organize the troops and help make sure that everyone gets a dose of cheer during the ‘thon. This is not the sign-up to be a cheerleader, though signing up does not prevent you from being a cheerleader. This is more like being a team captain.
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 8-10
When Will You Volunteer? Before & During the Read-A-Thon
Mini-Challenges Committee: This committee is in charge of scheduling the mini-challenges so that they make sense. They’re in charge of making sure there is a challenge for every hour, and in charge of making sure that each challenge participant knows when to post and that the cohost has the correct link to the challenge. They’re in charge of helping the mini-challenge hosts come up with great prizes, and in charge of creating the public schedule of mini-challenges so that you guys know when to take the break you need while reading. This is not the sign-up to host a mini-challenge, though signing up does not prevent you from hosting a mini-challenge.
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 4-8
When Will You Volunteer? Before & During the Read-A-Thon
Prizes Committee: This committee is in charge of coordinating prizes with publishers, authors, bloggers, and readers. This entails organizing the prize list, and coordinating with cohosts to make sure that the prize list is updated and that each person who wins has an address after the event is over. The committee will then inform prize donors of who and where to send prizes.
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 2-10
When Will You Volunteer? Before & After the Read-A-Thon
Marketing Committee: A new committee this year, this group of folks will focus on getting the word out about the Read-A-Thon. We like to get the word out as widely as possible and need help doing it. We’d like for as many people across the globe to know about the Read-A-Thon as soon as possible so that they can mark it on their calendar and sign-up to participate. If you’re creative and outgoing, this might be the place for you!
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 1-12
When Will You Volunteer? Before the Read-A-Thon
Prize Angels Committee: This is a new committee, and probably the least involved of the six committees. This committee is in charge of finding angels to donate money for prize distribution to folks outside of the USA. Most prize donors are happy to ship to addresses in the US, and some even to Canada. But we here at Dewey’s Read-A-Thon think it’s important for this to be a global event, so we accept donations from Read-A-Thon-ers so that we can afford to send any prize to anyone who wins it. We always end up begging for money during the Read-A-Thon, so this year, we’d like to coordinate an effort before hand, and would like to make sure that we have enough money to send everyone all of their prizes. We’ve been lucky in the past and generous people have helped us get to where we needed to be, but since we’re trying to make this as global as possible, we’re going to need help this year!
Approximate Hours You’ll Invest: 1-3
When Will You Volunteer? Before & During the Read-A-Thon
The crew at the blog write:

Putting on the Read-A-Thon is a lot of work, but we love doing it and love the camaraderie that we see between readers around the world during the event. If you would like to help out on any of the above committees, we’d be ecstatic to have you aboard as Read-A-Thon Staff. Just email us at deweyreadathon at gmail and we’ll get you onto a committee. We appreciate all the help we can get! If you want to help, but don’t know where to start, just drop us an email and we’ll get you into the spot where we could use the most help (providing you’re comfortable in that spot).

We’re looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Visit the dedicated blog for more information - and watch for sign ups coming soon!

2011 Non Fiction Challenge

January 17 - December 31, 2011

The Broke and the Bookish is hosting the 2011 Non Fiction Challenge.

The Guidelines:

• Anyone who links a review up is eligible to be entered to win a book of their choice (under $15). How many reviews you link up determines how many entries you get. (International readers welcome if Book Depository ships to you)
• Anyone can join. If you don't have a blog, you can link reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you have your reviews.
• You can join the challenge at any point throughout the year.

Chose a level:

1-3 books from different categories: Master of Trivial Pursuit
4-6 books from different categories: Apply For Who Wants to Be A Millionaire
7-9 books from different categories: Future Jeopardy Champion

Categories:

Culture: Non-fiction books about different cultures, religions and foreign lands; memoirs & biographies count.
Art: Non-fiction books about anything art related (painters, music, architecture, photography, dance, literature, film, etc.). Memoirs/biographies of any people related to the arts count.
Food: Food memoirs, anything related to food industry, food lifestyles
Medical: anything related to the medical field--industry memoirs, memoirs about illnesses (mental included) /diseases, etc.
Travel: travelogues, industry memoirs, travel guides, etc.
Memoir/Biography: Self explanatory
Money: Anything related to finances, economics, history of money, financial improvement etc.
Science/Nature: Anything related to any scientific field, memoirs count.
History: Anything history related-- events, biographies of historic figures, etc.

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

Birth Year Reading Challenge 2011 - Time Machine

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Hotchpot Cafe is hosting the 2011 Birth Year Reading Challenge. She writes:

What books were published the year you were born, or just before or after your birth year? This challenge encourages you to find out, and then read some of them. You might even draw a few conclusions about social and literary trends that year. If nothing else, you'll have an incentive to explore books you might otherwise not have considered.

Wikipedia has lists of books by year published. You can also check literary prize lists for high-quality choices. Using Google to locate “best books of _____” also provides some interesting choices.

If you already participated in this challenge, or if you discover you were born in a year of unattractive books, the Time Machine option gives you the chance to sample another year instead. So read on!

Rules:

1. Join anytime between now and November 30, 2011. The challenge ends at midnight EST on December 31, 2011.
2. Choose books from your birth year OR Use the Time Machine to identify another year. First decide whether you want to read books from before or after your birth year. Then use a dice roll (real or virtual) to determine how many years to add to or subtract from your birth year, and choose books from that year.
3. Books may come from your TBR pile or list, but they don’t have to.
4. Overlaps with other challenges are allowed and encouraged.
5. Change your list at any time.
6. Reviews and reactions are encouraged, but not required. You don’t need to have a blog to participate. But you do need to let Hotchpot Cafe know of your progress, so she can bestow your virtual candles. (Here's the progress page from BYRC 2010, so you can see how it works.)
7. All genres and formats are eligible. If it’s a book, you can count it.
8. 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 Hotchpot Cafe's library – most likely a gently used trade paperback – and she'll mail it to you. But keep reading because . . .

GRAND PRIZE
On January 1, 2012, the three readers who’ve earned the most candles will be entered into a drawing for a $25.00 gift card from Barnes & Noble.

Read more and join by visiting the post about the challenge.

Oscar Wilde Reading Challenge

January 1 2011- February 1, 2012

Marisa at Armchair Archives is hosting the Oscar Wilde Reading Challenge. She writes:

Join me in reading the great wit of Oscar Wilde, an author whose plays, short stories, poetry, novellas, essays and lone novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, have all become celebrated classics in their own right.

Choose a challenge level:

• WILDE CARD - read any two works by Oscar Wilde
• WILFULLY WILDE - read any four works by Oscar Wilde
• WONDERFULLY WITTY & WILDE - read any six works by Oscar Wilde

*BONUS LEVEL* WILDE AT HEART - read all the works published in The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde

All participants who complete their challenge goal (or surpass it) will be entered in a drawing to win a fine art photograph of Oscar Wilde's celebrated Parisian memorial site at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Guidelines:

• No need to pre-select your titles or stick to a list.
• Each time you read a work by Wilde, please post a review (if you have a blog or a Shelfari account, etc.--can be a very casual review with a few impressions or comments) and link to it in the comments section on the post about the challenge.
• If you don't have a blog, just post your impressions in the comments section on the post about the challenge.

Marisa has reading suggestions on the post about the challenge; go there for more information and to sign up.

A Winter's Respite Read-A-Thon - EVENT

January 17 - 23, 2011

I'm getting this posted just under the wire! Michelle at The True Book Addict is hosting a Read-A-Thon which begins Monday, January 17 at 12 am until Sunday, January 23 at 11:59 pm (adjust your time zone as appropriate...Michelle is on central time). She writes:

As I'm pretty sure there are no other read-a-thons that week (I checked and double checked so as to not intrude on someone else's event), we will be using #readathon hashtag on Twitter. I would really appreciate any help in spreading the word. Also, if there are any bloggers and/or authors out there who would like to host a mini-challenge/giveaway during the event, please email me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom. Also, please email me or leave a comment if you have any questions. You can sign up and participate at any time during the read-a-thon...this is a flexible event. I hope you will join me for a week of reading fun!

Learn more and sign up by visiting the post about the event. My apologies to Michelle for not getting this posted earlier!

Also, check out this post for the latest information on the event.

100 Book Reading Challenge 2011 (Writer Musings)

January 1 - December 31, 2011

It seems to be popular to shoot for 100 books in a given year - and Tabitha at Writer Musings is inviting readers to join her in her 2011 Reading Challenge to do just that. She writes:

It's a new year already! 2010 flew by pretty quickly, and I managed to read 109 books. That's one more than what I read in 2009, so I'm happy.

This whole 100 books per year thing is working well for me, so I'm going to set myself thesame challenge this year and just see how it goes. Anyone interested in joining me?

Just to provide a little motivation, she is also planning to do some giveaways:

At the beginning of each month, I'll post a place where you can check in withyour progress. You will need to provide some kind of proof that you've read the books, of course. :) Just saying you read them is great, but won't qualify you for the giveaway. So, you'll need to provide a link to some kind of basic review--on your blog, Goodreads, website, etc. At the end of each month, I'll do a random drawing to select a winner.

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

Bronte Sisters Reading Challenge 2011

March 1 - August 31, 2011

Whitney at She is Too Fond of Books is hosting the 2011 Bronte Sisters Reading Challenge. She writes:

A new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is coming to theaters this March with Mia Wasikowska as the lead. I am super excited about this as it is one of my favorite novels and has put me in the mood to read (or reread) the Bronte's works of literature. After being unable to find a challenge pertaining to these authors I decided to host my own. (Why should Jane Austen get all the attention?)

Guidelines

1. You must read/watch three Bronte related items
2. Cross-overs for other challenges are fine
3. You do not need a blog to participate

Whitney has a list of all Bronte books and related items on the post about the challenge - go there also to sign up and learn more!!