New Author Challenge 2012

 

January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

It’s the fourth year for the New Author Challenge and I’m hoping everyone is still enjoying this reading challenge.  Last year I attempted to do more mini-challenges and wasn’t that successful. So this year I’m not going to promise that I’ll be more consistent with them, but I will say that I am going to attempt to do a few during 2012. So we’ll see if I can’t do better this year.

For those new to the New Author Challenge, the whole idea started when I first started book blogging. I didn’t know that many authors in my favored genre, so I went looking.  I gave myself a goal of finding 50 new authors and ended up reading 56 the first year I did this.  I loved finding these new worlds and cultures, so I want to help others find new ones as well.  Since 2007, I’ve tried over 100 different authors I may not have tried otherwise and I have found some great authors.

The idea behind this is to find new authors that you’ve never tried before, not necessarily ones that are debuting.  They can be in your genre of choice or be brave and try something new.  You never know what you’re going to like until you try it.  If you’re looking for some suggestions, you can check out the Author page here at Literary Escapism or the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Challenge pages.  With over 1000 reviews posted, I’m sure there will be something there for everyone.

Here are the guidelines:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors.  It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  For me, I want to say I’m going to do another 50 new authors, but with two kids, I didn’t made my goal in 2011, so I’m going to be smarter and say 25.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop.  Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky.  We all want to know about your new experience.
4. After reading your new author, write your review and then come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky.  Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome. You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.

Once you reach your goal, you don’t have to stop.  Any new author you try, go ahead and head back here and add it to the list.  Introduce us all to whoever you find.  After all, there’s no reason to stop trying new authors, right?

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Outlander Reading Challenge

 

January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

 

I am a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER series and I keep hearing how people want to read this series, but never do.  Sadly, I haven’t read any of the Outlander novels since A Breath of Snow and Ashes came out in 2005.  The seventh novel, An Echo in the Bone, has already been out for a year and the eighth novel, Written in My Heart’s Own Blood, will be coming out soon (although not soon enough).  So I’m thinking I really need to get reacquainted with Jamie, Claire and all the other wonderful characters in the Outlander novels by starting from the beginning. I’m also thinking this is the perfect time for all everyone who keeps saying they want to read it, to finally picking them up.  Plus, for those who have read Outlander, but haven’t picked up the Lord John novels – yea, I’m including those too.  *grin*

 

So for 2012, I’m hosting the Outlander Reading Challenge.  Here are the details:

1. The challenge will run from January 1st through December 31st.
2. The goal is to read all 7 Outlander novels as well as all 4 Lord John novels, listed below, or as many as you can or want to do. (I don’t like inflexible reading challenges, so don’t stress out if you don’t think you’ll be able to get through them all).
3. Once a month, we’ll get together and chat about where and what we’ve read (more details about this to come).
4. After reading one of the novels, write your review and then come back to the main challenge page and add your link to Mr. Linky.  Make sure you include your name and which title you’ve read.
5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome.  You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.

Outlander:

Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone

 

Lord John:

Lord John and the Private Matter
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
Lord John and the Hand of Devils
The Scottish Prisoner

 

Monthly Chat:

During the last weekend of each month, let’s gather to discuss whichever novel we’re currently on.  I’m thinking, with 11 novels being focused on, a person could concentrate on doing one month – so it makes perfect sense to dicuss the books at the end of the month.  Plus, do we really need a reason to get together and talk books?  Right now I’m thinking we’ll do the chat via Twitter with the hashtag #LEOutlander or on LE’s Facebook page (via a note), this way people don’t have to be tied to their computers for any length of time and can come and go as one likes.  What do you guys think?  This part of the challenge is still in the works.  *grin*

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Read-a-long!

 

January 1, 2012 – March 30, 2012

There are so many great series out there that it’s quite easy to get left behind when new books are released.  You don’t even want to know how many series I am so far behind on, but I will admit to one – JR Ward’s the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  The tenth novel, Lover Reborn, will be releasing on March 27, 2012 and I’ve been thinking I really need to get caught up.

However, I have a slight problem.  I first read Dark Lover when it came out in 2005 and I am only on the sixth book, Lover Enshrined.  It turns out that Angela from Dark Faerie Tales is only on the fifth book, Lover Unbound, and she’s been wanting to get caught up as well.  Since it has been so long since either of us have read the Dark Lover, we’ve decided to read them together and we would love it if you joined in with us.

Have you read the series yet?  Do you want to read it again?  Have you been looking for the chance to start this much-talked about series?  Here’s your chance.  The Dark Faerie Tales & Literary Escapism Black Dagger Brotherhood Read-a-long will begin on January 6th with a discussion about Dark Lover and end on March 30th with Lover Reborn.  We’ll be dissecting the series, talking about our favorite points, things that didn’t work and possibly giving away a copy of the novel as well.  We’ll be reading all 10 books in 3  months and we would love to have you join us.  Here’s the full schedule.

Jan 6th – Dark Lover – Discussion hosted by Dark Faerie Tales
Jan 20th – Lover Eternal – Discussion hosted by Literary Escapism
Jan 27th – Lover Awakened – Discussion hosted by Dark Faerie Tales
Feb 10th – Lover Revealed – Discussion hosted by Literary Escapism
Feb 17th – Lover Unbound – Discussion hosted by Dark Faerie Tales
Feb 24th – Lover Enshrined – Discussion hosted by Literary Escapism
Mar 9th – Lover Avenged – Discussion hosted by Dark Faerie Tales
Mar 16th – Lover Mine – Discussion hosted by Literary Escapism
Mar 23rd – Lover Unleashed – Discussion hosted by Dark Faerie Tales
Mar 30th – Lover Reborn – Discussion hosted by Literary Escapism

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Erotic Reading Challenge 2012

 

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

 

For this challenge you can read any erotic title of your choosing in any sub-genre. 

As long as it's hot it's in. 

You can choose one of four levels...

• Dipping your toe- Five books
• Topless- Ten Books
• Bye Bye Bottoms- Fifteen Books
• Skinny Dipping- Twenty Books

Of course you're totally welcome to read more if you want.

Ok the Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
You can start the challenge anytime during the year.
Pick your level, dip your toe in or go for it all and skinny dip. 

Rules:

• Sign up below. If you have a blog link up in the linky if you don't have one then comment with your level choice. 
• Books can be short stories, novella's, novels, anthologies or whatever. They can be print, audio, and/or ebook format. You're also welcome to use the books from other challenges. 
• Bloggers when you've completed the challenge go to The Erotic Reading Challenge page, link to your wrap up post.
• If you're not a blogger when you've completed your challenge just email me your challenge level, book list, and a short bit saying something about each book, so I know you read them. E-mail: nmreviews@gmail.com  Please put Erotic Reading Challenge in the subject so I don't accidentally delete you.
• At the end of the year, I'll take all participants who linked/emailed their completed challenge and enter them for a prize yet to be determined. I can say it will be naughty and erotic.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Book bloggers are my favorite source of book recommendations. More than any other source, they consistently introduce me to books and authors that impact my life. Therefore, I have created the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge.

 The Top 25 

1.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 
2. Divergent by Veroncia Roth 
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 
6. Graceling by Kristin Cashore 
7. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 
8. The Stand by Stephen King 
9. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 
11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 
12. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 
13. The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco 
14. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 
15. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal 
16. The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle 
17. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 
18. Enclave by Ann Aguirre 
19. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson 
20. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead 
21. Poison Study by Maria V.Snyder 
22. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
23. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater 
24. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward 
25. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Click here to see the entire 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation List.

The Levels:
Level I - Read 5 books from the 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation List
Level II - Read 10 books
Level III - Read 15 books
Level IV - Read 20 books
Level V - Read 20+ books

The Rules:

• Challenge will run January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Participants can join anytime throughout the challenge.
  
• Create an intro post, linking back to this post.
  
• Sign up with the MckLinky below. Please link to your challenge intro post, not your blog home page.
  
• Chose your own books from the list. You can decide to read books only on the Top 25 list or from the entire recommendation list. You do not have to make a list of books before the challenge begins.
  
• All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.)
• Rereads do not count towards the completion of the challenge. The challenge is about discovering books that are new to you.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.