What: Winter Holiday Reading Challenge 2
When: 1 November 2009 – 31 January 2010
Who: Diane (Book in Hand)
Rules (Copied from her website):

The theme for this challenge is Winter Holidays. The books that you choose to read must have a storyline that includes celebrating a winter holiday, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, etc. (However the holidays are not limited to just these examples.)

You may choose the number of books you wish to read and a reading list is optional.

Here’s a few possibilities:

• One Candlelit Christmas (Julia Justiss, Annie Burrows, Terri Brisbin)
• Together by Christmas (Nicola Cornick, Catherine George, Louise Allen)
• The Night Before Christmas (Brenda Novak, Day Leclaire, Molly O’Keefe)
• A Regency Christmas (Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly, Gail Ranstrom)
• The Heart of Christmas (Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, Courtney Milan)

~~ & ~~

This was a bad year for me, in terms of holiday reading. The last part of 2009 was unsettled and reading wasn’t a priority, as last year’s stats will show. Better luck next year.

What: 2009 A~Z Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2009
Who: Becky (A~Z Reading Challenge)
Rules: There are several options this year. The reader can chose to track Author or Title, or both. Becky also has options for tracking by location (country, state, etc) and one for children’s books. Go to the site for details and sign-up.

~~ & ~~

It seems I did a better job last year, even when tracking A to Z list for both author and title. I only filled in 14 letter this year, compared to 17 authors and 16 titles for last year.

I will not be doing this challenge in 2010.

~~ & ~~

A – Andersen, Jessica (Dawnkeepers) (REVIEW)
B – Blake, Ally (The Magnate’s Indecent Proposal) (REVIEW)
C – Cooke, Deborah (Kiss of Fury) (REVIEW)
D – Devoti, Lori (Dark Crusade) (REVIEW)
E – Estep, Jennifer (Karma Girl) (REVIEW)
F – Feehan, Christine (Shadow Game) (REVIEW)
G – Gifford, Blythe (Innocence Unveiled) (REVIEW)
H – Hyzy, Julie (Hail to the Chef) (REVIEW)
I
J – Johnson, Janice Kay (The Man Behind the Cop) (REVIEW)
K – Kenin, Eve (Driven) (REVIEW)
L
M – Merrill, Christine (An Unladylike Offer) (REVIEW)
N
O – Oakley, Natasha (Wanted: White Wedding) (REVIEW)
P
Q
R – Raybourn, Deanna (Silent on the Moor) (REVIEW)
S – Singh, Nalini (Slave to Sensation) (REVIEW)
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

What: What’s In a Name 2 Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2009
Who: Annie (words by Annie)
Rules: Read six books, one from each of the categories, with a certain type of word in the title. No restrictions on genre, however, if a book fits in more than one category, it can only be counted in one of them. See Annie’s site for more.

My list (Books in RED are on more than one list/alternate list):

1. A profession in the title: Hail to the Chef (Julie Hyzy) {1 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
2. A time of day in the title: Dawnkeepers (Jessica Andersen) {15 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
3. A relative in the title: Cousin Kate (Georgette Heyer) {2 Feb 02} (REVIEW)
4. A body part in the title: Eye of the Storm (Dee Davis) {5 Aug 09} (REVIEW)
5. A building in the title: ??????
6. A medical condition in the title: Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Jennifer Rardin) {18 Aug} (REVIEW)

~~ & ~~

Another challenge I almost completed.

I will not be doing this challenge in 2010.
Update: I just saw the list. I think I will do it after all.

What: The Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2009
Who: Yvonne (Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge)
Rules: Read a total of five books in twelve months. Below are the requirements for the challenge. For details, go here.

Books in RED are on more than one list/alternate list

1) A book with a holiday theme.
2) An author you never read before: Gifford, Blythe – Innocence Unveiled {06 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
3) A book with one of these words in the title: wedding, marriage, husband or wife – Wanted: White Wedding (Oakley, Natasha) {26 Mar 09} ( REVIEW)
4) A book set in a place you’ve never been before: Australia – Bedded for Diamonds (Hunter, Kelly) {11 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
5) A book with a body of water in the title (i.e. water, lake, river, island, etc.) – The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress (Hunter, Kelly) {6 Sep 09}

~~ & ~~

The only reason this one is incomplete is the fact I couldn’t get into the Christmas anthology I started.

I plan to do this challenge in 2010.

Updated: 3 Jan 2010

What: 2nds Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2009
Who: J. Kaye (J. Kaye’s Book Blog)
Rules: The challenge is to read a total of 12 books, written by authors that you have only read once before. The books do not have to be part of a series. List can be created/modified any time during the year.

Some are part of series. In the instances where I list only the author, I’ve left it open as to which book I’ll read — based on mood or other challenges.

Books in RED are on more than one list/alternate list

• Hail to the Chef (Julie Hyzy) — 2nd in the White House Chef series {1 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
• Ace is Wild (Penny McCall) {27 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
• Kiss of Fury (Deborah Cooke) — 2nd in the Dragonfire series {20 Apr 09} (REVIEW)
• Dawnkeepers (Jessica Andersen) — 2nd in the Final Prophecy series {15 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
• The Contestant (Stephanie Doyle) {11 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
• Duel of Hearts (Diane Farr) {21 Sep 09} (REVIEW) **pending **
• The Wallflower (Jan Freed) {31 Aug 09} (REVIEW)
• Bedded for Diamonds (Kelly Hunter) {11 Feb 09} (REVIEW)

~~ & ~~

I did slightly better at this one.  Some of these, I’ve already read a third book written by them.

What: 1st in Series Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2009
Who: J. Kaye (J. Kaye’s Book Blog)
Rules: Goal is to read at least 12 books that are the first book in a series. List can be made at anytime.

I’m not going to make a list this year. I have more than twelve series — some are trilogies, some are new as of 2008. But I do have a few goals, regarding the challenge:

• If the series started in 2008 — definitely read in 2009, to determine if it’s one I want to follow and keep an eye out for the next book.
• If the series is a trilogy — read all three, if possible (obviously, only the first book counts in the challenge)
• New in 2009 — start a few new ones, for the same reason as first point.

01. Slave to Sensation (Singh, Nalini) {24 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
02. Ravenous (Ashwood, Sharon) {18 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
03. Shadow Game (Feehan, Christine) {11 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
04. Phenomenal Girl 5 ( Menden, A. J.) {1 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
05. Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Rardin, Jennifer) {18 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12.

~~ & ~~

This is the second year I have participated in this challenge, and it is the second time that I haven’t completed it. It wasn’t for the lack of trying. There are several DNFs that were first in a series.

With my move coming up, I’m being picky about what challenges I’m joining. I don’t think I will do this one in 2010.

My favorite of the books I did complete was Ravenous.  I’m currently reading the second book in the series.

What: Summer Vacation Reading Challenge
When: 22 May – 7 September 2009
Who: Molly (My Cozy Book Nook)
Rules: See the sign-up post for more details.

Beach Bum.

01. The Contestant (Stephanie Doyle) — a tropical island {11 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
02. The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress (a.k.a Taken by the Bad Boy) (Kelly Hunter) — the Mediterranean (REVIEW)
03.

Below is the list of potential reads for this challenge. I’ve also indicated the location, if known:

• Tangled Lies (Anne Stuart) — Hawaii
• Lost Calling (Evelyn Vaughn) — Paris
• Cold as Ice (Anne Stuart) — on a yacht
• The Contestant (Stephanie Doyle) — a tropical island
• The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress (a.k.a Taken by the Bad Boy) (Kelly Hunter) — the Mediterranean
• The Rome Affair (Laura Caldwell) — Rome (DNF)
• A Most Unconventional Courtship (Louisa Allen) — Corfu
• Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride (Lynna Banning) — Grenada
• The Widow (Anne Stuart) — Tuscany

~~ & ~~

Even changing to a lower book requirement, I still didn’t finish it. I could have. But I chose to read a book about a woman who hides from hired killers by pretending to be a high school senior. It’s summer vacation and I read about high school.  Go figure.

Since I’m behind with the reviews, the second one does not have one yet, but it will eventually.

I really liked the challenge and had fun picking out the titles.  I’ll be moving next summer, so there’s little chance I’ll be participating in a similar challenge.

Updated: 3 Jan 2010

What: The Countdown Challenge
When: 8 August 2008 – 9 September 2009
Who: 3M (1morechapter.com)
Rules (copied from site):

1. The goal of this challenge is to read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000s — 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. The total number of books required, therefore, is 45.
2. This challenge lasts from 8/8/08 through 9/9/09. Yes, it is retroactive to August 8th!
3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and your lists may change at any time.

~~ & ~~

Though I came nowhere close to completing this challenge, I’m not disappointed and I think I did rather well. I enjoyed it and I’m glad that 3M is hosting Countdown 2010. I plan to sign up for that one.  Three of the books don’t have a review yet, but I will post them and update with links as I get to them.

Below are the results:

27 out of 45= 60%  (over half the required books)

From 8-8-08 to 9-9-09.

2009
01. Dawnkeepers (Andersen, Jessica) {15 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
02. Ravenous (Ashwood, Sharon) {18 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
03. Dark Crusade (Lori Devoti) {16 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
04. Silent on the Moor (Deanna Raybourn) {19 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
05. Magic Stikes (Ilona Andrews) (28 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
06. Skykeepers (Andersen, Jessica) {17 Aug 09} (REVIEW)
07.
08.
09.

2008
01. Twist (Colby Hodge) {2 Sep 08} (REVIEW)
02. Personal Demons (Stacia Kane) {13 Sep 08} (REVIEW)
03. Nightkeepers (Jessica Andersen) {12 Oct 08} (REVIEW)
04. The Devil’s Footprints (Amanda Stevens) {21 Oct 08} (REVIEW)
05. Hallowe’en Husbands (Anthology) {1 Nov 08} (REVIEW)
06. Silent in the Sanctuary (Deanna Raybourn) {11 Nov 08} (REVIEW)
07. Holiday with a Vampire II (Anthology) {27 Nov 08} (REVIEW)
08. The Mistletoe Wager (Christine Merrill) {7 Dec 08} (REVIEW)

2007
01. Royal Lockdown (Rebecca York) {28 Aug 08} (REVIEW)
02. Snowbound (Janice Kay Johnson) {19 Nov 08} (REVIEW)
03. Driven (Eve Kenin) {7 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
04. An Unladylike Offer (Christine Merrill) {9 Feb 09} (REVIEW)
05. Karma Girl (Jennifer Estep) {27 Apr 09} (REVIEW)
06. Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Jennifer Rardin) {18 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
07.

2006
01. Haunted (Lisa Childs) {10 Sep 08} (REVIEW)
02. Possessed (Stephanie Doyle) {22 Sep 08} (REVIEW)
03. Slave to Sensation (Nalini Singh) {24 Jan 09} (REVIEW)
04. Eye of the Storm (Dee Davis) {5 Aug 09} (REVIEW)
05.
06.

2005
01.  The Contestant (Stephanie Doyle) {11 Jul 09} (REVIEW)
02.
03.
04.
05.

2004
01.
02.
03.
04.

2003
01. Shadow Game (Christine Feehan) {10 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
02. Into the Fire (Anne Stuart) {25 Apr 09} (REVIEW)
03.

2002
01.
02.

2001
01.

What: Victorian Challenge
When: 1 January – 30 June 2009
Who: Alex
Rules: Choose one of four levels, based on the number of books you think you can read in six months. Books can be (a) written by Victorian writers; (b) set during Victorian times — any fiction genre; or (c) books about the time or biographies of Victorians (non-fiction). The site has suggestions listed for each.

I will be doing the “Walk in Hyde Park”:

My books will be:

• Silent on the Moor (Deanna Raybourn) {19 Mar 09} (REVIEW)
• And Only to Deceive (Natasha Alexander)
• Death at Whitechapel (Robin Paige)  – DNF
• Murder on Washington Square (Victoria Thompson)

I only managed to finish one book for this challenge. Death at Whitechapel was a DNF for me. I tried, twice, to read it but I’m not into the Jack the Ripper legend. Also, I’ve seemed to have lost interest in the series. Had I not had trouble with my computer and forced myself to slow down my reading, I probably would have read Murder on Washington Square this month.

Am I disappointed with myself? No. I knew that I probably wouldn’t have read all four books, based on the number of challenges I signed up for this year. I had the option of reading fewer books for this challenge. In hindsight, I should have gone with the just reading two.  (Three was the least I could read to meet the challenge requirements.)

Would I join again? Maybe. I’m moving next year and that will have a serious impact on my reading.

What I liked? I like the option of choosing the required number of books to fulfill the challenge. It was one of the reasons I joined in the first place.

Addendum:
This is a re-post, due to technical difficulties. Comments, if any, were lost. I apologize for the inconvenience. (Aug 09)

This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

What: A~Z Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2008
Who: Joy (Thoughts of Joy)
Rules: This is copied directly from her site: “Being that many of us have joined several for the 2008 year, I’m thinking we will be able to just plug in authors and titles from existing challenge book lists to easily complete it. All that’s required is that you align the author’s last name or the title of a book (excluding “the”, “a”, etc.) with its corresponding letter in the alphabet. Each author and title entry must be a different book.”

Joy set up a separate site for the challenge here.

I tracked my progress on a  separate page.

Though I did not complete this challenge, I still feel it was a success for me.  I knew it would never be 100% because I knew there would be certain letters that I did not have books for.  I’m happy with my efforts.

Total authors = 17
Total titles = 16
Book total = 23

For 2009, I’ve committed myself to the authors only.