After finishing up Three Bags Full (Leonie Swann), I was at a loss as to what to read next. I thought this would be a great time to use the second Random Reading pick.  I actually ran this a few days ago, and have since started reading the book.  I’m behind times getting stuff posted.  Below is a picture of the stack.

Please note: The list below the picture is random (I had Random.org randomize the list for me).

Stack 2

The List:

1. Storm Born (Mead, R.)
2. Someone Like Her (Johnson, J. K.)
3. On the Edge (Kearney, S.)
4. Wicked Game (Smith-Ready, J.)
5. Winter’s Edge (Stuart, A.)
6. Riding the Storm (Croft, S.)
7. Marked by Moonlight (Kohler, S.)
8. A Taste of Magic (Madison, T.)
9. Wolf at the Door (Warren, C.)
10. Beg for Mercy (Andrews, T.)
11. Hot Mama (Estep, J.)
12. The Earl’s Untouched Bride (Burrows, A.)

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Random.org picked. . . .#1

There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. 1. Storm Born (Mead, R.)
2. 8. A Taste of Magic (Madison, T.)
3. 3. On the Edge (Kearney, S.)
4. 10. Beg for Mercy (Andrews, T.)
5. 12. The Earl’s Untouched Bride (Burrows, A.)
6. 2. Someone Like Her (Johnson, J. K.)
7. 6. Riding the Storm (Croft, S.)
8. 9. Wolf at the Door (Warren, C.)
9. 11. Hot Mama (Estep, J.)
10. 7. Marked by Moonlight (Kohler, S.)
11. 4. Wicked Game (Smith-Ready, J.)
12. 5. Winter’s Edge (Stuart, A.)

Timestamp: 2009-10-29 23:58:22 UTC

My first Random Reading book is from a category I didn’t use as an example in my initial post. I didn’t use my trusty database either because have only a handful on my “Shelf” list.

Before I get to the results, I want to explain what prompted me to go this route.

I’m currently participating in Naida’s Romance Reading Challenge. There are no official specifics regarding the type of romance, but I decided to make it more of a challenge by being more specific (a Georgette Heyer, a SHOMI, a category). The remaining two books were named specifically (a non-category contemporary and a non-category historical). I did really well with this, until I got to the historical romance.

I initially chose My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne. I couldn’t get into it. I then selected The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley. Again, couldn’t get into it. I really want the last book for the challenge to be a non-category historical. As stated above, I have only a few non-category, straight-forward (ie, no paranormal elements), historical romances. I’m not having any luck picking one, so I figured, let the computer do it.

And if this book doesn’t grab me. . . well, I have until December to finish the challenge and I may resort to a totally random romance book, regardless of the subgenre.

Without further ado. . .

Below is a picture of the stack. Please note: The list below the picture is random (I had Random.org randomize the list for me).

The Stack

The List:

1. Duel of Hearts (Farr)
2. Sweet Thunder (Ryan)
3. Fallen (Holby)
4. Goddess of the Hunt (Dare)
5. The Rules of Seduction (Hunter)
6. Dancing on the Wind (Putney)
7. Nothing But Velvet (Martin)
8. Unmasked (Cornick)
9. Bound by Your Touch (Duran)
10. A Rose at Midnight (Stuart)
11. Ashes of Dreams (Langan)

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Random.org picked. . . .#1

Duel of Hearts by Diane Farr

Duel of Hearts

What: Random Reading Challenge
When: 1 August 2009 – 31 July 2010
Who: Caribousmom
Rules: Randomly select books from TBR and assign a number. Using Random.org, pick a book to read. Visit her site for more precise instructions.

I’ll be doing LEVEL III – 12 Books

My first draft of this post got eaten when I updated WordPress. So, here we go. . .

I debated with myself about whether or not I should sign up for long-term challenges. But then I realized I could use this challenge to help me complete some of the others because many of them did not require a set list of books. I can, for example:

• Randomly select books for the 1st in a Series challenge – I have a lot to choose from
• Randomly select books, based on Copyright date, for the Pub or Countdown Challenges
• Randomly select category romances (SuperRomances, Noturnes, etc.)
• Randomly pick a Harry Potter book – who says I have to read them in order?!

Just kidding about that last one.

I catalog my books in a database and I can create queries and spreadsheets based on criteria (books marked ‘Shelf’, Copyright ’2007′). I did a trial run, and I think it will work out fine, whether I use it to help with the other challenges or just select a book at random from my shelf.

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

16 Aug - Beth F – “I thought this sounded fun — I signed up too.”
16 Aug – Me – “It does indeed. That’s why I worked so hard to find a way to fit in with the other challenges.”