2009 Reading Challenge Wrap Up

2009 Reading Challenge Wrap Up

Audiobook Challenge~ 12 of 12 books...Challenge Complete!

Be Inspired Challenge~Partially complete. I read Manage your Time to Reduce your Stress by Rita Emmett and tried earnestly to incorporate her methods into my lifestyle. I did not complete the second part of the challenge which was to blog about how you incorporated the book's principles into my lifestyle.

Diversity Rocks Challenge~6 of 6. Challenge Complete!

Read 'n Review Challenge~1 of 12...I'm just not into writing reviews! There are so many out there and I really don't have the time to add another that most likely won't be read by any one but me anyhow, lol. I'd prefer to just read the book share my thoughts and provide links to in depth reviews as needed.

Series Challenge~4 of 4.I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge because I was able to finish up Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series. Challenge Complete!!

Support Your Local Library Challenge~30 of 50 read...I did pretty well with that challenge. Next year hope to do better.

Suspense 'n Thriller Challenge~12 of 12...Challenge Complete!!...no surprise here, I love my suspense thriller books!

TBR Challenge~4 of 12...partially complete, I'm still working on my overflowing TBRs! Better luck next year.

Casual Classics~ 2 of 4...close, but no cigar.

eBook Reading Challenge~ started 3 of 10...but never finished any.

Challenges I haven't started yet:

World Citizen Challenge~1/2 of 3...started reading Audacity of Hope and never finished. Challenge incomplete.

In Their Shoes Reading Challenge Challenge incomplete, 0 books complete.

Mini Challenges~ Technically, I have started this challenge, but I still haven't blogged about the challenges completed yet.

So, to wrap it all up for my first year in participating in Reading Challenges I don't think I did too bad. I think I definitely over committed and due to starting a new high demand job, engaging in a home search and moving into my first house...well, there just wasn't enough time to commit to reading or blogging as much as I originally planned. But hey, at least I didn't finish up for good reasons :-)

Orbis Terrarum Challenge 2009

Orbis Terrarum Challenge 2009
Bethany at B & b ex libris is hosting this challenge which is going to be quite an around the world adventure. To make it even more interesting, there are several mini challenges to choose from. One focuses on poetry, another on short stories, and yet another on foreign films (which I just couldn't resist).

Goal: To read 10 different books, written by 10 different authors, from 10 different countries from 3/1/09 to 12/31/09.

I have not completely set up my itinerary for this challenge, but here are a few of the books I will most likely include on my list **Books read from TBR list are in BOLD**:

1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria)
2. Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Columbia)
3. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte (Spain)
4. Silk by Alessandro Baricco (Italy)
5. Slumdog Millionaire (movie tie-in-audiobook) by Vikas Swarup (India)
   

• Malinche by Laura Esquivel (Mexico)
• My Forbidden Face by Latifa (Afghanistan)
• The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber (The Hague, Netherlands/ London, England)

Orbis Terrarum Film Mini-Challenge:

Goal: To watch 10 films, 10 different countries, by 10 different directors in the 10 months. (choose the movies, just like the books....by nation of origin or residence of the director, not where it was filmed or what it was about)
**BOLD indicates movies viewed from my To Be Watched list**

1. Caramel (Sukkar banat) directed by Nadine Labaki (Lebanon)
2. Art of the Devil 2 directed by the Ronin Team (Thailand)
3. City of God directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund (Portugal)
   
4. Let the Right One In directed by Tomas Alfredson (Sweden)
5. Baby's Room directed by Jaume Balaquero and Alex De La Iglesia (Spain)
6. The Devil's Backbone directed by Guillermo del Toro (Mexico)
7. Earth, Water, and Fire Trilogy (3 movies from India)
   

If you all have any suggestions...please pass them along!! My favorite genre of movies are horror and drama, but I also enjoy a hot and steamy romance to slow down the pace.

Moving along like molasses~February updates

Progress on Reading Challenges

Audiobook Challenge~ 3 of 12...I did not finish Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope and chose not to renew it from the library at this time. The first few chapters concentrated heavily on politics, democrats, republicans, and the constitution and was quite a struggle for me to stay focused. So, I needed a break! I'm hoping to borrow The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan when I next visit the library

Be Inspired Challenge~Currently reading Manage your Time to Reduce your Stress by Rita Emmett

Diversity Rocks Challenge~1 of 6...reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Marquez

Read 'n Review Challenge~1 of 12...definitely need to step it up here! I'm going to begin just focusing on getting my initial reaction to the book with a brief summary written and perhaps provide links to other blogs with a more in-depth review for those seeking more.

Series Challenge~1 of 4, reading Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series...thought I'd be further along in this challenge, but Executive Power took a lot longer to read than anticipated. Next up--Memorial Day.

Support Your Local Library Challenge~8 of 50 read...doing pretty well on this challenge, just have to catch up on those reviews. 3 additional books checked out--Taking Back your Life, Manage your Time to Reduce your Stress, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing your Life (do ya see a pattern here?)

Suspense 'n Thriller Challenge~2 of 12...reading chapters of Dean Koontz's Watchers here and there.

TBR Challenge~ 1 of 12...finished Executive Power, started Audacity of Hope (to be continued later), working on Fault Line, Watchers and Memorial Day, plan to borrow The Joy Luck Club audiobook.

World Citizen Challenge~1/2 of 3...started reading Audacity of Hope.

Challenges I haven't started yet:

Casual Classics

eBook Reading Challenge

In Their Shoes Reading Challenge

Mini Challenges~ Technically, I have started this challenge, but I haven't blogged about the challenges completed yet.

In their Shoes Reading Challenge 2009

Since I have added a couple of memoirs to my TBR, I decided to go ahead and join the In Their Shoes Reading Challenge hosted by Scrap Girl. According to the rules, you do not need to create a list or read a specified number of books. The selected books, however, must be either a memoir, autobiography, or biography. The challenge runs from 1/1/09-12/31/09.

Goal: To read at least 3 memoirs/autobiographies/biographies

My list, which is subject to change:

• My Forbidden Face-- Growing up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story by Latifah
• The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
• Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
• Welcome to my Country by Lauren Slater

What are some of your favorite, must-read memoirs/(auto)biographies? I would love to hear some of your suggestions.

Be Inspired Challenge 2009

Goal: Choose one self improvement book to read between 1/1/09 and 3/31/09. Then take one or more principles from the book that INSPIRED you to make a change and actually APPLY it in your life between 4/1/09 and 12/31/09.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing your Life by Georgene Lockwood

2009 Mini-Challenges~A Novel Challenge

2009 Mini-Challenges--A Novel Challenge

Here is a list of the 12 mini challenges that I plan to complete by the end of the year. I think this is a nice way to incorporate even more variety into my reading list this year. For instance, I can't tell you the last time I read a play or even an essay, other than proofreading my daughter's school work. Speaking of my daughter, she insists that I read one of her heavy metal, life of a rock star type books for the read a book outside your comfort level challenge. Ugh, do I have to??

1. Read a collection of short stories and either blog about it, OR tell the group about what you read.
2. Read a play. Blog about it, OR tell the group about your experience.
3. Read a nonfiction book; write a review on your blog or post it to the group.
4. Read 2 essays from the same collection; write a review on your blog or tell the group about what you read.
5. Go to a book event; blog about it or tell the group about it.
6. Borrow a library book, read it and review it on your blog (or tell the group about it).
7. Read a book by a new to you author. Do a little research on the author…do they have a blog? How many books have they written? Have they won any prizes? Where do they live? etc… Blog about the book you read and the author OR tell the group about them.
8. Make a donation. You can either donate to an organization that supports reading OR make a physical donation of a book (or books) to ANYONE. Blog about it or tell the group what you did.
9. Promote literacy. This is wide open - use your imagination. You could give a child a book, or read a book to someone who cannot read, or volunteer at an event which promotes literacy, or donate to your local library, or write something on your blog with a link to a group which promotes literacy, or anything in between. The only rule with this one is that you must PROMOTE literacy in some way…
10. Participate in a buddy read or Group discussion. This can be a face to face group, an on-line group or a one on one discussion with a friend who read the same book. Either way, blog about your experience or share with the group. Did the discussion give you greater appreciation or insight into what you read?
11. Read a book outside your comfort level or from a genre you don’t normally read. Blog about it, or tell the group about it.
12. Read a classic (defined as anything published before 1970). Tell us why it fits the category of being a classic. Write a review or tell the group about the book.

TBR (To Be Read) Challenge

TBR (To Be Read) Challenge

Goal: To read 12 books from my TBR list between 1/1/09-12/31/09.

*The list can NOT be changed after 1/1/09, however a book may be selected from the 12 listed alternates.

This challenge will help me focus on finally getting to several books that have been collecting dust for a few years on my book case.

1. Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
2. Watchers by Dean Koontz
3. Fault Line by Barry Eisler
4. Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
5. Black Ice by Anne Stuart
6. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti
7. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
8. How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents by Julia Alvarez
9. Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee
10. Kehinde by Buchi Emecheta
11. Aesop's Fables
12. Bram Stoker's Dracula

My 12 alternates are:

1. Executive Power by Vince Flynn
   
2. Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart
3. Is Bill Cosby Right by Michael Eric Dyson
4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
5. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
6. The Last Secret of the Temple by Paul Sussman
7. Welcome to my Country by Lauren Slater
8. Where the Heart is by Billie Letts
9. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
10. Josephine by Josephine Baker
11. Tell my Horse by Zora Neale Hurston
12. Warlock by Wilbur Smith
    

Read 'n Review '09 Challenge

Read 'n Review '09 Challenge

Goal: To review each book you read between 1/1/09-12/31/09.

This challenge will no doubt be the toughest to accomplish, but I will definitely try my best. I suppose the key is not to get too far behind and to take notes on the book, pick out memorable passages, etc while reading as opposed to trying to find key points afterward. If any of you have additional tips on writing good reviews, please feel free to share.

I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Casual Classics 2009 Challenge

Casual Classics 2009 Challenge

Goal: To read 4 “Classics” between January 1st and December 31st, 2009

I haven't read many "Classics" since college, so this will be a great opportunity to add a bit of variety to my typical reading habits and renew my appreciation for literature that has stood the test of time.


1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 5/13/09
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 7/1/09

Series Challenge Season 3

Series Challenge Season 3

Goal: Read and review at least 4 books that will complete a series between 12/1/08 and 11/30/09.

I plan to complete the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn.

• Transfer of Power--9/17/08
  
• The Third Option--10/25/08
  
• Separation of Power-- 1/3/09
  
• Executive Power--3/1/09
  
• Memorial Day--4/8/09
• Consent to Kill--read in 2007
  
• Act of Treason--5/5/09
• Protect and Defend--6/11/09
  
• Extreme Measures--7/20/09

Challenge completed on 7/20/09!!

World Citizen Challenge

World Citizen Challenge has six categories of non fiction books to choose from: politics, economics, history, culture or anthropology/sociology, worldwide issues, and memoirs/autobiographies. There are also six levels of participation to choose from that require varying numbers of books to read over the year. In addition, there will be monthly mini-challenges and prizes offered.

Goal: At The Minor Level I plan to read three non-fiction books from at least two different categories between 1/1/09-12/31/09.

This list is subject to change...I'm open for suggestions!

• The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
• Josephine by Josephine Baker and Jo Bouillon
• Welcome to my Country by Lauren Slater
• Is Bill Cosby Right by Michael Eric Dyson
  

2009 Diversity Rocks Challenge

The point of the 2009 Diversity Rocks Challenge is to ensure racial and ethnic diversity in the authors that we read. There are 5 levels; I joined at The Overlapper since it is for those who are signed up for multiple challenges already. This challenge doesn't ask you to read any more books than which you've already committed.

Goal: Commit to including one author of color in each of your challenges (or pick 6 challenges, if you're signed up for more than 6).

About 65% of my personal library consists of African American authors so I will not count these authors towards my challenge goals since this would not be broadening my horizons. I truly enjoy learning about other cultures, especially books that discuss traditional dance and regional cuisine, but can also appreciate the poignant and often brutally honest depictions of identity issues, racial conflict, and economic disparity. Most of all, I enjoy learning the meaning behind various customs and long standing traditions.

The book I'm most looking forward to reading is Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing by , Rosina-Fawzia B. Al-Rawi. Others on my list include, which is subject to change, are:

• Native Speaker by Chang Rae-Lee
• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
• How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accent by Julia Alvarez
• Kehinde by Buchi Emecheta
• Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane

Read

1. The Toss of a Lemon by Padma Viswanathan
2. Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
4. Rivalry: A Geisha's Tale by Kafu Nagai
5. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
6. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Challenge Complete!

2009 Audiobook Challenge

Since I am usually listening to audiobooks in the car on the way to work, I decided to join The Audiobook Challenge.

Goal: To listen to 12 audiobooks in 2009.

1. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
2. Carrie by Stephen King
3. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
4. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
5. Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
   
6. Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
7. Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
8. Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
9. Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King
10. The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
11. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
12. Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

Challenge Complete!!

2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge has 3 levels of participation ranging from borrowing 12, 25 or 50 books of any format from your local library during the time period of 1/1/09-12/31/09.

Goal: To read 50 books from my local library in 2009.

My children and I visit the library bi-weekly. Not only do I aim to support our local library (which is really a good one), but also to instill a love for reading in my girls.

1. Rivalry: A Geisha's Tale by Nagai Kafu
   
2. The Coffee Trader by David Liss
3. The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
4. Carrie by Stephen King
5. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (audio)
6. The Toss of a Lemon by Padma Viswanathan
7. Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
8. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
9. Take Back your Life: Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to get organized and stay organized by Sally McGhee and John Wittry
10. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing your Life by Georgene Lockwood
11. Manage your Time to Reduce your Stress: A Handbook for the Overworked, Overscheduled, and Overwhelmed by Rita Emmett
12. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
13. In the Diner by Christine Loomis
14. I'll Teach my Dog 100 Words by Michael Firth
15. Ruby Paints a Picture by Susan Hill
16. Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers by Cynthia Rylant
17. Pinkerton, Behave! by Steven Kellogg
18. Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
19. Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
20. Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
21. Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
22. Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King
23. Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn
24. The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
25. Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
26. Act like Woman, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey
27. Martha Stewart's Cooking School by Martha Stewart
28. The Hassle-free Host by Christopher Lowell
29. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
    
30. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
    

2009 eBook Reading Challenge

2009 eBook Challenge

Goal: Read 10 eBooks from 1/1/09-12/31/09.

1. Dirty Angels by Christoper Tusa (in progress)

2. Everything Twitter from Novice to Expert compiled by Steve Soho and Monica Jones (in progress)

3. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (in progress)

2009 Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge

2009 Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge

Goal: To read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.

The following is a list of the sub-genres. As I complete each book, I will notate the title next to the corresponding sub-genre.

• Action thillers~Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn
  
• Amateur Detective mystery~Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
  
• Comic thrillers~Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
  
• Conspiracy thrillers~The Sigma Protocol by Robert Ludlum
  
• Cozy mystery
• Crime thriller~Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
  
• Eco-thriller
• Erotic thriller~Addicted by Zane
  
• Disaster thriller
  
• Drama thriller
• Forensic mystery
• Futuristic mystery/thrillers
• Hard-boiled mystery
• Historical thriller
• Hitman thriller~The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
  
• Horror thrillers~ Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King
  
• Inverted mystery
• Legal thrillers
• Literary thrillers
• Locked Room
• Medical thrillers
• Military thrillers
• Murder Mystery
• Mob mysteries or thrillers
• Police procedural thrillers
• Political thrillers~Executive Power by Vince Flynn
  
• Private detective mystery
• Psychological thrillers
• Religious thrillers
• Romantic thrillers
• Sci-fi thrillers
  
• Serial killer thriller
• Spy thriller
• Stalking thrillers
• Supernatural thrillers~Carrie by Stephen King
  
• Techno-thrillers~Fault Line: A Novel by Barry Eisler
  
• Terrorist thrillers~Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
  
• True Crime thrillers

Yay, I completed this challenge!!