Take A Chance Challenge 3

Host: Jenners at Life With Books
Time Frame: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
Guidelines:  The concept of the challenge is to take chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways.  Crossover books from other challenges is fine. You can read books in any format.

The 2011 Challenges

1: Staff  Member’s Choice: Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.
2: Loved One’s Choice: Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!)
3: Blogger’s Choice: Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.
4: Critic’s Choice: Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.
5: Blurb Book: Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.
6: Book Seer Pick: Go to The Book Seer and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
7: What Should I Read Next Pick : Go to What Should I Read Next and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
8: Which Book Pick: Go to Which Book and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.
9: LibraryThing Pick: Go to LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)
10: Pick A Method: Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).

• Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
• Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
• Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.

MY LIST 

Staff Member's Choice: Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey by Alison Weir
Loved One's Choice: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 
Library Thing Pick: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

Host: Jamie at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf 
Time Frame: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
Guidelines: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts just as long as it is checked out from the library. Books MUST be checked out like with a library card, books purchased at a library DO NOT count.

There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your poison:

1. The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books.
2. "Fun" Size – Check out and read 40 library books.
3. Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
4. Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.

My Goal: Since I really need to also work on downsizing Mount TBR, I'm joining in at The Mini level this year.

MY LIST

1.  Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan
2. The Living Blood by Tananarive Due
3. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Christine King Farris
4. Oh No: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World by Mac Barnett

Mental Illness Advocacy (MIA) Reading Challenge

Host: Wolfy is hosting the Mental Illness Advocacy (MIA) Reading Challenge

" I hope reading and reviewing books featuring characters struggling to deal with mental illness, whether their own or another person’s, will help remove the stigma faced on a daily basis by those with a mental illness. They already have to struggle with an illness; they shouldn’t have to face a stigma too."

Time Frame: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
Guidelines:  Books read for the challenge must address or have a character with mental illness. The books may not demonize the mentally ill, although characters certainly can be presented as 3-dimensional, flawed characters. Be sure to point out what mental illness or illnesses are addressed in the book in your review of the book.

Challenge Levels:
Acquainted–4 books
Aware–8 books
Advocate–12 books

As a mental health professional for the past 16 years, I'm eager to participate in this challenge and am in full support of it's mission.  Stigma remains at the forefront as one of the most significant barriers to full integration of many mental health consumers into society, particularly in the areas of housing and employment.  I am going to participate in this challenge at the Acquainted level.

Books I have in mind for this challenge that I already own are: Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen, Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, Welcome to My Country by Lauren Slater.  From the library, I checked out Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates, but am not really feeling it.  On my Wishlist is The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic by Darby Penney...can't wait to get my hands on that book.

MY LIST

TwentyEleven Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Bart's Bookshelf is hosting the TwentyEleven Reading Challenge. What's so fun about this challenge is the various categories which makes it more like a literary scavenger hunt.  I'm going to have to make 20 books fit into these 11 categories so that does allow for a tad bit of flexibility. 

Categories for TwentyEleven:

1. To YA or not YA…
   Tend to read more Young Adult than Adult Fiction books then read one or two adult fiction titles, vice-versa if you don’t tend to read much Young Adult.
2. …With a Twist.
   This one focuses on sub-genres, read a lot of chick-lit, then try a paranormal romance! Fantasy? Why not give some Steampunk a go, like a bit of Space-Opera in your Sci-Fi then pick up a military Sci-fi book. Like your Contemporary Literature, give a Young Adult Contemporary a chance.
3. Hot off the Presses.
   Read a book published (in your country) in 2011? Then it counts for this category.
4. It Wasn’t Me! (aka Bad Bloggers*)
   Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago).
   * Bad Bloggers: Is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.
5. Show it Who is Boss!
   Tackle that overflowing T.B.R. pile! Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/12/10.
6. Bablefish.
   Read books that are translated from a language that is not your own.
7. Will-Power? What Will-Power? (aka: The Henry Ward Beecher Memorial.)
   Bought a book NEW during 2011? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count for this one, but, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway also count.
8. Mind the Gap.
   Need just one more book to compete that duology/trilogy/series then read it for this one! (Obviously as this is for that final book you need to complete it, then you can’t read two books from the same series! And it clearly can’t be your first or penultimate read!)
   Because not everyone reads a series in order, this is for the last book you need to read, not necessarily the last book in the series…
9. Back in the Day.
   Re-read an old favourite or two for this category.
10. Way Back When.Read books that were published before you were born for this one, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!
11. Slim-Pickings
    Got a novella you want to read? Then this one is the one for you! Any books between 90-150 pages count.

MY LIST

YA: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter Reading Challenge

Daemon's Books is hosting the Harry Potter 2011 Book Challenge from January 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011. He writes:

[...]since this year also marks the complete end of the Harry Potter series with the 8th and final movie coming out on July 15, we thought this was the perfect time to relive the entire series one more time to get ready for the final chapter.

Guidelines: Participants will read books 1-7  and are encouraged to join in discussion over at Daemon's Books. There will be monthly giveaways, including one BIG giveaway at the end of the challenge. Daemon’s Books is also partnering with its sister site, Daemon’s Movies, which will be hosting its own Harry Potter movie challenge in parallel.

Buy One Book and READ It 2011

I can't stay away from the book store so I will have no problem completing the  Buy One Book and Read It Challenge hosted by Amy.

2011 Audiobook Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

I'm always on the road, up and down the highways of NJ for work and what better way to pass the time than listening to a good book?  There's nothing good on the radio anyway. I feel almost embarrassed at how explicit and inappropriate the music is these days...and trust me, I'm no prude--I just find it a tad bit too much.  So anyway, Teresa at Teresa's Reading Corner is hosting the 2011 Audiobook Challenge.Here are the various levels:

Curious: 3 Audio Books

Fascinated: 6 Audio Books

Addicted: 12 Audio Books

Obsessed: 20 Audio Books

I'll be participating at the Addicted level.

MY LIST

1. Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan

2011 Reading from My Shelves Project

Diane is hosting the Reading from My Shelves Project and what distinguishes this challenge from the typical 'read your own books' challenge is that you are tasked with passing on the books when you are finished reading them.  Oooh, that may be hard in some instances.  I do participate often on BookMooch, but there are just some books that I know I will have a hard time parting with.  The reality is that my bookshelves are buckling and there is just no more room, so I do need to do some downsizing.  OK, I'm ready for the challenge! This challenge calls for giving away at a minimum twelve books...I can do that.

MY LIST

2011 Foodies Reading Challenge

 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Margot at Joyfully Retired is hosting the 2011 Foodies Reading Challenge on its own dedicated blog. She writes:

One thing we all have in common is the need to eat food. Some of us also have a strong need/desire to read about food. I’m one of them, are you? Such people are known as Foodies – people who love to talk, read, watch food tv, or anything else with a food theme. If that description fits you, I invite you to join me in the Foodie’s Reading Challenge for 2011. Together we’ll explore the world of good food writing. That may take the form of a cookbook or a biography or even a novel centered around food.

Readers can choose from five levels of participation:

• Nibbler: 1 to 3 books
• Bon Vivant: 4 to 6 books
• Epicurean: 7 to 9 books
• Gourmet: 10 to 12
• Glutton: More than 12

On January 1st Margot will provide pages so you can post links for your reviews. Non-bloggers will use the comment section. Guidelines:

• You don’t need a pre-selected list of books.
• Crossing over with other challenges is fine.
• Any book format is allowed (print, audio, ebook)

Prizes:
There will be a prize at the end of each quarter. Each book read will be one more chance to win.
Learn more by visiting the dedicated blog. Sign up by visiting the introductory post.

East and SouthEast Asia Challenge

 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Violet is hosting the East and SouthEast Asia Challenge.  She writes:

Which countries are included in the Challenge?
Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, South Korea, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

How many books do I have to read?
Minimum number of books = 3
All the 3 books should be from different countries. After 3 you can read as many as you can, repeating the countries if you wish.

Do I have to write reviews?
Not necessary. But it will be great if you can write a few lines or do a mini review. That way more people will be aware of the books from this region.You can also link you GoodReads, Shelfari or any other sites where you post your reviews instead of your blog.

Does the author have to be from East or SouthEast Asia?
No, just the book has to be set in this region.

What kind of books can I read?
Every type available out there, from YA to literary fiction to mysteries to memoirs.

Can I combine it with other Challenges?
Absolutely.

Why is South Asia excluded from the Challenge?
Because Swapna already runs a great Challenge called the South Asian Authors Challenge.

To join, go to East and SouthEast Asia Challenge.

Criminal Plots Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Jen is hosting the Criminal Plots Reading Challenge on its own dedicated blog. She writes:

Welcome to my first ever Criminal Plots reading challenge! I hemmed and hawed over whether to add another reading challenge to the book blogging sphere, but with some help and encouragement from very good friends, I decided to take the plunge and here we are with Criminal Plots.

What I would hope for people who participate to get out of this challenge is exposure to the crime fiction genre. I know that is a bad word to some people, but really, it's nothing more than a classification. Authors have been breaking the genre rules for years now and even those who write within the guidelines write some pretty fantastic stuff. And if you're a crime fiction aficionado, I hope this challenge motivates you to read some books you've been meaning to read and haven't gotten to or it encourages you to read something you haven't tried before.

The goal is to read six books ... One for each of the following categories:

1. A book by a new to you author who's blurbed a book you enjoyed. So check out the cover of a crime fiction book you've enjoyed and see who blurbed that book and is also an author you've never read before.
2. A book that has been made into a movie. It doesn't have to be a movie you've seen but it can be. The book, however, should be one you haven't read before.
3. A book with a protagonist opposite your own gender. So if you're female, the protagonist should be male; if you're male the protagonist should be female.
4. A book set outside the country in which you live.
5. A book that's the first in a new-to-you series.
6. A book by a 2011 debut author.

Other guidelines:

• You can read the books in any format you choose: print, audio, e-book, etc.
• You can read books from any sub-genre of crime fiction: hardboiled, P.I., police procedural, cozy, thriller, etc.
• You do not need to have a blog to participate.
• You can use the books for other challenges but one book cannot count for more than one category in THIS challenge.
• Books do not need to be pre-determined. You can choose them at any time throughout the year. And you can read them in whatever order you choose.
• At the conclusion, each participant that completes the challenge will be entered for a chance at one of three prize packs.

2011 Global Reading Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2011

The one thing I can say that I most appreciate about joining Librarything and meeting other avid bookworms who introduced me to the biblio blogosphere is how much I've come to appreciate reading literature from around the world.  I am so excited to participate in the 2011 Global Challenge hosted by Dorte. Although I'm only able to participate at the Easy level due to the insane amount of challenges I signed up for, I am soo looking forward to discovering new literary treasures from around the world.

MY LIST

The Easy Challenge (Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011):

Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South/Central America
The Seventh Continent ( Antarctica or your own ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it).

South Asian Challenge

Host: Swapna at S. Krishna's Books is hosting the South Asian Author Challenge in 2011.

Guidelines: There are two ways for a book to qualify for the South Asian Challenge

1. A book must be by a South Asian author. For these purposes, South Asia includes the following countries: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. There are no limitations on what the book can be about.
2. A book must be about South Asia. In this case, it can be set in a South Asian country or be about South Asians living abroad. It can also be a biography or memoir of a South Asian, or of a non-South Asian traveling or working in South Asia. In this case, the author does not need to be South Asian, as long as the subject matter focuses on the region, peoples, or cultures in some way.

Reviews are not required. However, there is an awesome South Asian Review Database associated with this challenge.  There are several levels of participation:

• South Asian Encounter - 1 book
• South Asian Wanderer - 3 books
• South Asian Explorer - 5 books
• South Asian Adventurer - 7 books
• South Asian Hero/Heroine - 10 books
• South Asian Guru - Over 10 books (you can set your own goal)

 My Goal: I'm going to dip my toe in and join at the South Asian Encounter Level.  Hopefully I end up making the Wanderer level, but I've joined quite a few challenges this year so I'm trying to be realistic.  I already have my eye on Between Assassins by Aravind Adiga.

MY LIST

Sexy Reading Challenge

Brazen Broads are hosting the Sexy Reading Challenge.  They write:

Okay, we Broads have decided to offer a reading challenge for the next year-the 2011 Sexy Reading Challenge! Any book with sexy romance or erotica qualifies, so that means regency, Steampunk, paranormal (vamps, weres, shapeshifters), even sci-fi, if it's sexy. The goal is to read 12 books in 2011 that qualify. 

And to sweeten the plot (pot)!

Each time we see a review, you'll be entered to win a prize that we'll randomly select at the end of the year from everyone who read all 12 books. It's that easy!

What the heck! I need to escape and enjoy a steamy romance or something hot and sexy every once in a while....count me in. Here's my list:

2011 Original TBR (To Be Read) Challenge

MizB is hosting the 2011 Original TBR (To Be Read) Challenge at MizB's Reading Challenges.
Visit there for more rules and FAQ's.

Goal: To read 12 books that have been on my TBR list for at least 6 months. 1/1/11 to 12/31/11.
I've created a list of the books I plan to read, however, I have the opportunity to choose from my list of alternates in case I decide that a particular book needs to remain in the TBR pile.

Primary TBR List

1. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. This book is a mere 128 pages, but I still just can not commit to getting past page 10.  Perhaps I should just admit it's not my type of book, but it was recommended to me by someone as a 'must read' so I feel somewhat compelled to give it my attention. If I don't finish it this year, to the Moochpile it goes.
2. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. Another book I want to read, started to read and kind of let it fall to the wayside. Perhaps I should watch the movie first...
3. Love by Toni Morrison. I picked up the audio book from the library, but chose to listen to another book instead.  I'm positive that I will read this book as it is the first selection for my book club discussion.
4. American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes
5. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Dandicat
6. Cane River by Lalita Tademy
7. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
8. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
9. Buying a Fishing Rod for my Grandfather by Xingjian Gao
10. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
11. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
12. Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing by Rosina-Fawzia B. Al-Rawi

The Alternates a.k.a. Back Up Plan

1. Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie by Maya Angelou
2. Player Haters by Carl Weber
3. What Looks Like Crazy by Pearl Cleage
4. Cross Country by James Patterson
5. I, Alex by James Patterson
6. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson
7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone by J.K. Rowling
8. Say You're One of Them by Uwem Apkan
9. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
10. Without Blood by Alessandro Barrico
11. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey
12. Never Kiss and Tell by Tracie Howard