final frontier reading challenge

Final Frontier Reading Challenge.
A reading challenge with four levels of participation.All dedicated to a certain sub-genre of science fiction.Challenge is from April 6th through October 6th 2009.
Sign-up by leaving a comment on this blog post.

Those books dealing with space travel, exploration, colonization, etc.(Also anything with aliens is allowed either on our world or theirs.)
(Think Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles or Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy.)

Fly Me To the Moon: Perfect for newbies just beginning to explore science fiction OR for those with sci-fi lovers with busy schedules. Read ONE book.

Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars

Spaceman: Read two to three qualifying books. (Or if you like substitute a movie for one of the books.)

Bang, bang, shoot em' up, destiny
Bang, bang, shoot em' up to the moon
Bang, bang, shoot em' up one, two, three

Starman: Read four to six qualifying books. (Again, substitute a movie or two is fine. Especially if you'd like to compare the movie version to the book!)

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds

Space Oddity: Perfect for those that can't get enough sci-fi! Read seven or more qualifying books!
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

1. star wars republic commando: triple zero - karen traviss
2. mona lisa awakening - sunny
3. mona lisa blossoming - sunny
4. fate of the jedi: abyss - troy denning
5. fate of the jedi: omen - christie golden
6. the fate of the jedi: outcast - aaron allston
7. lost tribe of the sith: skyborn - john jackson miller

Classics Challenge 2009

Welcome to the Classics Challenge
April 1 - October 31, 2009
Classics: We love them, we hate them, now we are going to challenge ourselves to read more of them.

**Choose Your Level (Keep reading for Bonus)

1. Classics Snack - Read FOUR classics
2. Classics Entree - Read FIVE classics
3. Classics Feast - Read SIX classics

**Rules/Guidelines
1. Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!)
2. Audiobooks are fine
3. Re-reads are acceptable, BUT books must be finished after April 1st to count for the challenge
4. Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time.
5. Have Fun!!
6. You do NOT need a blog to participate.

**Bonus!! (Optional)Last year we compiled a list of books that we think might be considered classics one day. I've wiped out that old list so we can start fresh, but to get an idea of what others suggested last year, see HERE. To start off the list, I'm going to suggest Atonement by Ian McEwan. If you want to participate in the bonus round, choose a book from the list and read that in addition to the classics you have picked (e.g., if you are doing the classics snack, you will read five books total and so on). I realize this means you may have to wait to make your list or leave the bonus book as "tentative" if you choose to participate in the bonus round, but I'm hoping this is a modern twist on the old classics challenge.

What is a Classic?
Am I going to define what a classic is? Nope! There are lots of definitions offered on the Internet, but we all have different opinions so don't stress too much. But, people are always asking me where to start with classics. In the comments below, I'd love if you would give a recommendation for a classic you would suggest to beginners or apprehensive readers--maybe something lighter or something engaging. I'll compile a list. I'm going to suggest The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy.

1. flowers in the attic - v.c. andrews
2. love in the time of cholera - gabriel garcia marquez
3. revolutionary road - richard yates
4. sophie's choice - william styron
5. the bell jar - sylvia plath
6. the postman always rings twice - james m cain
Bonus: summer of my german soldier - bette greene

i think the bell jar and to kill a mockingbird are two i am starting with - can you believe i have never read either? they will cross post to other challenges nicely too.

Love Bites Challenge

Whether your preference is vamps, weres or something more exotic - here's a challenge for all you paranormal/urban fantasy lovers!

All you need to do is read three paranormals with a romantic theme between 1st April and 30th June 2009.

That's it! No other rules. You can cross this over with another challenge and change your mind on the books you'd like to read halfway through if you like.

1. city of bones - cassandra clare
2. running hot - jayne anne krentz
3. marked - pc cast and kristin cast

Once Upon A Time III Challenge

fan⋅ta⋅sy: a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting.(Wiki)
fairy tale: a fictional story that may feature folkloric characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and talking animals, and usually enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. (Wiki)
folk⋅lore: the traditional beliefs, legends, customs, etc., of a people; lore of a people; The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally. (Dictionary dot com)
my⋅thol⋅o⋅gy: a body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person; a set of stories, traditions, or beliefs associated with a particular group or the history of an event, arising naturally or deliberately fostered. (Dictionary dot com)
Fantasy, fairy tale, folklore and mythology. The definitions above are a jumping off point, but those of us who have unabashedly reveled in between the pages of these genres know that each is so much more.

Reading and the sharing of what we read should be fun, a pleasure…it should never be work. To that end, here are the various ways in which you can participate in Once Upon a Time III:
This is really as simple as the name implies. It means you are participating, but not committing yourself to any specific number of books. All reading is a journey, perhaps none more so than reading fantastical fiction.

The Journey:
By signing up for The Journey you are agreeing to at least read one book within one of the four categories during March 21st to June 20th period. Just one book. If you choose to read more, fantastic! If not, then we have still had the pleasure of your company during this three month reading journey and hopefully you have read a great book, met some interesting people, and enjoyed the various activities that occur during the challenge. It has always been of utmost importance to me that the challenges that I host be all about experiencing enjoyable literature and sharing it with others. I want you to participate. Hence, The Journey.

Quest the First:
Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time III criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

Quest the Second:
Read at least one book from each of the four categories. In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology. This proves to be one of the more difficult quests each year merely because of the need to classify each read and determine which books fit into which category. I am not a stickler, fear not, but I am endlessly fascinated watching how folks work to find books for each category.

Quest the Third:
Fulfill the requirements for Quest the First or Quest the Second AND top it off with a June reading of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream OR a viewing of one of the many theatrical versions of the play. Love the story, love the films, love the idea of that magical night of the year and so this is my chance to promote the reading of this farcical love story.

Quest the Fourth:
Read two non-fiction books, essay collections, etc. that treat any one or more of the four genres covered in this challenge.

I chose Quest the First:

1. Kushiel's Dart - Jacqueline Carey
2. in the hand of the goddess - tamora pierce
3. the thief - megan whalen turner
4. the sharing knife: legacy - lois mcmaster bujold
5. city of bones - cassandra clare

Book Thief Challenge

This challenge is all about getting to know the thief. You may pick how many books to read (since I know a lot of you have many other books to read!):

1-3 books ~ Pickpocket
3-6 books ~ Candy Shoplifter
6-9 books ~Bank Robber
9-12+ books ~ Grand Thief


Guidelines/Rules/Notes

The book can be of any genre (fiction or nonfiction) but must have some relation to thieves/theft.
The book can have the word “Thief” in the title, can be about thieves, can involve a scene where something is stolen, etc. Use your imagination if necessary.
Since this started later in the year, any thief-related books may be added to your current list.

Please feel free to use books you read here for other challenges too!
It’s not required for you to pre-list your books
The challenge begins today and ends December 31st 2009.

1. slightly tempted - mary balogh
2. the thief - megan whalen turner
3. blue christmas - mary kay andrews
4. shout down the moon - lisa tucker
5. boot camp - todd strausser
6. inkheart - cornelia funke
7. rumors - anna godberson
8. the good thief - hannah tinti
9. city of ashes - cassandra clare
10. fahrenheit 451 - ray bradbury
11. the queen of attolia - megan whalen turner
12. hothouse flower and the nine plants of desire - margot berwin

A Visit to Oz Challenge

You’ve seen the movie, you’ve seen the musical– but have you read the book? And did you know there’s 13 other books, plus an additional 26 written by non-Baum authors? Not to mention all the apocrypha that’s been published.
If you’ve ever wanted to read the Oz books– any Oz books– but have been to intimidated or just never had a good reason, here’s your chance! Join the Visit to Oz Challenge and have some fun!
Okay, did that tempt you yet?

Here’s some more details:
What sort of books count toward the challenge?
All of ‘em. Every book written about Oz, or about characters from Oz, count towards the challenge. This includes the books written by Gregory Maguire, or any of the Ruth Plumly Thompson books, and so on. I suppose non-fiction books could count too, like a biography about L. Frank Baum or somesuch.
Audiobooks and ebooks count as well.

How many books do I have to read?
A minimum of five books. Why five? Because there’s five countries in the land of Oz! Er, if you count the Emerald City area as a separate country, that is. Here’s a map. Of course there’s more countries outside the main Oz bit– but, er, moving on.
Of course you can read as many as you like after the first five. For those that read all the “canon” Oz books (40 of ‘em!), I’ll have a special prize for you at the end.

How long will the challenge last?
From March 31 to December 31! More than enough time to read at least five Oz books; they’re pretty short. Well, the original books are, at least– the apocryphal ones are normally longer.

1. the marvelous land of oz - l. frank baum
2.
3.
4.
5.

its the end of the world 2 challenge

Dates: March 10, 2009 - October 9, 2009

Read at least four books about "the end of the world." This includes both apocalyptic fiction and post-apocalyptic fiction. There is quite a bit of overlap with dystopic fiction as well. The point being something--be it coming from within or without, natural or unnatural--has changed civilization, society, humanity to such a degree that it radically differs from "life as we now know it." (Aliens, evil governments, war, plague, natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes, depletion of resources, genetic manipulation, etc.) Here is a wikipedia article on the subject. Also see here. These changes can be small-but-still-significant or huge-and-life-threatening.Books can be classified as children's, young adult, and adult. (Not many children's books go there. But many teen books do. And they're great.)

Graphic novels can count for this challenge.
Audio books allowed.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
You may have one reread that counts toward the challenge. But most should be new-to-you. (Exception: If you read it several years ago, and you can honestly swear that you don't remember anything about it...then I won't stop you from counting it towards the challenge. I know I've forgotten books I read a decade ago.)

Visiting other participants is encouraged.
Suggesting books for other participants (including the challenge host) is encouraged.

No lists are required. If you do post a list, then feel free to change it at any time.

1. the hunger games - suzanne collins
2. the sharing knife: legacy - lois mcmaster bujold
3. the declaration - gemma malley
4. unwind - neil shusterman

banned book challenge

The Pelham Public Library is issuing the third annual "Banned Book Challenge." Set a challenge for yourself to read x number of challenged or banned books between February 22 (Freedom to Read Week in Canada) and June 30. If you are not sure what to read, check our lists of suggested books on the right. These are books that have faced challenges that are available in the Pelham Public Library. Check LibraryThing for other titles or check any of the links on the sidebar to find even more books.

1. inkheart - cornelia funke
2. the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - mark haddon
3. flowers in the attic - v.c. andrews
4. love in the time of cholera - gabriel garcia marquez
5. what my mother doesnt know - sonya sones
6. sophie's choice - william styron
7. gathering blue - lois lowry
8. coraline - neil gaiman
9. wintergirls - laurie halse anderson
10. fahrenheit 451 - ray bradbury
11. the graveyard book - neil gaiman
12. the witches - roald dahl
13. speak - laurie halse anderson
14. summer of my german soldier - bette greene
15. the boy book - e. ockhart

orbis terrarum challenge

Main Challenge Rules:
*The Orbis Terrarum Challenge begins March 1 2009(you are welcome to join later) Through the end of 2009.

*For the challenge each reader is to choose 10 books (for the 10 months).

*Each book must from a different country, I have decided to go by the country of origin of the author, or the country he/she lives in is fine as well.

*You don't have to have a list, that means you can change your mind at any time. As long as there are 10 from 10 different countries, written by 10 different authors: Anything goes.

The bottom line: choose 10 different books, written by 10 different authors, from 10 different countries.

1. the reader - bernhard schlink (germany)
2. whose wedding is it anyway? - melissa senate (usa)
3. revelations - melissa de la cruz (phillipines)
4. does my head look big in this? - randa abdel-fattah (australia)
5. pygmalion - george bernard shaw (ireland)
6. city of bones - cassandra clare (iran)
7. mossflower - brian jacques (england)
8. price of passion - susan napier (new zealand)
9. love in the time of cholera - gabriel garcia marquez (columbia)
10. inkheart - cornelia funke (germany)

(another) 1% well-read challenge

I was given a copy of the book "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" for my birthday, which makes the start of this challenge perfect.

Pick 1:
Read 10 titles from the original list from March 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.
Read 10 titles from the new list from March 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.
Read 13 titles from the combined list (of almost 1300 titles) from March 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. In other words, “What were they thinking dropping titles from Dostoevsky and Jane Austen?”

I am picking choice 2, since my book contains the "new" list.

1. the reader - bernhard schlink
2. love in the time of cholera - gabriel garcia marquez
3. the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - mark haddon
4. the red queen - margaret drabble
5. the bell jar - sylvia plath
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7.
8.
9.
10.

What's In a Name 2 Challenge

Dates: January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009*

The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.

1. A book with a "profession" in its title. Examples might include: The Book Thief, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Historian

2. A book with a "time of day" in its title. Examples might include: Twilight, Four Past Midnight, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

3. A book with a "relative" in its title. Examples might include: Eight Cousins, My Father's Dragon, The Daughter of Time

4. A book with a "body part" in its title. Examples might include: The Bluest Eye, Bag of Bones, The Heart of Darkness

5. A book with a "building" in its title. Examples might include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Little House on the Prairie, The Looming Tower

6. A book with a "medical condition" in its title. Examples might include: Insomnia, Coma, The Plague*

You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don't use the same book for more than one category. *

Again, there will be some small prizes scattered throughout. No set schedule, so just be sure to check in once a while. There will also be a prize awarded at the conclusion to one participant who completes the challenge.

1. once a thief - michele hauf
2. some enchanted evening - christina dodd
3. secret agent, secret father - donna young
4. thigh high - christina dodd
5. love in the asylum - lisa carey
6. the astonishing life of octavian nothing, traitor to the nation: volume 1 the pox party - m.t. anderson

The Guardian's 1000 Novels Challenge

The British paper, The Guardian, has come up with a list of 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read Before They Die. (In case they take that link down, I've also posted the list here.)

So, the challenge is to read 10 and review read and review 10 books off the list (that's 1%) between February 1st of 2009 and February 1st of 2010.

Of these 10, you must read 1 from each category and, if possible, 1 should be a book you have never heard of until you saw it on this list.

1. the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - mark haddon (comedy)
2. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (love)
3. the bell jar - sylvia plath (self and family)
4. sophie's choice - william styron (war and travel)
5. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M Cain (crime)
6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (science fiction and fantasy)
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the fantastical challenge

This challenge is for Feb and March. Read a fantasy book. Or 2. Or 3. Read to yourself or to your kids.
Choose adult fantasy or young adult fantasy. Heck, go to the library and read a million children's books. Just go somewhere new and fabulous and be sure to tell us all about the journey.

1. alanna: the first adventure - tamora pierce
2. personal demon - kelley armstrong
3. the tales of beedle the bard - j.k. rowling

A Colorful Reading Challenge

The point of the challenge is to read 9 books with 9 different colors in the title. Six colors are required, while the last 3 can be your choice. Books may be overlapped with other challenges. At least 6 of the books should be new to you (doesn't matter which 6). All of mine happen to be new to me, but it is not required. (blue, red, white, silver, gold, black are the required colors)

blue: blue christmas - mary kay andrews
red: redwall - brian jacques
white: vision in white - nora roberts
silver: silver flame - hanah howell
gold: aspen gold - janet dailey
black: black hills - nora roberts

choice: (peach) the secrets of peaches - jodi lynn anderson
choice: (chocolate) the chocolate war - robert cormier
choice: (pink)the secret history of the pink carnation - lauren willig

2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 Young Adult novels. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

1. theodora twist - melissa senate
2. play me - laura ruby
3. thirsty - m t anderson
4. bad kitty - michele jaffe
5. the luxe - anna godberson
6. the thirteenth tale - diane setterfield
7. bratfest at tiffany's - lisi harrison
8. evolution, me and other freaks of nature - robin brande
9. story of a girl - sara zarr
10. the city of ember - jeanne duprau
11. alanna: the first adventure - tamora pierce
12. the boyfriend list - e. lockhart

In Their Shoes Reading Challenge

1. The challenge starts January 1, 2009 and ends December 31, 2009.

2. Books have to be either a memoir, autobiography, or biography.

3. You can overlap with other challenges.

4. Re-reads count.

5. You pick how many books you want to read.

6. You do not need to make a list. This challenge is flexible and the goal is to have fun and read.

I will read at least one a month on average so my goal for this challenge is 12.
1. girlbomb: a halfway homeless memoir - janice erlbaum
2. i'm with the band: confessions of a groupie - pamela des barres
3. no lifeguard on duty - janice dickinson
4. loose girl - kerry cohen
5. seinlanguage - jerry seinfeld
6. bringing home the birkin - michael tonello
7. losing it - valerie bertinelli
8. the geography of bliss - eric weiner
9. wishful drinking - carrie fisher
10. called out of darkness - anne rice
11. always looking up - michael j fox
12. callgirl - jeanette angell

Numbers Challenge

The challenge is to read 5 books whose titles have a number in them from Jan 1, 2009 to August 1, 2009.

This includes written numbers like 'one' and numbers like 10th or first.

You can choose up to three that are on lists for other challenges. So two of the choices must not be on any list.

You can re-read books but all books must NOT be read until January 1, 2009.

1. at first sight - tamara sneed
2. the thirteenth tale - diane setterfield
3. alanna: the first adventure - tamora pierce
4. the first assistant - clare naylor, mimi hare
5. english as a second language - megan crane

New Author Challenge 2009

The challenge will run from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

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, but anthologies are also a great way to try someone new.

I want this to be an easy challenge, so you state how many new authors you want to try this year and then that’s your challenge. If you want a number given to you, try for either 25 or 50.

When you read a new author, write your review (either at your site or the group blog) and then come back here and post a link to your review.

1. lost and found - jacqueline sheehan
2. play me - laura ruby
3. luscious lemon - heather swain
4. roommates wanted - lisa jewell
5. bad kitty - michele jaffe
6. i'm with the band: confessions of a groupie - pamela des barres
7. peaches - jodi lynn anderson
8. the great indoors - sabine durrant
9. adored - tilly bagshawe
10. the city of ember - jeanne duprau
11. alanna: the first adventure - tamora pierce
12. evolution, me and other freaks of nature - robin brande
13. story of a girl - sara zarr
14. loose girl - kerry cohen
15. snowed in - christina bartolomeo
16. fat chance - deborah blumenthal
17. the reader - bernhard schlink
18. the thief - megan whalen turner
19. the vampire diaries: the awakening - l.j. smith
20. the gift bag chronicles - hilary de vries
21. kushiels dart - jacqueline carey
22. english as a second language - megan crane
23. love in the asylum - lisa carey
24. does my head look big in this? - Randa Abdel-fattah
25. killing moon - rebecca york

all my reviews can be found on shelfari.

First in a Series Challenge

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.
3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.
4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

1. redwall - brian jacques
2. the sharing knife: beguilement - lois mcmaster bujold
3. the city of ember - jeanne duprau
4. alanna: the first adventure - tamora pierce
5. the astonishing life of octavian nothing, traitor to the nation: volume 1 the pox party - m.t. anderson
6. peaches - jodi lynn anderson
7. the vampire diaries: the awakening - l.j. smith
8. kushiels dart - jacqueline carey
9. the thief - megan whalen turner
10. city of bones - cassandra clare
11. poison study - maria v snyder
12. inkheart - cornelia funke

Books Into Movies Challenge 2009

When?
The challenge will start January 1, 2009 and end December 31, 2009.

How?
The goal is to read 2+ books made into a movie or books that relate to TV series (Murder She Wrote and the likes).

1. coraline - neil gaiman
this book is geared toward youngish readers - maybe middle schoolers? i saw advertisements for the movie and the book had been on my tbr list for so long i had to pick it up. it was a great story and i look forward to the movie.
2. the reader - bernhard schlink - what a great story. even though it didnt have the happy ending i usually go for, it was a really powerful story.