I often do the rounds of reader blogs to see what other people are reading and for ideas of books to add to my to-read pile. During my blog-hopping this week I came across a series of reading challenges. I thought the challenges sounded like fun. I read a lot anyway because a) I enjoy reading and b) I like to keep up with current trends and c) It’s a form of research for me in my writing. I like to see what other writers are doing.
With all that in mind, I’ve signed up for three challenges. I’m putting on my reader hat and will do mini-reviews of the books I read for my challenges.
Here are the challenges:
Goes from Feb. 1 to July 31, 2009 and is hosted by Caribou Mom. The idea is to chose a goal of 4 to 6 books that are currently in your (physical or virtual) TBR pile that are connected by similar theme. There are three different levels of participation, depending on how difficult you would like to make it. I’m choosing the “Read at least 4 books with the same theme” level. My chosen theme is books where the hero or heroine wear uniforms…
2. 1st in a Series.
I always enjoy reading series so this challenge fits well. Hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog (Jan 1st – Dec 31st). The idea is to read the 1st novel in 12 different series. I hope to start new series in this challenge and to catch up on series I’ve missed. I’m not organized enough to list all the books I hope to read but the first one I’d like to start on is Devils on Horseback: Nate by Beth Williamson.
3. New Authors
Hosted by Literary Escapism (Jan 1st – Dec 31st)
The idea behind this is simple. Find a new-to-you author and read one of their novels. There are lots of new authors in my to-read pile so this shouldn’t be difficult. I’ll add the authors to my blog page as I read them. I’m going to be ambitious with this challenge and sign up for 50 new authors.
It will be interesting to see how I go with the challenges. Whatever happens I’m sure I have some great reading in store for me in 2009.
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Good luck with your triple-challenge, Shelley. I’m an avid, rabid reader, but I’ve so many books on my TBR pile that it’s beginning to intimidate me… to the point I’m avoiding it!! (not good)
by Wylie Kinson January 4th, 2009 at 8:42 amI find myself picking up magazines at the moment but perhaps that’s more a reflection on how crazy-busy life has been. I’m putting off the novels until I actually have time to sit down and concentrate on what I’m reading.
It was the to-read pile by my bed that jump-started me. I’d also put off reading them and they keep getting dusty. You have no idea how much I hate dusting!!
Reading for a challenge sounded like the ideal solution.
by Shelley Munro January 4th, 2009 at 11:15 amHappy reading!
Paz
by Paz January 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pmOh, these sound like fun challenges! Best of luck to you!
You know, I got to thinking the other day that with the variety and number of books I read, I probably complete several challenges each year without ever realizing it…LOL.
by Jennifer Y. January 4th, 2009 at 5:04 pmHi Paz! thanks.
Jennifer – I was thinking that, too. I’m not exerting much extra effort formally signing up for the challenges.
by Shelley Munro January 4th, 2009 at 6:37 pmGood luck with the reading challenges, Shelley. What a great idea!
by Christina Phillips January 5th, 2009 at 12:04 amThis is a tempting blog for a person who lives in the procrastination center of the universe! And seeing as how when I packed up before my house renovations last year, I had a count of 256 TBR books and I havent unpacked them yet just added new ones…lol the draw is even stronger!
LOL A supersoaker would be a frozen in mid stream before it reached me!
by Marissa Alwin January 6th, 2009 at 6:07 pmOh i like those challenges and since am always reading anyway…i will join you in them!
by Dayanna January 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm