Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Reading Challenges Update: December 2014

Here is where I stand with the challenges I have joined after the month of November (only challenges that I read books for this month are featured here):

Audio Book (22/25)
21. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
22. On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony

100 Books in a Year (99/100)
95. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
96. A Courtship for Cecilia by Ruth J. Hartman
97. On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony
98. The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini
99. A Poem a Day by Karen McCosker & Nicholas Albery, eds.

Historical Fiction (13/15)
13. A Courtship for Cecilia by Ruth J. Hartman

Author Alphabet (22/26)
22. The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini

A Poem a Day

Title: A Poem a Day
Author: Karen McCosker & Nicholas Albery, eds.
Publisher: Steer Forth
ISBN: 1-883642-38-8
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: I am not much of a poetry reader, so this book was a great way to start.  I definitely discovered some poets whom I never thought I would like.

Rating: 4 stars

2014 YA Mythology Challenge Recap

Challenge:  YA Mythology Challenge
Host:  For Those About to Read...
2014 Level:  12 - FAILED!
Thoughts:  I love YA books based on mythology, but the number is always so high for this challenge.  I may or may not try again next year.
1. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
2. Children of the Knight by Michael J. Bowler
3. Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown
4. The Crone's Jewels by E. J. Dabel
5. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
6. Running Through a Dark Place by Michael J. Bowler
7. 
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Elsewhere Online: December 2014

As you know from my Stacking the Shelves posts, I review for another website (bookloons.com). As I cannot post my reviews there and here, but I would still like to count the books I read for the challenges, I am going to have a post like this at the end of the every month listing the books I reviewed and what challenges the went towards.

Title: The Heart Does Not Grow Back
Author: Fred Venturini
Challenges: Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

2014 Author Alphabet Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Author Alphabet
Host:  Nothing But Reading Challenges
2014 Level: 26 books - FAILED
Thought:  I did come close, but it is hard to find authors whose last names start with vowels or those weird letters.  I will try again, though.
A. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
B. Lexicon by Max Barry
C. Along the Way Home by Christi Corbett
D. The Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler
E. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers
F. Last Train to Babylon by Charlee Fam
G. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
H. The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill
I.  
J. The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
K. The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland
L. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
M.  Spell Struck by Ariella Moon
N. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
O. 
P.  Enders by Lissa Price
Q.
R.  The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
S.  Perfect Nightmare by Norman Stanton
T.   The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
U. Two-Room Flat by Jill Urbach
V.  
W. Plow the Bones by Douglas F. Warwick
X.
Y. Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young
Z.  Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

Monday, December 29, 2014

2014 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Witches and Witchcraft Challenge
Host:  Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
2014 Level: Initiate (5 books) - COMPLETED!
Thoughts:  I do love witchy books, so this is always fun!
1. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
2. Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks
3.  Spell Struck by Ariella Moon
4. Spellbound by Samantha Combs
5. Hexed by Michelle Krys

Sunday, December 28, 2014

2014 Free Reads Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Free Reads Challenge
Host:  Bookish Ardour
2014 Level: Bargain (30 books) - COMPLETED!

Thoughts:  Free Books are pretty easy to come by, and are most often very good.  Will definitely try again next year.
1. Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young
2. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
3. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
4. Once by Morris Gleitzman
5. Perfect Nightmare by Norman Stanton
6. Along the Way Home by Christi Corbett
7. Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
8. Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks
9.  Spell Struck by Ariella Moon
10. Rotters by Daniel Kraus
11. Spellbound by Samantha Combs
12. The Demon's Wife by Rick Hautala
13. Conscientious Inconsistencies by Nancy Jane Moore
14. After the War by Libby Sternberg
15. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
16. Two-Room Flat by Jill Urbach
17. Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
18. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
19. A Stormy Knight by Amy Mullen
20. Get Jiro! by Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, & Langdon Foss
21. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
22. The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley
23. Clan Lord by Joel Babbitt
24. Enduring Courage by John F. Ross
25. The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
26. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
27. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
28. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
29. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
30.The Boy Who Could See Demons by Carolyn Jess-Cooke

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Stacking the Shelves: 12/21-12/27

For possible review (on Bookloons):
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Received for Christmas:
Half Bad by Sally Green

2014 British Book Challenge Recap

Challenge:  British Book Challenge
Host:  Feeling Fictional
2014 Level:  12 books - COMPLETED!
Thoughts:  As I said yesterday, I read a lot of British books.  Definitely will do this again.1.  Perfect Nightmare by Norman Stanton
2.  The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
3. The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
5. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
6. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
7. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
8. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
9. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
10. The Matchmakers by Ruth J. Hartman
11. The Small Hand and Dolly by Susan Hill
12. The Graveyard Book Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell

Friday, December 26, 2014

2014 European Challenge Recap

Challenge:  European Challenge
Host:  Rose City Reader
2014: 3 Star - Business Traveler (3 books) - FAILED!
Thoughts:  I read a lot of British stories, but not so many set in other European countries, although I probably should.  Might try for a lower level next year.
1. Once by Morris Gleitzman
2. Blood of the Lamb by Sam Cabot
3.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

2014 Dystopia Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Dystopia Challenge
Host:  Bookish Ardour
2014 Level: Asocial (5 books) - FAILED!
Thoughts:  Another close one, and maybe I can complete it next year now that I have a few dystopians on audio book.
1. Enders by Lissa Price
2. Get Jiro! by Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, & Langdon Foss
3. World War Z by Max Brooks
4. The 100 by Kass Morgan
5. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

2014 Aussie Author Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Aussie Author Challenge
Host:  Booklover Book Reviews
2014 Level: Joey (1 book) - COMPLETED!
Thoughts:  The problem I have with this challenge is that I do not always pay attention to where an author is from.  Not sure if I will try again next year.1. Lexicon by Max Barry

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

2014 Historical Fiction Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Historical Fiction Challenge
Host:  Historical Tapestry
2014 Level: Medieval (15 books) - FAIL!
Thoughts:  So close, yet so far.  I love historical fiction, but just missed reading enough this year.  Will go down a level next year.
1. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
2. Once by Morris Gleitzman
3. Along the Way Home by Christi Corbett
4. I Am Abraham by Jerome Charyn
5. After the War by Libby Sternberg
6. A Stormy Knight by Amy Mullen
7. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
8. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
9. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
10. The Matchmakers by Ruth J. Hartman
11. The Ghosts of Southwark by O. M. Grey
12. The Unwanted Earl by Ruth J. Hartman
13. A Courtship for Cecilia by Ruth J. Hartman
14.
15.

Monday, December 22, 2014

100 Books in a Year Recape

Challenge:  100 Books in a Year
Host:  Book Chick City
2014 Level:  100 Books - FAILED
Thoughts:  Hmm, Goodreads says I've read 100, so not sure where the discrepancy is.  There was a lot happening this year, but I know I will be able to read 100 next year.
1. Borrowed Magic by Dave Roman & John Green
2. Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young
3. Grimm's Fairy Tales by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm
4. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
5. Avigon by Che Gilson & Jimmie Robinson
6. The Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler
7. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
8. Manhattan Beach 1957 by Hermann & Yves H.
9. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
10. Once by Morris Gleitzman
11. Perfect Nightmare by Norman Stanton
12. Along the Way Home by Christi Corbett
13. Children of the Knight by Michael J. Bowler
14. Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
15. Lexicon by Max Barry
16. The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland
17. Enders by Lissa Price
18. Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks
19. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
20. Over the Rainbow by Tom Hutchinson, Alisson Borges, & Kate Finnegan
21. Spell Struck by Ariella Moon
22. Rotters by Daniel Kraus
23. Spellbound by Samantha Combs
24. I Am Abraham by Jerome Charyn
25. The Demon's Wife by Rick Hautala
26. Promise Bound by Anne Greenwood Brown
27. The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill
28. Conscientious Inconsistencies by Nancy Jane Moore
29. After the War by Libby Sternberg
30. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
31. Two-Room Flat by Jill Urbach
32. Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
33. Road Rash by Mark Huntely Parsons
34. The Counselor by Cormac McCarthy
35. Heartless by Sam Shepard
36. The Winner's Circle by Marie Rutkoski
37. The Crone's Jewels by E. J. Dabel
38. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
39. Chasing Prophecy by James Moser
40. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
41. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
42. Spark by Michael F. Stewart
43. The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
44. Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin
45. A Stormy Knight by Amy Mullen
46. Written for You by Joseph Cognard
47. Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves by Dianne Ascroft
48. Out of Picture 2 by Daisuke Tsutsumi & Michael Knapp
49. Get Jiro! by Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, & Langdon Foss
50. Stealing the Moon and Stars by Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens
51. Irenicon by Aidan Harte
52. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
53. The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley
54. Clan Lord by Joel Babbitt
55. World War Z by Max Brooks
56. The Road to Nyn by Brian G. Michaud
57. Enduring Courage by John F. Ross
58. Running Through a Dark Place by Michael J. Bowler
59. Hexed by Michelle Krys
60. The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
61. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
62. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
63. Blood of the Lamb by Sam Cabot
64. Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
65. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
66. Judging a Book by Its Lover by Lauren Leto
67. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
68. Extremities by David Lubar
69. Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little
70. Dreamspinner by Lynn Kurland
71. The Boy Who Could See Demons by Carolyn Jess-Cooke
72. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King
73. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
74. Plow the Bones by Douglas F. Warwick
75. The Matchmakers by Ruth J. Hartman
76. The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick
77. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
78. The Small Hand and Dolly by Susan Hill
79. The Graveyard Book Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell
80. The Ghosts of Southwark by O. M. Grey
81. The Serpent Bearer by Frank Say
82. The 100 by Kass Morgan
83. Sold by Patricia McCormick
84. Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie
85. The Unwanted Earl by Ruth J. Hartman
86. Don't Forget Me, Bro by John Michael Cummings
87. Last Train to Babylon by Charlee Fam
88. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers
89. Dragonbait by David McLain
90. The Animal Story Book by Andrew Lang
91. Junky by William S. Burroughs
92. Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh
93. Sets, Lights & Lunacy by Lloyd Burlingame
94. Find Me I'm Yours by Hilary Carlip
95. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
96. A Courtship for Cecilia by Ruth J. Hartman
97. On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony
98. 
99. 
100.