100+ Reading Challenge

I've seen this challenge throughout the year, and I really wanted to participate in it for 2011.  So I am making it a goal for my reading habits this year.  100 just seems like a prestigious number.  I'm sure as a child I read just as many books, but it seems like an accomplishment now that I am an adult.  So here I go!  I will keep this page updated as well as on my Challenges pages.  Below are the official details as well as the link to the sign up page at My Overstuffed Bookself.

DETAILS:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.  What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. 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.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.  Sign up here.

 Books Read in 2011:
1.  (none so far - 2011 hasn't started yet!)

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2011

As it is that time of year, I have been working on my different challenges that I will be participating in.  I've included the links to those hosting it as well as the various details.  Though I would love to participate in a million and one challenges, as I love them, I have decided to take it easy this first year of challenges, to see how the year goes as well as not get too overwhelmed keeping up with blogs, reading, challenges, as well as that pesky little thing like real life.  Well, here's the first of just a few.  Wish  me luck!

I saw this challenge quite a bit ago, and I believe it's perfect for me.  I am always attempting to do better, and I thought it would be a good thing for me to continuing on my love of reading.  I have chosen to do the "I'm on fire!" level.  Maybe a bit ambitious, but seeing as how technically I only read half the year this year, I think I can do it!  I counted up on Goodreads my books for this year, and I got 46.  My actual goal is 100 books.  Hopefully, I'll make it!    Anyone else being competitive against themselves this year?

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. You can sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. It is not required that you review the books you read for this challenge but feel free to do so.
• Post this reading challenge on your blog so you can keep a list of the books you’ve read for this challenge. Please include a link back to this post so readers can join the challenge too.

Levels:

• Getting my heart rate up: read 1-5 more books
• Out of breath: read 6-10 more books
• Break a sweat: read 11-15 more books
• I'm on fire! : read 16+ more books

Fall Into Reading: Wrap Up Post

Fall Into Reading has officially finished (well, it finished on the 20th, but being under the weather has made me a bit late).  Makes me a little sad.  It has been a challenge I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this fall.  As the leaves have changed and the air grew colder, I snuggled and read, got to know my fellow bloggers and readers, and fully enjoyed taking this fall to read for fun.  I want to thank Katrina at Callapidder Days, who hosted the challenge, and I can't wait to participate in the next challenge she hosts.  Katrina posted a few questions as suggestions for a wrap up post.  So I thought i would include those here as well as the final list of the books I read this fall.


Did you finish reading all the books on your fall reading list? If not, why not?
I didn't finish all the books on my reading list, unfortunately.  I had no idea how many books I would have time to read, so I picked a random number and created my list from there.  Apparently I was a little too ambitious.  But that's ok.  Now, I know better.  As I am planning my challenges for next year, I am glad to know my limits and know where to challenge myself.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?
I tried to stick to my original list, but since I found other books along the way, I decided to just include them in my number.  About halfway through I figured out that I wasn't going to finish my list, so I gave up on my goal of the list and just tried to reach my goal of the reading 50 books.  I actually didn't reach either, but my number was closer because I included all the books I read.

What was your favorite book that you read this fall? Least favorite? Why?
Ah, I have to pick a favorite?!  Well, I'm not sure I could narrow it down, but some of my favorites were: Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs, Evermore by Alyson Noel, and Just Listen by Sarah Dessen.  My least favorite was probably One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake.  My favorites were all novels that captivated me and touched me for one reason or another.  My least favorite - it was simply annoying to me.  I hate reading and skimming ahead just so I can say I finished the book.  When I stop reading for fun and just keep reading to get to the end of the story, that's when I know it's not a book for me.

Did you discover a new author or genre this fall? Did you love them? Not love them?
I discovered many new authors this fall: Alyson Noel, Kathy Reichs, Dean Koontz, Sarah Dessen, Sherryl Woods, Jane Porter, etc.  In fact, most of the novels I read this fall were from new-to-me authors.  I can't say I found a new genre, as young adult fiction and mystery have always been present for me.  I just never really dove into them like I did this fall.  But I found some great authors, some new on the scene, some older, but either way I am excited to keep reading from these new favorites of mine.

Did you learn something new because of Fall Into Reading 2010 – something about reading, about yourself, or about a topic you read about?
I learned a lot about different reading habits.  I have never stopped to think that others might read differently than me, and I find that incredibly fascinating.  Who knew that some people read books completely cover to cover?  And to find out that many people feel it's ok to not finish books?  (that helps me remember that reading is for fun, not have-tos).   I also got to have a good look at my own reading habits, which helps me predict books and posts for my blog as well as know how to predict my participation in challenges in the coming year.

What was your favorite thing about the challenge?
I believe my favorite thing about the challenge would be the weekly questions.  Though I wasn't able to participate each week, I greatly enjoyed Katrina's questions and getting to know other bloggers and readers.  Plus, it was a wonderful way for me to keep track with my progress and have a sense of accomplishment.  I look forward to Katrina's next challenge.

Books Read in Fall 2010:
1. The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baronnes Emmuska Orczy (review)
2. Sooner or Later - Debbie Macomber
3. Evermore - Alysson Noel (review)
4. The Snow Bride - Debbie Macomber (review)
5. The Inn at Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods (review)
6. Harbor Lights - Sherryl Woods
7. She's Gone Country - Jane Porter (review)
8. Twenty Wishes - Debbie Macomber (review)
9. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs (review)
10. The Sparkling One - Susan Mallery (review)
11. Under Her Skin - Susan Mallery (review)
12. Masquerade - Melissa De La Cruz (review)
13. One Reckless Summer - Toni Blake (review)
14. A Whole New Light - Sandra Brown (review)
15. The Rose Red Bride - Claire Delacroix (review)
16. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julie Klassen (review)
17. The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger (review)
18. Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz (review)
19. Flowers on Main - Sherryl Woods
20. On the Steamy Side - Louisa Edwards (review)
21. Blue Moon - Alyson Noel (review)
22. Just Listen - Sarah Dressen (review)
23. Christmas Wishes - Debbie Macomber (review)
24. Home for the Holidays - Debbie Macomber (review)
25. Home for the Holidays - Johanna Lindsey (review)
26. Anne of Green Gables- L.M. Montegomery (review)
27. A Cedar Cove Christmas - Debbie Macomber
28. Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
29. Poison Study - Maria V. Snyder
30. Girl v. Boy - Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
31. The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber (review)
32. The Christmas Dog - Melody Carlson

Thanks again everyone, and can't wait to participate in another challenge again soon!

Holiday Reading Challenge Update

As I have been working on my Fall Into Reading Challenge wrap up post, I thought I would have an update post regarding my Holiday Reading Challenge.  I've truly enjoyed reading many Christmas books, as it has been getting me in the Christmas mood (especially since I haven't put up my Christmas tree yet).  I linked to my original post.  I still have a few from that list to read, but I've also added to my list since I've joined the library.  I took full advantage of their Christmas fiction pamphlet, and I have checked out several Christmas books each time I've gone.  I cannot believe Christmas is six days away!  I haven't even gotten all my presents bought (it helps that I'm not celebrating Christmas with the family until January - I can cheat a little).  But I have been celebrating through my reading.  I linked to my reviews.  I can't wait to keep reading and sharing with you guys the fun Christmas stories I've found!

Christmas Books Finished:

1. Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
2. Home for the Holidays by Debbie Macomber
3. Home for the Holidays by Johanna Lindsey
4. The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber
5. A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie  Macomber

Books Still to Read:

1. The Christmas Blessing (Christmas Hope Series #2) - Donna VanLiere
2. The Christmas Promise (Christmas Hope Series #4) - Donna VanLiere
3. The Gift: A Novel - Richard Paul Evans
4. There's Something About Christmas - Debbie Macomber (if I can get it from the library)
5. The Christmas Dog - Melody Carlson
6. An Irish Christmas - Melody Carlson

Anybody else having fun with Christmas reads?  It's such a wonderful time of year.  I've been so blessed to even have snow this year (not that Bennett was very appreciative)!  I'm hoping for a white Christmas (my first), but who knows what will happen. 

A Cedar Cove Christmas

A Cedar Cove Christmas

Debbie Macomber

256 pages

Rating: 3/5

Mother-to-be Mary Jo Wyse arrives in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve, searching for her baby's father. David Rhodes had said he'd be in town. But he isn't. Which leaves Mary Jo stranded, pregnant and alone. And there's no room at the local inn.…So Grace Harding brings Mary Jo home to her nearby ranch. She and her husband, Cliff, have a houseful of guests, but they offer her a room over their stable (currently sheltering the animals—including a donkey and a camel—for Cedar Cove's Nativity pageant!).
When Mary Jo goes into labor that night, a young man named Mack McAfee, a paramedic, comes to her rescue, just as her brothers—the three Wyse men—show up in town. The people of Cedar Cove join them in celebrating the birth of baby Noel. But no one has more to celebrate than Mack. Because this Christmas brings him faith, hope and love…

My Thoughts: 
I went against my usual code of not reading series out of order soley with this book because it was a Christmas book.  I have to say that I shouldn't have because  I didn't enjoy the novel as much I think I would have had I been familiar with Cedar Cove. 

I thought this was a cute retelling of the Christmas story in a modern sense.  The different ways the characters are portrayed made me laugh, with the Wyse brothers creating the most giggles.  Though predictable, it was a fun read.

Though this was a cute novel, I have to say that I did not enjoy it as much as other Macomber books I've read.  I got frustrated with the side stories, and I was highly confused at times about the many people involved from Cedar Cove.  It was one of those books that I just kept reading and skimming at times because I wanted to get to the end of the novel to find out the rest of the story.  I did enjoy the "love story" (or beginning love story) between Mary Jo and Mack.  They seemed cute together, and I wondered at the time if Macomber will write another story about the two. 

Overall, I thought it was a cute story.  I feel that I didn't enjoy it as much as I could, but I think that's my fault for reading something out of order.  Those who love Macomber and Cedar Cove will thoroughly enjoy this fun retelling.  It was a great reminder of the true reason for Christmas, as well as the hardships a young mother like Mary went through.  I would recommend it to anyone who reads the Cedar Cove series or who won't mind some side-stories.  It's a good romance story, perfect for this time of year.

The Perfect Christmas

The Perfect Christmas

Debbie Macombe

232 pages

Rating: 4/5

What would make your Christmas perfect?For Cassie Beaumont, it's meeting her perfect match. Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing's worked. Not blind dates, not the Internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.
What's left? A professional matchmaker. He's Simon Dodson, and he's very choosy about the clients he takes on. Cassie finds Simon a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets him. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a children's party and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all—and she's finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise!

My Thoughts:
This Sunday afternoon as I listen to Christmas carols on Pandora and snuggle under a quilt on the couch, my Christmas spirit was complete as I read this fun Christmas romance by Debbie Macomber.  I have to admit that I was not expecting anything extraordinary, merely a romantic comedy with cute-but-cliched lines and a predictable plot.  However, this novel surprised me in that it captured my heart, made me laugh, and plunged it's way into the forefront of my Christmas favorites.

I have to admit that this novel is easily my favorite Debbie Macomber book so far.  I loved the characters, laughed with the mishaps, grunted with frustration over bits of stupidity, and sighed with happiness over the story ending.  I'm not sure that there was particularly something that made this novel stand out, but it captured my heart and made me smile this Christmas. 

Cassie is a fun, lovable character that, in fact, reminds me a bit of myself.  At 34, she decides to make a giant leap of faith and go to a matchmaker to find her perfect match.  She seems to take funny mishaps in stride, love her family and friends, and opens her heart to those around her.  I enjoyed reading about her journey for love.

The few small characteristics that annoyed me were not majorly present in the plot and became an afterthought for me.  Mainly, my biggest frustration would be the characters insistance on a perfect Christmas.  To me, Christmas cards hardly are an accurate representation of a person's life.  And I never can grasp the concept of looking for perfection in things, as I think they never exist.  If one goes into a relationship looking for the perfect mate, to me, it seems that you are giving yourself an out for when it fails because you did not put enough effort into it.  But that happens to be a personal pet peeve.

All in all, The Perfect Christmas was a heart-warming, fun Christmas story.  It did not annoy  or frustrate me as some other Christmas stories do.  It was a fun lovestory.  I enjoyed the subplots, even though I predicted them accurately.  I loved watching the love story come to life.  And I connected with Cassie as a character.  I thought there was a good amount of character development and the plot wasn't overly detailed from the characters' pasts.  I honestly can't say exactly why I loved this novel, but it's my favorite Christmas novel.  I plan to add it to my shelf of books to read each Christmas.  I lost myself in the story for a couple hours, and I emerged with a smile on my face.  I would recommend it to anyone who loves romance novels and is looking for a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

Johanna Lindsey

352 pages

Rating: 3/5

Facing eviction and worse at Christmastime Larissa Ascot is forced to accept shelter from a charming earl, Vincent Everett, the Baron of Windsmoor, who has been secretly scheming her family's destruction. But the highborn rogue is bewitched by Larissa--most unfortunate since the proud beauty despises him. But Christmas is a time for miracles.Left to handle the rumors other family's bankruptcy and impending eviction, Larissa Ascots wishes for a merry Christmas seem to be in peril for the first time in her sheltered life. A charming would-be "benefactor,"Vincent Everett, the Baron of Windsmoor, has offered to shelter Larissa and her young brother. But more than Yuletide spirit seems to have inspired the baron's generostity.From the moment he first set eyes on Larissa, the highborn rogue was bewitched. And now that she has taken up residence in his home, he aches with wanting her-a most unfortunate state of affairs, since the proud beauty obviously despises him . . . and since Vincent has sworn to seek a righteous vengeance on the Ascot family.

My Thoughts:

I read this book for my Christmas Challenge.  I received it in a goodreads swap.  I just picked it out because it sounded good.  It was my first book of Johanna Lindsey. 

The book would be what they call historical romance.  It was set in the 1800s, and I enjoyed the time period.  I found some of the historical stuff to be probably not accurate, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.  I also enjoyed the idea of the story - a sweet girl breaking down the walls of a cold-hearted lord.  The characters seemed a little underdeveloped, but they connected well, making it a fun story.

Unfortunately, there was one part of this book that made me enjoy it a little less.  It's a personal pet peeve of mine.  I appreciated the tack that Lindsey used in writing the love scenes, but I hate it when the girl gives it up too early.  I guess I wanted her to be strong and make him change first.  Perhaps that is an old fashioned but I hate it when a guy makes a scheme and the girl does exactly what he wants her to do.  I'm not sure how I would have written the book differently, but it really annoyed me.  I can understand how it worked into the plot well, but it wasn't want I wanted.

Alright, pet peeve moment over, I did enjoy this book.  It was a fun Christmas read, and it did not end the way I imagined it would.  I gave it a three because I enjoyed the plot, but there were parts of the book I didn't like and I probably won't read it again.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fun romance books  and is looking for a light, fun Christmas read.