My Year in Reading

I just finished my last book of this year and finished up my last two reading challenges. I have been signing up for several challenges for next year and am waiting do see if the following are offered next year:  Books in Translation, Southern Lit, and Nonfiction (all at this blog). I did a different nonfiction challenge this year, but the blog for that one has been deleted. The same was true for a feminist reading challenge I did this past year. No word either on the Eclectic Challenge that has been offered by this blog, or the Gothic one started by this one last year.  If none of these are offered, so be it, but maybe there will be something similar to each of these. We'll see. It remains to be seen how many more I'll sign up for, though I have seen some I've not been interested in doing.

Here is how many books and pages I read this year, from Goodreads:

TOTALS

262

books

75,280

pages

My longest and shortest books of the year:

SHORTEST BOOK

10 pages

Llama Llama Sand and Sun

by Anna Dewdney

LONGEST BOOK

943 pages

The Pillars of the Earth

by Ken Follett

MOST POPULAR

3,315,164

people also read

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

LEAST POPULAR

1

person also read

Wolf Dreamer of the Longest Nigh...

by Elayne Silva-Reyna

By far my favorite of the year was (If I ever decide to re-read something, this will be one of them, if not the only one). This was very relatable to me. Those who have been reading my blog this past year will that this book inspired me to write my own story of depression and getting onto Prozac. Still working on it; in February, it will be a year since I started.

My first read for 2017 will be determined tomorrow.

Poetry Reading Challenge 2017

Another favorite  challenge of mine is up for 2017. I will be doing the highest level.

• Haiku Level: read 1 book of poetry or 20 poems
• Cinquain Level: Read 2 books of poetry, 40 poems
• Sonnet Level: Read 3 books of poetry, 60 poems
• Rondeau Level: Read 4 books of poetry, 80 poems
• Villanelle Level: Read 5-10 books of poetry, 100 poems

If you want to challenge yourself this year, feel free to try a new form of poetry — Sonnets, Haiku, Pastoral, Limerick, Elegy, Tanka, Ghazal, Epic, and others.

My books:

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh
2. Owl Moon--JaneYolen
3. The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens
4. I Got the Rhythm--Connie Schofield-Morrison
5. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer--Carole Boston Weatherford
6. Once There Were Giants--Martin Waddell
7. The Giving Tree--Shel Silverstein
8. Topsy Turvy--Monika Meisner
9. Out of the Dust--Karen Hesse
10. Nothing--Robin Friedman
11. Letters of Wallace Stevens
12. Beautiful, Brilliant, Borderline--Angelo H. Hudson, Jr.

Challenge completed on July 21

2017 Creativity Reading Challenge

I decided to try this one because I think it goes well with my writing and because I'm trying to come up with ideas for my work's art class. Since there are no levels, I will try to get at least five books. Sign up here.

I am dedicating 2017 to becoming more creative in my life! In order to do that I need some inspiration. I decided to create the Creativity Reading Challenge to help inspire me.

This challenge is about reading books on creativity, art, crafts, writing, film making, photography, cosmetology, DIY, cooking, and any other topic that helps you live a more creative life.

To get you started, here is a list of my Top Ten Books on Creativity.

The Rules:

• This challenge begins January 1, 2017 and ends Dec 31, 2017. 

• You may sign up anytime during the year. 

• I won't be creating different levels. Read as little or as many books as you want.

• Books may be nonfiction, memoir, how to, self help, coffee table books, instructional, picture books, and even fictional if they are about people who are creative.

• You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks

• You may reread books. 

• Books may count towards other reading challenges.

My books for this one:

1. The Language of Flowers--Vanessa Diffenbaugh
2. Harold and the Purple Crayon--Crockett Johnson
3. Girl in Hyacinth Blue--Susan Vreeland
4. Lisette's List--Susan Vreeland
5. Love and Gelato--Jenna Evans Welch
6. I'll Give You the Sun--Jandy Nelson
7. Happier at Home--Gretchen Rubin
8. How to Paint a Cat--Rebecca M. Hale
9. Two Summers--Aimee Friedman
10. Monday With a Mad Genius--Mary Pope Osborne
11. Beautiful Ruins--Jess Walter
12. Patterns in the Sand--Sally Goldenbaum
13. The Way to Paradise--Mario Vargas Llosa
14. Love is a Mix Tape--Rob Sheffield
15. Page by Paige--Laura Lee Gulledge
16. The Nix--Nathan Hill
17. The Apple Orchard--Susan Wiggs
18. Drama--Raina Telgemeier
19. Life Studies--Susan Vreeland
20. Sun Moon Stars Rain--Jan Cheripko

Challenge completed on December 9

2017 NEW ADULT CHALLENGE

Found this new one I want to try. I will try for the first level, and see if I go over. Sign up here.

Welcome to the 2017 New Adult Reading Challenge. I participated in one of these a couple of years ago and haven’t been able to find one since so I decided to create one myself. I love reading books that focus on older teens/young adults and wanted to challenge myself to discover more in this genre. I hope you will join me.

The challenge will begin on January 1, 2017 and end on December 31, 2017.

As with most challenges I do have some guidelines to follow

1. Any books read for this challenge must be New Adult. If you’re not sure what that is you can read the Goodreads definition here, as well find lists of examples. Once you choose a level you’re locked in for at least that amount. However, you may go up a level if you choose.

These are the levels.

Level 1 – Read 1-10

Level 2 – Read 11-20

Level 3 – Read 21-30

Level 4 – Read 31-40

Level 5 – Read 41-50

Level 6 – Read 50+

2. The book can be of any sub-genre (paranormal, romance, etc.) as long as the New Adult theme is prevalent.

3. Challenge runs from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

4. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.

5. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime if you made a list at the beginning.

6. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.

7. You don’t have to have a blog or write a review unless you want to.
 If you don’t have a blog or somewhere to keep track, post in the comments that you’d like to join.

8. Books can be in any format of your choice (print, audio, ebooks).

9. To sign up, use the Mister Linky below. Reviews and wrap posts links will be posted later.

10. Links provided must be linked to this specific challenge such as a blog post or Goodreads shelf. Please don’t leave a link to the blog homepage or any other generalized link. If you list all of your challenges in one post as I usually do that is okay.

Enjoy and have fun!



Here is what I am reading:

1. The Sky is Everywhere--Jandy Nelson
2. Just One Year--Gayle Forman
3. La Cucina--Lily Prior
4. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass--Meg Medina
5. The Girls--Emma Cline
6. We Are the Goldens--Dana Reinhardt
7. Love and Gelato--Jenna Evans Welch
8. I'll Give You the Sun--Jandy Nelson
9. Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls--Lynn Weingarten
10. One Plus One--JoJo Moyes
11. Sweetbitter--Stephanie Danler
12. Jane--April Lindner
13. Zombies Calling--Faith Erin Hicks
14. The Nix--Nathan Hill
15. Entwined With You--Sylvia Day
16. Captivated by You--Sylvia Day

Challenge completed on December 30

Another Year About to End...

Where has the year gone? Only three more days till we say goodbye to 2016.


It has been quite a year for me.  Beginning a new job and starting to writing a memoir have been my two biggest achievements for me this year.  I've also gotten a new computer after using an outdated one for over 10 years!  So glad to have been able to do that. On a sad note, I thought my story was lost and gone forever, thanks to the new computer, and the fact that AppleWorks had been replaced by Pages for Macintosh users. But  I had saved it as PDF on the old computer to send by e-mail, so I downloaded the story and copied it from the PDF into Pages. I needed to do a lot editing and reformatting, but at least I got the bones of what I had originally written and have been adding and revising. It will be year next February since I began the process. I'll see how much longer it will take me.

My writing class at work hasn't been well attended, but we'll see how that goes next year. In the meantime, another of our peer mentors has moved away, so others have been filling in for  the cooking and art classes which she taught. Twice I've filled in for cooking in November and am looking for another recipe to try. So far I have made sliders (mini-hamburgers, with dinner rolls as buns) and a recipe I found on a soup can for Savory Lemon Chicken. I loved this. Click here to see the recipe.

Also,  I've been searching for ideas for an art project I have proposed for our class to begin after the new year. Something that uses three-dimensional objects, either an assemblage or a diorama. Most of the people don't have a clue what this idea is about, so I'm looking for info to give them. My boss thinks it's great idea. From the images I have found so far, animal habitats seems to be popular diorama themes. Here are two I have found:

So far this is what lies ahead for next year. 

How about you? How has this year been for you?

2017 Literature for Kids Reading Challenge

Here is another one that sounds fun. I like reading children's books from time to time.  I may even try writing a children's story. Sign up here.

Books in this challenge cover the globe, explore new cultures, take us into other time periods, and open our eyes to variety in children’s and teen fiction. Writers of juvenile literature can immerse themselves in multiple genres, to improve intuitive writing skills.

No specific books are suggested. You are free to explore book lists and come up with your own reading goals. There are twenty-five books on the list – intended as providing two reading experiences each month, with a bonus book for extra credit. Either toss out one book requirement, or add the extra book in sometime during the year.

To keep track of the books you’ve read, you could use Goodreads, or keep a list on your blog. To challenge yourself further you can write a review of each book on your chosen reading site or on a blog, or even on a Facebook page.

1. A book about an animal you wouldn’t want as a pet: Olivia--Ian Falconer

2. An award winning book for ages 8 to 12: Owl Moon--Jane Yolen

3. A book set in Africa: Chanda's Secrets--Allan Stratton

4. A Michael L. Printz Award Winner: I'll Give You the Sun--Jandy Nelson 

5. A non-fiction book written for children and published within the last five years: Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer--Carole Boston Weatherford

6. A book that takes place on a farm: The Jolly Barnyard--Annie North Bedford

7. A poetic novel: Out of the Dust--Karen Hesse

8. A book with black and white photographs: Night of the Ninth Dragon--Mary Pope Osborne

9. A book set in an area within 1000 miles of your home location: Love and  Gelato--Jenna Evans Welch

10. A book on this Amazon list: 100 Children’s Books to Read in a Lifetime:  Make Way For Ducklings--Robert McCloskey 

11. A book set in a country you’ve never visited: Ballet Shoes--Noel Streatfeild (England)

12. Any book you think has a beautiful cover: Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy--Rachel Renee Russell

13. A book written before 1920: Black Beauty--Anna Sewell

14. A novel with a boy as main character: The Field of the Dogs--Katherine Paterson

15. A rewrite of a fairytale or folktale: Beast--Donna Jo Napoli

16. A book recommended by one of your relatives: Gia and the One Hundred Dollars Worth of Bubblegum--Frank Asch

17. Any book with a W in the title: Wonder--R.J. Palacio

18. A book about a dog or cat: The Green Dog--Suzanne Fisher Staples

19. A book on the Goodreads list of Best Children’s Books: Harold and the Purple Crayon--Crockett Johnson

20. A book with red on the cover: Petunia--Roger Duvosoin

21. A picture book published within the last 12 months: Flaptastic Colors

22. Re-read a book you’ve already loved: Little House in the Big Woods--Laura Ingalls Wilder

23. Read a book about weather: Science Kids: Spring--Aaron Carr

24. A book with a number in the title: Eight Cousins--Louisa May Alcott

25. A novel about a girl in a foreign culture: The Finnish Line--Linda Gerber


Challenge completed on August 29

Announcing the 2017 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Once again I will be doing this challenge.  I will try to get between 25 and 50 books, or more. Sign up here.

Here are the Reading Challenge details:

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

Everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)

Add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)

Any sub-genre of historical fiction is accepted (Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, etc.)

During the following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels: 

20th century Reader - 2 books

Victorian Reader - 5 books

Renaissance Reader - 10 books

Medieval - 15 books

Ancient History - 25 books

Prehistoric - 50+ books

Here is what I am reading:

1. City of Women--David R. Gilliam
2. One Thousand White Women--Jim Fergus
3. Lady Susan--Jane Austen
4. Black Beauty--Anna Sewell
5. The Epic of Gilgamesh
6. Quicksand--Nella Larsen
7. Angle of Repose--Wallace Stegner
8. The Language of Flowers--Vanessa Diffenbaugh
9. The Blacker the Berry--Wallace Thurman
10. The Big Rock Candy Mountain--Wallace Stegner
11. Slaughterhouse Five--Kurt Vonnegut
12. The Goose Girl--Shannon Hale
13. Big Bob--Georges Simenon
14. Lost Horizon--James Hilton
15. Martin Chuzzlewit--Charles Dickens
16. The Chocolate War--Robert Cormier
17. Wives and Daughters--Elizabeth Gaskell
18. The Light Between Oceans--M.L. Stedman
19. Out of the Dust--Karen Hesse
20. Soulless--Gail Carrier
21. The Hound of the Baskervilles--Arthur Conan Doyle
22. If You Come Softly--Jacqueline Woodson
23. Girl in Hyacinth Blue--Susan Vreeland
24. La Cucina--Lily Prior
25. No Promises in the Wind--Irene Hunt
26. Orphan Train--Christina Baker Kline
27. Night of the Ninth Dragon--Mary Pope Osborne
28. The Spectator Bird--Wallace Stegner
29. The Girls--Emma Cline
30. Britt-Marie Was Here--Fredrik Backman
31. The House--Danielle Steel
32. Lisette's List--Susan Vreeland
33. Crossing to Safety--Wallace Stegner
34. A Study in Scarlet--Arthur Conan Doyle
35. Crime and Punishment--Fyodor Dostoevsky
36. Candide--Voltaire
37. All the Little Live Things--Wallace Stegner
38. The Rum Diary--Hunter S. Thompson
39. Ballet Shoes--Noel Streatfeild
40. Little House in the Big Woods--Laura Ingalls Wilder
41. Eight Cousins--Louisa May Alcott
42. Stardust and Shadows--Janelle Taylor
43. Dragon of the Red Dawn--Mary Pope Osborne
44. Monday With a Mad Genius--Mary Pope Osborne
45. Dark Day in the Deep Sea--Mary Pope Osborne
46. Interpreter of Maladies--Jhumpa Lahiri
47. Serena--Ron Rash
48. Southern Discomfort--Rita Mae Brown
49. Chanda's Secrets--Allan Stratton
50. Little House on the Prairie--Laura Ingalls Wilder
51. Beautiful Ruins--Jess Walter
52. A Dead Liberty--Catherine Aird
53. Pirates--Linda Lael Miller
54. Lady Audley's Secret--Mary Elizabeth Braddon
55. Agnes Grey--Anne Bronte
56. The Fall of the House of Usher and Four Other Tales--Edgar Allan Poe
57. The Importance of Being Earnest--Oscar Wilde
58. The Moonstone--Wilkie Collins
59. The Turn of the Screw--Henry James
60. The Way to Paradise--Mario Vargas Llosa
61. Blood Red, Snow White--Marcus Sedgwick
62. North and South--Elizabeth Gaskell
63. Heartless--Marissa Meyer
64. The Scarlet Letter--Nathaniel Hawthorne
65. Nicholas Nickelby--Charles Dickens
66. The Nix--Nathan Hill
67. Snow & Rose--Emily Winfield Martin
68. The Apple Orchard--Susan Wiggs
69. Caraval--Stephanie Garber
70. Life Studies--Susan Vreeland
71. One Second After--William R. Forstchen
72. A Christmas Visitor--David Saperstein and George Samerjan
73. The Birds' Christmas Carol--Kate Douglas Wiggin

Calling challenge completer on December 19

Quiz: What's Your Christmas Color?

Even though I skipped the decorations this year...

Your Christmas Color is Green

You love an old fashioned, genuine Christmas. And this includes lots of natural elements like trees and wreaths. You tend to have a simple Christmas that harkens to times past. You like holidays smells, sights, and songs than have been around for decades - if not centuries. You enjoy every moment of this season, but you don't hold on too tightly. You are good with it all being temporary and special. You like to bring a little nature indoors if you can during the deadest part of the year. You want a reminder that spring is coming!

What's Your Christmas Color?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!

Quiz: What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Even though I didn't get a tree this year...

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 2017 READING CHALLENGE?

Ok, here's another one. There are two options for the one and I'm going for the longer one. I'm sure I can find crossovers from other challenges.

The idea behind these challenges is to encourage 

The 52-book 2017 reading challenge

1. A book you read in school: 1984--George Orwell
2. A book from your childhood: Little House in the Big Woods--Laura Ingalls Wilder
3. A book published over 100 years ago: Wives and Daughters--Elizabeth Gaskell
4. A book published in the last year:  15th Affair--James Patterson
5. A non-fiction book: Hope--Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus
6. A book written by a male author: 12th of Never--James Patterson
7. A book written by a female author: To All the Boys I've Loved Before--Jenny Han
8. A book by someone who isn’t a writer: The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo--Amy Schumer
9. A book that became/is becoming a film: Wonder--R.J. Palacio
10. A book published in the 20th Century: The Abominable Man--Maj Sjowell
11. A book set in your hometown/region: The Chickens and the City Council of San Juan Bautista--Paul J. Shanley
12. A book with a name in the title: Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass--Meg Medina
13. A book with a number in the title: One Thousand White Women--Jim Fergus
14. A book based on a true story: Night Fall--Nelson DeMille
15. A book someone else recommended: City of Women--David R. Gillham
16. A book with over 500 pages: The Big Rock Candy Mountain--Wallace Stegner
17. A book you can finish in a day: More Brains Than Bullets/The Road to Casas Piedras/West of Dodge--Louis L'Amour
18. A previously banned book: Black Beauty--Anna Sewell
19. A book with a one-word title: Cakewalk--Kate Moses
20. A book translated from another language: Big Bob--Georges Simenon
21. A personal growth book: More, Now, Again--Elizabeth Wurtzel
22. A memoir or journal: Bad Dog (A Love Story)--Martin Kihn
23. A book by someone younger than you: A List of Things That Didn't Kill Me--Jason Schmidt
24. A book set somewhere you’ll visit this year  want to visit: One Plus One--JoJo Moyes 
25. An award-winning book: Angle of Repose--Wallace Stegner (Pulitzer)
26. A book you were supposed to read in school but haven’t yet:  Crime and Punishment--Fyodor Dostoevsky (I wasn't actually assigned to read it, but think I should have been)
27. A book with a character with your first name: Dear Dumb Diary: My Pants Are Haunted--Jim Benton
28. A book with a place in the title: The Oregon Trail--Rinker Buck
29. A book set in the future: Two Summers--Aimee Friedman
30. A play: The Importance of Being Earnest--Oscar Wilde
31. A scary book: Catch Me--Lisa Gardner
32. A funny book: Openly Bob--Bob Smith
33. A book of short stories: The Cat Who Had 14 Tales--Lilian Jackson Braun
34. A trilogy or series: E. Lockhart--a) The Boyfriend List  b) The Boy Book c) The Treasure Map of Boys  d) Real Live Boyfriends
35. A bestseller: Orphan Train--Christina Baker Kline
36. A book you own but haven’t read yet: Just One Year--Gayle Forman
37. A book about philosophy: Lipstick Jihad--Azadeh Moaveni
38. An epic poem: The Epic of Gilgamesh
39. A Victorian novel: Lady Susan--Jane Austen
40. A book of poetry: The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens
41. A book with a colour in the title: Pink--Lili Wilkinson
42. A book with an appealing cover: The Blacker the Berry--Wallace Thurman
43. A book about psychology: Bitch--Elizabeth Wurtzel
44. A book about science: The Immortal Life  of Henrietta Lacks--Rebecca Skloot
45. A graphic novel: Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy--Rachel Renee Russell
46. A self-published book: Beautiful, Brilliant, Borderline--Angelo H. Hudson Jr.
47. A book based on a true story: A  Million Little Pieces--James Frey
48. A famous author’s first novel: The Shack--William Paul Young
49. A book of non-fiction essays:  Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs--Wallace Stegner
50. A book by an author you haven’t read before: The Impossible Knife of Memory--Laurie Hale Anderson
51. A book set in a country you’ve never been to: Quicksand--Nella Larsen
52. A book set in the place you live today:  The Sky is Everywhere--Jandy Nelson

Challenge completed on October 5