2015 Monthly Motif Challenge

Here is a reading challenge that will be new to me. I saw it last year, but didn't try it then. Looks like fun, though, so I'm giving it a go for 2015.  Sign up here.  Details below:

~ JANUARY 1, 2015 - DECEMBER 31, 2015 ~

  
Welcome to the 2015 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge! For this challenge, each month is assigned a certain motif or theme. Your task is to read one book per month that fits in with the motif for that particular month. If you participated in this challenge last year you'll see that some of the motifs are the same while others have been changed up or switched around. 
   
This challenge is just for fun so please don't worry if you have to skip a month or if you have to read your books out of order! If you don't have anywhere to link your reviews- don't worry about it. Just come back and comment telling us what you read and if you liked it! Just have fun with it! (Please read the linky instructions carefully.) 


LINKY:

* If you plan on participating, please sign up on the linky with your blog name and the words Sign Up (example: Bookmark to Blog Sign Up)

*  Different this Year! I'll be posting only one linky for all the reviews rather than posting a new one each month. When you post your review post the name of the book and the month.

* You'll find the review linky in the sidebar starting January 2015.

* The sign up linky can be found below. Here is the button if you'd like to add it to your blog. 

MONTHLY MOTIFS: 

JAN- Book to Movie or Audio
Read a book that has a movie based off of it. For an extra challenge, see the movie or listen to the audio book as well.

FEB- Award Winner
Read a book that has won recognition or a literary award.  Here's a list of literary awards to help you get started on your search: Literary Awards.

MAR-  Genre Jumble Read a book in a genre that you've never tried or that you're least familiar with. For example, if you typically reach for romance novels, try a mystery this time. Ask your local librarian for great suggestions on the genre your least familiar with.

APR- Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem

Read a murder/mystery book, a book in which someone dies of mysterious causes, or a book in which the truth must come out.

MAY- Library Love

Show your library some love and visit your local branch. Choose a book to read that they have on display.

JUN-  Take A Trip

Choose a book to read that takes place in a country different than the one you live in or choose a book written by an author that is from a country different than your own.

JUL- Standing Up

Read a book in which the main character stands up for themselves, stands against an enemy, or stands up for something they believe in.

AUG- Alternate Reality

Read a book that's set in the future, on another planet, in another dimension, or in an unknown world. A Dystopian book will count this month as well. 

SEP- Furry Friends

Read a book that includes an animal either as a main character or supporting character. Horses, cats, dogs, insects, bird, etc. The book doesn't have to be about the animal but the animal needs to play some sort of role in the story or be mentioned several times throughout the book.

OCT- Goblins, and Ghost, and Ghouls, Oh My!

Cozy mystery ghost stories, paranormal creeptastic, funky fantasy creatures- it's up to you!

NOV- An Oldie but a Goodie

Pick a book published before 2000 that you've always wanted to read, but just never got to. Or pick a book set in the past (before 2000). 

DEC- That's a Wrap

Finish a series you've been meaning to finish or read the next book in a series you started but never finished. 

Have fun!!! (For an extra challenge, try pairing this with the Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge.)

My Books:

January:  My Sister's Keeper--Jodi Picoult

February:  The One and Only Ivan--Katherine Applegate (Newbery winner)

March:  South of Deadwood/Too Tough to Brand/A Gun for Kilkenny--Louis L'Amour (Western)

April:   Maigret and the Loner--Georges Simenon

May:  Choose Your Own Autobiography--Neil Patrick Harris

June:  Outlander--Diana Gabaldon

July:  A Really Nice Prom Mess--Brian Sloan

August:  The Scorch Trials--James Dashner

September:  Angus and Sadie--Cynthia Voigt

October:  Gossamer Ghost--Laura Childs

November:  The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle--Avi

December:  After You--Jojo Moyes

Challenge completed on December 8

Introducing the Newbery Reading Challenge 2015!

Now for the 2015 Newbery Reading challenge.  I got into this one late last year, but I enjoyed it so much I have to be back.  I will again try for the first level.To sign up for this one, go to Smiling Shelves at this link.  Details below from the blog:

I created this challenge in 2014 as an encouragement for myself to read more Newbery Award winners and Newbery Honor books. It worked! So far this year, I've read eleven Newbery books, and I'm hoping to sneak a few more in before the end of the year.

I also discovered that there were people out there like me who wanted to read more Newbery books, so I've decided to host this challenge again in 2015. The rules are basically the same. Check it out below, and I hope you decide to join us!

Each book you read is worth points. You get:

• 3 points for a Newbery Medal Winner
• 2 points for a Newbery Honor Book
• 1 point for a Caldecott Medal Winner (Gotta give the picture books some love, too.)

In addition to that, you pick a level to aim for:

• L'Engle: 15 - 29 points
• Spinelli: 30 - 44 points
• Avi: 45 - 59 points
• Lowry: 60 - 74 points
• Konigsburg: 75+ points

You can get to this level with any combination of points you want. You can read all Newbery Medal winners. You can throw in a few Honor Books. If you want, you can even read 75 Caldecott Medal winners! How you get to your point level is totally up to you.

Also, anywhere is the point range for your level counts as completing that level. So for example, if you signed up for the Avi level and read 46 points' worth of books, then you have completed that level!

List of Newbery Medal Winners & Honor Books
List of Caldecott Medal Winners

Challenge Guidelines:

• Rereads count (because you were probably a kid when you read it last, and your perspective on the story just might have changed since then).
• Audiobooks and ebooks count.
• And paper books count, too. :)
• All books must be read between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015. Books begun before January 1 don’t count.
• Books can be used for other challenges as well.
• You don’t have to have a blog to participate. You can link up reviews from Amazon, Goodreads, etc., or just hang out with us in the comments!
• Reviews are encouraged, but not necessary. There will be a headquarters page for you to link up your reviews if you want to share your thoughts.
• Choose your point level. You can always aim for a higher point level, but you can't move to a lower one.

To join the Newbery Reading Challenge:

• Write a post (or a comment) stating your intention to join. Choose your point level. You can find the challenge button below to use in your post.
• Add your link to the Linky at the bottom of this post. Make sure you include the link to your sign-up post, not just your homepage.

Grab the Challenge Button!

Here is what I am reading for this one:

1. Cinderella--Marcia Brown (1 point)
2. The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963--Christopher Paul Curtis (2 points)
3. The One and Only Ivan--Katherine Applegate (3 points)
4. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears--Verna Aarena (1 point)
5. The Three Pigs--David Wiesner (1 point)
6. The Cricket in Times Square--George Selden (2 points)
7. Strawberry Girl--Lois Lenski (3 points)
8. Kira-Kira--Cynthia Kadohata (3 points)
9. The Crossover--Kwame Alexander (3 points)
10. The Thief--Megan Whalen Turner (2 points)
11. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler--E.L. Konisburg (3 points)
12. The Wednesday Wars--Gary D. Schmidt (2 points)
13. The Witch of Blackbird Pond--Elizabeth George Speare (3 points)
14. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat--Simms Taback (1 point)
15. The House in the Night--Susan Marie Swanson (1 point)
16. Bridge to Terabithia--Katherine Paterson (3 points)
17. A Long Way From Chicago--Richard Peck (2 points)
18. A Year Down Yonder--Richard Peck (3 Points)
19. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle--Avi (2 points)

Challenge completed on November 2. Total points: 41

Foodies Read 2015 Challenge

Well, here's another challenge for 2015. I loved doing this one the last two years and definitely have to do it again.  I will go for the Chef de cuisine level, but may make it to Chef Cordon Bleu.  That's how my progress for this year's challenge is going, and I think I can do that many books again next year.  To sign up go to this link.  Here are the details copied from the blog:

Welcome to the 2015 edition of Foodies Read! 

If you are new to a food/reading challenge, you may be wondering – what is a “food book”? A food book is a book which is centered around food and/or drinks. That could be a cookbook, a food biography or memoir, a non-fiction book focused around a specific food, wine, chef or restaurant, or a fictional story in which food plays a major role.

Here’s how the challenge works:
1. Decide how many food books you want to read in 2014. 
Pick one of the reading levels below: 

Levels:
Short-Order Cook: 1 to 3 books
Pastry Chef: 4 to 8 books
Sous-Chef: 9 to 13 books
Chef de Cuisine: 14 to 18
Cordon-Bleu Chef: More than 19

2. Grab the challenge button and write a post on your blog so we can spread the word. If you want, you can also add the button to your sidebar to help get the word out that the challenge is on for 2015.

Want to join but don't have a blog? That's fine, just post a comment below in the comments section saying so, and then post your reviews in the comment section of the corresponding tab at the top of the blog under the header.

3. After you read each book for the challenge, come back here and tell us about it. Click on the correct category for your book on the menu bar, and post the link to your review. We’ll use the same categories as last year: Cookbooks, Memoirs/Biographies, Fiction, and Nonfiction. There's also a tab for you to link up your Challenge Wrap-Up post.

Guidelines:

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2015.

You don’t need a pre-selected list of books.

It’s okay to cross over with other challenges.

Any book format is allowed (print, audio, ebook)

Here is what I'll be reading for this one:

1. Like Water for Chocolate--Laura Esquviel
2. Pie--Sarah Weeks
3. Candy Apple Dead--Sammi Martin
4. The Cupcake Queen--Heather Hepler
5. The Chocolate Cat Caper--Joanna Carl
6. Just Desserts--G.A. McKevett
7. For God, Country and Coca-Cola--Mark Pendergrast
8. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul--Deborah Rodriguez
9. Carrot Cake Murder--Joanne Fluke
10. Assault and Pepper--Tamar Myers
11. The Kitchen House--Kathleen Grissom
12. Cream Puff Murder--Joanne Fluke
13. The Sweet Spot--Stephanie Evanovich
14. Gossamer Ghost--Laura Childs
15. The Kitchen Witch--Annette Blair
16. Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti--Bailey Cates
17. Charms and Chocolate Chips--Bailey Cates
18. Devil's Food Cake Murder--Joanne Fluke
19. Blackberry Pie Murder--Joanne Fluke
20. The Christmas Cookie Club--Ann Pearlman
21. The Tea House on Mulberry Street--Sharon Owens

Challenge completed on December 24

What An Animal Reading Challenge VIII 2015

This year was my first time doing this reading challenge.  I will be doing it again next year, again at Level 2. Sign up here.  Details from the blog below:

Welcome to the 2015 What an Animal Reading Challenge VIII.  I began hosting this challenge in 2010, when I took it over from Kristi at Passion for the Page.  I love reading books that feature animals and am going to host this one again.  So, this is my sixth year of hosting it.  I hope you will join me.



The challenge will begin on January 1st. Read on for more details...

The rules are really simple...

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:


a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).

Level 1 - Read at least 6 books

Level 2 - Read 7-12

Level 3 - Read 13 or more 

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...


3. Challenge runs from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. That’s a full year to read at least 6 books. 


4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

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


6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).


7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.


8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.
 If you don't have a blog, just post in the comment section that you'd like to join. You can post your books in there. Or you can sign up by joining my group on Goodreads for this challenge by clicking here.

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

My progress here:

1. How to Moon a Cat--Rebecca M. Hale
2. The One and Only Ivan--Katherine Applegate
3. Pie--Sarah Weeks
4. The Cricket in Times Square--George Selden
5. The Chocolate Cat Caper--Joanna Carl
6. Of Mice and Men--John Steinbeck
7. Travels WIth Charley--John Steinbeck
8. Cat With an Emerald Eye--Carole Nelson Douglas
9. Murder Past Due--Miranda James
10. The Witch of Blackbird Pond--Elizabeth George Speare
11. Angus and Sadie--Cynthia Voigt
12. Life of Pi--Yann Martel
13. The Cat Who Came for Christmas--Cleveland Amory

Challenge completed on December 2

Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2015

Once again, I'll be doing this one and going for Level Three, since I've read a lot of these books.  Sign up here.  Details from the blog below:

Welcome to the fifth annual Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge! Wow, this is the fifth year I'm hosting this challenge and I'm still loving the cozies

To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.

So, here are the rules...

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books

Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books

Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books

Level 4 - Sleuth Extraordinaire - Read 20 or more

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2015 and ends December 31, 2015.

3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists. 

NOTE: If you don't have a blog and want to participate, that's fine. You don't have to have a blog, just post in the comments section as you finish books. If you belong to a site like Goodreads and review the books there, that's fine too. Just leave us the link.  I also have a group for this challenge on Goodreads and you can sign up by clicking here.

6. If you do have a blog, take the button above, put it on your blog and post about the challenge. Then add your name to Mr. Linky below. Please use the link of your challenge post, not the link to your home page.

7. I'm going to have one link for signing up, one link for completed reviews and one link for your wrap up posts. I won't be having a monthly link, just one for all reviews read for this challenge.


Here is what I am reading:

1. How to Moon a Cat--Rebecca M. Hale
2. Hero at Large--Janet Evanovich
3. Death and Taxes--Susan Dunlap
4. Big Little Lies--Liane Moriarty
5. Candy Apple Dead--Sammi Carter
6. The Chocolate Cat Caper--Joanna Carl
7. Just Desserts--G.A. McKevett
8. Cat With an Emerald Eye--Carole Nelson Douglas
9. Murder Past Due--Miranda James
10. 1st to Die--James Patterson
11. 2nd Chance--James Patterson
12. 3rd Degree--James Patterson
13. 4th of July--James Patterson
14. Carrot Cake Murder--Joanne Fluke
15. Fatal Shadows--Josh Lanyon
16. Spring Cleaning Murders--Dorothy Cannell
17. Assault and Pepper--Tamar Myers
18. Cream Puff Murder--Joanne Fluke
19. Gossamer Ghost--Laura Childs
20. The Kitchen Witch--Annette Blair
21. Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti--Bailey Cates
22. Charms and Chocolate Chips--Bailey Cates
23. Devil's Food Cake Murder--Joanne Fluke
24. Blackberry Pie Murder--Joanne Fluke
25. A Cold-Blooded Business--Dana Stabenow

Calling this challenge complete on December 14