2014 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

And now this one too.  I've already read two witch books this year, so I decided to join this one. I'd like to read more books like this, so this was a good one to join.  I'll go for the first level, but may go over.  It's only five months till Halloween, so I'll be looking for more witch books to read between now and then.   To sign up,  visit Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf.  Details copied from the blog, below:

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the 2012 & 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenges! I hope you all had as much fun as I did! Welcome to the 2014 Challenge!!

• Low commitment…you can sign up to read just ONE book as an INITIATE!!!
• Participants who choose to link up reviews will be entered for the end of year prize!!

Challenge Rules:

• This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
• Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
• Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or includes major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
• When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2014 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge, not just a link to your blog.
• You can move up levels, but no moving down.
• Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
• Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 – 5 Witchy Books
Maiden: Read 6 – 10 Witchy Books
Mother: Read 11 – 15 Witchy Books
Crone: Read 16 – 20 Witchy Books

The Prize:

Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository!
Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level will be given one entry for every review they link up. The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest! Link up your reviews on that month’s Review Link Up Post. Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2015 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews. All Challenge Posts can be accessed from my menu bar under my header!

Here is what Im reading for this one:

1. Witch Season (Summer and Fall)--Jeff Mariotte
2. Brownies and Broomsticks--Bailey Cates
3. The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams--Rhonda Hayter
4. The Gates to Witch World--Andre Norton

Fairy Tales Retold Challenge 2014

Now that I've got three challenges completed (and am getting near to completing some of the others), I decided to try a few more, including this one.  I decided to try for the second level, even though this is a new one to me.  I already know a few books I can read for this one.  Sign up for this one here.   Details copied from the blog below:

It’s here! The 2014 Fairy Tales Retold Reading Challenge is back in it’s third year! This year has been rough and I almost decided not to host it this year, but everything worked out! I’m looking forward to hosting the challenge this coming year, and I hope you guys all
Here are the details:

• The challenge starts on January 1st 2014, and ends December 31st 2014
• The goal of the read-a-thon is to read as many fairy tale retellings as possible.
• There will be six different levels to aim for in this challenge:
  • Poor Cobbler: 1-3 books
  • Devilish Wolf: 4-6 books
  • Lady in Waiting: 7-9 books
  • Mountain Troll: 10-12 books
  • Evil Enchantress: 13-15 books
  • Monstrous Dragon: 16+ books
• This challenge is only for Young Adult and Middle Grade retellings. No adult or children’s books count towards this challenge.
• Because of confusion in the past, this year only straight retellings of fairy tales will count. No fairy tale-ish books, and no mythological or classic retellings.
• Single novellas do not count towards this challenge, however a compilation of novellas or short stories can count towards this challenge.
• Have fun and spread the word!

I’ve tried to compile as thorough a list as possible of eligible books for this challenge, which can be found here. If you can think of any book(s) that may be missing, don’t hesitate to let me know!
If you have any other questions or concerns, you can comment, email, or tweet, and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
***UPDATES 12/24/13***
It has been decided that instead of monthly link-ups, there will be quarterly link-ups, which will take place in March, June, September, and December. All those who link up their reviews (whether they be from blogs, Goodreads, Amazon, etc.,) will be able to enter a giveaway, which will most likely feature an assortment of old and new releases!

Here is what I am reading for this one:

1. Cinder--Marissa Meyer
2. Scarlet-Marissa Meyer
3. Cinderella 2000--Mavis Jukes
4. Ella Enchanted--Gail Carson Levine
5. Fairest--Gail Carson Levine

Feeling Like Summer

Hello, I haven't been on the blog for almost two moths now, so I decided to post something--at least one thing--for this soon-to-be ending month.  It's really bright and sunny today making it feel like summer is upon us, which of course it is. Still only doing temporary work and hoping for more work as the year goes on.  No other plans for the summer as of yet.  I have several fans on right now as I don't have air conditioning.  It can get really hot.

What does everyone have planned for this summer?  Can't believe it's already here--well most people consider Memorial Day weekend as the start of summer.

Erotic Romance Challenge 2014

Ok, this one now too.  Will be going for level one, since this is a bit new to me.  I have a few lined up already. Sign up for this one here.




Challenge runs from January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014

The goal is to read at least 12 Erotic Romances in 2014! 

• Level 1--12 erotic romances
• Level 2--18 erotic romances
• Level 3--24 erotic romances
• Level 4--30-60 erotic romances

Added a couple extra levels for yall super readers ;)

• Level 5--61-80 erotic romances
• Level 6-- 81-100+ erotic romances

**Note**You can change your level at any time. It's just a starting point :)

**Note** I'll be adding a check list of ideas for those that would like to use that-- ex- BDSM, menage, dark erotica/romance, etc.

What counts!

• Every erotic romance you read and review in 2014
• They can be any type of erotica-- paranormal, historical, m/m, contemporary, etc
• All erotic romances over 100 pages in length--audio, ebook, print
• Re-reads, cross overs from other challenges

To Join! 

• Grab the challenge button and create a post or page on your blog to track progress.
• Non-bloggers you can use your Goodreads, LibraryThing, etc profiles. Just create a 2014 Erotic Romance Reading Challenge shelf 
• Link your blog starting post/page or your Goodreads/etc challenge shelf in the linky below. 
• We also have a closed FB group for the challenge. To join click HERE

Sign Up HERE! Just include your Name and link to your challenge post/shelf. 

Here is what I am reading for this one:

1. Tangled--Emma Chase
2. A Touch of Crimson--Sylvia Day
3. Switch--Megan Hart
4. Deeper--Megan Hart
5. Suicide Blonde--Darcey Steinke
6. Bared to You--Sylvia Day

2014 Newberry Reading Challenge

Ok, I'm doing another one.  I've finished one already, and so why not another?  Some I haven't made any progress yet, but there are still nine months left in the year.    I'd pondered this one for a while now, and I've already read some that will fit this one I'm now entering. and have a few more sych books planned as well.

The Newberry Reading Challenge is  hosted by Smiling Shelves.  The levels in this one are achieved by points, rather than a number of books.   I'll be doing the first level.  Sign up at the link above.  Details below, copied from Smiling Shelves:

It’s been a goal of mine for quite awhile to read all of the Newbery Award winners. I'm sure I read some as a kid, but I also know I only touched the tip of the iceberg. I needed a way to inspire myself to focus on this goal. What better way than a reading challenge?

I'm so excited about hosting this reading challenge that I may have made it a bit more complicated than it needed to be. But I didn't want to leave out the Newbery Honor Books. Are they any less of a good book just because they didn't win the Medal? Certainly not. So here's my compromise:

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.

(And just to make it extra fun, every couple of months I'll give you a mini-challenge. You can earn bonus points by completing mini-challenges!)

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, 2014, and December 31, 2014. 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 monthly post 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 yoursign-up post, not just your homepage.

Here is my progress below:

1. Number the Stars--Lois Lowry   3 points
2. A Wrinkle in Time--Madeleine L'Engle 3 points
3. The Giver--Lois Lowry  3 points
4. Jacob Have I Loved--Katherine Paterson 3 points
5. Al Capone Does My Shirts--Gennifer Choldenko  2 points
6. Hatchet--Gary Paulsen   2 points
7. Where the Wild Things Are--Maurice Sendak  1 point
8. Because of Winn-Dixie--Kate DiCamillo   2 points
9. My Friend Rabbit--Eric Rohmann  1 point
10. Rapunzel--Paul O. Zelinsky  1 point
11. Ella Enchanted--Gail Carson Levine  2 points
12. A Single Shard--Linda Sue Park  3 points
13. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch--Jean Lee Latham  3 points

What I've Been Doing

Besides reading, as per all the challenges listed on my blog.  It's been so long since I actually wrote a post like this on the blog.

 I am now awaiting the drug test results for the job I interviewed for last week.  They said they wanted to off it to me, and Now I have to wait for the drug test results to see when I'll begin.  Oh, and it was with a swab that you stick in your mouth and saturate with your saliva.  Much better than how many people do drug tests--I think you know what I  mean :-)   Can't wait to hear from this.  Will be glad to have a regular job once again, even if it's only part-time. Since December I've been a temp at a local agency after months without a job.

Also been attending activities through the county mental health department's center as well as going to therapy.  Been doing that since December.

And I can't believe it's already March.   The year seems to be going by fast.  Waiting to see how the rest of the year goes.

Historical Romance Challenge

Decided to give this one a go, too.  Going for Level 1 on this one. Sign up here.

Seriously addicted.  But I'm sure I can do them all.

Challenge runs from January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014

The goal is to read at least 12 Historical Romance! 

• Level 1--12 historical romance
• Level 2--18 historical romances
• Level 3--24 historical romance
• Level 4--30-60 historical romances
• Level 5--61-80 historical romances
• Level 6--81-100 historical romances
• Level 7--101+ historical romances

**Note**You can change your level at any time. It's just a starting point :)

**Note** I'll be adding a check list of ideas (historical romance w/ arranged marriage, w/enemies to lovers, w/ older heroine, younger hero, etc for those that would like to use that.

What counts!

• Every historical romance you read and review in 2014
• Any time period prior to 1920 qualifies.
• They can be historical paranormal, historical erotica, m/m, f/f, etc.
• All historical romances over 100 pages in length--audio, ebook, print
• Re-reads, cross overs from other challenges

To Join! 

• Grab the challenge button and create a post or page on your blog to track progress.
• Non-bloggers you can use your Goodreads, LibraryThing, etc profiles. Just create a 2014 Historical Romance Reading Challenge shelf 
• Link your blog starting post/page or your Goodreads/etc challenge shelf in the linky below. 
• If you'd like to be part of the FB group for the challenge join HERE.

My books for this one:

1. The Night Circus--Erin Morgenstern
2. Through a Glass Darkly--Karleen Koen
3. The Paris Wife--Paula McLain
4. The Red Tent--Anita Diamant
5. The Wednesday Letters--Jason F. Wright
6. Dream Tide--Robin Lee Hatcher
7. The Black Opal--Victoria Holt
8. The Devil Wears Plaid--Teresa Medeiros
9. Mount Vernon Love Story--Mary Higgins Clark
10. The Sherbrooke Bride--Catherine Coulter 
11. The Hellion Bride--Catherine Coulter
12. The Heiress Bride--Catherine Coulter