Fall Into Reading 2009 Challenge

Katrina is hosting the Fall Into Reading 2009 Challenge.  I love participating in her seasonal challenges.  They’re so laid-back and fun.  She asks us to create a list of books we would like to read this fall.  (Participants can also create additional reading goals, however this is optional.)  Lists can be changed at any time.

For this challenge, I’m going to focus on reading books from my shelves.  Most of the books I own, with a few library books sprinkled in.

My list:

1. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
2. Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
3. Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter*
4. Testimony by Anita Shreve*
5. Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay*
6. Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy*
7. Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain*
8. The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax*
9. Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
10. The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch*

I usually find myself changing my list about halfway through these challenges.  I decided to make an second list to choose from as well.

More titles to choose from:

1. By the Time that You Read This by Lola Jaye*
2. The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
3. Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel*
4. Suspicion by Kate Brian
5. Speed Shrinking by Susan Shapiro
6. The Beach House by Jane Green*
7. Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean*
8. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
9. Long Lost by Harlan Coben*
10. The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

Hopefully I won’t substitute titles on the alternate list either!  But then again, who knows.  My goal is to read 10 books.

* books I own

Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge

Swapna at S. Krishna’s Books is hosting the Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge.  The idea is to read a percentage of books (participants can choose their percentage) that have been on your shelves for over six months.  No list is required at sign-up.  The challenge runs from October 1 – November 30, 2009.  Need more details?  Click here.

My goal is 30%.

This challenge comes at a good time for me.  I’m in the process of creating an Excel spreadsheet of all my purchased, unread books.  My goal is to read 75 books that I’ve purchased (including future purchases) by December 31, 2010.  Anything that will assist me with reaching my goal, is welcomed!

Countdown Challenge ~ 2009-2010

Michele is hosting the Countdown Challenge again!  The idea is to read 10 books published in 2010, 9 books published in 2009, 8 books published in 2008. . .well, you get the idea.  Sounds fun, huh?   Want to join in?  Click here.  Challenge runs from 09/09/09 – 10/10/10.

2010

2009

1. Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson
2. After You by Julie Buxbaum
3. The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
4. Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
5. Suspicion by Kate Brian
6. Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
7. The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

2008

1. Moving Day by Meg Cabot
2. The New Girl by Meg Cabot
3. Testimony by Anita Shreve

2007

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik
   

2006

1. 
   

2005

1. 
   

2004

2003

2002

2001

Countdown Challenge ~ DNF!

My first incomplete challenge!  I love the idea behind this challenge and thought I did pretty well:  40 out of 45 books.  I actually did better than I predicted.  It was difficult for me to find books to fill the requirements for years 2002-2005.  Here’s what I read for the challenge:

2009

1. Run for Your Life – James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

2. Basketball Jones – E. Lynn Harris

3. Forever Princess – Meg Cabot

4. Evil in Carnations – Kate Collins

5. Handle with Care – Jodi Picoult

6. While My Sister Sleeps – Barbara Delinsky

7. True Colors – Kristin Hannah

8. Still Life – Joy Fielding

9. Just Take My Heart – Mary Higgins Clark

2008

1. Just Too Good to Be True – E. Lynn Harris
2. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
3. It Only Takes a Moment – Mary Jane Clark
4. Love the One You’re With – Emily Giffin
5. Sweet Love – Sarah Strohmeyer
6. The Smart One and the Pretty One – Claire LaZebnik
7. The Dead Place – Rebecca Drake
8. The Brass Verdict – Michael Connelly

2007

1. Scot on the Rocks – Brenda Janowitz
2. Frenemies – Megan Crane
3. The Gift – Richard Paul Evans
4. Acts of Violets – Kate Collins
5. A Rose from the Dead – Kate Collins
6. Flawless by Sara Shepard
7. Perfect by Sara Shepard

2006

1. Spying in High Heels - Gemma Halliday
2. Murder 101 – Maggie Barbieri
3. Snipped in the Bud – Kate Collins
4. Pretty Little Liars – Sara Shepard
5. Can You Get an F in Lunch? – Nancy Krulik
6. Private – Kate Brian

2005

1. Heart on My Sleeve – Ellen Wittlinger
2. Slay it With Flowers – Kate Collins
3. Dearly Depotted – Kate Collins
4. Bras & Broomsticks – Sarah Mlynowski
5.

2004

1. Mum’s the Word – Kate Collins
2. Lizzy’s Ups and Downs – Jessica Harper
3. 44 Cranberry Point – Debbie Macomber
4.

2003

1. 311 Pelican Court – Debbie Macomber
2.
3.

2002

1. 204 Rosewood Lane – Debbie Macomber
2.

2001

1. 16 Lighthouse Road – Debbie Macomber

Random Reading ~ Book #2

My second random read was selected from the 27 (gasps!) library books I currently have checked out. I listed them from shortest to longest.  I won’t write each book here, however Random.org picked #8:

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

2nds Challenge 2009 ~ Completed!

Another challenge completed!  For this challenge, I read a combination of the second book in a series and a second book by a new-to-me author.  Here’s what I read:

1. Flawless by Sara Shepard
2. Extracurricular Activities by Maggie Barbieri
3. Run for Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
4. True Colors by Kristin Hannah
5. Invitation Only by Kate Brian
6. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
7. 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
8. Madame President by Nancy Krulik
9. Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
10. Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
11. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
12. Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian

Sarah Dessen Mini Challenge ~ Completed!

Another completed challenge!  Last year I read great reviews about Sarah Dessen.  So when I learned about this mini-challenge, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to discover a new author.  Ms. Dessen is a fantastic author and I see why many readers (both young adult and adult) are drawn to her.  I’m looking forward to reading more of her novels.  Here’s what I read for this mini-challenge:

My list:

1. Just Listen
2. Lock and Key

2009 Audiobook Challenge ~ Completed!

I’ve finished another challenge!  The 2009 Audiobook Challenge is hosted by J. Kaye.  Here’s what I listened to for this challenge:

1. Princess Mia by Meg Cabot [review]
2. Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella [review]
3. Grace by Richard Paul Evans [review]
4. Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski [review]
5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
6. 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber
7. 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber [review]
8. 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber [review]
9. 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber [review]
10. 50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber [review]
11. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen [review]
12. Jinx by Meg Cabot [review]
    

On the Porch Swing Reading Challenge ~ Completed!

I completed another challenge.  Here are the requirements for this challenge:

1. Pick a title with the word “marriage” or “marrying” in it.
2. Pick a title with word “friends” or “friendship” in it.
3. Pick a title with the word “summer” or “winter” in it.
4. Pick a title with a flower name in it.

My list:

1. Questions to Ask Before Marrying by Melissa Senate

2. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

3. Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

4. Evil in Carnations by Kate Collins

Random Reading ~ Book #1

My first random read was selected from the ten library books I currently have checked out.  I randomly listed them on a piece of paper.  Here’s what I had to choose from:

1. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
2. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
3. Beautiful by Kate Brian
4. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
5. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
6. Killer by Sara Shepard
7. Dial Emmy for Murder by Kristen Davis
8. Swimsuit by James Patterson
9. Last Christmas by Kate Brian
10. Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell

Random.org picked:  #4 – Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner