Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Narrated by

Audiobook – mp3

Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads:

A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.

My Review:

Nikki Heat is a NYC police detective. Jameson (Jaime) Rook is a magazine reporter. Jaime is riding along with Nikki as part of a story he is doing about the department. Together they investigate the murder of real estate Matthew Starr. Starr reveals secrets, lies, deceit, and greed in the victim and those around him. This fast paced novel never lags. It keeps you engaged right to the very end. And why wouldn’t it. It reads like a Christmas song: 5 suspects, 4 police chases, 3 detectives, 2, murders, a multi-million dollar art collection theft, 1 reporter, 1 steamy love scene, and a partridge in a pear tree! TBR #3

Challenges:

Soundtrack Challenge: Dirty Dancing

2012 Support Your Local Library

2012 50 State Reading Challenge

Fun and Games:

Bunnita Reading Travel Buggie

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book 1 in series

Paperback: 391pgs

Rating: 4 stars

From back of book:

When Nora and Patch are forced together as lab partners, Nora would rather fall to her death than put up with his elusive answers to her questions, his teasing, and his infuriatingly handsome face and hypnotizing eyes. It seems Patch was put on earth just to drive her crazy.

But before long, Nora's defenses start to break down as her curiosity about Patch heats up. Why does he always seem to be wherever she is and know exactly what she's thinking? How does he know what to say to both attract and repulse here? And what is up with thos V-shaped scars on his chiseled back?

As their connection grows stronger. Nora's own life becomes increasingly fragile. Nora needs to decide: Is Patch the one who wants to do her harm or the one who will keep her safe? Has she fallen for one-of-the-fallen?

My Review:

A love story that includes teenagers, angels, and nephilim. Nora has always been a good student. The type of daughter any parent would dream to have. She is reliable and does pretty much as she is told. That is until Patch. Patch a bad boy. Just how bad Nora has no idea but she does know that it would be a good idea to avoid him. There’s only one problem. Patch seems to be everywhere she is. And to make matters worse, someone is following her intent on doing her harm.

Hush, Hush is an interesting love story. The suspense kept the story moving forward though I never for a minute thought that Patch would hurt Nora. What I didn’t like about the story was the way Nora rationalize her fear of Patch. You should never be with someone you don’t feel safe with. Bad boys are bad to others not to you…those would be jerks and who wants to be with a jerk. Also I wasn’t so crazed about the character Vee. There were many times I just wanted to slap her. Ignoring a news article is one thing but trying to convince a friend to go out with a guy who slammed her up against her house well, that’s selfish. I am looking forward to reading book 2 Silence. TBR#2

Challenges:

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2012 Paranormal Romance Reading Challenges

2012 50 State Reading Challenge

Fun and Games 2012

Bunnita Reading Travel Buggie

He Was My Man First by Flowers & Parker

He Was My Man First

By Nancey Flowers & Courtney Parker

pgs 338
rating 4stars

From Goodreads:

     Valentine Daye is a product of the streets. Raised in the projects, she lost her father and her mother young. By fifteen, she was living the life with drug lord Colombo. But when Colombo and his crew are murdered, Richard Washington, one of Colombo’s many street runners, swoops in and wastes no time making Valentine his queen.
     Nine years later, Valentine and Rich are a happy couple who have weathered some “minor” problems. Valentine is well aware that Rich steps out on her. But doesn’t every man? He always finds his way home. Or at least he did before Vanessa Knight.
     Vanessa Knight is a woman who has everything . . . except Richard Washington. An heiress to a multimillion-dollar company, Vanessa is willing to forgive Rich’s flawed background. However, she wants him for herself, and tells him that he must decide what’s important to him—a flourishing career at clothier Jorge Jacobs, where she can make him a VP, or a life with his street past, Valentine?.
      When Daye meets Knight, each woman plots and schemes to steal Rich’s heart. Rich must make a decision. Does he gamble and start a new life with the beautiful and cunning Vanessa, or does he stay with his around-the-way girl Valentine, who has been with him through thick and thin?

My Review:

     He Was My Man First is a fast paced book about love, lost, and lies. I had a problem with all the characters in this book. Let’s start with Vanessa. She comes from somewhat old money though in my opinion having your great grandfather make a fortune doesn’t count as old money to me. To those who have “real” old money 3 generations of wealth is still new damn money so what her and her family really is just a bunch of siddities who have forgotten where they come from. Anyway…she lost her love to a car accident which she blames herself for. Since then she has become all about using people to get what she wants. At first, Richard was just a means to get herself a higher position in the company but then she starts to catching feelings. All the while, she enjoys what they affair is doing to Valentine. I have no sympathy for Vanessa. The back story of how her fiancée died was suppose to stir up some empathy for her character but it didn’t not work for me. No she wasn’t exactly responsible for his death but her actions were insensitive and added to the circumstance of his death.

            On to Richard, like some many men out there he enjoys having his cake and eating it too. Unfaithful and selfish are the two words to describe his character. He’s the type that likes to have his main chick and have a girl on the side. He says and does whatever he has to to get over on them including using the word love. What is sad about men like him is that they usually do have love for the woman they are dogging out but they love themselves and their wants more.

            Now to Valentine, having a abusive relationship with her first man does tend to make any relationship after that seem great but her rationale for Richard was pathetic. She never blamed him for any of the cheating that he did. It was always the chick fault because hey…men cheat. Even if that is true, one doesn’t just go along with the program. Men cheat because the main woman tolerates and the side chick(s) don’t care. If women refuse to deal with infidelities there would be a lot less of it. Valentine annoyed me to no end. I do like how she finally got a clue though she had to be put in a situation in order to get it. I also like the ending. I can’t speak on it without giving it away but there is never one way to do things and I don’t disagree with the path she chose. TBR list 2

Challenges:
2012 50 State Reading Challenge
2012 Romance Reading Challenge

Fun and Games 2012:
Bunnita Reading Travel Buggie

High Summer Read-a-Thon July 16 - July 22

High Summer Read-a-Thon July 16 - July 22

July 16, 2012 – July 22, 2012

The True Book Addict is hosting a July read-a-thon! Here is more about the read-a-thon:
Books read must be novels or novellas, adult or young adult are fine, but no children's books. Of course, non-fiction is fine too.

You DO NOT have to participate the entire week. Join in when you can, start in the middle, end early...whatever works best for your schedule.

True Book Addict will not be hosting any mini-challenges during the read-a-thon. Trying to keep it more about the reading here by eliminating time spent completing mini-challenges.

There will be a participant giveaway at the end of the read-a-thon for those who sign in at the starting line and complete a wrap-up post. Number of winners will be determined by the number of prize donations I receive.

Other participants may host their own mini-challenges/giveaways, but participation in these is entirely optional.

You do not have to have a blog to participate. You can sign-up, sign-in, and wrap-up...all from Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads. You can also do updates from those locations, if you do not have a blog.

We will be on Twitter during the read-a-thon, tweeting under#HSreadathon. We had some nice little reading sprints last time on Twitter. No prizes, just bragging rights. Fun!

Reading Road Trip - Play Book Tag

Play Book Tag (a group located on Shelfari) often have games. I have late to the game on this one but I going to play anyway. So here are the deets! It sounds complicated and there's alot of info.

READING ROAD TRIP June 1st 12:00 AM EST to August 31st 11:59 PM EST

Summertime is finally here! And what better way to celebrate than to go on a road trip....a Reading Road Trip! Below you will find the rules and guidelines.

Goal: To read books that take place in all 50 states plus Washington DC.
Rules:
1. The characters must actually go to the state and mention it or a city in the state by name. If the location is visited in a flashback in which the story switches to the time period when the characters were actually there then that counts. Simply telling a story about when a character was there without the story switching to that time does not.
2. When you post your review, you must include the name of the state you are claiming points for and a short sentence about what the characters did there.
3. You receive one point per state. (51 points total with DC)
4. A maximum of five states can be claimed with one book.
5. You cannot claim the states until you finish the entire book.
6. Children's books will not count for this challenge.
7. The game will begin June 1st at 12:00 AM EST and will end August 31st at 11:59 PM EST.
Bonuses:
1. If you read one book that visits more than five states, you get a bonus point.
2. You can visit up to ten states twice for an extra point each. You still just get ONE POINT for each of these states. You do not get one point for reading it and a second point for going there twice.
3. If your book also fits the monthly tag, you get two bonus points. The book must be tagged the exact monthly tag on Shelfari to receive the point.
4. If your book mentions a place that is actually a tourist place that is open to the public, you can earn 3 points by telling us basic tourist info about the place: what are their hours? What is the entrance fee? What age group is it targeted to? Four sentences about one of aspect you would be sure to see and why. You can do this a maximum of 5 times but only once per book!
5. When you read a book that takes place in the state you currently live, you can earn 3 points by telling us why YOUR state is the best place to visit on a summer road trip! Include at least three things we could do (i.e. good restaurants, outdoor activities, festivals, plays that are coming to town, the possibilities are endless!) with a couple of sentences description each. You can only do this once. These attractions do NOT have to be mentioned in your book. You are the state expert - show off your home! :)
Note: If you are an international member, please send me a PM and I will randomly select a state for you. If you would like to suggest a state because you have family there, used to live there, have visited and want to brag about the cool stuff you did, you can mention that in the PM and that will most likely work as well.
6. The admins have a summer full of travel planned! We will be announcing one week before our departure the state we are traveling too. If you read a book that takes place in that state by the time we return from our trip, then you will earn a bonus point.
Note: if you have already read for that state and are maxed out on the your extra points for visiting a state twice, you can still earn these points.
Prizes:
1. Completed all 50 states + DC first - $15 Amazon GC.
2. Most points at the end of the competition - $10 Amazon GC.
3. Completed all 50 states + DC with fewest number of books - choice of books from Linda + 5 participation points.
4. Completed all 50 states +DC with most number of books - choice of books from Linda + 5 participation points.
5. Everyone who finishes in the time frame gets 5 participation points.
Score Reporting:
There will be one thread for score reporting and I will start the thread on June 1st. Please DO NOT make a post for yourself and then post your scores as replies. This makes it very hard to keep track of scoring and shelving.
You are welcome to have your own thread to keep track of what you plan to read and your progress as you go along, but will need to copy your reviews to the main thread to get the points.
If you are claiming points please follow the example format. You will also need to include your review in your post and may include a running total and state count if you like.
State: South Dakota: The main characters visit South Dakota to investigate a mine.
State: Washington D.C.: The main character is a Hill staffer in the Capitol.
Bonus: tagged Suspense
Bonus: The US Capitol is a tourist destination that I would visit. It is free to the public....
Total: 7 points

Bunnita's Reading Travel Buggie

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

This is a story about teenage love and angel. It’s suspenseful and a little dangerous. It is a character driven and quite interesting. I wish they would’ve gotten more into the story of Patch as the book focused on the events that the two were going through with only little flashbacks or hints into Patch’s past.

State: Maine: 1pt

Bonus: tagged  Suspense 2pts

Total: 3pts

He Was My Man First by Nancey Flowers and Courtney Parker

This is a story about infidelty, love, trust, and a little obsession. It is fast paced and drama filled. The characters are not likable but real enough. Unfortunately the attitudes of the characters are the attitudes of many people. Women who actively try to take another man woman. Women who blame the woman more than she blame her man for cheating. And men who cheat because there women available to cheat with and woman who will tolerate being cheated on.

State: New York: 1pt
Total: 1pt
Cumulative Total: 4pts


Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine - Hush, Hush
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York - He Was My Man First
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina - Virals
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia - The Rocky Road to Romance
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

The 50 States Reading Challenge 2012

The 50 States Reading Challenge 2012

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read reviews must be written within the year 2012; you can not use old reviews.)

You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group.


**Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
**Non-Bloggers: Sign up in the comments section. Post your reviews with other book sites (ie. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.) and post the link in the comments section of the 50 States Reading Challenge. (will post January 1).

When you sign up on Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Include a link to this post, so that your followers can sign up too! You can either list your books on your challenge post, sidebar, or a page dedicated to your challenges.

Feel free to sign the Mister Linky with your name and blog name. (ie. Tasha (Book Obsessed)) or just your blog name (ie. Book Obsessed) You are welcome to sign up now, but please check back on January 1, 2012 for the 50 States Reading Challenge Review Link! (You will be able to link your review of the book for others to read and drive traffic to your blog.)

My books:

Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich (New Jersey)
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Minnesota)
He Was My Man First (New York)
Virals (South Carolina)
The Rocky Road to Romance (Virgina)

Once Upon a Read-a-thon

It's time for sign ups for the third annual Once Upon a Readathon! This Readathon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela at Reading Angel and Candace's Book Blog. It runs from 12:01 am on July 9th to 11:59 on July 11th.

What is a Readathon?
A Readathon is where you set a goal for yourself to read more books that is beyond your average number of books you read. There is no minimum, it's all up to you! Push yourself to get some of those books read that have been sitting on your shelves for awhile! You can read anything you like. Any genre, any subject.

What you do:
To participate in the Once Upon a Readathon you enter into the linky. It's the same linky on all their blogs, so only enter into it ONCE! Then grab the button and post it on your sidebar to spread the word and so you don't forget. Then, from 12:01 am on July 9th to 11:59 pm on July 11th you read, read, and read some more! Make sure you do at least one update post (if you don't have a blog you may do this on facebook and/or twitter) and participate in at least one challenge.

What you get:
They have one giant giveaway planned that you won't want to miss out on! Lori, Angela and Candace will be giving away a $60 gift card to amazon or Barnes & Noble (or The Book Depository if you're international). There may be some other giveaways as well with the challenges. You are only eligible if you do at least one update post and participate in at least one challenge. They will check!

My List:
Today July 9th
physical book: The Rocky Road to Romance
audio book: Kill Switch, The First Part Last
ebook: Virals

2012 Fairy Tale Challenge

2012 Fairy Tale Challenge!

Special Thanks  Ye Olde Faery Shoppe

I am so excited to announce that the Fairy Tale Challenge is returning for 2012! For all those who love fairy tales, both in writing and on the screen, this is your opportunity to share your love with other fans. Just as last year, we will have four different levels:

• Fairy (Level 1): Read 1 original tale. Read 1 modern tale. Watch 1 film. (Total of 3 selections.)
• Dwarf (Level 2): Read/watch any combination of original tales, modern tales, or films, resulting in a total of 6 selections.
• Royal Prince or Princess (Level 3): Read/watch any combination of original tales, modern tales, or films, resulting in 9 total selections.
• Happily Ever After (Level 4): Read/watch any combination of original tales, modern tales, or films, resulting in 12 total selections.

Here are a few other notes of importance:

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
• Selections can include any age level or genre, from picture books and classics to young adult and even graphic novels. Creativity is completely acceptable here!
• You do not need to determine your list of fairy tales. Go with what moves you at the time!
• A blog is not required, but it is encouraged. You are also welcome to keep track of your selections via GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, or simply the comment section.
• Reviews are not required, but are encouraged. Other participants enjoy receiving recommendations!
• A Mr. Linky is below for sign-ups. Another post will be made for adding your reviews. Both direct links can be found on the left sidebar.
• You can overlap your choices with other challenges.

Where to go from here?

• Post about it on your blog, announcing which level you hope to achieve and linking back to this post. Feel free to grab the beautiful button art (courtesy of my own special fairy friend)!
• Post your direct link to your announcement post in the Mr. Linky below. If you have no blog, then post your profile to your social book network or announce in the comment section.
• Experience happily ever after in your choice of tales (or not, depending on the tale)!
• Come back and post your reviews under the Fairy Tale Challenge Reviews Mr. Linky.

I'm doing the second level
Dwarf (Level 2): Read/watch any combination of original tales, modern tales, or films, resulting in a total of 6 selections.

Movie - Snow White and the Huntsman. I don't know what other people are saying about this movie but I did not enjoy it in the least. It was extremely slow moving. There wasn't much of a plot. Visually, it was stunning. However, going to the movies these days is expensive and I regret the money spent on this. My suggestion is this, if you are on the fence about going just wait for the DVD.

The List
Fathomless by Jackson Pearce
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Dystopia 2012

Dystopia 2012

What It’s All About

The Dystopia challenge is for those who love it and for those who have never tried it. From negative utopia to plain ol’ totalitarian, there’s much to love about Dystopia and many ways it can be written.
If you’re not sure what it is check out Diva Schuylers’s post and learn all about it, but for a quick run down think of unpleasant living situations, pure dystopia being when an entity or social force is involved, but you can think outside the circle with this one.
Here’s one of our Must Reads lists for some inspiration.

The Deets

• Running Dates: 1st of January – 31st of December 2012
• When Can I Sign Up: All the way up to the last two weeks of December 2012!
• Crossover Genres: Our Dystopia challenge also includes Post-Apocalypse and Ecotopia (environmentally dystopian).
• Mr Linky: To use the Mr Linky you’ll need to click on the graphic then enter your link. These will be updated and posted into this page every couple of weeks or so.
• Further Details: Crossover challenges are fine, you can change levels at any time, this is eBook, short story, and graphic novel friendly, and you don’t need a blog to join in (read further for details).

The How To

1. Choose Your Level: These are listed further down and you can change levels at any time.
2. Grab The Badge: Place it somewhere on your blog, profile, or in a signature where possible and link back (main page or this page, it’s up to you).
3. Sign Up Post: Create a post on your blog, in a group, or on a forum (only if allowed) to let others see what you’re aiming for (a predefined list of books is optional).
4. Link Up: Grab the direct URL to your sign up post, not your blog, click the Mr Linky graphic and enter your link!
5. Blogless? Don’t worry, you can sign up with your social network profile (YouTube,Twitter, GoodReads, Shelfari included), just make sure you link to your review list, shelf, tweet, or category. If you don’t have any of those feel free to comment!

Afterwards

1. Your Reviews: Reviewing is optional! But if you do review we’d love for you to share them by submitting them on the Review Page
2. Finished: When you’re done it’s completion post time and you can share these on the Completion Post page.
   

Challenge Levels

1. Asocial– Choose 5 books to read
2. Contagion – Choose 15 books to read
3. Soldier – Choose 30 books to read
4. Drone – Choose 50 books to read
5. Conditioned – Choose 75 books to read
6. Brainwashed – Choose anywhere between 76-135 books to read
7. Totalitarian – Choose anywhere between 136-200 books to read

Extra Challenges

If you feel like that extra kick to your reading challenges here’s several you can choose from.

• World:Choose a country as your theme, reading only books from that country or where it’s the setting. For how high you go you can choose more than one country;
  • Level Asocial to Soldier: Choose one country
  • Level Soldier to Conditioned: Choose two countries
  • Level Conditioned to end of Brainwashed: Choose three countries
  • Level Totalitarian: Choose four countries.
• Gender Battle: Read books only by female or male authors. Another alternative is to read equal amounts of both

I am doing the first level

1. Asocial– Choose 5 books to read

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Buy One Book and Read It 2012

Buy One Book and Read It 2012

It's that simple.

Single Husbands by HoneyB

Mixing It Up Challenge 2012

Mixing It Up Challenge 2012

Feel like branching out a little for 2012? Then this challenge might just be for you!



Welcome to my first challenge! The premise is really very simple. It's all about mixing up your reading, pushing your boundaries and exploring new genres. Take a look at the categories below, and choose one book for each category. It's that easy! You can choose to try anything from a gentle 4 to the full 16 different genres, and the book you pick for each is entirely up to you!


Before we look at the boring stuff like Rules and How to Join In, check out...


~ THE CATEGORIES ~

1. CLASSICS
This can be any classic work, from Alcott to Zola. Always fancied trying Great Expectations, or finally feel like tackling Jane Eyre? Now's your chance! From the fun to the frightening, the gentle satire to the all-out swashbuckling epic, there are hundreds of years' worth of books to choose from.


2. BIOGRAPHY
This can be modern or historical, biography or autobiography. From the latest celebrity autobiography to an academic biography of Henry VIII - it all counts! Perhaps you fancy a book on your favourite classic movie star, athlete or musician?


3. COOKERY, FOOD AND WINE
Ideas for this one range from a delectable cookery book to a food memoir (like Nigel Slater's Toast or Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential), a book on wine to the history of marmalade.


4. HISTORY
More scope to indulge a whole range of interests here, including local history, military history or world history. It might be a biography of Anne Boleyn, a book on World War II aircraft, a study of the American civil war, or something with a much smaller focus, like Bill Bryson's At Home or Mark Kurlansky's Salt: A World History. Whatever floats your boat!


5. MODERN FICTION
This covers literary and popular fiction, so you can't really go wrong with this one. From Sophie Kinsella to Haruki Murakami, Wilbur Smith to Isabel Allende, Jenny Colgan to Kate Mosse, you should be able to find something to fit your tastes!


6. GRAPHIC NOVELS AND MANGA
This will be an entirely new genre for me, but I'm looking forward to hitting the library to see what all the fuss is about! First on my 'to check out' list will be Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes and Alan Moore's V for Vendetta.


7. CRIME AND MYSTERY
This category will cover everything from the genteel Agatha Christie and the scrummy Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke, through Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson, to the gruesome forensics of Martina Cole and Val McDermid. You could even delve into some gritty true crime if that's more your style.
Kill Switch

8. HORROR
One for Hallowe'en, perhaps! Maybe a modern writer like Stephen King or James Herbert, or you could turn to the classics with Edgar Allen Poe or the ghostly writings of M.R. James? Some YA novels would also fit into this category - Darren Shan, or Lindsey Barraclough's Long Lankin - but no paranormal romance!


9. ROMANCE
I'd say the cheesier the better for this one, but it's up to you! Mills and Boon, paranormal romance, chick lit fluff, whatever. Personally I'll be browsing our Mills and Boon shelf at the shop and pulling out the trashiest title I can find! :)


10. SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
Again, plenty of scope here. From the hilarious characters of Terry Pratchett's Discworld to Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings, Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries to Frank Herbert's Dune, you can go modern or classic, and pick from any number of sub-genres.
Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler

11. TRAVEL
The world is your oyster, as it were! Maybe you're going somewhere interesting on holiday and want to read up on it first? Rough Guides, Lonely Planet guides, that kind of thing. You could pick a Bill Bryson (always popular) or choose a book on a particular city, country or continent, like Francesco da Mosto's Venice or one of Michael Palin's books. Then there are all the delectable memoirs by people who've moved abroad and opened a taverna/olive farm/vineyard!


12. POETRY AND DRAMA
This could be a novelty collection of limericks, a collection by a particular poet, or if that sounds a bit daunting, a single, longer narrative poem. How about 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', 'Hiawatha' or 'The Waste Land'? My particular favourite is probably Christina Rossetti's 'Goblin Market', which is more like a simple fairytale that just happens to rhyme. Or you could choose a play - how about Ibsen, Miller, Shakespeare or the brilliantly witty Wilde?


13. JOURNALISM AND HUMOUR
This one might take a little more thinking about, but it should be a bit of fun! Journalism collections can range from Nick Hornby's Shakespeare Wrote for Money to Marian Keyes's Under the Duvet, Jeremy Clarkson's The World According to Clarkson to Bill Bryson's Notes from a Big Country. Anything that's been published in a newspaper or magazine first! Humour could be a book of cartoons, a novelty joke book or The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde!


14. SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY
Again, this one throws the doors wide open for you to follow your interests. Always fancied learning more about space? Are you curious about the life of Charles Darwin? Or got a lifelong love for a particular animal? There are some wonderful 'popular science' books around too, including things like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, David Attenborough's natural history books, and the entire works of the brilliantly funny Mary Roach.


15. CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT
This leaves the way open for pretty much anything, whether it's reading The Hungry Caterpillar or The Magical Faraway Tree to your kids, revisiting the joys of The Secret Garden or Treasure Island, or devouring something from the modern tide of YA. Lots of dystopian fiction, coming-of-age novels and supernatural shenanigans to choose from!


16. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PHILOSOPHY
Another wide area! Books on society and women (Female Chauvinist Pigs, Living Dolls), books on society and children (Toxic Childhood, Nurtureshock), books on how television and the internet are affecting our lives, Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World, books on Freud or Marx...

Hopefully that's started a few ideas bouncing around and whetted your appetite for 2012!

~ LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION ~

MEASURING JUG: Playing it safe with 1-4 categories - this is what I'm aiming for
CUPCAKE MIX: Livening things up with 5-8 categories
MIXING BOWL: Branching out with 9-12 categories
TWO-TIER CAKE: Getting ambitious with 13-15 categories
ALL THE TRIMMINGS AND A CHERRY ON TOP: Going for gold with the full 16!

~ HOW TO PARTICIPATE ~
Read one book from each of the challenge categories, using the guidelines above. Don't use the same book for more than one category!
The challenge will run until December 31st 2012, so you can sign up any time during the year.
Create a blog post for the challenge, to keep track of what you've read. Add review links for each completed book so we can see how you're getting on. My post, for example, looks like THIS.
The URL you leave in the Mr Linky MUST be a direct link to your challenge post, not to your blog homepage - I don't have time to comb through several months' worth of posts searching for it as the year wears on!
Leave a comment on this post with your blog name (so I can match you to your Linky entry) and your chosen level of participation.
Bookmark this post so you can come back later! I'll be adding links to update posts over the year, plus you'll have the category guidelines handy if you need them!
At the end of the year, everyone who has read along and hit their chosen target will be entered into a bookish giveaway. Prizes to be determined!

Antonym Reading Challenge

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!

The goal of this challenge is to read books by matching antonyms in the title. To help you out, here is a link to a couple of web sites to get you started: Opposite Word and Thesaurus.

Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read reviews must be written within the year 2012; you can not use old reviews.)

You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group.


**Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
**Non-Bloggers: Sign up in the comments section. Post your reviews with other book sites (ie. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.) and post the link in the comments section of the Antonym Reading Challenge Review Link. (will post January 1).



Example:
hot/cold
Hot: Hot Ice by Nora Roberts
Cold: Cold Fire by Dean Koontz
Bonus: Hot Flashes and Cold Cream by Diann Hunt

mean/generous
Mean: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Generous: The Generous Wife by Lori Byerly

**the bonus is not required. it's totally up to you if you want to complete a bonus**

Levels:
Diploma: 6 – 10 books
Bachelors: 12 – 20 books
Masters: 22 – 30 books
Doctorate: 32+

When you sign up on Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Include a link to this post, so that your followers can sign up too! You can either list your books on your challenge post, sidebar, or a page dedicated to your challenges.

Feel free to sign the Mister Linky with your name and blog name. (ie. Tasha (Book Obsessed)) or just your blog name (ie. Book Obsessed) You are welcome to sign up now, but please check back on January 1, 2012 for the Antonym Reading Challenge Review Link! (You will be able to link your review of the book for others to read and drive traffic to your blog.)

2012 Paranormal Reading Challenge

January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

The challenge is for ANY paranormal with the exception of vampires. They have their own challenge.

Rules:

Starts January 1, 2012 and ends December 31, 2012
Anyone can join
You don’t have to have a blog to participate.
Non-Bloggers feel free to share your list of books in the comment section of the monthly link up post.
Reviews though not required are always nice.
Audio, E-books, Bound and re-reads all count
There is no need to come up with your list of books in advance.
Challenge crossovers ok
Create a sign up post and link up using the linky.
Levels:

Level 1 – Read 1-5 Paranormal Novels
Level 2 – Read 6-10 Paranormal Novels
Level 3 – Read 11-20 Paranormal Novels
Level 4 – Read 21+ Paranormal Novels

Doing Level 1 (3 books)

First Truth by Dawn Cook

Mixing It Up 2012

Mixing It Up 2012

Feel like branching out a little for 2012? Then this
challenge might just be for you!
The premise is really very simple. It's all about mixing up your reading, pushing your boundaries and exploring new genres. Take a look at the
categories below, and choose one book for each category. It's that easy!
You can choose to try anything from a gentle 4 to the full 16 different genres, and the book you pick for each is entirely up to you!
Before we look at the boring stuff like Rules and How to Join In, check out...

~ THE CATEGORIES ~
1.CLASSICS
This can be any classic work, from Alcott to Zola. Always fancied trying Great Expectations, or finally feel like tackling Jane Eyre? Now's your chance! From the fun to the frightening, the gentle satire to the all-out swashbuckling epic, there are hundreds of years' worth of books to choose from.
2. BIOGRAPHY
This can be modern or historical, biography or autobiography. From the latest celebrity autobiography to an academic biography of Henry VIII - it all counts! Perhaps you fancy a book on your favourite classic movie star, athlete or musician?
3. COOKERY, FOOD ANDWINE
Ideas for this one range from a delectablecookery book to a food memoir (like Nigel Slater's Toast or Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential), a book on wine to the history of marmalade.
4. HISTORY
More scope to indulge a whole range of interests here, including local history, military history or world history. It might be a biography of Anne Boleyn, a book on World War II aircraft, a study of the American civil war, or something with a much smaller focus, like Bill Bryson's At Home or Mark Kurlansky's Salt: A World History. Whatever floats your boat!
5. MODERN FICTION
This covers literary and popular fiction, so you can't really go wrong with this one. From Sophie Kinsella to Haruki Murakami, Wilbur Smith to Isabel Allende, Jenny Colgan to Kate Mosse, you should be able to find something to fit your tastes!
6. GRAPHIC NOVELS AND MANGA
This will be an entirely new genre for me, but I'm looking forward to hitting the library to see what all the fuss is about!
First on my 'to check out' list will be Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes and Alan Moore's V for Vendetta.
7. CRIME AND MYSTERY
This category will cover everything from the genteel Agatha Christie and the scrummy Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke, through Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson, to the gruesome forensics of Martina Cole and Val McDermid. You could even delve into some gritty true crime if that's more your style.
8. HORROR
One for Hallowe'en, perhaps! Maybe a modern writer like Stephen King or James Herbert, or you could turn to the classics with Edgar Allen Poe or the ghostly writings of M.R. James? Some YA novels would also fit into this category - Darren Shan, orLindsey Barraclough's Long Lankin - but no paranormal romance!
9. ROMANCE
I'd say the cheesier the better for this one, but it's up to you! Mills and Boon, paranormal romance, chick lit fluff, whatever. Personally I'll be browsing our Mills and Boon shelf at the shop and pulling out the trashiest title I can find! :)
10. SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
Again, plenty of scope here. From the hilarious characters of Terry Pratchett's Discworld to Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings, Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries to Frank Herbert's Dune, you can go modern or classic, and pick from any number of sub-genres.
11.TRAVEL
The world is your oyster, as it were! Maybe you're going somewhere interesting on holiday and want to read up on it first? Rough Guides, Lonely Planet guides, that kind of thing. You could pick a Bill Bryson (always popular) or choose a book on a particular city, country or continent, like Francesco da Mosto's Venice or one of Michael Palin's books. Then there are all the delectable memoirs by people who've moved abroad and opened a taverna/olive farm/vineyard!
12. POETRY AND DRAMA
This could be a novelty collection of limericks, a collection by a particular poet, or if that sounds a bit daunting, a single, longer narrative poem. How about 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', 'Hiawatha' or 'The Waste Land'? My particular favourite is probably Christina Rossetti's
'Goblin Market', which is more like a simple fairytale that just happens to rhyme. Or you could choose a play - how about Ibsen, Miller, Shakespeare or the brilliantly witty Wilde?
13. JOURNALISM AND HUMOUR
This one might take a little more thinking about, but it should be a bit of fun! Journalism collections can range from Nick Hornby's Shakespeare Wrote for Money to Marian Keyes's Under the Duvet, Jeremy Clarkson's The World According to Clarkson to Bill Bryson's
Notes from a Big Country. Anything that's been published in a newspaper or magazine first! Humour could be a book of cartoons, a novelty joke book or The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde!
14. SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY

Again, this one throws the doors wide open for you to follow your interests. Always fancied learning more about space? Are you curious about the life of Charles Darwin? Or got a lifelong love for a particular animal? There are some wonderful 'popular science' books around too, including things like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, David Attenborough's natural history books, and the entire works of the brilliantly funny Mary Roach.
15. CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULTThis leaves the way open for
pretty much anything, whether it's reading The Hungry Caterpillar or The Magical Faraway Tree to your kids, revisiting the joys of The Secret Garden or Treasure Island, or devouring something from the modern tide of YA. Lots of dystopian fiction, coming-of-age novels and supernatural shenanigans to choose from!
16. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PHILOSOPHYAnother wide area! Books on society and women (Female Chauvinist Pigs, Living Dolls), books on society and children (Toxic Childhood, Nurtureshock), books on how television and the internet are affecting our lives, Jostein Gaarder's
Sophie's World, books on Freud or Marx...Hopefully that's started a few ideas bouncing around and whetted your appetite for 2012!

~ LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION~

MEASURING JUG:
Playing it safe with 1-4 categories

CUPCAKE MIX:
Livening things up with 5-8 categories

MIXING BOWL:
Branching out with 9-12 categories

TWO-TIER CAKE:

Getting ambitious with 13-15 categories

ALL THE TRIMMINGS AND A CHERRY ON TOP:

Going for gold with the full 16!

~ HOW TO PARTICIPATE~
Read one book from each of the challenge categories, using the guidelines above. Don't use the same book for more than one category!
The challenge will run until December 31st 2012, so you can sign up any time during the year.
Create a blog post for the challenge, to keep
track of what you've read. Add review links for each completed book so we can
see how you're getting on. My post, for example, looks like THIS.
The URL you leave in the Mr Linky MUST be a direct link to your challenge post, not to your blog homepage - I don't have time to comb through several months' worth of posts searching for it as the year wears on!
Leave a comment on this post with your blog name (so I can match you to your Linky entry) and your chosen level of participation.
Bookmark this post so you can come back later!
I'll be adding links to update posts over the year, plus you'll have the category guidelines handy if you need them!
At the end of the year, everyone who has read along and hit their chosen target will be entered into a bookish giveaway.
Prizes to be determined!

*********I posted this twice HERE is where I am keeping my books*********

Antonym Reading Challenge

Antonym Reading Challenge

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Are you ready to take the challenge!?!The goal of this challenge is to read books by matching antonyms in the title. To help you out, here is a link to a couple of web sites to get you started: Opposite Word and Thesaurus. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories.
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read
reviews must be written within the year 2012; you can not use oldreviews.) You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. The idea of this challenge came from a Goodreads group. **Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.**Non-Bloggers: Sign up in the comments section. Post your reviews with other book sites (ie. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.) and post the link in the comments section of the Antonym Reading Challenge Review Link. (will post January 1).
Example:
hot/cold
Hot: Hot Ice by Nora Roberts
Cold: Cold Fire by DeanKoontz
Bonus: Hot Flashes and Cold Creamby Diann Huntmean/generous

Mean: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

Generous: The Generous Wife by Lori Byerly**the bonus is not required. it's totally up to you if you want to complete a bonus**

Levels:

Diploma: 6– 10 books

Bachelors: 12 – 20 books

Masters: 22 – 30 books

Doctorate: 32+

My level Diploma 6books

2012 Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge

2012 Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge

January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012
Rules:
Starts January 1, 2012 and ends December 31, 2012
Anyone can join
You don’t have to have a blog to participate.
Non-Bloggers feel free to share your list of books in the comment section of the monthly link up post.
Reviews though not required are always nice.
Audio, E-books, Bound and re-reads all count
There is no need to come up with your list of books in advance.
Challenge crossovers ok
Create a sign up post and link up in the linky below.

Levels:

Level 1 – Read 1-5 Paranormal Romances

Level 2 – Read 6-10 Paranormal Romances

Level 3 – Read 11-20 Paranormal Romances

Level 4 – Read 21+ Paranormal Romances

Doing Level 1 - 5 books
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

2012 Romance Reading Challenge

2012 Romance Reading Challenge

This reading challenge is for any genre of Romance with the exception of YA and Erotica. Have fun with this one peeps!

Rules:
Anyone can join
You don't need a blog to participate. For non-bloggers, please leave a comment with a link (if you review somewhere else) to the review or leave a list of the books you read on the monthly link up post.
Audio, ebooks, and bound books are ok.No re-reads
Create a sign up post and post the link in the linky .

Challenge goes from
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Challenge Crossovers are ok.
Levels:Level 1 - Read 4 Romance novels
Level 2 - Read 10 Romance novels
Level 3 - Read 14 Romance novels
Level 4 - Read 15+ Romance novels

My Level - Level 2 10 books

He Was My Man First by Nancey Flowers and Courtney Parker
The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Run's January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.

The Rules:
Anyone can join.
You don't need a blog to participate.
Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
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.

There are four levels:
The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

My level - Mini YA 12 books
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Virals by Kathy Reichs
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Rules:
Anyone can join.
You don't need a blog to participate. If you are a Non-blogger please leave a comment with a
link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the book(s) you read.
Audio, ebooks (some libraries allow ebooks to be checked out), bound books are ok.
No re-reads
Create a sign up post and post the link in the linky here.

Challenge goes from
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Levels:Level 1 - Read 12 library books
Level 2 - Read 24 library books
Level 3 - Read 36 library books
Level 4 - Read 37+ library books

My Level - Level 1 12 books
Linger
Kill Switch
Virals
Wild Seed
Forever
The Hunger Games
Heat Wave

Borrowed Book Challenge 2012

Challenge: Borrowed Book Challenge 2012

Lasts: February 1st 2012 - April 30th 2012

Details:Similar to the Support your Libraries Challenge, this challenge is all about
borrowing books from your library and supporting them in whichever way you can.
Those of us with ereaders know how easy it is to check books out via that method
as well! The possibilities are endless!! It will only last 3 months.

Sign up for 1 of these levels:
Bookworm 1-3 books
Bookie 5-10 books
Book Star 15- 20+ books

Mini-Challenges:

February - Check out and review one Romance book (even if it just has
characters who are in love with each other, it qualifies)

March - Check out and review one book with a Green cover!

April - Create and post a library spotlight post (It can be your local library and why it's awesome. I will be spotlighting libraries all month so you can take a look at my examples)
I will post a wrap-up post with a linky at the end of each month for you to link up these
posts.________________________________________________________________________________Prizes:

Everyone who signs up and completes their level will get an exclusive Borrowed Book Challenge Award badge to flaunt on their page! Everyone's a winner!At the end of each month she is giving a US participant a book from her library (their choice) or an International
participant a Amazon e-giftcard worth $5 bucks! Hey, it's something!
If you're interested link up your Master post here (you can list all the books you've checked out on that post and give her a little shout out on there as well

my level - Bookworm 1-3books

February - The Sweet Spot by Kayla Perrin