Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2014

Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry Reading Challenge 2014
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)


Dear Student,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Reading Challenge. Please click the crest to find a list of all classes and clubs. As well as instructions on how to get sorted, how to choose books for classes, and information on school clubs.
Term begins on February 1. We await your owl.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge

It’s almost 2014, which means it’s time to sign up for the 2014 Book Bingo Challenge, hosted by Kristilyn from Reading in Winter and Anne from Creativity’s Corner!

Throughout 2013, we had been asking for feedback on the challenge and we took your suggestions to heart, which means some changes have been made this year! When we thought about all the things we wanted to include in this year’s challenge, we ended up making a list:

• Reading the books in our TBR pile
• Re-reading some books
• Stepping outside of our comfort zone in reading
• Reading some newly released books
• Reading books from series that we have started & have been neglecting

In order to keep track of everything, we came up with a fancy, schmancy scoreboard:

Of course, a challenge isn’t really a challenge unless there are some rules and guidelines:

1. Be awesome. If you’re not, this isn’t going to work.
2. The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2014.
3. If you want to participate, you can join in any time of the year! Feel free to write up a blog post with the rules linking back to my and Anne’s blog in your sign-up post. You can add your post to the Linky at the end of this post!
4. If you read one book for the “1 book” in any category, you can’t change it later on when you read another book to “2 books.” Once a square is crossed off, it’s crossed off for good! (Feel free to print off the scoreboard to keep track!)
5. Books read for one square are for that square ONLY and cannot be counted towards another category. This is all about reading ALL THE BOOKS.
6. The FREE SQUARES are a little different this year — now you can use those squares to read ANY book you like of any genre! Woo!
7. You can start your board over again, but ONLY if you receive the stamp of awesome by completing a blackout. The “winners” of the challenge will be the ones who achieve the most winning combinations by the end of 2014.
8. You can feel free to post your reading list for each category, though it’s not a requirement.
9. Having a blog or writing reviews for books read is not required. So long as you want to have fun, you can participate!
10. Every 3 months I will post an update here and all participants can link to their own updates. An update post will go up April 1st, July 1st, October 1st, and December 31st.
11. This isn’t a race, but don’t be afraid to rub your reads in the other player’s face. This will be seen as encouragement. Feel free to use the hashtag #BookBingo2014 on Twitter!

While you can definitely “win” by the boring ol’ vertical or horizontal (or diagonal!) lines, the best ways to win are as follows:

Like it says in the guidelines, the ONLY way to start a new board is to become the SUPER READER! The goal is to read ALL THE BOOKS! To be a winner (thus, to become the awesomest reader around), you’ll want to accomplish as many wins as possible!

Books used:

TBR - One book -- Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Mix It Up - Free Space -- The Help by Kathryn Sockett

Series - 

Genres - Mystery -- Black Lotus by K'wan

Genres - Romance -- He Loves Me, He Loves You Not by Mychea

New Releases- One book -- The Only Boy by Jordan Locke

New Releases - Two books -- Girls Love Travis Walker by Anne Pfeffer

Broken Arrow by Chelsey Butler

New Releases - Three books -- Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne

One Broke Girl by Rhonda Helms
Hold Me In Contempt by Wendy Williams

I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014

I Love Library Books

Reading Challenge

2014

hosted by Book Dragon's Lair

Sign- up below

Our love of reading can be expensive! Not only are we purchasing books but some of us also need space to keep them. I had so much fun with this challenge last year. Let's do it again!

There are a number of levels, for those who don't have a library card yet to those that live there. Enjoy!

 Requirements:

• choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
• check books out of the library
• books may overlap with other challenges
• any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
• reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is. (post with review linky is coming)
• a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in.

Levels: Doing 36 books

• board book - 3
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
• I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
• adult - 36
• The Help by Kathryn Sockett
• just insert IV - 50 

Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2014

Welcome to the 2014 edition of Finishing the Series Reading Challenge. I was a failure last year. I was supposed to complete two series, but I only completed one. That's okay, I'll just try again.

This is a challenge for all those series books you started at some point and haven't finished. I know I'll start a series and read the first book, then get distracted with other books and never get back to the series. Before I know it, the series has 10 books - I get overwhelmed and don't go back to it. Now, I want to finish a couple.

Here are the rules guidelines.

1) All books that are part of a continuing series qualify (i.e. Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, James Patterson's Alex Cross, etc. etc.)

2) It doesn't matter if you have 1 or 10 books in a series to complete it, it qualifies (i.e. if you only need to read one more Sookie Stackhouse book to complete the goal, that's fine) The goal is to complete a series from wherever you are up to until the last published book.

3) The qualification period is January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Books must be read during this time frame to count.

4) Take the button above and post about it. Use the Mr. Linky below to sign up and make sure you link it directly to your post about this challenge.

5) If you don't have a blog, that's fine. Just leave a comment to sign up and tell us what you are reading. Or you can join my Goodreads group for this challenge by clicking here.

IF YOU WANT TO LINK UP YOUR REVIEWS OR, FOR THOSE WITHOUT A BLOG, LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

6) Any format of book counts - audio, ebook, etc.

7) You should choose the series you want to finish before the challenge begins, but it isn't necessary. It's fine to change series during the year - as long as you complete whichever series it is.

8) Choose a level....

Level 1 - Complete 1 series.
Level 2 - Complete 2 series.
Level 3 - Complete 3 or more series.

 

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - Sign Ups!

Welcome to 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon, Random Buzzers or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  2014 ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. 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.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBRPILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;) 
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE giveaway. 
11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:

(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2014)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - First Kiss
31-40 - Sweet Summer Fling
41-50 - Could this be love?
50+ - Married With Children

What's New:

1. 2014's edition of the TBR Pile Reading Challenge will be hosted EXCLUSIVELY on Bookish. Co-hosting with other awesome bloggers was fun, but due to too many hiccups along the way, our Bookish Team has decided to take over to ensure that everything goes smoothly this time.  
2. For your convenience and to ensure you won't miss any important posts / wrap-ups / updates / contests, we have created a mailing list! We invite you to sign up to receive all the important news in the mail (no more searching the web for wrap-up posts and missing out on all the fun!). You can sign up here: !! JOIN 2014 TBR PILE READING CHALLENGE MAILING LIST!! !!
3. To help you tackle your TBR Piles, we will also be hosting monthly Read-A-Longs with prizes! And this time, you'll get to VOTE on the book we'll read together! Join the mailing list mentioned above to never miss out on the fun! Please note: You don't have to take part in our read-a-longs to participate in the TBR Pile challenge - or you can just take part in some of them, and skip the rest - participation is optional, tho we would certainly love to discuss the books with you! 
4. We have sponsors! Which of course means more fun prizes!! YAY!

Got questions?

If some of the details are unclear, please don't hesitate to ask us for explanation! You can leave your question in the comments below, tweet @SeoEvie or email evieseo@gmail.com or bookishbookblog@gmail.com and we'll be sure to get back to you soon!

So how do I join?

1. Write a post about joining the 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge on your blog. If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or tweet about it via Twitter. 
2. In your post, don't forget to include: the button/banner, link back to our sign up page, the level you're aiming at and - if you want - a list of books you're hoping to read for the challenge.
3. Place the challenge button in your sidebar (please use the grab link at the top of the post).
4. Link up in the linky below using the link to your post/tweet.
5. Join the mailing list for updates! Again, the link is here: JOIN 2014 TBR PILE READING CHALLENGE MAILING LIST!!
6. That's it! You're done! Welcome to the challenge, stay tuned for lots of fun! And most importantly, good luck with tackling your TBR Pile! 

DON'T MISS OUT - GET ALL THE UPDATES DELIVERED TO YOUR MAILBOX!!

!! JOIN 2014 TBR PILE READING CHALLENGE MAILING LIST!! !!

You get to read all the books you've been hoping to read for a loooong time now, enjoy the unique themes and mini challenges and WIN some fantastic new BOOKS! :D Can it get any better?

Sign up now!

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
2. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

2014 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge

~ JANUARY 1, 2014 - DECEMBER 31, 2014 ~

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge! For this challenge I have chosen six key words associated with each month in 2014. Your task is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the key words for that month.

* The title you choose can be a variation on one of the key words. For example- your title could include the word 'snowing' or 'snowflake' even though the key word is 'snow.'

* Key words can be tweaked. For example- You could read "Cinder" or "Ashes" for the key word 'Fire' and that would be just fine. If the key word is 'family' then your title could include the word 'sister' or 'mother.'If the key word is 'food' then your title could include the word 'cake.'

* Link up below to participate and add additional links any time you post about the challenge or post about a book you read for the challenge.

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! 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)

* Each month, by the 1st, I will post a new linky for you to add a link to your monthly read. This can be a link to your Goodreads review, your blog post about the book, etc. Your monthly link should say your blog name and the month. (Example: Bookmark To Blog January)

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

MONTHLY KEY WORDS:

JAN- Angel, Secret, Clock, Black, Day, Wild
Black Lotus by K'wan

FEB- Her, Life, Night, Red, Dark, Island

MAR- Forever, Inside, Storm, Sky, Flower, Stay 

APR- Star, Light, Never, Princess, Break, Clear

MAY- Dawn, Death, End, Lost, Beautiful, And

JUN- Color, Beyond, Found, Place, Grave, Road

JUL- Crash, Ship, Prince, Whisper, Sun, Of

AUG- Forgotten, Down, True, Run, Danger, Me
He Loves Me, He Loves You Not by Mychea

SEP- Number, Take, Shadow, Ice, Who, After
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

OCT- Ocean, Blood, Still, Out, The, Faith
 The Help by Kathryn Sockett

NOV- Into, Sound, Blue, House, My, Last

DEC- Kiss, Fire, Ruin, White, Promise, Infinity
The White House by JaQuavis Coleman

Have fun!!! (For an extra challenge try pairing this with the 2014 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge)

2014 Monthly Motif Challenge

~ JANUARY 1, 2014 - DECEMBER 31, 2014 ~

Welcome to the 2014 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.

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 & "sign up" (example: Bookmark to Blog Sign Up)

* Each month come back to this page and add the link to your monthly read. This can be a link to your Goodreads review, your blog post about the book, etc. Your monthly link should say your blog name & the month. (example: Bookmark to Blog January)

* The sign up linky can be found below. Here is the button should you choose to add it to your blog.

MONTHLY MOTIFS: 

Jan- Around the World

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. 

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-  Fairy tales or Fairy Creatures

Read a fairy tale retelling or a book with fey/fairies in it.

Apr- Short & Sweet

Read a collection of short stories or anthologies.

May- Mystery, Murder, & Mayhem

Read a murder/mystery book, a book in which someone dies of mysterious causes, or a book in which a mystery must be solved. 

Black Lotus by K'wan

June-  A Long Journey

Read a book in which the character(s) take a trip, go on a quest, or find themselves on a journey toward something, etc.
He Loves Me, He Loves You Not by Mychea

July- Assassins, Warriors, & Rebels

Read a book in which the main character is one of these things or fights against one of these things.  

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

Oct- The Witching Hour

There's been a lot of zombies lately, but this year include a 'witchy' book in your scary reads- a book about a witch or a book that has witches in it.

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.)