Category: 2012 Challenges

 Posted in 2012 Challenges

WooHoo

 CMash  November 27, 2011  Leave a Comment on WooHoo
Yes…I see it…Its getting clearer!!  Yes!!!   I am positive!!!  A blog is starting to get busier!!!  And……that blog..is….it’s getting clearer…..is …..A Novel Challenge, which means only one thing……..more challenges!!!!!
I just added 2 more…..I am so excited!!!  I think the reason being too is that I am starting to fall back into my old reading habits, 2 books read this past week.  Things are getting back to normal (said typed in a whisper so as to not jinx myself).  Back to the challenges…the 2 I just signed up for are the following:

Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012

serialkillerchallenge 2012
HOSTED BY MARCE FROM TEA TIME WITH MARCE

January 1,2012 – December 31,2012

Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012:
When you read a book about a serial killer, are you fascinated, scared, intrigued, paranoid…….. then join the Serial Killers Reading Challenge and share the best of the best.  It may be the detectives, profilers or the serial killer that keep you up reading long into the night. 
This Challenge is not about how many you read but finding the best of the best and ‘remembering’ to link your review.
Here are 2 links to use to help you choose but any book from any genre involving a serial killer counts towards the challenge.
NPR Audience – Top 100 Killer List
Goodreads Listopia – I like Serial Killers
Details:

* Challenge Dates: January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012
* All Genres are Welcome
* All forms of books will count – eBooks, Audiobooks, etc
* You do not have to list the chosen books ahead of time and your choices can crossover into other challenges you have joined.
* If you participate in this challenge please sign up below. Either post and link back here with your direct link to your intro challenge post or put Challenge Button on sidebar linking back here please.
* Surprise Giveaways – Only those that have posted review(s) will be entered
In the comments below, tell us what serial killer book you have found to be the best.  This is one of my favourite books and movie – Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.
Note – I will keep a list of all favourites and 5 star reviews to create a ‘Personalized Bloggers List’ for future years.
Thank you for joining – Review Post will go up first week of Jan


And the second one is a perpetual challenge that I found via Bev’s blog, My Reader’s Block (which I might add has already signed up for 16 challenges.  Not to worry, I have put in a call to Dr. Drew for an intervention for our dear blogging buddy and am awaiting a return call  lol)

Challenge–Read your OWN Library

Library Linky

HOSTED BY JNCL FROM THE BEAUTY OF ECLECTICISM

Monthly – perpetual

If you fit the profile of the average bibliophile, then you probably already own more books than you will read in a lifetime, without darkening the doors of another bookstore or library ever again. The goal of this monthly challenge is to apply yourself to whatever amount of your backlog is realistic for you at one go

Rules:

  • Read at least one book every month that you’ve owned for 6 months or more and have never read previously, then write us a post about it. Please write at least a minimal review (no spoilers!), and any interesting anecdotes you have about how you came to own the book in the first place are always appreciated.
  • The linky here will open at 12:00 a.m. (US Pacific) on the 5th day of every month, and will remain open until 12:00 a.m. on the 8th. Simply add your text link TO THE RELEVANT POST ONLY to the linky list, place the Challenge badge on your site, and try and visit as many of the others’ links as possible. (Html code for the Challenge Badge can be found in the right sidebar.) Please leave comments wherever you visit–silent hovering depresses me.
  • Choose from the three possibilities the level of backloggedness from which you suffer, and follow the guidelines accordingly. Please indicate your level in each Library Challenge post.

Levels of Backlog: 

  1. Running Behind–You need to catch up on your reading a bit, and feel this challenge would be a good motivator to do so. You are committing to read one book per month that fits the requirement, and nothing else.
  2. Sinking Fast–You feel swamped and hemmed in by the books, which are beginning to take over your life by conquering most of the flat surfaces in your home. You are ready to commit to not buying any more books each month–including e-books!–until AFTER you’ve read that month’s challenge book.
  3. Biblio Rehab–Every time someone in your family hears you mention a new book you’ve heard about, they hide your wallet and car keys, dead-bolt the front door, and put you on buy-or-borrow watch. Admit to yourself that you MUST NOT set foot in a bookstore or library until AFTER you’ve finished a challenge book for the month.
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

WooHoo

 CMash  November 27, 2011  5 Comments on WooHoo
Yes…I see it…Its getting clearer!!  Yes!!!   I am positive!!!  A blog is starting to get busier!!!  And……that blog..is….it’s getting clearer…..is …..A Novel Challenge, which means only one thing……..more challenges!!!!!
I just added 2 more…..I am so excited!!!  I think the reason being too is that I am starting to fall back into my old reading habits, 2 books read this past week.  Things are getting back to normal (said typed in a whisper so as to not jinx myself).  Back to the challenges…the 2 I just signed up for are the following:

Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012

serialkillerchallenge 2012
HOSTED BY MARCE FROM TEA TIME WITH MARCE

January 1,2012 – December 31,2012

Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012:
When you read a book about a serial killer, are you fascinated, scared, intrigued, paranoid…….. then join the Serial Killers Reading Challenge and share the best of the best.  It may be the detectives, profilers or the serial killer that keep you up reading long into the night. 
This Challenge is not about how many you read but finding the best of the best and ‘remembering’ to link your review.
Here are 2 links to use to help you choose but any book from any genre involving a serial killer counts towards the challenge.
NPR Audience – Top 100 Killer List
Goodreads Listopia – I like Serial Killers
Details:

* Challenge Dates: January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012
* All Genres are Welcome
* All forms of books will count – eBooks, Audiobooks, etc
* You do not have to list the chosen books ahead of time and your choices can crossover into other challenges you have joined.
* If you participate in this challenge please sign up below. Either post and link back here with your direct link to your intro challenge post or put Challenge Button on sidebar linking back here please.
* Surprise Giveaways – Only those that have posted review(s) will be entered
In the comments below, tell us what serial killer book you have found to be the best.  This is one of my favourite books and movie – Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.
Note – I will keep a list of all favourites and 5 star reviews to create a ‘Personalized Bloggers List’ for future years.
Thank you for joining – Review Post will go up first week of Jan


And the second one is a perpetual challenge that I found via Bev’s blog, My Reader’s Block (which I might add has already signed up for 16 challenges.  Not to worry, I have put in a call to Dr. Drew for an intervention for our dear blogging buddy and am awaiting a return call  lol)

Challenge–Read your OWN Library

Library Linky

HOSTED BY JNCL FROM THE BEAUTY OF ECLECTICISM

Monthly – perpetual

If you fit the profile of the average bibliophile, then you probably already own more books than you will read in a lifetime, without darkening the doors of another bookstore or library ever again. The goal of this monthly challenge is to apply yourself to whatever amount of your backlog is realistic for you at one go

Rules:

  • Read at least one book every month that you’ve owned for 6 months or more and have never read previously, then write us a post about it. Please write at least a minimal review (no spoilers!), and any interesting anecdotes you have about how you came to own the book in the first place are always appreciated.
  • The linky here will open at 12:00 a.m. (US Pacific) on the 5th day of every month, and will remain open until 12:00 a.m. on the 8th. Simply add your text link TO THE RELEVANT POST ONLY to the linky list, place the Challenge badge on your site, and try and visit as many of the others’ links as possible. (Html code for the Challenge Badge can be found in the right sidebar.) Please leave comments wherever you visit–silent hovering depresses me.
  • Choose from the three possibilities the level of backloggedness from which you suffer, and follow the guidelines accordingly. Please indicate your level in each Library Challenge post.

Levels of Backlog: 

  1. Running Behind–You need to catch up on your reading a bit, and feel this challenge would be a good motivator to do so. You are committing to read one book per month that fits the requirement, and nothing else.
  2. Sinking Fast–You feel swamped and hemmed in by the books, which are beginning to take over your life by conquering most of the flat surfaces in your home. You are ready to commit to not buying any more books each month–including e-books!–until AFTER you’ve read that month’s challenge book.
  3. Biblio Rehab–Every time someone in your family hears you mention a new book you’ve heard about, they hide your wallet and car keys, dead-bolt the front door, and put you on buy-or-borrow watch. Admit to yourself that you MUST NOT set foot in a bookstore or library until AFTER you’ve finished a challenge book for the month.
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

You have to love those challenge buttons lol

 CMash  November 19, 2011  1 Comment on You have to love those challenge buttons lol

Oh well….another 3 this week…not bad.  All 3 are some of the ones that I have been waiting for.  BUT there are a couple, few, several..ok there are lots that I still sit, anxiously awaiting, to see if those kind blogging buddies will be hosting the same challenges this year.  However, with that comes a  problem, while I stalk A Novel Challenge, I find so many cute buttons, that I just can’t say no to.  Yes I am addicted to challenge buttons too.    This week, I signed up for the following, bringing the semi total up to 10:

2011 was the first time participating and I had so much fun with it that I was hoping it would be a challenge for 2012…YAY!!!!!



Welcome to the fifth What’s in a Name challenge This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.


I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.


Here’s How It Works


Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

  1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
  2. A book with something you’d see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
  3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
  4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Ape House
  5. A book with something you’d carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah’s Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
  6. A book with a something you’d find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

  • Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
  • Books may overlap other challenges.
  • Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
  • Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
  • You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
  • You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I’ll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you’ll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You’ll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I’ll create those links on January 1.)


Tip: If you’re ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.


To join in, sign up with Mr. Linky below. If you aren’t a blogger, just add a comment. If Mr. Linky ever disappears, either try again later or click on Email Icon in the side bar and send me your information, and I’ll add the link myself.


To use Mr. Linky: put your name or your blog’s name in the top box and the URL (web address) of your blog in the bottom box. If you don’t have a blog, use your tumblr account, your Facebook page or simply mention your intent to join the challenge in the comments.


Thanks to @DogEaredCopy, @marny_h96, @Zetablue, and @SuziQoregon for suggestions for, inspiration for, and confirmation of this year’s categories. Feel free to suggest ideas for 2013 in the comments.


And this next one, I completed so I had to sign up again.

Off The Shelf 2012

This is the second year running for Off The Shelf!, with last year being an overwhelming success (over 300 participants), and we hope this year it does just as well! There are some differences this time, thanks to a new year, new place, and some experience. Have a read below, if you have any questions ask away, and the most important part of it is to have fun!

What It’s All About

Do you love books? Do you love them so much your to be read list seems to keep growing, and growing, and growing? Is space on your bookshelf taken up with unread books? Is your eBook library burgeoning with unread stories? We’ve been there at BA and we still are!
This challenge is to read those books you own a copy of, print, digital, and audio, you have been meaning to read, but never gotten to. If you don’t own enough books for the challenge you can read your TBR list instead. And no, you do not need to get rid of your books afterwards, that’s completely your choice, this challenge is only to read them.

The Deets

  • The Main Rule: Do not include books acquired during 2012, it defeats the purpose, read those books from before 2012 started!
  • 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!
  • Crossover Genres: Anything! The name of the game is to turn those unread books into read ones.
  • 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.

    Challenge Badge
  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 (including social networks).
  2. Finished: When you’re done it’s completion post time and you can share these on the Completion Post page!

Challenge Levels

  1. Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
  2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
  3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
  4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
  5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
  6. Hoarder – Choose between 76-135 books to read
  7. Buried – Choose between 136-200 books to read

Extra Challenges

If you feel like that extra kick to your reading challenges here’s a couple 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 Tempted and Trying: Choose one country
    • Level Making a Dint and On A Roll: Choose two countries
    • Level Flying Off to end of Hoarder: Choose three countries
    • Level Buried: Choose four countries.
  • Gender Battle: Read books only by female or male authors. Another alternative is to read equal amounts of both. 

I do have a question.  I found these 2 challenges on someone’s blog before seeing it on A Novel Challenge.  Eventually one of them did surface.  I was wondering is there another site where challenges are listed?  Am I missing out on something?  How did you do this week?  Were you able to say NO to some of those cute buttons?

Just For Fun Challenge 2012

from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book by Dollycas


As bloggers we are all on timetables to read books, get reviews posted, host giveaways, etc.
But we also travel around to other blogs and see books we would just like to read because of their recommendation or the cover or title catches our interest. The Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” adds more books to my Wish List and To-Be-Read pile every week.
As followers you get our recommendations, win books from us, pick up books at the library or buy them at a store.
But our lives are so busy these books sometimes sit in our To-Be-Read piles for months or even years.

This is the second year I am hosting this challenge to
encourage you to read some of those books.
12 books in 12 months.

This year this challenge will be set up as a group on Good Reads. If you are not a member it is very easy to join. There are many benefits other than this challenge, you can keep track of the books you read and get great recommendations from other members too. Just go here http://www.goodreads.com/ to sign up.

Join the group!
This group will close to new members on January 31, 2012.

Just start a thread, WITH YOUR NAME AS THE TOPIC OF YOUR ORIGINAL POST. Select the proper folder using your first initial.
Then copy and paste this:
I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
There will be no forms to fill out each month. You just need to go back to your original post on GoodReads,  and edit it each month to add the book you read plus the author next to each month. Please add a link to the book you read if you would like. This way you are in charge of your own recordkeeping and can check where you are in the challenge anytime you wish.
Bloggers: Please grab the button and put it on your blog to show your participation and provide a link back so others can join. I hope you will write a post telling about your involvement in the challenge and invite you followers to join and participate! Bloggers if you feel compelled to review the book you can but it is not required. You may want to list what books you have read under the button on your blog.

Then:
Read 1, yes, just 1 book for fun each month.

All book formats are allowed, printed, audio, e-book.

These books can be counted in your total books read for the year challenge and to one other challenge such as a Where Are You Reading Challenge but try not to cross them over to many other challenges as they really are to be read
JUST FOR FUN!

Everyone that completes the Challenge, 12 books in 12 months will be entered in a drawing for a $25 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate or $25 at The Book Depository for International Participants.
Last year I really hampered myself by using the books I read JUST FOR FUN as a prize. I found myself putting so much thought into my choices like: Is it the first in a series?, Will other people like this?, that I found I wasn’t reading the books I really wanted to read JUST FOR FUN, like some of my favorite series books that I didn’t want to part with. So my books will not be a prize in 2012.
Instead I will add another $10 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com or The Book Depository as a 2nd prize.
More prizes may be added depending on the number of participants.

You Must Read One Book For Fun Each Month.
You can only add one book to your list per month.
I hope you enjoy this challenge and
hope I help you clear at least 12 books from the rising stacks.

There will also be extra giveaways only for JUST FOR FUN CHALLENGE MEMBERS throughout the year!
You can enter anytime between now and January 31, 2012.
There will still be a JUST FOR FUN page here too for reminders and special announcements.

Sign up today and get ready to hit the ground running January 1 reading
Just For Fun!!!

Have you found any new challenges?  How many have you signed up for?  
Have a great weekend!!!
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

You have to love those challenge buttons lol

 CMash  November 19, 2011  7 Comments on You have to love those challenge buttons lol

Oh well….another 3 this week…not bad.  All 3 are some of the ones that I have been waiting for.  BUT there are a couple, few, several..ok there are lots that I still sit, anxiously awaiting, to see if those kind blogging buddies will be hosting the same challenges this year.  However, with that comes a  problem, while I stalk A Novel Challenge, I find so many cute buttons, that I just can’t say no to.  Yes I am addicted to challenge buttons too.    This week, I signed up for the following, bringing the semi total up to 10:

2011 was the first time participating and I had so much fun with it that I was hoping it would be a challenge for 2012…YAY!!!!!



Welcome to the fifth What’s in a Name challenge This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.


I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.


Here’s How It Works


Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

  1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
  2. A book with something you’d see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
  3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
  4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Ape House
  5. A book with something you’d carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah’s Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
  6. A book with a something you’d find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

  • Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
  • Books may overlap other challenges.
  • Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
  • Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
  • You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
  • You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I’ll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you’ll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You’ll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I’ll create those links on January 1.)


Tip: If you’re ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.


To join in, sign up with Mr. Linky below. If you aren’t a blogger, just add a comment. If Mr. Linky ever disappears, either try again later or click on Email Icon in the side bar and send me your information, and I’ll add the link myself.


To use Mr. Linky: put your name or your blog’s name in the top box and the URL (web address) of your blog in the bottom box. If you don’t have a blog, use your tumblr account, your Facebook page or simply mention your intent to join the challenge in the comments.


Thanks to @DogEaredCopy, @marny_h96, @Zetablue, and @SuziQoregon for suggestions for, inspiration for, and confirmation of this year’s categories. Feel free to suggest ideas for 2013 in the comments.


And this next one, I completed so I had to sign up again.

Off The Shelf 2012

This is the second year running for Off The Shelf!, with last year being an overwhelming success (over 300 participants), and we hope this year it does just as well! There are some differences this time, thanks to a new year, new place, and some experience. Have a read below, if you have any questions ask away, and the most important part of it is to have fun!

What It’s All About

Do you love books? Do you love them so much your to be read list seems to keep growing, and growing, and growing? Is space on your bookshelf taken up with unread books? Is your eBook library burgeoning with unread stories? We’ve been there at BA and we still are!
This challenge is to read those books you own a copy of, print, digital, and audio, you have been meaning to read, but never gotten to. If you don’t own enough books for the challenge you can read your TBR list instead. And no, you do not need to get rid of your books afterwards, that’s completely your choice, this challenge is only to read them.

The Deets

  • The Main Rule: Do not include books acquired during 2012, it defeats the purpose, read those books from before 2012 started!
  • 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!
  • Crossover Genres: Anything! The name of the game is to turn those unread books into read ones.
  • 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.

    Challenge Badge
  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 (including social networks).
  2. Finished: When you’re done it’s completion post time and you can share these on the Completion Post page!

Challenge Levels

  1. Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
  2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
  3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
  4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
  5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
  6. Hoarder – Choose between 76-135 books to read
  7. Buried – Choose between 136-200 books to read

Extra Challenges

If you feel like that extra kick to your reading challenges here’s a couple 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 Tempted and Trying: Choose one country
    • Level Making a Dint and On A Roll: Choose two countries
    • Level Flying Off to end of Hoarder: Choose three countries
    • Level Buried: Choose four countries.
  • Gender Battle: Read books only by female or male authors. Another alternative is to read equal amounts of both. 

I do have a question.  I found these 2 challenges on someone’s blog before seeing it on A Novel Challenge.  Eventually one of them did surface.  I was wondering is there another site where challenges are listed?  Am I missing out on something?  How did you do this week?  Were you able to say NO to some of those cute buttons?

Just For Fun Challenge 2012

from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book by Dollycas


As bloggers we are all on timetables to read books, get reviews posted, host giveaways, etc.
But we also travel around to other blogs and see books we would just like to read because of their recommendation or the cover or title catches our interest. The Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” adds more books to my Wish List and To-Be-Read pile every week.
As followers you get our recommendations, win books from us, pick up books at the library or buy them at a store.
But our lives are so busy these books sometimes sit in our To-Be-Read piles for months or even years.

This is the second year I am hosting this challenge to
encourage you to read some of those books.
12 books in 12 months.

This year this challenge will be set up as a group on Good Reads. If you are not a member it is very easy to join. There are many benefits other than this challenge, you can keep track of the books you read and get great recommendations from other members too. Just go here http://www.goodreads.com/ to sign up.

Join the group!
This group will close to new members on January 31, 2012.

Just start a thread, WITH YOUR NAME AS THE TOPIC OF YOUR ORIGINAL POST. Select the proper folder using your first initial.
Then copy and paste this:
I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
There will be no forms to fill out each month. You just need to go back to your original post on GoodReads,  and edit it each month to add the book you read plus the author next to each month. Please add a link to the book you read if you would like. This way you are in charge of your own recordkeeping and can check where you are in the challenge anytime you wish.
Bloggers: Please grab the button and put it on your blog to show your participation and provide a link back so others can join. I hope you will write a post telling about your involvement in the challenge and invite you followers to join and participate! Bloggers if you feel compelled to review the book you can but it is not required. You may want to list what books you have read under the button on your blog.

Then:
Read 1, yes, just 1 book for fun each month.

All book formats are allowed, printed, audio, e-book.

These books can be counted in your total books read for the year challenge and to one other challenge such as a Where Are You Reading Challenge but try not to cross them over to many other challenges as they really are to be read
JUST FOR FUN!

Everyone that completes the Challenge, 12 books in 12 months will be entered in a drawing for a $25 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate or $25 at The Book Depository for International Participants.
Last year I really hampered myself by using the books I read JUST FOR FUN as a prize. I found myself putting so much thought into my choices like: Is it the first in a series?, Will other people like this?, that I found I wasn’t reading the books I really wanted to read JUST FOR FUN, like some of my favorite series books that I didn’t want to part with. So my books will not be a prize in 2012.
Instead I will add another $10 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com or The Book Depository as a 2nd prize.
More prizes may be added depending on the number of participants.

You Must Read One Book For Fun Each Month.
You can only add one book to your list per month.
I hope you enjoy this challenge and
hope I help you clear at least 12 books from the rising stacks.

There will also be extra giveaways only for JUST FOR FUN CHALLENGE MEMBERS throughout the year!
You can enter anytime between now and January 31, 2012.
There will still be a JUST FOR FUN page here too for reminders and special announcements.

Sign up today and get ready to hit the ground running January 1 reading
Just For Fun!!!

Have you found any new challenges?  How many have you signed up for?  
Have a great weekend!!!
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

2012 Challenge Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge

 CMash  November 12, 2011  Leave a Comment on 2012 Challenge Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge
Yes…I added another challenge this week.  And I am sure there are more to come.  I’m probably like you, addicted to books, addicted to challenges, and addicted to the buttons.  I try to rationalize each and every challenge I sign up for, because like my 5 shelf TBR book case, I don’t want it to get too out of control.
So my thinking is that since I have a large book case filled with just TBR books, not counting what is being stored in Kimmy Kindle and Sophie Sony, it is because of all of my blogging buddies that I have met along the way.  I have added so many books from recommendations, reviews I have read and/or through memes that I participate in like Mailbox Monday that this challenge, that this was a good challenge to sign up for.  This makes #8 and there are still some that I am waiting and hoping for.  What about you?  How are you doing with your 2012 Challenges?  Added any more?  Are you, like me, waiting for certain ones?  Did you sign up for this one?  Would love to hear!!
HOSTED BY VICKI FROM I’D RATHER BE AT THE BEACH
CHALLENGE SITE:   http://bffchallenge.blogspot.com/
Rules:

Challenge starts January 1, 2012 and ends December 31, 2012

1. Write a post on your blog about joining this challenge

Add links to your 5 favorite books

Don’t forget to add the challenge button

2. Click on the “Sign Up” tab above and leave the link to your challenge post, not to your blog’s home page.
3. Visit the other participants and choose  books to read.
You can choose them all at once or as you go.
Add the title to your original post, making sure to link back to the person whose favorite it is.

4. As you read each book:
Post a review on your blog and leave the link in the “Reviews” tab at the top of this blog
I can’t wait to see what your favorites are!!
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

2012 Challenge Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge

 CMash  November 12, 2011  7 Comments on 2012 Challenge Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge
Yes…I added another challenge this week.  And I am sure there are more to come.  I’m probably like you, addicted to books, addicted to challenges, and addicted to the buttons.  I try to rationalize each and every challenge I sign up for, because like my 5 shelf TBR book case, I don’t want it to get too out of control.
So my thinking is that since I have a large book case filled with just TBR books, not counting what is being stored in Kimmy Kindle and Sophie Sony, it is because of all of my blogging buddies that I have met along the way.  I have added so many books from recommendations, reviews I have read and/or through memes that I participate in like Mailbox Monday that this challenge, that this was a good challenge to sign up for.  This makes #8 and there are still some that I am waiting and hoping for.  What about you?  How are you doing with your 2012 Challenges?  Added any more?  Are you, like me, waiting for certain ones?  Did you sign up for this one?  Would love to hear!!
HOSTED BY VICKI FROM I’D RATHER BE AT THE BEACH
CHALLENGE SITE:   http://bffchallenge.blogspot.com/
Rules:

Challenge starts January 1, 2012 and ends December 31, 2012

1. Write a post on your blog about joining this challenge

Add links to your 5 favorite books

Don’t forget to add the challenge button

2. Click on the “Sign Up” tab above and leave the link to your challenge post, not to your blog’s home page.
3. Visit the other participants and choose  books to read.
You can choose them all at once or as you go.
Add the title to your original post, making sure to link back to the person whose favorite it is.

4. As you read each book:
Post a review on your blog and leave the link in the “Reviews” tab at the top of this blog
I can’t wait to see what your favorites are!!
Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

2012 Challenges

 CMash  November 5, 2011  Leave a Comment on 2012 Challenges
A Novel Challenge
The other day I had my kick off for the 2012 Challenges.  I admitted that, yes, I am addicted to books and challenges.  And while stalking the above site, I also realized I am addicted to the challenge buttons.  I’m in trouble!!!!!  The next 2 months are going to be hard.  Especially since I put in such a bad year with reading and challenges.  Yesterday, since I can’t physically do fall cleaning, I did fall blog cleaning, and removed the 2011 challenges that I didn’t even make a dent in on my Challenge Page and started my 2012 Challenge Page.
I don’t know if it’s hopeful thinking, just the excitement of seeing all the new challenges and different buttons, wanting to close this book of 2011 and starting a fresh and fun book for 2012, BUT, I’m ready.  So from today on, every Saturday, I will be posting what challenges, I have added during the week.
And I am hoping that you tell me which ones you decided to participate in for 2 reasons.  One so we can encourage each other and two, in case I missed out on any lol.
So besides my kick off, I am also adding:

Challenge–2012 “Bucket List” Book Reading Challenge

The 2012 “Bucket List” Reading Challenge is the challenge to sign up for if YOU have a list of books that you are dying to read but just haven’t gotten to them yet.  The rules are simple for this challenge and I’ve also included a couple of sample “Bucket” Lists to provide a good starting point.  NOTE:  The link titled “Bucket List” Books is a list that I created and if you would like to add books to that list I encourage you to.

Rules:
1. Challenge starts on January 1, 2012 and goes until December 31, 2012.
2. You don’t need a blog to participate.
3. Create a “sign up” post and link to the linky below.
4. There are 4 levels to this challenge….
      a. The Mini Cooper level – 4 “bucket” list books
      b. The Mid-sized Sedan level – 8 “bucket” list books
      c. The Pick Up level – 12 “bucket” list books
      d. The Semi level – 13 or more “bucket” list books

NOTE:  I am adding a stipulation to this challenge.  If you originally decided to start small with the Mini Cooper level and decide to upgrade that is fine.  But once you decide to go big you can NOT downgrade.

5. Each month a review link will be posted.  Please feel free to link up your reviews where ever you happen to post them…your blog, goodreads,Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
Sample “Bucket” Lists:


I am already up to 7 challenges!!!  And there are approximately 5 or 6 that I participated in last year and have my fingers crossed that those bloggers will host those challenges again.  So I sit waiting patiently, checking daily, oh….ok…a few times a day..to see if those challenges are posted yet.  I told you I am excited to start 2012 for many reasons.  And one of them is to restore my reading habits.


So now I ask you…have you started signing up?  How many?  Are there some you are waiting for?  Are you getting excited for the new challenges to start?  Would love to hear or am I the only challenge and badge addict?


Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!
 Posted in 2012 Challenges

2012 Challenges

 CMash  November 5, 2011  7 Comments on 2012 Challenges
A Novel Challenge
The other day I had my kick off for the 2012 Challenges.  I admitted that, yes, I am addicted to books and challenges.  And while stalking the above site, I also realized I am addicted to the challenge buttons.  I’m in trouble!!!!!  The next 2 months are going to be hard.  Especially since I put in such a bad year with reading and challenges.  Yesterday, since I can’t physically do fall cleaning, I did fall blog cleaning, and removed the 2011 challenges that I didn’t even make a dent in on my Challenge Page and started my 2012 Challenge Page.
I don’t know if it’s hopeful thinking, just the excitement of seeing all the new challenges and different buttons, wanting to close this book of 2011 and starting a fresh and fun book for 2012, BUT, I’m ready.  So from today on, every Saturday, I will be posting what challenges, I have added during the week.
And I am hoping that you tell me which ones you decided to participate in for 2 reasons.  One so we can encourage each other and two, in case I missed out on any lol.
So besides my kick off, I am also adding:

Challenge–2012 “Bucket List” Book Reading Challenge

The 2012 “Bucket List” Reading Challenge is the challenge to sign up for if YOU have a list of books that you are dying to read but just haven’t gotten to them yet.  The rules are simple for this challenge and I’ve also included a couple of sample “Bucket” Lists to provide a good starting point.  NOTE:  The link titled “Bucket List” Books is a list that I created and if you would like to add books to that list I encourage you to.

Rules:
1. Challenge starts on January 1, 2012 and goes until December 31, 2012.
2. You don’t need a blog to participate.
3. Create a “sign up” post and link to the linky below.
4. There are 4 levels to this challenge….
      a. The Mini Cooper level – 4 “bucket” list books
      b. The Mid-sized Sedan level – 8 “bucket” list books
      c. The Pick Up level – 12 “bucket” list books
      d. The Semi level – 13 or more “bucket” list books

NOTE:  I am adding a stipulation to this challenge.  If you originally decided to start small with the Mini Cooper level and decide to upgrade that is fine.  But once you decide to go big you can NOT downgrade.

5. Each month a review link will be posted.  Please feel free to link up your reviews where ever you happen to post them…your blog, goodreads,Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
Sample “Bucket” Lists:


I am already up to 7 challenges!!!  And there are approximately 5 or 6 that I participated in last year and have my fingers crossed that those bloggers will host those challenges again.  So I sit waiting patiently, checking daily, oh….ok…a few times a day..to see if those challenges are posted yet.  I told you I am excited to start 2012 for many reasons.  And one of them is to restore my reading habits.


So now I ask you…have you started signing up?  How many?  Are there some you are waiting for?  Are you getting excited for the new challenges to start?  Would love to hear or am I the only challenge and badge addict?


Thank you for subscribing to CMash Loves To Read.
When visiting, please feel free to leave any suggestions,
ideas and/or comments. Would love to hear from you!!