mercoledì 28 febbraio 2018

Back to the Classics 2018




There are 12 categories, but you don't have to do them all. You can select which ones appeal to you and still qualify for the draw.

Complete six categories, and you get one entry in the drawing
Complete nine categories, and you get two entries in the drawing
Complete all twelve categories, and you get three entries in the drawing

Here are the books I will read for each category.

1. A 19th century classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899 - Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

2.  A 20th century classic - any book published between 1900 and 1968. Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later, such as posthumous publications - 
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier


3.  A classic by a woman author - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

4.  A classic in translation.  Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language. (You can also read books in translation for any of the other categories) - Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

5. 
A children's classic.  - Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett  

6.  
A classic crime story, fiction or non-fiction. This can be a true crime story, mystery, detective novel, spy novel, etc., as long as a crime is an integral part of the story and it was published at least 50 years ago. Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie 
7.  
A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction. The journey itself must be the major plot point -- not just the destination.  -
Gulliver's Travel by Jonathan Swift 

8.  
A classic with a single-word title. No articles please! Proper names are fine - Middlemarch by George Eliot

9.  
 A classic with a color in the title. - 
 The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

10.A classic by an author that's new to you. Choose an author you've never read before. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel  Hawthorne 

11. 
A classic that scares you. Is there a classic you've been putting off forever? A really long book which intimidates you because of its sheer length? Now's the time to read it, and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised!
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

12. Re-read a favorite classic. Like me, you probably have a lot of favorites -- choose one and read it again, then tell us why you love it so much.  Persuasion by Jane Austen 

martedì 27 febbraio 2018

2018 European Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Rose City Reader
Dates: January 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019


To find out more information about the challenge and to sign-up: European Reading Challenge 2018


The gist: The idea is to read books by European authors or books set in European countries (no matter where the author comes from). The books can be anything – novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, or any other genre. You can participate at different levels, but each book must be by a different author and set in a different country – it's supposed to be a tour. (See note about the UK, below)


LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION

Five Star (Deluxe Entourage): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.
Four Star (Honeymooner): Read four qualifying books.
Three Star (Business Traveler): Read three qualifying books.
Two Star (Adventurer): Read two qualifying books.
One Star (Pensione Weekender): Read just one qualifying book.

JET SETTER PRIZE
The participant who reads and reviews the greatest number of qualifying books (more than five) will get a $25 gift card to Powell's Books (can be used in store or on line).  Participants living in Europe will get a $25-equivalent gift card to the Amazon store in your country, if possible. If you live in a country where neither Powell's nor Amazon will work, then sorry, you are out of luck.
Each book must be by a different author and set in a different country. This means that only one book from one of the four UK countries will count.  Only books reviewed count towards the prize.

I choose the Five Star Level 

giovedì 8 febbraio 2018

2018 AtoZ Reading Challenge




 #2018AtoZChallenge
The goal of this challenge is to read a book for each letter of the alphabet. You get one freebie letter as well. There are monthly mini challenge and a kidlit version.

A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:



lunedì 5 febbraio 2018

FULL HOUSE READING CHALLENGE 2018


Hosted by Book Date. 



RULES: This challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2018.  Create a post committing to your participation.  Read and review books based on topics on the card below.  There will be a link every quarter for you to add your reviews as you go along.  The goal is to complete the full house card, with one free exchange if there is something on a square that you really dislike.



sabato 3 febbraio 2018

The Series That Never.. Ends Challenge 2018


THE DEETS

You know what I am talking about…
those long series everyone raves about, but you have fallen behind.
Maybe you have read a few.
Maybe the author writes faster than superman.
Maybe you never heard about it until the series went viral.
Yeah, that series that has been hanging a noose around you neck …
getting tighter and tighter.
Now you can be the heroine/hero on Social Media
talking about the latest and greatest book that has come out and save everyone’s day!
Sign up here


THE CHALLENGE

Level One – 5-9 books – Surviving the Book Tsunami
Level Two – 10-15 books – Removing the Thorn From My Side
Level Three – 15 books or more – Goddess of Reading the Never Ending Series

THOSE PESKY RULES….

* The minimum goal is 5 books.
* The books have to be in the same series and by the same author(s).
* Only romance series are accepted. Any sub-genre of romance accepted.
* Sign up between December 1, 2017- December 31, 2018.
My goal is to read:
Level One - 5 - 9 books Surviving the book Tsunami

2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge:


 Hosted by Somewhere Only We Know & Words Fueled by Love


Challenge Guidelines:
  1. This challenge will run from January 1, 2018 until December 31, 2018
  2. Anyone can enter. You don’t have to have a blog just as long as you review your books somewhere: on your blog if you have one, Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.
  3. Any genre, length, or format is acceptable as long as it is the last book in a series where all books in the series have been published and no more books are currently intended to be published in the series. If an author makes a decision somewhere during the year to add on to the series, we will count both the original last book in the series and the “new last” book in the series assuming the author isn’t going to write more than one additional book. Last book published in a series doesn’t count if more books are expected to be published.
  4. You can list your series enders ahead of time or do a singular wrap up post. If you decide to list them up front, feel free to change them throughout the year as necessary.
  5. When you sign up in the linky, please use the direct link to your post about joining the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge. If you don’t have a blog, please post about it on Facebook or Twitter and include that direct link as your sign up.
  6. You can sign up until December 15, 2018. This allows you to join the challenge at any time during the year.
  7. On the 25th of every month, we will post a wrap up on both Somewhere Only We Know and Words Fueled by Love with a giveaway and a place for you to link up your reviews for the month. The monthly giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up (ex. From January 25th 2018, to February 25th 2018). For each link to a review, you will get an (1) entry into a drawing for that giveaway. This will be open internationally.
  8. Monthly giveaway prizes will be an e-gift card of your choice up to $5 (USD) from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
  9. If you miss a wrap-up post and giveaway, you can link your review the next month. Please do not try to link to one review twice. We will be verifying these.
  10. December will be the wrap up for the entire year. All reviews linked from January through December will be entered into a Grand Prize giveaway. Also due to Christmas, the December wrap up will post on December 23rd and will be open until January 23rd.
  11. You don’t have to follow Somewhere Only We Know or Words Fueled by Love to participate in the challenge, but you do have to follow both of us in order to be entered in the giveaways.
Levels: (how many series enders you are planning to read)
Level 1: 1 – 5
Level 2: 5 – 10
Level 3: 10 – 15
Level 4: 15+

The level I am choosing is 5-10 books

52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge 2018

My fifth year participating… I am going to get to 52 books in 52 weeks again this year. Last year I have miserably failed.

                                                                      Hosted here



Are you ready for another round of Reading 52 books in 52 Weeks? Whether you are just joining in or continuing on for another round, the rules are very simple. The goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks.  Then now is the time. The goal is to read 52 books. How you get there is up to you.
 To aid us in our reading adventures, we have several optional challenges which are listed in the link bar above:  A to ZDusty and/or Chunky and 52 Books Bingo, as well as our perpetual Well Educated Mind challenge.  We have monthly themes and author flavors listed along with a few readalongs and various mini challenges throughout the year to tickle your reading taste buds.  

  1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018
  2. Our book weeks begin on Sunday.
  3. Participants may join at any time.
  4. All books are acceptable including comic books and graphic novels.
  5. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
  6. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2015.
  7. Books may overlap other challenges.
  8. Create an entry post linking to this blog.
  9. Sign up with Mr. Linky in the “I’m participating post” below this post.
  10. You don’t need a blog to participate. Post your weekly book in the comments section of each weekly post.
  11. Mr. Linky will be added to the bottom of the weekly post to link to reviews of your most current reads.
    Bingo Variety




    ~~~oOo~~~

    Dusty Books (the ones that have been on your shelf for a while)

    Safe in the Harbor - 2 Books
    Sail on Sweet Sister - 4 Books
    Life in the Dark Water  - 6 Books
    Beyond the Sea  - 8 Books
    The Voyage  - 10 Books or more 

    I'm going for "The Voyage - 10+ books" here.

    Chunky Books (500+ pages)

    The Tide is High  - 2 books
    Down to the Water Line  - 4 books
    Big Boat  - 6 books
    Big Ship Sailing  - 8 books
    Mother Ocean - 10 books or more

    I'm going for Down to the Water Line 4 books

    ~~~oOo~~~

    Well Educated Mind  (follow link for specifics) Perpetual Challenge

2018

Fiction

1. Don Quixote
2. Oliver Twist
3. Jane Eyre

Autobiography
1.
2.
3.

History/Politics

1.
2.
3.

Drama

1. Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Ernest
2. William Shakespeare A Midsummer Night's Dream
3. William Shakespeare Richard III 

 Poetry
1.
2.
3.

Science
1.
2
3.

~~~oOo~~~

Join us in the Agatha Christie Perpetual reading challenge  and read at least three of her books per year.  Read the books in chronological order as listed, group by detective or collection, or randomly if you choose. 

~~~oOo~~~
2018 Armchair Travels and Authors 


Year long reading challenge — Brit Tripping
An England mystery road trip
co-hosted by Sandy and Amy will begin in February 

January Journey across the silk road:
Asia - Haruki Murakimi and/or Miyuki Miyabe 


February tour along the Roman Roads:
United Kingdom - Agatha Christie and/or Christopher Brookmyre 


March footpaths from Dublin to Dorsey:
Ireland - Iris Murdoch and/or John Connolly


Backpack April coast to coast:
Iceland - Arnaldur Indriðason and/or Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 


May Cruise the fjords:
Scandinavia Peninsula - Karin Fossum and/or Jo Nesbo


June Sojourn by bike and barge:
Western Europe Low Countries - Georges Simenon and/or Renate Dorrestein


July Quest across the Alps:
Alpine Region - Umberto Eco and/or Simonetta Agnello Hornby

August trek around the Middle East:
Fertile Crescent - Naguib Mahfouz and/or Alia Mamdouh


Nomadic September in the Heat:
Sahara desert - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and/or Chinua Achebe


October Ramble:
North America - James Rollins and/or Sue Grafton


November Narration: Nonfiction November


Frosty December: Arctic Circle

~~~oOo~~~

Blossom Bookology

Like flowers, books have a language all their own and fill up our senses, each with their own essence.  Our Blossom Bookology reading challenge will take you around the world and engage your senses in a variety of ways.  Read a book with one or more of the following (but not limited too) and have fun exploring a variety of places and topics:  



One book per letter in the flower's name

Name of the flower in the title

Color of the flower in the title

Color of the flower on the cover 

 Takes place in flower's country of origin.

Plot includes cultural significance and/or symbolism 


****************************************

Flowers of the Month


January --- Chrysanthemum

February -- Rose

March -- Clover 

April -- Mountain Aven

May -- Lily

June -- Tulip

July -- Edelweiss

August -- Jasmine 

September -- Lotus 

October -- Marigold 

November -- Daisy 

December -- Holly 

~~~oOo~~~

Brit Tripping 

Co hosted by Sandy and Amy


Beginning February 4, 2018 



This year we’ll follow the Roman Road through England with the intent of reading a book from each of the 45 counties with a few extra trips to London. At the beginning of each week we’ll check in and post our route. Pack your bags and kindles and audiobooks and get ready to Brit Trip!

One of the challenges we discovered in planning was that the counties change frequently and in many places overlap with other counties and then there’s some disagreement on what is and isn’t a county. 


General rules:

  • Join in for as much as you want. This is supposed to be fun.
  • Let us know if you are in so we know who we are caravanning with!
  • Rereads are allowed.
  • No page number minimum.
  • Please follow us on Goodreads. We’ll be shelving our Brit Tripping reads on their own shelf. To see   what counties are included you need to go MumtoTwo’s page and click on SETTINGS next to the   search box and check the box for RECOMMENDER. Then at the bottom of the beige box click on   CLOSE.
  • The expected itinerary will be posted every Sunday.
  • The schedule for the year is posted below

Join a bus:

• The Detectives (Mystery reading)
• The Rebels (Mixed genre reading)

All those who join us for our adventures will earn a rank based on number of counties completed.







And the final level is The Bertram Wooster. That is earned by reading one book set in England of any genre but failing spectacularly at all other challenges. A good attitude must be maintained despite numerous hardships. Employing a Gentleman’s Gentleman is optional but encouraged. Bonus points awarded if you are accidentally engaged multiple times during the year.

Schedule:

Ermine Street
  • 2/04 - London (Scotland Yard)
  • 2/11 – Cambridgeshire
  • 2/18 – Huntingdonshire
  • 2/25 – Bedfordshire
  • 3/04 – Northampton shire and Rutland
  • 3/11 - Nottinghamshire
  • 3/18 - East and West Riding of Yorkshire
  • 3/25 – York

Dere Street
  • 4/01 – North Yorkshire
  • 4/08 – Durham
  • 4/15 – Tyne and Wear
  • 4/22 – Northumbria

Ichnield Way
  • 4/29 – Isle of Wight
  • 5/06 – Dorset
  • 5/13 – Hampshire
  • 5/20 – Berkshire
  • 5/27 – Buckinghamshire
  • 6/03 – Herefordshire
  • 6/10 – Essex
  • 6/17 – Suffolk
  • 6/24 - Norfolk

Fosse Way
  • 7/01 – Cornwall
  • 7/08 – Devon
  • 7/15 – Dorset
  • 7/22 – Gloucestershire
  • 7/29 – Derbyshire
  • 8/12 – Lincolnshire

Akemam Street
  • 8/19 – London
  • 8/26 – Oxfordshire
  • 9/02 – Wiltshire
  • 9/09 – Somerset

Watling Way
  • 09/16 – Kent
  • 09/23 – Sussex
  • 09/30 – Surrey
  • 10/07 – Spooky London
  • 10/14 – Worcestershire
  • 10/21 – Warwickshire
  • 10/28 – West Midlands
  • 11/04 – Staffordshire
  • 11/11 – Shropshire
  • 11/18 – Cheshire
  • 11/25 – Merseyside
  • 12/02 – Manchester
  • 12/09 – Lancashire
  • 12/16 – Cumbria


Christmas in London

We hope you enjoy traveling around England with us!
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