2018 #Reading Challenges #books

First, I'd just like to mention...you might have noticed my header is missing. Yup. I'm going for a more streamlined look. I also updated my button. You can grab it down in the sidebar (with the handy grab code), if you like. 😀

I paired back on reading challenge sign ups this year (I think...lol) since I failed miserably last year. Not that I didn't read. However, I read only 35 books...far less than my usual 50+...and my keeping track of what I read for challenges was for shit. This year, I'm going to try a dual approach. Keeping track on this blog via the 2018 Reading Challenges page, and in my bullet journal. I'm seriously better with paper. 

Challenges I'm hosting (I now host all of my challenges at Gather Together and Read):

2018 Yearly Challenge (for the 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan perpetual reading challenge)

Back for year two! I created the perpetual reading challenge, 13 Ways of Looking at The Lifetime Reading Plan back in September 2017 (read all the details and sign-up here), and I promised to offer a yearly challenge to assist us in meeting our reading goals and staying accountable with the perpetual challenge.

You must be signed up for the perpetual challenge, which I am.

Levels:
13Ways Challenge Novice: 1 to 3 books
13Ways Challenge Eager Reader : 4 to 8 books
13Ways Challenge Buff: 9 to 13 books
13Ways Challenge Devotee: 14 to 18
13Ways Challenge Diehard Reader: More than 19

For full details and sign up for this challenge, go here. To read more about the perpetual challenge and to sign up, go here.

I'm going with the Eager Reader level - 4 to 8 books 

2018 Book to Movie Challenge

It's back for the second year! I have a list of 2018 movies being adapted from books over at the blog.

Levels:
Level 1a: read 1-3 books
Level 1b: read 4+ books

Read only books being made into movies for release in 2018 (you are not required to only read from the list above. As I stated, if you find another movie or TV series/mini-series based on a book coming out in 2018, feel free to read it).

Level 2a: 1-3 books from 2017 movie releases, 1-3 books from books made into movies from previous years
Level 2b: 4+ books from 2017 movie releases, 4+ books from books made into movies from previous years

Level 3a: read 1-3 books from any release year, watch 1-3 movies from any release year
Level 3b: read 4+ books from any release year, watch 4+ movies from any release year

Note: Movies watched must be the movie (or television) adaptation of the book(s) you read.

For complete details and to sign-up, visit the original post here.

I'm going to do Level 3b: 4+ books and 4+ movies from any release year. I'm working on one right now, listening to the audio book...Howard's End by E.M. Forster. The series is coming to Starz in April.

The books I would also like to read for sure:

The Terror, Dan Simmons (coming to AMC at the end of March...reading this one for sure)

Ready Player One, Ernest Cline
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Annie Barrows
Meg, Steve Alten (reread)
Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn

2018 Read your (Book) Shelf Challenge

Back for year two!

Basically, you pick a shelf on your bookshelf and read 12 books (one per month) from that particular stack, row, pile, etc. Full details and explanations are over at the blog. The image below is of my stack. I decided to randomly select (with Randomizer) my book for each month. (Alternate titles are allowed now).

For complete details and to sign-up, visit this post.

My book for January is Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum, number five counting from the bottom of the stack.

Complete list of books (from top including alternates):
The Accidental Man, Iris Murdoch

Swann, Carol Shields

The Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman

Mary Barton, Elizabeth Gaskell

Rabbit, Run, John Updike

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin

The Constant Princess, Philippa Gregory

The Circle, Dave Eggers

Ripper, Isabel Allende

Don't Look Back, Karin Fossum

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand

Rebel Queen, Michelle Moran

The Treatment, Mo Hayder

The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

Reading Challenges hosted by other bloggers

The Official 2018 TBR Pile Challenge

Hosted by Adam at Roof Beam Reader.

The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year.

Make your list ahead of time...two alternates are allowed. Sign up by January 15 (whew...I'm under the wire!)

For complete challenge details and to sign up, visit this post.

My list:

1. The Terror, Dan Simmons

2. Rabbit, Run, John Updike  DNF

3. Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn

4. The Vampire Armand, Anne Rice

5. Ombria in Shadow, Patricia A. McKillip

6. Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Kate Atkinson

7. Villette, Charlotte Bronte

8. White Teeth, Zadie Smith

9. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
10. Finding Atlantis: A True Story of Genius, Madness, and an Extraordinary Quest for a Lost World, David King
11. King Arthur, Norma Lorre Goodrich
12. The Lambs of London, Peter Ackroyd

Alternates:

1. A Storm of Swords, George R.R. Martin
2. The Secret History, Donna Tartt

2018 Reading Challenge

This one may be impossible for me, but I can't resist. It's a cool concept and it has the neatest form to keep track (that you can download and print!). See form below.

Hosted by Linz the Bookworm

The concept, from the challenge host:
This challenge is actually several challenges in one. The way it is designed is that you work through one level and then move on to the next. It's comprised of five different challenges of 12 books each, or 60 books total. We tried to arrange it in a way that shows what we thought would be the easiest in the first few levels, and then gradually gets harder. We also wanted to spread it out a bit, so the same types of challenges aren't in each level. Ultimately, I think we both wanted a challenge that's going to really make us have to think ahead and plan to complete it. Tress and I are both really into organization and bullet journaling, so for us, this is just an extension of that. I'm not sure what goals Tress has set for herself within the challenge, but my goals are to work it in order and try to see how far I can get. Last year, I kind of read a book and then tried to fit it into a category on the challenge. This year, I'd like to plan ahead and see if I can read more because of it. I've already got some books in mind for some of the items, so I'm really excited to see what I can accomplish on this list.

Learn more and sign up here.

Number	Challenge	Book	Author
	Level 1: Book of the Month Club
1	A book from Project Gutenberg
2	A book that costs less than $5
3	A Cozy Mystery
4	A comedy or a satire book
5	Read a book by Nora Roberts
6	A book that has been turned into a movie or TV show
7	A book on a best seller list
8	A book under 300 pages
9	A book that takes place around a holiday
10	A book with a one word title
11	A book you first read when you were a teenager
12	A children's book
	level 2: Casual Reader Club
13	A book by a new author
14	Reread a favorite book
15	A book with a cover that's in your favorite color
16	A book published in 1993
17	A book recommended to you on social media or by a friend
18	A book with a number in the title
19	A book with pictures in it
20	A retelling of a fairy tale
21	A book that involves a mythical creature
22	A book about witches
23	A book by an author named Chris or Christopher
24	A book you got from a used bookshop or site
	Level 3: Dedicated Reader Club
25	A book about space travel, aliens, or other planets
26	A book with an animal in the title
27	First in a series you've wanted to start
28	A book with music or song in the title
29	A book with a purple cover
30	A cult classic
31	A book about a Teacher
32	An action adventure book
33	A book that takes place before 1900
34	A book about friendship
35	A book by Michael Crichton
36	A book about a Queen
	Level 4: Speed Reader Club
37	A book by Agatha Christie
38	A book that takes place in Australia
39	A book that has a title starting with the letter Y
40	Read a compilation of short stories
41	Read a book from the Guardian's 100 greatest Novel list
42	A book with the word thief in the title
43	A banned book
44	A book published in 1968
45	A book about a doctor
46	A book involving food
47	A book with a male main character
48	A book by two or more authors
	Level 5: Overachiever Club
49	A book published the year one of your parents was born
50	A book over 500 pages
51	A book about traveling
52	A book with a flower on the cover
53	A Non-Fiction book
54	A book that takes place during a war
55	A book involving a culture different than your own
56	A book that takes place in Canada
57	A book that was originally published in a foreign language
58	A book about a character who has your dream job
59	A book with woman or girl in the title
60	A book about a main character that has the same hair color as you

Vintage Mystery Challenge 2018: Just the Facts, Ma'am

Hosted by Bev at My Reader's Block

All books must be from the mystery category (crime fiction, detective fiction, espionage, etc.). The mystery/crime must be the primary feature of the book--ghost stories, paranormal, romance, humor, etc are all welcome as ingredients, but must not be the primary category under which these books would be labeled at the library or bookstore.

Read the rest of the rules (and sign up) here.

Challenge Levels Constable: 6 books -- one from each category
Detective Sergeant: 12 books -- two from each category
Inspector: 18 books -- three from each category
Chief Inspector: 24 books -- four from each category
Superintendent: 30 books -- five from each category
Chief Superintendent: 36 books -- six from each category
Deputy Chief Constable: 42 books -- seven from each category
Chief Constable: 48 books -- all eight books from each category 

There's prizes too!

I'm doing the Constable level: 6 books and I'm going to complete the Golden card (see below). I'm thinking Mary Roberts Rinehart will be fitting for this one. My friend Ryan highly recommends her books.

2018 Epistolary Reading Challenge

Hosted by Jamie at Whatever I Think Of

Definition of an Epistolary Novel (from Wikipedia):

An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries,newspaper clippings and other documents are sometimes used. Recently, electronic "documents" such as recordings and radio, blogs, and e-mails have also come into use. The word epistolary is derived from Latin from the Greek word ἐπιστολή epistolē, meaning a letter (see epistle).

The epistolary form can add greater realism to a story, because it mimics the workings of real life. It is thus able to demonstrate differing points of view without recourse to the device of an omniscient narrator. 

The challenge, then, will be to read books written in the form of letters, diaries, blogs, e-mails and such, either completely or partially written this way. Here are some links to get some reading ideas:

Full details and sign up here.

For this one, I'm thinking...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Annie Barrows (already on my book to movie list)

The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova (one of my favorite books and a reread)

Hotel Transylvania (Saint-Germain #1), Chelsea Quinn Yarbro 

84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff 

Creativity Reading Challenge 2018

This one is also hosted by Jamie at Whatever I Think Of

This challenge is about reading books on creativity, art, crafts, writing, film making, photography, cosmetology, DIY, cooking, music and any other topic that helps you live a more creative life. 

Full details and sign up here

I'm focusing on my writing this year so I'll be mainly reading books about the writing craft. I'll make my list as I go along.

Back to the Classics 2018

Hosted by Karen K at Books and Chocolate

You do not have to read all 12 books to participate in this challenge!

• 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

And here are the categories for the 2018 Back to the Classics Challenge:

1. A 19th century classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899. >>> Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

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. >>> Howard's End, E.M. Forster

3. A classic by a woman author. >>> Mary Barton Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell

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). Modern translations are acceptable as long as the original work fits the guidelines for publications as explained in the challenge rules.

5. A children's classic. Indulge your inner child and read that classic that you somehow missed years ago. Short stories are fine, but it must be a complete volume. Young adult and picture books don't count!

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. Examples include The 39 Steps, Strangers on a Train, In Cold Blood, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, etc. The Haycraft-Queen Cornerstones list is an excellent source for suggestions.

7. A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction. The journey itself must be the major plot point -- not just the destination. Good examples include The Hobbit, Around the World in 80 Days, Unbeaten Tracks in Japan, Kon-Tiki, Travels with Charley, etc.

8. A classic with a single-word title. No articles please! Proper names are fine -- Emma, Germinal, Middlemarch, Kidnapped, etc.  >>> Villette, Charlotte Bronte

9. A classic with a color in the title. The Woman in White; Anne of Green Gables; The Red and the Black, and so on. (Silver, gold, etc. are acceptable. Basically, if it's a color in a Crayola box of crayons, it's fine!) >>> A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess  The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

10. A classic by an author that's new to you. Choose an author you've never read before. >>> Rabbit, Run, John Updike  DNF, choosing something else.

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! >>> War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

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.

Full details and sign up here

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#CatThursday - #Authors and #Cats (68) Haruki Murakami

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite lolcat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

The second Cat Thursday of each month is Authors and Cats Thursday. Each time I will feature an author with their cat(s), or pictured with a cat(s).

I forgot to post...again. Sorry!

Haruki Murakami celebrates his birthday tomorrow! He is a known cat lover and has included cats in many of his literary works. 

Murakami Haruki (born January 12, 1949) is a popular contemporary Japanese writer and translator. His work has been described as 'easily accessible, yet profoundly complex'. He can be located on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/harukimuraka...

Since childhood, Murakami has been heavily influenced by Western culture, particularly Western music and literature. He grew up reading a range of works by American writers, such as Kurt Vonnegut and Richard Brautigan, and he is often distinguished from other Japanese writers by his Western influences.

Murakami studied drama at Waseda University in Tokyo, where he met his wife, Yoko. His first job was at a record store, which is where one of his main characters, Toru Watanabe in Norwegian Wood, works. Shortly before finishing his studies, Murakami opened the coffeehouse 'Peter Cat' which was a jazz bar in the evening in Kokubunji, Tokyo with his wife.

Many of his novels have themes and titles that invoke classical music, such as the three books making up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: The Thieving Magpie (after Rossini's opera), Bird as Prophet (after a piano piece by Robert Schumann usually known in English as The Prophet Bird), and The Bird-Catcher (a character in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute). Some of his novels take their titles from songs: Dance, Dance, Dance (after The Dells' song, although it is widely thought it was titled after the Beach Boys tune), Norwegian Wood(after The Beatles' song) and South of the Border, West of the Sun (the first part being the title of a song by Nat King Cole). (from Goodreads)

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Yearly Remembrance - David Bowie #Starman

Still hard to believe that he's gone. His legacy lives on. Also, I recently heard on Book Riot that his son, Duncan Jones has launched a David Bowie Book Club on Twitter. First book is Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd. He announced it in this tweet. I'm thinking of joining in unofficially. What a great way to keep David's memory alive. I love it!

We remember you, David. I will never forget the joy your music has given me, and as long as I'm still still listening, that joy will continue. I hope you are rocking out wherever you are.

David Bowie - 8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016

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#CatThursday - #Cats have #resolutions too

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

It's officially 2018! Let's make it a better one. Wishing you happiness and prosperity.

There's always that one friend...

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2018 - First Book of the Year plus my One Word...A Quest to find me

First Book of the Year is a tradition started by Sheila at Book Journey...and this is the fifth year!

The premise:

Here is what First Book is. The first book of the New Year should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year.

Make it AWESOME.

Head over to Sheila's blog to see what everyone else has chosen as their first book.

Now, drum roll please....

Alice, posed with my first book, 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin.

This book was in my Bookish Secret Santa gift

from my good friend, Lucy at Fictional 100. ❤

The concept behind My One Word is to come up with a word that is all encompassing of that long list of resolutions. Let's face it...that daunting list seldom works. Sheila at Book Journey has also made this a yearly tradition so you can join her and check out her One Word. You can also read all about the phenomenon and share your One Word with the world at the official website here. (Note: When you share your word on their site, this is what it says: Choose just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year. I am not religious so I chose not to share on their site, as their philosophy does not fit with my beliefs).

My One Word for 2018 is QUEST.

I'm on a quest to find ME, to make ME happy.

• My quest is a focus on my health and getting healthy (which does involve losing weight, but the focus will be on health via healthier eating and plenty of exercise). 
• My quest is wasting less time watching TV and online. I'm cutting the cord (which means getting rid of satellite TV) and going all streaming. The TV will be on less so less temptation to watch. The internet is going to take a bit more willpower. Baby steps.
• My quest is getting back to my love of reading. I only read 35 books last year! That's almost 20 books less than I've read in previous years. I have pretty much completely stopped doing book tours and I will only review books for a select group of authors I know and love. This quest is to finally reach that 75 books goal, and read books from my own shelves. To bring the enjoyment back to reading, not obligation.
• My quest is a focus on writing my novel. It's time to get serious. 
• Finally, my quest is to stand up for myself, speak my mind (I know you're probably saying, "She already does!").  It may seem like I already do, but there are instances in my life when I quash my voice, where I'm a doormat. No more!

That's it! I know it still seems like a long list, but the point is to focus on that One Word. I will keep QUEST the center of my attention and it will feel more like a journey than a chore. 

So, what about you? Do you have your First Book and One Word picked out? If you do, please share!

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