Challenges: Winter Reading, 2009 Christian Readers, & Read and Review

In addition to participating in the reading challenge that Michelle at 1 More Chapter is hosting, which I posted about here, and the challenge Read Your Own Books, hosted by Miz B, which I posted about here, I've decided to participate in three more reading challenges. They seem to be doable for me as they all allow overlapping.

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My Two Blessings is hosting The Winter Reading Challenge which runs from December 21st, 2008 through March 20, 2009.

The rules are very flexible:

1) Choose any number of books you would like to read and post them on your blog.
2) They can be fiction and/or nonfiction including e-books and audiobooks
3) They can overlap with other challenges.
4) Sign up on Mr. Linky.

My goal for this challenge will be two books per week, which totals twenty-six.

1. Baker's Fatal Dozen by Lisa Harris
2. 108th Street by T. David Lee
3. Blood Lines by Mel Odom
4. Finding Marie by Susan Page Davis
5. God Is My Coach: A Business Leader's Guide to Finding Clarity in an Uncertain World by Larry Julian
6. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
7. Ralphina, the Roly-Poly by Claudia Chandler
8. The Perfect Match by Susan May Warren
9. God Is My Coach by Larry Julian
10. The Power of Who by Bob Beaudine
11. Love in Ninety Days by Diana Kirschner, PhD.
12. Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Rich DeVos
13. Gatekeepers by Robert Liparulo
14. We're in This Boat Together by Camille Bishop, PhD.
15. Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter
16. Red, White, and Blue by Laura Hayden
17. She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
18. A Cry in the Night by Coleen Coble
19. Lost in Las Vegas by Melody Carlson
20. Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz
21. The Rose Conspiracy by Craig Parshall
22. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
23. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
24. Inside Story by Susan Page Davis
25. Out of Time by Paul McCusker
26. The Art of Compassion by Michael Smith
27. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark
28. The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (Even When You Have Every Reason To Be Miserable) by Scott Hamilton
29. The Spring of Candy Apples by Debbie Viguie
30. Too Tall Alice by Barbara Worton, Illus. by Dom Rodi
31. Zoe Lucky by M. Carol Coffey
32. Age before Beauty by Virginia Smith
33. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
34. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
35. Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson
36. Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston
37. Work in Progress by Kristin Armstrong
38. Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney
39. Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson
40. A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter
41. Double Minds by Terri Blackstock
42. Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills
43. It's a Green Thing: Diary of a Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson
44. Brittan by Debra White Smith
45. Victoria's Rejects by Sydney Altman and Zoe Lazar
46. Mother Goose Tells the Truth About Middle Age by Sydney Altman
47. Turning the Paige by Laura Jensen Walker
48. Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell
49. Journey by Angela Hunt
FINISHED!

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Miz B is hosting a Christian Readers Challenge.

This challenge asks you to:

* create a list of Christian books that you’d like to read
* titles can be fiction, nonfiction, or a mixture of both
* read these between January 1st - April 30th, 2009
* overlaps with other challenges ARE allowed
* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed

Here's my list:

1. Red, White, and Blue by Laura Hayden
2. The Perfect Match by Susan May Warren
3. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
4. Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter
5. Gatekeepers by Robert Liparulo
6. Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz
7. She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
8. Age before Beauty by Virginia Smith
9. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
10. A Cry in the Night by Coleen Coble
11. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark
12. Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson
13. God Is My Coach by Larry Julian
14. For Couples Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn
15. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
16. Lost in Las Vegas by Melody Carlson
17. The Rose Conspiracy by Craig Parshall
18. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
19. Inside Story by Susan Page Davis
20. Out of Time by Paul McCusker
21. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark
22. The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (Even When You Have Every Reason To Be Miserable) by Scott Hamilton
23. The Spring of Candy Apples by Debbie Viguie
24. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
25. Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston
26. Work in Progress by Kristin Armstrong
27. Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney
28. Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson
29. A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter
30. Double Minds by Terri Blackstock
31. Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills
32. It's a Green Thing: Diary of a Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson
33. Brittan by Debra White Smith
34. Turning the Paige by Laura Jensen Walker
35. Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell
36. Journey by Angela Hunt
37. Yesterday's Embers by Deborah Raney
38. Salty Like Blood by Harry Kraus, M.D.
39. Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers
40. The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman
41. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky
42. How Can I Run A Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons? by Kathi Macias
43. My Son, John by Kathi Macias
44. The Marriage Turnaround by Mitch Temple
45. Deadlock by Robert Liparulo
46. A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher
47. A Sister's Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter
48. Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer
49. I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse by Michael Franzese
50. The Unquiet Bones by Melvin R. Starr
51. The Voice by Bill Myers
52. Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace
53. Gardenias for Breakfast by Robin Jones Gunn
54. The House at Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkhard
55. Nothing But Trouble: A PJ Sugar Novel by Susan May Warren
56. New York Debut (Carter House Girls, Book 6) by Melody Carlson
FINISHED!

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Miz B is also hosting the 2009 Read & Review Challenge. The rules are similar to those above. You need to:

* review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st, 2009
* keep your reviews clean and respectful
* reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish
* you MAY overlap with other challenges
* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed

As predicted, this was a snap for me as I already review everything I read. For more details, click on any of the links above. All reviews are posted on Book Critiques. They are in two listings: author and title.

Fall Into Reading 2008 - Wrap Up

The Fall Into Reading Challenge hosted by Katrina at Callipider Days ended yesterday. There were 286 participants!

I'd decided to read 12 books for the challenge. I added additional titles as they came into my home. Here's my list. You can find my reviews by clicking on the title or the author's name, located in alphabetical order on my sidebar of Book Critiques, my book review blog.

1. Altar Call by Hope Lyda (reading when the challenge began)
2. Rain Song by Alice Wisler
3. Out Of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria
4. Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
5. One Holy Night by J. M. Hochstetler
6. White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter
7. The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips by Stephne Baldwin/Mark Tabb
8. Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y’Barbo
9. Rhapsody in Red by Donn Taylor
10. The Rook by Steven James
11. The Jewel of Gresham Green by Lawana Blackwell
12. The Outsider by Ann H. Gabhart
Added
13. A Firm Place to Stand by Marja Bergen
14. Pure by Rebecca St. James
15. The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
16. by george by Wesley Stace
17. Never Surrender by LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin
18. Move On, Move Up by Paula White
19. Arsenic Soup For Lovers: When Chicken Soup Doesn't Work by Georgia Post
20. The Good Person Guidebook by Richard Bayer, Ph.D
21. Key West: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida's Southernmost City by Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen
22. Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby
23. Alphine Americas Photography by Olaf Soot; Essays by Don Mellor
24. What You Should Know About Politics by Jessamyn Conrad
25. In the Beginning: Art of Genesis by Chuck Fischer
26. Queen Vernita's Visitors by Dawn Menge
27. Cole Family Christmas by Jennifer Liu Bryan
28. Crafting Jewish by Rivky Koenig
29. Thou Shalt Not Whine: What We Whine About. Why We Do It and How to Stop! by January Jones
30. Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God by Mark Batterson
31. Lady Flatterley by Linda Wagner
32. Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
33. Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
34. For the Love of St. Nick by Garasamo Maccagnone
35. Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer
36. The Tutu Ballet by Sally O. Lee
37. One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling
38. Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins
39. Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
40. Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
41. Frasier Island by Susan Page Davis
42. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County bt Tiffany Baker
43. Where Do I Go? (The Yada Yada House of Hope) by Neta Jackson

This was my first reading challenge, and I enjoyed the experience. The only book not read is one that a publisher's assistant failed to send. (Boo. Hiss. Bad assistant!)

I am amazed at how long my list has grown! I was afraid that I'd bitten off too many titles, but this challenge helped me to chomp through a pile of books. The hardest part of the challenge was making a list three months in advance! Of all the books, my favorites are: Until We Reach Home, Rhapsody in Red, The Rook, Dark Pursuit, and One Perfect Day. The most disappointing read is For the Love of St. Nick by Garasamo Maccagnone. I'm already planning on challenges for my future reading, and I look forward to Katrina's Spring Challenge!

Read Your Own Books Challenge

I am adding another reading challenge to my 2009 year list.

MizB at Reading Wise is hosting a reading challenge called RYOB 2009 or Read Your Own Books in the coming year.

My goal will be to read six of my own books that are sitting neglected on my shelves. I made the number small because I am busy reading and reviewing so many other titles.

The rules for this challenge are very simple:

* set a goal for how many of your OWN books you’d like to read in 2009.

* read from your own collection between January 1st and December 31st, 2009.

You don’t have to create a list beforehand (’cause we all know that our reading preferences change as the year progresses), and you can even read books that come into your possession (that will be yours to keep) during the year!

Some other helpful hints:

- you CAN overlap with other challenges.

- eBooks and Audiobooks count AS LONG AS they are from your own collection.

If you're interested, please click on the link above.

1. A Sister's Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter

2. Gardenias for Breakfast by Robin Jones Gunn

3. The Second Mile by Ron and Janet Benrey

4. Showers in Season by Beverly LaHaye and Terri Blackstock

5. The Gathering Storm by Frank Simon

6. As You Wish by Robin Jones Gunn

Whew! I completed this challenge November 14, 2009. It is strange how difficult it was for me to squeeze in a title to read while a pile of books to be reviewed are calling my name. Nevertheless, I persisted and met my goal. Each title is reviewed in my book blog. They're listed by both title and author in the sidebar.

The 2009 Pub Challenge

I’m signing up for the 2009 Pub Challenge hosted by 1morechapter.com. The rules are:

1. Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009.
2. No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the "pub."
3. At least 5 titles must be fiction.
4. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
5. You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.
6. Sign up HERE using Mr. Linky.
7. Have fun reading your 2009 books!

I've already got one book lined up for January, and I'll add more to the list as I decide on them. Here's what I have so far:


1. The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know by Bob Beaudine
2. She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
3. Red, White, and Blue by Laura Hayden
4. Love in Ninety Days by Diana Kirschner, PhD.
5. Cry in the Night by Colleen Coble
6. Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz
7. The Rose Conspiracy by Craig Parshall
8. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
9. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
10. Inside Story by Susan Page Davis
11. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark
12. The Art of Compassion by Michael Smith
13. The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (Even When You Have Every Reason To Be Miserable) by Scott Hamilton
14. Age Before Beauty by Virginia Smith
15. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
16. Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson
17. Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston
18. Work in Progress by Kristin Armstrong
19. A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter
20. Double Minds by Terri Blackstock
21. Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills
22. Turning the Paige by Laura Jensen Walker
23. Illusions by Wanda B. Campbell
24. Journey by Angela Hunt
25. Yesterday's Embers by Deborah Raney
26. Salty like Blood by Harry Kraus, M.D.
27. Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers
28. The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman
29. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky
30. How Can I Run A Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons? by Kathi Macias
31. My Son, John by Kathi Macias
32. The Marriage Turnaround by Mitch Temple
33. Deadlock by Robert Liparulo
34. A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher
35. Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer
36. I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse by Michael Franzese
37. The Unquiet Bones by Melvin R. Starr
38. Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace
39. Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
40. The House at Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkhard
41. Nothing But Trouble: A PJ Sugar Novel by Susan May Warren
42. New York Debut (Carter House Girls, Book 6) by Melody Carlson
43. According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson
44. The Note II: Taking a Chance on Love by Angela Elwell Hunt
45. Bobbi Brown Living Beauty by Bobbi Brown with Marie Clare Katigbak
46. Always Watching by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins
47. Blood Bayou by Karen Young
48. The Moment Between by Nicole Baart
49. Ruby Unscripted by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma
50. Lucy's Perfect Summer by Nancy Rue
51. Jillian Dare by Melanie M. Jeschke
52. Right on the Money by Pat Robertson
53. The G-Free Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck
54. Success Kills: Sidestep the Snares that Will Steal Your Dreams by Wayde Goodall
55. Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl with April Henry
56. The Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher
57. A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
58. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
59. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing by Allison Bottke
60. Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove
61. The Shepherd's Fall by Wanda Dyson
62. Morningsong by Shelly Beach
63. Critical Care by Candace Calvert
64. What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy
65. Gone To Green by Judy Christie
66. Honor in the Dust by Gilbert Morris
67. TSI: The Gabon Virus by Paul McCusker & Walt Larimore, M.D.
68. Night Watchman by Mark Mayheir
69. Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
70. Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney
71. The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren
72. Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There by Ruth Graham
73. Abide With Me: A Photographic Journey Through Great British Hymns by John H. Parker and Paul Seawright
74. It's Not About Him by Michelle Sutton
75. The Knight by Steven James
76. Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess and Bill Bussey
77. Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
78. An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon
79. One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson
80. A Taste of Fame by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson
81. The Potluck Club Cookbook by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson
82. Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah by Melody Carlson
83. Tidings of Great Boys by Shelley Adina
84. The Love Revolution By Joyce Meyer
85. How I Got to Be Whoever It Is I Am by Charles Grodin
86. Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin
87. Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield
88. Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark
89. Ansel Adams in Color by Ansel Adams
90. Angels: A Pop-Up Book by Chuck Fischer
91. Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
92. A Walk with Christ to the Cross by Dawson McAllister
93. Loss Of Carrier by Russ White

I'm calling a halt to the 2009 reading at this point as we are getting ready for a big move into our new home. I enjoyed being able to keep a list of books read and plan to do it in the future.

Fall Into Reading: 2008 - Time to Read!

This is my first time to participate in the Fall Into Reading challenge hosted by Katrina at Callipider Days. The plan is to make a list of books I plan to read this Fall and share my experience. Join along if you wish!

Here's my list. If you see a title that's been crossed off, it means that I have finished reading that title. Look for the review by clicking on the title or the author's name in my sidebar.

1. Altar Call by Hope Lyda (reading now)
2. Rain Song by Alice Wisler
3. Out Of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria
4. Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
5. One Holy Night by J. M. Hochstetler
6. White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter
7. The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips by Stephne Baldwin/Mark Tabb
8. Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y’Barbo
9. Rhapsody in Red by Donn Taylor
10. The Rook by Steven James
11. The Jewel of Gresham Green by Lawana Blackwell
12. The Outsider by Ann H. Gabhart
Added
13. A Firm Place to Stand by Marja Bergen
14. Pure by Rebecca St. James
15. The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
16. by george by Wesley Stace
17. Never Surrender by LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin
18. Move On, Move Up by Paula White
19. Arsenic Soup For Lovers: When Chicken Soup Doesn't Work by Georgia Post
20. The Good Person Guidebook by Richard Bayer, Ph.D
21. Key West: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida's Southernmost City by Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen
22. Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby
23. Alphine Americas Photography by Olaf Soot; Essays by Don Mellor
24. What You Should Know About Politics by Jessamyn Conrad
25. In the Beginning: Art of Genesis by Chuck Fischer
26. Queen Vernita's Visitors by Dawn Menge
27. Cole Family Christmas by Jennifer Liu Bryan
28. Crafting Jewish by Rivky Koenig
29. Thou Shalt Not Whine: What We Whine About. Why We Do It and How to Stop! by January Jones
30. Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God by Mark Batterson
31. Lady Flatterley by Linda Wagner
32. Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
33. Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
34. For the Love of St. Nick by Garasamo Maccagnone
35. Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer
36. The Tutu Ballet by Sally O. Lee
37. One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling
38. Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins
39. Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
40. Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
41. Frasier Island by Susan Page Davis
42. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County bt Tiffany Baker

I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew/digest/read!