Sue

Once I again I focused on my TBE (to be read) stack and managed to release 48 books to other readers, but I got more than that at thrift stores or on bookmooch.com, so it was a net gain.  Hmmm.  So I am repeating the Mount TBR Reading Challenge and hoping to equal my 48 and be more restrained about acquisition.  I’ve been utilizing the library more, so maybe…  Here are my statistics for 2013 from my book journal:

Books read: 150
Pages read: 47936

Of the books read:

• Non-fiction: 7
• New-to-me authors: 29
• Continuing series books: 25
• Re-reads: 32
• Audio-books: 49
• Various book club reads: 15
• Challenges completed: 6 of 6
• Ongoing tally of Newbery winners: 64 of 92
• 5 star ratings by me: 33

2012:
196 books; 56,851 pages; 11 non-fiction; 55 new-to-me novelists; 95 series; 25 re-reads; 25 audio-books; 6 of 6 challenges completed; 64 of 91 Newbery
2011:
132 books; 39,641 pages; 15 non-fiction; 42 new-to-me novelists; 54 series; 12 re-reads; 33 audio-books; 0 of 0 challenges completed; 59 of 90 Newbery
2010:
152 books; 46,899 pages; 3 non-fiction; 37 new-to-me novelists; 25 series; 19 re-reads; 28 audio-books; 5 of 5 challenges completed; 50 of 89 Newbery
2009:
73 books; 23,576 pages; 3 non-fiction; 31 new-to-me novelists; 36 series; 5 re-reads; 48 of 88 Newbery
2008:
79 books; 32,031 pages; 8 non-fiction; 15 new-to-me novelists; 31 series; 19 re-reads; 42 of 87 Newbery
2007:
44 books; 17,069 pages; 3 non-fiction; 8 new-to-me novelists; 15 series; 13 re-reads; 38 of 86 Newbery

My second year for this challenge.

1. A book with “Blue” or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title.
2. A book with “Red” or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgundy, etc) in the title.
3. A book with “Yellow” or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.)in the title.
4. A book with “Green” or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title.
5. A book with “Brown” or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title.
6. A book with “Black” or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title.
7. A book with “White” or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc)in the title.
8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magenta, etc.).
9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.).

 

I did the Monthly Key Words in 2013, but the host has offered this new challenge and I like it!

MONTHLY MOTIFS: 

Jan– Around the World-Choose a book to read that takes place in a country different than the one you live in or choose a book written by an author that is from a country different than your own.

Feb– Award Winner-Read a book that has won recognition or a literary award.

Mar–  Fairy tales or Fairy Creatures-Read a fairy tale retelling or a book with fey/fairies in it.

Apr– Short & Sweet-Read a collection of short stories or anthologies.

May– Mystery, Murder, & Mayhem-Read a murder/mystery book, a book in which someone dies of mysterious causes, or a book in which a mystery must be solved.

June–  A Long Journey-Read a book in which the character(s) take a trip, go on a quest, or find themselves on a journey toward something, etc.

July– Assassins, Warriors, & Rebels-Read a book in which the main character is one of these things or fights against one of these things.

Aug– Alternate Reality-Read a book that’s set in the future, on another planet, in another dimension, or in an unknown world. A Dystopian book will count this month as well.

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

Oct– The Witching Hour-There’s been a lot of zombies lately, but this year include a ‘witchy’ book in your scary reads- a book about a witch or a book that has witches in it.

Nov– An Oldie but a Goodie-Pick a book published before 2000 that you’ve always wanted to read, but just never got to. Or pick a book set in the past (before 2000).

Dec– That’s a Wrap-Finish a series you’ve been meaning to finish or read the next book in a series you started but never finished.

 

I have participated in #2, #3, #5, and #6, so here we go for the seventh time!

From January to December, choose a book from each of the following categories:

A reference to time
A position of royalty
A number written in letters
A forename or names
A type or element of weather

 

In 2013 I made Level 2 by April, so I’m going for broke and trying for Level 4 this year!

Level 1 – Snoop – Read at least 6 books
Level 2 – Investigator – Read 7-12 books
Level 3 – Super Sleuth – Read 13 or more books
Level 4 – Sleuth Extraordinaire – Read 20 or more

 

 

 

I think I can do it: Level 2!

Choose a level….

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

 

 

A new challenge and it sounds like fun!  I’m going for The Highlander.

Read and review Scottish books -any genre, any form- written by a Scottish author (by birth or immigration) or about or set in Scotland.

Challenge levels:

Just A Keek (a little look): 1-4 books read
The Highlander: 5-8 books
The Hebridean: 9-12 books
Ben Nevis: 13+ books

 

I decided to join this challenge to jumpstart my perpetual challenge of reading all the winners.  I will go for the L’Engle level: 15-29 points.

Each book you read is worth points. You get:
3 points for a Newbery Medal Winner
2 points for a Newbery Honor Book
1 point for a Caldecott Medal Winner

In addition to that, you pick a level to aim for:
L’Engle: 15 – 29 points
Spinelli: 30 – 44 points
Avi: 45 – 59 points
Lowry: 60 – 74 points
Konigsburg: 75+ points

 

For my third year of this challenge, I’m going to try to repeat last year’s Mt. Ararat!

Challenge Levels:

Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

 

I signed up for Mt. Vancouver this year and made it to Mt. Ararat with 48 books gone from my TBR pile.  I always think I’ll read more from my shelves but I keep getting distracted with newly published library books and gifts.  Oh well, as long as I’m plugging away at the pile, it gets smaller, right?  Of course, new purchases probably kept me about the same.  Sigh.

Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile
Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile
Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR pile