2012 Book Challenges

This year, I'm going to do three challenges.  First, I'm going to do the 100 books challenge again.  I'm also going to do the "Read X books from your shelves" - for me, that would be not counting Regencies, and from my shelves, not my sons' shelves (though, obviously, I'm still going to read from theirs too).  That challenge is for those of us whose bookshelves languish while we read the latest library find.  I think I'll try 15 of those.  Lastly, I'm going to read 10 essays - in books, not online.  This challenge is from the blog, Books and Movies. 

I'm also going to keep track of how many library books I read, but I'm not doing that as a challenge.

 

January

1. The Fifth Elephant - Terry Pratchett
2. The Unscrupulous Uncle - Alison Lane
3. A Novel Alliance - Ellen Fitzgerald
4. A Summer Courtship - Valerie King
5. Frost Fair Fiance - Mona Gedney
6. Amanda's Folly - Elizabeth Morgan

February: (11 year-to-date)

1. The Family Matchmaker - Jeanne Savery
2. Dragonbreath:  Lair of the Bat Monster - Ursula Vernon:  These are always fun!
3. Best-Laid Plans - Vanessa Gray
4. False Angel - Edith Layton
5. The Countess and the Butler - Elizabeth Broadnax

March: (20 year-to-date, 4 library books)

1. Is It Just Me? - Whoopi Goldberg (Library 1):  Things that bother her about society.  Not all celebrities should write books.
2. Living Beyond your Feelings - Joyce Meyer (Library 2):  I've noticed my blood pressure often tracks with my emotions so I got this book from the library.  This book had great reviews... and I'm not sure why.  She takes Bible verses out of context, and she's very... bossy, for lack of a better word.  I kept reading this book just to see what she would come up with next (I'd say it was like looking at an accident when you pass by on the highway, but I'm usually very careful to watch the traffic and not gawk at people's tragedies), and the last few chapters actually were a bit useful.  Her approach to life is about the opposite of mine, though.  For example, at restaurants, she likes to order food for her husband.  I can't even begin to picture doing that!
3. Dragonbreath:  Revenge of the Horned Bunnies - Ursula Vernon
4. Return of the Dapper Men - Jim McCann/Janet Lee:  Beautiful graphic novel
5. Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (Library 3) - A very enjoyable book about the pleasures of reading!
6. A Sorcerer's Treason - Sarah Zettel - A wonderful fantasy novel!  It reminds me of a combination of The Dragonbone Chair and A Man Rides Through - but even better. 
7. Carpe Jugulum - Terry Pratchett:  Vampires in Discworld.  Fun!
8. The One and Only Ivan - Katherine Applegate:  Younger son bought this at Flyleaf Books and read the entire book that afternoon.  It's a beautifully written story about a gorilla and his friends in a pitiful, small zoo.  I can't describe it in a way that does it justice.
9. The Usurper's Crown - Sarah Zettel:  Sequel to A Sorcerer's Treason(Library 4).  I lived in these books.
10. The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett:  A short, but extremely charming book about Queen Elizabeth II becoming an avid reader.  Another Flyleaf Bookstore find.

April

1. The Firebird's Vengeance - Sarah Zettel:  Third in the series.
2. Zero Sum Game:  Star Trek Typon Pack series - David Mack:  I forgot this book under a pile of others (I started it last October).  I don't know if it's because the various series have been off the air for a while, or if I've just read so many ST books, but they don't really strike me any more.
3. Sword of the Deciever - Sarah Zettel (Library 5):  Last in the series, unfortunately!
4. Austentatious - Alyssa Goodnight (Library 5):  The main character finds an old, blank journal in a set of Jane Austen novels in a second hand store.  When she writes in it, she starts getting advice back - apparently from Jane Austen.  This could be either a very good premise or a very bad one.  The book is very good!