So Many Books, So Little Time: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 Year in Review--Stats and Favorite Books

I read 60 books this year. 33 books less than last year! Yikes! I only read 18,397 pages.

I didn't read any 5 star books.

I had 6 4.5 star rated books

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

I finished 5 out of 11 challenges. Less than half. I really need to step up the reading!!

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge-- Challenge Not Completed

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Reading Challenge Details:

Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2013 than you did in 2012. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels: Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I am not going to keep a list of the books I'm reading. I am just going to keep track of how many books I am up to for each month on the last day of the month. I read 93 books in 2012.

~I am going to try for the Getting My Heart Rate Up level first.

January: 7
February: 12
March: 19
April: 24
May: 29
June: 31
July: 38
August: 44
September: 48
October: 54
November: 58
December: 60

2013 Quick Fix Challenge-- Challenge Completed

2013 Quick Fix Challenge

Challenge Details:

The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
Sign ups will be open until mid December.
You don't have to be a blogger to participate. However, leave a comment and tell me what level you're aiming for.
For bloggers, post up a challenge sign up post saying what level you've signed up for. Be sure to sign-up with your sign-up post in the linky.
You don't have to review the books you read however if you do, you will be able to post your links to your reviews here. (I'll have a post up for reviews up in January.)
Books have to have less than 300 pages to count.
Books such as MG/YA, graphic novels/manga, audio, rereads, can count toward your goal.
- *Updated* Anthologies and short stories count as well. (I can't believe I forgot about these.)
Feel free to crossover the books you read for this challenge with other challenges.

(If you have any questions feel free to ask, I feel like I might be missing something here, but I could be wrong.)

Now the Levels/It will hold with:

String: 5 books

Paperclips: 10 books

Duck tape: 15 books

Gorilla glue: 20+ books

~I am going to start off trying for the string level
~I finished the String level so now working on Paperclips level
~I finished Paperclips so now working on Duck Tape
~I finished Duck tape so now working on Gorilla Glue
~I completed the challenge on 9/2

Shut Up by Anne Tibbets

2013 Mammoth Book Challenge-- Original Goal Completed

2013 Mammoth Book Challenge

2013 Mammoth Book Challenge

Here are the challenge details:

1. This challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

2. You can join the challenge at any time. All books read in 2013 count for the challenge, regardless of when you sign up.

3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges.

4. You do not need a blog to participate! If you are not a blogger, you can post your reviews at Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing and link them up here.

5. All formats of books are acceptable: Bound copies, e-books, and audiobooks as long as they meet the guidelines of Point #6 below!

6. Important Information About E-books and Audiobooks: If you are using an e-book or audiobook for the challenge, the bound format equivalent must be a minimum of 450 pages. Only unabridged audiobooks will count!

7. Both adult and children's literature are allowed: As long as it meets the minimum page count of 450 pages.

8. About large-print books: Same rules apply as noted in Point #6. As long as the regular-bound format equivalent is a minimum of 450 pages, this format will count.

9. No anthologies, short story collections, or poetry: Just novels.

10. There are four levels for the challenge:

a. Walrus: Read 3 mammoth-sized books.
b. Hippopotamus: Read 6 mammoth-sized books.
c. White Rhinoceros: Read 9 mammoth-sized books.
d. African Elephant: Read 12 or more mammoth-sized books.

11. When you write your sign-up post, you must choose your level. You can go up, but you cannot go down!

12. There will be a link-up for your reviews, which will be posted on THIS page.

13. There will be a link for your wrap-up post at the end of the year.
~I will start off trying for the walrus level
~Finished Walrus so trying for Hippopotamus

2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge-- Not Completed

2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge

What books count towards the SRC?
Any second YA or MG book published by an author in 2013 counts – it can be the second in a series, a new series, or a standalone. The only requirement is that it is the SECOND book the author has published in the YA or MG realm (and it must publish in 2013 in your home country)! There is a Goodreads group for the challenge, which includes a selection of books that would count for the challenge – as you can see, there are probably many many books on that list you are planning on reading already :)
The list will be updated as I’m able, but please feel free to read ANY Sophomore book! It does not have to be the second book in a series, just the second YA/MG book the author has published, period.
When does the challenge run?
Books read before January 2014 count for this challenge. This includes books you may have access to now in ARC form!
Why should I join this challenge?
Reading debut novels is AWESOME. It is by far my favorite challenge – it allows me to find many new authors that I love. What better way to support these authors than to read their next published book?
What are the guidelines of the challenge?
Your challenge is to read 10 sophomore YA/MG novels in 2013. To officially participate, you need a Goodreads account or blog where you post reviews in English.
What should I do if I’m an author coming out with a sophomore novel?
I would love to feature you on my blog! Please e-mail me (shanynlee at gmail.com) and let me know if you’d like to be interviewed, featured, would like to offer a giveaway, etc.
How do I join?
Link your blog or Goodreads account below, and make a list of the sophomore novels you’re looking forward to :)
There will be prize packs given away to challenge participants throughout next year. You will receive an automatic entry for signing up to participate – options for additional entries will be announced at the time of the giveway.

2013 Standalone Reading Challenge-- Not Completed

2013 Standalone Reading Challenge

The Challenge Read 15 Young Adult or Middle Grade standalone novels in 2013 that are released in the United States between January 1s - December 31, 2013.

Eligible Books

YA & Middle Grade standalone novels. This means that the book can not have an announced (sometimes sequels happen unexpectedly) sequel, prequel, follow up, etc. Adult novels and picture books do not count.

This year companion novels count towards the challenge. Companion novels take place in the same world and time as a novel but usually follow a different character. It can be read independently from the book that came before it.

Released between January 1 - Decemeber 31, 2013 in the United States. If a book was previously released in another country but is being releasing in the US for the first time, it is eligible. At the same time, if you live in a country where it was previously released, but it is being released in the states for the first time - lucky you- it counts.

Must be read in 2013 (If you have an ARC and read it in 2012, it does not count)

Can be read in any (legally) readable format: ARC, Paperback, Hardcover or e-book

Audio books do not count towards the challenge.

Hafsah and I will be creating a list of eligible challenge titles to get you started towards your goal. It will be available soon.

Participation Perks
There will be a prize pack given away each month to a random participant. You gain entries into that month's prize pack by linking up to your challenge eligible reviews (Unfortunately, prize packs are US only). There will also be giveaways on the hosts' blogs to go along with special posts with authors. That's not even mentioning the random giveaways that we may throw in here and there! People who complete the challenge and fill out an easy form will be entered into another prize pack drawing.

2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge-- Completed Initial Goal

2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge

RULES: To be considered a TBR book, you must own it prior to Jan 1, 2013. The book can count toward other challenges, as well. It can be fiction or nonfiction, poetry or play, audiobook–as long as it is a book. This is not a picky challenge–just about reading the riches we already own.

On the last day of each month I will post an entry where you can say how many TBRs you read that month, titles, and whether you liked them or not. Full-blown reviews not required. You can list them in comments or link back to your own blog or page where they are listed.

At the end of the year I will have pretty badges for all levels, and if I haven’t learned to create them by myself, hopefully somebody else will make them for me.

There are five levels of accomplishment (and a bonus challenge) in the Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge.

Copper: Read 6 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bronze: Read 12 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Silver: Read 24 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013

Gold: Read 36 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Platinum: Read 50 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bonus Challenge! The same levels are also available for digital samples. If you are like me, you also have a quizillion samples you’ve downloaded onto your e-reader. Culling through samples and deciding whether to keep reading or not is a separate challenge with all five levels and the same year-end prize–a special badge.

~I am going to start off trying for the Copper level
~Not sure I am going to complete it, but now trying for the Bronze level

2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge-- Not Completed

2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2013 YOUNG ADULT

READING CHALLENGE

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

The Rules:

-Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

-Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

-No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 -December 31, 2013.

Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

~I am going to start from the beginning trying for the Mega size

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge--Completed

What's in a Name? 6 Challenge

Here's How It WorksBetween January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
Books may overlap other challenges.
Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

Up or Down: Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
Something You'd Find in Your Kitchen: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Party or Celebration: Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
Fire: Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
An Emotion: Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Lost or Found: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

2013 Debut Author Challenge--Not Completed

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Challenge Goals

I love the Debut Author Challenge because it accomplishes two very awesome things – obviously it helps debut authors out with exposure, but it also helps readers find debut books that they might have otherwise missed, and I think that’s pretty awesome.

So, with that in mind, I’m asking that each participant come up with a list of at least twelve (12) debut books to read and review in 2013. You can read as many as you want, but in order to be eligible for the grand prize, you must have read and reviewed at least twelve (12).

Rules/Guidelines

Just a few simple rules/guidelines to help things run smoothly!

1) You must have a blog, a Goodreads account, a YouTube account, an Amazon account – any where you can post your reviews and share them with others.
2) There is no deadline to join the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, but make sure you give yourself enough time to achieve the goal!
3) ARCs of 2013 debuts read before January 01, 2013 do not count towards your challenge goal.
4) The 2013 debuts must be read between January 01, 2013 – January 31, 2014 to count for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge. The extra month is to allow participants more time to read the December releases.
4) 2013 debuts must be young adult or middle grade in order to count towards the challenge.
5) The title must be the author’s young adult or middle grade debut. If they have previously published an adult title, and this is their first young adult/middle grade title, that counts towards the challenge. If this is their second young adult/middle grade title, it does not count towards the challenge.
6) If you’re a blogger in the US, all debuts must be US debuts to count towards your challenge goal. Likewise, if you’re a UK blogger, all debuts must be UK debuts to count towards to your challenge goal, and same goes for other countries.
Note: I’m removing this rule. I was under the impression that it was easier to buy debuts in your own country, but based on feedback I’ve received in comments and e-mails, it sounds like it’s not! So if you live in Australia or India or wherever, and it’s easier for you to buy a US/UK debut on your kindle or purchase a book through the Book Depository or whatever, go for it – that will count.
7) Each review equals one entry in the monthly prize pack. If you post six review of debut titles in January, you have six entries to win the January prize pack.

Sign-Ups

That’s it! That’s all the rules for joining and participating! There is more information here regarding contests and other resources for the challenge.

Here are some buttons for challenge participants – but feel free to make your own!

If you are an author and interested in what you can do, please click here!

2013 ARC Reading Challenge--Completed

2013 ARC Reading Challenge

The Levels

Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.
b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.
Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS
Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS
Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS

Rules:

To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.

You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year.
You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.
If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's.
Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

~I am trying for platinum again.
~Completed on 12/1

2013 150+ Reading Challenge--Not Completed

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

DETAILS/RULES:

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 thru December 31, 2013. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.