multi-generation madhouse includes pets and meals

 

As I made the Tuesday Teaser rounds this week and last I noticed links to two challenges that caught my eye. Upon further investigation tonight I realize they are both hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee’s View. Since about 2/3 of what I read last year involved a shifter, a vampire, or both; and there are tons more on my TBR I figure these challenges should fit right in with my regular reading style.

Both challenges run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, and she doesn’t restrict when you start or when you choose your books. The Vampire Challenge 2011 requires 20 books with a vampire as a main character and the Shifter Challenge 2011 requires 20 books with a shifter as a main character. Heck if I finish both of these and the 13 from last Thursday’s post and I’ll have exceeded my minimum book goal for 2011.

Of course if I’m going to get all this reading done I’ll need to keep Miss Muffin in books or bribes or she won’t give me a moments peace. Any good suggestions for an 8 year old with a 6th grade reading level? And is money too serious a bribe, perhaps collectibles? I could always buy silver coins. I’m guessing in the long run the books will be cheaper, maybe…

If you feel like joining one or both just click on the images above and you will be directed to the sign up posts and a complete explanation of the rules.

Hosted by The True Book Addict

Well it’s been a while since I updated my Christmas Reading challenge so in honor of Christmas Eve I will let you know where I stand.

First I finished The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere, and it was fun. You could see where it was going but it had a few cute twists and turns that kept it moving. It was the best one I had read so far.

Next up was A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber and despite the obvious story line it was fun, light and quick moving. My guess is that if you read all the Cedar Cove stories you will probably get more than I did out of it but it was fun.

Next I added two Dickens stories to the list because I couldn’t get my hands on other titles I wanted and my librarian recommended them. Both The Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth were good quick reads, and there is just something about that time, a time when Christmas was almost lost, that really speaks to me. If you haven’t read these, I would recommend them.

Tonight we will read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens because that is what we do on Christmas Eve and then perhaps I will read The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

• The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere – 12/7/2009
• The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans – 12/2/2009
• A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber – 12/15/2009
• Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb – 12/3/2009
• Christmas Jars by Jason Wright
• The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• The Chimes by Charles Dickens – 12/18/2009
• The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens – 12/21/2009

Christmas Reading Challenge

Books: 9 / 9 (100%)

Hosted by The True Book Addict

Okay, I finished the second book on my seven book (current count) Christmas challenge list and I have to say this could be tougher than I thought.

The first book I read, The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans, was predictable beyond belief. I stuck it out because it wasn’t a difficult or unpleasant read, it was just way to predictable. I suppose that is to be expected to some degree with Christmas stories.

The second book, Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb, was just odd. I love Wally Lamb but this was so strange and kind of pointless that it kept me reading if for no other reason than I was wondering where it was going and when it was going to be about Christmas. It sort of got there at the end but I couldn’t go recommending this to anyone.

I’ve got two of the books on my list at home right now and I will start one of them tonight and see how it goes. Then I will have to decide what else if anything I want to do with this challenge.

• The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
• The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans – 12/2/2009
• A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber
• Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb – 12/3/2009
• Christmas Jars by Jason Wright
• The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Christmas Reading Challenge

Books: 9 / 9 (100%)

Hosted by The True Book Addict

I saw this a few weeks ago and knew I wanted to do it but didn’t want to post about it right away. Now of course we are a few days into the challenge but there is still plenty of time to play along if anyone wants to join.

Michelle at The True Book Addict has few rules for this challenge the most important being that you not start reading before November 26, 2009 and finish by year’s end, December 31, 2009. She originally stated the challenge was to read between one and three Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore or a books of Christmas short stories, but has since opened it to any number of books you chose to read. Children’s book are not acceptable but YA books are. She has some cool recommendations on her site and a Linky for signing up.

I checked out two Christmas novels today, and have a couple more on reserve so we will just have to see how many I find that I want to read and can get my hands on between now and December 31, 2009. I’ll update the list below and the progress meter as the challenge goes along.

• The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
• The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans
• A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber
• Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
• Christmas Jars by Jason Wright
• The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• The Chimes by Charles Dickens
• The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens

Christmas Reading Challenge

Books: 9 / 9 (100%)