The Last Post of 2012!

Happy New Year's Eve, Midnighters! 

2012 was an amazing year for me, bookwise! This is the year that I really built up a close community of blogger friends (luckily for me, several are real life friends!), I attended real bookish events (BEA 2012!!), and read some amazing books!

I tried to feel out that end of the year blogging meme that's been going around, but I got bored. Plus I kept writing down the same book every other answer.  I am fully aware that my list is huge and long, but you should have seen it before I edited it!  This year has been one of the best years ever for this book nerd.  Here, in no particular order,  are the books that rocked my nerdy little world in 2012:

Catch Me by Lisa Gardner- (Audio) edge of your seat thriller that had me spending a lot of time in my car.  I love me some audio books, and you'll see quite a few on this list, but in a year where the gas prices were super high, I feel like the oil companies should have at least sent me a Christmas cards because of all the extra driving around I did to listen to just one more chapter...  I read quite a bit of Lisa Gardner's books this year (thrillers are my comfort read), but Catch Me was the best of her excellent books!

Nightfall by Stephen Leather- (ARC) I have high hopes for me and Mr. Leather, I really loved this thriller with a taste of the occult. 

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1) by Gail Carriger- (Audio) I meant to read this a couple of years ago, but I never could get past the first chapter.  But then it was on sale at Audible and the narrator was amazing and I was instantly hooked.  Really hoping to catch up on the rest of the series in 2013!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- (TBR) I don't know why I waited so long, because it was fantastic.  I also can't explain why I haven't read Lola and the Boy Next Door... I worry about me sometimes...

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline- (Hardback) Wow.  That is all I have to say about this book.  Just simply wow.  It's so hard to sum up this book, but it's full of 80's awesomeness and it's the book I recommended most to my family.  I really wanted to crawl into this book at times!

Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake- (Audio) I loved these books, I loved that even though I miss the characters, the series was just the two books.  A lot of authors (and I suspect many more publishing houses) would have dragged this story out over 9 or so books.  It was perfect the way it was, and I will definitely be reading anything Blake wishes to write in the future!

Divergent by Veroncia Roth- (Borrowed) The first book blew me away, and I really loved it.  I'm so glad that my friends put some pressure on me to read this. Roth is also the author who I said the stupidest thing to at BEA (Me: You look so young! Roth: I am young. Me: Giggle, mumble, move along the line). 

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty- (ARC) I will forever link this book to my first NYC visit and BEA, so it's a good thing it's an incredible book!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- (Hardback) Seriously, did anyone not like this book?  The Grinch could have bypassed all his Christmas Eve hijinks if he'd simply read this book- it'll make your heart grow. ;)

A Storm of Swords, A Feast of Crows and A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin- (Kindle, Audio and Hardback) I can't allow myself to think how long we'll have to wait for the next book in the series, but you must start reading these books now!  I don't want to hear "But, Kate, they're sooooo long!" because that's what makes them awesome!  

Boy's Life by Robert McCammon (Signed Paperback- thank you, Midnyte Reader!) So much love for this book!  Previously I had read and loved The Five based on Stephen King's recommendation, and I'm sad that I didn't discover McCammon earlier.  Hope 2013 brings more time to read his excellent books!  Boy's Life felt epic.  I like epic. 

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness- (Signed Hardback) I love the way Harkness wraps history with mythology and copious amounts of wine.  I thought it was a fantastic follow up to A Discovery of Witches!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn- (Audio) What I will remember most about this audio wasn't the twists- I figured out a few of them beforehand- but how much I cared about these unlikeable characters.  It was a fun, twisty read, and I did get Flynn's two previous books, so let's hope I can get to them in 2013!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (audio and Kindle) Holy Shiz!!! This series is why I invented the Midnight Read rating!  I would totally love to vacation in Laini Taylor's brain!  I feel the need to lock her and George R.R. Martin into a large plastic bubble and keep them healthy and safe while they continue their series, but I'm afraid it would harm the writing process.  

Odd Hours (Manga), Odd Interludes (Novella) and Odd Apocalypse (ARC!) by Dean Koontz- 2012 was a great year for all things Odd and my obsession with the character.  I don't know why, but Odd Thomas is a character that has crawled into my heart, and I'm so glad that so many other people seem to love him almost as much as me!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater- (ARC) Another one for the Best Book Ever pile!  I cannot express how wonderful this book was, how much I love the characters and how gorgeous Stiefvater's writing is.  I just want to thank her, because it's just perfect.  

Witch World by Christopher Pike- (ARC) He's back!!!!  For those of you who haven't caught on, I love Christopher Pike.  As in, it's a good thing he lives on the West Coast and that I'm too lazy to stalk kind of love.  And of course, I'm doing a Christopher Pike Reading Challenge in 2013 because you all need to read him NOW.  Like now.  Stop scrolling, read Weekend or Chainletter and come back to this post later.  It can keep. 

Possess by Gretchen McNeil- (Kindle) Several months ago I would have put Ten on the list, but for me Possess was amazing!  I loved the concept behind Ten, but Possess had a kick ass heroine and laugh out humor, not to mention it majorly creeped me out- which being a Midnight Book Girl isn't always easy to do. 

The Program by Suzanne Young- (ARC) I know, this book doesn't come out until 2013, but I loved it.  I can't even say why, other than despite the crazy premise, I just loved the characters and I'm intrigued by the idea of how much of who we are consist of our memories.  
 
Notable Mentions:
The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers- something I haven't seen in YA, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Glimmer by Phoebe Kitnidis- I loved the concept of this book, and it was a great read.  Very much looking forward to her future books!
The Duff by Kody Keplinger- I really enjoyed this audio (except for the weird pauses).  It wasn't perfect, and the ending was a bit neat, but I suspect that I'll be re-reading this in the future.  
The Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris (Audio) Grave Sight, Grave Surprise, An Ice Cold Grave and Grave Secret are wonderful reads!  Very different from the Sookie series and (with the exception of the perfection that is Eric Northman) better written.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern- (Re-Read) One of my favorite books of all time, expect to see this yet again on my Currently Reading shelf in 2013!
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga- I really did like this book, and it reminded me of Dan Well's John Wayne Cleaver series, and I'm really looking forward to future books in this series.  
The Archived by Victoria Schwab- amazing, love the concept and can't wait for more! 
Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain- Fifth in the Gretchen Lowell series, this book was probably my favorite so far!  Lowell is wonderfully effed up, and I love her dark, twisty brain!
Venom by Fiona Paul- this book is lush and beautiful, and I really liked it.  Some books grow on you the more time passes, and Venom is a book that has lingered with me. 
In the Tall Grass by Stephen King and Joe Hill- I love both father and son authors, I really do.  Together they are mind blowing.  I really wish I could be part of this family, but I'm content to read their stories. ;)
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe- this might not have contained a list of amazing books to read whilst your dying, but it is a beautiful tribute of mother/son love.  Schwalbe's mom was an amazing woman.  This book touched me particularly because I lost my book loving father to pancreatic cancer, and I wish I'd had the time to spend reading books with him that the author got with his mom.  
Tears in Rain by Rosa Montero- who the hell knew that I liked science fiction?  Because this book helps prove that if it's well written, I will lap it up like a kitten with bowl of cream... or me with a bowl of ice cream. 

And this is why I can never win an academy award, because my thank you speech would just go on, and on, and on... 

Sundays in Bed With... Darkfever and Texas! Lucky

 

 Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

This morning I'm reading:

 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

I got this book months ago because of a Book Dare (where a friend or blogger dares you to read a book you probably wouldn't read otherwise), but I didn't read it.  I'm not a fan of books featuring the Fae- usually.  This book is good though, and I'm tearing through it.  So fast that I'm hoping to get to this book today too:

Texas! Lucky (Texas! Tyler Family Saga #1) by Sandra Brown 

My friend Kim from On The Wings of Books were reminscing about these books, so we're both reading within the next few weeks.  I love that there's and exclamation point in the title, you just don't see that very often.  And Kim and I have fun over-emphasizing Texas! 

  What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning?  Link up below!

 

The Program Review

The Program
by Suzanne Young
Genre: YA
Format: ARC- received in exchange for my honest opinion from Around the World ARC Tours
Release Date: 4.30.13 (sorry we have to wait so long!)
Midnight Minute: In a world where teens routinely have their memories taken from them, is it possible to stay true to yourself?
From Goodreads:

 In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Midnight Thoughts:

~ The Program imagines a world where the solution to teen suicide (which has reached epidemic heights) is solved by a procedure that wipes out memories and creates happy, docile teens.  Think lobotomy (which is reserved for the particularly tough to "cure" teens).
~In the beginning of the book it's explained that the high school's third floor windows don't open in order to prevent suicidal teens from hurling themselves out of them.  For some reason that reminded me of the afterschool movie I watched as a kid- some girl high on angel dust or LSD (are they the same thing?) thinks she can fly and goes out the window.  Or maybe she thought she had bugs on her?  But it worked- I have never done the angel dust or LSD.
~This book is similar to the movie Disturbing Behavior, which in turn has it's roots in The Stepford Wives.  There's no robots here, but I found the concept of literally losing everything that makes you who you are truly frightening. 
~The book might not be the most realistic, but I could see something like The Program coming along if suicide was ever so easily spread like it is in the book.  With "heliocopter" parents already being way involved in every aspect of their child's life, wouldn't it be worth it to them to protect their children, even if it meant changing them?
~the book takes place in Oregon.  I'm trying to be more aware of where books are set.  So there, I've done your work for you if you're looking for books to read for some 2013 state challenge.
~In order to try to cut down on teen depression, atheletics has been cut.  I get that it's a way to stop kids from feeling bad about not making the team, but what about the fact that exercise makes you feel good naturally?  
~two movies, both staring Christian Slater, deal with teen suicide.  Heathers is a dark comedy where popular kids are seemingly killing themselves and it creates a whole culture of love-ins and hit songs like "Suicide- Don't Do It".  Slater's movie Pump Up the Volume contains the best reasoning to teens against committing suicide, ever.  For obvious reasons, this book reminded me of those movies.  
~Sloane's relationship with her parents is strained in the wake of her brother's suicide, and the gap between them only grows because the threat of being sent away to The Program is lurking behind every interaction.
~Because The Program steals so many of your memories, it's entirely possible to return not knowing if you're nice, if you're a good person, if you've been kissed or if you're a virgin.  I found that to be terrifying, that you could not know the most basic information about yourself. 
~My favorite part of the book is the flashbacks to James and Sloane's romance.  I love the whole "guy dates best friend's little sister", I could have read an entire book based on the early days of James and Sloane.  I can eat whole bowlfuls of that happy, romantic shiz. 
~A side effect of the drugs used in The Program?  Loss of appetite.  I personally am willing to let some memories go in order to lose weight.  That time I slipped in the laundry room in front of a bunch of people?  Erased! The time in middle school when I thought it was a good idea to use a band-aid to cover up a blemish?  Erased!  Bring it on, Program!
~ The President of The Program is Arthur Pritchard- I wonder if it's anything to do with the fictional author and poem grafting tool mentioned in Dead Poet's Society, J. Evans Pritchard?  The scene where Robin Williams (Oh Captain, Oh Captain!) has the students rip out that drivel is classic.  
~This review is making me realize that I possible spent too much time in the 90's watching movies...
~I had a few problems with The Program, especially with how magically turning 18 kept you safe, but that most parents ignored the fact that their kids were less than a semester away from safety.
~Also, all the adults seemingly embrace The Program, but no one knows the long term effects.  
~The book isn't realistic, but here's another movie reference for you- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  The second and third part of this book definitely reminded me of it. 
~I love that the book explores the question of whether we would be drawn to the same people we'd gravitated to before if our memories were wiped.

Timeless Characters:

Sloane- our main character, she's tough and resilient, and I loved her. 
James- Sloane's boyfriend, he tries so hard to hold on to S and their friends, taking on a lot of responsibility.  He's a hottie. 
Lacey- Sloane's friend who has just gone through The Program.
Miller- Lacey's boyfriend, unable to give up on her. 
Realm- first name, Michael.  He's a bit of an anti-hero, but I adored him.
Roger- creepy Program handler.  He's got his eye on Sloane.
Kevin- friend to Realm and knows nu-Lacey. 
Brady- Sloane's brother who committed suicide.
 

Midnight Moment:

For me, the midnight moment came when Sloane made a deal with Roger in order to get something she wanted.  It made my skin crawl.

Stop The Clock:

I really liked this book.  I was very into the plot, and it surprised me by not going where I thought it was initially.  I will definitely be buying my own copy of The Program in 2013 when it comes out- and I'm hoping the author will be at BEA next May!

Suzanne Young — Website |Suzanne Young

The Program gets a Midnight Book Rating of: 

Merry Christmas, Midnighters!

I wanted to share the best Christmas card, ever!  Sent to me from the lovely Midnyte Reader, it's going to be making an appearance every year. ;)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  The Hubs is taking me to see Les Miserables this afternoon and I could NOT be more excited.  Plus, Les Mis the show will be coming in March (or April?) to a local theatre, which I will totally drag him to too!

Hopefully you are all waking up to wonderful bookish gifts (I did!) and for those of you who won't be spending the morning putting together toys and hunting down batteries (not me!), I hope you find a little time to read today, and to watch The Christmas Story!

Sundays In Bed With... The Madman's Daughter

Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!


This morning I'm reading:

 The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

It's based on The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells and I'm about 125 pages into it- so far so good!  It starts off at King's College in England, and while I can't explain what I find so fascinating about early surgery and medical schools, the author delivers a bit of it to us.  I do know this will be part of a series- is anyone else getting tired of every YA book turning into a series?- and while I'm enjoying it so far, I'm just not sure how this is going to be stretched over multiple books... but if the covers are all this gorgeous than I may read them for that fact alone!  This is an arc, but it comes out soon- January 29th, 2013!

 What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning?  Link up below!

 

Panic Review

Panic
by Sharon M. Draper
Genre: YA
Format: ARC received from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest opinion
Midnight Minute: A young dancer is kidnapped and she and her friends struggle with the immediate aftermath.
From Goodreads:

This gripping and chillingly realistic novel from New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper shows that all it takes is one bad decision for everything to change.

Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.

But what if the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a star dancer? What then?

Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.

It’s a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.

From New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper, this is a riveting exploration of power: how quickly we can lose it—and how we can take it back.

Midnight Thoughts:

~Okay, I was a bit confused in the beginning- I thought the entire book would be about Diamond, but the book actually has pov of 4 characters.  Although I wasn't sure I liked this set up when I first began the book, I think it worked.  It also keeps the book from being too horrific, which could have happened if told only from Diamond's point of view.  The other chapters are from the pov of Justin, Layla and Mercedes.
~This is a book about dancers! I really had no clue before I started reading.  It was like a Fame meets Law and Order: SVU episode.  I love dancing, even though I have all the grace of a baby elephant on ice.  
~It also took me awhile to adjust to the teen speak throughout the novel... either it lessened or I adjusted- I suspect the latter because even though I'm 35, I can still party with the youngens.  Or not, because I just used the term youngens. 
~I have to say, it was nice to read a book that wasn't about a bunch of white, rich kids.  Not that any of these kids are living of Ramen noodles and dumpster diving, but several of the dancer's parents struggle to pay the fees to their dance academy.  It's nice to see a bit of realism when it comes to families and finances. 
~Because the dance school that main character Diamond attends is putting on a performance of Peter Pan, every chapter opens up with a quote from the book Peter Pan, which I loved and thought worked really well with the story and what the characters were going through.  Who knew?
~Although I did not bond instantly with the characters (except Diamond and her phone charger forgetfulness), it didn't take long before I was able to empathize.  Leila's storyline in particular felt very important in our current society and it is from her trials and tribulations that I think most teens will identify with and learn from. 
~Diamond willingly goes off with her kidnapper (this happens early on, so I don't feel it's a spoiler), and his ruse was fairly clever.  I wouldn't have fallen for it, because I know that the vast majority of actors used in the Harry Potter film were British (I think there were only 2 exceptions), so I would have called "Thane English" instantly on that bullshiz.  Truth!  However, no middle age hottie is ever going to attempt to kidnap me by telling me that I'm perfect for the movie version of Peter Pan, unless they're casting a human as the crocodile...
~Layla and her relationship with Donny was all too real, and I really hope this helps some young women recognize that it's not a healthy romance.  In contrast, Steve and Mercedes was exactly the kind of relationship teens should have- fun, cute and non-threatening. 
~Mercedes, who is at the mall with Diamond when she goes missing, kind of fills in for the reader.  It's easy to identify with her, the guilt she feels over separating from her friend, comforting Diamond's family, and counseling her friend Layla- although she is far less judgmental towards Layla than I would have been.  Mercedes (despite having the ridiculous last name of Ford) is the most grounded of all the characters.  
~Speaking of ridiculous names- there is a character that is discussed, not really seen- who is named Magnificent Significant Jones...  Um, no, just no, future parents of America.  Listen to Nancy Reagan and me, Just Say No!
~For the music lovers out there, this book is full of songs, and they play a very important role to the story.  I think this will particularly appeal to the YA set, who have playlists for every mood and every situation.  
~A lot of horrible things happen to the characters in this book.  They survive mostly because of the friendships they have forged at the dance school.  The bond between all these very different characters is a beautiful thing.
~I like butterflies, and I get the whole connection to the original kidnapping book The Collector, but I'm really over this butterfly on the cover thing.  And seriously, the butterflies are almost always blue, what up with that?

Timeless Characters:

Diamond Landers- our main dancing queen- yes, she makes a dumb decision, but her bravery is dang impressive. 
Justin Braddock- he starts out the book and catches a lot of grief for being a male dancer, he's also way more evolved than most high school boys. 
Layla Ridgewood- she's kind of the "It" girl, but she's got problems under that pretty facade.
Mercedes Ford- fun loving and cheerful, she is a welcoming lightness to the story.
Thane English- liar, liar, pants on fire.
Zizi Chang- I think she was meant to be an adorable character, but she is to this book what Jar Jar Binks was to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.  Thankfully, Draper did not give her her own chapters. 
Shasta Landers, and Ma and Pa Landers- the parents get some face time, but little Shasta is adorable, and I loved her interaction with Mercedes. 
Donavan "Donny" Beaudry- Layla's boyfriend and former friend of Justin.  Donny Spoiler (highlight if you want to be spoiled or have already read the book): He wins my Chris Brown Douche award- no offense to Chris Brown fans, but I have zero tolerance for men who abuse women.  Zero. 

Midnight Moment:

There is a moment early on that absolutely sent shivers down my spine: Diamond is drugged and hears Thane English tell someone "She's ready.".  I have a high tolerance for scary things, but a very low tolerance for any kind of violence that feels all too real.

Stop The Clock:

Panic was not what I was expecting.  In the end, I really liked it.  I'm glad it wasn't extremely graphic, because Draper could have easily gone to an even darker place than she does.  This book didn't need that to be a page turner and to keep me invested in the characters.  Panic is a fast read (I read it in a day) and I will definitely be looking out for Draper's future and past works.


Sharon M. Draper — Website |Sharon Draper

Panic gets a Midnight Book Rating of: 

Sundays In Bed With... The Program

Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!


This morning I'm reading:

The Program by Suzanne Young.  It's an ARC, and doesn't come out until April 2013, but I can tell that it's going to be one of my favorite reads of 2013! 

What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning?  Link up below!

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors New to me in 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

December 11: Top Ten Favorite New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2012

From Goodreads

1. Laini Taylor-  she is absolutely amazing, and I am very much looking forward to whatever she writes in the future, and I definitely plan on making her a auto-buy author.  

From Goodreads

2. Gillian Flynn- I had heard of her books before, but Gone Girl is the first novel I've read by her, and I can't wait to read her other books!

From Goodreads

3. John Green- yup, this was the year I finally read a John Green book!  I read An Abundance of Katherines, Will Grayson, Will Grayson and The Fault in Our Stars.  It should be a no surprise that I'm a fan for life now!

From Goodreads

4. Kendare Blake- She blew me away with Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares and I plan on reading anything she cares to churn out!

From Goodreads

5. Gretchen McNeil- I met her at BEA and she was so nice and adorable.  I really enjoyed Ten, but Possess was definitely one of my favorite reads of 2012.  I am very much looking forward to her upcoming releases!

From Goodreads

6. Karin Slaughter- I love a good thriller, but I read my first one from Slaughter (I got the audio of Criminal (Will Trent #7) at BEA) this year and I loved it.  Criminal made me really appreciate being a woman born in the late 70's- if you want to know just how bad it sucked back in the day before women could have credit cards or rent apartments without their father's signature, then you just need to read how Will's boss Amanda started off in the police department. 

From Goodreads

7. Ernest Cline- Ready Player One is one of all time favorite reads of 2012, and I'm hoping his future books will be just as awesome. 

From Goodreads

8. Gail Carriger- wow, Soulless blew me away, and I'm very excited to continue the series.

From Goodreads

9. Laura Moriarty- her book The Chaperone was one of my favorite reads this year too.  

From Goodreads

10. Stephanie Perkins- I'm sorry I didn't read Anna and the French Kiss sooner, and I'm even sadder that I haven't read Lola and the Boy Next Door yet!

What are some of your favorite new authors?

2013 Challenges: Master List

Since it's that time of year to sign up for all kinds of new reading challenges, I thought I'd go ahead and create a master start up list of all the challenges I sign up for.  So here they are:

Christopher Pike Reading Challenge hosted by... Me! 

 I'm doing the highest level : 
13-and more: Final Friends level

 

The A-Z Challenge Hosted by Kim from On the Wings of Books 

The purpose of the A to Z challenge is to read through the alphabet by Title or by Author,or both if you’re really ambitious!

The rules:

• Author must be by last name
• You may exclude a, an and the from the title
• Books can be in any format
• Books can be any genre
• Books can be used in other challenges
• Books must be read from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 (books maybe started in December 2012, as long as it’s finished in January 2013)
• Review the book that you’ve read. It does not have to be a full review, a sentence or two on Goodreads is more than sufficient.

I failed in 2012 (I didn't get J, Q or Y) but I'm plan on succeeding in 2013!  Plus, I'm going to try the author last name thing too, although I'm going to consider myself good if I accomplish 80% done on that!

Series Catch Up Challenge hosted by Emilie's Book World and Lost At Midnight Reviews

 

The Details:

- Runs from January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

- Goal is to catch up on as many series as possible 

- Two ways to meet your goal: number of books you've read to catch up series/number of series you've caught up on.

- On the first of each month there will be a post here and at Lost at Midnight Reviews so you can link up your reviews. For every review you link, you get one entry into a monthly giveaway.

- There will be a big giveaway at the end of the year.

Goals - Series Caught Up On
1 - 5: Series Newbie
6 - 10: Series Lover
11 - 15: Series Expert
15+: Series Fanatic

Goals - Books Read to Catch Up on Series
1 - 5: Book Novice
6 - 10: Book Aficionado
11 - 15: Book Connoisseur
15+: Book Maniac

I plan on doing the first level of the series, and the second level of the books.  Here are some series I want to catch up on:

The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carringer
Thirst by Christopher Pike
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
The Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
The Heather Wells series by Meg Cabot

2013 Audio Book Challenge hosted by The Book Nympho & Hot Listens

Levels:
Newbo (Not quite addicted) 1-5 audios Ear Worm (Narrator's voice gets stuck in your head) 5-10 audios Tickle Me Audio (Seriously, I'm getting serious) 10-15 audios Plugged In (I can quit anytime) - 15+ audios

I'm signing up for Plugged In, since I love listening to audio books already and have quite the commute to work. 

Anne and Kristilyn's 2012 Book Bingo Reading Challenge

Here's what the challenge looks like and why I want to do it so freaking bad!

I don't know if I'll be able to fill the page, but I'm hoping for some chances to yell out Bingo!

 Beth Fish Reads: What's in a Name 6: 

 Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
3. 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
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
5. A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
6. 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.

I love, love, love this challenge!  This one is going to be tough, but I've successfully completed the last two years and I'm determined!

Midnyte Reader's 2013 Horror Reading Challenge

You know I couldn't resist this, right?
Here's some books I'm hoping to get to:

 This is just a partial list, and I'll be adding some new releases and audio books in the future!

Midnyte Reader's 2013 New Orleans Reading Challenge

 Rules:

• Write a post about this challenge with a link back to this post.
• If you want to make a list of books you wish to read you can, but it's not mandatory.
• Your list is not set in stone.  You can change, add or subtract books
• Sign up on the designated Mr. Linky below.
• Choose a level: 
• Gator: Read 1-4 books. 
• Jazz Musician: Read 5-8 books. 
• Mardi Gras King: Read 9-12 books. 
• Voodoo Queen: Read 13-16 books.

 I'm going for Gator level but the only book I have right now is

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, which will be a re-read. 

Roof Beam Reader's 2013 TBR Pile Challenge

The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

1. Thirst No. 4 The Shadow of Death by Christopher Pike pub. 2011

2.  The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater pub. 2011

3. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis pub. 1920

4. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray pub. 2011

5. Feed by Mira Grant pub. 2010

6. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf pub. 2011 

7. Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate #2) by Gail Carriger pub. 2010

8. Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate #3) by Gail Carriger pub. 2010

9. Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger pub. 2011

10. When Autumn Leaves by Amy. S. Foster pub 2009

11. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler pub. 2009

12. Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso pub. 2011

Alternates:

Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay pub. 2011

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble pub. 2009

My Reader's Block's 2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

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'm shooting for Mt. Vancouver, but I'm really hoping to at least start on Mr. Ararat and Kilimanjaro...

My Reader's Block's Color Coded Challenge 2013

*Read nine books in the following categories.

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, Burgandy, 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, Magneta, etc.).

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.).

Okay, this one just sounds fun!

 

The Book Garden's Tea & Books Reading Challenge 

 

This challenge was inspired by C.S. Lewis' famous words, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

Welcome to the second edition of the TEA & BOOKS Reading Challenge! Once again, you better settle in with a large cup of tea, because in this challenge you will only get to read ... books with more than 650 pages!

Here goes ...

You may pick both fiction and non fiction books!

Contrary to last year short story collections, anthologies or collected works in one volume are now allowed!

Re-reads will now also be ok (though preferably you should read one of those unread tomes that have been collecting dust on your shelves)!

Last year you had to read 700+ pages but I reduced this to 650+ for 2013 (and no, this is not further negotiable)!

And as a little incentive - books with more than 1.200 pages will count for two books (so theoretically you can read four such super-chunksters to reach the Sencha Connoisseur level)!

Last but not least - no large print editions of a book, please!

Are you ready? Go ahead and pick your level!

2 Books - Chamomile Lover

4 Books - Berry Tea Devotee

6 Books - Earl Grey Aficionado

8 or more Books - Sencha Connoisseur

 

I was going to go just for Chamomile Lover, but I think I'm really going to reach for Berry Tea Devotee- which makes me sad that I'm all caught up on The Game of Throne Novels!

Reading Challenge Addict

How addicted are you?

• Easy as Pie: 1-5 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• On the Roof: 6-10 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• In Flight: 11-15 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
• Out of This World: 16+ Challenges (Entered & Completed)

Rules:

We're not making this a difficult challenge, actually, it's going to be very simple!

1. The newest edition of the challenge will begin on January 1 and end on December 31, 2013.
2. Write a starting post joining the challenge and outlining your challenges.
3. Track all of your challenge accomplishments - good & bad.
4. Stop by to join us in the mini-challenges, updates & extra giveaways throughout the year.
5. Comment like crazy and offer support for your fellow addicts.
6. Have FUN!

I'm shooting for On The Roof!  I signed up for about 10 challenges and I'm fairly hopeful that I'll complete at least 6 of them.