Challenge Crazy!

We have decided to participate in ten awesome reading challenges this year!  Thankfully, several of these challenges will overlap, so we are not actually biting off as much as it may appear at first glance. We'll be tracking our overall progress in our sidebar & adding to our lists for each challenge within this post all year long. List entries in BLUE indicate books we've already read & entries in ORANGE indicate books we intend to read.

If you would like to participate in any of these fun reading challenges, please click on the images or the highlighted links to sign up!  :-)


Challenge: 2010 Reading Challenge: 100+ hosted by J. Kaye's Book Club
Goal: Read 100 or more books this year
Which books qualify: All books of any genre (including children's books, non-fiction, graphic novels, & audio books)
Outlook: I am excited about this challenge as a way to track the books we read this year. Since we read lots picture books with the kids each week, I am very optimistic about successfully completing this challenge.  The toughest part of this challenge will probably be remembering to track our completed books here on the blog. Rather than re-listing the books from our library challenge here, we will just track the non-library books to be added to our complete list:
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Fantastic Frogs by Fay Robinson
Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long
So Many Bunnies : A Bedtime ABC & Counting Book by Rick Walton
Dappled Apples by John Carr
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Before I Fall (ARC) by Lauren Oliver
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Pace by Shelena Shorts
Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder
Eyes Like Stars, Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Sisters Red (ARC) by Jackson Pearce
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi
The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge
Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
White Cat by Holly Black
Shadow Hills (ARC) by Anastasia Hopcus
Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Siren by Tricia Rayburn
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Willow by Julia Hoban
Clockwork Angel (ARC) by Cassandra Clare
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
The Agency 2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Matched by Ally Condie
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Pegasus by Robin McKinley







Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren.
Goal: Read at least 12 Young Adult (YA) or Middle Grade (MG) novels by authors making their debut in 2010. This does not have to be their first published novel, but it must be their first novel in the YA or MG genre.
Which books qualify: All YA & MG books by debut authors (eg. novels by "The Tenners" & "Class of 2k10" authors)
Outlook: Superb! There are so many YA debut novels I am excited to read this year!  Books I intend to read for this challenge include:
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Scones & Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell
Shadow Hills (ARC) by Anastasia Hopcus
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Siren by Tricia Rayburn
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Explorer X-Alpha by L.M. Preston
The Mark by Jen Nadol
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Challenge: 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog.
Goal: Read a select number of Young Adult (YA) books this year. There are four goal options (The Mini = 12 books, Just My Size = 25 books, Stepping It Up = 50 books, and Super Size Me = 75 books). I am going to aim for Just My Size = 25 YA books.
Which books qualify: All YA books.
Outlook: YA is my favorite genre & there are so many novels I'm determined to read this year, so hopefully I'll be able to get through 25 of them by the end of the year. In addition to the YA novels listed in the Debut Challenge above, I intend to read:
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Before I Fall (ARC) by Lauren Oliver
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Pace by Shelena Shorts
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Eyes Like Stars : Theater Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
Paper Towns by John Green
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken 

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Sisters Red (ARC) by Jackson Pearce

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
White Cat by Holly Black

Shadow Hills (ARC) by Anastasia Hopcus

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Siren by Tricia Rayburn

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Willow by Julia Hoban

Clockwork Angel (ARC) by Cassandra Clare

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

The Agency 2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Matched by Ally Condie
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Challenge: 1st in a Series Reading Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews
Goal: Read a select number of novels that are the first in a series. There are four goal levels (Curious = 3 books, Fascinated = 6 books, Addicted = 12 books, and Obsessed = 20 books). I am going to aim for Obsessed = 20 first novels.
Which books qualify: Any genre counts, so long as each book is the first in a series.
Outlook: If I manage to meet my YA challenge goals, this one should overlap nicely with that challenge because several of the books I plan to read are debut novels & the first in a new series.
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Pace by Shelena Shorts
Eyes Like Stars : Theater Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting



Pegasus (ARC) by Robin McKinley

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Sisters Red (ARC) by Jackson Pearce
White Cat by Holly Black
Shadow Hills (ARC) by Anastasia Hopcus
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Siren (ARC) by Tricia Rayburn

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Clockwork Angel (ARC) by Cassandra Clare

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Matched by Ally Condie

Challenge: 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog

Goal: Check out and read books from your local library. There are four levels of participation (The Mini = 25 books, Just My Size = 50 books, Stepping It Up = 75 books, and Super Size Me = 100 books). We are going to aim for the Super Size Me level of 100 library books.

Which books qualify: All books of any genre, so long as they are checked out from your local library.

Outlook: I am optimistic about this challenge. We visit the library once a week & always bring home a hefty bag of books (usually about 90% picture books & juvenile non-fiction books to read together).  The toughest part of this challenge will be remembering to keep track of our library books here on the blog.  We often read and return them before reviewing them or logging them on goodreads or shelfari.  Our list so far:

The Lady & the Lion : A Brothers Grimm Tale retold by Laurel Long & Jacqueline K. Ogburn

The Loathsome Dragon by David Wiesner

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

Spooky Riddles by Marc Brown

Ha! Ha! Ha! : 1,000+ Jokes, Riddles, Facts, & More by Lyn Thomas

The Elves and the Shoemaker retold by Jim LaMarche

A Horse Named Seabiscuit by Kathy East Dubowski & Mark Dubowski

Iron Hans : A Grimm's Fairy Tale retold by Stephen Mitchell

Boots and His Brothers : A Norwegian Tale retold by Eric A. Kimmel

Priceless Gifts by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss

Witch Mama by Judith Caseley

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs? by Carmella LaVigna Coyle

The Wriggly, Wriggly Baby by Jessica Clerk

Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Ugly Bug by Donald Charles

Coyote in Love retold by Mindy Dwyer

The Story of Miss Moppet by Beatrix Potter

Sleeping Beauty by Adele Geras

That's Not My Princess by Fiona Watt

Gertrude, The Bulldog Detective by Eileen Christelow

The Weaving of a Dream by Marilee Heyer

The Three Bears' Halloween by Kathy Duval

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

Challenge: 2nd in a Series Reading Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews
Goal: Read a select number of novels that are the second in a series. Again there are four goal levels (Curious = 3 books, Fascinated = 6 books, Addicted = 12 books, and Obsessed = 20 books). I am going to aim for Fascinated = 6 second novels.
Which books qualify: Any genre counts, so long as each book is the second in a series.
Outlook: Again, this one will probably depend on how well I do with my YA goal. A few 2nd novels that I intend to read are:
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
The Broken Lake by Shelena Shorts
Perchance to Dream: Theatre Illuminata, Act II by Lisa Mantchev
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
The Agency 2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee


Challenge: Finish That Series Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews
Goal: Complete a series of books. In this challenge, you do not count the number of books you read, but instead count the number of series completed. For example, if you have already read the first four books in a series & get around to reading the final book this year, that would count as one. Or if you read all twelve books in a new series this year (even if there is a 13th novel expected next year), that would also count as one. There are four goal levels (Curious = 2 series, Fascinated = 3 series, Addicted = 5 series, and Obsessed = 10 series). I am going to aim for Obsessed = 10 series.
Which books qualify: Any genre counts, so long as you are completing a series (or all the books currently published within a series).
Outlook: I hope this challenge will go well. I just completed one series this weekend, so completing nine more seems a reasonable goal to tackle over the next eleven months.
Harper Connelly series (#4 Grave Secret) by Charlaine Harris
Evernight series (#3 Hourglass) by Claudia Gray
Vampire Academy series (#5 Spirit Bound) by Richelle Mead
Theatre Illuminata series (#2 Perchance to Dream) by Lisa Mantchev
Wings series (#2 Spells) by Aprilynne Pike
The Agency series (#2 The Body at the Tower) by Y.S. Lee
The Iron Fey series (#2 The Iron Daughter) by Julie Kagawa
Mockingjay (#3 The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins


Challenge: Romance Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews
Goal: Read a select number of romance novels. Again there are four goal levels (Curious = 3 books, Fascinated = 6 books, Addicted = 12 books, and Obsessed = 20 books). I am going to aim for Fascinated = 6 romance novels.
Which books qualify: Any romance novels.
Outlook: Excellent! I plan to read at least six romance novels with my fabulous book club peeps over the course of this year.
First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles
Succubi Like it Hot by Jill Myles
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols


Challenge: Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews
Goal: Read a select number of fantasy novels. Again there are four participation levels (Curious = 3 books, Fascinated = 6 books, Addicted = 12 books, and Obsessed = 20 books). I am going to aim for Obsessed = 20 fantasy novels.
Which books qualify: Any fantasy novels (including YA fantasy, sci-fi-fantasy, and historical fantasy).
Outlook:  Very good!  I tend to gravitate toward fantasy, so I am optimistic about completing this challenge.
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa 
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Eyes Like Stars : Theater Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
Perchance to Dream : Theatre Illuminata, Act II by Lisa Mantchev
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Cambell
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris


Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Siren (ARC) by Tricia Rayburn 
Clockwork Angel (ARC) by Cassandra Clare
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Pegasus by Robin McKinley

The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge

White Cat by Holly Black

Shadow Hills (ARC) by Anastasia Hopcus

Challenge: 2010 Social Justice Reading Challenge
Goal: Each month of this challenge will focus on a different social concern - Religious Freedom, Water, Domestic Violence & Child Abuse, Hunger, the AIDS Crisis, Genocide, Poverty, Illiteracy and Education, Modern Day Slavery, Homelessness & Refugees, Women's Rights, and Child Soldiers & Children in War. Participants are encouraged to read a book relevant to each month's topic.
Which books qualify: Any fiction or non-fiction book related to the month's theme. The site hosting this challenge has assembled book suggestion lists relevant to each topic & participants are encouraged to add their own recommendations to those lists.
Outlook: I am really intrigued by this challenge & hope I will be able to keep up with it. I haven't chosen all twelve books in advance, but some possibilities include:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My Forbidden Face by Latifa
Blue Covenant : The Global Water Crisis & the Coming Battle for the Right to Water by Maude Barlow
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott