Reading challenges go (mostly) kaput...

Seeing as it is mid-December (where HAS this year gone?), I'm starting to think in restrospective blogging terms...and the first thing to check off that "to do" list are seven (what WAS I thinking?!) incomplete reading challenges. Oh well, it is what it is, hmm? I am quite pleased (looking on the bright side here, what!) with my progress on reviewing Stephanie Barron's fabulous Jane Austen mystery series (four volumes read and reviewed this year, woo-hoo!). Lesson learned...the absolute maximum number of reading challenges I'm allowing myself to even think about in 2012 is TWO, people, you heard it RIGHT HERE. TWO.

I'm removing the Reading Challenges page from the right sidebar and documenting (LOL) 2011's reading challenge progress for all eternity below. Because I am nothing if not THOROUGH. LOL! *wink*

******

One of my reading/blogging goals starting in 2011 is to participate in and complete a few reading challenges. I'll be keeping track of my challenge progress here. Click the buttons to be taken to my original sign-up posts, and click the book title to be taken to my review.

The Baker Street Reading Challenge 2011

Goal: The Sign of Four, 4 books



Sadly, no progress on Baker Street related reading...


Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011

Goal: Aficionada level, 9-11 books

• Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor 
• Jane and the Man of the Cloth
• Jane and the Wandering Eye 
• Jane and the Genius of the Place 

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Goal: Wading level, 10 books 

EDIT 3/5/11: I've decided that rather than commit to a specific reading list for this challenge, I'm opening it up to any and all books I've read before that I revisit this year. I think that's a less potentially overwhelming plan. :)

• Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
• Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron
• Beastly by Alex Flinn 
• Jane and the Genius of the Place by Stephanie Barron

Georgette Heyer 2011 Reading Challenge

Goal: Six books  

• The Reluctant Widow  
• Faro's Daughter

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011


Goal: Severe Bookaholism level, 20 books

• Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor
• Jane and the Man of the Cloth
• Jane and the Wandering Eye
• Jane and the Genius of the Place
• The Reluctant Widow
• Faro's Daughter

Bonus/Alternate Selections:

• The Eagle
• The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

Goal: Neophyte Level, 1-4 selections

Possible alternate/bonus selections: 

• From Prada to Nada  

Vintage Mystery 2011 Reading Challenge

Goal: Get a Clue level, 9 books




Agatha Christie

• The Secret of Chimneys

2011 Baker Street Reading Challenge

Ahem. I know, you're thinking "what on earth is Ruth doing signing up for yet another reading challenge?" Well, back in 2009 when I first started this blog, I signed up for the inaugural Baker Street Reading Challenge and only posted two reviews. I am looking on this as an opportunity to further my Sherlock-related reading goals through a challenge that's lay dormant for far too long.

Here's the challenge info from the blog, hosted by Ruth of Bookish Ruth:

Welcome to the Baker Street Challenge, an annual reading challenge for one of the most iconic and enigmatic literary figures, Sherlock Holmes. Join us as we celebrate Doyle's original stories as well as the rich world of new adventures his works have inspired.

The Rules

1. Choose a goal from the reading tier below and add your name to the sign up page.

2. The challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2011. You can sign up for the challenge at any time before December 31, 2011.

3. You do not have to choose your books in advance. You may change your reading list at any point in the challenge.

4. Overlapping with other challenges is fine.

5. Audio books and eBooks are allowed.

6. Feel free to post reviews or general thoughts about your reading to the Baker Street Challenge blog. Please e-mail me at bookishruth [at] gmail [dot] com to be added as a contributor.

Reading Tier

• Three Pipe Problem: 3 books
• The Sign of Four: 4 books
• Five Orange Pips: 5 books
• Seven Percent Solution: 7 books

Book Guidelines & Suggestions

The Canon: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels (A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Valley of Fear) and 56 short stories (compiled in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, His Last Bow and The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes).

Pastiches: Sherlock Holmes stories by authors other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, such as The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer, The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King, The Montana Chronicles by John S. Fitzpatrick, The Sherlockian by Graham Moore, etc.

Non-Fiction: Books about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or the Holmes phenomenon.

Other Doyle Works: Books such as The Lost World, The Coming of the Fairies, The Maracot Deep, and non-Holmes short stories do count for this challenge.

Since 2011 has already begun, please note that any books read between the start of the year to January 17, 2011 that qualify for the challenge will count toward your total if you wish to count them.

Ready to sign up for the challenge? Head over to the Sign Up page.

***

I'm signing up for this challenge at a conservative level - four books, or "The Sign of Four." If I really blow through all of my reading challenges this year, I may be able to add some bonus selections to this list.

• A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
• A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King
• The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
• The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer

Here are links to the reviews of my entries in this challenge in 2009:

• The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
• The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

With Series 2 of Sherlock to look forward to this fall as well as a new Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes film over the holidays, 2011 is a great year to revisit Sherlock and the work the icon has inspired!

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

Okay, I think I may have officially crossed the threshold from ambitious to insane when it comes to blog challenges. But at least I'm trying, right? :) Laurel Ann at Austenprose is hosting The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Here are the challenge details from Laurel Ann's post:

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

We are very pleased to announce the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011. If you have not read Jane Austen’s masterpiece or would like to revisit it in honor of its significant anniversary, seen all of the movies or read all of the sequels and spinoffs, this is the year to join the challenge along with other Janeites, historical fiction readers and period drama movie lovers.

Challenge Details

Time-line: The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 runs January 1, through December 31, 2011.

Levels of participation: Neophyte: 1 – 4 selections, Disciple: 5 – 8 selections, Aficionada: 9 – 12 selections.

Enrollment: Sign up’s are open until March 1, 2011. First, select your level of participation. Second, copy the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 graphic and include it in your blog post detailing the novels or movies that you commit to reading and watching in 2011. Third, leave a comment linking back to your blog post in the comments of this announcement post. If you do not have a blog you can still participate. Just leave your commitment to the challenge in the comments below.

Check Back Monthly: The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 officially begins on Wednesday, January 26, 2010 with my review of the novel The Three Weismanns of Westport. Check back on the 4th Wednesday of each month for my next review in the challenge.

Your Participation: Once the challenge starts you will see a tab included at the top of Austenprose called Reading Challenges. Click on the tab and select the Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011. Leave a comment including the name of the book or movie read or viewed and a link to your blog review. If you do not have a blog, just leave a comment about your selection that you finished with a brief reaction or remark. It’s that easy.

The Prizes

Oh, of course there are prizes! There will be giveaways each month of the book or movie that I review in the challenge here on Austenprose to be drawn from comments left with each post, and one lucky Grand Prize Winner of all 12 titles tucked into a Jane Austen tote bag ($200.00 value) to be drawn from comments left at any and all of the reviews left on this blog or yours. Yes, that means that your readers who comment on your challenge reviews have a chance to win too. Winners will be announced monthly two weeks after each blog post, and the Grand Prize winner will be announced on January 01, 2012. Shipment to US or Canadian addresses only.

So, make haste and join the challenge today. I am so looking forward to revisiting Jane Austen’s classic tale through her eyes and others.

***
Be sure to check out Laurel Ann's post for a list of suggested books and films that are eligible for this challenge. I'm signing up for this challenge at the Neophyte level (1-4 selections), though since films are eligible maybe I will be become a Disciple before the end of the year. :) Here's my tentative list:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility (Marvel Illustrated)
Sense and Sensibility 1995
Sense and Sensibility 2008

Possible alternate/bonus selections:
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Patillo (releases April 2011)
From Prada to Nada (releases January 28, 2011)

Let the fun commence! :)

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

I know, I know, I promised no more challenges just last night, didn't I? *sigh* Well, when I read Laurel Ann's post about the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, I simply couldn't resist participating (isn't the graphic snazzy?). Hosted by the Historical Tapestry blog, here are the challenge details:

The Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

• everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)  
• add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)  
• any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)  
• you can overlap this challenge with others kind of challenges 

During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

• Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
• Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
• Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
• Daring & Curious: 5 books
• Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

The challenge will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

***

Did you notice the aspect of this challenge that I'm most excited about? It can overlap with other challenges! Total & complete justification!!! Woo-hoo! :) That said, here's my list:

1. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor
2. Jane and the Man of the Cloth
3. Jane and the Wandering Eye
4. Jane and the Genius of the Place
5. Jane and the Stillroom Maid
6. Jane and the Prisoner of the Wool House
7. Jane and the Ghosts of Netley
8. Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy
9. Jane and the Barque of Frailty
10. Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron
11. Jane and the Canterbury Tale
12. The Reluctant Widow
13. Lady of Quality
14. Faro's Daughter
15. Cotillion
16. False Colours
17. Black Sheep
18. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
19. The Masque of the Black Tulip
20. The Deception of the Emerald Ring

As you can see, I'm committing to the Severe Bookaholism level (20 books) and I'm overlapping this challenge with the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Challenge (titles 1-11 written by Stephanie Barron) and the Georgette Heyer Reading Challenge (titles 12-17 by Heyer) and adding the first three books in the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig (titles 18-20). I'd like to review the entire Pink Carnation series here on the blog in 2011, but I'm not going to go completely nuts and commit to that now. *wink* Wish me luck...I am going to need it! :)

Vintage Mystery 2011 Reading Challenge

One final reading challenge for 2011, and I promise that's it!! I'm either going to succeed at all these beyond my wildest expectations or fall flat on my face - either way it's sure to be an interesting year. :)

I ADORE vintage mysteries (Christie, Heyer, Sayers, etc.), so this challenge is perfectly suited to my tastes. It's hosted by My Reader's Block. Here are the challenge details:

Introducing: The 2011 Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge.

A challenge for all you mystery lovers out there who already love mysteries from the years prior to 1960 and also anyone who's ever thought, "I should give Agatha Christie (Dorothy L Sayers...Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...etc) a try."

Here are the rules:

*All books must have been written before 1960 and be from the mystery category.

*Some suggested authors include: Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L Sayers, Earl Derr Biggers, Georgette Heyer, Edmund Crispin, Cyril Hare, Ellery Queen, Elizabeth Daly, Cyril Hare, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ngaio Marsh, S. S. Van Dine, Philip MacDonald, Rex Stout, Phoebe Atwood Taylor, Josephine Bell, Josephine Tey, Frances & Richard Lockridge, Michael Innes and Stuart Palmer. (Please remember that some of these authors published after 1960 as well--so keep an eye on the original copyright date.)
 
*You are welcome to count these books towards any other challenges as well.

*Challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Sign up any time between now and November 30, 2011.

*I would love to see reviews of your challenge books, but it is not necessary to participate. If you do not have a blog, post to the comments what your challenge level will be and then post again when you have completed your challenge (include a list of books read).

*No matter what level you choose, please try at least two different vintage authors.

*The best part? A prize for everyone who completes their challenge. Once you declare your challenge level...you are locked in for that number of books. But you may change your list of books at any time. Let me know when you have met your challenge goal and I will send you a list of prizes (books) to choose from. Of course, the earlier you finish, the longer the list of books will be.

Challenge Levels:

• In a Murderous Mood: 4-6 Books
• Get a Clue: 7-9 Books
• Hot on the Trail: 10-12 Books
• Capture the Criminal: 13-15 Books
• Take 'Em to Trial: 16+ Books  

OR

The Golden Age Girls: Read 5-7 books from female authors from the vintage years
Cherchez Le Homme: Read 5-7 books from male authors from the vintage years

***

Sounds like fun, no? I'm committing to this challenge at the "Get a Clue" level, with the goal of reading nine books. Here's my list:

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries

• Fer-de-Lance
• Some Buried Caesar
• Over My Dead Body

Dorothy L. Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries

• Clouds of Witness
• The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
• Unnatural Death

Agatha Christie

• The Mirror Crack'd
• The Secret of Chimneys
• The Thirteen Problems

Since mysteries of this type are usually pretty fast reads, I'd love to exceed this goal, but we'll just have to see. Any other vintage mystery fans out there - please join in, I'd love the company! :)

Georgette Heyer 2011 Reading Challenge

Here's yet another challenge I couldn't resist (attempting) to participate in! All Things Historical Fiction is hosting the Georgette Heyer 2011 Reading Challenge.

The rules are simple. The challenge books must be by Heyer, and they must be historical fiction (none of her mysteries are eligible!). You're supposed to read at least three novels, and they aren't supposed to be re-reads.

So, that being said, here's my Heyer list:

• The Reluctant Widow
• Lady of Quality
• Faro's Daughter
• Cotillion
• False Colours
• Black Sheep

If you've never read Heyer but you adore Regencies, I urge you to think about giving this challenge a try. You'll be in for a treat!

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hmmm...so, since one of my "reading resolutions" going forward is to read more and finish challenges, I might as well go crazy and join several before 2011 hits, no? :)

The Contentment Reading Challenge is being hosted by a new blogging friend of mine - Amber at Seasons of Humility. Here's the challenge details, copied from Amber's main challenge post:

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hosted by "Seasons of Humility"

The "Contentment Reading Challenge" is based on the idea that we, as avid readers, have many books scattered around our homes (on shelves, in the closet, under the bed, etc.) that we have hoped to read again but have not made the time to do so. It is also based on my own struggles with greed and selfishness--continuing to buy more and more books, while forgetting the wonderful library I already own.*

If you perhaps are going through similar struggles or have had similar ideas, I would love to have you join my reading challenge. This is more of a personal challenge, so don't feel like you have to strictly follow all of the rules in order to be involved. What really counts is our heart attitudes, and while this isn't an overnight change, it's something we can be working on together.

Here are the guidelines:

I will be posting off and on throughout the year about the challenge, and I would love to hear your feedback at those times on how you are doing and what you might be learning along the way. I'd love to have this become a community event, where we can encourage and pray for one another, as well as share in each other's joys as we re-visit some of our favorite books!

In order for this to be a "challenge," it's good to set some goals. Since the ocean is the theme for the devotional posts on this blog ("Sundays by the Sea") here are some of the themed levels you can aim for:

• Floating: Re-reading 5 books you already own. Skimming the surface.
• Wading: Re-reading 10 books you already own. Getting your feet wet in your ocean of books.
• Swimming: Re-reading 15 books you already own. Immersing yourself again.
• Diving: Re-reading 20 or more books you already own. Going deep into the stories you love.  

The challenge officially starts on January 1, 2011 and officially ends on December 31, 2011. I'm sure there will be some fun activities along the way for those involved, and maybe even a celebration at the end, so I hope you can join me!

For us to remember: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

***

*True confessions time - contentment is something that I can really struggle with, so Amber's statement about "forgetting the wonderful library I already own" really struck a chord within me. The maxim "so many books, so little time" is so true - but I've let many years pass "meaning" to revisit old favorites and never getting around to it thanks to all of the  new "must reads" I insist on acquiring. *wink* So this year, I'd like to turn that wishlist of old favorites that I've longed to re-read for years into a reality.

For this challenge I'm going to start by committing to the "wading" level - 10 books.

EDIT 3/5/11: I've decided to simply count any books I've read before and re-read this year as eligible for this challenge, rather than setting a specific list. *whew* I already feel less stressed. :)

Wish me luck, and let me know if you decide to join in Amber's challenge! And help keep me accountable!!! :)

Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011

I have a very bad track record with things like reading challenges, but that's something I'd like to change. I have this wild theory that reading challenges *might* help me become more disciplined about whittling down my gigantic TBR pile. So when the post announcing the "Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge" appeared in my Google Reader this morning, I knew that this was a challenge I couldn't miss! Here's the all the info you need to get up-to-speed on the challenge from Laurel Ann at the Austenprose website:

Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011

We are very pleased to announce the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011. If you have not discovered one of her wonderful mysteries, this is a great opportunity to join the challenge along with other Janeites, historical fiction and mystery lovers.

Novels in the Series

• Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (1996)  
• Jane and the Man of the Cloth (1997)  
• Jane and the Wandering Eye (1998)  
• Jane and the Genius of the Place (1999) 
• Jane and the Stillroom Maid (2000)  
• Jane and the Prisoner of the Wool House (2001)  
• Jane and the Ghosts of Netley (2003)  
• Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy (2005) 
• Jane and the Barque of Frailty (2006)  
• Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron (2010) 
• Jane and the Canterbury Tale (2011)  

Challenge Details

Time-line: The Being a Jane Austen Mystery Challenge runs January 1, through December 31, 2011.

Levels of participation: Neophyte: 1 – 4 novels, Disciple 5 – 8 novels, Aficionada 9 – 11 novels.

Enrollment: Sign up’s are open until July 01, 2011. First, select your level of participation. Second, copy the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge graphic and include it in your blog post detailing the mysteries that you will read in 2011. Third, leave a comment linking back to your blog post in the comments of this announcement post. If you do not have a blog you can still participate. Just leave your commitment to the challenge in the comments below.

Check Back Monthly: The Being a Jane Austen Mystery Challenge 2011 officially begins on Wednesday, January 12, 2010 with my review of the first mystery in the series, Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor. Check back on the 2nd Wednesday of each month for my next review in the challenge.

Your Participation: Once the challenge starts you will see a tab included at the top of Austenprose called Reading Challenges. Click on the tab and select Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011. Leave a comment including the mystery that you finished and a link to your blog review. If you do not have a blog, just leave a comment about which book you finished with a brief reaction or remark. It’s that easy.

The Prizes

Oh, of course there are prizes! Author Stephanie Barron has very generously offered one signed hardcover or paperback copy of each of the novels that we will be reviewing each month here on Austenprose to be drawn from comments left with each post, and one signed paperback copy of each of the eleven novels in the series to one lucky Grand Prize Winner to be drawn from comments left at any and all of the reviews left on this blog or yours. Yes, that means that your readers who comment on your challenge reviews have a chance to win too. Winners will be announced monthly two weeks after the blog post, and Grand Prize winner will be announced on January 01, 2012. Shipment to US or Canadian address only.

Bonus Stuff: Yes, of course there is more to get happy about. Availability of each of the novels in the series is great. The books can be purchased or eBooks download at most online etailers and brick and mortar stores. Since the series is so popular, your local library should be a great resource too.

One of the delights of the series is the incredible historical detail that parallel Jane Austen’s life. To expand upon our reading journey in 2011, author Stephanie Barron will be blogging about researching and writing each of the novels as we progress through the series at her Stephanie Barron blog. What an incredible resource and motivation for your reading challenge!

So, make haste and join the challenge today. I am so looking forward to revisiting all the novels in the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series in 2011 and hope you can join in too.

***

Okay, Ruth here again. :) I'm signing up for this challenge at the Aficionada level, reading 9-11 novels. Because people, I have determined that 2011 will be the year I finally review ALL of the Jane Austen mysteries on my blog!! I'll be adding a Reading Challenges page to the right sidebar to help me keep track of my review posts and progress on this challenge - keep me accountable, people! :) Oh, and be sure to let me know if you decide to participate in this challenge as well - I promise you won't regret it! Barron's books are fabulous!