What's in a Name 5: Sign Up

Welcome to the fifth What's in a Name challenge This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.

I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.

Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
   
4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
   
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking
   

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.

To join in, sign up with Mr. Linky below. If you aren't a blogger, just add a comment. If Mr. Linky ever disappears, either try again later or click on Email Icon in the side bar and send me your information, and I'll add the link myself.

To use Mr. Linky: put your name or your blog's name in the top box and the URL (web address) of your blog in the bottom box. If you don't have a blog, use your tumblr account, your Facebook page or simply mention your intent to join the challenge in the comments.

Thanks to @DogEaredCopy, @marny_h96, @Zetablue, and @SuziQoregon for suggestions for, inspiration for, and confirmation of this year's categories. Feel free to suggest ideas for 2013 in the comments.

It's never too late to join!

I hope you like the categories! Have fun and good luck.

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R.I.P.: A Fall Tradition

If you love mysteries, paranormal, horror, suspense, dark fantasy, gothic, supernatural or anything else somewhat related you can join Carl's sixth R.I.P. challenge. Just click on the link, which will take you to the correct post on his blog Stainless Steel Droppings.

This is one of those utterly fun challenges that is hardly a challenge but has become an annual event I look forward to (even though I somehow forgot to sign up in 2010). Here's proof in Carl's own words:

The emphasis is never on the word challenge, instead it is about coming together as a community and embracing the autumnal mood, whether the weather is cooperative where you live or not.

I don't do spooky, but I do do mystery, so I'm signing up. I'm committing to the Peril the Second level, which means I plan to read two R.I.P. books from September 1 to October 31. Easy, peasy!

Thanks, Carl, for this great blogging tradition.

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Can I Challenge You?

As you know, I love reading challenges and I have a very hard time saying no. Here are some challenges I thought about joining, but with 18 on my list, I was forced to pass. I list them here, however, because I bet you won't be able to say no.

Have you read Wendell Berry? He is one of my favorite authors, and the only reason I'm not in the Wendell Berry Challenge, hosted by Carrie from Books and Movies is because I've vowed to do less re-reading this year. Here are two quotes to whet your appetite: "Ask the questions that have no answers. / Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias" and "When going back makes sense, you are going ahead." You can join at the two-book level.

If you have a hankering to read books from around the world, then Judith from Leeswammes' Blog has just the challenge for you. The Book Bloggers Abroad Challenge is a two-level winner: great book blogger-suggested titles plus a chance to get to know bloggers from other countries. This challenge is based on the popular Book Bloggers Abroad feature and will take you to more than two-dozen locations. You can join at the five-book level.


Here is very fun challenge hosted by several bloggers, but you can find information from Joann at It's All about Me (Time): The Whip-Up Something New Challenge isn't about reading, it's about cooking and it encourages you to make one new dish a month. This is one challenge I actually hope to participate in--after all, I can use my new recipe for a Weekend Cooking post too!


I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to go to Italy. I've been across the pond several times, but never to the land of good food, ancient history, awe-inspiring art, and beautiful scenery. Silvia from Book after Book is hosting the Italy in Books Challenge. Here's your chance to be an armchair traveler: fiction, nonfiction, light, or heavy--if it's set in Italy, it counts for the challenge. The welcome post has resources and you are encouraged to read twelve books.

Feeling too much pressure to read longer works to complete a challenge? Carrie from Books and Movies has the solution. She is hosting her third annual Essay Challenge. Essays are the perfect way to get a taste of authors you may have always wanted to read but did want to commit to yet. Although my favorite essayist is Emerson, there are plenty of modern essayist who write about everything from religion to humor, from business to parenthood. You can join on the ten-essay level.

Here's a great one for mystery lovers and another one I would have joined had I decided against re-reads this year: The Baker Street Challenge (on it's own blog) hosted by Bookish Ruth. This challenge is about all things Sherlock Holmes. Not only can you finally get around to reading the original Holmes stories and novels but you are encouraged to read some of the modern Holmes books and spin-offs. And non-fiction also counts. You can join for as few as three books.

Wish you read more nonfiction? Here is the easiest non-fiction challenge in existence: The Dewy Decimal Challenge. Jen of The Introverted Reader asks you to "Read any non-fiction book(s), adult or young adult." Yeah, it's just that simple. You can sign up to read one book up to four books and you have an entire year to complete the challenge. Come on, you can certainly sign up for this, can't you?

Here's a really fun challenge: The Cusak Challenge (yeah, as in John Cusack). Care of Care's Online Book Club came up with idea when she read an article in which Cusack talked about the books that have had an influence on him. The list is not very long and is a bit eclectic. Come join Care in this perpetual challenge. The commitment is to read eight great books, with no time limit.

Jen of The Introverted Reader is from the South and to celebrate her southern heritage, she is offering the Southern Literature Challenge. You can surely complete this challenge. Go with a classic: Gone with the Wind? Flannary O'Connor? Or perhaps you're more interested in current authors. Try Pat Conroy, why don't you? Did you know Fannie Flag has a new book out? You can join on the one-book level.


Well, there you have it--I hope I've convinced you to join at least one of these challenges for 2011.

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Facing the Final Challenge

I'm so happy that Darren from Bart's Bookshelf is hosting his fun challenge again. The Twenty Eleven Challenge asks that you read a book in each of the following categories:

1. To YA or not YA
2. With a Twist
3. Hot off the Presses
4. It Wasn't Me
5. Show It Who Is Boss
6. Babble Fish
7. Will Power? What Will Power?
8. Mind the Gap
9. Back in the Day
10. Way Back When
11. Slim-Pickings

To complete the challenge I need to read twenty books, at least one in every category. It's my choice on which categories will merit two books. Please see the sign-up post for full details.

And I believe that's it for me for 2011 challenges. There are some great events coming up, some very fun read-a-longs, and more terrific challenges. Unfortunately, I think my plate is full.

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It's a Challenge to Say No

Yes, I admit I'm a challenge addict. Yes, I admit that I sometimes fail challenges. Yes, I'm nuts. Anyway, here are a few more that I'm signing up for.

• The 2011 Audiobook Challenge is hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner. You knew I had to enter this one, didn't you? I'm committing to 12 audiobooks for the challenge, which is the addicted level. Please check out the sign-up post for more information.
• I'm so excited about the Foodie's Challenge, hosted by Margot from Joyfully Retired. The challenge has a dedicated blog, where you can sign-up and learn more about the challenge. I'm in for the gourmet level. Qualifying books include everything from foodie novels to nonfiction to cookbooks.

• Amy from My Friend Amy is hosting the third annual, Buy One Book and Read It challenge. As always, I'm committing to 12 books, but you can join this challenge on the one-book level if you want. Check out the sign-up post.
• I'm happy to see that Carrie from Books and Movies is hosting the Ireland Reading Challenge again. I discovered some great books in this year's challenge and can't wait to see what I find for 2011. I'm going for the Luck o' the Irish Level. Read the sign-up post and join in.

I'm kind of hoping no other challenges catch my eye, but I'll likely find one or two more that I can't resist.

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It's a Challenging World

What can I say? I love a good challenge. I hope to have completed about eighteen challenges in 2010, although I did fail a number of others. As I've written before, I sign up for challenges for the fun, no guilt allowed.

So here are some more I'm taking on in 2011.

Global Challenge, hosted by Dorte H. I have one more book to finish up for this year, but I have hopes of finishing earlier next year. The challenge has a great new category, which will let me use a fictional world for one of the categories. I'm in for easy level. Visit the dedicated blog for information and sign-up.

YA Historical Fiction, hosted by YA Bliss. I have been feeling left out of the Betsy-Tacy fan club and have decided to use this challenge to read the series. I'm signing up for level 1. Visit the sign-up post for more information.

e-Book Challenge, hosted by La Coccinelle. This challenge will be a no-brainer for me, so I have to join in the fun. I'm picking the fascinated level. Visit the announcement post for more information.

War through the Generations, hosted by Anna and Serena. I have never signed up for this one, but I cannot resist the Civil War theme. I'm going for the wade level and will likely be watching a movie or two. Visit the dedicated blog for more.

Criminal Plots, hosted by Jen F. This is a brand new challenge and looks like a lot of fun. The challenge is to read six books, each of which fits a particular category (new to you author, book to movie, first in series, and so on). This looks like fun. For all the categories, see the dedicated blog.

Graphic Novels hosted this year by Vasilly. This will be my third year for the GN challenge, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going for the intermediate level. Visit the dedicated blog for more information.

Nordic Challenge, hosted by Zee. The idea here is to read books written by a Nordic author or set in a Nordic country. Can't wait to get reading and this will be my excuse to finally finish the Millennium Trilogy. I'm signing up at the Freya level. For more, see the sign-up post.

South Asian Challenge, hosted by Swapna. I've already mentioned my intention to take on this challenge, but the official sign-up post is now up. I'm going for the the wanderer level.

Believe it or not, I still haven't signed up for as many 2011 challenges as I finished in 2010. So I figure I still have room for a few more.

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Looking to 2011: Four Reading Challenges

If you know me at all, you know I like a good reading challenge. I've been looking through the most dangerous blog on the web: A Novel Challenge -- the place to find all things challenges. Here are four challenges I'm looking forward to.

This fall I read my first steampunk book (review: Clockwork Angel) and became interested in the genre. Then I discovered the Steampunk Challenge. I love that there are "no obligations other than to have fun discovering a genre and let other participants know about what you find." I am going to commit to reading two books. Check out the announcement post for more information.

Although I didn't do very well with the South Asian Author Challenge in 2010, I am joining the newly revised South Asian Challenge in 2011. A sign-up post will be available next week, but the changes have already been announced. The new rules open up the number of qualifying works, and I'm excited to get reading. I'll be committing to three books, which will make me a South Asian Wanderer.

Kathrin is hosting the fifth annual Series Challenge. I'm committing to reading at least three books to finish or catch up in a series. I plan to read the Ellie Chronicles, the final three books in the JohnMarsden series about an alternate history Australia. There is no badge yet, but the challenge has been announced.

Here is a new and very clever challenge that Eva told me about. The One, Two, Theme! Challenge goes like this: pick a theme or topic and read a book about it, pick a second theme and read two books about it, pick a third theme and read three books about it. The total commitment is for six books, two which should be non-fiction. If I can come up with three good themes, I'm definitely going to join the challenge. Read the full rules on the dedicated blog.

I know that more and more challenges will be announced over the next month. I'll let you know which ones I plan to take on.

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What's in a Name 4 Challenge: Announcing 2011 Categories

Once again I'm hosting the What's in a Name Challenge. For the history of this challenge and to sign up for it, check out the brand new What's in a Name 4 blog.

Because you might not be able to stand waiting to learn the new categories, I'll give you sneak peek here. Be sure to click over to the What's in a Name 4 blog to see examples, sign up, and learn the rules.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a number in the title
2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title
3. A book with a size in the title
4. A book with evil in the title
5. A book with a life stage in the title

I hope you have room in your challenge schedule to join in the fun. This is one of my favorite challenges.

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Challenge: Okra Picks

My friend Kathy from Bermudaonion's Weblog is hosting a fun reading challenge that runs from now through March 31, 2011. Here's the background:

Since I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the hospitality of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance [SIBA] at their last two trade shows, I know just how passionate those folks are about books. Each season, SIBA selects a crop of Southern books to handsell and those books are called Okra Picks. Okra Picks authors are given a sash to wear at the trade show, and believe me when I tell you those sashes are worn with pride!

In honor of the books singled out by SIBA, Kathy has set up the Okra Picks Reading Challenge. Take a look at the great books we have to choose from:

Fiction

• Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
• I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
• Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart
• My Only Sunshine by Lou Dischler
• Virals by Kathy Reichs
• Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon
• The Typist by Michael Knight

Nonfiction

• Carry the Rock by Jay Jennings
• Greek Revival by Patricia Moore-Pastides
• My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
• Southern Plate by Christy Jordan
• They Came to Nashville by Marshall Chapman

There are several levels of involvement. I'm going for the Goober level, which means I'll read 1-3 books off these lists. I already have the Pat Conroy book, so I'll likely start with that one.

To join in the fun and learn more about SIBA and the challenge, check out Kathy's blog.

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What's in a Name? 3: Finished

I'm relieved and happy to let you know that I completed one of my own challenges: What's in a Name? 3. Phew.

For those who are interested, it is not too late to sign up for the What's in a Name? 3 challenge. You have until the end of the year to read six books (one in each of six categories).

Here's what I read for the challenge:

Food: Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Water: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Title: The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Plant: Rose by Jeff Smith
Place name: Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
Music: Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippmann

I was very lucky in my picks for this challenge, because I loved them all. Four authors were new to me, and I have added two series (Bradley and Lippmann) to my ever-growing list of must-read mysteries.

If you're playing along, I hope you are having fun with the challenge.

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Challenge: All Things Alcott

As I mentioned in my wrap-up post yesterday, I decided to join the All Things Alcott Challenge, which is hosted by Margot from Joyfully Retired.

From now to the end of the year I plan to do at least one Alcott-related thing: read a book, see a movie, or anything at all that has to do with Louisa May Alcott. I'll likely participate with more than one book/movie.

Since I'm a huge LMA fan, this challenge is going to be fun!

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Challenge: 2010 EW Summer Books

It'll soon be summer, which means evenings on the deck reading and looking up every once in a while to watch the birds at the feeder. Julie at Booking Mama has an idea to make warm-weather reading a bit more fun: Her EW Summer Books Challenge! The idea is to read from Entertainment Weekly's summer reading list.

Pretty much all of the books look good; however, I'm joining up at the Polliwog level, which means I agree to read just 1 to 3 books. The challenge runs from May 1 to September 6.

Check out Julie's post for the complete list of 18 books, but here are few that caught my eye:

• The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
• The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
• The Passage by Justin Cronin
• The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Click through to the challenge post for the complete rules and the rest of EW's summer picks. Now I just need the weather to cooperate!

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Being Extra-Challenged

As you might know, I join Kris's (from Not Enough Books) Cozy Mystery Challenge each year (you can still join, it just started). This time around, Margot from Joyfully Retired decided to double the challenge by reading one book from each of the authors featured on The Cozy Chicks blog. I am going to try to meet her challenge so I can get to know seven new series (you know, I just don't have enough series going).


I am also participating in the 2010 Graphic Novels Challenge. In April, Heather from Tales of a Capricious Reader is hosting a Graphic Nonfiction Mini-Challenge. There is no set number of books to read (well, duh, you have to read at least one!). I happen to have three graphic nonfiction titles in the house and I'm hoping to get to all of them. My titles are Embroideries, Stitches, and Blankets, and I want to know if I get extra points for reading only single-word, plural noun titles.

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Challenge: Cozy Mysteries 2010

One of my favorite challenges each year is Kris's (from Not Enough Books) Cozy Mystery Challenge. It runs from April 1 to September 30 and the requirement is to read 6 cozies. This year, the challenge has its own blog, called (duh!) Cozy Mystery Challenge. Head on over there to get the details on the challenge.

I love cozies, and they make perfect summer reading. Can't wait to get going on this year's books.

Thanks for hosting, Kris!

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Challenge: Ireland Reading Challenge

I used to like Carrie from Books and Movies. I would go to her blog and read great reviews and interviews and guest posts. It was a safe and happy place.

I say was because then I saw this challenge. Sigh. Have I ever mentioned that I like an Irish setting? Have I told you that I have several Ireland-type books in my TBR pile? Did you know that I like reading challenges?

Yeah, well . . . I'm joining up on the Shamrock level. That's two books from now until November 30. Here's what counts for the challenge: "Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply."

The challenge announcement has been up on Books and Movies since February 1. I saw that Robin of My Two Blessing joined. I finally caved.

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Challenges: Yes, Two More

Yes, I'm joining two more challenges--but they're good ones! Really, really good ones! And one is perpetual and one I already own the books for. See, I kinda haveta join 'em.

The first is the Reagan Arthur Books Challenge, hosted by Kathy (Bermuda Onion) and Julie (Booking Mama). As you know by now, I'm very interested in imprints, editors, and publishers and here is a challenge to help me explore the new imprint of Little, Brown. Three books are currently available but more are coming out soon. Jump on over to the challenge blog to learn all about it and to sign up. This one is perpetual, so no worries.



The second is hosted by Trish From Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading? This one is also a great match for me: it's a Laura Lippman Challenge. How great is that? I've always, always wanted to read Lippman's literary mysteries and now I have no excuse. In fact, I already own the first two novels in her mystery series. I'm going in for Dabbler and committing to the two books I already own. Be sure to click on through to Trish's blog to see the rules and to sign up.

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451 Challenge: Wrap Up

Yeah, you read that title right. I've finished my first challenge for 2010. I committed to the Spark level for the 451 Challenge hosted by Elizabeth from As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves.

I finished my one book: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. Because I'm in the LOTR Readalong, I am participating in the discussion memes rather than writing a formal review.

Gotta love these one-book challenges! Thanks to Elizabeth for hosting this one.

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Amy Einhorn Books Perpetual Challenge

Welcome to the Amy Einhorn Books Perpetual Challenge.

Have you read The Help by Kathryn Stockett? How about Jim Beaver's Life's That Way or Frahad Zama's The Marriage Bureau for Rich People? These books earned four- and five-star reviews from many sources, including book bloggers.

The other thing these books have in common is that they were published under the Putnam imprint Amy Einhorn Books. And that's what this perpetual challenge is all about: reading through the imprint.

The Amy Einhorn Books challenge was born on Twitter (where all evil occurs) and was inspired by (in no particular order) Swapna from S. Krishna's Books, Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading?, Jenn from Jenn's Bookshelves, Jen from Devourer of Books, Amy from My Friend Amy, Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books, Nicole from Linus's Blanket, and several other enthusiastic bloggers.

Currently, there are sixteen Amy Einhorn titles (covers shown in the fabulous button made by Jenn):

Published in 2009

• Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing but True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, and Friend to Man and Dog by Diana Joseph
  
• The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
• Life's That Way: A Memoir by Jim Beaver
• The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama
• Remedies by Kate Ledger
• Ten Degrees of Reckoning: The True Story of a Family's Love and the Will to Survive by Hester Rumberg

Published in 2010

• The Book of Awesome: Snow Days, Bakery Air, Finding Money in Your Pocket, and Other Simple, Brilliant Things by Neil Pasricha
• The Gendarme by Mark Mustian
  
• The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees
• My Wife's Affair by Nancy Woodruff
  
• The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
• This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness by Laura Munson
• Where's My Wand?: One Boy's Magical Triumph over Alienation and Shag Carpeting by Eric Poole

The Challenge

• Sign up via Mr. Linky here. You do not need to have a blog to join. If you don't have a blog, use the URL to this post in the URL box.
• Read through the Amy Einhorn Books imprint in any order you'd like.
• Read the books in any medium (print, eBook, audio).
• Pages for linking your reviews will be found via the AE Challenge tab under my banner photo. There are two pages, one for 2009 books and one for 2010 books. Be sure to link up your reviews of the books you've already read.
• The Twitter hashtag is #amyeinhorn.
• There are no time limits.
• EDIT: There is no need to publish a sign-up post, but I hope you mention the challenge when you read an AE book or perhaps in a Sunday Salon post.
  

I hope you decide to join this no-pressure challenge. Use the link pages to find out who else has read the book you just finished. Need to discuss a particular issue? Can't understand what the hype was about? Use the link pages as a gateway for finding other readers and other opinions.

FTC: I have no vested interest in Amy Einhorn Books (see also my review policy).

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The Really, Really Last Challenge for 2010

Meghan from Medieval Bookworm is hosting the Tournament of Reading Challenge. The idea is to read medieval history, medieval literature, and/or historical fiction (that takes place in medieval times). I'm in on the peasant level, which means I've committed to 3 books. For the sake of the challenge, the medieval period is from 500 to 1500. I'm sure I can squeeze this last little challenge in.


For more information and to sign up, click on through to the challenge post.

And, yes, I'm hopeless.

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Fnished Challenges: YA Dystopian and 999

I finished two more challenges for 2009. I hope to complete at least another one by the end of the year. We'll see how that goes.


I finished the YA Dystopian Reading Challenge hosted by Bart's Bookshelf. I read books four and five of John Marsden's Tomorrow series: Darkness Be My Friend and Burning for Revenge. I loved both books and so can't pick a favorite. Thanks so much for hosting this, Bart. I hope you run this again next year.



I also finished Library Thing's 999 challenge (read 9 books in each of 9 categories for 2009). My categories were YA, historical fiction, mystery, newly acquired, audio, borrowed from the library, new to me authors, TBR stack, graphic novels. What were my favorites? You'll have to wait for my monthly/yearly wrap on January 1.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it.

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