Summer Reading Challenge 2009

The main link for this challenge could be found here ..

Challenge: Summer Reading Challenge 2009

Start date: June 21, 2009

Finish date: September 21, 2009

Hosted By: A Southern Daydreamer Reads

Rules:

1. Make a list of books you want to read this summer.
2. Write a post with your list on your blog. (You can add to or change this list at any time during the challenge)
3. Please post the direct link to your Summer Reading Challenge 2009 post. (so that other participants can visit and see what you are reading)
4. You can write another post in September to let everyone know how you did.

My Summer Reading List:
1. Serial by Blake Crouch & JA Konrath
2. Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

The main link for this challenge is here ..

Here's your chance to catch up on Sookie and all her friends -- living and undead, fully human and not.

It's easy, it's fun, it's for you! And you have an entire year to complete the challenge.

The Rules:

1. Between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, catch up on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. No matter if you're starting with book 1 or book 8, you have a year to read all about Sookie. Read Sookie in print, listen to the audio, read an eBook -- format is not an issue.

2. Sign up using Mr. Linky. Put your name in the top box. For the bottom box, please use the URL that links specifically to your blog post about this challenge, not to your blog's home page.

3. After July 4, I'll create a post with another Mr. Linky where you can link your reviews so everyone can read them track your progress.

4. If you don't have a blog and want to join in, sign up in the comments here. Later, let us know about your progress by leaving comments on the review link page.

The Books:

Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and Gone

EDIT: Don't miss the chance to win the first seven books from Melissa at Melissa's Bookshelf. Thanks, Melissa!!

EDIT #2: if you're on Twitter, the challenge is using the hashtag #SookieSRC (for Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge). Feel free to join in #SookieSRC conversations whenever you see them.

EDIT #3: Don't miss the chance to win the first season of True Blood! Michelle of GalleySmith is offering incentive to get you through this challenge: Sookie on your big-screen TV. Thanks Michelle!!

There are also Sookie and gang short stories and an up-coming anthology! For more, see Charlaine Harris's website.


I've already read the first 8 books of this series so I have to read the 9th book..

These are my reviews for the books I read from this series in order:
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
2. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
4. Dead To The World By Charlaine Harris
5. Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris
6. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
7. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
8. From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

These are the ones i read for the challenge:
9. Dead And Gone by Charlaine Harris
Short Story Collection - A Touch Of Dead

2009 Fear Itself Challenge

JULY 1 - DECEMBER 31

The main link for this challenge is here..

What's the deal?

No, it's not about reading horror novels. Well, unless those are the ones you tend to avoid.

I wanted to start a challenge that really challenged people. That dared people to read outside their comfort zones. Pick up a book that they'd otherwise look over. Thus Fear Itself was born (although I think I overdid it a little on the blood).

Do what now?

Between July 1st and December 31st, I challenge you to read 3, just 3, books that, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't give a second look to. Avoid Gossip Girl like a VD? Now's the chance to grab one. Does horror freak you out? Grab an RL Stine.

Why?

Like I said above, we have a tendency of reading in our own comfort zones and don't often venture out of it unless really urged to. Well, consider yourself urged. It's a good thing to read something that you might not on your own accord. It broadens you as a reader and as a reviewer. Read widely is an excellent mantra. It'll, if nothing more, keep you reading.

Why six months? Dude, have you ever read a book that you're not thrilled about reading or try to force yourself through something? Yeah, it might take a little longer. Especially if you're into procrastination. You can read more if you want. But 3's your minimum.

The Catch

Yup. There is one. You can't not finish the book. And it MUST be reviewed. Now you see why the 3? This'll get you to evaluate why you ended up liking the liking the book even though you were groaning to read it. Or why it just solidified your opinion that is sucked like a vacuum. So choose your books wisely. If you really don't think you can get through Hemingway, don't choose one of his works. Hey, I feel your pain. I have an Alphas book in my pile that I'm sure I'll be in tears by the end of it questioning humanity but I'm going to read it.

So are there books out there that you "should" read? Have friends begging you to read although you don't think you'll be interested? Not only is this good for expanding your reading, but it's a good way to utilize your local library too.

~

You don't have to stick to just YA books. You can choose whatever you want. If you want to sign up, just use the Mr. Linky here. You can either link to a post on your blog with your book list or just your blog in general. On July 1st I'll post the review post where you can start linking to your reviews. Feel free to snag the little banner I made up top to show that you're participating in this challenge but please link back to this post so people don't have to go rooting around for it.

Rise Of The Bludgens The 4th Breed by Marcus Redgrave (Extremely Young Adult)
Night Moves I by Kiernan Kelly, Matt Brooks, Erastes and Kira Stone (Gay Vampires)
Rot by Michele Lee (Zombies)