2014 Fairy Tales Retold Reading Challenge

Hosted by Debz Bookshelf.

Here are the details:

• The challenge starts on January 1st 2014, and ends December 31st 2014
• The goal of the read-a-thon is to read as many fairy tale retellings as possible.
• There will be six different levels to aim for in this challenge:
  • Poor Cobbler: 1-3 books
  • Devilish Wolf: 4-6 books
  • Lady in Waiting: 7-9 books
  • Mountain Troll: 10-12 books
  • Evil Enchantress: 13-15 books
  • Monstrous Dragon: 16+ books
• This challenge is only for Young Adult and Middle Grade retellings. No adult or children’s books count towards this challenge.
• Because of confusion in the past, this year only straight retellings of fairy tales will count. No fairy tale-ish books, and no mythological or classic retellings.
• Single novellas do not count towards this challenge, however a compilation of novellas or short stories can count towards this challenge.
• Have fun and spread the word!

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2014 TBR Challenge

Hosted by: The Misadventures of Super Librarian.
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

That's right kiddies - we're doing it again!  In another continuing bid into deluding myself that I'm actually making progress up the mountain, I will host a TBR Challenge for 2014.

What is the TBR Challenge?  Simply put, it's where readers pick up a long neglected book from their TBR pile, read it, and comment on that read on the3rd Wednesday of every month.  The idea is to read those long neglected books that you just had to get your hands on at the time, but have been languishing in your pile, all lost and forgotten.

Commentary on your chosen TBR read can happen anywhere online (your blog, Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter, a message board etc.) just provide me with a link when you sign-up so interested readers can follow all the challengers!

This is a voluntary challenge and I want this to be fun.  Hey, life happens.  If you have to skip a month, there will be no ridicule.  Likewise, while there will be bragging rights for those that complete the challenge without skipping a single month - there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Since some readers like a little guidance, I will also be keeping with tradition and providing themes.  These themes are totally voluntary.  If you don't have anything in your TBR that fits, the theme doesn't appeal, or you just want to read something else - go for it! Again, this is meant to be a fun challenge.

Monthly Review Dates And Theme Suggestions

January 15 - We Love Short Shorts! (Short stories, Novellas, category romance)
February 19 - Series Catch-Up (pick a book from a series you're behind on)
March 19 - New-To-You Author (an author you've never read before)
April 16 - Contemporary romance
May 21 - More Than One (An author who has more than one book in your TBR pile)
June 18 - Romance Classics (classic book, classic author, classic trope/theme etc.)
July 16 - Lovely RITA (past RITA winners or nominees)
August 20 - Luscious Love Scenes (erotic romance, erotica, a "sensual" read - leave those "just kisses" books alone this month!)
September 17 - Recommended read (a book recommended to you by someone)
October 15 - Paranormal or romantic suspense
November 19 - Historical romance
December 17 - Holiday themes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, it's all good!)

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2014 100 Books in a Year RC

Hosted by Book Chick City.
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

Challenge Info

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2014 – 31 Dec 2014
• Rules: Read 100 books in 2014 (any genre)
• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2014 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
• Audiobooks are accepted.
• Only fiction, no non-fiction.
• This challenge can crossover with other challenges.
• You don’t have to have a blog to join in – for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc., you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don’t have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link: http://wp.me/p2wdqf-6ZI
• At the beginning of each month I will be posting an open thread so you can discuss the books you’ve read and/or link up your reviews.
1. April Henry; The Night She Disappeared (28th February 2014)

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2014 Ebook Reading Challenge

Hosted by Workaday Reads.
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

Encouraging readers to expand past just physical books to embrace ebooks in all forms.

Reading Challenge Details:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

1. Floppy disk – 5 ebooks
2. CD – 10 ebooks
3. DVD – 25 ebooks
4. Memory stick – 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive – 75 ebooks
6. Server – 100 ebooks
7. Human brain – 150 ebooks

At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews for that month. The linky will remain open for the remainder of the year, so if you forget, feel free go back and add them when you remember.

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2014 Lucky No. 14 Reading Challenge

 
Hosted by Books to Share.

Here are the 14 categories:

1. Visit The Country: Read a book that has setting in a country that you really want to visit in real life. Make sure the setting has a big role in the book and it can make you know a little bit more about your dream destination.

2. Cover Lust: Pick a book from your shelf that you bought because you fell in love with the cover. Is the content as good as the cover?

3. Blame it on Bloggers: Read a book because you’ve read the sparkling reviews from other bloggers. Don’t forget to mention the blogger’s names too!

4. Bargain All The Way: Ever buying a book because it’s so cheap you don’t really care about the content? Now it’s time to open the book and find out whether it’s really worth your cents.

5. (Not So) Fresh From the Oven: Do you remember you bought/got a new released book last year but never had a chance to read it? Dig it from your pile and bring back the 2013.

6. First Letter’s Rule: Read a book which title begins with the same letter as your name (for me, Astrid means A, and I can read anything that started with the letter A). Remember: Articles like “a”, “an” or “the” doesn’t count .

7. Once Upon a Time: Choose a book that’s been published for the first time before you were born (not necessarily has to be a classic book, just something a little bit older than you is okay. You can read the most recent edition if you want to)

8. Chunky Brick: Take a deep breath, and read a book that has more than 500 pages. Yep, the one that you’ve always been afraid of!

9.  Favorite Author: You like their books, but there are too many titles. This is your chance, choose a book that’s been written by your fave author but you haven’t got time to read it before.

10. It’s Been There Forever: Pick up a book that has been there on your shelf for more than a year, clean up the dust and start to read it now .

11. Movies vs Books: You’ve seen the movie adaptation (or planned to see it soon) but never had time to read the book. It’s time to read it now, so you can compare the book vs the movie.

12. Freebies Time: What’s the LAST free book you’ve got? Whether it’s from giveaway, a birthday gift or a surprise from someone special, don’t hold back any longer. Open the book and start reading it now.

13. Not My Cup of Tea: Reach out to a genre that you’ve never tried (or probably just disliked) before. Whether it’s a romance, horror or non fiction, maybe you will find a hidden gem!

14. Walking Down The Memory Lane: Ever had a book that you loved so much as a kid? Or a book that you wish you could read when you were just a child? Grab it now and prepare for a wonderful journey to the past . Comic books or graphic novels are allowed!

RULES:

1. To complete the challenge, you have to read at least one book for each category, or total of 14 books during the challenge period. You can set your own pace and do not need to follow the categories in particular order. You can also read more than one book for each category. You have to write your reviews in your blog/FB note/Goodreads page/tumblr/etc.

2. Please write a master post about this challenge in your blog/Goodreads/FB notes/etc, and submit your link below for signing up. You can use this master post to sort down the book(s) that you’ll read for each category, and edit them later if necessary. The sign-up linky will be opened from November 12, 2013 throughout the year until December 1, 2014.

3. There are also linkies for each category of the challenge. Please submit your link of review posts for each category in their respective linkies. These linkies will be opened in January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014.

4. At the end of the challenge, write down a wrap-up post and submit the link in the linky too. The linky for wrap-up posts will be opened until January 10, 2015 to give you more time for wrapping things up. It’s okay if you don’t finish the challenge but you are not eligible to be selected as the winner.

5. After the wrap up post linky is closed, I will pick two lucky winners who had completed the challenge for winning great bookish prizes (including book vouchers, novels, and other exclusive bookish gimmicks/goodies  ) The prizes will be revealed soon, so please stay tuned. You must have delivery address in Indonesia to be eligible for the two grand prizes.

6. If you are an international participant who doesn’t have Indonesian mailing address, don’t worry, I’ll also choose two winners, each winner can pick any book from The Book Depository for maximum of $ 10.

7. I’ll try to write a round-up post every month and pick some of the most interesting reviews. And who knows? Probably there will be some surprise gifts and giveaways throughout the year

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2014 Bingo Challenge

Hosted by Another Novel Read.
The Goals for this Challenge

• B1: Book I bought but haven’t read yet
• B2: Book recommended by a friend
• B3: Book outside my comfort zone
• B4: Book that teaches me something
• B5: Finish/reread a series

• I1: Nonfiction book I already own
• I2: Book I got for free
• I3: Ebook I already own
• I4: Book I’m excited for
• I5: Book about food

• N1: Classic on my TBR list
• N2: 2013 debut I missed last year
• N3: FREE SQUARE!
• N4: Verse novel
• N5: Book I got signed but haven’t read

• G1: Finish a series ending in 2014
• G2: Adult book on my TBR list
• G3: Book by an author I haven’t read before
• G4: Book that uses experimental prose
• G5: Finish a series that ended before 2014

• O1: Standalone book on my TBR list
• O2: Indie book
• O3: Book I started years ago and forgot about
• O4: Visual novel
• O5: Chunkster

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2014 Eclectic Reader Challenge

Hosted by Book’d Out.

Categories

1. Award Winning
2. True Crime (Non Fiction)
3. Romantic Comedy
4. Alternate History Fiction
5. Graphic Novel
6. Cosy Mystery Fiction
7. Gothic Fiction
8. War/Military Fiction
9. Anthology
10. Medical Thriller Fiction
11. Travel (Non Fiction)
12. Published in 2014

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2014 Reading Outside The Box Challenge

Hosted by The Cheap Reader.

• Read a Chunkster: Read a book with 600+ pages.
• Reading by Ear: Listen to an audiobook
• Accidentally Watched the Movie First: You didn’t realize the movie was based on a book until after you watched it. Ideally you haven’t read the book yet.
• Relive the Magic: Reread a book you really enjoyed as a kid but haven’t touched it since then.
• Gathering Dust: You’ve had this book for years and you still haven’t read it.
• Loved By Others: Other people really love this book but for whatever reason you haven’t read it yet.
• Lost in Translation: This book was originally written in another language.
• Second Chance: You read this book a while back and didn’t enjoy it, didn’t finish it, or were on the fence about it. Time to give it another try!

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2014 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

Hosted by Bookmark2Blog.
JANUARY 1, 2014 - DECEMBER 31, 2014

MONTHLY MOTIFS:

Jan- Around the World
Choose a book to read that takes place in a country different than the one you live in or choose a book written by an author that is from a country different than your own.

Feb- Award Winner
Read a book that has won recognition or a literary award.  Here's a list of literary awards to help you get started on your search: Literary Awards.

Mar-  Fairy tales or Fairy Creatures
Read a fairy tale retelling or a book with fey/fairies in it.

Apr- Short & Sweet
Read a collection of short stories or anthologies.

May- Mystery, Murder, & Mayhem
Read a murder/mystery book, a book in which someone dies of mysterious causes, or a book in which a mystery must be solved.

June-  A Long Journey
Read a book in which the character(s) take a trip, go on a quest, or find themselves on a journey toward something, etc.

July- Assassins, Warriors, & Rebels
Read a book in which the main character is one of these things or fights against one of these things.

Aug- Alternate Reality
Read a book that's set in the future, on another planet, in another dimension, or in an unknown world. A Dystopian book will count this month as well.

Sep- Book to Movie
Read a book that has a movie based off of it. For an extra challenge, see the movie as well.

Oct- The Witching Hour
There's been a lot of zombies lately, but this year include a 'witchy' book in your scary reads- a book about a witch or a book that has witches in it.

Nov- An Oldie but a Goodie
Pick a book published before 2000 that you've always wanted to read, but just never got to. Or pick a book set in the past (before 2000).

Dec- That's a Wrap
Finish a series you've been meaning to finish or read the next book in a series you started but never finished.

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2014 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge

Hosted by Bookmark2Blog.
JANUARY 1, 2014 - DECEMBER 31, 2014

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge! For this challenge I have chosen six key words associated with each month in 2014. Your task is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the key words for that month.

GUIDELINES:

* The title you choose can be a variation on one of the key words. For example- your title could include the word 'snowing' or 'snowflake' even though the key word is 'snow.'

*Key words can be tweaked. For example- You could read "Cinder" or "Ashes" for the key word 'Fire' and that would be just fine. If the key word is 'family' then your title could include the word 'sister' or 'mother.'If the key word is 'food' then your title could include the word 'cake.' "

MONTHLY KEY WORDS:
JAN- Angel, Secret, Clock, Black, Day, Wild
FEB- Her, Life, Night, Red, Dark, Island
MAR- Forever, Inside, Storm, Sky, Flower, Stay 
APR- Star, Light, Never, Princess, Break, Clear
MAY- Dawn, Death, End, Lost, Beautiful, And
JUN- Color, Beyond, Found, Place, Grave, Road
JUL- Crash, Ship, Prince, Whisper, Sun, Of
AUG- Forgotten, Down, True, Run, Danger, Me
SEP- Number, Take, Shadow, Ice, Who, After
OCT- Ocean, Blood, Still, Out, The, Fate
NOV- Into, Sound, Blue, House, My, Last
DEC- Kiss, Fire, Ruin, White, Promise, Infinity

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New Author Challenge 2014

Hosted by Literary Escapism.
Here are the guidelines:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from short stories/novellas or anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky. We all want to know about your new experience.
4. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome. You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.

Authors discovered:
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2014 I love Library Books Reading Challenge

Hosted by Book Dragon’s Lair.
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

Our love of reading can be expensive! Not only are we purchasing books but some of us also need space to keep them. I had so much fun with this challenge last year. Let's do it again!
There are a number of levels, for those who don't have a library card yet to those that live there. Enjoy!
Requirements:

• choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
• check books out of the library
• books may overlap with other challenges
• any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
• reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is. (post with review linky is coming)
• a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in.

Levels:

• board book – 3 ←
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• adult - 36
• just insert IV - 50

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Sunday Stealing: Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection Meme

Hosted by: Sunday Stealing.
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
    I found my man, I get a non-reader to read.
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
    Running two libraries at once.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
    I found an awesome man, who was my crush and we are together going strong (yes I am so mushy this year)
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
    Work related things.
5. Pick three words to describe 2013.
    Awesome, Unexpected, Hard.
6. What were the best books you read this year?
    OMG.. I read so little this year it’s just disappointing. I guess it would be Elizabeth Smart’s My Story.
7. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
    Arthur. Gnab, Shidah
8. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
    I got over (got better?) a past that was repeating, hurtful, and I have grown stronger, happier, and absolutely wonderful.
9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
    I stopped going in circles.
10. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
    I start thinking of myself first instead of what other’s expected of me.
11. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
    I’m fitter now. Healthier.
12. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
    I stopped pleasing them. As long as I do the right thing, I am fine. Regardless what they think of me.
13. What was the most enjoyable part of your work?
    The fact that it is more of a paid hobby
14. What was the most challenging part of your work?
    Lots of things that I can’t control.
15. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? 
     Waiting for people who wasting my time.
16. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
    Mmm.. spending it with my man, my friends, I got to zumba!
17. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
    You can change people to the better if they don’t want to change themselves.
18. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2013 for you.
    Unexpected surprise.

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2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Hosted by Evie Bookish.
Rules:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon, Random Buzzers or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  2014 ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBRPILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;) 
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE giveaway.
11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:
1-10 - A Firm Handshake ←
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - First Kiss
31-40 - Sweet Summer Fling
41-50 - Could this be love?
50+ - Married With Children

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2014 Retellings + Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Nighttime Novelist.

Rules/Information

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. I will post a wrap-up post at the end of each month with a link to my retelling review(s) for that month. Each retelling read MUST be reviewed in some way.
• Novel-length (150+ pages) fiction only
• No more than 2 re-reads
• All formats allowed
• Anyone can join at any time in the year, although books read prior to joining do not count.
• You don’t have to have a blog to join; reviewing on Goodreads or Amazon is fine as long as everybody can see it.
• Books don’t have to be stated in advance; it’s up to you!
• ARC’s are fine, but try to read some that aren’t new releases.
• Retellings can be anything from a contemporary version of a Shakespeare play to an interpretation of Sleeping Beauty. As long as there is evidence it is a retelling of some kind, it will most likely count. But you can’t just start reading a random book and go, “Oh! This sort of reminds me of blankety-blank.” There must be some sort of statement that this is based on a prior work.
• The retelling can have an oral origin. Not all legends/myths were traditionally written down, but if it’s a legitimate story, it works. For example, most Native American folklore was not written, but a retelling of some Iroquois tale is perfectly valid.

Levels

• Easy: 1-5 books
• Not So Easy: 6-12 books
• I Like A Challenge: 13-19 books
• I Eat Easy for Breakfast: 20+

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2014 Everything YA Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Books and Iced Coffee.
January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

What are the rules to the challenge?

• Participants must create a shelf or a page to where they can list the books that they have read for the year.
• Book must meet any of the sub- genres of the young adult category, whether it’s paranormal, romance, drama, contemporary, horror, etc.
• Must be longer than 100 pages.
• The year of when the book was published does not matter. As long as you have read the book in 2014, it will be accepted.
• TO THOSE WHO HAVE A BLOG, feel free to post up a review of each book that you have read for the challenge and provide a link please?? I would love to read it :)
• All formats are acceptable (paperback, ARC, ebook, etc.)

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2014 Women Challenge #2

Hosted by: PeekaBook.it.

Rules:
○ Anyone can join;
○ You don't need a blog to participate: if you are a non-blogger please leave a comment with a link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the list of the books you read and the level you choose;
○ Audio, e-books, bound books and re-reads are ok;
○ Challenge goes from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014;
○ Here you can link for your reviews.

Levels:
Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books written by a woman author
Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books written by a woman author
Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books written by a woman author
Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books written by a woman author

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2014 TBR Pile Challenge

Hosted by: Roofbeam Reader.
January 01, 2014 – December 31, 2014
Goal: 12 books from your “To Be Read” pile (within 12 months)
Specifics:
1. Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2013 or later (any book published in the year 2012 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile – I WILL be checking publication dates). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.
2. Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable, as long as you have never read the book before and it was published before 2013!
3. Your complete and final list must be posted by January 15th, 2014.

*Note – You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. As you complete a book – review it, and go back to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review - that will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered. For an example of what I mean, Click Here.

Monthly Check-Ins: On the 15th of each month, I’m going to post a “TBR Pile Check-In.” This will allow participants to link-up their reviews from the past month and get some recognition for their progress. There will also be small mini-challenges and giveaways to go along with these posts (Such As: Read 6 books by the June Check-in and be entered to win a book of your choice!). I’m hoping this will help to keep us all on track and make the challenge a bit more engaging/interactive. I started these mini-challenges last year, and I think they were a great success, so I am continuing them this year!

Chat: On Twitter, Instagram & Facebook, use #TBRChallengeRBR

01. Padraic Colum; The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles (1983, Simon Pulse)
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Book Review: Girl, Stolen; by April Henry

So many friends and readers had refer me this book for quite a time now, and I had put it off because I refused to be peer pressured into reading anything. (Yeah that was weird).

Wow.. unintentional kidnapped teenager in the backseat, throw in the twist that she is blind and sick with pneumonia. This is why you don’t leave kids unattended in a car, even for a bit while! You probably have your kid kidnapped and ransomed! Or even dead! Cheyenne, despite, sick and blind is quite brave. She formed a bond with her unintended kidnapper, Griffin, ironically from his father and the other two blockheads who worked with his father.

I still don’t get why a parent would leave a sick blind teenager alone in a car (even for a little while!). I actually expected to be on the edge of my seat for this one, but it wasn’t so. Griffin was obviously not going to harm her of any way after reading 2-3 chapters. Of course the rest of the character was doing a cliché. It wasn’t that bad, but it would have been a better read. it does show me the insides of being blind, feelings and such.

For a fan of tragedies, crime, mystery realistic fiction, as I said, it didn’t really put me at the edge of my seat, but enough to get me keep reading till the end. That was a good try. and honestly, it could really need an edge or two. (it feels like Hallmark)

Girl, Stolen
By April Henry

Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.
Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her.
How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?

Finished Reading: 07th December 2013
Acquire: 11th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Teens 
Release Day }  01st October 2012
Publisher } Henry Holt and Co.
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780805090055
Pages } 213 pages
Source } BookSwap
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
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Stacking The Shelves; In The “Mailbox” Monday 09/11/2013 - 10/11/2013

In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren
Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.
Friday Finds hosted by Should Be Reading.

The Lucy Variations
By Sara Zarr
{Bookswap}
Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.
That was all before she turned fourteen.
Now, at sixteen, it's over. A death, and a betrayal, led her to walk away. That leaves her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family expectations. Then Gus gets a new piano teacher who is young, kind, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano -- on her own terms. But when you're used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?
National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr takes readers inside the exclusive world of privileged San Francisco families, top junior music competitions, and intense mentorships. The Lucy Variations is a story of one girl's struggle to reclaim her love of music and herself. It's about finding joy again, even when things don't go according to plan. Because life isn't a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way.

Lichgates (The Grimoire Saga #1)
By S. M. Boyce
{Bookswap}
Kara, a college student still reeling from her mother’s recent death, has no idea the hidden world of Ourea even exists until a freak storm traps her in a sunken library. With no way out, she opens an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire and unwittingly becomes its master, which means Kara now wields the cursed book’s untamed power. Discovered by Ourea's royalty, she becomes an unwilling pawn in a generations-old conflict—a war intensified by her arrival. In this world of chilling creatures and betrayal, Kara shouldn’t trust anyone… but she’s being hunted and can’t survive on her own. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn’t know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.
For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this human girl, there is something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.

Dracula: A Modern Telling
By Victor Methose
{BookSwap}
THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS LIVES...
Here are the confessions of the world's most famous vampire. Once a prince of untold power and ruthlessness, now a rock star living in Los Angeles, Dracula walks among us. Seeking answers to his magical and horrifying existence, Dracula flies through the centuries in search of a love that was taken from him.
When Jonathan Harker, a journalist with Rolling Stone, travels to Dracula's secluded mansion for an interview, he finds a home filled with secrets and a man that is not what he appears.
Stalked by three lovely creatures, Jonathan must find a way to escape and return to the woman he loves...before it's too late.
AN OLD TALE FOR MODERN AUDIENCES...
Retold for this century, Victor Methos captures the beauty and eroticism of the original Bram Stoker classic and reveals Dracula's origins. It is a mesmerizing story of love, passion, and evil.
Fuse of Armageddon
By Sigmund Brouwer, Hank Hanegraaff
{BookSwap}
Nothing more could go wrong for maverick hostage negotiator Mulvaney Quinn. First stabbed in the hand during a failed terrorist burst, then arrested for a hate crime he didn't commit. Now Quinn must come face to face with his past in order to stop the worst terrorist threat of all time-a plot to bring about the ultimate religious uprising by destroying one of the most sacred relics in history.
But the "Fuse of Armageddon" has already been lit. With the clock ticking down toward a global catastrophe, Quinn must team up with the most unlikely ally of all-the woman who arrested him-to bring down an even more unlikely coalition of enemies. Facing an unholy trinity of a Jewish fanatic, a Muslim terrorist, and a "Christian" freedom fighter, only Quinn can stop them from achieving their goal. But will he be in time? Or is it already too late? Because when Armageddon is unleashed, the fate of the entire world hangs in the balance.

Waiting for You (Waiting for You #1)
By Shey Stahl
{Bookswap}
Bailey Gray is tired of her perfectly planned life. Everything about her life has been organized and lived out to the expectations set of her parents. She is the class valedictorian, has perfect grades, the perfect friends, a perfect boyfriend, basically perfect life...or so everyone thought. That's when she realizes the path planned isn't always the path chosen.
On graduation day she makes a decision. One that changes everything she thought she knew about her intended future.
On a whim, she runs away with the town rebel, Dylan Wade, in search of the unknown.
Dylan Wade isn't looking to run away from anything.
He knows what he wants as he's been waiting on it for years.
On a journey to find the unknown, they discover a friendship they once knew along the open highway and have not a care in the world. Between the yellow and white lines of the heated summer asphalt, a spark draws them together as Dylan's past and Bailey future try to ripe them apart.
Could it be that Dylan and his GTO are exactly what her perfectly planned life needs?

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Stacking The Shelves; In The “Mailbox” Monday 02/11/2013 - 03/11/2013

 
In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren
Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.
Friday Finds hosted by Should Be Reading.

From Neighbors… to Newlyweds?
by Brenda Harlen
Acquire: Book Swap
When Georgia Reed moved her twin boys and infant daughter out of the bustling city, she didn't expect to have a doctor on call. But her gorgeous neighbor—and part-owner of the cutest litter of puppies she's ever seen—wasn't your typical orthopedic surgeon. Matt Garrett was the most popular bachelor in town…and when he asked Georgia on a date, the single mom couldn't say no.All Matt ever wanted was a family—and the right woman. Ever since he moved next door, he had a sneaking suspicion that Georgia was that woman. The beautiful widow and her kids came as a package deal…which suited Matt just fine. Now if only he could make Georgia see that they could be more than good neighbors….

Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me A Family Man
By Brian McGrory
Acquire: Book Swap
Award-winning journalist Brian McGrory goes head to beak in a battle royale with another male for a top-spot in his home, vying for dominance with the family’s pet rooster. 
   Brian McGrory's life changed drastically after the death of his beloved dog, Harry: he fell in love with Pam, Harry's veterinarian. Though Brian’s only responsibility used to be his adored Harry, Pam came with accessories that could not have been more exotic to the city-loving bachelor: a home in suburbia, two young daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, and a portly, snow white, red-crowned-and-wattled step-rooster named Buddy. While Buddy loves the women of the house, he takes Brian's presence as an affront, doing everything he can to drive out his rival. Initially resistant to elements of his new life and to the loud, aggressive rooster (who stares menacingly, pecks threateningly, and is constantly poised to attack), Brian eventually sees that Buddy shares the kind of extraordinary relationship with Pam and her two girls that he wants for himself. The rooster is what Brian needs to be – strong and content, devoted to what he has rather than what might be missing. As he learns how to live by living with animals, Buddy, Brian’s nemesis, becomes Buddy, Brian’s inspiration, in this inherently human story of love, acceptance, and change.
   In the tradition of bestsellers like Marley and Me, Dewey, and The Tender Bar comes a heartwarming and wise tale of finding love in life’s second chapter - and how it means all the more when you have to fight for it.
Regent (The Balance of Power #1)
By Brian Rathbone
Regent, book one of The Balance of Power trilogy, is the much anticipated continuation of the World of Godsland fantasy series, which began with The Dawning of Power trilogy.
In the years since the end of The Herald War, the world has become complacent despite Catrin Volker's warnings. When the darkness of her visions comes to pass, no one is prepared, and the fate of humanity will rest in her hands.

The Dawning of Power (World of Godsland #1-3)
by Brian Rathbone
Echoes of the ancients' power are distant memories, tattered and faded by the passage of eons, but that is about to change. A new dawn has arrived. Latent abilities, harbored in mankind's deepest fibers, wait to be unleashed. Ancient evils awaken, and old fears ignite the fires of war. In times such as these, ordinary people have the power to save the world...or destroy it.

 Magic of Thieves (Legends of Dimmingwood #1)
By C. Greenwood
In a province where magic is forbidden and its possessors are murdered by the cruel Praetor, young Ilan, born with the powerful gift of her ancestors, has only one hope for survival. Concealment. In the shadow of Dimmingwood, she finds temporary protection with a band of forest brigands led by the infamous outlaw Rideon the Red Hand.
But as Ilan matures, learns the skills of survival, and struggles to master the inherent magic of her dying race, danger is always close behind. When old enemies reappear and new friendships lead to betrayal, will her discovery of an enchanted bow prove to be Ilan’s final salvation or her ultimate downfall?
* * * * *
When I was small, my mother taught me about the magickless—evil men who hunted our kind to destroy us. They came from across the water to steal the lands of our ancestors. Pretending to want peace, they enslaved us and sought to extinguish what they couldn’t possess, the one thing their harsh laws could never control. Our ancient powers. One day, my mother warned me, violence would shatter the safety of our home, and when that day came, we must fight. And we must win.

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Stacking The Shelves; In The “Mailbox” Monday 26/10/2013 - 27/10/2013

In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren
Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.
Friday Finds hosted by Should Be Reading.

Dear Mr. Darcy: A Retelling of Pride and Prejudice
By Amanda Grange
In this imaginative retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Amanda Grange now tells the classic story through the eyes of its compelling romantic hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy—in a series of revealing letters that casts a sparkling new reflection on the manners and morals of the landed gentry in 19th-century England…

Here, for the first time, are the letters written by the exceedingly proud and stubborn Mr. Darcy, covering the life-changing events that defined him—from the death of his father, to his control of his Derbyshire estate of Pemberley to his conflicted courtship with the lively, intelligent, and delightfully willful Elizabeth Bennet. Try as he may, he cannot deny his attraction to this woman with fine eyes, a playful spirit, a mind of her own… and an embarrassing family that is frankly, and utterly, beneath him. But it is Elizabeth who controls both their destinies, and whose surprises will change Darcy’s life yet again.

Hook & Jill (Hook and Jill Saga #1)
by Andrea Jones
In this startling new vision of a cultural classic, Wendy intends to live happily ever after with Peter Pan. But Time, like this tale,behaves in a most unsettling way. As Wendy mothers the Lost Boys in Neverland, they thrive on adventure. She struggles to keep her boys safe from the Island's many hazards, but she finds a more subtle threat encroaching from an unexpected quarter. . . . The children are growing up, and only Peter knows the punishment

Other Oceans (Hook and Jill Saga #2)
by Andrea Jones
"Identify the weapon, and use it first." Such is the code of Captain James Hook, in this lyrical sequel to Hook & Jill. And this time, the turmoil begins not with 'The Boy' — but with a girl.
Ten days out of Neverbay, Hook and Jill capture a ship's surgeon, pressing him to join the Roger. But Doctor Hanover is a gentleman, with a daughter to defend. When Red-Handed Jill shows him favor, his heart is taken prisoner, too. Hanover contrives to deliver Jill from the pirate king, and redeem her to society…as his wife.
But Captain Hook is impossible to escape. Other rivals contend for Jill's red hand, and Hook fights for supremacy with his skill and brilliance. When the doctor's daughter draws Hook's eye, she emulates Jill, using feminine weapons to charm him.
With no word of farewell, Hook vanishes, and Jill is a queen without a king. To hold Hook's power, she must come to terms with each of the dangerous men in her domain. When a challenger seizes command of the Roger — and over Jill — Hook and Jill's dominion will be overthrown unless, as Hook has taught Jill to do, she can identify the weapon…and wield it wickedly.
Other Oceans is an unabashed study in loyalty, vibrant with the dynamics of power. From the pen of a masterful crafter, Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga delivers all the exhilaration that a clash of wills, hearts, and fortune can arouse.
Infraction (The Burn #2)
by Annie Oldham
Violent nomads. The coming winter. Jack's unspoken feelings. Leaving the relative peace of the settlement is more difficult than Terra ever imagined. But what she should fear most is the government that professes to protect its citizens. Imprisoned in a labor camp, Terra learns just how much the corrupt regime wants absolute control. Never has she felt more powerless to act. But there's always the call of the ocean, and her captors just might underestimate how powerful that call can be.
Kiss of the Betrayer (Bringer and the Bane #2)
By Boone Brux
For fifteen years Luc Le Daun has blamed himself for the death of the woman he loved. His secret guilt has led him into a life of danger, risking all and committing to none.
Killing Luc Le Daun has been all Jade Kendell has thought about for years. But when her plan goes awry and she’s brought into the Bringers’ fold, her own dark secret threatens to be revealed. Desire for a better life wars with a promise made long before she understood the ramifications.
In a deadly mission, Jade and Luc embark on a journey into the Shadow World. As they attempt the impossible, ignoring the attraction growing between them becomes harder to deny. The slightest misstep could mean the loss of their souls and give the Demon King exactly what he needs to open the Abyss of Souls and annihilate the Bringers.

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Book Review: No Way Back; By Chloe Adams

Wow. Just WOW. I am quite overwhelmed now. I am not sure how to go around this one, plus I don’t really know where to start. 

Oh! before I start, I guess I should warn you, this book is highly descriptive and might trigger anybody who are on the survivor list.

Now on to my thoughts.

The cover caught me from first sight. The model did right job in posing for it. It’s just pure perfect. Then, the blurb is just heart tugging. I honestly feel sorry for the main character. The author did an awesome job in humanizing Mia Abbott-Renou throughout this book.

Everybody said, don’t drink from the glass a stranger bought you. Nor drink from your own glass which you has left for a while. Why? Your drink might get spike with drugs by strangers. This book is all about that.

I must say, for some, it’s pretty much graphic, the event, and her post-trauma. It’s a hard book to read. It’s really heart wrenching on what Mia have gone through. I’m afraid to put the book down because I didn’t want to leave Mia alone in her troubles.

How people who are supposed to protect her, support her ended up making her feel alone. It sad how she blamed herself for what happened, especially when another victim died. I do wish her father showed her much support instead of just running around doing "”damage control” and running his election campaign. Her uncle Chris however, regardless how “profession front he has been showing, I’m glad he actually showed a bit of compassion to Mia of what she went through.

Ari has been an awesome, wonderful good friend for Mia. That was an upside of things. And then there's Dom. He was her personal rock who reminded her of her grandfather. He just made you go.. aww…. (I’m not kidding)

Personally, Jenna deserved it. *hehe*

What pissed me off, the way it left me hanging at the end. Grr cliffhangers! I seriously need to stop reading cliffhangers books!  Otherwise It has been a good emotional read. God, this book is amazing!

No Way Back (Mia’s Way #1)
By Chloe Adams

Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.
The wealthy daughter of a high-ranking politician, seventeen year old Mia Abbott-Renou has everything: designer clothes, wealth, spring breaks in Monte Carlo. She lives blissfully unaware of her family’s secrets, until the night she is raped by the son of her father’s greatest political ally.
Her father forbids her from going to the police and threatens to throw her out if she does. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose, if the public sours on his doting father image when they realize his daughter is an underage lush and party girl. He can’t risk splintering the party in a nasty court battle that’s certain to draw way too much press, even if that means sacrificing his daughter.
Mia’s world is shattered twice, once by the men who hurt her, and once by the betrayal of her family. She does what her father says. But the rapists strike again and beat their next victim near death.
With the help of her best friend and a couple of unlikely allies, Mia must decide: does she risk losing everything to do what’s right? Or does she turn her back on the truth and preserve the family name?
What’s privileged girl to do, when her perfect little world isn't so perfect anymore?

Finished Reading: 14th April 2013
Acquire: 23th March 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Abuse | Young Adult | Teens
Release Day }  27th October 2012
Publisher }
Format } e-book
ISBN } B009Y8D9R0
Pages } 179 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
Support my reading by getting your copy }

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Friday Finds; Stacking The Shelves; In The “Mailbox” Monday

In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren
Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.
Friday Finds hosted by Should Be Reading. 

No Way Back (Mia’s Way #1)
By Chloe Adams

Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.
The wealthy daughter of a high-ranking politician, seventeen year old Mia Abbott-Renou has everything: designer clothes, wealth, spring breaks in Monte Carlo. She lives blissfully unaware of her family’s secrets, until the night she is raped by the son of her father’s greatest political ally.
Her father forbids her from going to the police and threatens to throw her out if she does. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose, if the public sours on his doting father image when they realize his daughter is an underage lush and party girl. He can’t risk splintering the party in a nasty court battle that’s certain to draw way too much press, even if that means sacrificing his daughter.
Mia’s world is shattered twice, once by the men who hurt her, and once by the betrayal of her family. She does what her father says. But the rapists strike again and beat their next victim near death.
With the help of her best friend and a couple of unlikely allies, Mia must decide: does she risk losing everything to do what’s right? Or does she turn her back on the truth and preserve the family name?
What’s privileged girl to do, when her perfect little world isn't so perfect anymore?

Me Since You
By Laura Wiess
Expected Publication Sept 2013

“Laura Wiess’s masterful prose kept me turning the pages. This is the first book in a very long time that made me say, ‘Wish I’d written this’” (Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank, onSuch a Pretty Girl).
Sixteen-year-old Rowan is still reeling from her father’s suicide four months ago, after he failed to stop a man from leaping off an overpass to his death. The only witness is Eli, a teenaged boy wrapped deep in mourning for his own father, killed in action in Afghanistan. When Rowan and Eli meet, they recognize kindred spirits, and begin to navigate grief and its aftermath together.
Rowan can’t understand how her father could choose to leave her, and acts out, pushing away friends and taking risks with her safety. Rowan’s mother, wracked with her own guilt and sorrow over failing to save her husband, stops going to work and collects stray cats for comfort. Grief, fractured and unpredictable, rules their lives now. Rowan is lost—and sinking. But Eli represents a lifeline for Rowan, and as they struggle to make sense of what’s gone and what is left behind, they begin to fall in love. Me Since You is Laura Wiess at her finest—a beautiful, gripping and painfully honest examination of adolescence.

Wide Awake
By Shelly Crane

A girl.
A coma.
A life she can't remember.
When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.
Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?

Forsaken – An American Sasquatch Tale
By Christine Conder

Sasquatch with heart.
A Sasquatch mother, still devastated by the disappearance of her daughter a year ago, is shocked when she gets word her girl may be alive.
Not just alive, but human.
Liberty Brewster has started to accept she may never know what happened to her daughter, Sage. There are other things to worry about now. Her widowed, human advocate is dying. When he passes, she and her mate will be forced to relocate.
When another member of their colony claims to have seen Sage, however, all of that changes.
Willing to break every Sasquatch rule in the quest to find her daughter, Liberty sets out to discover the truth, uncovering a secret about her ancestors that threatens to unravel everything she knows about her legacy in the process.

Treasure Tides (The Coins #1)
By Deniece Greene

Becki Stephens is living the dream in a beach house along the coast of South Carolina. A diving expedition leads to the discovery of more than sharks' teeth when she discovers a crate on the ocean floor.
Royce St. John is a Special Operations Team Leader for the Secret Council of Elders. "The Council" consists of both mortal and immortal members. Their primary function; to make sure humans continue to believe Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and other mythical beings were just that, a myth.
Royce’s mission - to recover a set of missing coins. The coins originally belonged to Merlin, who "spelled" each of them centuries ago. Stolen by rogue warlock, they have fallen into circulation among the general population. Royce had successfully recovered the first coin in the set, when things went terribly wrong.
Damn Witches! They boxed him up like last year's Christmas decorations and dumped the spelled crate into Charleston Harbor. When Royce regains consciousness, he is trapped in a box, pissed, and two years behind schedule! He fumes as he waits, not so patiently, for the moon to trigger the crate's unlocking sequence. He only hopes his body is fully restored by then, and that all of his parts are located in their proper places!
Becki’s world is about to change in ways she never dreamed possible. Her crate holds secrets she may not be able to handle, and a man who steals her heart the first moment she sees him.... walking naked through her living room!

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