52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012

Robin (of My Two Blessings) is the host of the returning 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge (which has it's own blog home).

The challenge is simple: read 52 books in a year (thus, the 52 weeks).  It can be any book you want - easy or hard; as Robin states: "The goal is to read 52 books.  How you get there is up to you."

There are, however, 5 mini-challenges participants can choose to take part in:
1.  12 in 2012 - Read 12 books in 12 different categories
2.  A to Z Challenge - Read books alphabetically by title and/or author
3.  Jane Austen - Read all things Jane Austen
4.  Mind Voyages - Read science fiction, specifically from the Hugo and Nebula Awards lists
5.  Well Educated Mind - Read the classics in five different categories, including fiction, autobiographies, history/politics, drama, and poetry

There will also be weekly challenges to participate in.  A new challenge week begins every Sunday and any type of book is acceptable except children's.

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I was on the fence about this challenge.  While I wanted to take part, I was hestitate about the schedule (my reading tends to go in spurts).  But I thought, what the heck - all I can do is fail, right? ;)

I'll be adding books as they are read.  I haven't yet decided if I'll take part in any of the mini-challenges.  But, if I do decide to do so, I'll note in brackets after a title if it pertains to a particular challenge.  The same goes with the weekly challenges, if I decide to complete those as well.  We'll just have to see where the reading fairies take me! ;)

As titles are read, they will be added, dated, and a link to the review posted.  The "Week #" link in brackets before the book is for the specific weekly post at the "52 Books" blog. 
1.  (Week 1) Doctor Who, volume 1: Fugitive by Tony Lee; ill. by Al Davison and Matthew Dow Smith (1 January 2012/Review)
2.  (Week 2 - missed) (Week 3) Genealogical Standards of Evidence by Brenda Dougall Merriman (19 January 2012/Review)
3.  (Week 4) Chicks Dig Time Lords: a Celebration of Doctor Who By the Women Who Love It edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea (23 January 2012/Review)
4.  Hidden Star by Nora Roberts (23 January 2012/Review coming - not yet posted to "52 books" site)
5.  (Week 5)

Tea and Books Reading Challenge

1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012

Birgit from The Book Garden is hosting the Tea and Books Reading Challenge.

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.
- C. S. Lewis

Birgit's challenge is inspired by the above quote and she is challenging participants to read books with more than 700 pages.  Novels only, no large print, short story collections/anthologies, audio books, or re-reads.

There are 4 levels to choose from:
Chamomile Lover - read 2 700+ page books
Berry Tea Devotee - read 4 700+ page books
Earl Grey Aficionado - read 6 700+ page books
Sencha Connoisseur - read 8 or more 700+ page books

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I'm going to attempt Chamomile Lover (2 books), since I don't usually read hefty books (but maybe here's my chance to do so! ;)

As titles are read, they will be dated, a link to a review posted, and (finally, since I love to do it!) crossed out.
1.  The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (1174 pages)
2.  An Irish History of Civilization (volume 1) by Donald Harman Akenson (828 pages)

150+ Reading Challenge

1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012

Amy from My Overstuffed Bookshelf is upping the ante and hosting the 150+ Reading Challenge.

The goal is to read 150 or more books.  Any format is allowed (as Amy states: "as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts"), except for individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

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I'm looking forward to completing this challenge - I like to push myself with my reading! ;)

As titles are read, they will be dated, a link to a review posted, and (finally, since I love to do it!) crossed out.

1.