Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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2011 May Monthly Challenge: Reader's Thread
Jim, might I make a suggestion? *Lethal ducks* Bolding the level numbers (like so---> 1.) and/or making the levels & requirements clearer like this:1.Blah blah blah
2.Muahaha
3.I'm so freaking tired. When the hell did the sun come up?
I suggest because right now the levels & requirements kind of blend together & make them harder to tell apart from each other.
Jim, great categories. And when you mentioned levels, you are calling out to my competitive spirit (so wish I didn't feel that!). I'm tempted to say 10 Level 3, but I will cool down. A question though, can we mix and match levels?And I second lethalLovely's suggestion.. Bolding would make it more readable.
I am going to attempt level 2!1. Mmmmm! (Summer time!) - Get Lucky - Katherine Center
2. Birthday - Something Like Fate - Susane Colasanti
3. India - Wheel of Surya - Jamila Gavin
4. Cinco de Mayo - The Six Rules of Maybe - Deb Caletti
5. Mother - A Secret Kept - Tatiana de Rosnay
6. Rescue - Life of Pi - Yann Martel
7. May Flowers - Heaven and Earth - Nora Roberts
8. Future - The Angel Experiment - James Patterson
9. Horror/Scary - On The Street Where You Live - Mary Higgins Clark
10. Reader's Choice - Water for Elephants - Jacob Jankowski
In for 5! 1.1: Starts with "M" =
4.2: 5 words in the title =
7.1: May Flowers = The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
8.1; Alternative Realities =
9.2: Horror =
* Indicate April Pick it for me Recommendation that I didn't have time to read
8/101-M for May-Mac's Law by Sarah McCarty
2-May GR bookshelf-Untamed by PC Cast
3-Author, Setting or character from India
4 Fifth in Series-Hunted by PC CAST
5-Heroine is Mother-Falling For You by Linda Engman
6-Rescue Worker-Absolutely Positively by Heather Webber
7-Flower on Cover A Man for Mia by Linda Kage
8-Alternate realities Burned by PC Cast
9-Book with luck or fortune in the lines of the title
10-Readers Choice-Love Under Two Benedicts by Cara Covington
oh yipes!! ok jim, one more suggestion...could you please maybe bold the category title, and then start each number on a new line - yes, i'm being a pain! (my brain is so not processing those options)
I said it once and I'll say it again - Jim you are an evil geniusmwahhhhhaahhhhaaah
Great twist
Think i'm in for 3, just have to figure out what to read.
I'm in for all 10. Will post book list when I figure out what to read. :)Thanks Jim for sorting it out this month!
none that I can see...it makes it soo much more readable don't you think??Photojim wrote: "*growl growl grumble grumble... Ok give me a minute...
OK done. Any other formatting complaints?"
Oh, wow, this is going to be
OMG, Jim! Love the categories!!I was JUST about to start an audiobook with from an Indian author...now I'll just probably leave it for next month!
I'm in! This sounds great! I'll be mixing the levels around - this'll be fun to decide what I want to do! Great list Jim!
I'm going to commit to 8 again this month. The level? Hmmmm, probably, mostly 2s - I don't think I could be more wishy washy there. I will post as I go!
Amy wrote: "In for 5!1. Starts with "M" = Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville
3. 5 words in the title = The Beauty of Humanity Movement by [author:Camilla G..."
You are voluntarily reading Moby Dick? This scarred me in high school 25 years ago. I still can't get over the whiteness of the whale.
Love the Jim-spin, Jim. Thanks for keeping it challenging. ;)I'm in for ten, list subject to change.
1.1 Starts with M: Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
OR
The Midas Trap by Sharron McClellan
2.3 4- or 5-starred rating (May 10th birthday): Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb (Happy B-day, Shazzy)
Reader's note: Completely unfamiliar with the book, though I'm familiar with the author.
3.2 Author, setting, and characters from India: Otroci polnoči by Salman Rushdie
4.2 5th in a series: Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb
5.1 Heroine = mother: Kiss of Darkness by Jennifer St. Giles
6.1 Rescue worker: Cavanaugh Reunion by Marie Ferrarella (firefighter / arson investigator)
7.1 Flower on cover: One Summer by Nora Roberts
8.3 Alternative reality historical: His Dark Desires by Jennifer St. Giles
9.2 Horror/scary: Silver Falls by Anne Stuart
10. Reader's Choice: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh
/
At the moment my list of 10 is as follows:1. M is for May: 1.2. Captured by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean (Was going for Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke but the cover not drool worthy – size does matter so went for eye candy instead :) )
2. Birthday: 2.2. (Jenn) A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie
3. Geography: 3.1. The Brazen Bride (Black Cobra Quartet #3) by Stephanie Laurens or Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
4. Cinco de Mayo: 4.2. Booked for Murder (A Lighthouse Inn Mystery #5) by Tim Myers
5. Mother May I: 5.1. Logan (Montana Creeds #1) by Linda Lael Miller
6. "Mayday mayday mayday!: 6.1. (Fireman) Mr. November (Men To The Rescue #5) by Lori Foster
7. April showers bring May flowers: 7.1. As You Desire by Connie Brockway
8. Maybe things will change in the future...: 8.2. Holiday in Death by J D Robb
9. Friday the 13th!: 9.2. The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen
10. Reader's Choice: A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
It was an extra challenge going only for books I already have. Managed some level 2 but unfortunately no 3's. :( I did get 7 new to me authors though so that must count for something. :)
In for 10. I will have to mix and match as the only other language I kinda speak/understand is French.
RRRC May 2011 Monthly ChallengeChallenge Duration: May 1 - May 31, 2011
1. M is for May: 1.1 Read a book that starts with the letter M or the author's last name starts with an M.
Married to a Stranger Patricia MacDonald
2. Birthday: 2.1. Read a book from a May B-day celebrant’s GR bookshelf.
Happy Birthday Risa The Black Moth Georgette Heyer or Dan Irresistible Forces Brenda Jackson
3. Geography: 3.1. Read a book whose setting or character is from India.
Under the Deodars Rudyard Kipling
4. Cinco de Mayo: 4.1. Read a book that takes place in Mexico.
The Wrong Hostage Elizabeth Lowell
5. Mother May I: 5.1. Read a book where the heroine is a mother.
Between, Georgia Joshilyn Jackson
6.2. Read a book where the h/h are marooned or otherwise stranded and in need of rescuing.
The Summer I Dared: A Novel Barbara Delinsky
7. April showers bring May flowers : 7.1.Read a book with a picture of a flower on the front cover.
Wildflowers: Sea Gypsy / Golden Lasso Fern Michaels
8. Maybe if things had been different.8.1. Read a book something is different in the than reality reflects.
The Compound Stuve-Bodeen, S.A. Bodeen/Stephanie
Friday the 13th!: 9.1. Since Friday the 13th is said to be a day of misfortune and bad luck, read a book with luck or fortune or something along those lines in the title.
Maids of Misfortune (Victorian San Francisco Mystery #1) M. Louisa Locke
10. Reader's Choice: I'll let you pick your own three levels.
The Other Woman Jane Green
OR
i'm in!0/10 read
1. May 1.3: Chameleon Wolf - Matt
2. Birthday 2.2: Love in the Library
3. Geography 3.1: Her Two Dads
4. Cinco de Mayo 4.2: Tom or An Improbable Tail
5. Mother May I 5.3: Inland Empire
6. Mayday! 6.1: On Fire
7. May Flowers 7.1: Off the Record
8. Maybe 8.1: Pawprints
9. Friday the 13th 9.1: Change-My-Luck Blues
10. Reader's Choice: Sweet Topping
Yay! This is awesome Jim! I'm in for all 10 and will probably mix and match levels. Will post as I go!
May 2011 Monthly Reading Challenge0/5 Completed
1.1 + 1.2 Mmmmm title Mine to Take by Dara Joy
2.2 Happy Birthday Dee The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss or The Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen
4.2 Five Words Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
5.1 Mother Coming Up Roses by Catherine Anderson
7.1 May Flowers Silverhill by Phyllis A. Whitney or Sunrise Song (Avon Camelot Books by Kathleen Eagle
8.? Different Rejar by Dara Joy
10. My Pick This Fierce Splendor by Iris Johansen or Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
I still have to decide on which 5 books from this selection I'll read.
Great categories Jim!May 2011 Monthly Reading Challenge
0/10 Completed
1.1- Title starts with M- A Modern Wicked Fairy Tale: Rapunzel
2.1- Happy Birthday Rena!- 13 Little Blue Envelopes
3.1- Character from India- Glutton For Pleasure
4.2- 5 Word Title- The Lady And The Unicorn
5.3- BDSM- Graceful Submission
6.1- Firefighter- On Fire II: Still Burning
7.1- Flowers on shirt on cover- The Virgin Suicides
8.1- Contemporary witches- Demonglass
9.1- Luck- Backstage Pass-Olivia Cunning (you are lucky if you can get a backstage pass)
10-My Pick- A Lot Like Love
Great Challenge - Here's my list:1.M is for May (1.1): Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews READ 05.10.2011
2.May Birthday (2.2)-Risa, 5/20: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
3.Geography-India (3.1): The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling READ 05.27
4.Cinco de Mayo (4.2): Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
5.Mother May I (5.1): Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
6.Mayday, Mayday, Mayday (6.1): Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke (police officer boyfriend) READ 05.17
7.April Showers Bring May Flowers (7.1): Flowers On Main by Sherryl Woods
8.Maybe If Things Could Be Different (8.2): Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
9.Friday the 13th (9.1): Dracula by Bram Stoker
10.Readers Choice (10.1): The Iron King by Julie Kagawa READ 05.29
I dunno...a good fudge cupcake is always drool worthy...and the recipes included...lol!Joanne wrote: "At the moment my list of 10 is as follows:
1. M is for May: 1.2. Captured by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean (Was going for Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke bu..."
After realizing how insanely busy the month of May is going to be for me (graduating from grad school and making a cross country drive) - I'm going to change from being all in to reading 8 - but I'm still going to mix up the levels! I'll post as I go!
I'll do five or more.May 2011 Monthly Reading Challenge
Challenge Duration: 1–31 May
0/6 Completed
1. 1.2 Read a book with a cover that makes you say, "Mmmmm!" - Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh
2. Birthday: Happy B-day Emily (8th May) - Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
4. Five words in the title - Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
7. April showers bring May flowers - Amaryllis by Jayne Castle
8. Maybe things will change in the future: Alternate Planet - Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle
10. Reader's Choice: Heart Mate by Robin D. Owens
Wow Jim - this will be fun to sort through... I have no idea how many or what level - but I'm IN! :)
You have really put some thought into these challenges! I'm in, probably for all 10, will mix levels, and will post as I go.
I'm in. Great categories. I was giggling all through that list. :-) I'm not sure how many I'm reading yet or what levels. I'll probably mix it up. All I can say for sure right now is I will not be reading a book in Hindi. Mostly cause I don't know Hindi.
I'm with you Crystal. But you know there are people in this group that would say, "This category was made for ME!"
I'm in, not sure for how many or levels yet. It will depend on my existing TBR, give me a few days or at least time to find a babysitter! :)
READ: 0/91.2 M is for May: Mmmmmm:The Fallen: Raziel - Kristina Douglas
2.2 B-Day: Kim 16th: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
4.2 Cinco de Mayo: 5 words: Walk on the Wild Side - Christine Warren
5.1 Mother's Day: TBD
6.1 Mayday: Firefighter: Hidden Fire - Jo Davis
7.1 April Showers: flower on cover: TBD
8.3 Alternate Universe: Steampunk: Soulless - Gail Carriger
9.1 Friday the 13th: Fortunes The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes - Jennifer Crusie
10 Choice I Dream of Genies - Judi Fennell
[TBD]
[TBD]
Books mentioned in this topic
A Texan's Luck (other topics)Just One of the Guys (other topics)
When You Dare (other topics)
Thunder & Roses (other topics)
An Improper Proposal (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Green (other topics)Patricia MacDonald (other topics)
Priscilla Royal (other topics)
Salman Rushdie (other topics)
S.A. Bodeen (other topics)
More...














When Yz said I could come up with the 10 categories for the month I thought, "At last! I will have a month where I will only read those books I really want to read." But where's the fun in that? If I had a whole month to read nothing but the books I've already decided I want to read then I wouldn't have the chance to find a new author or even a new genre. So the theme for this month is to keep an open mind and try something new.
To that end, I have created three adventure levels for many of the categories to see exactly how far you want to broaden your reading horizons. Level 1 is the easiest and most comfortable for everyone. Level 3 is a true challenge. To complete a category, you only need to do one of the three options. Nobody will win anything for going for the hard challenge levels. Nobody will think anything less for going for all of the easiest levels. It's all about a little reading fun.
*EDIT* NOTE - You can pick and choose levels between each of the categories. So one can be a level one and the next a level three
1. M is for May: 1.1 Read a book that starts with the letter M or the author's last name starts with an M.
1.2 Read a book with a cover that makes you say, "Mmmmm!" and you have to post a link to that drool worthy cover so we all know what makes you drool.
1.3 Read a m/m romance where the one of the lead character's names start with M.
2. Birthday: 2.1. Read a book from a May B-day celebrant’s GR bookshelf.
2.2. Read a book from a May B-day celebrant’s GR bookshelf whose “day” falls on the same “day” as yours. If no one has the exact same day, then go for the closest date.
2.3. Read a book rated four or five stars with which you are completely unfamiliar from a May B-day celebrant’s GR bookshelf whose “day” falls on the same “day” as yours. If no one has the exact same day, then go for the closest date.
(http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...)
3. Geography: 3.1. Read a book whose author, setting or character is from India (I know it's a hard one, but remember I didn't pick it).
3.2. Read a book whose author, setting, AND characters are from India.
3.3. Read a book whose author, setting, and characters are from India in Hindi or some other native Indian dialect.
4. Cinco de Mayo: 4.1. Read a book that takes place in Mexico.
4.2. Read a book that is the fifth in a series or has five words in the title.
4.3. Read a book that has a recipe that calls for mayo.
5. Mother May I: 5.1. Read a book where the heroine is a mother.
5.2. Read a book where the hero or heroine spends the book searching for or trying to get to their mother.
5.3. Read a BDSM book. (After all, isn't BDSM all about one person following the commands of another person and trusting that they will get you where they want to go? So it's really like a full contact adult version of Mother May I.)
6. "Mayday mayday mayday! We're going down!": 6.1. Read a book with a rescue worker of some type (coast guard, fireman, EMT areexamples)
6.2. Read a book where the h/h are marooned or otherwise stranded and in need of rescuing.
6.3. Read a book where the h/h are involved in a plane crash or a shipwreck (bonus points if they actually use the term "Mayday mayday mayday!")
7. April showers bring May flowers (and what do Mayflowers bring? Pilgrims!): 7.1. Read a book with a picture of a flower on the front cover.
7.2. Read a book about a religious colony.
7.3. Read a book about a religious colony with a picture of flowers on the front cover.
8. Maybe if things had been different... Maybe things will change in the future.... The world is full of maybes, might bes, and might have beens: 8.1. We're talking alternate realities here. Read a contemporary book where something is different in the world than what reality reflects. Maybe vampires do exist. Maybe magic is real. This might just be the easiest category ever.
8.2. Alternate futures are only slightly more challenging. That is a time filled with maybes. Read a book set in the future.
8.3. Past alternative realities might be the toughest. What if something was different in the past? Steampunk? What if the Axis won WWII? Read a historical with an alternative reality.
9. Friday the 13th!: 9.1. Since Friday the 13th is said to be a day of misfortune and bad luck, read a book with luck or fortune or something along those lines in the title.
9.2. Since the date has become associated with a certain mass murdering psychopath, read a book that would be considered HORROR or at least a scary book.
9.3. Read a horror book with a 'luck' title.
10. Reader's Choice: I'll let you pick your own three levels. Just remember to have an open mind and pick a good one.
Challenge Duration: May 1 – May 31, 2011
You can choose 3, 5, 8 or all 10 categories depending on your reading speed, books availability and/or time commitment.
When posting your challenge progress, please make sure to put the date/s when you finished your book/s. It will really help us with the group updates.