July 2009 Reading Challenge

[Yz the Whyz]

Can you believe it? The year is halfway over. It just seemed like yesterday when we started the PNR Monthly Challenge portion of this group, and now its already July.

In honor of this milestone, I'm bringing back the challenge that started it all, with a few changes. I'm calling it Paranomal Creatures Redux.

The challenge is to read one book for each popular paranormal creature/s listed below:

1. vampires
(undead, different species, spawned by aliens, even sparkly ones all accepted)

2. werewolves
(most popular of all weres, our lupine faves deserved their own separate category)

3. shifters
(transforms to any kind of animal except for wolves...see category 2)

4. gods/goddesses/immortals
(doesn’t matter what mythology inspired them: Greek, Roman, Norse, etc)

5. demons/angels
(demons: whether good or bad; angels: fallen or not, winged or not: any other denizen of either heavenly or hellish persuasion)

6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages
(all of the aformentioned plus any practitioners of magic)

7. fae/fairies
(elves, seelie/unseelie, etc)

8. aliens/space cowboys
(or any story set in space)

9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities
(telekinesis, mind reading, time travel, etc)

As usual, you can post your list anytime, but no reading until midnight of June 30.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

Awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've got so many books, I KNOW I've got this covered!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

OK, since Mermaids can shift into humans, can Mermaids and shifters be combined? LOL

[Yz the Whyz]

Uniquely Moi wrote: "OK, since Mermaids can shift into humans, can Mermaids and shifters be combined? LOL"

Well, they transform or shift, right? So they are still shifters in one way or another...LOL

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Yz, you're killing me! I really told myself no more challenges for at least 2-3 months, but I can't help myself!!! So fine, I'm starting my list.

1. vampires: Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian
2. werewolves: Cry Wolf by Patrica Briggs
3. shifters: Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
4. gods/goddeses: The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
5. demons/angels: Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione
6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages: Storm Born by Richelle Mead
7. fae: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
8. space jam: My Fair Captain by J.L. Langley
9. ghosts: The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Cain

[image error] [image error] [image error]

[Ann aka Iftcan]

ok, I'm in. Not sure yet what will be on my list, but I'm in. :o)

[Michelle]

I'm in!

1.Vampire- Undead and Unapreciated -MaryJanice Davidson
2.Werewolf- BloodLines - Eileen Wilks
3.Shifter- Tiger Eye - Marjorie M Liu
4.God/Goddess/Immortal- Tainted Purity - Lorie O'Clare
5.Demon/Angel- You Slay Me - Katie Macalister
6.Witch/Warlock/Sorcerer/Mage- Witch Blood - Anya Bast
7.Fae/Faerie- BloodFever - Karen Marie Moning
8.Aliens/SpaceCowboys- Awaken Me Darkly - Gena Showalter
9.Psychics/Ghosts/Human with Abilities- Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

1.Vampire- City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
2.Werewolf- City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
3.Shifter-
4.God/Goddess/Immortal-
5.Demon/Angel-
6.Witch - A Witches Beauty - Joey W. Hill
7.Faerie- Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning
8.Aliens/SpaceCowboys-
9.Psychics/Ghosts/Human with Abilities

[Michelle]

What category would You Slay Me fall into? The back of the book doesn't really give much away! Hoping to squeeze it in this month.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

You Slay Me would fit demons or shifters. And probably also "human with abilities".

[Angie]

I'm in!

1. vampires - Beneath The Skin - Savannah Russe
2. werewolves - Dance of the Wolf - Karen Whiddon
3. shifters - Captive Moon - CT Adams and Cathy Clamp
4. gods/goddesses/immortals - Atlantis Awakening - Alyssa Day
5. demons/angels - The Demon You Know - Christine Warren
6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages - From The Dark - Michele Hauf
7. fae/fairies - Fairyville - Emma Holly
8. aliens/space cowboys - Star Crash - Elysa Hendricks
9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities - Dark Nights, Dark Dreams - Savannah Russe

[image error] [image error]

[Michelle]

Nichole wrote: "You Slay Me would fit demons or shifters. And probably also "human with abilities"."

Thanks, it got a bit confusing there for a second :)

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Ooh, I loved this one, and the gods know I've got more than enough books to fill this challenge, so here's what my initial list looks like:

1. vampires Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake
2. werewolves Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
3. shifters Prey by Rachel Vincent
4. gods/goddesses/immortals Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. demons/angels The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages Ravenous The Dark Forgotten by Sharon Ashwood
7. fae/fairies Tithe A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
8. aliens/space cowboys Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities Mind Game by Christine Feehan

[image error] [image error]

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

I'm wondering... Time travels, would that be "space" as you kinda go through space to get from one place to another. A technicality, I know...but I'll take it anyway I can get it.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Oh, DarkHeart, Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night is my favorite of the Kresley Cole books. In fact, one of my favorite PNRs ever. I'm excited for you to read it!

[Christine]

1. vampires - Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hamilton

2. werewolves - The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong

3. shifters -
(transforms to any kind of animal except for wolves...see category 2)

4. gods/goddesses/immortals - Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon

5. demons/angels -City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages - NightWorld Series - LJ Smith

7. fae/fairies

8. aliens/space cowboys

9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities -Chill of Fear - Kay Hooper

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

1. vampires Love Bites by Lynsay Sands
2. werewolves Full Moon RisingbyKeri Arthur

3. shifter Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler by

4.Gods/goddesses/Immortals Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie

5.Witches/Warlocks/Mages Witch BloodbyAnya Bast

6.demons /angelsThe Demon You KnowbyChristine Warren


7.fae/Faeries Fragile Eternity byMelissa Marr

8.Aliens/space cowboysMidnight Awakening byLara Adrian

9.Pyschics/Ghost Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Nichole wrote: "Oh, DarkHeart, Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night is my favorite of the Kresley Cole books. In fact, one of my favorite PNRs ever. I'm excited for you to read it! "

Yay! I am quite intrigued by Bowen, so I'm lookin forward to it. =D

[Yz the Whyz]

DarkHeart wrote: Yay! I am quite intrigued by Bowen, so I'm lookin forward to it. =D ."

Oh yes, that witch Mariketa lead that poor Lykae down a merry, tormented chase. You'll enjoy the book, definitely.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

hum, I picked up a couple of Susan Grants today at the used bookstore. They aren't exactly time travel--the heroines in the 2 books actually are stuck in cryogenic capsules and frozen--but still, could they cound for the aliens/space cowboys one? (ok, space cowGIRLS, but still. . . ) I've linked the 2 books at the bottom of my post. Could they be used for either 8 or 9? Or maybe even both?




Ok, so far I have:

1. vampires--Bloodline by Maggie Shayne


2. werewolves
(most popular of all weres, our lupine faves deserved their own separate category)

3. shifters--Burning WIld by Christine Feehan


4. gods/goddesses/immortals
(doesn’t matter what mythology inspired them: Greek, Roman, Norse, etc)

5. demons/angels--Kiss and hell by Dakota Cassidy



6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages--Battle Magic by Martin H. Greenbert et. al. (anthology)



7. fae/fairies--The Sword of Maiden's Tears by Rosemary Edghill



8. aliens/space cowboys
(or any story set in space)

9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities
(telekinesis, mind reading, time travel, etc)

[Lori]

Yippee Yz! I'm going to challenge myself to find a M/M book for each category. I've already sorted them all by profession/type on my bookshelf so that should make it easier. I may have to buy a few new books but that's not so bad...

[Barbara ★]

1. vampires - Edge Of Hunger - Rhyannon Byrd 7/17

2. werewolves - Blood Trail - Tanya Huff 7/28

3. shifters - Kiss of Fire - Deborah Cooke (dragons) 7/10

4. gods/goddesses - The Dream-Hunter - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/24

5. demons/angels - The Iron Hunt - Marjorie Liu 7/27

6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages -
The Magician by Michael Scott 7/6

7. fae/fairies - The Dark Gate by Pamela Palmer 7/30

8. aliens/space cowboys - Grimspace by Ann Aguirre 7/25

9.humans with paranormal abilities - Return Of The Warrior by Rebecca York <(time travel warrior) 7/5

COMPLETED 7/30

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

Lori wrote: "Yippee Yz! I'm going to challenge myself to find a M/M book for each category. I've already sorted them all by profession/type on my bookshelf so that should make it easier. I may have to buy a ..."

I've been curious about the M/M stories. I'm interested to see what you come up with.

[Lori]

Here's my list. All M/M books since that's what I'm really into at the moment...



1. vampires - Chosen by Sean Michael

2. werewolves - Tri-Omega Mates, Volume 1 Secret Desires Forbidden Desires by Stormy Glenn

3. shifters - Tempestuous by Morgan Hawke (fox shifters)

4. gods/goddesses/immortals - StarCrossed 1 Demon Tailz, Opposite Ends of the Spectrum StarCrossed 2 & StarCrossed 3 Objects in the Mirror by Reno MacLeod & Jaye Valentine

5. demons/angels - And the Two Shall Become One by Mychael Black

6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages - Paul's Dream by Rowan McBride

7. fae/fairies - The Elf And Shoemaker
by M.L. Rhodes

8. aliens/space cowboys - Freighter Flights by Drew Zachary

9. psychics/ghosts/humans with paranormal abilities - Oleander House by Ally Blue

[Melissa]

1) vampire - The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
2) werewolf - Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
3) shifter - Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
4) immortal - Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day
5) demon - Deathwish by Rob Thurman
6) warlock - Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
7) fae - Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
8) aliens - The Host by Stephenie Meyer
9) ghosts - A Match Made in Hell by Terri Garey

[Annvelwis]

1. Vampires - Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister
2. Werewolf - Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
3. Shifter - The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé
4. Immortal - Kłamca 3. Ochłap sztandaru by Jakub Ćwiek (Norse Loki)
5. Demon - Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
6. Witch - The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair
7. Fairies - The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
8. Space sodier - Born of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
9. Psychic - Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

[Gail]

Dang! I just finished Eternal Craving by Nina Bangs, which would be PERFECT for the shifters. (They're Dinosaurs!!!) (I don't think that's a spoiler...) I just couldn't hold off on reading it... Ah well. And I've read V. Laurie's Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun, which would fit for #9. Oh well. I'll just have to look for some other things.

1. Vampires -
2. Werewolf -
3. Shifter -
4. Immortal -
5. Demon -
6. Witch - My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel
7. Fairies -
8. Science Fiction -
9. Psychic -

There are some that I want, so... Witch/warlock = human magic worker, right? Not the same as a psychic. The Jewel book has magicians, I think. I just hope I can hold off till next Tuesday...

I KNOW I have books for all these things. I just have to dig them up and figure out which ones I want to read...

[Yz the Whyz]

Gail,

How was Eternal Cravings? I love Ty's story, the first book.

[Cat]

Wow this sounds so great

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

1.Vampire- City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
2.Werewolf- City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
3.Shifter-
4.God/Goddess/Immortal-
5.Demon/Angel-
6.Witch - A Witches Beauty - Joey W. Hill
7.Faerie- Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning
8.Aliens/SpaceCowboys- Kissing Midnight Emma Holly
9.Psychics/Ghosts/Human with Abilities

I'm counting Kissing Midnight as Aliens because the earlier part of the series states that those shifters came from another planet to earth, technically making them aliens. Does this sound fair, Yz?

[Yz the Whyz]

Uniquely Moi wrote: I'm counting Kissing Midnight as Aliens because the earlier part of the series states that those shifters came from another planet to earth, technically making them aliens. Does this sound fair, Yz?
-..."


Sounds fair to me.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

Thanks!

[Mary E.]

OK, I've been telling myself that if I'm going to belong to so many groups then I need to participate or get out LOL! This challenge sounds like a good place to start... not to mention, an excellent way to prioritize my TBR list (I have such a hard time deciding what to read next)! So I'm going to dive right in with my July list:

1. vampires One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
2. werewolves Moon Called by Patricia Briggs CR
3. shifters Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
4. gods/goddesses/immortals Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. demons/angels Bloodring by Faith Hunter
6. sorcerers/mages Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
7. fae Storm Born by Richelle Mead
8. space Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
9. psychics/ghosts Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Happy reading all! :)

~Peace

[Vicki]

Oooh, my first GR challenge. Can't wait :)

1. Vampires - Twilight
2. Werewolf - New Moon
3. Shifter - Tempting Danger
4. Immortal - Bloodfever
5. Demon - Between Light and Dark
6. Magic - Blood of the Fold
7. Fairies - Darkfever
8. Space - Parallel Attraction
9. Psychic - Temple of the Winds

Finished 7/22

[Jacalyn]

I'm IN!

I haven't a CLUE what to read for these... I hope I have something for the categories... Right now my TBR of like 240 or whatever books is stacked up in several stacks in the corner of my bedroom. I'll work on organizing my books once I get the bookcases back in place from painting.

So right now... all I know is... I'm in! :) It's going to rock!

[Lily]

Oh, My. Can't resist this one. Off to find my books for this challenge.

[Lily]

OK. Here is my tentitive list.
1 , 2 [image error] , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ,
7 , 8 , 9

[Mel W]

I'm in - will add my list once I've worked it out :)

[Jacalyn]

When I woke up this morning I didn't want to get out of bed. All that hard work painting and whatnot I guess. LOL Anyway so I turned my head to the giant piles of books that is my TBR and I noticed right away at least THREE that I can use for the challenge! We'll have to see what else I can find as I put my shelves back together!!! Right?

I'm so excited!

[[deleted user]]

Lily - Just so you know. There aren't actually any werewolves in Santa Olivia. The cover copy is very misleading.

[Diana]

Christine wrote: "1. vampires - Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hamilton

2. werewolves - The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong

3. shifters -
(transforms to any kind of animal except for wolves...see category 2)

..."


Christine, you will LOVE Acheron...I was sorry to see it end!

[Lily]

Wow. I guess it is misleading. What catagory would it go under?

Jan wrote: "Lily - Just so you know. There aren't actually any werewolves in Santa Olivia. The cover copy is very misleading."

[Ann]

This sounds like so much fun, but I have other challenges going and I just don't know if I can read so many books in one month. I don't know how you girls do it. I will have to think about it. How many books do most of you read in a month?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

well Namesake . . . :o) I usually average 1 to 2 a day. If its a BAD day--migraine, lots of errands and stuff to do, it might only be 1. But on average its 1.5, I guess. (hint, hint YZ--need MORE books in the challenge.) :oP Or maybe "here's a list of 12 or so categories. Pick any 9 or more."

[Diana]

I'm making a change already! I've gotten so into the Black Dagger series from the June challenge I'm changing my vampire pick...

1. vampires - Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
2. werewolves - Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
3. shifters - Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur
4. gods/goddesses/immortals - Ecstasy by Jacquelyn Frank
5. demons/angels - Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages - Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton
7. fae/fairies - Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
8. aliens/space cowboys - HeartMate by Robin P. Owens
9. psychics/ghosts/humans - The Seance by Heather Graham

[Ann]

Ann wrote: "well Namesake . . . :o) I usually average 1 to 2 a day. If its a BAD day--migraine, lots of errands and stuff to do, it might only be 1. But on average its 1.5, I guess. (hint, hint YZ--need MO..."

You read faster then I do Ann; if I can sit and read all day I can finish one book, but I can only do that on the weekends. During the week I can only read on my lunch hour and then after work, so it takes me 2 days to finish a book. For me there are to many challengs lol....

[Michelle B]

Havent finished June(still trying) but I will try this as well.

1. vampires-Halfway to the Grave
2. werewolf- Pure Blood
3. shifter- Magic Bites
4. gods/goddesses/immortals- Morrigan's Cross
5. demons/angels- Succubus Blues
6. witches/warlocks/sorcerers/mages- Book of Shadows or
Witch Fire depends which one i can get
7. fae/fairies- Ink Exchange
8. aliens/space cowboys- HeartMate (Ann, thanks for leading me to this one! I was unsure of which book for this one til i saw yours!)
9. psychics/ghosts/humans- Odd Thomas or
Greywalker

[Gail]

Yz wrote: "Gail,

How was Eternal Cravings? I love Ty's story, the first book."

I really liked it. The heroine is the sister of the heroine in the first book. I'm not sure what else to say about it. I think it was a little more the heroine's book--the hero felt just a tad less developed to me, but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment one lick. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Michelle]

Ann wrote: "This sounds like so much fun, but I have other challenges going and I just don't know if I can read so many books in one month. I don't know how you girls do it. I will have to think about it. How ..."

Hi Ann, welcome. This month I've read 18, that's not a lot for me, usually average 1.5 a day. Sometimes more or less depending on life. Not everyone here reads as much as others but I'm sure you will fit in fine. If you can fit a book into more than one challenge do it! You will find LOTS of inspiration on here!

[Ann]

That is alot of books Michelle, I'm only on my 9th so I will be lucky if I read 11 for the month of June. I have been looking at the challenges I'm doing and trying to cross over books. Two of the challenges are until the end of the year so I can let them slide a little; I just don't want to take on to much, it should be fun not a chore.

I'm going to look at my to read pile at home and see what I have that will fit this challenge, I do want to give it a try.