I Heart Indie Books Reading Challenge 2011

[Purr More]

Well, that sounds like a recommendation to me! I'll add it to the list. I do have a couple of her books but just haven't had a chance yet to read them. Why can't I read faster? why oh why oh why? *sigh*

[Lacy♪ ♫Movements of a Demigod ♪ ♫]

I found a website that might also be helpful in finding indie authors. http://www.indieurbanfantasy.com/

[Purr More]

Lacy ~Movements of a Demigod~ wrote: "I found a website that might also be helpful in finding indie authors. http://www.indieurbanfantasy.com/"

Well, here I am the resident reviewer for that site and I didn't even think of linking to it! doh! **slaps head**

[K.C.]

A source for locating indie books of all genres: http://www.theindiespotlight.com/

[Thea]

Count me in. I'm an avid reader and I'm an author as well: Check out my promo thread at: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4... to see what I have available as indie reads

I'm currently glutting on:

Space Junque
Firefly Island, an Epic Fantasy
DRACULAS

[Purr More]

Hi Thea! Welcome to the challenge :) I'll add you to the list at the top of the thread.

[Cliff]

As soon as I get a Kindle at the end of this month, I will join this reading challenge, since I'm an avid reader, and there are a few Indies out there I want to read. I'm also an Indie author myself.

[Purr More]

Hi Cliff, that's great! I bet you are eager for the end of the month to get here :)

[Cliff]

Yes, I am. I have the Kindle for PC, but, I really dislike sitting at a computer to read. I would keep reading paperbacks, but, I'm running out of room, so I look forward to getting something that doesn't use up so much space. To think that three years ago I thought e-books were a fad! lol

[Galla]

Cliff wrote: "Yes, I am. I have the Kindle for PC, but, I really dislike sitting at a computer to read. I would keep reading paperbacks, but, I'm running out of room, so I look forward to getting something that..."

You'll love the Kindle, Cliff! And yeah, every bookcase in my house is already stuffed with double rows of books, and one closet is full of books in boxes, but my Kindle keeps takin' books like a champ. ;)

I find I'm much more likely to read indie authors on the Kindle, too.

[Tai]

I am currently reading by Catherine Banks. Is she an indie author? Can I use this book for this challenge?

[Purr More]

Yup! Catherine Banks is indie...you're good to go!

[Purr More]

My last book of 2010 was Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan and it was really good. Has a little gross factor especially towards the end, but if you don't mind that I'd recommend this one. I really liked it (YMMV).

[Stacey]

Michelle wrote: "My last book of 2010 was Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan and it was really good. Has a little gross factor especially towards the end, but if you don't mind that I'd recomme..."

I second that recommendation! Just finished it this morning and it was great.

[Claire]

I would like to have a go at this - it fits in with other challenges because I mostly read indie anyway. Think I'll aim for silver elite, I'm hardcore. ;P

Jan:
Feb:
Mar:
April: `
May:
June: I can't remember!
July:

[Purr More]

Stacey wrote: "Michelle wrote: "My last book of 2010 was Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan and it was really good. Has a little gross factor especially towards the end, but if you don't mind..."

I saw your review...glad you liked it too :) It totally sucked me in.

[Purr More]

Hi Claire! I'll add a link for you at the top so you can jump to your list. Welcome aboard!

[Purr More]

ooh, that's weird, the last three lists have message numbers that end in "3" - 53, 63, and 73.

If I've missed anyone, let me know! Are you playing with us Stacey?

[Stacey]

Michelle wrote: "ooh, that's weird, the last three lists have message numbers that end in "3" - 53, 63, and 73.

If I've missed anyone, let me know! Are you playing with us Stacey?"

I'm thinking about it. Ah, hell, why not. :) Don't think I can be as ambitious as Claire! I'll got for Level 1 Silver.

[Stacey]

January-

February-

March-

April-
May- I suck this month and didn't read anything indie. Just filled my kindle with indie books from Blog Tour de Troops, so June should be a lot better!
June-
July- beta read Tribute by J.R. Pearse Nelson and Loramendi's Story by Angela Carlie.
August -
September -
October-
December - I may have read some indies in November, but I can't remember! Here's the last indie read for the year.

[Claire]

Michelle wrote: "Hi Claire! I'll add a link for you at the top so you can jump to your list. Welcome aboard!"

Thanks Michelle. :)

[Purr More]

Stacey wrote: "Michelle wrote: "If I've missed anyone, let me know! Are you playing with us Stacey?"

I'm thinking about it. Ah, hell, why not. :) Don't think I can be as ambitious as Claire! I'll got for Level 1 Silver."


Great! I added you to the list.

[Stacey]

Michelle wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Michelle wrote: "If I've missed anyone, let me know! Are you playing with us Stacey?"

I'm thinking about it. Ah, hell, why not. :) Don't think I can be as ambitious as Claire! I'll ..."

Thanks! I've never actually done a reading challenge before.

[Purr More]

Well, you're off to a good start! You read indie books anyway, so it'll be easy peasy :) If you reach your goal level (and at the rate you are reading, it won't be long) you can stop or keep going by stepping up to the next level and just keep doing it that way. Either way you have already reached a goal. It's a no-pressure challenge. There's enough pressure and stress in everyday life ;)

[Claire]

Erika wrote: "Claire wrote: "I would like to have a go at this - it fits in with other challenges because I mostly read indie anyway. Think I'll aim for silver elite, I'm hardcore. ;P

Jan: (Almost finished) ..."

It's not what I expected (and I still haven't finished it yet because I'm a magpie and keep switching to different devices) but I'm entertained. It's only 99c so well worth a buy, I reckon. :)

[John]

I'm in! I read a ton of indies, and the Kindleboard Writer's Cafe forum is another great place to find them (us). January has been light for me on the indie front, I've only finished one so far.

Inhuman

really enjoyed it, very fast-paced, not so much romance that is annoyed me (cause that ain't my thing) but enough to probably put a toe in PnR genre.

I second all the recommendations for Amanda Hocking, her stuff is great. I thought Hollowland was a great intro to her style, and it's been my fave of hers so far. Definitely check that out for more of a horror/zombie book.

[Purr More]

Hi John, I added you to the list at the top. Thanks for joining in! :)

[Claire]

Erika wrote: "Claire wrote: "It's not what I expected (and I still haven't finished it yet because I'm a magpie and keep switching to different devices) but I'm entertained. It's only 99c so well worth a buy, I ..."

I'm technically not supposed to be buying books right now but I literally cannot resist and now I keep jumping from one book to another. Turns out lots of choice isn't good for me. ;D

[John]

Claire wrote: "Erika wrote: "Claire wrote: "It's not what I expected (and I still haven't finished it yet because I'm a magpie and keep switching to different devices) but I'm entertained. It's only 99c so well w..."

I'm in the same boat, as a local Borders went out of business and I bought a waist-high stack of books, but there are so many killer kindle deals I have trouble resisting.

[Purr More]

Resistance is futile...

**she says in her best Borg impersonation**

[Claire]

@ John, I have lots of unread books from when Borders went out of business here (they only had one store though) and I haven't looked at them since.

@ Erika, I would say that's a very small world situation going on there. LOL. Weird! (And thanks).

Reader's anxiety is pretty apt. I remember when I used to read each book when I got them. Now I'm in the middle of at least five and I'll probably start a couple more new ones before I actually finish anything. Maybe I'm afraid I'll miss out on something good. Good thing is I'm reading a lot more. Bad thing is I'm finding it hard to actually finish anything. :)

[Purr More]

Brand spankin' new site to help indie readers find good indie books.

Indie Ebook Hall of Fame
https://sites.google.com/site/indiehof/

The basic concept is to list books that have received at least three positive recommendations by independent bloggers who focus on indie books.

I think it is a good concept, but I would recommend looking at additional reviews if available. Three recs does not necessarily a good book make. But it definitely gives the reader a good place to start.

[Stacey]

Looks like I've got some homework to do tonight. :) Thanks for posting this...and now back to the challenge.

[Purr More]

Grace wrote: "I'm in! (hopefully doing it correctly)

Jan '11
[bookcover:The Job: Based on a True Stor..."

Grace, I think I'm going to have to make a level 3 just for you! lol! You're leaving us in the dust. :)

[John]

January 2011

[Grace]

Michelle wrote:

Ha! That's what I get for reading almost exclusively indie books... I feel a little like I'm cheating!

[Susan]

Grace, we're going to have to launch a reading challenge just for you: Books that aren't Indie!

(and us indies appreciate your attention to us. And your reviews!)

--Susan at West of Mars

[Rachel]

So the paranormal romance book written by a man is out, and it looks like Amanda Hocking was involved too.I just bought it and can't wait to read it! Inevitable

[Purr More]

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up Rachel. That's a cool cover. Of course, now I'm wondering who actually did the romantic bits...Jason or Amanda?

[Lacy♪ ♫Movements of a Demigod ♪ ♫]

Thanks Rachel! I will definitely be adding that one to my must read list.

[Stacey]

Rachel wrote: "So the paranormal romance book written by a man is out, and it looks like Amanda Hocking was involved too. It looks so goood! I just bought it and can't wait to read it! Inevitable

"

OOOO! Looks good, I like them both! Of course I have several other books to read before I can get to this one. Must. Read. Faster!!!

[Rachel]

Ooooo...by a man. I always enjoy romance books from a man's point of view. The POV is always different and refreshing.

So true, Michelle. I would like to know that too.

[Claire]

I think Amanda said she edited it so it's still a genuine male written romance, don't worry. :D

Very pretty cover indeed.

[Rachel]

Claire wrote: "I think Amanda said she edited it so it's still a genuine male written romance, don't worry. :D

Very pretty cover indeed."

Yeah, I think the female character is still the narrator but instead of being in the dark she's the one with the magic and the guy is clueless. Should be great!

[Grace]

Interesting! Jason has written some great books- Paranormal Romance will be an interesting addition!

[Elizabeth]

Count me in...

January 2011




February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011

[Purr More]

Hi Elizabeth! Welcome to the challenge. A few of those books are not indie, but even without them you are still kicking butt! way to go!

[Elizabeth]

Michelle wrote: "Hi Elizabeth! Welcome to the challenge. A few of those books are not indie, but even without them you are still kicking butt! way to go!"

Whoops ;P Which ones do I need to exclude?

[Purr More]

The Alyson Noel books are published by St. Martin's Press, so definitely those, and probably the Carrie Jones book. It's Bloomsbury USA. I think that one is part of a bigger group.

How did you like the S.L. Naeole books? They seem to have a big following.

[Helen]

Thanks for this, I have just joined. I read a lot of indie books (and I have published some).

I just read How I Learned to Love the Walrus by Beth Orsoff a few days ago - a smart romantic comedy.

I need to go through and work out how to add the others I have read. Next up is Heads by Eddie Stack. His The West: Stories from Ireland was one of my favourite books of last year.