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I Heart Indie Books Reading Challenge 2011
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I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2011
March 2011
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How did you like The Unsuspecting Mage, Lacy? I've set it aside for later myself.
Sibel wrote: "Woo, Lacy! Well done, you! :)"Thanks!
niquae wrote: "How did you like The Unsuspecting Mage, Lacy? I've set it aside for later myself."
I thought that it was a good book, but just wans't really what I was looking for at the time. I think that it would definitely appeal to people who love fantasy.
I just finished a mystery novella by Donna Ball which I really enjoyed.
Lacy♪ ♫Movements of a Demigod ♪ ♫ wrote: "I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2011
[bookcover:The Demon Queen and The..."
@ Lacy - What did you think of The Princess's Dragon???
Got a few more to add!Nique, you were right about Hysteria! Enjoyed it but felt the ending was too rushed. http://www.sibelhodge.com/my-blog/rev...
Ain't Love Grand? by Dana Taylor is a really sweet romance http://www.sibelhodge.com/my-blog/rev...
And Sparks Fly by Lucy Kevin is a fun chicklit romance! :)
Tai wrote: "Lacy♪ ♫Movements of a Demigod ♪ ♫ wrote: "I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2..."
Tai, I really enjoyed The Princess's Dragon. I would definitely recommend it if you like fantasy.
Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale 2011It's that time again! Smashwords is having their annual July Summer/Winter sale. Lots of freebies and bargains. It runs for the whole month of July so be sure to check back periodically for new additions. It just started today so lots more will be added as the authors add their deals throughout the month.
Great opportunity to stock up on some indie reading!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/categ...
I'd love to jump in, but I'm still confused as to what an indie book is, and what makes it different from other genres. Could anybody tell me the basics of an indie book?
Hi Aneeqah, Indie is the short way of saying independently published. It is not a genre (indie books come in all genres), but a way of publishing. Though there is some disagreement as to the true definition of an indie book...for the purpose of this challenge an indie book is one that is independently published by the author (aka self-published) or a book published by a small independent press not associated with a major NY publishing house (or major non-US publishing house for those outside the US).
Indie books can also be from traditionally published authors who also publish some of their work independently, either backlist titles when the rights get reverted back to them or original work.
I hope that wasn't too confusing. If you are not sure about a book, just come here and ask...someone will help you out. If you tell us what types of genres you like, I'm sure we can help you with some reading suggestions to get you started. :)
Thank you so much, Michelle! =)I would like some suggesetions for some Indie Books. My favorite genre is Fantasy- especially Dystopian and Urban Fantasy. Have you guys read anything good of those genres?
I'll leave Dystopian to someone else :)I looked at your shelves and you seem to like YA and there is tons of it out there. You might want to take a look at Amanda Hocking's books. These two are the first book in two different series:
I don't know if these are up your alley but I enjoyed them:
Some in my TBR I'm looking forward to trying:
Tons more out there... anyone have any suggestions for Aneeqah for Dystopian or Urban Fantasy?
Thank you So much, Michelle! You have been so helpful- I will add all of these to my TBR list!So, I guess I'm in!
I think I will go for Silver, for now. I will post as I go! =)
Michelle wrote: "I'll leave Dystopian to someone else :)I looked at your shelves and you seem to like YA and there is tons of it out there. You might want to take a look at Amanda Hocking's books. These two are ..."
Desire by Kailin Gow is supposed to be Dystopian. I haven't read it yet, but is sounds interesting.
If a book was originally published as a paperback but is out of print and has been re-released by the author as an ebook would it count as an indie title? Thanks
That is a gray area and I think you might get a different answer depending on who you ask, but for the purpose of this challenge I say go for it :)
I just finished
and really enjoyed it.
bad, bad, bad idea stumbling into this thread...Well, now I've got a few new books waiting on my kindle that will get me started on this challenge.
I'm-a-go for the level 1 bronze goal (starting small, I do have an enormous TBR list :P)
I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
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December 2011
I just created an indie challenge shelf. Does it have to start when you join, or can it be from the indie books that you have already read starting at the beginning of the year? That will make a big difference.
Hey Amanda....welcome! If they are Indie and you read them in 2011 then I don't see any problem backfilling. That's a good idea to make a shelf for the challenge. It also makes it easy for folks to see your ratings and/or reviews. I may do that too!
My list:April
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October
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It's been a while. July
August Skipped
September
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November Skipped
December
@Erika: I'd have to say that my favorite this year that I recall reading is Special Forces by Aleksandr Voinov & Marquesate. It just blew me away. I honestly couldn't tear myself away from the Special Forces books. I recall that time as I was reading it for the first time like a feverish dream. It is nowhere near perfect, but it was extremely raw and gripping - at least for me.
This is followed by Learn Me Good by John Pearson and "The Woman of the Well" from Fairy Tales for Freya.
My updated list:My list:
April
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33. Ghosts of Our Past by Sophia Duane (Not published yet, no link on goodreads as of now) 34.
I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
Hey Challenge peeps! The year is winding down and only about a week to go in 2011. I just wanted to thank everyone who participated and especially those who hung in there for the long haul. And another special thanks to those who actively promoted the challenge. I hope everyone found some new favorites. I've enjoyed watching the lists grow and I see several books that I will be checking out more closely.So, I have two questions for everyone:
1) What level did you reach in the challenge? (You can include an indie book you are reading now if you expect to finish it before the new year.)
2) Which of the books you read for the challenge were your favorites?
P.S. If I get enough people responding to the two questions above, I may pick one responder randomly for a prize....not to twist your arm or anything ;)
And to answer my own questions :)1) I went by the step-up method instead of setting a goal so I think I will end up at the very end of Level 1 Platinum with 24 books but just might barely make Diamond Level with 25 books. This includes taking all the shorts I read and combining them to count one book toward the challenge.
2) And these were my favorites (in no particular order)
Phew! Glad I didn't put a limit on that question!
For shorts, my faves were:
1) What level did you reach in the challenge? (You can include an indie book you are reading now if you expect to finish it before the new year.)I read 40 Indie books so I made it to the Level 2 Silver Elite.
2) Which of the books you read for the challenge were your favorites?
My favorites were...
1. I reached Level 1, Gold, with 17 books. 2. My favorite books were:
Special Forces: Soldiers by Aleksandr Voinov & Marquesate
Special Forces: Mercenaries I by Aleksandr Voinov & Marquesate
Special Forces: Mercenaries II by Aleksandr Voinov & Marquesate
Special Forces: Veterans by Aleksandr Voinov & Marquesate
Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon
Learn Me Good by John Pearson
Fairy Tales for Freya by Georgina Anne Taylor
I barely made the Diamond level with 25. I can't pick a favorite - I don't have that much time to read, so if I finished it I really liked it. :)
I Heart Indie Books ChallengeJanuary 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
I made the Bronze Elite level! Not too shabby for starting in April. Maybe this year will turn out better results.My favorite indie books this year were The Calling
and Merciful Law
. I also had the opportunity to chat with both authors for my blog so that was pretty amazing as well!Happy 2012 everyone :)
You guys did awesome! I'm so glad you found some good reads. I was hoping some more participants would remember to stop by to do a year-end update, but maybe they will filter in eventually. If I get a couple more people answering the questions, I'll award the prize. It's nothing big but you can get a book out of it! :)
I reached Silver Elite (40 books)My favorites were
Good Tidings and the rest of the Mary O'Reilly series by Terri Reid
Beautiful Demons by Sarra Carron
Bone Yard by Donna Ball
But I enjoyed a lot of the books I read. Thanks for running the challenge Michelle.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Merciful Law (other topics)The Calling (other topics)
Falling (other topics)
Equilibrium (other topics)
Camille (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Cecilia Gray (other topics)Katie Salidas (other topics)
Trish Lamoree (other topics)
Amy Lunderman (other topics)
Lilah Claret (other topics)
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http://www.sibelhodge.com/my-blog/rev...