How I did with my 2011 Reading Challenges

I signed up for 12 different reading challenges last year, two of which were short term challenges. The Once Upon a Time V, which spanned one season and the Holiday Reading Challenge that more or less spanned the month of December. I'm not counting the In Death Series Reading Challenge because it is a perpetual challenge that will span three or more years. Also, I had signed up for the Women of Fantasy Book Club and only read 3 of the 12 book selections--two of which ended up being among my favorite reads of the entire year.

In Death Series Reading Challenge  ONGOING
2011 Book Club "Women of Fantasy" I only read 3 out of 12 books.

As for the rest, here's a list of what I wanted to do ... and my results.

1. Steampunk Challenge 2011 June 8, 2011
I only needed to read and review one book, which I did. The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith, which was excellent. I need to read the next book in the series!

2. Out-Do Yourself Reading Challenge October 28, 2011
I needed to read one more book than I read in 2010. I met this challenge in October when I finished my 84th book of the year. I think that was the day I realized that reaching my goal of 100 books in 2011 might just be achievable.

3. What's In A Name 4 Reading Challenge November 27, 2011
This was the second year I did this challenge and again, I have to tell you this is a fun one. I don't know what it is about finding books on your shelf that fit the categories or reading a newly released book and discovering that it fits one of the requirements... but whatever it is, I find this challenge really fun to do. Check out the 2011 categories and what books I read for each:

1. A book with a number in the title:

A Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title

The Amulet Graphic Novels by Kazu Kibuishi 

3. A book with a size in the title

Dream A Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 

4. A book with travel or movement in the title

Into the Flame by Christina Dodd

5. A book with evil in the title

Kiss Me Deadly anthology edited by Trisha Telep

6. A book with a life stage in the title

Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb

I can't wait to do this one again! 

4. E-Book Challenge 2011 December 7, 2011
I thought having got an ipad for my birthday in fall of 2010 this challenge would have been a piece of cake, but I only finished reading my 12th ebook in the beginning of December! I guess I still I have a lot of paper books on my shelf to read and there's always loot from the library. I'm doing this one again in 2012 and I estimate that in another year or so, I won't need to "challenge" myself as my ebook reading surpasses my paper book reading. We'll see..

5. Holiday Reading Challenge December 26, 2011
I met the Mistletoe level of this challenge and read four holiday themed books in December. I have so many more that I want to read so I'll definitely do this one again in 2012. I think it would be fun to dedicate the entire month of December to holiday themed books! Something to think about.

6. Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011 December 31, 2011
I think I spent more time debating which Murakami book to read than I actually spent reading. Talk about indecisiveness! In the end, I chose a book I wasn't even considering at all! I was literally at the library one day in December to pick up Sputnik Sweetheart and saw a smaller, shorter Murakami book next to it, and decided right there it was a wiser choice for me considering I was in last-minute mode for this challenge. I picked up after the quake which is a collection of short stories surrounding the disastrous 1995 earthquake near Kobe, Japan. I enjoyed it very much and am doing this challenge again in 2012.

7. 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011 December 31, 2011
Finally, my biggest challenge and honestly, the one I wanted to meet most. The Haruki Murakami book was my 100th book of 2011 and in fact, I finished reading it around 4 pm on December 31, 2011. I don't know about you... but I call that cutting it close!

My goal for 2012? Read 101 books. I know a challenge when I see one. ;)

Edited to add: January 8, 2011 I FORGOT ONE!
8. Summer Romance Reading Challenge 2011 July 8, 2011
I joined Book City Chick's Summer Romance Reading Challenge and signed up to read 8 books between between the first day of summer and September 30, 2011 and met that challenge in early July. I proceeded to read a total of 19 books during that time frame. I guess that wasn't so much of a challenge after all... 

Now for the challenges I failed. By the way, I'm not the least bit upset that I didn't meet these challenges below. Sure, it would have been really cool if I did, but why call it a challenge if it all comes too easy, right?

1. Once Upon a Time V Challenge [spring only] FAILED Completed 3/5
This challenge is hosted by Carl at Steel Droppings during the spring only, starting on the first day of spring. I met this challenge in 2010 and enjoyed it... but sort of forgot about it this year until mid May. I met 3 of the 5 requirements for the level I chose to do, but ran out of time with the last two. I'll try again this spring.

2. A-Z Mystery Challenge FAILED Completed 4/26
Well, this one I knew right out of the gate that I wouldn't complete, because I just don't read that many mysteries. However, I think it's a great way to try new authors in a new-to-me genre and it is hosted by my darling friend Michelle, so I am making it a perpetual challenge for myself and will simply work on reading books by authors for all 26 letters until I've finished the whole alphabet. Four down, twenty-two to go!

3. Big Book Reading Challenge FAILED Completed 0/1
There's a reason orannia--who hosts this challenge, asks that we chose ONE big book to read. It's because she knows we all procrastinate reading those big books because well... they're BIG! I was so good at procrastinating that I never read one. I'm signing up for this one again in 2012 and will punish myself make amends to myself by reading TWO big books this time!

4. Take a Chance Challenge 3 FAILED Completed 0/10
This challenge sounded so unique and fun and inspiring when I signed up for it last year but my interest fell short here. The categories for the requirements were really great... I even played with some book lists several times throughout the year, but I never followed through. Ah, well, live and learn.

5. Reading Challenge Addict Challenge 2011 NOT EXACTLY FAILED Completed 7/12
Finally, the end all and be all of challenges for reading challenge addicts like me. This one was a challenge to actually MEET all of your 2011 reading challenges. I didn't make it.  I own it.

Edited to add: January 7, 2012. 
Turns out I signed up to complete SEVEN challenges in the Reading Challenge Addict Challenge so it looks like I actually met that one!!! That makes 9 wins and 4 losses. :) 

Did you sign up for any Reading Challenges in 2011? How did you do?


Coming up soon on the happily ever after...  a whole bunch of 2012 Reading Challenge posts! Yay! So apologies in advance if I clutter up your feeds over the weekend!

Have a great weekend! :)