Year of the Historical Reading Challenge

Host: KMont of Lurv a la Mode

Details: For more details, including rules and how to sign yourself up, visit KMont at Year of the Historical Reading Challenge.

Challenge: Read and review 12 historical fiction novels in 2010.

I joined KMont's Year of the Category Romance Reading Challenge last year and came up short. This year, KMont is challenging readers to read 12 historical novels. The books do not need to be historical romances--just historical fiction, but I'm thinking all of my selections will be historical romances since I read 17 historical romances last year.

Coincidentally, I'm in the middle of reading my first novel of 2010 and it's an historical romance. I'm reading Wild Heart by Lori Brighton and I'm really enjoying it. I'm a little over halfway through the novel and I'm at a scene where the heroine has just gotten dressed for a ball and I was so excited that the cover art shows her in the exact attire that she's wearing in this scene. Right down to the necklace! It may seem trivial, but I just love when a book's cover art perfectly matches what's inside the book.

So I realize the rules of this challenge call for a review of each book read, but I know me and my lack of discipline when it comes to writing reviews promptly or at all, for that matter, so I'm going to keep a list here just to humor myself and anyone else who's going to keep tabs on me and my challenges. ;p

1. Wild Heart by Lori Brighton

2. A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

3. Proof of Seduction by Courtney Milan

4. My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy

5. Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter

6. Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

7. Provocative In Pearls by Madeline Hunter

8. Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran

9. One Dance With a Duke by Tessa Dare

10. The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin

11. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

12. Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare 

13. The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros

14. Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare
15. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning (time travel)

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Host: J. Kaye of J. Kaye's Book Blog

Details: For more details, including rules and how to sign yourself up, visit J. Kaye at 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge.

Challenge: I joined "The Mini" Young Adult Reading Challenge which is to read 12 young adult novels in 2010. Reviews are optional.

This was the only challenge that I completed successfully last year and even came in ahead with having read 14 young adult novels, so I definitely wanted to join again. Not only do I have at least a dozen young adult novels on my bookshelves at home that I want to read, but the library has at least a few dozen more that are on my list as well. The first book that I plan to read for this challenge is Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I've heard some very positive reviews for it around and am drawn to the dark fantasy in a small Southern town setting. I'm really looking forward to it, and it's a long one coming in at 563 pages.

1. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

2. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

3. Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

4. Beastly by Alex Flinn

5. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

6. My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

7. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

8. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

9. Looking for Alaska by John Green

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

11. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater 

12. Stringz by Michael Wenberg

****** CHALLENGE COMPLETED OCTOBER 29, 2010 *******

13. No Such Thing as the Real World anthology by An Na, M.T. Anderson, K.L. Going, Beth Kephart, Chris Lynch and Jacqueline Woodson
14. "Winter's Passage" novella by Julie Kagawa
15. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
16. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
17. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

Host: Pearl of Pearl's World of Romance

Details: For more details, including how you can sign up for this challenge, visit Pearl at Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge.

Challenge: Read 10 contemporary romance novels in 2010. Reviews are optional.

I read 18 contemporary romance novels last year, so I figure reading 10 in 2010 for this challenge should be a piece of cake!

1. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

2. Stolen Seduction by Elisabeth Naughton

3. The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins

4. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

5. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

6. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

7. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

8. All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

9. Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

10. The Gift by Nora Roberts 

Challenge completed on December 26, 2010. :) 

Lynsay Sands Argeneau Family Series Reading Challenge

Host: Amy J at My Overstuffed Bookshelf

Details: For more details, including rules and how to sign yourself up, visit Amy at Lynsay Sands Reading Challenge Redo.

Challenge: Read the Argeneau Family Series by Lynsay Sands in 2010.

I saw this reading challenge on Amy J's blog several weeks ago and again, thought it would motivate me to read this series. One of my first ever online romance reading friends from our pre-blog days, Tracy of the blog Tracy's Place, had mailed me at least the first six or seven books in this series I think in the summer of 2007. I think it's time I read these books and finally return them to her! I'm scared of the overdue fines she's going to charge me. ;)

Some good news is that I have a bit of a headstart as I've already read the first two books in the series. They're light hearted, fun stories with plenty of good natured humor and a sweet romance.

1. A Quick Bite

2. Love Bites

3. Single White Vampire

4. Tall, Dark and Hungry

5. A Bite to Remember

6. Bite Me If You Can

7. The Accidental Vampire

8. Vampires are Forever

9. Vampire Interrupted

The following titles are, I believe, a spin off of sorts to the Argeneau Family series, but still considered part of the series. If anyone has a better explanation or understanding of how the 'Hunter' books tie into the series, by all means, share your knowledge in the comments.

10. The Rogue Hunter

11. The Immortal Hunter

12. The Renegade Hunter

Titles will remain shaded gray until I've read them. Once I've read a book, I'll come back and make the title RED.

Lynn Viehl's Darkyn Series Reading Challenge

Host: J. Kaye of J. Kaye's Book Blog

Details: For more details, including how to sign up yourself, visit J. Kaye at Lynn Viehl's Darkyn Series Reading Challenge.

Challenge: Read the Darkyn Series by Lynn Viehl in 2010.

I have the first four books in this series on my TBR shelf that I bought a couple of years ago at a huge bargain from a local bookstore that was going out of business, so thought this would be a good motivation to finally read them.

1. If Angel's Burn (2005)

2. Private Demon (2005)

3. Dark Need (2006)

4. Night Lost (2007)

5. Evermore (2008)

6. Twilight Fall (2008)

Master of Shadows (2008) novella, click on title for more info

7. Stay the Night (2009)

If you've already read this series, I'd love to hear your (non spoiler) comments on it.

If you haven't read this series, why not join the challenge and read the books with me?

What's In a Name Reading Challenge

Host: Beth F of Beth Fish Reads

Details: For more details, including rules and how to sign yourself up, visit Beth at What's In a Name Reading Challenge.

Challenge: Read SIX books in 2010, one in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a FOOD in the title.

2. A book with a BODY OF WATER in the title.

3. A book with a TITLE (queen, president, duke...) in the title.

4. A book with a PLANT in the title.

5. A book with a PLACE NAME in the title.

6. A book with a MUSIC term in the title.

I saw this challenge on Beth's blog a while ago and passed right over it at the time, not really thinking of any challenges other than the In Death Reading Challenge I was hosting. But then I saw it again on someone else's blog (I can't remember where!) and thought it might be fun to try to do. Amazingly, I found titles from my TBR shelf and my Library List that satisfy all of the requirements, so here is my tentative list as I may change my mind if something better comes along.

FOOD . . 1. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen 4.06.10
BODY OF WATER . . 2. Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen 9.9.10
A 'TITLE' . . 3. Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder 4.03.10

A PLANT . . 4. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts 1.20.10
A PLACE . . 5. Looking for Alaska by John Green 8.5.10
MUSIC TERM . . 6. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater 6.20.10

To keep track of my progress, I'll come back and darken the books as I finish reading them. If it's gray, I haven't read it yet.

The 2010 Big Book Challenge

The Host: orannia at Walkabout

The challenge: Read ONE novel over 500 pages that you've been wanting to read.

The details: For more details, including rules and how to sign yourself up, visit orannia at The 2010 Big Book Challenge.

Joining this challenge was a no brainer for a number of reasons:

1. It is hosted by my adorable blogging friend, orannia.
2. I only have to read ONE book by December 31, 2010 to complete the challenge.
3. I have had Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling on my nightstand for over two years and am finally going to read it this year. My 10 year old daughter read it in about 36 hours over the Christmas break. Surely I can read it within a few days. Maybe.

ETA February 24, 2010 I decided to list all of the books that I read in 2010 that are over 500 pages here, since I've read one already even though it's not the one I chose for the challenge.

1. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

& Margaret Stohl ... 554 pages

2. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward ... 642 pages

3. Lover Mine by J.R. Ward ... 528pages

I DID IT!!!! COMPLETED ON AUGUST 26, 2010

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling ... 759 pages

Challenge graphic from the motion picture Howl's Moving Castle courtesy of Seattle Post-Intelligencer and tweaked by Kerry.

Running BEFORE the crack of dawn.

Seriously. Who does that?

I've been getting all my Reading Challenge posts ready when I started toying with the idea of doing some kind of Health & Fitness journal slash blog, but am not really sure yet. I'll probably just keep posting here in a book, running, recipe pattern that keeps repeating.

In Fitness Challenge news, orannia and I have made an unofficial, but I think honest commitment to train for a triathlon in 2011. *High five!* Unfortunately, we won't be doing the actual triathlon together because we live on opposite sides of the planet, but we'll be virtual training partners. I know 2011 sounds so far away, but I'm going to need some time to train for it, especially the swimming part. Definitely a weakness. I can certainly swim... just not with great form or technique. In addition, I'm going to need the extended training period because the recent decline of my father-in-law's health now requires more intense, round the clock care for him, which is going to restrict the time I can spend exercising outside the home.

In the meantime, I'm continuing with the running and other cardio classes at the gym, although my long time standing routine of working out weekday mornings at the gym between 9-11 am is going to have to shift to 6-7 am. Truth be told, it's not really my thing to get up at 5:30 am to workout. I'm more of a night owl than an early bird. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do if she wants to be fit, be healthy, and feel good. And if she wants to improve her running times in races. And if she wants to climb those hills on her bike. And if she wants to do a triathlon in 2011.

My running class instructor, who has also become a friend to me over the last several months, offered to go running with me this morning at 6 am because she knew I wouldn't be able to make her beloved running class anymore. Isn't that so nice of her? I mean really. Who else would offer to go running with you at 5:30 am in the pitch black, 21 F winter weather? How could I say no?

So we ran 3 miles at my pace and finished in 35 minutes, which is pretty much my standard pace, but I know it was totally like a stroll in the park for her. I saw her stats. She ran the 5K last Friday at a 7 minute mile pace. Can you see why she's my inspiration? And she never makes me feel like I'm holding her back. She's awesome like that. You all should hire her as your personal trainer.

Anyway, we're running along, chatting away, getting passed by cars, blinded by the headlights of people obviously on their way to work, when I have this interesting revelation. I've been that driver on my way somewhere early in the morning when it's still dark or frigid cold and have passed runners all bundled up and wearing reflective clothing. I would think to myself, "Who in their right mind gets up this early on this cold of a day and goes out running in the dark? Running! How do they do it? What makes them do it?"

Those runner people were always so "other" to me. And yet, there I was today, one of those "others." Me! I'm doing that crazy pre dawn, running in frigid temperatures thing. And doing it willingly, no less. It was an interesting revelation to find myself on the flip side of my own perspective today. I suppose that means I've got a new perspective now. :)

Stay tuned for those Reading Challenges I keep promising. I'm getting them up very soon! Hopefully tomorrow.

My Reading Stats & Favorite Reads of 2009

This post is a reflection of the books I read last year by numbers, genre and favorites.

The numbers

I read a total of 79 books, averaging 6 to 7 books per month, which is 18 more total books than I read in 2008, so I'm happy about that, especially considering how busy the first half of 2009 was for me with construction on the house, moving back home, unpacking, setting up house and all that other jazz. I'm going to be bold and aim to read 100 in 2010. I'm aiming to read 8 books per month, 10 books each in July and August when I have more spare time.

The genres
I read from a 11 different literary genres in 2009, which made it my most diverse reading year yet and I really enjoyed the variety. I definitely see myself continuing with this pattern of mixing up my genre selections from now on, although I'm sure romance will dominate. Here's a list of the genres I read and the number of books in each:

Contemporary Romance . . . 18
Historical Romance . . . 17
Young Adult . . . 14
Paranormal Romance . . . 10
Mystery . . . 6
Urban Fantasy . . . 6
Fantasy . . . 3
General Fiction . . . 2
Sci Fi . . . 1
Memoir . . . 1
Children's Fiction . . . 1

The favorites
I also keep a running list of the books I read each month at my book archives if you're interested in exactly what I was reading last year. Sometimes I even write a few brief comments or notes on the books, too. My favorite reads, though, do deserve an extra shout out, so I'm going to list them here, although it was very difficult to come up with a list of favorites. I enjoyed every book I read this year and can truthfully recommend them all. I'm not kidding.

I attempted a list of Top 10, but I couldn't draw the line! Hey, it's my blog and I can do what I want, so here's my Top 20 Reads of 2009.

My Top 20 Reads of 2009:
Listed in the order I read them by genre . . .

Favorite Urban Fantasy novels:
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

Favorite Young Adult novels:
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Favorite Contemporary Romances:
Stranger by Megan Hart
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson
Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Although Garden Spells is categorized as general fiction, it's a contemporary romance according to my standards. ;)

Favorite Historical Romances:
Broken Wing by Judith James
Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory
The Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare
Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare

Favorite Fantasy novels:
The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

(I'm cheating and naming the whole trilogy)

Favorite Mystery novels:
The Spellman Files series by Lisa Lutz

(Cheating again and naming the whole series)


Are any of your favorite reads of 2009 on my list?

Up next, I'll be making individual posts for each of the Reading Challenges I'm joining for 2010 and uh... I'm just warning you. There's quite a few. It is possible I got a bit over zealous with the challenge thing. Just a bit. :o)

Starting the New Year on the right foot . . .

. . . by running in a 5K Race today! :)

Happy New Year! Today's race was a local 5K Hangover Run, named so because it is held every year on New Year's Day.

Here's a photo of my runner's tag and the t-shirt that was given out to participants. Pretty cool that I was No. 3 when there were upwards of 500 runners there today. Before the race, I crossed paths with the girl with No. 1 and we eyed each other. I don't know why we caught each other's eye, but it was funny.

The weather was perfect for a winter run today: clear, almost sunny with temperatures around 35 F (2 C) and no wind. The no wind is a huge plus because that wind chill factor is brutal on winter running. There's snow on the ground from yesterday, but fortunately it warmed up enough that most of whatever precipitation accumulated on the pavement had melted. In fact, there was only one small section of the route that was a bit slushy, but since no one ahead of me looked like they were slipping, I just ran through it like everyone else.

I finished the 5K (3.1 miles) in 34:35. I think. Or was it 35:34? Or maybe 34:50? Hmm... I'll have to wait for the race results to get posted before I know for sure. Right now I feel good that it's January 1, 2010 and I was out running and in a race no less. Even better, I know I ran an 11 minute mile pace in this race as opposed to the 12 minute mile pace I ran in the 5 Mile Run back in November. I know today's race was a lot shorter than the one in November, so my pace doesn't necessarily indicate improvement. It's probably just because I slow down the longer I run, so my average pace is slower in longer races. Makes sense, right? Still, I'm happy with today's pace. Now if only I could run closer to a 10 minute mile . . .

Actually, I think I'm going to make that one of my fitness goals for 2010! To run a 5K in 31 minutes by January 1, 2011. I think that's a serious challenge for me, but it's my goal nonetheless.

What are your fitness goals for 2010?

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!

January 4, 2010

Edited to add: I checked the race stats online and I ran the 5K in 34:51 which puts my pace at 11:12.9. Not too bad, but I'd still love to get my pace in the 10 minute range. :)