Reading Challenges Completed ~ 2011

Competed Challenge List ~ 2011

Lists, lists, lists. I love lists and yes I know this post is really really late, but my excuse is that we are still catching up  from our “fun and fiasco” filled 2011. And let me tell you the first half of 2012 has been just as crazy. With all things considered I think we did fairly well even though we did not finish every challenge.

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Read A Myth Challenge  (host’s review page link) ~ 8 books to cover more than 3 different countries, and at least 1 non-fiction book.

Shellie: 6 different countries, 0 nonfiction; short by 2 books; almost completed.

1. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (US)
2. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (England)
3. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (Greece)
4. “A Memory of Wind” ~ by Rachel Swirsky (Greece)
5. The Conference of the Birds ~ by Peter Sis (Middle East)
6. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey (Newfoundland)

I am so sad that they are not doing this challenge for 2012.

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LGBT Book Challenge 2011 ~ any number 

Shellie: Completed!

1. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt
2. Willy ~ Robert Dunbar
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray (in audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance
4. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey
5. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott

John:  Completed!

1. The Windup Girl ~ by Paolo Bacigalupi

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Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011 ~  Hajime - Read one book.

Shellie:  Completed!

1. Kafka on the Shore ~ Haruki Murakami

 

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2011 Eastern-Europe Reading Challenge: 4 books by an author from any of the following regions: 

Croatia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Belarus, Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Romania, Moldova, and Kosovo.    

Shellie: Short by 2 books; half completed.

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas   
2. The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine ~ by Alina Bronsky (translator Tim Mohr)

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Graphics Novel Challenge 2011 ~ 3 books each. 

Shellie:  Completed!

1. Electric Ant ~ by Philip K. Dick (adapted by David Mack; illustrated by Pascal Aline)
2. The Sandman - The Dream Hunters ~ by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Yoshitak Amano 
3. The Hobbit ~ by J.R.R. Tolkien; adapted by David Wenzel

John: Completed!

1. Banksy: Locations & Tours vol. 1 ~ by Martin Bull
2. Banksy: Locations & Tours vol. 2 ~ by Martin Bull
3. On the Odd Hours ~ by Eric Liberge  (not reviewed)

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2011 Book Bucket Reading Challenge ~ books from on your shelf.  Goal ~  10 books.

Shellie:  Short by 3 books; almost completed.

1. The Afflicted Girls – Suzy Witten
2. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray (audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance
4. Wuthering Heights ~ by Emily Brontë 
5. Bury Your Dead (Armand Gamache #6) ~ by Louise Penny
6. Shadow Bound ~ by Erin Kellison
7. Wuthering Heights ~ by Emily Brontë

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War Through The Generations ~ US Civil War 2011  Read 3-5 books. Read 5 books and watched 3 movies. Completed! 

John: 

1. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara 
2. The March ~ EL Doctorow

Shellie:

1. Those Across the River (audio) ~ by Christopher Buehlman
2. Short Stories “Lament for Lost Atlanta” ~ by Arlan Andrews
3. “Journal of a Civil War Nurse” ~ by Georgiann Baldino

Shellie and John: Movies:

1. Seraphim Falls (links three movies reviewed)
2. Gettysburg
3. Amistad

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Chivalrous Deeds: Historical Fiction Challenge 2011  (Review post link)

Visit any court from any point in history as long as the book you are reading is Historical Fiction.  

 

 

Shellie:  Completed!

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas
2. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks
3. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood
4. The Conference of the Birds ~ by Peter Sis
5. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks
6. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke

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Historical Tour de Genre Reading Challenge ~  Read 6 books. 

John:  Completed!

1. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara
2. The March ~ EL Doctorow  
3. The Hum and The Shiver ~ by Alex Bledsoe (historical fantasy)
4. The Devil All the Time ~ by Donald Ray Pollock (historical horror)
5. The Curse-Maker ~ by Kelli Stanley (thriller/mystery)
6. The Time Machine ~ by H. G. Wells (Gas-lit Century)

Shellie:  Completed!

1. Those Across the River (audio) ~ by Christopher Buehlman (plantation/horror)
2. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke (fantasy)
3. Eddie - The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe ~ written and illustrated by Scott Gustafson (young adult)
4. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (fantasy horror)
5. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey (light fantasy)
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray (in audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance (horror/Victorian)
7. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks (fantasy)
8. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (fantasy)
9. The Afflicted Girls ~ Susy Witten (horror)
10. Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (Historical Romance/Horror/Victorian)
11. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (romance/England/mystery/Victorian/glbt)

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 2011 Global Reading Challenge: The Easy Challenge (8 books.)

1. Africa
2. Asia
3. Australasia
4. Europe
5. North America
6. South America
7. The Seventh Continent ~ Antarctica or a ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future.
8. From your own continent

John:  Missing Africa and South America; almost completed.

• Missing Africa (#1)
• Seven Years in Tibet ~ by Heinrich Harrer (Asia #2)
• The Windup Girl ~ by Paolo Bacigalupi (Asia #2)
• The Healers ~ by Thomas Heric (Australasia #3)
• Lost in Shangri-La ~ by Mitchell Zuckoff (#3)
• Beware of the Dog ~ by Brian Moore (Europe #4; #8)
• The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (North America #5)
• The March ~ EL Doctorow (North America #5)
• Missing South America (#6)
• Fleet of Worlds ~ by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner (Space #7)
• The Devil All the Time ~ by Donald Ray Pollock (#5; #8) 
• Mr. Toppit ~ by Charles Elton (Europe #4; #8)
• Life ~ by Keith Richards (Europe #4; #8)

Shellie:  Missing Australasia, South America and Africa; almost completed.

• The Time Between ~ (#1 North Africa) (currently reading)
• The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas ( Asia #2)
• Missing Australasia #3
• Enough About Love ~ by Hervé Le Tellier (Europe #4)
• Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (#4)
• Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (#4)
• Bury Your Dead ~ Louise Penny (#5; #8)
• South American (#6)
• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (#7)
• Willy ~ Robert Dunbar (#5; #8)

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Get Steampunked! ~ 5 books; review page; completion page.

John:  Not completed!

1. The Map of Time ~ by Felix J. Palma
2. The Time Machine ~ by H. G. Wells

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 Dystopia Challenge ~ 2011:  5 books to read. review page, completion page.

Shellie: Completed!

1. Feed (audio) ~ by M. T. Anderson
2. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott (SF)
3. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
4. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)
5. Several shorts from the anthology:  Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson
6. “Lament for Lost Atlanta” ~ by Arlan Andrews

John:  Almost completed!

1. The Immortality Virus ~ by Christine Amsden
2. The Windup Girl ~ by Paolo Bacigalupi
3. The Healers  ~ by Thomas Heric (JD)

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42 Challenge 2011 ~  read, watch, listen, and (possibly) review 42 sci-fi related items. We read and watched 41 so almost complete!

See our dedicated post for this fun challenge! Between the two of us we almost completed 42 sci-fi related things. 

 

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Mind Voyages 2011:  Nebula and Hugo Award winners and nominees ~ any number of books.

 

 

John:  Completed!

1. WWW: Wake ~ by Robert J. Sawyer
2. The Windup Girl ~ by Paolo Bacigalupi

Shellie:  Completed!

1. Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson
2. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente
3. The Women of Nell Gwynne’s ~ by Kage Baker

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For additional challenge information see our:

• 2011 List of Challenges.
• 2012 List of Challenges.

The Basics Challenge ~ books read

The Basics Challenge ~ books read list.

What is it?  A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site, where I (Shellie) explore Speculative Fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror) and where YOU can explore any genre(s) you wish!

It’s a “perpetual” 100 book challenge, with a 25% forgiveness rate, and a five year time limit. The plan is to prevent a story writer from “re-inventing the wheel”, or to help a reader to be more knowledgeable within the area of their interest(s). It’s a challenge that is open to anyone who cares to join. Let me know in the comments if it’s something you would like to do.

Titles link to Shellie’s review for each book.

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2012

1. A Long Long Sleep ~ by Anna Sheehan (YA – dystopian)
2. Darkfever; Bloodfever; and Faefever ~ by Karen Marie Moning (review coming) (paranormal romance)
3. Jamrach’s Menagerie ~ Carol Birch (review coming) (literary w/paranormal elements)
4. Other Kingdoms ~ by Richard Matheson (review coming) (historical fantasy)
5. Oryx and Crake ~ by Margaret Atwood (review coming) (sci fi)
6. The First Days (As the World Dies #1) ~ by Rhiannon Frater (horror)
7. The Whisperer ~ by Donato Carrisi (paranormal crime)
8. “The Women of Nell Gwynne’s” ~ by Kage Baker (steam punk)

2011

1. Blue ~ Lou Aronica (modern fantasy)
2. Changeling Moon ~ by Dani Harper (paranormal romance)
3. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver  (YA – dystopian)
4. Eddie - The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe ~ written and illustrated by Scott Gustafson (YA – historical paranormal)
5. Electric Ant ~ by Philip K. Dick (adapted by David Mack; illustrated by Pascal Aline) (sci fi – graphic novel)
6. Feed (audio) ~ by M. T. Anderson (YA – dystopian)
7. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey (historical paranormal)
8. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination (Audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (sci fi – non fiction)
9. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke (historical fantasy)
10. Kafka on the Shore ~ by Haruki Marakami (modern fantasy)
11. Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson (collection) 
12. Possession ~ by A.S. Byatt (in audio) (historical – literary)
13. Promises to Keep ~ by Charles De Lint (urban fantasy)
14. Shadow Bound ~ by Erin Kellison (paranormal romance)
15. Spellwright (Spellwright, #1) ~ by Blake Charlton (epic fantasy)
16. The Afflicted Girls ~ by Susy Witten (historical horror)
17. The Conference of the Birds ~ by Peter Sis (fable)
18. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (YA – fantasy)
19. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks (historical fantasy)
20. The Hobbit ~ by J.R.R. Tolkien; adapted by David Wenzel (epic fantasy – graphic novel)
21. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ by Michael David Lukas (literary – magical realism) 
22. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (myhology – retelling)
23. The Picture of Dorian Gray (in audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance (classic horror)
24. The Sandman - The Dream Hunters ~ by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Yoshitak Amano (fable – graphic novel)
25. The Uncertain Places ~ by Lisa Goldstein (urban fant)
26. Those Across the River (audio) ~ by Christopher Buehlman (horror)
27. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott (sci fi – lgbt)
28. Warm Bodies ~ by Isaac Marion (literary horror)
29. Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar (literary horror)
30. Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy # 1) ~ by Lauren DeStefano (YA – dystopian)
31. Wuthering Heights ~ by Emily Brontë  (classic paranormal)

2009 ~ 2010

1. Alone ~ by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
2. Cursed ~ by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
3. Dracula ~ by Bram Stoker
4. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
5. Hothouse Flower ~ by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
6. Inside Out ~ by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
7. Keeper ~ by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
8. Life As We Knew It (#1) and 
9. This World We Live In (#2)
10. The Dead and The Gone (#3) ~ by Susan Beth (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
12. One Bloody Thing After Another ~ by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
13. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
14. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
15. Post-Human ~ by David Simpson (sci fi)
16. RELEASE ~ by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
17. Soulless ~ by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
18. Tender Morsels ~ by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
19. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
20. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
21. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
22. The Magic Warble ~ by Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
23. The Metamorphosis ~ by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
24. The Passage ~ by Justin Cronin (horror)
25. The Reincarnationist;
26. The Memorist;
27. and The Hypnotist ~ by MJ Rose (all three books in one post) (paranormal)
28. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight ~ by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
29. The Song of The Whale ~ by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
30. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. The Things That Keep Us Here ~ by Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
33. The Unit ~ by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)

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For a total of 74 books read in a less than a 3 year period. I have 26 more books to read to reach my 100 goal.

This list will be updated periodically and accessible via the tabs at the top of the blog.

Here’s to hoping that lists of books don’t bore you to pieces cause I have a few more coming up. I am still playing catch-up for our “real-life event” filled 2011. Not the best year, but what can one do? “Have a cup of tea, and get on with it!” as the English say.

Thanks for reading.

Completed: 42 Challenge 2011 ~ anything Sci Fi

42 Challenge 2011 

It’s our very late post to mark the end of this 2011 challenge, where we attempted to read, watch, attend  “42 anythings” which are science fiction related.

The challenge’s title is based upon The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe’s answer to the “Ultimate Question” and its answer “42 “ which is the universal theory and reason for everything. 

Amazingly we almost finished this crazy challenge and as you can see below we watched and read a lot of sci-fi”ish” things in 2011 and we had a blast. (In case your interested the badge above links to our host’s blog for the challenge, which sadly she isn't doing again this year.)

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We Viewed | Read:

• 10 movies
• 9 short stories and poems
• 22 books

Collectively we almost completed the challenge at 41. Wow!

Movies with Mini Reviews:

Survivors  (TV Series 1975–1977)

This is a BBC production and a series about a post apocalyptic UK which is is based upon a virus that kills 95% of the world’s population.

A bit outdated and low tech, it still allows the watcher to experience what it would be like if almost everyone on the planet dies. It’s a 3 star in our opinion; we watched only the first in the series.

Paul (2011)  

Two geeky comic-book readers travel across the U.S. and encounter an alien named Paul outside the notorious Area 51, with hilarious results.

John watched this funny movie on a trans-Atlantic flight and laughed the whole time and designated it a 4 star rating.

 

Fahrenheit 451  (1966)  

This classic book by Ray Bradbury, turned into a movie, is set in a future where books are illegal. They are burned at the temperature which burns paper – 451 degrees.

This old 60’s dystopian movie has some great fashions which are slightly in style right now and was very entertaining. The movie too feels a bit dated, but is still great to watch. At 4 stars, it is a must see for all science fiction/dystopian aficionados.

 

Videodrome (1983) 

A horror sci-fi flick, where a cable-TV programmer begins to see his life disintegrate in a surreal fashion when he watches a video that causes horrific and creepy consequences.

This is a violent and disturbing movie with some interesting special effects considering the age of the film. A must view for any horror/sci-fi lover at 3.5 stars.

 

Pandorum  (2009)  

The crew from a spectacularly created spaceship wakes up with no knowledge of their mission or their identities, to find that they are not the only hungry beings on the ship.

A very scary sci-fi/horror flick; there are several ridiculous scenes but the special effects, makeup and scene setting are fabulous – this flick contains a spectacular monster in our opinion. We enjoyed it at 3.5 stars.

9 (2009)   

When a cute rag doll which has been granted a soul awakens in a post-apocalyptic future, he sets out on a quest to rid his world of evil.

This is a sweet story, contains amazing graphics and special effects with a sweet yet spiritual theme. 4 stars for this cute family oriented film. 

 

Brazil (1985)  

A bureaucrat in a dystopian future world tries to correct an administrative error and becomes a wanted man.

This is an incredible film – for its plot, visuals and creativity. Wonderful to watch, it really is a must see for any sci-fi aficionado; and anyone for that matter. Highly recommended at 4.5 stars!  

 

The Andromeda Strain (1971)  

In this classic book turned movie, scientists must stop a deadly alien virus before it can spread.

Low tech and very intriguing, this is an extremely well done movie considering when it was made, and is another must see. 3.5 stars is our rating for this classic movie.  

 

The Man Who Fell to Earth  (1976)  

A heart-breaking movie about an alien who travels to Earth to send back water for his dying planet.

With a surreal feel and well done makeup, David Bowie stars in this great movie. It is one of the movies which Shellie holds responsible for her love of science fiction. An excellent, low tech classic, it is a must view for everyone at 4.5 stars.

The Children (2008)

Set in the UK, a vacation turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the children begin to turn against their parents.

Although more horror than science fiction – there is an element which puts this into the genre, since it appears that this is a disease that is spread from body fluids. John liked this film, Shellie thought it was okay so we will designate it a balance between the two ratings at 3.5 stars.

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Books with Linked Reviews:

Shellie:

1. Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson (This book contained 9 sci fi shorts and poems.) 
2. Electric Ant ~ by Philip K. Dick (adapted by David Mack; illustrated by Pascal Aline) (GN, SF, C)
3. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott (SF)
4. Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy # 1) ~ by Lauren DeStefano (YA,SF)
5. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (SF,YA)
6. In Other Worlds (audio) ~ by Margaret Attwood
7. Feed (audio) ~ by M. T. Anderson
8. “Lament for Lost Atlanta” ~ by Arlan Andrews

(16 books, novelettes, novellas, short stories, and poems.)

John:

1. The Revisionists ~ by Thomas Mullen
2. The Immortality Virus ~ by Christine Amsden
3. Fleet of Worlds ~ by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner
4. The Windup Girl ~ by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. Matter (book #8 in the Culture series) ~ by Iain M. Banks
6. The Time Machine ~ by H. G. Wells
7. Robopocalypse ~ by Daniel H. Wilson
8. WWW:Wonder (#3) ~ by Robert J. Sawyer
9. All the Lives He Led ~ by Frederik Pohl
10. WWW:Watch (#2) ~ by Robert J. Sawyer
11. Variable Star ~ by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson
12. The Healers (The Aesculapians, Book One) ~ by Thomas Heric
13. Home Fires ~ by Gene Wolfe
14. WWW:Wake (#1) ~ by Robert J. Sawyer
15. The Metalmark Contract ~ by David Batchelor (not reviewed)

(15 books)

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Here’s to another year and a bunch more intriguing and thought-provoking reads, movie views, and more all within one of our favorite genres – Science Fiction!

Thanks for reading.

Challenge List ~ 2011

 

2011 Challenge List ~ is a page to keep track of current challenges. It will also include links to our book reviews which will be updated periodically.

Clicking on the challenge host badges will lead you to our original challenge announcement page, where you can find a bit more info then link to the host site.

2011 Challenges

Read A Myth Challenge  ~  January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.  Challenge site review page link. 

Level 4 Ogma: The God of all Myths. 8 books to cover more than 3 different countries, and at least 1 non-fiction book.

1. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)

(links up to date)

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LGBT Book Challenge 2011 ~ from January, 1st  to December, 31st 2011.

Goal ~ We read so many different types of books that many will over lap into this category, so as many as we can!

Shellie:

1. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt
2. Willy ~ Robert Dunbar

 

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Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011 ~  Hajime - Read one book. Shellie - hope to read more.

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2011 Eastern-Europe Reading Challenge ~ Regions:  Choose titles about or by an author from any of the following regions:  Croatia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Belarus, Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Romania, Moldova, and Kosovo.

Goal ~ tourist:  4 books over 12 months

The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (?)

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Graphics Novel Challenge 2011 ~ January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.

Goal ~  We will be doing the beginner level 3 books each.

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2011 Book Bucket Reading Challenge ~ Make a list of any number of books that are in your bucket - books from on your shelf. 

Goal ~  10 books currently sitting on my shelves to read by the end of December 31, 2011.

The Afflicted Girls – Suzy Witten  (links needed)

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War Through The Generations ~ US Civil War 2011 is from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011. 

Goal ~ Dip: Read 3-5 books

1. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (JD)
2. The March ~ EL Doctorow (JD)

(links up to date)

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Chivalrous Deeds: Historical Fiction Challenge 2011 ~ from 1 January 2011 and finish on 31 December 2011. 

You can visit any court from any point in history as long as the book you are reading is Historical Fiction.  Review post link.

The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (Shellie)

(links up to date)

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Historical Tour de Genre Reading Challenge ~  January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Goals:  Read 6 books with at least one book from each category or sub 2 with Alternatives:  GLBT – Fantasy  - Western – Paranormal - True Crime. 

Categories:

1. Historical ~ Mystery, Whodunnit, Gas-Lit Century, Victorian
2. Historical Horror
3. Historical Romance/Regency: England or European continent
4. Historical Young Adult ~ ages 14 to 21 yrs
5. Historical Plantation ~ life on a plantation/setting
6. Historical Thriller

Alternatives: GLBT – Fantasy - Western – Paranormal - True Crime.

John:

• The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (JD)
• The March ~ EL Doctorow (JD) 

Shellie:

• The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (fantasy -Shellie)
• The Afflicted Girls – Susy Witten (historical horror - Shellie)
• Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (Historical Romance/Horror/Victorian)
• Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (Historical Romance – England/Mystery/Victorian)

 

(need to add link updated on Goodreads group)

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2011 Global Reading Challenge: The Easy Challenge: (8 books) ~ Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011.

 

1. Africa
2. Asia ~ (Tibet/China, Japan, Middle East, India/Pakistan) – finished by JD and Shellie
3. Australasia ~ Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands – finished by JD 
4. Europe ~ (Eastern, Western, UK/Ire, Nordic, Mediterranean) - finished by JD x 3 and Shellie
5. North America ~ (Canada, Native American, CA – the United States) - finished by JD x 2 and Shellie x 3
6. South America ~ includes Mexico and Central America 
7. The Seventh Continent ~ Antarctica or a ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future (Arctic)  - finished by JD and Shellie
8. From your own continent ~  John (UK/Ire) and Shellie (CA and North America) finished by JD x 3 and Shellie x 2

John:

1. Seven Years in Tibet ~ by Heinrich Harrer (Asia #2)
2. The Healers ~ by Thomas Heric (Australasia #3)
3. Beware of the Dog ~ by Brian Moore (Europe #4; #8)
4. Mr. Toppit ~ by Charles Elton (Europe #4; #8)
5. Life ~ by Keith Richards (Europe #4; #8)
6. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (North America #5)
7. The March ~ EL Doctorow (North America #5)

Shellie:

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas ( Asia #2)
2. Enough About Love ~ by Hervé Le Tellier (Europe #4)
3. Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (#4)
4. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (#4)
5. Bury Your Dead ~ Louise Penny (#5; #8)
6. Willy ~ Robert Dunbar (#5; #8)
7. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (#7)

Both need Africa and South America – Shellie needs Australasia

 

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Get Steampunked! We have chosen the level Geared ~ 5 books to read.  review page, completion page

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Dystopia Challenge ~ 2011:  Asocial with  5 books to read. review page, completion page

1. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
2. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)
3. The Healers  ~ by Thomas Heric (JD)

(links up to date)

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42 Challenge 2011 ~ (January 1, 2011 till  December 3, 2011)  read, watch, listen, and (possibly) review 42 sci-fi related items.

1. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
2. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)
3. Home Fires ~ Gene Wolfe (JD)
4. WWW: Wake ~ by Robert J. Sawyer (JD)
5. The Healers ~ by Thomas Heric (JD)

  (links needed)

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Mind Voyages 2011 ~  From January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011

Pluto Voyage:   Mix it up, choose the number of books you want to read from each voyage, include some new books you pick up along the way and enjoy the ride.

WWW: Wake ~ by Robert J. Sawyer (JD)

(links needed)

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Continuing Challenges from 2010

Understand My Sorrow: Rules - Four (4) books, one nonfiction,  with one each for Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder,  and OCD

2010

1. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone (depression)
2. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart (ptsd/drepression)
3. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas (depression/ocd)
4. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua (depression)
5. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman (depression)

(links needed)

Five books down ~ more to come  - Mr. Linky review link – (not working 3/24)

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Steampunk Challenge ~ October 2010 to October 2011. Link for Steampunk reviews.

2010

1. Voltaire’s Calligrapher ~ by Pablo De Santis
2. “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder
3. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock
4. The Half-Made World ~ by Felix Gilman

(links up to date)

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Continuing Perpetual ~  Five Year Challenges (Shellie only)

The Basics Challenge – Exploring Speculative Fiction: A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site. It is a 100 book challenge (with a 25% forgiveness rate.)

2011

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (magical realism)
2. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
3. Blue ~ Lou Aronica
4. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (dystopian)

2009 ~ 2010

1. The Things That Keep Us Here - Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
2. The Magic Warble – Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
3. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
4. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
6. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
7. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
8. Life As We Knew It
9. The Dead and The Gone
10. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
12. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
13. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
14. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
15. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
16. Post-Human by David Simpson (sci fi)
17. The Passage by Justin Cronin (horror)
18. Alone by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
19. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
20. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post) - (paranormal)
21. The Memorist
22. The Hypnostist
23. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)
24. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
25. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
26. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
27. Dracula by Bram Stoker
28. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
29. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
30. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay 
33. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
34. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

38 completed, 64 more to go 

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Fill in the Gaps - This is a 100 book challenge which includes classics or books that already exist on your shelves.

1. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (read - review link)
2. Something Wicked this way Comes - Ray Bradbury (complete - review link)
3. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (complete - review link)
4. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley 
5. The Metamorphosis - by Frank Kafka
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker
7. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (abandoned)
9. Lolita ~ by Vladimir Nabokov
10. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie ~ by Alan Bradley

10 completed, 1 abandoned - 64 to go (reviews coming on two)

Links to review site.

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• Completed Challenge List 2010
• 2009 Completed Challenge Link list

Yes, I do admit I am a bit of a nut, which is why I created the different sort of nut badge on the top of the post. I am sure we will be adding a few more just to complicate things a bit. Ah the tangled webs we weave…. who is that by?

If your not a book blogger and are surprised by this list you should see the real nuts. And if you are a book blogger you know who you are!  lol….. Let the reading begin!

Challenges: LGBT ~ Haruki Murakami ~ Eastern European ~ Graphic Novels ~ Book Bucket

 

Oh No Not Another Challenge? ~ Yep, five. It is that time of year, and these are special challenges. So here we go!

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LGBT Book Challenge 2011 ~ Hosted by Book after Book ~ here is a bit from the challenge site:

Why this challenge?  LGBT literature is so rich and varied and worth talking more about. That’s why I am hosting this challenge: to keep learning and sharing reading experiences.  I want to do my own tiny bit for a more accepting world – one book at a time!

The details of the challenge

• The challenge will run from January, 1st 2011 to December, 31st 2011.
• You can decide how many books you want to read during the year.
• What qualifies as LGBT reading? I will accept reviews of books whose author is LBGT, whose topic is LGBT and/or whose characters (even minor ones) are LGBT. Fiction and non-fiction titles are equally accepted.
• The challenge is open to bloggers and non bloggers alike.
• There will be monthly prizes for participants.

Goal ~ We read so many different types of books that many will over lap into this category.

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Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011 ~ with a dedicated blog which links via the badge.

Some info taken from the site:

Levels of participation:
Hajime - Read one book
Sheep Man - Read 3 books
Toru - Read 5 books
Nakata - Read 7 books
Sumire - Read 10+ books
Super-frog - Read everything Murakami has written! (that is available in English, or your preferred language)

Goal ~ One book for this challenge which I have been dying to read. This is the perfect excuse.

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2011 Eastern-Europe Reading Challenge ~ Hosted by The Black Sheep Dances.

Basic Challenge Details:

Please consider choosing unfamiliar titles, especially those that are translated works, to help support those organizations that are working to unearth the 'buried' treasure of Eastern European and Russian literature.

Regions:  Choose titles about or by an author from any of the following regions:  Croatia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Belarus, Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Romania, Moldova, and Kosovo.

Titles:  Can be any genre:  crime, poetry, literary fiction, history, historical fiction, memoirs, etc.

Levels: 

• tourist:  4 books over the 12 months
• ambassador:  8 books over 12 months
• scholar:  12 books over 12 months

Goal ~ We will be tourists this year – perhaps more!

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Graphics Novel Challenge 2011 ~ (Badge links to challenge site).

The rules:

1. The challenge starts January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011. You can start anytime you want to especially if you want to start early.
2. The level of participation: Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels), Intermediate (3-10 books), or Expert (10+)
3. Overlaps with other challenges is definitely okay
4. Re-reads count
5. Feel free to post your list at any time

Goal ~  We will be doing the beginner level 3 books each.

This is a great challenge with fun side effects, you can almost pretend you’re a kid.

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2011 Book Bucket Reading Challenge ~ Bookworm Lisa is hosting her first challenge!  She says:

“50 of the books that have been sitting on my "to read" shelf for too long” ~  Feel free to join me,  make a list of books that you will read for 2011.  Cross them off as you go.  See if  you can finish your list before I finish mine.  Make a list of 10 or however many you feel is "do"able for you.

So make a list of any number of books that are in your bucket and join in, which books are on your shelf and in your bucket?

This is a challenge which I need… have you seen my Goodread’s TBR list? and you should see my exploding shelves at home. Goodness!

So at the very least 10 books which are currently sitting on my shelves to read, at the end of December 31, 2011 that I will read in 2011.

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Okay Dokey – that’s all folks!  Well at least until next year.