Christmas reading challenge wrap-up

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

Nov 21, 2016 - Jan 6, 2017

for more information or to sign up, click here

I signed up for Christmas Spirit first (here) and read 21 books. Only 6 of them were new Christmas/Winter books.

I watched parts of maybe 14 movies but didn't watch a full one. Not even Charlie Brown :-(

Whole Latte Christmas

Reading Challenge

Nov 25 - Jan 7

hosted at Whole Latte books

for more information and to sign up, click here

#WholeLatteXmas


Not all of the 21 counted for Whole Latte Christmas (here) so I only overlapped 5 plus one that I read today. I'm also reading one so that means I got 7!

Blogging A to Z Reflections

A to Z Blogging

Reflection

This is only my second year. 2014 was truly a mishmash of topics plus we had Disneyland passes so there were a lot of Disney related posts.

This year snuck up on me and I wasn't going to do it. I didn't have posts prepared, I didn't have a topic, and without Disney passes, I felt I didn't have a ready muse.

In steps my son, "You're a book blog, why don't you do book reviews". O_o

So that's what I did. 30 days. 26 letters. 26 book reviews. One letter cheated on (X-mas instead of Christmas). Plus two extra reviews (children's safety picture books).

Will I do this again next year? I'm already thinking about themes.

What will I do differently? Prepare more posts ahead of time.

Here's the breakdown. The list of books, with covers, is not finished.

3 unfinished books with partial reviews
4 nonfiction
22 fiction
8 print
18 ebook
0 audio
7 review books (sent to me to review)
17 new reads
14 new authors
12 were part of a series
3,071 pages of finished books

Nonfiction categories:
inspirational
humor
travelogue
true crime/book collecting

Fiction categories:
2 - picture books
2 - middle school (1 mystery & 1 folktale)
1 - young adult (fairytale retelling)
1 - horror
1 - psychological Thriller
15 - Romance:
  1 - contemporary romantic suspense
  1 - Christian contemporary romance
  3 - m/m contemporary romance
  5 - mainstream contemporary romance
  1 - sci-fi romance
  1 - mainstream paranormal romance
  3 - m/m paranormal romance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

You Read How Many Books? wrap-up links

You Read How Many Books?
Reading Challenge

Wrap-up

We'd love to see how you did! You can link up now if you've met your goal, or wait until January if you want to get the full total of your reading for the year.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Picture Books wrap-up links

I Love Picture Books

Reading Challenge

Wrap-up links

Let us know how you did!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Spring into a Good Book Wrap up linky

Wow, is it the 20th already? I totally forgot about a second read-a-thon! How did everyone do? You don't have to do a wrap up post but if you kept a list of books read, go ahead and link that up.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Chill Baby, Chill Wrap-up Linky

All done? Great Job! Why don't you tell us about it :-)

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Wrap-up: Genre/Sub-Genre

Genre/Sub-Genre

Reading Challenge

Wrap up

2013

 Two. Two books shy of completing this! What was I thinking? I only had to read two books!

Granted, one was horror, not my favorite genre but I'd already read two, surely one more could be found.

list of what I read can be found here.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Wrap-up linky for LIbrary Books

Library Books

Reading Challenge 

2013

I'm a little behind on this! For anyone who checks in and want to link up . . . here you go.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-up

Spring Reading Thing

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up

March 20 to June 20

hosted by Sandra at The Musings of a Book Addict filling in for Katrina at Callapidder Days

Briefly here is what you need to do to be a part of Spring Reading Thing 2013:

• Make a list of books you want to read or finish reading this spring. Feel free to modify the list as you go along if it isn't working for you. Check.
• Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky on the sign-up page. Check.
• Check out other participants' lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!
• You may begin reading on the 20th! Check.
• Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about your experience and whether you reached our goals. REMEMBER: this is a low-pressure, stress free challenge that should be fun. As long as you do some reading this spring (and enjoy it!) that's good enough for me.

Reading List/Goals

3 review books ~ 2 down
3 library books ~ check
3 TBR books (pre-2013) ~ 1 down
3 non-fiction ~ check

I'm sure I'll be reading more than 12 books this spring but I'm not sure if they'll fit the requirements!
6-6: so far there are 36 books read and I still have SIX to go!

Books Read for Challenge

library ~ The Wanderer by Robyn Carr ~ quick thoughts
library ~ Savor the Danger by Lori Foster ~ quick thoughts
library ~ The Heart of a Hero by Janet Chapman ~ quick thoughts
library ~ The Extra-Ordinary Princess Carolyn Q. Ebbitt ~ quick thoughts 

review book ~ Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods ~ quick thoughts
review book ~ Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods ~ quick thoughts
review book ~ Sea Glass Island by Sherryl Woods ~ quick thoughts

TBR/library ~ Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick
TBR ~ Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery
TBR ~ The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn

non-fiction ~ The ABC's of Freezer Cooking by KM Logan ~ quick thoughts
non-fiction ~ A Poppy Is to Remember by Heather Patterson ~ quick thoughts
non-fiction ~ The Gift of Running by Dr. P. Mark Taylor ~ quick thoughts

Do you really want a list?  Okay, you asked for it! I've put it after "Reading Experience" so you can stop when it gets too long without missing anything important.

Reading Experience

Totally forgot! I did go through a reading slump, at least as far as qualifying books go. I did read several online serials.

Savor the Danger: not sure if I started before the 20th or not, guess I should read another library book. Done.

The Heart of a Hero: started late one night and finished it before going to bed but dang, now I've got to wait for the next in the series!

The Wanderer: this one took me a couple of days but I'm glad books 2 & 3 come out this year.

It's June now and I've still got six books to read that qualify!

Just One Kiss is both a TBR and a new purchase. I put it in my shopping cart in December last year when I found out about it but didn't buy it until this month when it came out.

Other Books Read during Time Period 

~ yes, some of them are short stories but they all have their own isbn/equivalent and total 9,517 pages 

Chaps and Hope by Bailey Bradford
Lock and Key by Sasha Devlin
Working it Out by Sean Michael
Getting Real by Christiane France
Leaving Home by T. A. Chase
White Knight and Black Fur by Joyee Flynn
Rumble and Churr by Joyee Flynn
Elder and the Youngest by Joyee Flynn
Home Sweet Home by T. A. Chase
Halfway There by Susan Mallery
With This Kiss, part one by Eloisa James
Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney
Never Less Than a Lady by Mary Jo Putney
The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway 
With This Kiss, part two by Eloisa James
The Carpenter and the Actor by RJ Scott
The Fireman and the Cop by RJ Scott
Going Down by Cassandra Gold
Three Little Words by Allison Cassatta
The Teacher and the Soldier by RJ Scott
Back Home by RJ Scott
With This Kiss, part three by Eloisa James
William's House by Amber Kell
Temporary Mark by Kim Dare
A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes
Needing Seth by Shawn Lane
Defending the Duchess by Rachelle McCalla
Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn by Cynthia Rylant
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Watch Me by Carol Lynne
Threadbare Gypsy Souls by T. A. Chase
Son of Death by Nikki McCoy
Master of Wrath by Nikki McCoy
Blue Christmas by Lorraine Bartlett
Chasing the King of the Mountains by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes
Gordon the Giraffe by Bruce Brown
One Day in Apple Grove by C. H. Admirand
Black List by Brad Thor
Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford
Breaking the Devil by Bailey Bradford
Thankful by Lissa Matthews

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Wrap-Up

ARC Clean Sweep

Challenge Wrap-up

May 2013

hosted by Kimberly at The Windy Pages
and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer


Results:
To read and review as many ARCs as we can - nope.
Fun challenges each Saturday - forgot about them.
Gather your ARCs and your brooms - somewhat.
and lets have some fun! - well, I like reading ;-)

~Books to Read~

I should have a wall of shame posted somewhere, I've got too many on my shelves, too many read but not reviewed, too many started but not finished and a couple (Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods, What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries-started) that I hope to have read and reviewed before this challenge starts! Let's start small with the most recent that can wait for May . . .

Cat and the Lady Killer by Lisa Orchard
Finding the Voice Inside You by Jill Birth
The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead
The Spirit of the Heart by Ismael N. Nuno, M.D.
Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods (started)
Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard

whew! That's a good start, wish me luck!

~Books Read~

Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods . . . reviewed

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Monthly Mix-up Mania Wrap-Up!

I did it! I really, really did it! 74 books in two years is not the problem. It's the letters. Do you realize how many E's there are in the names of the months?!

I'm not going to list all the books again, you can find them here, but I can tell you that I thought finding three J titles was going to be hard. Nope, it was the E's that almost did me in.

I'll be hosting this again.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Christmas Spirit Wrap-Up

 

The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

Wrap-Up

hosted at The Christmas Spirit blog

I've got one more day but have real world plans and don't believe I'll get another book in. All the movies I recorded were deleted because I never got to them.

How'd I do? ONE movie! Dang it! There are three movies on the shelf that I want to watch and I ended up watching one on TV, Undercover Christmas. I did see a little of A Christmas Story but not enough to count. The sad thing is that just looking at the title doesn't bring to mind what the movie what about or who was in it.

Books read: FIVE! Woo Hoo! One more than Mistletoe!

Book: My Kind of Christmas by Robyn CarrBook: Lone Star by Josh Lanyon
Book: Mistletoe Mine by Emily March (an Eternity Springs novella)Book: Wicked Gift by Sean Michael (1st book of 2013)
Book: A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

See you next Christmas!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

End of Year Report

I have been terrible with stats this year! I do know the correct number of books I read this year because I put it on a spreadsheet. I do not know how many were ebooks, children's books, library books, review books. I lied, I went by month instead of year and it worked out.

The easiest to report would be challenges. I tried to be good about listing the books read. I may not have done a wrap-up post but there should be a list of books.

Let us start with an easy question: How many challenges did you sign up for last year?

Well, I think I did 19 Read-a-Thons/events and 71 challenges.

Yikes! I came close to finishing some of them, fudged a little to complete some (Honeybee as a weapon? - fine, read another with Poison as the weapon) and abandoned others. I had fun with all of them.

I had a personal goal to review more personal books in 2012 than I did in 2011. I needed 13 and I listed 14. I know I did horrible reviewing my review books but I think there were 13 listed.

I need to break this down as months before getting the year end totals. . . .

Okay. I read 17 non-fiction books this year. Mainly because I started running. This year will have running and diabetes books.

Total books: 268
review books: 11
borrowed: 15 (library or friend)
under 18: 19 (anything from board books to teen paranormal - okay, there was only one board book counted)
Four counted towards perpetual challenges

I didn't keep track of pages or format although I can tell you there were no audio books.

How many challenges did you actually complete?
43. I think that's a record for me. Thank heavens and hosts for "books may overlap with other challenges"

How many did you abandon completely.
Four right off the top of my head, nope, six plus two read-a-longs, and I failed the one I was hosting!

The highest book total was December with 42 books read, the lowest was March with 9.
Highest to lowest. . . Dec, May, Aug, Apr, Sep, Jul, Nov, Oct, Jan, Feb/Jun, Mar.

I only posted about two books that made it to my DNF list but I know there were more library books that were returned before being finished. Seventeen books are on my "still reading" list but I hope to get at least four of them finished. 

I guess that's it.

Happy New Year! Happy Reading!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book Wrap-up

How did everyone do? 

I failed miserably. I own five of them. I started three books. And never pulled the third out of storage. Maybe if the three weren't ebooks I may have finished one of them, they just got lost on the bookshelf.


Link up or just comment

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Wrap Up

As the year winds to a close, so does the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge. Check out the wrap-up post to see how everyone did this year.

Robin has posted some great questions but I'm not sure I can answer most of them. 1 & 2 were easy but I don't have a listing of all the books. I also didn't list page numbers or genres. I had planned on doing so for 2013, now I know I need to.

If you'd like to check out my list(s), follow the links.

JAN :: FEB :: MAR :: APR :: MAY :: JUN :: JUL :: AUG :: SEP :: OCT :: NOV :: DEC


1) How many books did you read this year?
~ 262

2) Did you meet or beat your own personal goal? 
~ No. Yes, I read 52 books this year but I didn't get my one a week goal.

3) Favorite book of 2012? (You can list more than one or break it down by genre)

4) Least favorite book of 2012 and why?

5) One book you thought you'd never read and was pleasantly surprised you like it?

6) One book you thought you'd love but didn't?

7) One book that touched you - made you laugh, cry, sing or dance.

8) Any new to you authors discovered and you can't wait to read more of their stories?

9) Name the longest book you read? Shortest?

10) Name the most unputdownable book you read?

11) Book that had the greatest impact on you this year?

12) What book would you recommend everybody read?

13) Share your most favorite cover(s)

14) Do you have a character you fell in love with?

15) What was your most favorite part of the challenge? Did you do any of the mini challenges? What are your goals for the new year? To read more non fiction? To dip your toes into a mystery or a urban fantasy? What book are you most looking forward to reading in 2013?

I did do the A-Z by title mini challenge. I have three books on order for 2013, one of which is Peach Pies and Alibis by Ellery Adams (cozy with a touch of paranormal)

Reading/book goals for next year? Read more from my own library. Read and review! Read more non fiction. Read more classic type books

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Fall into Reading Wrap Up

Fall into Reading

Wrap Up

hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days

Sign ups go live on the 22nd. You can read about the challenge here, or here, but "Essentially, Fall Into Reading 2012 is a fun, low-pressure reading challenge open to anyone and everyone. It will take place September 22nd-December 21st (which, as you may have guessed, lines up with the fall of 2012)." The only requirement is a list of book you'd like to read this fall.

~*~

I had a huge list to start with. I never have a problem reading for this but low-pressure or not, I needed some specific goals.

two library books? check.
unlisted Library book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (Sep 23, 287 pages)
Library book: Any Way You Want It by Kathy Love (Sep 24, 271 pages)
. . . then  EIGHT more

two new purchases? check.
unlisted New Purchase: Get Organized! by Colette Leigh (Sep 26, 69 pages)
unlisted New Purchase: Run Your Butt Off! by Sarah Lorge Butler with Leslie Bonci and Budd Coates (Sep 27, 209 pages)
. . . then FOUR more

two review books? check.
unlisted Review Book: 'Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries (Oct 3, 368 pages)
unlisted Review Book: Alex Van Helsing Voice of the Undead by Jason Henderson (Oct 7, 297 pages)

two still reading? check.
Still Reading: A Killer Read by Erika Chase 
Still Reading: Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear (Nov 10, 416 pages)

plus, five challenges/RaTs completed :-)

Total books read? 22
5,548 pages

Stopped keeping track, here, after completing the challenge on November 10

looking towards Spring

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

R.I.P. VII Wrap-Up

Once again, thanks to Melissa for joining. Without seeing her post I might have missed it this year or joined too late to request the movie and/or order the book. A big thank you to Carl for hosting!

I started the challenge out with a list of seven books and I actually read, and reviewed, one of them!

I watched a movie that I've been meaning to watch for forever and completed the reading, but not all the postings, for the Read-a-Long.

I'm happy with my results this year and look forward to the next challenge. Maybe next year, I won't be so busy.

R.eaders 

I.mbibing 

P.eril

VII

September & October

Hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings

sign ups & more info here.

Links for reviews

There are levels and an explanations of just what "Peril" means for this. And TWO group reads! The main thing . . . There are two simple goals for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII

1. Have fun reading.

2. Share that fun with others.

Okay, I can do that!

Now, levels...

Peril the First:

Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (the very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature.

~ reading four books in two months is not a problem. Reading four that fit the definition might be... I'm going for it anyways!

I've got a couple of Dean Koontz and several paranormals, Code Blood fits this and I think Divergent does too. There are others on my "review this" shelf so I've got lots to choose from.

October's group read is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. The book is on order :-) here

1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman ~ completed 10-11

I'm disappointed I forgot to add this! I've had the movie almost a week, after waiting for it from Netflix....

1. Something Wicked This Way Comes (watched 9-26)


Here's a short list of ... (edited to add picture)

Possible Book Choices

Whispers by Dean Koontz
Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz
Alex van Helsing: Voice of the Undead by Jason Henderson
A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi
Unwelcome by Michael Griffo
Asgand Park by Ronald Simonar
The Survivor by Sean Slater
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm (on page 67)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (on page 99)




Let the reading/watching begin!

1. Beautiful Sacrifice by Elizabeth Lowell (so glad we started on the 28th)

I wouldn't think a Romantic Suspense novel counts but the lead female is a Maya expert and the lead male asks for help in finding Maya artifacts being used in blood sacrifice...human blood. She is also smart, beautiful and Maya royalty.

2. What a Demon Wants by Kathy Love

Half demon-half human author has had several break-ins and spent six months as a cat. Now her brother has hired a bodyguard for her protection. Only, the bodyguard is way too appealing for her peace of mind!

New to me author discovered while staring mindlessly at the library shelves ;-) Will read more in the series!

3. Any Way You Want It by Kathy Love

Maggie is headed to New Orleans on vacation with two girlfriends, instead of going on her honeymoon. By day she researches Classical music composers, by night....truthfully, she doesn't have a "life". Her ex-finance really did a number on her confidence. Her friends are trying to improve the odds by helping her make a wish on Marie Laveau's final resting place. 

A barely heard song tempts her to change plans for the night. A song so much like one she just received at work...

1st movie: Something Wicked This Way Comes (watched 9-26)

4. Alex Van Helsing Voice of the Undead Jason Henderson ~ review

Vampires (that don't sparkle), strange creatures, boarding school, High School. What could be scarier?

It's tough enough struggling social fun and homework but add vampire hunter to that? It's almost impossible!

~Challenges Complete~

October 11

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up

A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon

January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict
sign up here

Rules:

RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

The Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon is over. I had a list of three books when I started. One for a specific date review (finished), one print and one ebook, both for fun and challenges. I may not have purchased The Deacon but it sounded good and was a free download. The other, A Cookie Before Dying is book two of a series. I thoroughly enjoyed book one and was looking forward to book two.

So, my Original list:

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop)
Nitt Witt Hill (print)
A Cookie Before Dying (print)

last post's Current Status list, modified:

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240
Nitt Witt Hill (print) - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 173
Time Slice (print) page 63
A Three Dog Life (print) - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563
Virgin River (print) - finished (Fri early am)
Hidden Summit, page 109
Great Short Poems, jumped around...Purple cow anyone?

Mini-Challenges: kept forgetting about them
Tweets: remembered some

Won a book!

Planned to finish three.
Started 9, finished 3. Not the same 3 as I started with but still finished 3 books. A couple more hours and I'll have Hidden Summit finished ;)

Thanks Michelle, that was fun. I hope to do it again next year, and remember the mini-challenges!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Challenge Complete - Read Your Own Books

Read Your Own Books
Reading Challenge

2012

Hosted at Tales from the Crypt

Challenge Completed
January 16

My original post about the challenge

Quick recap:

Any book that you have personally purchased, been gifted, or swapped, BEFORE January 1, 2012 and just have not gotten the chance to read yet. NO ARCs, library books, re-reads or books purchased in 2012.

Final List:

1. Christmas Haven by Hope White (first book of the year)
2. The Hawk and His Boy by Christopher Bunn
3. Deep Disclosure by Dee Davis
4. Carrots by Colleen Helme
5. The Ladybug Jinx by Tonya Kappes

This one was bound to be my first one completed, there is another challenge that says ONLY to-be-read books until Feb 1! Of course, last year I didn't make the TBR Dare but so far so good! Don't know if I'll make the whole months, I'm itching to read Anne McCaffrey and re-reads don't count

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Reading Challenge - Completed!

The Color Coded Reading Challenge
2011
Hosted by Bev at My Reader's Block

Challenge Completed
October 8, 2011

My original post about the challenge

Quick recap:
Read books with specific color names as part of the title. Blue, yellow, white, brown, black, green, red. Another color and implied color

Final List:

Forever Blue
by Suzanne Brockmann
has been on my shelves nearly forever

Red in the Flower Bed
by Andrea Nepa
children's book sent for review (review)

Yellow Moon
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
review book - horror (review)

Being a Green Mother
by Piers Anthony
favorite re-read

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr & Eric Carle
children's book (review)

Black Swan
by Willa Okati
ebook, Swan shifter

White Sleeper
by David R. Fett & Stephen Langford
review book - biological terror (review)

The Man with the Golden Gun
by Ian Fleming
I've had this one for about three years

Repairing Rainbows
by Lynda Fishman
review book - non-fiction (review)

This was hard for me and while I had several review books for this year, I don't know if I'll officially join this challenge again. I may have been cheating with Brown Bear but I read about 15 picture books while I was boxing them up and it was only after I finished that I realized I could count it.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011