2011 Non-Fiction Challenge

The Broke & The Bookish is hosting a wonderful challenge to read non-fiction in 2011.

I thought it would be a great motivator to mix a little non-fiction in with my fiction obession.

Here are the rules:

The challenge runs from January 17th to December 31st 2011.

• Anyone who links a review up is eligible to be entered to win a book of their choice (under $15). How many reviews you link up determines how many entries you get. Additional prizes may be added once I organize this more and depending on how many people sign up. (International readers welcome if Book Depository ships to you).
•  Anyone can join. If you don't have a blog, you can link reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you have your reviews. 
• You can join the challenge at any point throughout the year.

Here's the challenge:

Culture: Non-fiction books about different cultures, religions and foreign lands; memoirs & biographies count.

Art: Non-fiction books about anything art related (painters, music, architecture, photography, dance, literature, film, etc.). Memoirs/biographies of any people related to the arts count.

Food: Food memoirs, anything related to food industry, food lifestyles

Medical: anything related to the medical field--industry memoirs, memoirs about illnesses (mental included) /diseases, etc.

Travel: travelogues, industry memoirs, travel guides, etc.

Memoir/Biography: Self explanatory

Money: Anything related to finances, economics, history of money, financial improvement etc.

Science/Nature: Anything related to any scientific field, memoirs count.

History: Anything history related-- events, biographies of historic figures, etc

My Reading List (so far)

Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong

I Remeber Nothing and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron

After the Falls by Catherine Gildiner

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Real Food has Curves by Bruce Weinstein

Read-a-thon Update

Just an update: I'm moving at a slower pace than I thought but I finished Delirium by Lauren Oliver (WOW)  last night and started the Heist Society by Ally Carter....

Out with a Bang Read-a-thon

I was so thrilled when I saw this reading challenge. I need that extra push to get through my to-read pile. For more information on how to participate you can check out The Bookish Type blog here.

I'm going to try and read as much as I can over the next three days. We'll see how that goes, I'm on holidays but have some plans with the family. My goal is 4 out 5 below. I'll post an update mid way and at the end.

 I plan to spread out the reviews of the books through out January.

Wish me luck!!!

Fall Into Reading Challenge

I've decided to particpate in the Fall Into Reading Challenge hosted by Callapidder Days. It runs from Sept 22 2010- December 20th. For more information follow the link.

My reading list for the challenge:

One Day by David Nicholls

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Duff by Kody Keplinger

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins

Never Let Me go by Kazo Ishiguro

Looking forward to getting started and seeing what others have on their challenge lists. Check back for reviews.

48 HBC Update and Reviews

Aside from sleeping last night and a few errands this morning, I've been reading, reading reading. I'm at about 5 hours in total now, which is a bit behind what I was hoping for at this point, but I still have a ways to go.....so hopefully I can make up some time.

I've read two books so far....

The first was The Line by Teri Hall. I've had this on my to-read list for a long time...

"An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right??

I really liked the premise of the book, I've always been interested in the "unseen" enemy and how others perceptions can cloud our own. I was however, very disappointed with the book. I think it had potential, but it was very predictable and I found the writing stagnant and lacking fluidity.

Next:

Hex Hall (#1) by Rachel Hawkins

"Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters."

I really enjoyed Hex Hall. It had my attention from the first paragraph. The story ran like a movie in my imagination (I love it when that happens). Sophie (the main character) is very likable and I connected to her and cared about what was going to happen to her right away. A page turner, unpredictable and a cliff hanger mean that I'll be waiting anxiously for the next one.

And the reading begins...

I'm very excited about participating in the 48 Hour Book Challenge this weekend!!! I'm beginning now, which is 10:15pm and will finish Sunday at 10:15pm. I have my stack of reads ready, and have cleared the weekend schedule (for the most part). To find out about the 48 Hour Book Challenge and how you can particpate check out MotherReader's Blog.

First book :

The Line by Teri Hall

48 Hour Book Challenge

The 48 Hour Book Challenge is a dedicated weekend to blogging and reading!!!! It's hosted by Mother Reader and invites other bloggers to read, review, and network for 48 hours. I'm compiling my to-read list, and clearing my calendar for that weekend (June 4th-6th 2010). Be sure to check back for reviews and updates!!