2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

I have so, so many books on my TBR shelf and I always seem to be distracted by new books.  So I'm entering a TBR Pile challenge again this year in hopes it will encourage me to read more from my TBR shelf. Fingers crossed!  It's holded by the awesome blog Bookish.  Anyway, this one looks so much fun: not only are we reading the books from 2012 and before, but there are also loads of challenges and prizes to be won!  Check it all out by clicking on the picture:

There are five levels. I've decided to start at the middle and work up, so I'm going for 20-31 books: A Sweet Kiss. Aww. ;) 

1-10 - A Firm Handshake

11-20 - A Friendly Hug

21-30 - A Sweet Kiss

31-40 - Love At First Sight

41-50 - Married With Children

Books Read:

TimeRiders (TimeRiders, Book One) by Alex Scarrow

Books To Read:

So so many I can't even start....

Debut Author Challenge 2013

Ok, so I love love love reading books by debut authors.  Last year I had loads of fun doing this challenge, so I've followed it over to its new host: the brilliant Hobbitsies.  My goal?  To win 12 debut author books in 2013.  Yay!

Any YA debut novel published between January 1, 2013 and December 30, 2013 count. To complete the challenge you have to read a minimum of 12 debut novels between January 1, 2013 – January 31, 2014.

  If you guys wanna take part too, click on the image below:

Books Read:

House of Secrets by Chris Columbus & Ned Vizzini

Books To Read:

Geek Girl by Holly Smale

The British Books Challenge 2012

Last year, I signed up to do this and completed the 12-book challenge.  I really suprised myself with how few British books I read, seeing as I am myself British.  So this year, I am aiming for the 50 books!  *pumps fist to show determination*  The host has changed: This year it's being hosted by Kirsty @ The Overflowing Library. 

To take part yourself, click on the link below:

Read this year:

Books I plan on reading (worry not, the list shall grow longer):

15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins
Shadow of the Hawk (Wereworld, Book Three) by Curtis Jobling
Chocolate S.O.S by Sue Limb

SavingDaisy by Phil Earle

Nightshade (Poison Diaries, Book Two) by Maryrose Wood

Cardsharp(Vincent Ward, Book One) by Paul Westmoreland

This isNot Forgiveness by Celia Rees

SomeoneElse’s Life by Katie Dale

The Pirates! In an Adventure in Scientists (The Pirates!, Book One) by Gideon Defoe

TheDevil’s Triangle (The Devil’s Triangle, Book One) by Mark Robson

InDarkness by Nick Lake

MisterCreecher by Chris Priestley

Illegal(Hayling Island Nobel, Book Two) by Miriam Halahmy

Eye of the Storm (The Devil’s Triangle, Book Two) by Mark Robson

Department19 (Department 19, Book One) by Will Hill

TheRising (Department 19, Book Two) by Will Hill

TheHaunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis

Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers

Heart-ShapedBruise by Tanya Byrne

TheVampire Blog (The Vampire Blog, Book One) by Pete Johnson

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton

BurnMark by Laura Powell

Lia’s Guide to Winning the Lottery by Keren David

How ToKeep a Boy as a Pet by Diane Messidoro

TheBonehill Curse by Jon Mayhew

BlackHeart Blue by Louisa Reid

Bringingthe Summer by Julia Green

TheVampire Hunters (The Vampire Blog, Book Two) by Pete Johnson

Earthfall(Book One) by Mark Walden

TheVampire Fighters (The Vampire Blog, Book Three) by Pete Johnson

Alicein the Spotlight (The Secrets Club, Book One) by Chris Higgins

TheSeeing by Diana Hendry

Les Contes de Beedle le Barde (Harry Potter Novella) by J.K. Rowling

Seraphina(Seraphina, Book One) by Rachel Hartman

TheMasque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Feminine Gospel by Carol Ann Duffy

Top Girls by Caryl Churchill

Angel Dust by Sarah Mussi

Muddleand Win: The Battle for Sally Jones by John Dickinson

Fire City by Bali Rai

1984 by George Orwell

Seeking Crystal (Benedicts, Book Three) by Joss Stirling

Knock Down (Street Duty, Book One) by Chris Ould

Gods and Warriors (Book One) by Michelle Paver

Fated(Book One) by Sarah Alderson

Anthem for Jackson Dawes by Celia Bryce

The ManWho Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

The Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Now You See Me (Lacey Flint, Book One) by S.J. Bolton

Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardener

What’s Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long

1. This Is Not Forgiveness by Celia Rees
2. Department 19 by Will Hill
3. Ausländer by Paul Dowswell
4. The Enemy by Charlie Higson
5. Time Riders by Alex Scarrow
6. Time Riders – Day of the Predator by Alex Scarrow
7. The Medusa Project - Hostage by Sophie McKenzie
8. The Medusa Project - The Rescue by Sophie McKenzie
9. Sister, Missing by Sophie McKenzie
10. Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy
11. In Darkness by Nick Lake
12. Junk by Melvin Burgess
13. The Spook’s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
14. Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo
15. Henderson’s Boys – The Escape by Robert Muchamore
16. Henderson’s Boys – Eagle Day by Robert Muchamore
17. Henderson’s Boys – Secret Army by Robert Muchamore
18. Cherub - The General by Robert Muchamore
19. Cherub - Brigands M.C. by Robert Muchamore
20. Velvet by Mary Hooper
21. Zara by Mary Hooper
22. White Heat by K. M. Grant
23. The Time of the Reaper by Andrew Butcher
24. A Discworld Novel - I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
25. I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison
26. The Poison Garden by Sarah Singleton
27. The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
28. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
29. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
30. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
31. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
32. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012!

This awesome challenge is hosted by the amazing Book Chick City, one of the biggest bestest book blogs I've visited!  :D

Now, I completed this challenge last year with a few books to spare (*happy dance*), so I thought I'd try it again!  I love the challenge: it was so fun!

If you want to take part in this challenge, all you have to do is try to read 100 books in 2012.  :D  And click on this picture:

Books I've Read:

15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins
Shadow of the Hawk (Wereworld, Book Three) by Curtis Jobling
Chocolate S.O.S by Sue Limb
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
India Dark by Kirsty Murray

SavingDaisy by Phil Earle

Virals(Virals, Book One) by Kathy Reichs

Nightshade (Poison Diaries, Book Two) by Maryrose Wood

Cardsharp(Vincent Ward, Book One) by Paul Westmoreland

172Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Stones ForMy Father by Trilby Kent

EveryOther Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Legend (Legend, Book One) by Marie Lu

This isNot Forgiveness by Celia Rees

SomeoneElse’s Life by Katie Dale

The Pirates! In an Adventure in Scientists (The Pirates!, Book One) by Gideon Defoe

TheDevil’s Triangle (The Devil’s Triangle, Book One) by Mark Robson

InsideOut: The Stars of the Hunger Games by Mel Williams

ImmortalCity (Immortal City, Book One) by Scott Speer

InDarkness by Nick Lake

ShootingStars by Allison Rushby

MisterCreecher by Chris Priestley

AuRevoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Illegal(Hayling Island Nobel, Book Two) by Miriam Halahmy

Eye of the Storm (The Devil’s Triangle, Book Two) by Mark Robson

Pandemonium(Delirium, Book Two) by Lauren Oliver

Intuition(Intangible Novella) by J. Meyers

Partials(Partials, Book One) by Dan Wells

Department19 (Department 19, Book One) by Will Hill

AMillion Suns (Across the Universe, Book Two) by Beth Revis

TheRising (Department 19, Book Two) by Will Hill

ThePledge (The Pledge, Book One) by Kimberly Derting

Insignia(Insignia, Book One) by S.J. Kincaid

TheHaunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis

ThePower of Six (Lorien Legacies, Book Two) by Pittacus Lore

Starters (Starters, Book One) by Lissa Price

Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers

Heart-ShapedBruise by Tanya Byrne

TheVampire Blog (The Vampire Blog, Book One) by Pete Johnson

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton

BurnMark by Laura Powell

Lia’s Guide to Winning the Lottery by Keren David

How ToKeep a Boy as a Pet by Diane Messidoro

TheBonehill Curse by Jon Mayhew

BlackHeart Blue by Louisa Reid

Bringingthe Summer by Julia Green

TheVampire Hunters (The Vampire Blog, Book Two) by Pete Johnson

Earthfall(Book One) by Mark Walden

TheGathering Dark (Grisha, Book One) by Leigh Bardugo

TheVampire Fighters (The Vampire Blog, Book Three) by Pete Johnson

Alicein the Spotlight (The Secrets Club, Book One) by Chris Higgins

TheGolden Lily (Bloodlines, Book Two) by Richelle Mead

Fallen (Fallen, Book One) by Lauren Kate

BleedingHearts (Drake Chronicles, Book Four) by Alyxandra Harvey

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, Book Five) by Cassandra Clare

BloodMoon (Drake Chronicles, Book Five) by Alyxandra Harvey

TheSeeing by Diana Hendry

BloodRed Road (Dustlands, Book One) by Moira Young

The Repossession (The Repossession, Book One) by Sam Hawksmoor

Les Contes de Beedle le Barde (Harry Potter Novella) by J.K. Rowling

Seraphina(Seraphina, Book One) by Rachel Hartman

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood

TheMasque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Feminine Gospel by Carol Ann Duffy

Throneof Glass by Sarah J. Maas

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Top Girls by Caryl Churchill

DarkEyes by William Richter

JarCity (Reykjavik Murder Mystery, Book One) by Arnaldur Indridason

RebelHeart (Dust Lands, Book Two) by Moira Young

Angel Dust by Sarah Mussi

The Apprentice (Rizzoli & Isles, Book Two) by Tess Gerritson

Child of the Divide by Sudha Bhuchar

Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

TheDiviners (Diviners, Book One) by Libba Bray

The Machine of Doom (Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, Book One) by Onk Beakman

Muddleand Win: The Battle for Sally Jones by John Dickinson

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Carnivalof Souls by Melissa Marr

SweetVenom (Medusa Girls, Book One) by Tera Lynn Childs

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

Fire City by Bali Rai

And ByThe Way (Butterfly Novel, Book One) by Denise Deegan

Poltergeeksby Sean Cummings

1984 by George Orwell

Seeking Crystal (Benedicts, Book Three) by Joss Stirling

Blood Prophecy (Drake Chronicles, Book Six) by Alyxandra Harvey

Neptune’sTears (Timedance, Book One) by Susan Waggoner

Knock Down (Street Duty, Book One) by Chris Ould

Betrayal(Empty Coffins, Book Two) by Gregg Olsen

Gods and Warriors (Book One) by Michelle Paver

The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, Book One) by Rick Riordan

Fated(Book One) by Sarah Alderson

Anthem for Jackson Dawes by Celia Bryce

The ManWho Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

Deal Breaker(Myron Bolitar, Book One) by Harlan Coben

The Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Falling Kingdoms (Book One) by Morgan Rhodes

Now You See Me (Lacey Flint, Book One) by S.J. Bolton

Dance of Shadows (Book One) by Yelena Black

Sister Assassin (Book One) by Yelena Black

Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardener

What’s Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long

Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay

2011 Challenges

I kind of went a little OTT on challenges this year.  I stick by my new, excited blogger defense.  This year, as I am more mature (ish), I am only taking part in 3.  In theory.  :D


I must admit, I was rather disappointed by how I did.  But I will do better this year!  I promise myself.  :D

But here's how I did on my challenges this year:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011

 

My challenge was to read 100 books.  And... 104 books read in 2011!  Yay!  :D 

Challenge: completed.

 

British Book Challenge

This one challenged me to read 50 British books over 2011.  I really suprised myself with just how few British books I actually read!  I only read 37 out of the target 50. 

Challenge: Uncompleted.
But wait!  I just realized that the normal target was 12 British Books...  Which means:
Challenge is in fact: Completed!

A-Z Reading Challenge

I had to read a book for every letter of the alphabet for this challegne.  Do you know how hard it is to find Qs, Us and Zs?  I managed to get my hands on a U and a Z, but didn't have time to read them!  I have yet to find a Q.  Therefore, I read 23 out of 26.

Challenge: Uncompleted

 

Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2011!

This challenge involved me reading 20 Horror and Urban Fantasy books.  I really seem to love Urban Fantasy: I read around 70 books!

Challenge: Most definately Completed!



The Vampire Challenge 2011

This one also wanted me to read 20 books - only these ones were specifically vamp-filled.  I suprised myself by only reading 12.  I really thought I'd read more!  :D

Challenge: Uncompleted.

 

2011 E-Book Challenge

 

I may have aimed a little too high with this one.  Heh, I guess I wasn't anticipating the number of hardcopy books I of course had to buy over the year.  But even so.  I did orignally say I'd do the Obsessed level: 20 e-Books.  And I read 17.  Saying I only wanted to read 20 does make me feel better!

Challenge: Uncompleted

 

Off The Shelf Challenge

I was trying to read 75 books for this one.  My problem?  I kept buying and geting all these awesome new books, that I obviously had to read right now.  My poor little books already on the shelf were quite neglected!  I managed to read 34 books, though, which I guess isn't too too bad...

Challenge: Uncompleted.

Dusty Volumes Reading Challenge

I didn't really have an exact target for this one...  I read 7 'classics', so I think I did pretty good.  :)

Dusty Volumes Reading Challenge

Brush the cobwebs aside,

Pull the book from the shelf.

Blow the dust off the cover,

Then immerse yourself.

This is a challenge to read books published before 1960: the neglected ones.  So me, as my 'neglected ones' are never really so neglected!  I love it: a challenge for classics, brilliant.

As you can probably tell, I'm really looking forwards to taking part in Midnyte Reader's Challenge!

To take part yourself, click on the link below:

Books I've Read So Far:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula’s Guest by Bram Stoker
A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, Book One) by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes, Book Two) by Arthur Conan Doyle

An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestly

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

Books I Want To Read:

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Last Bow and The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Off The Shelf Challenge

Ok, I know I'm already taking part in a million challenges, but when I came across this one, it was just so me!  The challenge is: to read books you already own - no new ones added - and have never gotten round to reading.  For me, a Comlpulsive Book Buyer, this is so perfect it's untrue!

Hosted by BA Reading Challenges, it has seven levels:

1. Tempted–  Choose 5 books to read
2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read

For extra hard challenges

1. Hoarder – Choose 76-125 books to read
2. Buried – Choose 126-200 books to read

I'm probably going to go for the Flying Off challenge... or more possibly the Hoarder...  My TBR is huge!

To take part yourself, click on the link below:

So Far I've Read:

Out for Blood (Drake Chronicles #1) by Alyxandra Harvey

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1:

o   Coyote Moon by John Vornholt

o   Night of the Living Rerun by Arthur Byron Cover

o   Portal Through Time by Alice Henderson

Tyme’s End by B. R. Collins
The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestley

The Darkest Powers Trilogy: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Darkest Powers Trilogy: The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

Drawing With Light by Julia Green

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula’s Guest by Bram Stoker

Vampire Academy - Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Vampire Academy – Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, Book One) by Arthur Conan Doyle
House of Shards (Charmed, Book Thirty-Seven) by Micol Ostow
Halo (Halo, Book One) by Alexandra Adornetto
The Sign of Four (Sherlock Holmes, Book Two) by Arthur Conan Doyle
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book One) by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book Two) by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book Three) by Suzanne Collins
Portal (The Portal Chronicles, Book One) by Imogen Rose
Crocodile Tears (Alex Rider, Book Eight) by Anthony Horowitz
Witch Child (Book One) by Celia Rees

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book One) by Cassandra Clare

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, Book Seven) by J.K. Rowling

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, Book Two) by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, Book Three) by Cassandra Clare

Soceress (Witch Child, Book Two) by Celia Rees

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book One) by Maggie Stiefvater

Matched (book One) by Ally Condie

The Set0Up (Medusa Project, Book One) by Sophie McKenzie

2011 E-Book Challenge

For Christmas I got a Kindle (tied with books as the best present ever!) so when I saw this challenge, I thought I just had to join!  Hosted by The Ladybug Reads, these are seven levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.
-- Possessed – Read 50 e-books.
-- Fanatical – Read 75 e-books.
-- Monomaniacal – Read 100 e-books.

I'm not sure whether I'm going to do the Obsessed or the Fanatical level, but I'll see as I go along.  In the end I decided to do the Obsessed, mainly to make mysefl feel slightly better!

To join up yourself, click on the link below:

So Far I've Read:

Dracula’s Guest by Bram Stoker
Blood of Gold (Seeker Series #1) by B. V. Larson
Portal (The Portal Chronicles, Book One) by Imogen Rose
Beastly by Alex Flinn

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier

Predators of Darkness: Aftermath (The Darkness, Book One) by Leonard D. Hilley II

After Eden (Fallen Angels, Book One) by Katherine Pine

Beyond the Darkness (The Darkness, Book Two) by Leonard D. Hilley II

House Trap by Mike Mauthor

The Game of Pawns (The Darkness, Book Three) by Leonard D. Hilley II

She Smells the Dead (Spirit Guide, Book One) by E.J. Stevens

Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide, Book Two) by E.J. Stevens

Summer I Lost It by Natalie Kath

Savor (Warm Delicacy, Book One) by Megan Duncan

Thin Air (Book One) by Lynn Seresin

Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide, Book Four)

The Frankincesnse Trail by Jody Kihara

Not many, so far, but I'll get there!