Challenges I'm Signing up for in 2010 - Part One!

As I kept adding challenges I realized I would need two posts so I will post half today and half tomorrow! Thankfully a lot of them will overlap!

100+ Reading Challenge 2010
Hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog!

I read 188 books in 2009 - I may push for 200 in 2010!

2010 2nd Reading Challenge 2010

Hosted by Royal Reviews who is hosting quite a few!!

I think I will start with Curious Level - 3 books 2nd in a series

or 2nd of an author.

451 Challenge

I will do Spark level on this: 1 to 2 books from the Master List.

Lots of good books to choose from
and I have read many.

But there are plenty left for me to choose from!

No Button yet for this

1010 Category Challenge

Hosted by Library Things

Read 10 books in 10 Categories

I'll update this in a few days with my 10 categories!

A Tournament of Reading

Hosted by the Medieval Bookworm

I will do the Peasant level – Read 3 medieval books of any kind.

The three kinds listed are history, medieval literature and historical fiction.

Audio Book Challenge 2010

Hosted by Royal Reviews

I am doing level 3:  
Addicted - 12 books

I don't get as many
audio books for review
so I was hesitant to
sign up for more.

Buy One Book and Read it 2010

Hosted by My Friend Amy

Level One! Buy one book and read it before
December 31st, 2010.

I am doing this level as I get so many books for review
I don't always have to buy.
But I will for sure do at least one! I will add both options:

Indie Option--Make sure the book or books you buy are purchased at an independent bookstore.

Book Blogger Option--Buy only books you learn about on book blogs.

E Book Challenge 2010

Also hosted by Royal Reviews

Since so many of my books are eBooks on the Kindle
I will do Level 4:  

Obsessed - 20 books!

Fantasy Reading Challenge 2010

Hosted by Royal Reviews

I will do the second level:

Fascinated – Read 6 Fantasy Fiction novels.

Challenges to be continued!

My 2010 Resolutions!

DO YOU MAKE RESOLUTIONS?  DO YOU KEEP THEM?

Another question I have noted around the blog world:  Have you decided how you’re going to pronounce 2010?  Should you say “twenty ten” or “two thousand ten”?  I think I am a "two thousand ten" person. How about you?

Here are my 2010 Resolutions.  I hope I do better keeping them this year than I did last year! NO - NOT the ones in the picture on the left! LOL

1.    Have no more than three reviews to write at the end of any week!

2.    Lose 20 pounds – This was a goal last year and did not get done.  At least I didn’t gain weight!

3.    Minimize one work load to increase input to a new venture.

4.    Have lunch with someone (friend or work contact) at least once a month. I didn't keep this one last year either.

5.    Pray Daily!  You would think this would be natural but sometimes it gets skimmed over.  I will also try to read the Bible each day but although I have read through the entire Bible several times I have not been consistent doing the daily reading.  I am hoping other bloggers will help keep me accountable on this with a gentle comment nudge!

I was doing this for the SaSR Tuesday chat today and decided - Okay = I'll make a post on the blog and maybe that will give me more incentive!

Mailbox Monday - January 4, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia

at The Printed Page

I won A Darker Dream by Amanda Ashley

in a follower Giveaway at The Cajun Book Lady

Thank you Kris!

And as a gift for being a Tell Harlequin Panel Member I received

The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Raeanne Thayne.

Thank you Harlequin!

What are you reading on Mondays? January 4, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog

I had a good week finishing some books and finishing some reviews that were due!

[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson. A very interesting mix of almost prose with a rough psychological reminiscence.  A thriller about four murderers, 18 to 81, in a forensic psychiatric ward.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for author through Bostwick.

 Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield.  First - I have to say that I found that the blurb last week was misleading.  This was interesting but is really a drama story of a reporter caught in a relationship with an obsessive, womanizing and charismatic fellow.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for author through Bostwick.

Kindle2:  Call Me Kate, Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe.  Very well done - review posted on MBS for Tribute Books. 

Cotillion Christmas Spirits Anthology - this was Five regency romances.  All five were good and the last one was especially wonderful! Review to be sent to CataRomance.

Not just a Christmas story:  Three Minutes Before Christmas by Paige Ryter. 
Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they've only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for the author.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  ----------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB:  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger.  From the gothic eccentricity of Asheville, North Carolina to the terrifying recesses of the Appalachian wilderness, from modern demonology to ancient Cherokee mythology, SOUL CATCHER follows the tormented journey of folk artist Livia Belane, who has been stalked through many lives by a sadistic and vengeful demon.Reviewing on MBS for author through Bostwick.

Next up: Seduced by a Rougue by Amanda Scott. The handsome hero abducts the lovely heiress of an enemy clan.  Can love win out over clan war?  Reviewing on MBS for Hachette giveaway and blog tour on January 12, 2010.

Kindle2:  Cup of Joe by Teri Wilson. Sweet Inspirational. From product description:  ...Goldie knows God has a new plan for her life, but she's simply too tired to figure out what it is. To make matters worse, sweet, shy coffee shop owner, Joe Montgomery, keeps showing up on her doorstep with morning coffee. ...As she takes steps to start a new life, with her new puppy scampering playfully at her side, Goldie begins to realize a cup of Joe just might be what she's needed all along. Reviewing for YGR.

Also Its A Vampire Thing by Dakota Cassidy.  Paranormal, Humor; Reviewing for CR.

Audible: on hold.

Audio CD:  On hold as I am reading/listening to review eBooks on Kindle instead.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 3, 2010

Starting off the New Year our guest pastor reminded us of the Wisemen. This is a very shortened version of a good message I had never heard before!
The Wisemen went to the Obvious place (Jerusalem) but were mistaken. They were Offensive in seeking Jesus as King Herod and the poeple sure didn't want to hear about some other King or the Messiah. They had to go to an Obscure place, Bethlehem, being Obedient by following the star there and leaving by another route.
So we have to be careful of the Obvious messages that may be coming in the world around us. We may as well accept that we will be Offensive to those who don't want to hear about Jesus, and if we water down the message we will be Offensive to other followers of Christ.  We may live in Obscurity but that is okay as long as we live in Obedience trying to follow God's Will.

This song reminds us that God makes All Things New and that seems appropriate for a New Year!

A Verse for Today:
John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

 My Prayer as we start this National Week of Prayer is that we would be a people of prayer.... seeking God's Will each day! And that has to start with me!