2012 Challenges - Post Four (11 - 14) New Authors, Recommended & Just For Fun

Eleven (New Authors) and Fourteen (12 Books Just for Fun) Completed
Twelve (five books I did three and two close but Thirteen - Read Recommendations - Dismally Failed.
I love finding new Authors and I am hoping to read at least 20 in this challenge. That is less than two a month and hopefully realistic.
ELEVEN: New Authors

 Hosted by Literary Escapism

Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.

01.  52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal; Nonfiction, Fitness;  my Rating 4.5.

02.  Bossypants by Tina Fey; Memoir; my Rating 4.0.

03.  Scrumptious by Amanda Usen; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25.

04.  Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish; Historical Romance; my Rating 4.0.

05.  The Second Sonata by Nathan Patrick Hardt; Fiction; my Rating 4.25.

06.  Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1 by Kevin Hearne; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

07.  Smitten Anthology; Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25. (Three of the four authors were new to me.)

08.  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25. 

09.  Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow; Christian Mystery; my rating 4.75.

10.  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown by Olivia deBelle Byrd; humor antidotes; 4.25.

11.  A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom; Paranormal romance; my rating 4.5. 

12.  The Rook by Daniel O'Malley; Fantasy Thriller; my rating 4.25.

13.  Midnight Reckoning (Dark Dynasties) by Kendra Leigh Castle; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.

14.  Grant Me Timely Grace by Timothy Woods; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.

15.  Firelight by Kristen Callihan; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.
16.  The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.5
17.  Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace; Historical Rom; rating 3.75. 
18.  The Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan; Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.75. 
19.   A Holiday Explained-A Christmas Short Short Story by J. Steven York,  macabre story; my rating 4.0.
20.   Journey in Time by Chris Karlsen; Time Travel Romance; my rating 4.25.
21.   My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond; Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.5. 
22.   Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. 
23.   Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham; Crime Fiction; my rating 4.25.
24.  The  Canker Death by James R. Bottino; Fantasy; my rating 3.0.
25.  The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75. 
AND MANY MORE!

TWELVE: Book Blogger Recommendation

 Hosted by Reading with Tequila

Check the link for the Recommended books.
I am signing up for Level I - Read 5 books from the 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation List

Here are books from the list I am interested in although I don't know which I'll end up reading:

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (on my shelf)
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (I did read Summer's Crossing in this series)
5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
6. The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan
7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 
8. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 
9. 12.21.12 by Killian McRae
10. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (in my Audible Library)
11. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 
12. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (I did read the Graveyard Book by this Author)
13. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey (on my Kindle)
14. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater --YES I am ready for this one!!
15. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

THIRTEEN: Books Recommended by other Bloggers.

Hosted by bffchallenge

Add links to your 5 favorite books.

Visit the other participants and choose 3-12 of their favorite books to read.

You can choose them all at once or as you go.

Add the title to your original post, making sure to link back to the person whose favorite it is. 

I hope to read 12 books based upon recommendations.

More of my Favorite books and recommendations are in this POST but here are my top five choices:

1.  Paranormal SciFi Romance: The Project Universe series by Pauline Baird Jones. I recommend you start in order with Book 1, The Key.
2. Awesome Writing: To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal - Fiction.
3. Fun Steampunk - start with book one in the series! I love this series on audio. Soulless 
by Gail Carriger - Paranormal/Steampunk Romance..
4. I really enjoy this Author and loved the Study Series! Inside Out (Harlequin Teen) by Maria V. Snyder - YA, Sci Fi, Fantasy.
5. Encouraging and motivational: Review: Working it Out by Abby Rike;
 

List for Thirteen and Fourteen
Here are some of the books I am planning to pick up based on other blogger recommendations:

• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson recommended by Nise' at Under the Boardwalk
•  Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows recommended by Kate at Musings of a Book Lover 
• Abomination by Colleen Coble recommended by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Reviews.
• Skellig by David Almond recommended by Hellen at Hellen's Reading Corner.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak recommended by Jen at The Introverted Reader.

I didn't read a single one. :-)

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FOURTEEN:  Just For Fun

Hosted by Escape With Dollycas

12 books in 12 months.

This year this challenge will be set up as a group on Good Reads. See all the instructions at Dollycas' post.
I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!  
I think I should have linked this with my first post, TBR and Books Won, but I didn't want to go back and shuffle numbers again. :-)
JANUARY -- How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
FEBRUARY -- Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
MARCH -- Lethal Legacy by Carol Ann Erhardt
APRIL -- Crusade: Destroyermen, Book 2 by Taylor Anderson
MAY -- Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace
JUNE -- Web of Evil by J.A. Jance - Audio Book
JULY -- Heroes Die Young and The Graveyard Book
AUGUST -- He of The Fiery Sword by Skhye Moncrief
SEPTEMBER -- Summer Crossing by Julie Kagawa
OCTOBER -- The Halloween Collective - Indie Authors
NOVEMBER -- Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
DECEMBER -- Christmas in an Elevator

2012 Challenges - Post Three (8 - 10) - Eclectic & ARC

ALL COMPLETED! This post includes EIGHT, NIGHT and TEN which are for Eclectic reading and ARCs.
I do like to mix up my reading so I chose this challenge:  
EIGHT: Eclectic Reader

Hosted by The Eclectic Reader  

Select, read and review a book from each genre listed below during the year for a total of 12 books.
I hope to double this but I'll start with at least one each. :-)

Genres

1. Literary Fiction The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey; Fiction; my rating 4.5. 
2. Crime/Mystery Fiction Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham; Crime Fiction; my rating 4.25.
3. Romantic Fiction Scrumptious by Amanda Usen; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25.  
4. Historical Fiction Grant Me Timely Grace by Timothy Woods; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.
5. Young Adult My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond; Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.5. 
6. Fantasy Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1 by Kevin Hearne; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
7. Science Fiction Kicking Ashe by Pauline Baird Jones; Sci Fi Romance;  my rating 5.0.
8. Non Fiction  52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal; Nonfiction, Fitness;  my Rating 4.5.
9. Horror Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson; Horror;  my rating 4.25
10. Thriller /Suspense The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.5
11. Classic The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; Adapted Classic, Dramatization; my rating 4.25.
12. Your favourite genre a) Historical Romance Dangerous Favors by Joyce DiPastina; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
13. b) Romantic Suspense The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75. 
14. c) Christian Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow; Christian Mystery; my rating 4.75.

NINE: ARC Reading Challenge

Hosted by So Many Precious Books, Too Little Time

Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS

TEN: ARC Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Eclectic Bookshelf

1. Actual Advance Reader Copies - this includes from tour sites.

2. Any book that YOU ARE ASKED by either an author, publisher, publicist, media group, etc. to review.

3. Book Sneeze, Pump Up your Books, Tyndale and S&S Galley Grab ("they send out a monthly list & the first ~100 to get to their site gets the book to review).

The Mega size ARC Challenge – Read 21+ ARC's. 

ARCs [Nine and Ten]

1. The Second Sonata by Nathan Patrick Hardt; Contemporary Fiction; my Rating 4.25.
2. 52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal; Nonfiction, Fitness;  my Rating 4.5.
3. Bossypants by Tina Fey; Comedic Memoir; my Rating 4.0.
4. Scrumptious by Amanda Usen; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25.  
5. Smitten Anthology; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25.  
6. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown by Olivia deBelle Byrd; humor antidotes; 4.25.
7. A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom; Paranormal romance; my rating 4.5. 
8. The Rook by Daniel O'Malley; Fantasy Thriller; my rating 4.25.
9. Baby, Baby by Karen Wiesner; Christian Fiction; my rating 4.25.
10. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.
11. Midnight Reckoning (Dark Dynasties) by Kendra Leigh Castle; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.
12. Grant Me Timely Grace by Timothy Woods; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.
13. Firelight by Kristen Callihan; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.
14. The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.5
15. Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75. 
16. The Lord of Illusion by Kathryne Kennedy; Fantasy Romance; my rating 4.25.
17. The Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan; Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.75. 
18. The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen; Historical Romance;  my rating 4.5.
19. Journey in Time by Chris Karlsen; Time Travel Romance; my rating 4.25.  
20. My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond; Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.5. 
21. Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. 
22. Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham; Crime Fiction; my rating 4.25.
23. The  Canker Death by James R. Bottino; Fantasy; my rating 3.0.
24. The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense;; my rating 4.75.

2012 Challenges - Post Two (5 - 7) - Dystopia & Post Apocalyptic

FIVE, SIX Completed and SEVEN - Failed within time frame set
This is a genre I truly enjoy so I am looking forward to reading these.  I will have to do at least one a month to meet the Contagion level but hopefully that shouldn't be hard.
FIVE, SIX and SEVEN: Two Dystopia Challenges and one Apocalyptic and Dystopia Challenge
I do love this genre.

FIVE: Dystopia

 Hosted by Bookish Ardour

Challenge Levels

1. Asocial– Choose 5 books to read
2. Contagion – Choose 15 books to read
3. Soldier – Choose 30 books to read
4. Drone – Choose 50 books to read
5. Conditioned – Choose 75 books to read
6. Brainwashed – Choose anywhere between 76-135 books to read
7. Totalitarian – Choose anywhere between 136-200 books to read

I'll go with level 2. Contagion - that is at least one per month. I hope to do more but that is a solid commitment! 

SIX: Read Dystopia

Hosted by Book Journey

Challenge Levels:
1-3 Dytstopia Books read in 2012:  beginner  
4-6 Dystopia Books read in 2012:  Intermediate Post World Trainee  
7-10 Dystopia Books read in 2012:  Leader of Your District
11+ Dystopia Books read in 2012:  SURVIVOR!  

So this one I choose SURVIVOR level.

SURVIVOR -11+ Dystopia

Contagion =15 Dystopia

01. Charlinder's Walk by Alyson Miers; Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic;  my rating 4.25.

02.  Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer; YA, Fantasy, Dystopia; rating  4.5.

03.  Eos (The Samsara Chronicles Book 1) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Sci Fi, Dystopia; my rating 4.0.

04.  Nadir (The Samsara Chronicles Book 2) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

05. 77 Days in September by Ray Gorham; Post Apocalyptic, Suspense, Thriller; my rating 4.25.

06.  The Covenant (The Samsara Chronicles Book 3)  by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

07.  Itineras (The Samsara Chronicles Book 4)  by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

08.Tempest (The Samsara Chronicles Book 5) >by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

09. Maelstrom (The Samsara Chronicles Book 6) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25. 
10. Exodus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 7) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

11. Nirvana (The Samsara Chronicles Book 8) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

12. The Perses Effect: Book 1 by R. E. Robinson, Jr.; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; rating 4.25.
13. Netherworld (The Samsara Chronicles Book 9) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction Romance; my rating 4.0.
14.  The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
15.  Bloodline (The Samsara Chronicles Book 10) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction Romance; my rating 4.0. 
16.  Entity (The Samsara Chronicles Book 11) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.
17.  Insurgent by Veronica Roth; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
18.  Kindred (The Samsara Chronicles Book 12) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 3.75. 
19.  Nexus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 13) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.
20.  Equilibrium (The Samsara Chronicles Book 14) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.  
21.  Steel Whispers by Hayden Trenholm; Dystopia, Science Fiction; my rating 4.5.
22.  The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith; Dystopia; my rating 4.0.
23.   Colony Scott Reeves; Dystopia, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
24.  Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck; Dystopia, Thriller; my rating 4.0.


SEVEN: Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian

0/15 books Sign up at Books Ahoy

This one started in June 27, 2011 and runs to June 27, 2012. so I hope its okay if I list some of the 2011 books I read... There are some I still have to review though.

01.  (July 2011) Audible Day By Day Armageddon by J L Bourne; Apopcalyptic; my rating 4.25.

02.  (August 2011) Audible Beyond Exile: Day by Day Armageddon by J. L. Bourne; Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.

03. (December 2011) Audible Divergent by Veronica Roth; Dystopia; my rating 4.75.

04. (May 2012) Charlinder's Walk by Alyson Miers; Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic;  my rating 4.25.

05.  (May 2012) Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer; YA, Fantasy, Dystopia; rating  4.5.

06.  (June 2012) Eos (The Samsara Chronicles Book 1) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Sci Fi, Dystopia; my rating 4.0.

07.  (June 2012) Nadir (The Samsara Chronicles Book 2) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

08. (June 2012) 77 Days in September by Ray Gorham; Post Apocalyptic, Suspense, Thriller; my rating 4.25.

09. (June 2012) The Covenant (The Samsara Chronicles Book 3)  by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

10. (June 2012) Itineras (The Samsara Chronicles Book 4)  by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

These were July or later so wouldn't count for the June to June Challenge but I did more than I thought. 

1. Tempest (The Samsara Chronicles Book 5) >by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

2. Maelstrom (The Samsara Chronicles Book 6) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25. 
3. Exodus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 7) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

4. Nirvana (The Samsara Chronicles Book 8) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.

5. The Perses Effect: Book 1 by R. E. Robinson, Jr.; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; rating 4.25.
6. Netherworld (The Samsara Chronicles Book 9) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction Romance; my rating 4.0.
7.  The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
8.  Bloodline (The Samsara Chronicles Book 10) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction Romance; my rating 4.0. 
9.  Entity (The Samsara Chronicles Book 11) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.
10.  Insurgent by Veronica Roth; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
11.  Kindred (The Samsara Chronicles Book 12) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 3.75. 
12.  Nexus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 13) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.
13.  Equilibrium (The Samsara Chronicles Book 14) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.  
14.  Steel Whispers by Hayden Trenholm; Science Fiction; my rating 4.5.
15.  The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith; Dystopia; my rating 4.0.
16.   Colony Scott Reeves; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
17.  Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck; Thriller; my rating 4.0.

2012 Challenges - Post One (1 - 4) - TBR & Reading Won Books Challenges

One- Three completed. Four - Failed

I didn't participate in any challenges in 2011 as I was concerned I wouldn't have the time to link and post. But I missed them.
Even though I still have the time concern for the upcoming year I decided to participate in a few selective challenges. After I got started the list kept growing ... and growing! So now I will be breaking these into several posts. :-)
A number of the challenges are duplicate/overlapping challenges, yet slightly different, so that makes them easy to complete (I hope).
I am not listing the basics like 150 + although I expect to make that since I did over 200 this year. I'm sure I would make the usual Romance and eBooks challenges. But I might sign up on those later.

ONE, TWO and THREE:  Three TBR Shelf challenges.

I REALLY NEED THESE!!

ONE: TBR Pile

Multi Hosts - See Details at Bookish

Levels:

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

Hey - who thinks that married people with children would have time to read 41 books off their shelves?? 
My choice here:  (I am being realistic and will be glad to get one a month and if I do more - that'll be a bonus.)

A FRIENDLY HUG 11-20 books

TWO:

Hosted by My Reader's Block

Challenge Levels

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

PIKE'S PEAK LEVEL-12 BOOKS FROM TBR PILE

THREE:

Hosted by The Beauty of Eclecticism

Levels of Backlog:

1. Running Behind--You need to catch up on your reading a bit, and feel this challenge would be a good motivator to do so.  You are committing to read one book per month that fits the requirement, and nothing else.
2. Sinking Fast--You feel swamped and hemmed in by the books, which are beginning to take over your life by conquering most of the flat surfaces in your home.  You are ready to commit to not buying any more books each month--including e-books!--until AFTER you've read that month's challenge book.
3. Biblio Rehab--Every time someone in your family hears you mention a new book you've heard about, they hide your wallet and car keys, dead-bolt the front door, and put you on buy-or-borrow watch.  Admit to yourself that you MUST NOT set foot in a bookstore or library until AFTER you've finished a challenge book for the month.

I think I fit into Level #3.
I choose Biblio Rehab-

I commit to read a book from My Own Shelves before I buy or download any Non-Review Book and before I enter a bookstore or library.  The instructions say "must not set a foot in"...  I wonder if this includes online bookstores!  Good thing I already bought many months of Ladies Book Club books!

{I'm not positive I honored this commitment but I don't think I purchased any new until AFTER I had read 12 books from the TBR and I actually did better than I thought!}

ONE, TWO and THREE:  TBR Shelf Reading list.

01.  Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish; Historical Romance; my Rating 4.0.

02.  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.

03.  A Holiday Explained-A Christmas Short Short Story by J. Steven York; macabre; my rating 4.0.

04.  Silver Borne: Mercy Thompson, Book 5 by Patricia Briggs, Paranomal Romance; my rating: 4.75.

05.  Lethal Legacy by Carol Ann Erhardt; mystery; my rating 4.0.

06.  Crusade: Destroyermen Book 2 by Taylor Anderson; Science Fiction; my rating 4.5.

07.  Forever by Maggie Stiefvater; Paranormal Romance, Werewolves;  my rating 4.0.

08.  Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace; Romantic Suspense; my rating 3.5.

09.  Web of Evil by J.A. Jance; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 3.5.

10.  Heroes Die Young by TM Hunter; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25

11.  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman; fantasy; my rating 5.0

12.  He of the Fiery Spirit by Skhye Moncrief; Fantasy; my rating 3.75.

13.  Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.

14.  The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; Adapted Classic, Dramatization; rating 4.25.

15.  Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.0. 

16.  The Halloween Collective by the Indie Eclective; Paranormal; my rating 4.25. 

17.  Missing by Rhoda Gibb Hinrichsen; Romantic Suspense ; my rating 4.0.

18.  Christmas in An Elevator by Kay Murky; Holiday Romance; my rating 4.0.

FAILED :-( FOUR: Reading Books Won Challenge!

 Hosted by So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Purpose: to read and review some of the books we have won. 
Since I started winning books in late 2008 and won quite a lot in 2009 I have a long way to go to read them all. So I am shooting for the highest level on this. I may not pick the oldest but I will at least get some read and reviewed!

Gold: Read 10 or more books you won. 

Now - No one said these couldn't overlap with other challenges so I am figuring that the TBR shelf lists will be okay to match unless someone corrects me on this rule.

01.  Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish; Historical Romance; my Rating 4.0.

02.  Heroes Die Young by TM Hunter; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25

03.  He of the Fiery Spirit by Skhye Moncrief; Fantasy; my rating 3.75.
04.  Missing by Rhoda Gibb Hinrichsen; Romantic Suspense ; my rating 4.0.  

MBS Favorite Books Read in 2011

I had a great year of reading with the majority of the books falling in the 4 plus range. In these favorites you may note that I recommend Authors as much as specific books!
This is to share for general and for one of my 2012 Challenges. 
HERE ARE MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS of Favorite reads from 2011 - They are in no particular order.

1.  Paranormal SciFi Romance: The Project Universe series by Pauline Baird Jones.  I recommend you start in order with Book 1, The Key. (I have not yet posted all of my reviews of these except for the short story in Dreamspell Steampunk; I'm linking as they are posted.)
Steampunk; overall rating 4.25; my rating for Steam Time by Pauline Baird Jones 4.5.

2. Awesome writing and different plot: 

To Be Sung Underwater 

by Tom McNeal; 

Fiction; my rating 5.0.

3. Fun Steampunk - start with book one in the series! I love this series on audio.
Audible Soulless 
by Gail Carriger; 
Paranormal, Steampunk; my rating 5.0.

4. I really enjoy this Author and loved the Study Series!

Audible Inside Out (Harlequin Teen) 

by Maria V. Snyder; 

Sci Fi, Dystopia; my rating 4.75.

5. Encouraging and motivational:
Audiobook Review: Working it Out by Abby Rike; Motivational; my rating 5.0. 




Five more to make the top ten (although it was hard to willow down the field):

1. Holy Guacamole by Dan and Denise Harmer; Inspirational Comedy Adventure; my rating 5.0. 
2. Cover Me by Catherine Mann; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75. 
3. Making Waves by Tawna Fenske; Romantic Comedy; my rating 4.75.
4. Audible Linger by Maggie Stiefvater; Paranormal Romance, YA; my rating 4.75.
5. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson; Mystery; my rating 4.5. 

Oh - I am adding two more:  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
and Divergent - which I haven't reviewed yet.

AND:  Here is the list of all of the books I rated 4.75 and 5.0 from the 251 books I read in 2011.
There are wonderful books to pick from in different genres!  My full reading list for 2011 can be found HERE.

1. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore; Mystery; my rating 4.75.
2. To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.75.
3. House Divided (America Libre Trilogy) by Raul Ramos y Sanchez; Fiction, Political Thriller; my rating 4.75.
4. Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.75.
5. I Am The Chosen King by Helen Hollick; Historical Fiction; my rating 5.0. 
6. Audible Inside Out (Harlequin Teen) of by Maria V. Snyder; Sci Fi, Dystopia; my rating 4.75.
7. Audible Outside In (Harlequin Teen) by Maria V. Snyder; YA Dystopia; my rating 4.75.
8. Shiver of Fear by Roxanne St. Claire; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75. 
9. Audio Maeve Binchy Collection; Women's Fiction; my rating 4.75. 
10. Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75.
11. Holy Guacamole by Dan and Denise Harmer; Inspirational Comedy Adventure; my rating 5.0. 
12. SEALed Forever by Mary Margaret Daughtridge; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.75.
13. Audible Soulless by Gail Carriger; Paranormal, Steampunk; my rating 5.0.
14. The Soldier by Grace Burrowes; Historical Romance; my rating 5.0.
15. Audible Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
16. To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal; Fiction; my rating 5.0.
17. Changeless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel, Book 2 by Gail Carriger; Paranormal Romance/Steampunk; my rating 4.75.
18. Audible Iron Kissed: Mercy Thompson, Book 3; by Patricia Briggs; Paranormal - Werewolves; my rating 4.75.
19. Cover Me by Catherine Mann; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75.
20. Making Waves by Tawna Fenske; Romantic Comedy; my rating 4.75.
21. Audiobook Review: Working it Out by Abby Rike; Motivational; my rating 5.0. 
22. Audible Blameless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel by Gail Carriger; Paranormal Romance/Steampunk; my rating 4.75.
23. Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jones; Sci Fi Romance; my rating 4.75.
24. Heartless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fourth by Gail Carriger; Paranormal Romance/Steampunk; my rating 4.75.
25. Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee; Fantasy; my rating 4.75. 
26. Audible Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75. 
27. Audio All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen; Mystery Suspense;  my rating 4.75.
28. Paper Angels by Billy Coffey; Inspirational; my rating 4.75. 
29. Audible Divergent by Veronica Roth; Dystopia; my rating 4.75.
30. Help! For Writers: 210 Solutions to the Problems Every Writer Faces  by Roy Peter Clark; Nonfiction, Self-Improvement; my rating 5.0.
31. Audible Linger by Maggie Stiefvater; Paranormal Romance, YA; my rating 4.75.