Friday, April 10, 2009

Summer Vacation Reading Challenge - 2009

I am so excited that some of you thought this challenge idea was worthwhile. I am really quite excited about it and hope it brings lots of fun, relaxing, reading pleasure for many of you. I have given quite a bit of thought to the particulars of this challenge over the past week, and have tweaked a few of the details. So, without further ado, here are the particulars:

Summer Vacation Reading Challenge:
I love to travel, but with the economy the way it is, a get-away summer vacation is not in the budget this year. However, books are very affordable (and libraries add new meaning to the phrase "price is no object"). I anticipate taking many 'literary' vacations over the course of the next few months, and I hope you can join me as well.

Dates: Friday, May 22 - Monday, September 7, 2009 (Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend)

Requirements: Summer vacations are meant to be relaxing and fun - not stressful. However, some people interpret "fun" by doing nothing but going to the beach and vegging out -- while others like to maximize their sight-seeing adventures. To that end, I have developed two different levels of participation:
  • Beach Bumb: you will read 3 books during this time frame (a leisurely book-a-month); cross-over book selections from other challenges may count; and you do not have to list books in advance -- after all, summer vacation is a time for spontaneity.
  • Globe Trotter: you will commit to reading 6 pre-selected books during this time frame, but you may substitute up to 3 books due to changes in travel plans. Cross-overs for 5 out of the 6 books are allowed, but ideally one book will be read for this challenge alone.
Literary Genres: I personally enjoy travel memoirs, but you may read any literary genre that you enjoy - provided it allows you to "travel" to a different locale that you would like to visit: Perhaps a mystery that takes place in Paris? Perhaps a romance that takes place on a Californian beach? Perhaps a historical fiction novel that takes place in 16th century England? Or a science fiction novel that allows you to travel to a galaxy far, far away? It doesn't matter the genre, as long as it transports you to another place that you would like to visit.


Sign up and Reviews:
If interested in this challenge, please sign up using the Mr. Linky form at the bottom of the post. Once the challenge starts, I will try to set up a Mr. Linky for the actual links to your completed book reviews. I think it will be fun to be armchair travellers for one another.

Prizes: You bet! I will offer one "fun" prize for those who sign up for the challenge prior to May 15. All participants will be entered and a random name drawn. There are several ways to better your chances of winning:
  • one entry for signing up for the Beach Bumb level
  • two entries for signing up as a Globe Trotter
  • three entries for blogging and/or tweeting about the challenge
  • five entries for following my humble blog.
Please submit a separate comment if/when you twitter/blog; and a separate comment if you are/become a follower.

There will also be a prize awarded at the end of the challenge. You must complete the challenge in order to qualify for the drawing - but for each book read and reviewed, you will have one submitted entry. The grand prize will be a $20 Amazon gift certificate --- a great way to start the new fall reading season!

So there you have it -- my first hosted challenge. I hope I haven't omitted anything of great importance.

Please feel free to snag one of the two buttons that Robin made for this challenge and place it on your blog. Don't forget to sign up using Mr. Linky. I hope that this proves to be a fun, relaxing, stress-free challenge experience for everyone.

79 comments:

  1. I need another, I am finishing up challenges fast. I will have to go with the 3, when you use the library you cna't preselect, they wont' have it when you need it.

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  2. This is a great idea for a summer challenge! Thanks for hosting.

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  3. Love the idea! I blogged about it here.

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  4. Hi!
    Would love to join in on this reading challenge. I have posted at my blog and linked it back to you. I also have my 6 books picked out and listed. Have a great day!

    Sherrie

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  5. Hi!
    Me again! I am also following your blog.

    Sherrie

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  6. This is awesome! I will definitely do the Beach Bum level ... and will consider the Globe Trotter level if I can figure out what books I want to do. When I get my post with this set up, I'll try to come back and link the page in Mr. Linky. And I will definitely blog about it. I will come back to tell you when I post about this challenge.

    Fantastic Job!

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  7. I will be doing the Globe Trotter level.

    And I blogged about it. List of books is forthcoming.

    Christina

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  8. Don't know what level, but I am in! Fun idea Molly. You are so brave--I haven't even considered hosting a challenge yet.

    I signed up for the read-a-thon taking place next Saturday. I am pretty sure I will just be doing 12 hours--are you still thinking of doing it too? After being a cheerleader last time around and seeing the fun the readers were having I just need to at least try it.
    *Happy Weekend*
    Kim

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  9. Woot Woot! I am follower!
    :)
    Kim

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  10. Me again....

    I will be a beach bum for sure.

    (once I look at my books I may consider a different level)
    Kim

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  11. Oooh, I love the buttons! I think I will be doing the Globe Trotter...

    I'm a follower, too.

    Carey

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  12. My post about the challenge is up here:
    http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2009/04/summer-vacation-reading-challenge.html

    *smiles*
    Kim

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  13. I signed up and plan to go the Beach Bum route.

    My link is posted here:

    http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/04/summer-vacation-reading-challenge.html

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  14. I signed Mr Linky with my blog link (I haven't posted about it yet). Hope that's okay. I'm joining at the Beach Bum level.

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  15. Here is my post for the challenge. http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/2009/04/summer-vacation-reading-challenge-2009.html

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  16. And here is the link to when I tweeted about your challenge.
    http://twitter.com/kylee_2009/status/1535544213

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  17. globe trotter here! sorry about signing up on mr. linky twice. i have never used it before and i messed up :(

    got all my books picked out! yay!

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  18. http://www.lovelycomposition.blogspot.com/2009/04/ah-summerlovely-summer.html

    blogged about challenge here!

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  19. This is just what I was looking for. I've signed up, and I'm off to make my book list. What fun!

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  20. My book list is here: http://dahlia-and-balu.livejournal.com/58368.html?view=115200#t115200 .

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  21. My book list is up and I am following your blog!!!

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  22. Thanks for hosting! I'm looking forward to this!

    Off to make my booklist now, and become a follower :)

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  23. I'm so excited! With school finishing for the semester I've been searching all over the internet for a Summer book challenge as interesting as this one. I'm definitely going to be Globe Trotter! (woo hoo!) and am very excited about picking books.

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  24. Blogged about the challenge here:
    http://sjillian.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-vacay-2009-reading-challenge.html





    Also, I'm a follower!

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  25. I am officially signed up! I blogged about it here:

    http://findyournextbookhere.blogspot.com/2009/04/some-interesting-links-and-award.html

    and here

    http://findyournextbookhere.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-vacation-reading-challenge.html

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  26. Had to make some changes to my list of books. Work is taking way more time than anticipated so I'll only be able to read 3 instead of 6.

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  27. Here's my post about the challenge. I've signed up to be a Globe Trotter.

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  28. I am a follower of your blog.

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  29. This is a wonderful idea! I think I'm going to take on the "Globe Trotter" level!

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  30. This is a brilliant idea, I have signed up . Not sure which lecel yet, do we have to decide now? My post is here, http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-vacation-reading-challenge.html

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  31. I'm also a follower of your blog.

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  32. I'm in...as a Beach Bum! I blogged about it here.

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  33. Hi Molly,
    I'm in at the Beach Bum level and blogged about the challenge today.

    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-vacation-reading-challenge.html

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  34. I would like to join but I am not sure how to use Mister Linky!

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  35. Molly, I hope you guys have fun with this challenge! I'd sign up but I don't think I can keep track of anymore challenges! I will sign up for your next one.

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  36. This is truly an awesome idea. thanks for posting and bringing something new to the net.

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  37. Im in! I would love to take a summer journey through the words of authors. It's the second best thing. I'm excited.

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  38. Molly>>>Thanks so much for hosting this one. Somehow, I totally forgot to sign up until today. Here is the link to my post:

    http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-vacation-reading-challenge-2009.html

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  39. Hi!
    I didn't see anywhere to post reviews so am doing it here. My first review for this reading challenge is posted at my place, Just Books.
    Have a great day!!

    Sherrie

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  40. I haven't started this challenge yet. I might start with "London Holiday" by Peck.

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  41. Hi!
    My second book review for this challenge is at my place, Just Books.
    http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/05/review-lightning-thief.html

    Sherrie

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  42. My post about the challenge is up and linked. I am joining as a Globetrotter. Three down, three more to go. Thank you.

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  43. And I have been a follower for some time now. Thanks again Molly.

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  44. My first review is up!
    http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2009/05/mudbound.html

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  45. Hi!
    I have finished my 3rd book for this challenge. Two more to go! You can see my review of Uglies - Scott Westerfeld at my place, Just Books.
    http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/review-uglies.html

    Sherrie

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  46. I've decided to join in the journey! I'll be reading:

    1. Poland (with another challenge)
    2. Bridget Jones' Diary
    3. The Book Thief
    4. Midnight's Children
    5. The Savage Detectives
    6. The Idiot

    I've already started the Savage Detectives and will let you know when I finish! :)

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  47. Sherri and Kim --

    You guys are off to a GREAT start!

    To All OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

    Mr. Linky is finally up and working again, so I have now created a separate post to link to book reviews. See the upper left hand corner of my side-bar for a direct link to that post.

    I have even completed one book so far -- yippee!

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  48. Hi!
    I have finished my 4th book for this challenge, it is "Pretties" by Scott Westerfeld. You can see my review at my place, Just Books.
    http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/review-pretties.html Have a great day!!

    Sherrie

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  49. I am going to choose the "Beach Bumb." Now to list my books. I have taken some exciting Journeys.

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  50. Ok, I finished "The Beach Bumb." I felt less stress doing this one. I really enjoyed the journeys. All of the reviews are on my blog
    http://ilovelovebooks.blogspot.com

    1.A Thirst for Rain by Roslyn Carrington The Northern foothills of Trinidad

    2.Jantzen's Gift by Pam Cope Nonfiction, Africa, Vietnam, different exotic places.

    3.My Cousin Caroline by Rebecca Ann Collins Jane Austen's England

    I really enjoyed this challenge. Thanks for giving it. I hope you give it again. I would love to become a Globe Trotter.

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  51. here's my tweet from when I first signed up:

    http://twitter.com/bibliofreakblog/status/2020846229

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  52. And I just posted my list on my blog:

    http://bibliofreakblog.com/challenges/summer-vacation-reading-challenge/

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  53. My first book finished, http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/party-in-san-niccolo.html
    I have travelled to Florence for this one. It was wonderful all I can say is READ IT!!!!

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  54. I found this challenge just today so I'm starting late but I'm in as Globe Trotter. I'll pick and list my books later tonight/tomorrow. I signed up for Mr. Linky and this is going to be really fun.

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  55. I'm sorry I'm so late joining this one, Molly! I hadn't forgotten. I am going to be the Globetrotter. I am reading one book now that qualifies, but have to find the other five, so will post and let you know the list tomorrow. :-D

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  56. I'm sorry. I already signed up. So, this is the second time. I am going to make a blog just for my Summer Vacation Challenge. I'm on my way!

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  57. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  58. I recently finished my first book for this challenge. My review is here:
    http://byhookbook.blogspot.com/2009/06/finally-reviews-and-updates.html
    I'm still not sure how to use the Mr. Linky. I signed up and it links back to my blog--is that all I'm supposed to do? Thanks for you help-I'm still new to blogging.

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  59. I just joined! It's my first challenge. =)

    My list is here:
    http://shananaginsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/summer-vacation-reading-challenge/

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  60. Signing up just a bit late! Looking forward to reading some great books and reading everyone's reviews.

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  61. I didn't see a Mr. Linky list, so I'm hoping it's okay if I a) still sign up and b) just leave a comment saying I'd like to be a Beach Bum.

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  62. Hurray for me...I completed this challenge! You can view the books that I read and see the reviews here.

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  63. If it isn't too late, I would love to join as well! I'll have to be a beach bum, since I'm starting late, but definitely should be able to manage 3 books that "travel well" before the end of summer.

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  64. Oh boy, I started out being a "Beach Bumb." I'm probably still a Beach Bumb, but I feel like a World Traveller because I have six books on my blog.

    my blog addy is

    http://Summertravelandread.blogspot.com

    Molly, I know you're busy.

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  65. The books are read but no reviewed. That will get done, just not before Labor Day.

    Here's my wrap-up

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  66. I have been a Beach Bumb. I'm ready with my reviews. What's next?

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  67. Well, I ended up being a Beach Bum rather than a Globe Trotter! I read three books:
    Extras by Scott Westerfeld, which took me to a future city in Asia; as well as Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars which took me to beautiful PEI. All three of my reviews are in one post:
    http://blog.chainreader.com/2009/07/hiatus.html
    Thanks for a fun challenge!

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  68. Travelled around the Sahara Desert today, in this fantastic book, http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/footprints-in-sand_29.html

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  69. What a great article about contest, this is really what I am looking for. Thanks!

    regards,
    Max

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    ReplyDelete

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