Challenged by Challenges

I remember the first time I heard the term "Reading Challenges"  It was in October, 2009, the year that I discovered book blogs.  I was intrigued by the idea of setting reading goals for the year, and I was captivated by the number of different challenge themes to choose from.  Since I have never had the opportunity to be a part of book club, I thought this would be a way for me to connect with an online community of like-minded bibliophiles.  For the past two years I have signed up for several challenges, but completed very few.  And I vowed several months ago that I would not join another one.  I like the idea of challenges, but in the end, I miss the freedom of choosing what I want to read when I want to read it.

But since returning to the bloggosphere I have once again been tempted.  And once again, I will cave in.  But this time I truly plan to limit my enrollment to just two - and I have great expectations of completing both of them.

The first challenge in which I will take part is not so much a choice but a necessity.  I am very much looking forward to taking part in C.B. James's TBR Double Dare Challenge, which runs from January 1 - April  1, 2012.  The premise is simple:  read only books that are currently in your possession as of January 1.  Do not purchase any new books; do not put any new books at hold at the library.  For three months just read books that you currently own.

I would say my current ratio to books owned that I have not read vs books owned that I have read stands at about 10:1 (maybe more).  It is totally out of control.  Although I have not felt like reading for the past nine months or so, that has not curbed by book buying habit.  And the guilt is starting to overshadow the pleasure of this hobby.  So I gladly join this challenge with the hopes that it will not only help me to make a dent in my TBR backlog - but also that it will jumpstart my old reading passion.

The other challenge in which I will participate with great gusto is the Finishing a Series challenge hosted by Socrates Book Reviews.  I have started the Harry Potter series at least three times in the past two years.  I originally started them in audiobook form, having fallen completely in love with Jim Dale's voice - and managed to listen to the first two books while cultivating a treadmill routine (something else that has gone by the wayside lately).  Last year I started to read The Sorcerer's Stone again, but life seemed to pull me in a different direction.  At this point I have 'cried wolf' so often that my youngest daughter, the Hermione of the Totoro family, does not believe I will ever follow through on my promise to read them.  So, in an effort to prove her wrong - and to allow myself the pleasure of reading a beloved modern day classic, I have declared 2012 to be the year of Harry Potter.  I currently have in my possession all but the first book in hard cover; all of the books on audio CD; and just recently purchased all eight movies in DVD Blu Ray.  I hope to follow a routing of reading the book first (probably combination of audio and written word) and then watching the movie as a special reward.  If I weren't so gun-shy of challenges - I would even consider starting a Harry Potter reading challenge....but I'm not sure that I can pull that off.

I am very optimistic that 2012 will be the year that I complete all of the challenges in which I have enrolled.  Of course it helps that the two challenges can be completed simultaneously -- in that the books I choose to read will count for both.  And while it is not overly ambitious --- only seven YA books in a twelve month period --- it is best for me to start with baby steps.

The Progress of Resolutions....

It is January 6th - a little less than one week after the euphoria of New Year's Day - the day when the future is bright and all things are possible.  Typically I have abandoned most resolutions at this point because I realize that my expectations were totally unrealistic and rather than persevere I find it easier to say "next year"

It is not that this year is necessarily different.  I have not made good on several of the resolutions, but I have attempted many and I refuse to give up. While I have yet to develop an exercise routine (although I have at least watched the videos), I have had daily devotions.  And while I have not developed a daily writing routine, I have journaled about the insights received from those devotions.  Baby steps --- I must keep reminding myself of the importance of baby steps.

While I continue to struggle to find the time - or the desire - to read a novel, I have actually taken baby steps towards completing two reading challenges that I did not join:  Fearless Poetry Exploration and Wendell Barry's Reading Challenge.  I went to the library today and picked up the book The Collected Poems of Wendell Barry, a book recommended by my sister-in-law who claims to have been as intimated by poetry as I am - until she read this book.  I decided to just allow the book to open where it may and read a selection from that page.  Here is what I found:

A Warning to My Readers

Do not think me gentle
because I speak in praise
of gentleness, or elegant
because I honor the grace
that keeps this world. I am
a man crude as any,
gross of speech, intolerant,
stubborn, angry, full
of fits and furies.  That I
may have spoken well
at times, is not natural.
A wonder is what it is.

I consider this a warning to my own readers.  Somehow this author, who is totally unfamiliar to me as I am to him, has captured the essence of my being.  Perhaps this is what poetry is all about.  Finding ourselves in the words of others.

Bookish Business

It has been such fun reading your blog entries this past week - learning your favorite reads of 2010 (and adding a few titles to my TBR list) and hearing the enthusiasm about reading challenges for 2011.  You know, two years ago when I first discovered the Book blogosphere, I had no idea that reading was such a competitive sport, and I readily jumped on the bandwagon.  The concept of reading challenges appeals to me on so many different levels:  academically they introduce me to new reading genres and authors that help me to get out of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons...and...socially they help form a reading community where like-minded people can get together - if only in a virtual format - and share ideas and thoughts about literature.  I have not been a part of a face-to-face book club and this helps to fill that void.

Unfortunately these past two years have shown me that my enthusiasm for these challenges does not translate into a determination to follow through.  I failed miserably at completing any of my 2010 challenges (except for the Support Your Local Library Challenge) despite my sincere intentions.  I still believe in challenges and am still motivated by them, but I have come to realize that this is just not the right time in my life to actually try to participate in them.

However, last night as I was reading about the many new challenges listed on the website A Novel Challenge, I was reminded of Wendy's decision last year to "pretend" to become a part of the challenge community.  She developed the idea of the One Night Stand, where she would make lists of books that she would read for challenges, if indeed she had signed up.  I love this idea!  It allows me to give into my enthusiasm of the new year without worry about the failure to complete them.  I know that some day soon I will have the time to devote to reading as a competitive sport, but for now I will just be a cheerleader on the sidelines for all of you.

So without further ado - here is a list of the challenges in which I would love to participate if I could.  Some of these are challenges that I were offered in 2010 in which I did not complete (but really really wanted to) and some are new challenges offered in 2011.

The Harry Potter Reading Challenge sponsored by Michelle of GalleySmith.  I actually started off well with this one - listening to the first two book on audiotape (and absolutely loving the narration of Jim Dale), but then somehow I didn't maintain the momentum.  My original plan was to not only read all the books in the series (which would be my first time and not a re-read) but also to pair this challenge with C.B.'s challenge, Read the Book See the Movie challenge.  I still secretly harbor this desire and to do it before the release of the final HP movie this summer.

Another challenge that I missed last year was sponsored by Margot of Joyfully Retired.  She hosted the All Things Alcott challenge over the summer and I had so wanted to re-read Little Women (I read it once in elementary school and didn't care for it much; I am certain that my tastes have changed considerably) and again pair it with the movie.  I also wanted to read the new release, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott as I do enjoy gaining insight about authors through reading biographies, memoirs, or historical fiction.  A good friend of mine shared that she would like to read Little Women some day - perhaps I will succeed with this challenge, if only a year late.

For two years now Stephanie has hosted the Everything Austen challenge and both years I have dreamed of escaping into Regency England for a month or two, and both years I have not read a single book during the challenge time period.  I have collected numerous books and movies pertaining to Jane Austen, including all six of her novels, plus a book of her letters, plus a book of her juvenalia, plus several popular Jane Austen sequels.  It is not for a lack of material or desire that I do not actively participate.  I am hopeful that Stephanie will offer the Everything Austen challenge III this summer and perhaps I could focus my reading enough to include a few of these items from my shelves.  I would love to read Emma and Persuasion, the two novels that I have not yet read, and then perhaps to read the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy by Pamela Aidan.

The one challenge that I truly look forward to and actually completed in 2009 but not in 2010 - is Carl's RIP challenge, which allows me to read all those lovely Gothic novels that I so enjoy.  Last year I actually purchased books throughout the year with the expressed purpose of saving them for the challenge, and then once the fall came, I was too distracted with other priorities, such as preparing for the NaNoWriMo event.  This year I also hope to devote the month of November to this insane writing task, but I want to set aside time for reading as well.  At the very least I should be able to participate in the short story component of Carl's challenge.

Last year I did sign up for the Rory Gilmore's Book Project - which is actually a perpetual challenge with no deadline.  I did not read many books on the official list, but I did read a couple and was actually inspired to purchase the DVD set (which I have all but the final season).  This will be one challenge that I will periodically view and attempt to complete one book at a time.  I also want to try to find the time to start watching the series again.  I so enjoy the banter between Rory and Loralie and I think it would be good for me to learn to sit back, relax, and escape into the television realm every once in a while.

Focusing on the challenges offered in 2011, I am most tempted to join C.B.'s TBR Dare.  I really really NEED to join this as I have numerous books waiting to be read and I have absolutely no business bringing another book into this house.  However, I know myself well enough to know that I will continue to find library books that I wish to investigate, if for no other reason than to add to the list for a future time, and my trips to the HalfPrice Bookstore are about the cheapest therapy around.  Secretly, however, I am making a conscious commitment to reduce the unread books on my own shelves.

I have wanted to try to read JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy for years.  I have so many students that adore this series and while I teach the Hobbit, I am rather fearful of attempting to read this masterpiece.  Fantasy literature has not been a favorite genre of mine, although I am learning to appreciate it thanks to your wonderful reviews.  I noticed that The Story Girl is offering a Read-along for this series during 2011, but quite honestly I think that is a bit too ambitious for me.  I think my personal challenge will be to watch the first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring and then attempt to read the book.  If I can accomplish one book per year then I should complete the trilogy by December 31, 2013.  Now that sounds manageable, doesn't it?

In the true spirit of being "challenged" in my reading endeavors, then I am quite tempted to join Serena's Fearless Poetry Exploration (doesn't that sound better than "challenge"?).  Serena emphasizes that this is an easy challenge with the expressed purpose of just trying to give poetry a chance.  I must admit that this is one area of literature that I feel quite inept.  Poetry intimidates me for many reasons, but mostly because I know I don't slow down enough to appreciate the word images.  The challenge is simply to read one book of poetry in a year - which does indeed seem doable.  I think if I were to join this challenge, I would seek to read a poetry collection of Mary Oliver as I understand she is a terrific poet for the easily intimidated.

Last - but I am sure not least - I am very tempted to join Carrie's Wendell Barry reading challenge.  A month ago I would have skipped over this listing, as I had never heard of this particular author, but when I visited Nashville in December my sister-in-law waxed poetically about his work and I made a mental note that I would have to some day check it out.  Well, it seems rather fateful that in that same month I would discover that one of my dear blogging friends, Kim, had joined a challenge that is devoted exclusively to this author.  Carrie describes his writing as making "me ache for a simpler way of life."  I also dream of a less frenetic lifestyle, and I think that is why I would like to try at least one of his books or short stories in 2011.

The final challenge in which I truly hope to participate - is Natasha's bi-annual Bloggiesta which is scheduled for January 21-23, 2011.  While I don't have many book reviews to write (which is about the only benefit to not reading much this past semester), I do have a lot of blog clean-up that needs to be done.  The tabs at the top of my web page have somehow gone MIA - and my sidebar information is significantly outdated.  I know that Blogger has added some new template options, and I may try to tweak the site just a bit.  I don't plan to spend hours and hours on this project, but I love the fact that there is a designated weekend in which to focus on this often overlooked task.

I hope this first day of the New Year finds you restful, happy, and expectant of wonderful things to come.

RIP Challenge V

I have been checking Carl's website for the past couple of weeks to see if has posted anything about this, my most favorite challenge of the year.  I was absolutely thrilled to see the information and Mr. Linky sign-up earlier this week, and I simply cannot tell you what a terrific distraction this will be in my life.

The RIP (Readers Imbibing in Peril) Challenge is celebrating its 5th year - but this will only be my second time to join.  The challenge runs from September 1 (I am already behind....) to October 31 and offers a broad spectrum of reading choices in which to participate:

• Mystery
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Dark Fantasy
• Gothic
• Horror
• Supernatural

There are also several different levels in which you can opt to participate.  While I would absolutely love to commit to the Peril the First option (read 4 books of any length in any of the appropriate categories), I am afraid that I may not achieve that goal and I need to have some success in life right now.  So, I will commit to Peril the Third (reading only one book over the next two months), but I will stretch for more.

I have actually been scouting the bookstores for possible RIP bargains throughout the year, and I do have several books on my shelves from which to choose:

• Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane - I actually saw the movie - twice - and LOVED it.  I have had this notion of reading the book and watching the movie over the course of a weekend and then reviewing for CBs Read a Book/See a Movie challenge.  Perhaps this fall will provide that perfect opportunity.
• In the Woods by Tana French - this was on my last year and I didn't get around to it.  I actually have her second book as well and fantasize about reading all three books back-to-back.
• Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis - I actually won this book from an author give-away and I thought it would be the perfect RIP novel.  I read Rebecca last year, which has become one of my favorites, and I am very much looking forward to this book which enlists Daphne duMaurier as the main character.
• The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill.  I really enjoyed this author's book (and West End play) of the Woman in Black, and when I saw this lovely little novella in the bookstore I knew I had to read it for this challenge.
• The Ghost Writer by John Harwood - I actually borrowed this book from the library during last year's challenge, but only managed to read the first two chapters.  I decided to purchase my own copy (so that I am not pressured to finish the book in a certain time frame) and hope to read it over the next two months.
• The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - I actually obtained a copy of this ARC at BEA 2009 and desperately wanted to read it immediately.  Unfortunately, life had other plans and I have yet to read it.  I hope to find the time this fall --- and I actually have one autographed copy of an ARC to give-away sometime during this challenge time period.
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - I can't tell you how many years this book as been languishing on my shelves.  I actually read Swan Thieves before this one.  I really, really, really want to read this prior to October 31, 2010.
• Dracula, My Love by Syrie James.  I actually won this book from Stephanie and I am thrilled!!  I loved the author's debut novel, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, and I expect great entertainment from this book as well.
• Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - This book has been on my list since the release date.  I found it today at Half Price Books for $2.00!  If I don't happen to read it this year, for sure it will be on the list for next year.
• Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - I will be re-reading Fahrenheit 451 with my 9th graders this fall and I absolutely adore that book.  While I am not really into science fiction (Bradbury's concentration), I do think this book sounds right up my alley.
• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - I actually read this book and her other classic, The Haunting of Hill House, for the RIP IV challenge  and I loved them so much I want to try to re-read one of them each year.
• Victorian Ghost Stories:  An Oxford Anthology - I found this book about three years ago in the clearance section of the bookstore and I have never regretted the purchase.  I would love to commit to reading one short story a week during the challenge, but at the bare minimum I will read at least one.

I told you I had quite a list.  I am sure that there are other books on my shelves that qualify, but these are the ones that I have specifically earmarked for this challenge.

Now...to find those extra hours in the day to get all this reading done (and hopefully writing the reviews!)

TSS: Summer Reading Challenges

Well, as many of you now know, my summer plans have radically changed, and while I am still somewhat depressed by this turn of events, I have chosen to view this minor setback as an opportunity to take a break and rejuvenate.  What better way to truly relax and enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer than with a reading challenge or two.

I have purchased so many books lately (I blame all of you for this recent addiction) and there are some languishing on my shelves that I am very anxious to read.  So...I headed over to A Novel Challenge and discovered some new-to-me challenges that I can join which will push me take that next step and actually read them.

The first challenge that I am going to join is the TBR Lite challenge hosted by MizB.  I will strive for Option B which states that I will read 6 books in 12 months, and I am allowed to change my book list if I so desire.  For now my list of books will include:

• In the Woods and/or The Likeness by Tana French
• What the Dead Know by Laura Lipman
• Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
• Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The second challenge that I want to join is Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge.  I had so much with the RIP Challenge last fall and I know so many of you look forward to this annual spring challenge as well.  I have not been much of a fan of fantasy fiction in the past, but I am trying to expand my literary horizons and learn to appreciate this genre.  I will start out slow and only sign up for the Journey level of this challenge, which states that I will read just one fantasy novel between now and June 20.  The one book that I hope to read is:

• The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

Another challenge in which I want to take part is Margot's All Things Alcott Challenge.  I have wanted to re-read Little Women for quite some time (the last time I read this classic was when I was about 10 years old and I don't think I was quite old enough to truly enjoy it).  I also hope to find a copy available of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott at my local library sometime this summer.

By reading Little Women I will also be helping my progress in two other challenges in which I signed up at the beginning of the year:  the Flashback Challenge and C. B. James's Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge.  I used to watch the Winona Rider version of Little Women when my girls were younger, but I would love to review the movie again after reading the book.

Of course, I am sure that I will also be inspired to read some newly released books as well, and if that happens, then I might also participate in Julie's 2010 EW Summer Book Challenge.  I will only need to read one book to be considered a Polliwog - and that sounds like a no-brainer to me.

The summer will also be spent trying to get the house in order, developing lesson plans for two new courses, and continuing with my writing endeavors....but those are the subjects for another post.  Today I will count down the days until the end of school (3 days of classes - 2 days of finals - and graduation on May 14) and then I will begin to relish in this new found freedom!

The Hogwarts Challenge

I need to join another reading challenge like I need a hole in the head, but this one, hosted by Bunnita of Worth Reading It, is one of the most creative challenges I have seen.  How could I say no?

The challenge takes place from March 8 - December 13, 2010.In that time frame I will need to read at least 5 books from the list of 12 Hogwart's classes to qualify to win a $25 Amazon gift card. The class titles should be familiar to any Harry Potter fan, and the descriptions are quite creative and rather all-encompassing:

• Transfiguration - read any book that has trans or figure in its title, is about shape shifting, has a shape shifter in it, or is about anything having to do with changing one thing into another
• Defense Against the Dark Arts - read any book that has defence(defense), dark and/or art(s) in its title, read any book that is about self defense, war, history of war/marital arts, murder mysteries&
• Charms - read any book that has charm in its title, any book that deals with gives something or someone a new aspect (for example the nerdy guy become a handsome doctor)
• Potions - read any book that has potion in its title, cookbooks count but you must cook at least one recipe out of the book
• Astronomy - read any book that has astronomy in its title, books about planets, stars, etc, sci-fi
• History of Magic - read any book that has history or magic in its title, books about magic, witches, etc
• Herbology - read any book that has herb in its title, again cookbooks count and again you must cook at least one recipe out of the book
• Arithmancy - read any book that has arithmancy in its title, any book with a number in its title, any book that deal with numbers or math
• Ancient Runes - read any book that has ancient or runes in its title, books about historical places like the pyramids, Stonehenge, great wall of china, or any book about symbols
• Divination - read any book that has divine in its title, any book about psychics or psychic abilities, tarot reading etc
• Care of Magical Creatures - read any book that has magical or creatures in its title, about supernatural beings
• Muggle Studies - nearly any book works here, what better why to understand Muggle than to read what they read

Before officially signing up, I had to take a Sorting Hat quiz to discover the team that I will join. How cool is that?! I learned that I am a HufflePuff, which honestly, I was not surprised (I expected that or Raven Claw). I will earn one point for each book that I read and that, in turn, will help the Hufflepuff house earn points as well. Reading a Harry Potter book, however, will earn a full 25 points - and since my goal is to try to read the series this year (for the first time, I might add), I am hoping to be of some value to my house team.

My first book for this challenge will be to finish the 2nd audio book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, over spring break and start the third. I think this challenge will tie in nicely with my audio/exercise routine and should help me think creatively about titles of books that I plan to read in the future.

Kudos to Bunnita for developing such a fun, unique challenge!



P.S. --- I have attempted to rewrite this post after the html code was being shown on my blog (not sure why - but hopefully it is now fixed.  UGH!!)

Review: HP book and movie

Well, so far I have done a (relatively) good job of sticking with my New Year's resolutions. I definitely drink more water than I used to (although 6 oz/day would have been more than I used to drink - but I am improving) and I definitely do more conscientious exercise. So...while I have room for improvement, I am thrilled with my progress so far.

I decided at the beginning of the year that I would try to "kill two birds with one stone" as the old saying goes. I knew I wanted to exercise/walk on the treadmill; I knew that I wanted to experiment with audio books (they are such a challenge for this visual learner); and I knew I wanted to read through the Harry Potter series. Hence my idea of listening to the HP books on audio while I walk the treadmill. I am pleased to report that I have recently completed the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and as a (belated) reward I watched the DVD of that same title last night.

Now please bear with me, as I do not think I can do an adequate review of audio books just yet. It truly takes all my powers of concentration to follow the storyline. BUT...I can say that as of January 31, 2010, I have walked 34 miles and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series. I had no idea that J. K. Rowling had such a sense of humor! And while I usually find it difficult to relate to fantasy genre, I must say that she creates a believable fantasy world for me. I loathed Snape and Malfoy; I adored Ron Weasley; I find Hermione pleasantly annoying; and I have a soft spot in my heart for Hagrid. While it took a while, I now understand the game of Quidditch, and I do believe that I wouldn't mind a magic wand of my own to do a few chores around the house. Yes, Harry Potter is growing on me and I am very anxious to continue with the second book.

Now I am really not adept at movie reviews. Truth be told, I tend to fall asleep after the first thirty minutes of any feature film. However, I did enjoy this film adaptation of the book. I found that all the characters were similar to my mental image except for Mr. Dursley. I did not picture him overweight at all (although I can understand the director's interpretation, given his son's in-depth description in the book.) Going by Jim Dale's humorous voice-over of the character, I pictured Vernon as a rather tall, lanky, long-nosed, dark-rimmed-glasses sort of fellow. The whiny voice seemed to indicate a pencil-thin, anal-retentive personality. I also pictured Professor Quirrell as an older gentleman - perhaps the title professor led me to that conclusion. Otherwise, I think the other characters, including Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were depicted perfectly. I think the movie character that has me most intrigued in Snape - his long, black hair and constant sneer give me a rather uneasy feeling every time he appears on screen.

I think my favorite scenes in the movie include the excursion to Diagon Alley -- it is so reminiscent of the streets of Victorian England, my most favorite setting; the touching scene with Harry and the Mirror of - young Harry is truly taken with seeing his parents for the first time and realizing that he truly is loved; and the Quidditch game where Snape is uttering the counter-spell of Quirrell. I found this scene particularly difficult to follow in audio, but it all made perfect sense once I saw it played on the big screen.

As fun as the movie was to view, I must admit that I did enjoy the book to a greater degree. I loved Rowling's attention to detail. I think her in-depth descriptions lends credence to the development of the characters. And while her sense of humor comes through in the movie, it is even more evident in print.

I immediately started listening to the second book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and have really appreciated the way in which the author reviews key information from the first book, without going overboard with detail. I expect it will take me about a month to complete this book in the series, given my walking speed of 8 miles a week.

I want to thank C. B. James for hosting this fun meme, and I look forward to reviewing another book and movie combination sometime in the near future.

EDIT: I don't know if it was the subject of Harry Potter or what - but I have spent a large part of the afternoon deleting spam comments from this post. I have decided to revise the subject heading in an effort to slow down this unwanted traffic to my site. Anyone have any other ideas?

One More Challenge.....

I know...I know...I said that I wouldn't join many challenges this year, and I have already signed up for more than I anticipated. However, when I read about this event on A Novel Challenge, I just knew that I had to make an exception.

I debated long and hard about joining the Thriller and Suspense challenge this year (hosted by Book Chick City), but I knew I would have to commit to reading 12 novels and that would be quite a stretch for me at this time in my life. However, I also know that I enjoy Mystery/Thriller novels and would be reading several of the course of 2010 --- so there must be a challenge that I could join where these books would count toward some goal, right?

Well, never fear --- I found it - and the timing for this challenge is perfect as this weekend is the Mystery Read-athon. I am bound to accomplish at least one of the four requirements at that time, and that will leave me another 11 months to tackle the remaining three. It seems quite doable, doesn't it?

The Mystery Reader Cafe Challenge is hosted by the Yahoo Group, Mystery Reader Cafe, and you have to be a member of the group to join (I am already a member of several yahoo groups, so this was not at all a problem - and I look forward to the online discussions of this group of like-minded readers). The requirements of the challenge are simple:

1. Read a book by an author whose last name begins with "B"
2. Read a mystery in a different country other than your own
3. Read a mystery originally published in 2010
4. Read the first mystery in a series

Now I will show why I HAD to join!

1. I have already planned to read a mystery by M. C. Beaton
2. Her Agatha Raisin mysteries take place in England (a long way from Kansas)
3. I plan to read Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn just as soon as I can get my hands on it
4. I have already planned to read the first Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Vicarage, sometime this semester

So you see, it was inevitable - it was fate - it was providence - it was meant to be that I join this challenge. I really had no choice now, did I?!

Bloggiesta 2010 - Summary

Once again my thanks go to Natasha and her great timing of this event. I truly feel like I have organized and enhanced my blog this weekend, and that is a great way to start the New Year!

While I had a good task list when I started this challenge, as I read the activities of other participants I was encouraged to modify my goals just a bit. The following is a list of all the major - and minor - changes that I made this weekend:

• Backed-up my blog....just in case (thank you, Jackie, for that important reminder)
• Added tabs to my header for easy navigation (thanks to Candace for helping me discover the great sites for directions and colorful tab designs)
• Added a favicon for easy blog identification (Thank you Trish for supplying the links to directions; Thank you Amanda for making me aware that Chrome does not always adopt the code. I was driving myself crazy!! AND....a special, special Thank you to Ambrosia for helping me revise a faulty file code. She was SO kind and helpful. You should really check out her Design Website)
• Deleted Book Blog Guild sidebar link due to hiatus since October, 2009.
• Identified that the Grade for my blog is an 83 out of 100 --- which is certainly acceptable given the fact that I do this for fun and not for profit (thank you Ruth for providing the website information)
• Added Book Blogs Search widget to sidebar for easy book review searches (I found that idea on Becky's blog and loved it! I also have to give a special thanks to FyerFlyBooks for developing this awesome search engine for our enjoyment and convenience)
• Added Challenge Progress list to the sidebar (this was inspired by Margot and I am hopeful that the highly visible list will encourage me to stay focused and read books that will help complete these challenges)
• Created a blogging "cheat sheet" for the most common links I use on my posts (as well as the name of the person and/or blog that hosts the meme). This was a great mini-challenge idea from Danielle of There's A Book.
• Created a "favorites" folder in Google reader where I can find my 50 most favorite blogs and read them quickly - when I don't have hours to spend on the internet (this is to help me develop that sense of balance that I spoke about in this post)
• Modified labels of posts for easier navigation and neater blog sidebar (thank you, Candace, for that great mini-challenge)
• Created a comprehensive Book Review post where all book reviews will be linked in alphabetical order by genre (perhaps next Bloggiesta I will work on a comprehensive post of book reviews in by author)
• Uploaded my TBR list to my Blackberry. I know this isn't exactly blog related - but I can't tell you how many times I am in the bookstore and cannot recall the author - or title - of a book I know I want to read. I hope this will aid my frustration - and in the long run - it will help create content for the blog, right?
• Uploaded chronological order of mystery series to my Blackberry (I use the Stop You're Killing Me website to help me create the lists). Again, this is not exactly blog related, but since I am rather OCD in my reading, I do not like to read series out of order. And...since I mostly shop 2nd hand bookstores, I am not guaranteed that they will have all in the series. This will help me make wise purchase decisions, which again, will aid content of the blog.
• Wrote 4 book reviews - which means that I am caught up!! (I didn't finish reading A Moveable Feast this weekend, so that is why I only wrote 4 reviews rather than my original goal of 5). I will post the reviews periodically over the course of this week.

One of the activities that I did not accomplish - mostly because I was unsure how to do it - was to create templates of posts I write on a frequent basis (like Library Loot - Mailbox Monday - Sunday Salon, etc). The only way I can figure to do that is to "schedule" a post --but when I have done that in the past, I found that I did not have a chance to finalize -- and it posted incomplete. This is not good. If anyone has another method that I have overlooked, I would LOVE to hear it!

Well, I may not have accomplished all that I had hoped, but I sure did get a lot done. I feel that I can now start the New Year refreshed and ready to go.

Mystery Read-athon Next Weekend!

Oh, be-still my little heart. January is certainly my literary month. Not only did I get a newly expanded nook in which to read to my heart's content, and not only did Natasha provide me with an excellent way to organize my blog to be more efficient and pretty.....but I just realized that next weekend is the mystery read-athon!

I was unable to take part in the last read-athon due to school obligations, and I will probably not be able to spend as many hours reading my most favorite genre this coming weekend, but I am going to take part in as much of the literary fun as I can (there are even going to be some mini-challenges that we can join).

I haven't given a lot of thought as to what I might read during this time. I plan to teach a unit on Sherlock Holmes to my 7th graders in April, so I could be extra productive and read some of his mysteries - or perhaps one of the many spin-offs that I have been wanting to investigate, like The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King or Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock.

OR....I am at a loss for what to teach my 12th graders at the end of the year. I am giving thought to doing a mystery unit with them as well and they can choose which novel to read (either Agatha Christie or Sir Author Conan Doyle) and we can have a few informal class discussions (I wonder how feasible it would be to try to hold a "mystery lunch" - similar to the mystery dinner theater - and act out a storyline. This will probably require far more time than I can devote to the unit). Anyway...I have never read Agatha Christie (for shame!) and I just happen to have the first Miss Marple book sitting on my shelf, Murder at the Vicarage.

Then again....I have wanted to read P. D. James for quite some time, and Lorna Barrett just released her 3rd Booktown mystery book, and I have only read 1 Elizabeth George mystery, but fully enjoyed it......ah, decisions....decisions.

THESE kinds of decisions, however, I don't mind making. I am very much looking forward to next weekend's reading adventures. Thank you, Kathrin and Meen, for hosting this event.

Bloggiesta 2010 - frustrations

Well, apparently I am not as good at following html directions as I thought. Somehow I was able to add tabs to my header without incident -- but I have tried for the past two hours to add a favicon to my blog page and I cannot get it to work. I have tried resizing the image (it is now at 16x16 pixels); I have tried using several different image loading sites; I have tried placing the code in various places --- and I still end up with the ugly orange blogger B as my identification.

Is there anyone out there who could possible help a html deficit like me? I would be very grateful.

For now, I am going to bed and perhaps it will make more sense in the morning.

Bloggiesta 2010

While the official start to the January, 2010 Bloggiesta Challenge does not begin until tomorrow, I decided to take advantage of my snow day yesterday and get a jump start. I am SO excited at what I was able to accomplish.

First of all, I have desired to have tabs at the top of the header for about 8 months now. I think it is a professional way to allow readers easy access to useful information. I emailed a few fellow bloggers who have done this in the past, and they assured me that the process is relatively painless. I used the wonderfully helpful sites of Blog U and Exploding Boy and in about 90 minutes I had a look that I wanted. I am sure that I will continue to play around with the layout and perhaps tweak a few things, but for now I am thrilled to have this much accomplished.

The other blog enhancement that I have wanted to add is the feature that links readers to other related posts on the site. It took me a while, but I finally discovered that it is a downloadable widget called Link Within and it is incredibly simple to use. In less than 5 minutes I had updated my blog to include what I think is a very handy tool. I know that I have enjoyed following these links on other bloggers' websites, and I hope that it is an added benefit to my site as well.

No need to worry about the Bloggiesta weekend, however, as I still have plenty of items that I hope to accomplish:

• I have a minimum of 4 book reviews that I need to write (and I hope I haven't waited too long and my short term memory has forgotten the necessary details).
• I can also begin to organize my reviews in a manner that is easy to navigate. Ideally I would like to have one book review page that lists the books by title (and perhaps by author) rather than by the year that the book was read. I don't think the current system is very user-friendly.
• I can also start to think of future posts and perhaps get a jump-start on writing them, as I know that my free-time will be greatly reduced once school is in full-swing.

I want to thank Natasha at Maw Books Blog for hosting this terrific challenge at such an opportune time. I think this is a great way to start a blogger's New Year on the right foot.

New Year's Read-athon!

Oh boy - am I excited!

Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century is hosting a read-athon to celebrate the New Year. This is a very low key, non-stressful event that is just perfect for this English teacher who is dreading the return to school (not the return to the classroom as much as the return to grading papers -- but I digress).

This event will run from 5:00pm Thursday, December 31 to 10:00pm Sunday, January 3rd. We can read as little or as much as we want, and I hoping to read quite a bit as it will be a while before I can devote this kind of time to personal interests.

Now for those of you who are free on New Year's Eve (I will be going out with a dear friend and her husband - so reading will be out of the question, but I am sure we will be talking about books) --- Kristen is also offering the Reading in the New Year event. If you are looking for something fun to do with other literary minded people, this might be a viable for you.

Anyway, I will probably not do much reading on New Year's Eve, but I plan to do a chunk of reading on New Year's Day - and over the course of the weekend. I have several library books that I need to skim before their deadline, and I am hoping to read an Agatha Christie novel to perhaps teach at the end of the year in my Brit Lit class. There are many other options that I have at my disposal, but since this is a weekend to do as I please --- I refuse to plan too much. I will just read what suits my fancy and enjoy every single minute!!

Thanks so much, Kristen, for starting me out on the right literary foot in 2010!

I'm a Ding Dong!

Well, now I've gone and done it. I have not only made a private resolution to live a more healthy lifestyle, I have actually joined an "accountability" group to help me achieve it. And this is no ordinary accountability group. Oh no --- when I do it, I do it up big. I am now an official member of the Ding Dongs in the Game On Diet challenge! What this means is that I not only have a group of fellow dieters to help encourage and motivate me to success --- but there are also two other teams --- the Ho Ho's and the Twinkies --- against whom we will be competing for prizes!! Talk about pressure!

I remember catching the last few days of the first Game On diet challenge last summer and wishing that I could be a part. Well, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for :)

In all honesty, I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I have wanted to begin living a more healthy lifestyle for several years now and just have not had the self-discipline to do so. I do not really aspire to lose weight, but I do want to begin a regular exercise routine that will last the rest of my life --- and I know I need to start eating more healthy (I think I drink on average 4 ounces of water a day -- so that is the first habit that will need to change). I think this fun, competitive atmosphere is just the push I need to force me to do the right thing. And...what better time to start than at the start of a new decade in my life.

Now, this just happens to correspond with another healthy challenge in which I have wanted to participate -- the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. I vacillated back and forth this fall whether to join or not - and Trish was so kind and encouraging, but the bottom line was... I just wasn't mentally ready. Well, I am now. My goal is walk 30 minutes a day for a minimum of 5 days out of 7 and I plan to listen to the Harry Potter series while I do it (hmmm...wonder if I should join the audio book challenge while I'm at it?!). Talk about multi-task. I figure by the end of March I should be more than half way through the series, and I should have walked about 125 miles. Boy -- I feel better already.

So there you have it -- my normally very private goals for the new year out in the open for all to see. I figure I will either have one awesome post come April 1 -- or I will have to admit a very public defeat.

2009 Virtual Advent Calendar Tour

Today marks the beginning of my 5th decade on this earth and I thought what better way to celebrate than to recall fond memories and traditions of the past 50 Christmases in this blog entry.

When I was growing up, Christmas was always celebrated on Christmas Day. As much as my brother and I would beg my father to let us open "just one gift" on Christmas Eve, the answer was always no. While we feigned disappointment, I think the prolonged suspense helped make Christmas morning all that more special. My fondest Christmas memory of this time in my life was the year I turned 16. I had looked forward to my 16th birthday since I was 8 --- no joke. And while the Sweet Sixteen birthday was not all that I hoped it would be, that Christmas more than made up for it. I had decided that I wanted an old-fashioned Christmas that year and my family was kind enough to indulge my wish. We went to a Christmas Tree farm and cut our own tree (typically we decorate with artificial trees), and my grandmother hand-crocheted several ornaments to help decorate it. That evening we went to the midnight Christmas Eve service and when we exited the church it was snowing!! It was going to be a White Christmas - a real dream come true.

I will never forget the first Christmas that I spent with my husband's family. We were not yet engaged, but I was treated as a part of the family from almost the beginning. His family is 100% Italian --- something that I have always highly valued as my ancestry is a mish-mash of ethnicities. His grandmother always prepared her celebration on Christmas Eve and she would spend hours in the kitchen preparing the Vigil. Being devout Catholics (at least at some point in their lives), the vigil included only pasta and fish -- no meat. While this was an unusual feast, I cherished the tradition and have incorporated it as a part of our family Christmas celebration ever since.

The first course is Aioli --- angel hair pasta served with an anchovy sauce. I know it doesn't sound very appealing, but it is absolutely delicious. Geoff's grandmother always made Bacala -- fish fritters made of salted cod. While this was easily found in the Italian section of Bridgeport, CT, her hometown, bacala is not readily available here in the beef-eating midwest. For a number of years Cora would actually mail us the bacala about two weeks before Christmas. I would carefully soak the fish in water for the

required 3 to 4 days, frequently replacing the old water with fresh. About 5 years ago we decided to forego the bacala fritters and replace them with fresh boiled shrimp and crab legs. This is a true delicacy for the family, and a dish that all look forward to eating. I also make Spinach Bread from Cora's old recipe collection that is simple, yet festive. Dessert includes not only holiday cookies, but an Italian specialty called Strufoli --- or honey balls. They are not difficult to make, but very time consuming. My husband absolutely loves them however, and I don't think he would consider it Christmas without them. So, as a labor of love, I make them every year just for him.

Over the years it has gradually become tradition for my kids to sleep together in the basement on Christmas Eve. They ARE allowed to open one gift on this night before Christmas -- typically the one that includes a new pair of Christmas PJs and a new DVD to watch during the night. They are "banished" to the basement around 10:00 so that Geoff and I can wrap all the stocking gifts while we watch A Preacher's Wife, It's a Wonderful Life, and/or A Christmas Story. We usually finish around 12:30 or 1:00 --- set out Santa --- and go to bed.

While I expected this latter tradition to slowly fade as the children got older, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised two years ago when my eldest daughter, who is now married, planned the overnight stay -- her husband included -- because she did not want to miss the silly sibling early morning antics, nor did she want to miss the opening of Santa. At our house, Santa leaves a stocking for everyone: grandma --- dogs ---- parents --- and kids of all ages. Apparently this is something that Megan has enjoyed and she has vowed to keep the tradition going long after Geoff and I have faded away. Who would have known that such a simple routine would have developed into such a symbolic tradition over time.

Another whimsical idea that has evolved into a Totoro tradition is the making of gingerbread houses. What began as a fun activity to distract the children from the endless wait to Christmas, has gradually become a ministry activity to meet people who are new to our lives, and now to grow closer to families who have become a significant part of our lives. Every year since 1991, I have made a minimum of one gingerbread house per child, with the maximum number of houses being 12 when my daughter invited several friends from school to take part in our annual tradition. The house just doesn't smell like Christmas until I bake the gingerbread, and we would not recognize the season if the table weren't covered with symmetrical stacks of gingerbread pieces ready for assembly. Each child (well now, each grown up who is a child at heart) receives a cardboard base, 6 pieces of gingerbread, and a pastry bag filled with royal icing. Newcomers are given a quick lesson on proper pastry bag etiquette, and then everyone quickly assembles their house. The dining table is laden with the necessary candies, cereal, and metallic dragees to decorate an entire gingerbread village. The festivities usually last about 2 hours, and the culinary creations are always unique. Our tradition is to leave the Gingerbread House up for the holidays, and then eat it on New Year's Day.

So on this special day --- 10 days before Christmas and the advent of a new decade of my life --- I look back in awesome wonder at all the warm holidays of the past, while I look forward to many more familial gatherings in the future. I thank you for stopping by and sharing in this celebration with me.

2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

I know I have hinted at joining this challenge before, but this is my official commitment. This is one of the few 2009 challenges that I actually completed, and I must say that I have grown quite fond of my local library as a result. I think it is a sign that I have spent too much time in the library when the librarian sees me walk in and says, "Oh, Molly....I just put some new books on the shelf for you." She knows my name?!

Anyway....in 2009 I committed to read 25 library books over the course of the year. As of today, I have a read a total of 35! So, in an effort to follow the fearless leader of this challenge, J. Kaye, and "aim high" --- I will shoot for the Just My Size level and commit to read 50 library books over the course of this year. And as she says, if I just read 25 I am still a winner!

So how about you? Are you willing to support your local library? The challenge rules are really quite simple: any book format available at the library is allowable (audio books, eReads, re-reads, YA, children's, etc) and crossovers from other challenges can be included. You do not have to preselect your books and only have to commit to read a minimum of 25 library books from January 1 - December 31. Piece of cake, right?

I very much look forward to continuing my patronage of the public library.

Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge

Yep - I've done it again. I have signed up for another challenge. But this one is really not my fault. See, C. B. has made the challenge SO doable that I simply couldn't resist. After seeing the Books on Film packages at Barnes and Noble (the titles are also available individually for about $15.00), I just knew that it was "meant to be" that I take part.

The Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge runs from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010 and there are 5 different levels in which to participate:

• Matinee: one book and one movie
• Double feature: two books/two movies
• Saturday movie marathon: four books/four movies
• Film festival: eight books/eight movies
• Festival jury member: ten books/ten movies

I think I will shoot for the Double Feature. While we do not have to pre-select our choices, I do have a couple of ideas: I re-read Pride and Prejudice every year with my Brit Lit class, but I must confess that I have never seen the Colin Firth version of the film. I would like to do that this year. Also, to piggy back on the Flashback Challenge, I would like to read Little Women and watch the movie version with Susan Sarandon and Wynona Ryder.

While the potential selection of book/movie tie-ins is virtually endless, C. B. does offer some suggestions if you are stumped.

This is a great challenge for me for two reasons. First of all, I live by the adage, "read the book before you see the movie." I try to instill in students that this is SO important as the book allows your own imagination to soar -- whereas the movie is just the director's interpretation of the story. A book not only engages your visual faculties, but your mental faculties as well.

The other reason why this is a good challenge for me is that I very rarely watch movies (in fact, I have usually fall asleep). However, I realize that we are in a media society which is digitally driven. If I hope to truly relate to my students (and my own children for that matter), I need to start watching movies. Perhaps if I take this step of compromise, they will be more willing to pick up a book. Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

Flashback Challenge

Well, I am beginning to succumb to the peer pressure. I am starting to sign up for 2010 challenges. I really can't help myself. They sound so fun - and there is that element of academic pursuit that just speaks to me. I refuse to sign up for a challenge right away, however....no spontaneous decisions for me. I read about it -- cogitate on it --- read about it again --- imagine which books I would like to read (then which books I realistically think I will read) -- then cogitate some more. Some might call this indecisive - but I prefer to think of it as making an informed decision.

After signing up for the Rory Gilmore Reading Project two days ago, I have yet to read a book on the list BUT I have watched the first 6 episodes of season 1 and am thoroughly enjoying myself! It was beneficial for me to see the pilot episode and how each of the characters and story lines were introduced. I think I learned as much about beginning a new story/novel, as I did about this particular series - and I hope to use this information in some personal creative writing endeavors. I look forward to watching more episodes in the days/weeks to come - and to start reading some of the books on the perpetual challenge list.

The newest challenge that I am ready to join is the Flashback Challenge. I have been debating about this one for a couple of weeks, however, my trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday clinched the decision. They have a new series out called Books on Film - where they pair a classic novel with the movie DVD in a nice boxed set for under $15.00!! The one that caught my eye was Little Women. I remember reading this story as a young girl, but somehow I just never connected with it the way some of friends did. I am hoping that by reading it as an adult I will discover that magic.

The challenge runs from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010 and offers three levels of participation:

• Bookworm - read up to 3 novels
• Scholar - read 4 - 6 novels
• Literati - read 6 or more novels

I think I will hedge my bets and only sign up for the Bookworm option, with the 3 books possibly including (although I reserve the right to change to mind as the year progresses):

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery
• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Other possibilities include (although their length may prohibit a read in 2010):

• Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I have harbored this desire to read Anna Karenina and then pair that with the modern day version, What Happened to Anna K by Irina Reyne. We will see if that is a doable project for 2010.

There are a few more challenges that I have my eye on....but I am not yet willing to make the commitment. I am sure future postings will occur within the next couple of weeks.

I am curious which book you might like to re-read, if given the chance. Perhaps I will find more titles to add to my "possibility" pile.

Gilmore Girls Obsession

Ok -- I have been totally obsessed with the Gilmore Girls since last weekend when I read about the Perpetual Rory Gilmore Books Project. I have visited her website several times, hemmed and hawed about joining the challenge, read through the Excel spreadsheet of all the books mentioned in the series, watched in awe as I read the post that lists the books BY EPISODE, and viewed the following youtube video more times than I care to count (I originally found the video on this site, but for your viewing pleasure I have embedded the video here):

I totally blame Shona who is hosting this challenge and I am wondering if she plans to start a support group soon for those of us she has lured into this addiction.

Now, I rarely watch movies or television, but since reading the list of books by episode (and wondering who on earth had time to watch and document all that data), I have now decided that I want to watch all episodes in order. I did periodically enjoy the show when it was on network television, but I don't think I tuned in until the 3rd season. So tonight, while my husband and I were out and about, I suggested that we just pop into Half Priced Books to have a look around. Well, call it fate - call it karma - whatever you want.....they had the first four seasons of the show on the rack on newly received items. It was meant to be. An early birthday present to myself. So I did what I never, ever do....I made an impulse purchase and bought all 4 seasons at one time!! I have rationalized that this will be a great way to unwind each evening after grading finals.

So, as if you hadn't guessed, I am going to officially sign up for my first reading challenge of 2010. I debated about joining the Gilmore Girls reading challenge hosted by Lisa of Lit and Life , but somehow it was just too much pressure to read the books in a single year. I would not want to be an Emily (she is such a know-it-all), but truthfully the Rory level of reading 20 books in a year seems rather daunting. I much prefer the ongoing - never ending challenge (that is, I can just read one book in a year and still be successful). Some of you may prefer both challenges as you are allowed to double-dip so to speak, but I don't want to over-join too early in the 2010 season.

There are still a couple of other challenges that I am very close to joining, but I will save that for another post. Now it is time to sign off and watch the first episode of the modern day classic.