Challenge Wrap-Up: 2016 What's In a Name? Challenge

The 2016 What's In A Name? Reading Challenge was hosted by Charlie @ The Worm Hole. I didn't do very well with this one. Of the six categories, I was only able to read books for three of them:

• An item of furniture: The Clocks (Hercule Poirot #34). Agatha Christie 
• A profession: Dreaming Spies. Laurie R. King
• A month of the year: The Last September. Nina de Gramont 

But even though, technically, I didn't complete the challenge, I did enjoy what I read. And had a LOT of fun making lists of possibilities! Thanks so much to Charlie for hosting.

Note: The 2017 edition of the challenge has been announced, and you can see the guidelines and sign up HERE.

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge

The 2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge was hosted by The Book Date. I signed up at the "Motivated" level (Level #1: read 1-5 books) and actually read seven books I think qualify for the challenge. Didn't do such a great job of reviewing those books, but still think the challenge was pretty successful.

Here's what I read:

1. The Last September. Nina de Gramont 
2. The People in the Photo. Hélène Gestern 
3. My Name Is Lucy Barton. Elizabeth Strout 
4. Miller's Valley. Anna Quindlen
5. A Fine Imitation. Amber Brock 
6. This Too Shall Pass. Milena Busquets 
7. The Book That Matters Most. Ann Hood 

I haven't seen an announcement for a 2017 edition of the challenge, but I want to say thanks to Kathryn at The Book Date for hosting this one.

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2016 Women Challenge

The 2016 Women Challenge (4th annual) was hosted by Peek a Book! and had just one main requirement: read more books, of any kind, written by women authors.

I signed up at the Super Girl level (Level 3: read 16-20 books), and didn't read quite as much as I'd hoped. But I did manage to read seventeen books by women writers, so I think it was pretty successful. Here's what I read:

1. Lilies That Fester (Sheila Malory Mysteries #11). Hazel Holt
2. The Last September. Nina de Gramont
3. The People in the Photo. Hélène Gestern
4. Dreaming Spies (Mary Russell #13). Laurie R. King
5. My Name Is Lucy Barton. Elizabeth Strout
6. A Christmas Escape. Anne Perry
7. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. Kate DiCamillo; illus. by K.G. Campbell
8. Miller's Valley. Anna Quindlen
9. A Fine Imitation. Amber Brock
10. This Too Shall Pass. Milena Busquets
11. Lovely In Her Bones. Sharyn McCrumb
12. Inkheart. Cornelia Funke; trans. by Anthea Bell
13. Vinegar Girl. Anne Tyler
14. The Book That Matters Most. Ann Hood
15. The Girls. Emma Cline
16. The Clocks (Hercule Poirot #34). Agatha Christie
17. Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39). Agatha Christie

Note: The 2017 Women's Challenge has been announced, and the sign-up page is HERE.

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2016 Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt

Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt

Host: Bev @ My Reader's Block

I read five books for the scavenger hunt, and the minimum requirement was six. So I didn't totally wipe out, but definitely could have done better. Still, this is one of my favorite challenges and I've already signed up for the 2017 edition.

I read Silver Age mysteries (1960-1989), so I was working with this list of objects:

And the books I read:

1. Lovely in Her Bones. Sharyn McCrumb (first published 1985)
....For the scavenger hunt: Skull on cover (cover photo is the actual paperback edition I read)

2. Picture Miss Seeton (Miss Seeton #1). Heron Carvic (first published 1968; read but not reviewed)
....For the scavenger hunt: Just One Person on cover (I have several editions of this book and this cover is one of them; I actually read an electronic edition which didn't have a cover picture)

3. Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus #1). Ian Rankin (first published 1987; read but not reviewed)
....For the scavenger hunt: Rope/Hangman's Noose on cover (above cover is from the mass market paperback edition; I actually read the Kindle edition, cover shown below)

4. The Clocks (Hercule Poirot #34). Agatha Christie (first published 1963; read but not reviewed)
....For the scavenger hunt: Clock/Timepiece on cover (cover below is from the Kindle edition I read)

5. Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39). Agatha Christie (first published 1975; read but not reviewed)
....For the scavenger hunt: Bottle of Poison on cover (cover below is from the Kindle edition I read)

I think I got all of that right. One of the things I like about this challenge is that keeping track of all the details is very.... well, challenging. Keeps the little grey cells churning, right Poirot? Anyway, it was fun and I'm looking forward to next year's hunt.

2016 Reading Challenge Wrap-Ups, Part 1

Since it's very unlikely I'll be doing much more reading for any of my 2016 challenges, I'm just going to declare years-end and start posting my wrap-ups. Here we go, in (roughly) alphabetical order:

Back to the Classics Challenge

Host: Karen K @ Books and Chocolate

Only read two books that qualified for the challenge (there were twelve categories):

1. Daisy Miller. Henry James
2. To Have and Have Not. Ernest Hemingway

Blogger Shame Review Challenge

Host: herding cats & burning soup,
and Addicted to Happily Ever After @ The Herd Presents

Read one book that qualified for the challenge: The Last September, by Nina de Gramont.

Books in Translation Reading Challenge

Host: Jen @ The Introverted Reader

I did pretty well with this challenge. Signed up for 4-6 books, and ended up reading 7 that qualified:

1. The People in the Photo. Hélène Gestern; translated from the French by Emily Boyce and Ros Schwartz
2. Villa Triste. Patrick Modiano; trans. from the French by John Cullen
3. The Disappearance of Signora Giulia. Piero Chiara; trans. from the Italian by Jill Foulston
4. This Too Shall Pass. Milena Busquets; trans. from the Spanish by Valerie Miles 
5. Inkheart. Cornelia Funke; trans. from the German by Anthea Bell  
6. Tainted Tokay (Winemaker Detective Series #11). Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen; trans. from the French by Sally Pane
7. The Nightwalker. Sebastian Fitzek; trans. from the German by Jamie Lee Searle

Color-Coded Reading Challenge

Host: Bev @ My Reader's Block

Sorry to say it, but I completely wiped out on this one. Never managed to read any books for the challenge, although it still sounds good to me. Maybe just too much "structure."

European Reading Challenge

Host: Rose City Reader

Another one I managed to finish ‒ signed up at the 4-book level, and actually read 5 that qualify:

1. The People in the Photo. Hélène Gestern; translated by Emily Boyce and Ros Schwartz (set in France, mainly Paris) 
2. The Disappearance of Signora Giulia. Piero Chiara; translated by Jill Foulston (set in Italy)
3. This Too Shall Pass. Milena Busquets; translated by Valerie Miles (set in Catalonia region of Spain) 
4. The Invoice. Jonas Karlsson (set in Sweden)
5. The Nightwalker. Sebastian Fitzek; translated by Jamie Lee Searle (set in Germany) 

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Host: Amy @ Passages to the Past

Signed up at the 5-book level; read 5 books:

1. Dreaming Spies (Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes #13). Laurie R. King
2. A Christmas Escape. Anne Perry
3. A Fine Imitation. Amber Brock
4. The Port-Wine Stain. Norman Lock
5. As Good As Gone. Larry Watson 

That's probably enough for now. More to come....

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (RIP) XI

Artwork by Abigail Larson

It's that time of year again. Autumn is fast approaching, and over at Stainless Steel Droppings, Carl is once again hosting his annual celebration of things spooky and mysterious -- the RIP (for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) reading event/challenge, running from September 1 to October 31.

The announcement almost got past me this year -- I've been so busy with vacation plans, I haven't been engaging in my usual end of August/beginning of September behavior of compulsively checking Carl's website, in eager anticipation. Hard to believe this is the eleventh year for RIP, and the ninth time I've participated. It's definitely one of my favorite bookish happenings.

To read all about the rules and guidelines for RIP/XI (there aren't many), just head on over to the challenge announcement post (HERE). There are several levels of possible participation in peril (don't you love alliteration); as usual, I'm going with Peril the First -- read four books of any length, from any of the challenge categories (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Gothic, Horror, Dark Fantasy). These are my favorite literary genres, so it really isn't much of a challenge for me -- just lots of fun. Also again this year, I'll be signing up for Peril on the Screen and I might even give Peril of the Short Story a go, as well.

During the two months of the challenge, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE). I don't really have a set list of books to read, but these are a few I'm considering:

• Beyond the Ice Limit, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Fourth and most recent book in their Gideon Crew series. Although maybe I should start with one of the earlier books in the line-up. 
• Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch. His latest sci-fi thriller -- I've just started this and it's keeping me reading into the wee hours.
• Devil Sent the Rain, by Lisa Turner. Second book featuring hard-boiled Detective Billy Able. Supposed to be a "dark Southern mystery" about the murder of a Memphis socialite, and the scandals her death reveals. 
• The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins. So much talk about this one -- I'm probably the last person on earth to read it.
• Lovecraft Unbound, edited by Ellen Datlow. Short stories in the Lovecraft tradition by twenty of today's prominent writers of dark fantasy and horror fiction. I'm not a huge Lovecraft fan, but this sounds intriguing.
• When the Music's Over, by Peter Robinson. Number 23 in the Inspector Banks series, with Banks now promoted to Detective Superintendent.

I could go on. But I won't -- gotta get reading!

This Too Shall Pass

Milena Busquets
Translation by Valerie Miles
Hogarth, May 2016
176 pages

Publisher's Description:

Blanca is forty years old and motherless. Shaken by the unexpected death of the most important person in her life, she suddenly realizes that she has no idea what her future will look like. 

To ease her dizzying grief and confusion, Blanca turns to her dearest friends, her closest family, and a change of scenery. Leaving Barcelona behind, she returns to Cadaqués on the coast, accompanied by her two sons, two ex-husbands, and two best friends, and makes a plan to meet her married lover for a few stolen moments as well. Surrounded by those she loves most, she spends the summer in an impossibly beautiful place, finding ways to reconnect and understand what it means to truly, happily live on her own terms, just as her mother would have wanted.

My Thoughts:

Apparently Milena Busquets' short novel This Too Shall Pass was quite a sensation in Europe, but it's gotten a cooler reception over here. And I think I can understand all the mixed reviews.

In the book Blanca's mother has just died; to deal with her grief, the 40-year-old "orphan" decides to return to a place she remembers fondly from her childhood. And she also decides that just about everyone she's ever met should go along. And they do. Making for lots of interesting and confusing situations.

Blanca is definitely a maddening character, imperfect (to say the least!) and self-involved — and her relationship with her mother is something any psychiatrist would probably love to get a chance at. Let's just say it was very close, prickly, and ... well, a little weird. The book is narrated in Blanca's voice, so we get her thoughts and opinions throughout. And many of her comments about her mother sound very much as if she were speaking about/to a dear friend or "significant other" rather than a parent. But then, you sort of get the distinct impression that her mother was the significant other in Blanca's life. At one point (p.75 in the ARC), while mentally addressing her absent mother, she says:

I guess you were partly aware that you were the love of my life, and no other stormy love affair would ever come close to outdoing yours.

And knowing she feels that way makes her extreme feelings of loss and confusion a little easier to understand and tolerate.

But with all her problems and foibles, Blanca is also very human, funny and warm-hearted. So although I started out agreeing with the nay-sayers, I ended up enjoying the book quite a bit. Not sure I'd actually recommend it — it's probably not for everyone. But I'll be looking for more of Busquets' work in the future.

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(Full Disclosure: I received my copy of This Too Shall Pass free of charge, from the publisher, through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion.)

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● Qualifies for the following reading challenges: Books In Translation Challenge,  European Challenge, 2016 Women Challenge, Women's Fiction Challenge.

A Christmas Escape

Anne Perry
Ballantine Books, October 2015
176 pages

Publisher's Description:

Lonely Charles Latterly arrives at his small hotel hoping that the island’s blue skies and gentle breezes will brighten his spirits. Unfortunately, there’s no holiday cheer to be found among his fellow guests, who include a pompous novelist, a stuffy colonel, a dangerously ill-matched married couple, and an ailing old man. The one charming exception is orphaned teenager Candace Finbar, who takes Charles under her wing and introduces him to the island’s beauty. But the tranquility of the holiday is swiftly disrupted by a violent quarrel, an unpleasant gentleman’s shocking claims of being stalked, and the ominous stirrings of the local volcano. Then events take an even darker turn: A body is found, and Charles quickly realizes that the killer must be among the group of guests.

My Thoughts:

Not a great deal to say about this one. A little bit of Christmas in July.

For years now, I've been hearing about Anne Perry's annual Christmas books and they've always sounded very intriguing. A Christmas Escape (set on the Mediterranean island of Stromboli) was my introduction to the series, and it was a happy first experience. I would have been even happier if the mystery had been just a little more — well, mysterious. But even though the whodunnit aspect was less than thrilling, the story in general was charming and held my interest all the way through.

The plot wrapped up a little more quickly than I expected it to, but it's a short book, so I suppose some abruptness is to be expected. Definitely a fast read — I finished in a couple of hours, which is almost unheard of for me. In general, a very pleasant read, and I'll be looking for more of Perry's holiday treats.

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(Full Disclosure: I received my copy of A Christmas Escape free of charge, from the publisher, through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion.)

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● Qualifies for the following reading challenges: European Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge, 2016 Women Challenge.

Wrapping Up Once Upon A Time X

This summer is racing by so fast! Hard to believe it's nearly the middle of July already. I really meant to do a wrap-up post for this year's Once Upon a Time reading event when it ended back in June — but as usual, the moment came and went before I could get anything posted. So I'm doing it now. Better late than never. I guess.

I didn't do as well as I'd hoped with this year's OUAT challenge. Signed up for Quest the First (read five books), and only managed to get one read. But I don't feel too bad about that, since the book was a long one. Inkheart (by Cornelia Funke) is quite a chunkster (almost 600 pages), and took me a couple of months to get through.

It's been on my to-read list for quite a few years now, and I'm glad Once Upon a Time gave me the nudge I needed to tackle it at last. Unfortunately, it wasn't the scintillating reading experience I was hoping for (see my review), but I'm still glad to have read it.

I did a little better with the Quest on the Screen feature. The last couple of years, I've completely wiped out on this part of the challenge, but this year I watched two movies that qualify:

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005).
  Thoughts: Beautiful movie, and much less tedious than the book.
  ...
• Maleficent (2014).
  Thoughts: Disney does it again. Such a gorgeous fantasy film! Interesting take on the Sleeping Beauty tale, with Maleficent more victim than villain. Surprised I enjoyed it so much, since I generally find Angelina Jolie hard to watch. Not that she's not great to look at (duh!) — she just never seems very believable. But she makes an excellent mythic being!

Once again, I want to thank Carl for hosting this annual ritual. It's always one of my favorite reading events, and such a great way to welcome the spring/summer season.

Once Upon a Time X

Spring is here! Finally! I know that's true because bluebonnets are popping up all along the highways here in Texas. The hubby has already done the "first mow" of the yard for this year. And my allergies are giving me fits! Soooo, it must be SPRING!

And if spring is here, it must also be time for another edition of Carl's Once Upon a Time reading event/challenge, the wonderful annual spring fling of reading, over at Stainless Steel Droppings. This is its tenth year, and I've been looking forward to it for months now. One of my favorite bookish events every year, it gives me a reason to give myself permission to read some of the fantasy literature (both adult and children's/YA) I love. (Second childhood -- or by now, I guess more like third or fourth.)

I usually opt for the easiest "quest" (the Journey) and commit to one book. But this year I'm throwing caution out the window and signing up for

Quest the First (read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy, and Mythology). I might not make it, but the try will do me loads of good. I might also join in on the Screen Quest and Short Story Quest, if I can.

I don't have a definite list of books I'll be reading, although more than likely they'll all be from the fantasy genre. I do have a few I'm thinking about:

• After Alice, by Gregory Maguire.
  Published last year, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's classic children's tale. I'm intrigued by the publisher's note: "When Alice toppled down the rabbit-hole 150 years ago, she found a Wonderland as rife with inconsistent rules and abrasive egos as the world she left behind. But what of that world? How did 1860s Oxford react to Alice's disappearance? "
• Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke.
  I've been trying to read this one for several years now. I'm such a slow reader, and at nearly 600 pages, it would require a major investment of time. So, we'll see....
• The Magic City, by E. Nesbit.
  I've never read anything by Edith Nesbit. Well, not actually true -- I've started a couple of her books, but never finished any of them. I've always loved the sound of this one. 
• The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende.
  I'm a little surprised that I've never read this one. Loved the movie.
• Silver on the Tree, by Susan Cooper.
  The final book in her Dark Is Rising sequence of novels. I've read the other four books for various other OUaT challenges, so this would be the perfect time to finish off the series.
• Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, by Lewis Carroll.
  This would be a re-read, as I've read both Alice books many times over the years. This year is something of an anniversary for this one -- it first appeared 145 years ago, in 1871.

Or maybe none of the above. Whatever I do read, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE). Now, I'm off to browse my shelves.

(To sign up: Once Upon a Time X announcement page.)

2016 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

2016 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: The Introverted Reader

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

I meant to sign up for this one last month (actually, I thought I had!), so this is a little late. The Nonfiction Challenge is pretty straightforward: Read anything that's not fiction -- history, memoirs, travel, etc. You get the idea. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed, and you don't need a blog to participate.

I used to read quite a bit of nonfiction, but haven't read much lately; so I'm hoping this challenge will help get me back in the habit.  I'll be signing up at the "Dilettante" Level (1-5 books), and during the year I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Back to the Classics Reading Challenge

Back to the Classics Challenge 2016

Hosted by: Karen K @ Books and Chocolate

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This is a very popular reading challenge, but this will be my first time to participate. At first glance, I thought it looked a little too restrictive, and I don't usually do too well with those challenges. And twelve books is quite a lot of books to commit to, for me. But when I realized I won't have to read that many books to join in, I took another look and was hooked. Especially since I believe it's really going to help with my effort to read more of the books I already own -- or books that have been on my TBR list for eons.

The idea of the challenge is to read 12 "classic" books, from 12 different categories. (However, you do not have to read 12 books to participate in this challenge.)

• Complete six categories, and you get one entry in the prize drawing
• Complete nine categories, and you get two entries in the drawing
• Complete all twelve categories, and you get three entries in the drawing

Participants choose books from these categories:

1. A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.
2. A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966. All books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.
3. A classic by a woman author.
4. A classic in translation. Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. You can read the book in your language or the original language.
5. A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.
6. An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction. Children's classics like Treasure Island are acceptable in this category.
7. A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984; children's classics (like The Hobbit) are acceptable in this category also.
8. A classic detective novel. Must include a detective, amateur or professional. 
9. A classic which includes the name of a place in the title. It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples: Bleak House, Main Street, or The Vicar of Wakefield.
10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review.
11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college). 
12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. It can be an anthology of stories by different authors, or all the stories can be by a single author. Children's stories are acceptable in this category also.

For the rest of the rules and info, see the challenge announcement/sign-up page (HERE).

I'll probably be reading six books -- might not be able to handle more than that. I'm not sure which categories I'll be choosing, so I don't have a set list for the challenge yet; but I've got a bunch of ideas. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Women Challenge

2016 Women Challenge (#4)

Hosted by: Peek a Book!

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This challenge encourages us to read more books, of any kind, written by women authors. Since that's one of my reading goals for 2016, this seems like the perfect challenge. There aren't many rules: anyone can join, and you don't need a blog to participate; all formats are allowed, and re-reads are OK, too.

There are four levels to choose from:

• Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books written by a woman author
• Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books written by a woman author
• Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books written by a woman author
• Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books written by a woman author

I'm going for Level 3 ( Super Girl ), and I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE), and on this post, if I can remember:

MY READING LIST (books I read for the challenge, with links to reviews):

1. Lilies That Fester (Sheila Malory Mysteries #11). Hazel Holt
2. The Last September. Nina de Gramont
3. The People in the Photo. Hélène Gestern
4. Dreaming Spies (Mary Russell #13). Laurie R. King
5. My Name Is Lucy Barton. Elizabeth Strout
6. A Christmas Escape. Anne Perry
7. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. Kate DiCamillo; illus. by K.G. Campbell
8. Miller's Valley. Anna Quindlen
9. A Fine Imitation. Amber Brock
10. This Too Shall Pass. Milena Busquets
11. Lovely In Her Bones. Sharyn McCrumb
12. Inkheart. Cornelia Funke; trans. by Anthea Bell
13. Vinegar Girl. Anne Tyler
14. The Book That Matters Most. Ann Hood
15. The Girls. Emma Cline
16. The Clocks (Hercule Poirot #34). Agatha Christie
17. Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (Hercule Poirot #39). Agatha Christie
18.
19.
20. 

2016 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge

2016 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Emily @ Falling For YA

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

I didn't do as well as I'd hoped with the 2015 Netgalley & Edelweiss challenge, but I do think it was valuable for helping me keep track of the books I need to read and review. So I'm signing up for the 2016 challenge. I'll be going for the Silver Level (25 books), even though I have a few more than that to read.

As the challenge announcement post says:

"This challenge will (hopefully) give you the incentive to tackle your review books, stumble upon new ones, and get your Netgalley percentage to the desired 80%!"

And I would be thrilled to get my read-and-reviewed percentage up to 80%, but of course I'm aiming for 100%. During the year I'll be keeping track of my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

2016 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Passages to the Past

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This is always one of my favorite challenges, so even though I've already passed the challenge limit I set for myself for next year (yes -- what was I thinking?), I'm in for 2016.

Once again, I'm aiming at "Victorian Reader" (5 books). You can see the other levels and read all the guidelines by visiting the challenge announcement/sign-up post (HERE). During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and doing all my list-keeping over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge

2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Kathryn T @ Book Date

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

OK, forget all that I said about wanting to cut back on reading challenges in 2016 -- it was obviously just babble.

I really did argue with myself over this one, since I didn't do all that well with the 2015 Women's Fiction Challenge. I do enjoy reading that genre (sub-genre?), but haven't read much lately. And since I already own quite a few books that will qualify, the challenge fits in very neatly with my New Year's goal of reading more of the books I already own.

So, I'm signing up. I'll be going for the "Motivated" Level again (read 1-5 books) -- I think that's doable.

To read all about the challenge and sign up, visit the announcement post HERE. You'll also see a little discussion about what women's fiction actually is, and this definition from the Romance Writers of America organization who say that women's fiction is...

"...about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others."

...and I think I can pretty much go along with that.

During the year I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE), and on this post if I can remember.

Books read:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

2016 Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt

OK. One more....

Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt 2016

Hosted by: Bev @ My Reader's Block

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This one is going to be much, much fun. And I really can't wait to get started. (Even though I'm still sort of working on the 2015 Vintage Mystery Bingo Challenge.)

Here's how Bev explains the idea of this challenge:

" Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to find as many objects on the scavenger hunt list as possible on the covers of the mystery books you read."

I LOVE that kind of stuff! And it's going to allow me to read books already on my TBR list, which is definitely a plus.

For this challenge, I'm going to be reading Silver Age vintage mysteries since I have more of those on my shelves.

And during the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Color Coded Reading Challenge

2016 Color Coded Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Bev @ My Reader's Block

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This challenge looks like so much fun, I can't resist it. And I think it should help me read more of the books I already own, which would be a real plus -- that's definitely one of my bookish goals for next year.

The idea is to read a book for each of nine color categories. See the categories and sign up for the challenge by visiting the announcement page HERE.

I don't yet have any firm plans about what books I'll be reading for the challenge, but I've got quite a few possibilities listed on my challenge blog, which is where I'll be tracking my progress during the year.

2016 European Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

Dates: January 1, 2016 - January 31, 2017

Click here for challenge guidelines and sign-ups

As I believe I've mentioned (possibly several times by now), I'm trying to cut back on reading challenges for 2016. But the European Reading Challenge, hosted at Rose City Reader, is always one of my favorites and one I can't resist.

I'm signing up at the Four Star ("Honeymooner") Level, so I'll be reading four books. Haven't decided what books I'll read, but I'm hoping this will help me make a dent in my much-too-long TBR pile. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and doing all my list-keeping on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Newbery Reading Callenge

Newbery Reading Challenge 2016

Hosted by:  Julie @ Smiling Shelves

Dates:  January 1 - December 31, 2016

I didn't do so well on the 2015 edition of the Newbery Challenge -- only read two books, and didn't review either one of them. But I'm hoping to do a little better with the 2016 challenge.

To see all the rules and guidelines, and to sign-up, head on over to the Challenge Announcement page. You'll also see an explanation of the challenge points system. I'm signing up at the first level (L'Engle = 15-29 points).

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).