A World Without End

World Without End takes place 200 years after Pillars of the Earth (which I haven’t read).  The book takes place in the 1300’s in the town of Kingsbridge in England.  We start with 4 children.  A wealthy merchant’s daughter Caris, a poor thief Gwenda and brothers of a shamed knight Merthin and Ralph.  They witness a shocking scene that basically sets the stage for the rest of the book.  We follow each of the four over decades of their lives as they choose the paths they will take that lead them to success or failure.

The book is long.  That is honestly the first thing I think of when describing this book.  It is long.  And I’ve read really long books before, but I think because it spans so much time it really feels longer.  Not to say I wasn’t interested the whole time I was reading…it was just long.

I wasn’t really a fan of too many characters in this book, but the ones I did like I rooted for enthusiastically.  The villains we especially villainous.  I put the book down a few times when what I really wanted to do was throw it.

I’ll probably pick up Pillars of the Earth now.  I’m interested to see what Kingsbridge was like 200 years before.

All in all, I’m glad I read it.  Would I read it again?  Probably not, but I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Project 365

This year I’m going to be doing Project 365.  Really all it entails is committing to yourself to take a picture every day of the year.  By the end of the year you’ll have a great collection of stuff you might have forgotten about come December.  I was planning on doing this post once a week with just the week’s pictures, but haven’t gotten on top of that.  So here are the first 12 pictures for the month of January!

1.1.11 – Emma got a Disney Princess cleaning play set for Christmas & insisted on opening it right away to help us clean up after the New Year’s Day get together.

1.2.11 – The Ramirez Family in our first family picture in … well, forever!

1.3.11 – Emma calls this her ‘Rock & Roll Girl’ look.

1.4.11 – This is my reverse lens experiment.  Ray got me a reverse lens ring adapter allowing me to take my lens off my camera, turn it around and screw it back on then on fully manual take some macro pictures.  This was the first time I tried it out.

1.5.11 – Always the fashionista, this is how Emma went to school today.  Knee socks that Amo Ba-Chan gave her for Christmas OVER the pants.

1.6.11 – A Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to see my favorite sea creatures, the Leafy Sea Dragons.

1.7.11 – Emma’s first ballet class.

1.8.11 – NOT the dinner of champions, but oh well.

1.9.11 – Amy thinks it’s funny to not smile when I take pictures of her.  Now I do too.

1.10.11 – Showing off her muscles!

1.11.11 – Lying in bed all day watching TV, Emma and Ray giving me their ‘creepy’ looks.

1.12.11 – I was taking a picture to show that the Christmas Tree Rental people still hadn’t picked up the Christmas tree.  Then about an hour after I took this picture they showed up.  Freaky man.

Hogwarts Reading Challenge

I was going to do this one last year, but I didn’t discover it until the year was almost over and it just just too difficult to go back and figure out how to get organized.  I’m really excited to start this one this year though.  I think it’s so creative!  It’s also kind of complicated (especially since most reading challenges I do require me to just list the books I’ve read).  I’ll try to explain the best I can, but really you should just go here.

First you have to go to the Worth Reading It site and get sorted.  You answer a few questions and you are placed into a house.  I was placed into Gryffindor!  Then you just read books.  Your books will fall into certain categories (classes) that earn you points for your house and at the end of the year the house with the most points wins.  I am doing a horrible job of explaining this!  But really, it’s very cool.

The Classes

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

1. Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki 1.14.11 
2. Tantalize by Cynthia Lietich Smith 2.26.11 
3. Divine by Mistake by PC Cast 3.30.11
4. Narcissus in Chains by Laurell K. Hamilton 3.31.11
5. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong 4.27.11
6. Virals by Kathy Reichs 4.27.11
7. Bad Girls by Steve Vance 6.5.11

Defense Against the Dark Arts - read any book that has 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

1. The Enemy by Lee Child 1.31.11 
2. Cross Fire by James Patterson 2.8.11
3. Re-Gifters by Mike Carey 2.14.11
4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 2.27.11
5. Blood Ninja II by Nick Lake 3.6.11
6. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay 3.30.11 
7. China Lake by Meg Gardiner 4.18.11 
8. Mission Canyon by Meg Gardiner 5.11.11
9. Jericho Point by Meg Gardiner 5.23.11
10. Abandon by Meg Cabot 5.23.11
11. Divergent by Veronica Roth 5.25.11
12. Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner 5.31.11
13. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs 6.1.11
14. The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver 6.17.11

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

1. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney 4.8.11

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.

1. Black is for Beginnings by Laurie Faria Stolarz & Janina Gorrissen 1.14.11
2. Wish by Alexandra Bullen 2.2.11
3. Lamia's Revenge: The Serpent Awakes by Frewin Jones & Alison Acton 2.12.11 
4. Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen 3.1.11 
5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 4.1.11 
6. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 4.27.11 
7. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins 5.10.11 
8. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher 6.18.11

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

1. One Shot by Lee Child 4.18.11

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

1. Clubbing by Andi Watson & Josh Howard 6.5.11
2. The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum 6.18.11

Divination - read any book that has divine in its title, any book about psychics or psychic abilities, tarot reading etc

1. In Odd We Trust by Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz 1.13.11
2. Odd is On Our Side by Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz 2.13.11
3. Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz 2.17.11 
4. Possession in Death by JD Robb 4.29.11 
5. Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham 6.17.11

Care of Magical Creatures - read any book that has magical or creatures in its title, about supernatural beings

1. My Dead Girlfriend by Eric Wight 1.13.11 
2. The Laughing Corpse: Animator by Laurell K. Hamilton 1.28.11
3. The Laughing Corpse: Necromancer by Laurell K. Hamilton 1.29.11
4. The Laughing Corpse: Executioner by Laurell K. Hamilton 1.29.11
5. A Home for Mr. Easter by Brooke A. Allen 2.12.11
6. Miki Falls: Spring by Mark Crilley 2.12.11
7. Miki Falls: Summer by Mark Crilley 2.12.11
8. Miki Falls: Autumn by Mark Crilley 2.12.11
9. Miki Falls: Winter by Mark Crilley 2.12.11
10. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 1 by Ellen Schreiber & Rem 2.13.11
11. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 2 by Ellen Schreiber & Rem 2.13.11
12. Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery by Dave Roman 2.15.11
13. The First Death by Laurell K. Hamilton 2.17.11
14. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 1 by Laurell K. Hamilton 2.17.11
15. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 2 by Laurell K. Hamilton 2.17.11
16. Wings by Aprilynne Pike 2.17.11
17. Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck 2.17.11
18. Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by RJ Anderson 2.17.11 
19. Wayfarer by RJ Anderson 2.22.11
20. Spells by Aprilynne Pike 2.22.11
21. Circus of the Damned: Charmer by Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim 2.28.11 
22. Eternal by Cynthia Lietich Smith 3.8.11 
23. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 3 by Ellen Schreiber & Elisa Kwon 3.16.11
24. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer by Van Jensen & Dusty Higgins 4.3.11 
25. Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber 4.4.11
26. Kissing Coffins by Ellen Schreiber 4.7.11
27. Vampireville by Ellen Schreiber 4.11.11
28. Switched by Amanda Hocking 4.19.11
29. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare 4.27.11
30. Entice by Carrie Jones 4.27.11
31. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender 5.23.11
32. Breathless by Dean Koontz 5.23.11
33. Illusions by Aprilynne Pike 5.24.11
34. Serenity Rose by Aaron Alexovich 6.5.11
35. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris 6.19.11

Muggle Studies - nearly any book works here, what better way to understand Muggles than to read what they read

1. World Without End by Ken Follett 1.11.11 
2. How I Made it To 18 by Tracy White 1.14.11
3. Token by Alisa Kwitney 1.14.11
4. Relentless by Dean Koontz 1.30.11
5. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson 1.31.11
6. True Blue by David Baldacci 2.1.11
7. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson 2.2.11
8. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg 2.13.11
9. Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg 2.13.11
10. Cat Burglar Black by Richard Sala 2.14.11
11. Electric Girl, Vol. 1 by Michael Brennan 2.15.11
12. Electric Girl, Vol. 2 by Michael Brennan 2.15.11
13. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum 2.16.11
14. Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison 2.17.11
15. The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum 2.26.11
16. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 2.27.11
17. Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan 2.27.11
18. C.Y.A. (Covert Youth Agency): The Case of Tangled Love by Jason Ancona 2.28.11
19. The Walking Dead, Book 1 by Robert Kirkman 2.28.11
20. Fearscape by Simon Holt 3.1.11
21. Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris 3.7.11
22. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 3.8.11
23. Debugging Tori Redding by Jason Ancona 3.9.11
24. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 3.13.11
25. Dance to the Piper by Nora Roberts 3.13.11
26. The Walking Dead, Book 2 by Robert Kirkman 3.16.11
27. Tell No One by Harlan Coben 3.31.11
28. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 3.31.11
29. Avalon High Coronation: Merlin's Prophecy by Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado 4.1.11
30. Avalon High Coronation: Homecoming by Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado 4.2.11
31. Avalon High Coronation: Harvest Moon by Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado 4.3.11
32. Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich 4.3.11
33. Wonderland by Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew 4.3.11
34. Night Fisher by R. Kikuo Johnson 4.3.11
35. Hide by Lisa Gardner 4.7.11 
36. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs 4.8.11
37. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf 4.8.11
38. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens 4.9.11
39. Indulgence in Death by JD Robb 4.18.11
40. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley 4.19.11
41. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 4.19.11
42. If I Stay by Gayle Forman 4.19.11
43. Where She Went by Gayle Forman 4.27.11
44. The Walking Dead Book 3 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11
45. The Walking Dead Book 4 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
46. The Walking Dead Book 5 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
47. The Walking Dead Book 6 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
48. The Walking Dead Book 7 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
49. The Walking Dead Book 8 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
50. The Walking Dead Book 9 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
51. The Walking Dead Book 10 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
52. The Walking Dead Book 11 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
53. The Walking Dead Book 12 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
54. The Walking Dead Book 13 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
55. The Dark & Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan 5.4.11
56. Matched by Ally Condie 5.4.11
57. Caught by Harlan Coben 5.6.11
58. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner 5.12.11
59. Marvel Fairy Tales by C.B. Cebulski 6.5.11
60. A Grave Talent by Laurie R. King 6.18.11

Mini Challenges!

Perfect Mini Challenge

From January 14th through February 13th

Read at least 3 books with the word 'perfect' in the title or

Read at least 3 books that you give a perfect rating to.

(You can click on the links to read my reviews for these books)

1. Relentless - Dean Koontz 1.30.11 (+10)
2. Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson 2.2.11 (+10)
3. Wish - Alexandra Bullen 2.2.11 (+10) (+25)
4. Miki Falls: Spring - Mark Crilley 2.12.11
5. Miki Falls: Summer - Mark Crilley 2.12.11
6. Miki Falls: Autumn - Mark Crilley 2.12.11
7. Miki Falls: Winter - Mark Crilley 2.12.11

Book in the Day Mini Challenges

From February 14th through March 13th

Read three books that were published in 1999 or earlier.

1. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Published 1985, read 2.27.11
2. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Published 1996, read 3.13.11
3. Dance to the Piper by Nora Roberts Published 1988, read 3.13.11
   

Hide & Seek Mini Challenge

From March 14th through April 30th

Read 3 books that are related to Hide & Seek (i.e. mysteries, detective stories, crime or have hide & seek in the title).

1. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay 3.30.11 (+10)
2. Tell No One by Harlan Coben 3.31.11 (+10)
3. Hide by Lisa Gardner 4.7.11 (+10) (+25)
4. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs 4.8.11
5. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf 4.8.11
6. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens 4.9.11
7. China Lake by Meg Gardiner 4.18.11
8. Indulgence in Death by JD Robb 4.18.11
9. One Shot by Lee Child 4.18.11
10. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley 4.19.11
11. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 4.19.11
12. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 4.27.11
13. Virals - Kathy Reichs 4.27.11
    

Flight or Fight Mini Challenge

From May 1st through June 30th

Read 3 books that have to do with fighting, boxing, military or aviation.

1. The Walking Dead Book 3 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11
2. The Walking Dead Book 4 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
3. The Walking Dead Book 5 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
4. The Walking Dead Book 6 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
5. The Walking Dead Book 7 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
6. The Walking Dead Book 8 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
7. The Walking Dead Book 9 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
8. The Walking Dead Book 10 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
9. The Walking Dead Book 11 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11  
10. The Walking Dead Book 12 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11 
11. The Walking Dead Book 13 by Robert Kirkman 5.1.11
12. The Dark & Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan 5.4.11
13. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner 5.12.11
14. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins 5.10.11
15. Divergent by Veronica Roth 5.25.11
16. The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver 6.17.11
17. The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum 6.18.11
18. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher 6.18.11
19. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris 6.19.11

100+ Reading Challenge

Of course I have to do this one.  I love this one!  Last year I did J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge, but she is nowhere to be found so it looks like it’s being hosted by Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf.  Last year I read just over 200 books, but this year I’m planning on reading a bunch of graphic novels so even though it feels like cheating I’m aiming for 250.

You can read the rules and sign up by clicking here.  Good luck!

1. World Without End - Ken Follett
2. In Odd We Trust - Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz
3. My Dead Girlfriend - Eric Wight
4. Black is for Beginnings - Laurie Faria Stolarz & Janina Gorrissen
5. How I Made it to 18 - Tracy White
6. Token - Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones
7. Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
8. The Laughing Corpse: Animator - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
9. The Laughing Corpse: Necromancer - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
10. The Laughing Corpse: Executioner - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
11. Relentless - Dean Koontz
12. The Enemy - Lee Child
13. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
14. True Blue - David Baldacci
15. Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson
16. Wish - Alexandra Bullen
17. Cross Fire - James Patterson
18. Lamia's Revenge: The Serpent Awakes - Frewin Jones & Alison Acton
19. A Home for Mr. Easter - Brooke A. Allen
20. Miki Falls: Spring - Mark Crilley
21. Miki Falls: Summer - Mark Crilley
22. Miki Falls: Autumn - Mark Crilley
23. Miki Falls: Winter - Mark Crilley
24. The Plain Janes - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
25. Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
26. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 1 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
27. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 2 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
28. Odd Is On Our Side - Dean Koontz & Queenie Chan
29. Re-Gifters - Mike Carey, Sonny Liew & Marc Hempel
30. Cat Burglar Black - Richard Sala
31. Electric Girl, Vol. 1 - Michael Brennan
32. Electric Girl, Vol. 2 - Michael Brennan
33. Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery - Dave Roman, Jason Ho, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Wang & Jeff Zornow 
34. The Hourglass Door - Lisa Mangum
35. Once Dead, Twice Shy - Kim Harrison
36. The First Death - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
37. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 1 - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
38. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 2 - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
39. Wings - Aprilynne Pike
40. Deadly Little Games - Laurie Faria Stolarz
41. Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
42. Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter - RJ Anderson
43. Wayfarer - RJ Anderson
44. Spells - Aprilynne Pike
45. Tantalize - Cynthia Lietich Smith
46. The Golden Spiral - Lisa Mangum
47. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
48. Immortal Beloved - Cate Tiernan
49. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
50. C.Y.A.: Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love - Jason Ancona
51. Walking Dead, Book One - Robert Kirkman
52. Circus of the Damned: Charmer - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
53. Fearscape - Simon Holt
54. Wishful Thinking - Alexandra Bullen
55. Blood Ninja II - Nick Lake
56. Three Bedrooms, Once Corpse - Charlaine Harris
57. Eternal - Cynthia Lietich Smith
58. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
59. Debugging Tori Redding - Jason Ancona
60. Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
61. Dance to the Piper - Nora Roberts
62. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 3 - Ellen Schreiber & Elisa Kwon
63. The Walking Dead, Book Two - Robert Kirkman
64. Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
65. Divine By Mistake - PC Cast
66. Narcissus in Chains - Laurell K. Hamilton
67. Tell No One - Harlan Coben
68. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
69. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
70. Avalon High Coronation: Merlin's Prophecy - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
71. Avalon High Coronation: Homecoming - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
72. Avalon High Coronation: Harvest Moon - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
73. Kimmie66 - Aaron Alexovich
74. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer - Van Jensen & Dusty Higgins
75. Wonderland - Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew
76. Night Fisher - R. Kikuo Johnson
77. Vampire Kisses - Ellen Schreiber
78. Kissing Coffins - Ellen Schreiber
79. Hide - Lisa Gardner
80. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs
81. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
82. These Things Hidden - Heather Gudenkauf
83. Still Missing - Chevy Stevens
84. Vampireville - Ellen Schreiber
85. China Lake - Meg Gardiner
86. Indulgence in Death - JD Robb
87. One Shot - Lee Child
88. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley
89. Delirium - Lauren Oliver
90. Switched - Amanda Hocking
91. If I Stay - Gayle Forman
92. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
93. Where She Went - Gayle Forman
94. The Gathering - Kelley Armstrong
95. Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
96. Entice - Carrie Jones
97. Virals - Kathy Reichs
98. Possession in Death - JD Robb
99. The Walking Dead Book 3 - Robert Kirkman
100. The Walking Dead Book 4 - Robert Kirkman
101. The Walking Dead Book 5 - Robert Kirkman
102. The Walking Dead Book 6 - Robert Kirkman
103. The Walking Dead Book 7 - Robert Kirkman
104. The Walking Dead Book 8 - Robert Kirkman
105. The Walking Dead Book 9 - Robert Kirkman
106. The Walking Dead Book 10 - Robert Kirkman
107. The Walking Dead Book 11 - Robert Kirkman
108. The Walking Dead Book 12 - Robert Kirkman
109. The Walking Dead Book 13 - Robert Kirkman 
110. The Dark & Hollow Places - Carrie Ryan
111. Matched - Ally Condie
112. Caught - Harlan Coben
113. Demonglass - Rachel Hawkins
114. Mission Canyon - Meg Gardiner
115. The Scorch Trials - James Dashner
116. Bad Girls Don't Die - Katie Alender
117. Breathless - Dean Koontz
118. Jericho Point - Meg Gardiner
119. Abandon - Meg Cabot
120. Illusions - Aprilynne Pike
121. Divergent - Veronica Roth
122. Say Goodbye - Lisa Gardner
123. Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs 
124. Serenity Rose - Aaron Alexovich
125. Bad Girls - Steve Vance, Jennifer Graves, Christine Norrie & J. Bone
126. Marvel Fairy Tales - CB Cebulski
127. Clubbing - Andi Watson & Josh Howard
128. Ghost Shadow - Heather Graham
129. The Coffin Dancer - Jeffery Deaver
130. A Grave Talent - Laurie R. King
131. The Forgotten Locket - Lisa Mangum
132. Sapphique - Catherine Fisher
133. Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris
134. Tiger's Quest - Colleen Houck
135. Everlasting - Alyson Noel
136. When You Were Mine - Elizabeth Noble
137. The Giver - Lois Lowry
138. The Magnolia League - Katie Crouch
139. Frankenstein: The Dead Town - Dean Koontz
140. Red Glove - Holly Black
141. The Hollow - Jessica Verday
142. Bones of Faerie - Janni Lee Simner
143. The Girl Who Chased the Moon - Sarah Addison Allen
144. Shadow Kiss - Richelle Mead
145. Treachery in Death - JD Robb
146. What the Night Knows - Dean Koontz
147. Don't Blink - James Patterson 
148. Death's Excellent Vacation - Charlaine Harris
149. Eternity in Death - JD Robb
150. Ritual in Death - JD Robb
151. Hare Moon - Carrie Ryan
152. Missing in Death - JD Robb
153. Faerie Winter - Janni Lee Simner
154. Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry
155. Messenger - Lois Lowry
156. The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting
157. The Peach Keeper - Sarah Addison Allen
158. Glass Houses - Rachel Caine
159. Devil Bones - Kathy Reichs
160. Ghost Night - Heather Graham
161. Blood Promise - Richelle Mead
162. The Hard Way - Lee Child
163. Blood Game - Iris Johansen
164. The Haunted - Jessica Verday
165. The Julius House - Charlaine Harris
166. The Dead Girls' Dance - Rachel Caine
167. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater
168. Eight Days to Live - Iris Johansen
169. Bad Luck & Trouble - Lee Child
170. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
171. Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen
172. Eve - Iris Johansen
173. Quinn - Iris Johansen
174. Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine
175. Nothing to Lose - Lee Child
176. Spirit Bound - Richelle Mead
177. The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen
178. Ghost Moon - Heather Graham
179. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
180. Please Look After Mom - Kyung-Sook Shin
181. Now You See Her - James Patterson
182. Gone Tomorrow - Lee Child
183. Wildcat Fireflies - Amber Kizer
184. Summer & the City - Candace Bushnell
185. 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs
186. 61 Hours - Lee Child
187. The Last Sacrifice - Richelle Mead
188. The Neighbor - Lisa Gardner
189. The Death Cure - James Dashner
190. Worth Dying For - Lee Child
191. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
192. Never Knowing - Chevy Stevens
193. Second Son - Lee Child
194. I Love Him to Pieces - Evonne Tsang & Janina Gorrissen
195. Courtney Crumrin & the Night Things - Ted Naifeh
196. Courtney Crumrin & theCoven of Mystics - Ted Naifeh
197. Once Upon a Time - Serena Valentino
198. Spell Checkers - Jamie S. Rich, Nicolas Hitori De, Joelle Jones
199. Mercury - Hope Larson
200. Go Girl! - Trina Robbins & Anne Timmons
201. Before I Go to Sleep - SJ Watson
202. Dead Over Heels - Charlaine Harris
203. Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom - Ted Naifeh
204. 30 Days of Night - Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith

Support Your Local Library Challenge

This year The Book Junkie’s Bookshelf is hosting the Local Library Reading Challenge.  I love this challenge!  Any excuse to get out to my library I’m okay with.
Rules!

1. Anyone can join.
2. There are four levels to this challenge
1. The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books
2. Fun Size – Check out and read 40 library books
3. Jumbo Size – Che3ck out and read 50 library books
4. Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts as long as it’s checked out from the library.  Books MUST be checked out with a library card.  Books purchased at the library do not count.
4. No need to list your books in advance.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and goes through December 31, 2011

Can you guess which levels I’m doing?  Yup, I’m doing the Mega Size!  Good luck to me!  Join me and sign up by clicking here!

1. World Without End - Ken Follett
2. In Odd We Trust - Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz
3. My Dead Girlfriend - Eric Wight
4. Black is for Beginnings - Laurie Faria Stolarz & Janina Gorrissen
5. How I Made it to 18 - Tracy White
6. Token - Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones
7. Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
8. Cross Fire - James Patterson
9. Lamia's Revenge: The Serpent Awakes - Frewin Jones & Alison Acton
10. A Home for Mr. Easter - Brooke A. Allen
11. Miki Falls: Spring - Mark Crilley
12. Miki Falls: Summer - Mark Crilley
13. Miki Falls: Autumn - Mark Crilley
14. Miki Falls: Winter - Mark Crilley
15. The Plain Janes - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
16. Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
17. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 1 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
18. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 2 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
19. Odd Is On Our Side - Dean Koontz & Queenie Chan
20. Re-Gifters - Mike Carey, Sonny Liew & Marc Hempel
21. Cat Burglar Black - Richard Sala
22. Electric Girl, Vol. 1 - Michael Brennan
23. Electric Girl, Vol. 2 - Michael Brennan
24. Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery - Dave Roman, Jason Ho, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Wang & Jeff Zornow
25. The Hourglass Door - Lisa Mangum
26. Once Dead, Twice Shy - Kim Harrison
27. Wings - Aprilynne Pike
28. Deadly Little Games - Laurie Faria Stolarz
29. Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
30. Faery Rebels: Spell Hunters - RJ Anderson
31. Wayfarer - RJ Anderson
32. Spells - Aprilynne Pike
33. Tantalize - Cynthia Lietich Smith
34. The Golden Spiral - Lisa Mangum
35. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
36. Immortal Beloved - Cate Tiernan
37. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
38. Fearscape - Simon Holt
39. Wishful Thinking - Alexandra Bullen
40. Blood Ninja II - Nick Lake
41. Three Bedrooms, Once Corpse - Charlaine Harris
42. Eternal - Cynthia Lietich Smith 
43. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
44. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 3 - Ellen Schreiber & Elisa Kwon
45. Avalon High Coronation: Merlin's Prophecy - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
46. Avalon High Coronation: Homecoming - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
47. Avalon High Coronation: Harvest Moon - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
48. Kimmie66 - Aaron Alexovich
49. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer - Van Jensen & Dusty Higgins
50. Wonderland - Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew
51. Night Fisher - R. Kikuo Johnson
52. Vampire Kisses - Ellen Schreiber
53. Kissing Coffins - Ellen Schreiber
54. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
55. These Things Hidden - Heather Gudenkauf
56. Still Missing - Chevy Stevens
57. Vampireville - Ellen Schreiber
58. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
59. Where She Went - Gayle Forman
60. The Gathering - Kelley Armstrong
61. Entice - Carrie Jones
62. Possession in Death - JD Robb
63. The Dark & Hollow Places - Carrie Ryan
64. Matched - Ally Condie
65. Demonglass - Rachel Hawkins
66. Abandon - Meg Cabot
67. Illusions - Aprilynne Pike
68. Divergent - Veronica Roth
69. Serenity Rose - Aaron Alexovich
70. Bad Girls - Steve Vance, Jennifer Graves, Christine Norrie & J. Bone
71. Marvel Fairy Tales - CB Cebulski
72. Clubbing - Andi Watson & Josh Howard
73. The Forgotten Locket - Lisa Mangum
74. Sapphique - Catherine Fisher
75. Tiger's Quest - Colleen Houck
76. Everlasting - Alyson Noel
77. When You Were Mine - Elizabeth Noble
78. The Giver - Lois Lowry
79. The Magnolia League - Katie Crouch
80. Frankenstein: The Dead Town - Dean Koontz
81. Red Glove - Holly Black
82. The Hollow - Jessica Verday
83. Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry
84. Messenger - Lois Lowry
85. The Haunted - Jessica Verday
86. The Julius House - Charlaine Harris
87. The Dead Girls' Dance - Rachel Caine
88. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater
89. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
90. Chasing the Night - Iris Johansen
91. Eve - Iris Johansen
92. Quinn - Iris Johansen
93. Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine
94. The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen
95. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
96. Please Look After Mom - Kyung-Sook Shin
97. Now You See Her - James Patterson
98. Wildcat Fireflies - Amber Kizer
99. Summer & the City - Candace Bushnell
100. The Death Cure - James Dashner
101. I Love Him to Pieces - Evonne Tsang & Janina Gorrissen
102. Courtney Crumrin & the Night Things - Ted Naifeh
103. Courtney Crumrin & the Coven of Mystics - Ted Naifeh
104. Once Upon a Time - Serena Valentino
105. Spell Checkers - Jamie S. Rich, Nicolas Hirtori De, Joelle Jones
106. Mercury - Hope Larson
107. Go Girl! - Trina Robbins & Anne Timmons
108. Dead Over Heels - Charlaine Harris
109. Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom - Ted Naifeh
110. 30 Days of Night - Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith

YA Reading Challenge

For the Love of YA is hosting the YA Reading Challenge this year.
Here’s the rules:

1. Anyone can join.
2. There are four levels
1. Mini – Read 12 YA novels
2. Fun Size – Read 20 YA novels
3. Jumbo – Read 40 YA novels
4. Mega – Read 50+ YA novels
3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count
4. No need to list your books in advance.  You may select books as you go.  Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. The Challenge starts on January 1. 2001 and goes until December 31, 2011.

For more information and to sign up for the challenge yourself click the link here!
I’m going to do the Mega Challenge.  I’ll be updating here as my list grows.

1.  In Odd We Trust - Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz
2. My Dead Girlfriend - Eric Wight
3. Black is for Beginnings - Laurie Faria Stolarz & Janina Gorrissen
4. How I Made it To 18 - Tracy White
5. Token - Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones
6. Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
7. Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson
8. Wish - Alexandra Bullen
9. Lamia's Revenge: The Serpent Awakes - Frewin Jones & Alison Acton
10. A Home for Mr. Easter - Brooke A. Allen
11. Miki Falls: Spring - Mark Crilley
12. Miki Falls: Summer - Mark Crilley
13. Miki Falls: Autumn - Mark Crilley
14. Miki Falls: Winter - Mark Crilley
15. The Plain Janes - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
16. Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
17. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 1 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
18. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 2 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
19. Odd Is On Our Side - Dean Koontz & Queenie Chan
20. Re-Gifters - Mike Carey, Sonny Liew & Marc Hempel
21. Cat Burglar Black - Richard Sala
22. Electric Girl, Vol. 1 - Michael Brennan
23. Electric Girl, Vol. 2 - Michael Brennan
24. Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery - Dave Roman, Jason Ho, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Wang & Jeff Zornow
25. The Hourglass Door - Lisa Mangum
26. Once Dead, Twice Shy - Kim Harrison
27. Wings - Aprilynne Pike
28. Deadly Little Games - Laurie Faria Stolarz
29. Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
30. Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter - RJ Anderson
31. Wayfarer - RJ Anderson
32. Spells - Aprilynne Pike
33. Tantalize - Cynthia Lietich Smith
34. The Golden Spiral - Lisa Mangum
35. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
36. Immortal Beloved - Cate Tiernan
37. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
38. C.Y.A.: Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love - Jason Ancona
39. Fearscape - Simon Holt
40. Wishful Thinking - Alexandra Bullen
41. Blood Ninja II - Nick Lake
42. Eternal - Cynthia Lietich Smith
43. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
44. Debugging Tori Redding - Jason Ancona
45. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 3 - Ellen Schreiber & Elisa Kwon
46. Avalon High Coronation: Merlin's Prophecy - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
47. Avalon High Coronation: Homecoming - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
48. Avalon High Coronation: Harvest Moon - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
49. Kimmie66 - Aaron Alexovich
50. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer - Van Jensen & Dusty Higgins
51. Wonderland - Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew
52. Night Fisher - R. Kikuo Johnson
53. Vampire Kisses - Ellen Schreiber
54. Kissing Coffins - Ellen Schreiber
55. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
56. Vampireville - Ellen Schreiber
57. Delirium - Lauren Oliver
58. Switched - Amanda Hocking
59. If I Stay - Gayle Forman
60. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
61. Where She Went - Gayle Forman
62. The Gathering - Kelley Armstrong
63. Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
64. Virals - Kathy Reichs
65. Entice - Carrie Jones
66. The Dark & Hollow Places - Carrie Ryan
67. Matched - Ally Condie
68. Demonglass - Rachel Hawkins
69. The Scorch Trials - James Dashner
70. Bad Girls Don't Die - Katie Alender
71. Abandon - Meg Cabot
72. Illusions - Aprilynne Pike
73. Divergent - Veronica Roth 
74. Serenity Rose - Aaron Alexovich
75. Bad Girls - Steve Vance, Jennifer Graves, Christie Norrie & J. Bone
76. Marvel Fairy Tales - CB Cebulski
77. Clubbing - Andi Watson & Josh Howard
78. The Forgotten Locket - Lisa Mangum
79. Sapphique - Catherine Fisher
80. Tiger's Quest - Colleen Houck
81. Everlasting - Alyson Noel
82. The Giver - Lois Lowry
83. The Magnolia League - Katie Crouch
84. Red Glove - Holly Black
85. The Hollow - Jessica Verday
86. Bones of Faerie - Janni Lee Simner
87. Shadow Kiss - Richelle Mead
88. Hare Moon - Carrie Ryan
89. Faerie Winter - Janni Lee Simner
90. Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry
91. Messenger - Lois Lowry
92. The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting
93.  Glass Houses - Rachel Caine
94. Blood Promise - Richelle Mead
95. The Haunted - Jessica Verday
96. The Dead Girls' Dance - Rachel Caine
97. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater
98. Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine
99. Spirit Bound - Richelle Mead
100. Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
101. Wildcat Fireflies - Amber Kizer
102. Summer & the City - Candace Bushnell
103. The Last Sacrifice - Richelle Mead
104. The Death Cure - James Dashner
105. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
106. I Love Him to Pieces - Evonne Tsang & Janina Gorrissen
107. Courtney Crumrin & the Night Things - Ted Naifeh
108. Courtney Crumrin & the Coven of Mystics - Ted Naifeh
109. Once Upon a Time - Serena Valentino
110. Spell Checkers - Jamie S. Rich, Nicolas Hitori De & Joelle Jones
111. Mercury - Hope Larson
112. Go Girl! - Trina Robbins & Anne Timmons
113. Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom - Ted Naifeh

Graphic Novels Reading Challenge

I just recently started getting into graphic novels.  I had always wanted to read In Odd We Trust by Dean Koontz & Queenie Chan because I love the Odd Thomas series.  I also was planning to get Stephenie Meyer & Young Kim’s adaptation of Twilight.  I also started reading The Walking Dead series because I’m a firm believer in that the books are always better than the movies/TV shows.

Vasilly from 1130V is hosting the Graphic Novels Challenge for 2011 this year. 

The rules from the web page:

1. The challenge starts January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.  You can start anytime you want to especially if you want to start early.
2. The level of participation: Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels), Intermediate (3-10 books), or Expert (10+)
3. Overlaps with other challenges is definitely okay
4. Re-reads count
5. 5. Feel free to post your list at any time

Since I already checked out a bunch of books from the library I’m aiming for the Expert challenge.  If you want to sign up you can do that by clicking here!

1. In Odd We Trust - Queenie Chan & Dean Koontz 
2. My Dead Girlfriend - Eric Wight
3. Black is for Beginnings - Laurie Faria Stolarz & Janina Gorrissen
4. How I Made it to 18 - Tracy White
5. Token - Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones
6. Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
7. The Laughing Corpse: Animator - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
8. The Laughing Corpse: Necromancer - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
9. The Laughing Corpse: Executioner - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
10. Lamia's Revenge: The Serpent Awakes - Frewin Jones & Alison Acton
11. A Home for Mr. Easter - Brooke A. Allen
12. Miki Falls: Spring - Mark Crilley
13. Miki Falls: Summer - Mark Crilley
14. Miki Falls: Autumn - Mark Crilley 
15. Miki Falls: Winter - Mark Crilley
16. The Plain Janes - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
17. Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
18. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 1 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
19. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 2 - Ellen Schreiber & Rem
20. Odd is On Our Side - Dean Koontz & Queenie Chan
21. Re-Gifters - Mike Carey, Sonny Liew & Marc Hempel
22. Cat Burglar Black - Richard Sala
23. Electric Girl, Vol. 1 - Michael Brennan
24. Electric Girl, Vol. 2 - Michael Brennan
25. Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery - Dave Roman, Jason Ho, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Wang & Jeff Zornow
26. The First Death - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
27. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 1 - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
28. Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 2 - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
29. The Walking Dead Book 1 - Robert Kirkman
30. Circus of the Damned: Charmer - Laurell K. Hamilton & Ron Lim
31. Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Vol. 3 - Ellen Schreiber & Elisa Kwon
32. The Walking Dead Book 2 - Robert Kirkman
33. Avalon High Coronation: Merlin's Prophecy - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
34. Avalon High Coronation: Homecoming - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
35. Avalon High Coronation: Harvest Moon - Meg Cabot & Jinky Coronado
36. Kimmie66 - Aaron Alexovich
37. Pinocchio Vampire Slayer - Van Jensen & Dusty Higgins
38. Wonderland - Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew
39. Night Fisher - R. Kikuo Johnson
40. The Walking Dead Book 3 - Robert Kirkman
41. The Walking Dead Book 4 - Robert Kirkman
42. The Walking Dead Book 5 - Robert Kirkman
43. The Walking Dead Book 6 - Robert Kirkman
44. The Walking Dead Book 7 - Robert Kirkman
45. The Walking Dead Book 8 - Robert Kirkman
46. The Walking Dead Book 9 - Robert Kirkman
47. The Walking Dead Book 10 - Robert Kirkman
48. The Walking Dead Book 11 - Robert Kirkman
49. The Walking Dead Book 12 - Robert Kirkman
50. The Walking Dead Book 13 - Robert Kirkman 
51. The Walking Dead Book 14 - Robert Kirkman
52. Serenity Rose - Aaron Alexovich
53. Bad Girls - Steve Vance, Jennifer Graves, Christine Norrie & J. Bone
54. Marvel Fairy Tales - C.B. Cebulski
55. Clubbing - Andi Watson & Josh Howard
56. I Love Him to Pieces - Evonne Tsang & Janina Gorrissen
57. Courtney Crumrin & the Night Things - Ted Naifeh
58. Courtney Crumrin & the Coven of Mystics - Ted Naifeh
59. Once Upon a Time - Serena Valentino
60. Spell Checkers - Jamie S. Rich, Nicolas Hitori De & Joelle Jones
61. Mercury - Hope Larson
62. Go Girl! - Trina Robbins & Anne Timmons
63. Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom - Ted Naifeh
64. 30 Days of Night - Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith