February Bookworm Bite

I accomplished very little reading this month.  In my defense I was sick for two weeks and there was this small problem of my new iPhone.  I didn't take on any clunkers and I only finished one book towards my 2012 challenges.  I am hoping for better results in March!

My favorite read, aside from my reread of The Hunger Games, was Rebecca.  I enjoyed it far more than I had expected. It was also the only book I completed towards my 2012 challenges ...blah!!! I read for the second time, all three books in The Hunger Games Trilogy.  I am super excited about the movie release this month.  In addition to being sick, I dragged my way through Anil's Ghost.  Which reminds me, that book was also towards a challenge!!! Anyways, I just could not get into Anil's Ghost.  I had to force myself to finish it on the premise it was a challenge book and it was way to early in the game to replace it with one of my alternates.  My only other read was The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. That book makes me seriously question my judgement about the whole Twilight series.

Well, that was February ......bring on March!!!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I had planned on rereading The Hunger Games before checking out the movie next month.  However, between being sick and getting a new iPhone (my first smart phone ever!) I sort of fell into a reading rut.  I just couldn't get inspired to pick up a book.  So I did what I do when this happens ....I picked up a book that I have already read and loved!! In this case three books since once you read the first one you have to keep on reading.

I am pretty sure just about everyone has read these books by now, but if you haven't read them I can't promise no spoilers!  Nor would I really call this a review, but more of some observations made on my second go round of reading this series.

1. Let's start with Cinna. He is one of my favorite characters and his fate in Catching Fire has always irked me.  It bothered even more this time and I came to the conclusion it's because I now have the image of Lenny Kravitz in my mind as Cinna and man oh man do I love me some Lenny Kravitz.

2. The biggest problem I encounter with reading YA is remembering the characters are usually just that ...young.  There are moments I want to reach into the book and smack Katniss.  I have to remind myself she is just a teenager and well ....teenagers sometimes do need smacking.

3. Something, other than Prim, bothers me about the way the story ends.  Yet I can't quite put a finger on what that is.  Hmmmm, yea I can .....I liked Gale.

4. I loved that my son and I both read this series.  Yes, I convinced my video game obsessed son to read a book.  We will be going to see the movie together.  We can't wait!!!

5. I'm curious as to how Haymitch will be portrayed in the movie.  Let's face it despite some of his redeeming qualities ...he is also a rude drunk.  Will it be toned down for the movie I wonder.

Now it is time to get back to reading the book I couldn't get myself to pick up and read .....hopefully now the odds will be in my favor of completing said task.

Top Ten Books that Broke Your Heart a Little (or A LOT!!)

This weeks Top Ten, hosted by The Broke and Bookish, are books that broke your heart a little.  I went with total instinct on this one and listed the first books I thought of.  I think a book that breaks your heart also leaves a lasting impression. I don't think there is much I need to say about these books.  If you read them then you know why they broke my heart. If you haven't read them then I don't want to spoil anything for you :)  Happy Valentines everyone!!

1. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
2. Night by Elie Weisel
3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
5. Sophie’s Choice – William Styron
6. Atonement – Ian McEwan
7. The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison
8. Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
9. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
10. Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Top Ten Books I Would Hand to Someone Who Doesn't Like to Read

This weeks top ten, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is books you would hand to someone who doesn't like to read.  Shocking, I know, that such people exist.  I selected a variety of books so that depending on their personality and interests I would select one of these and dare them to tell me it wasn't great fun to read!!  My first three selections I have also picked for past lists.  I think that only means they are really that good!  I tried to select books that weren't too long in length and not difficult reads.

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I think EVERYONE should read this book.  I hope someday it is required reading in high school.  It will make your heart break a little, but it will also make you smile.
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I actually did hand this book to someone ...my son.  He was fussing about having to read for school and I handed him The Hunger Games.  I said read this and then try to tell me reading can't be fun.  Mom won ...he read the whole series in two weeks time and is anxiously awaiting the movie release.
3. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - An emotional look at a real and scary disease that can happen to anyone.
4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman - To a lover of fantasy movies I would say read this ....and then American Gods and then ....you get the point ...just pick up some Neil Gaiman.
5. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith - I would totally hand this to a history teacher.  The best part of the book is how well he blends the lore of vampires with actual history.
6. The Firm by John Grisham - I consider this his best novel and it's a definite page turner.
7. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - For it's pure entertainment value.
8. Animal Farm by George Orwell - I wanted to include a classic.  I went with this one due it's length and readability.
9. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper - If you are looking for to laugh while you read then this is your guy. 
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - The unique perspective of this narrative makes this a must read and it just sooooooo good.  This is the next book I plan to hand to my son!!

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca is my first book completed for The Back to the Classics Challenge hosted by Sarah Reads too Much and was my selection the classic mystery/crime/horror category.  I have discovered that my expectations of a classic or almost always wrong.  This of course happens with more modern literature as well, but just not to the same extent.  Books I expected to love leave me looking for a box of nails to chew as I think that would be more enjoyable then finishing the book ...I am pretty sure this first occurred when I took on Henry James for the first time.  Books I expect to find tedious and boring end up shocking those nails right out of me.  Such is the case with Rebecca .....

The biggest compliment to this book isn't the mystery of what happened to her, but how the the author portrays Rebecca ....you believe her to be this beautiful, amazing and kind spirit ....but **Spoiler Alert** it turns out it she was a cruel and heartless woman.  The transformation of character never seems out of place.  The mystery of how Rebecca died isn't as exciting and is rather predictable in this day and age, but I doubt it was as predictable in 1938.  I found myself yelling at the book and rolling my eyes at the new Mrs de Winter ..."why are you listening to Mrs. Danvers and making that dress for the costume ball!"  The true mystery is about who Rebecca really was and that is crafted perfectly through the eyes of the new Mrs. de Winter.

January Bookworm Bite

Not a bad month for reading!  I read two "clunkers" ( My definition of clunker is 500 or more pages) and they were my two favorite reads of the month....... 11/22/63 by Stephen King and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin.  It might only be January but it will be hard to knock 11/22/63 from the top of my favorite list for 2012.  Yes, it was just THAT good.  Don't believe me ...READ IT ...you won't be disappointed.  I enjoyed A Game of Thrones more than A Clash of Kings, but the second book in the series still leaves you ready and wanting to pick up the third book.  On a side note, I am currently watching the HBO adaptation of A Game of Thrones and I am impressed by how well cast it is and by how true it stays to the book.  I am looking forward to April 1st and the premier of the second season!

After participating in a Top Ten Tuesday that asked for my favorite childhood reads I decided it was time to reread some of those favorites and perhaps read some I had missed. I read The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz and I was reminded of why I like the movie better.  I also picked up Coraline, a book I have never read, and am anxious to check out the movie adaptation.  A reread of Charlotte's Web is in my February reading plans.

I checked out Ellen DeGeneres' new book.  It made for some light and easy entertainment after those two clunkers.  The trick is to make sure you have Ellen's voice in your head as you read.  I have heard the real audio version is excellent.  I love Larry Bird = I loved When the Game Was Ours.  I read Life of Pi as part of my Mount TBR Challenge and for my book club read.  It wasn't what I expected ....not sure what I expected ....but I cringed in a lot of places ....

My most disappointing read was Bonnie by Iris Johansen.  I have been a fan of her Eve Duncan series for years and the resolution just left me saying "Really? ...Really?  Really?" Blahhhhhhhh

Looking ahead to February ....I am almost done with my first book for The Back to the Classics Challenge.  Then question is ....to read or not to read some more clunkers in February or to take a breather :)

Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

 

This weeks top ten, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is books I think would make great book club picks.  I went with the premise of a book club of readers new to the joys and passion of reading and looking for recommendations to help them appreciate the world of books. Any world ....any period of time ...be it real or make believe can be found by merely immersing yourself in a book.

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - A perfect example of why YA Lit can be enjoyed by even an adult reader.
2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - The most emotionally powerful book I have read in years. 
3. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - A book that makes you ask the question "What if that was me?"
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - A classic that is accessible and shocked me at how it could be a bit of a page turner!
5. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - Fantasy you say ...look no further then this series ....unless you are up for The Lord of the Rings!
6. Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen - Immerses you in it's circus setting and makes you cheer on an elephant!
7. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - Not an easy read but so worth the time spent.
8. Mystic River by Dennis Lehane - Everything a mystery should be ...and the movie adaptation is spot on.
9. Gone with Wind by Margaret Mitchell - A must read classic for anyone! That fact that it took me years to brave reading it is beside the point!
10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Yes, we have all read read it ...so my imaginary new readers need to join that "read it" club.

Top Ten Book I Would Want With Me On a Desert Island

This weeks Top Ten from The Broke and the Bookish is a list of your own choice.  I selected a past Top Ten list; books I would want with me on a a deserted island.

1. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - This is one of my favorite books of all time and I have all the faith in the world I could read it over and over again.  I mean, I have already read it four times ....
2. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - I finally read this for the first time last year and I am already looking forward to reading it again.
3. The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson - Is it cheating to pick a series of books? So be it, I need to make the most of my choices :)
4. A Song of Fire and Ice Series by George R.R. Martin - I hesitate to add this to my list only because he isn't done with this series.  Am I able to have the new books air dropped in?
5. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller - I love, love, love this book.
6. The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway - I haven't read all the stories in the book yet so it will make a nice addition to my desert get away!
7. The Odyssey by Homer - Maybe I will pick up some survival tips.
8. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - It has been a few years since I read this one.  It is time for a reread to remember why it is on my favorites list.
9. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - I think you could read this a million times and every time would feel like the first time.
10. War and Peace by  Leo Tolstoy - I have never actually read this book, but having now read Gone With the Wind this tops my list of a classic I want to read before I die.



11/22/63 by Stephen King

First let me confess to this, I haven’t read a Stephen King novel since The Shining scared the kittens out of me in high school.  We won’t discuss how many years ago it was that the word “redrum” had me sleeping with my eyes open, but it was the first and last time I read a Stephen King novel.  So, how is it I couldn’t wait for this book to be released? That the only thing that kept me from running out to buy it the day it was released was the knowledge that either a loving boyfriend or mother would buy it for me for Christmas.  Yes, I was that excited to read 11/22/63 and I’m happy to report that my second venture into a Stephen King novel did not disappoint me (or scare the kittens out of me).

The premise of the book is intriguing even if not quite original in it's concept of time travel.  What if you were able to go back in time and save JFK?  How does that change the future as we know it.  Will it also save Martin Luther King …..will it keep American troops out of Vietnam ….heck, will it keep the Beatles from breaking up?  I won’t tell you how Stephen King envisions that future, but it gives one’s mind plenty to think about.  Our hero in waiting, Jake/George, is living in the past for five years as he waits for time to catch up to that fateful day.  The question is not just what will he change if he can stop Lee Harvey Oswald and save JFK, but how much is he changing every day just by being there in a place and time where he doesn’t belong.  The question is what happens if forced to choose between a life he has fallen in love with and a future he is supposed to change.

This is only the second book I have read in 2012 and I have this feeling it will be the book I can't stop talking about!! It is already the book I am recommending to anyone who will listen ....even those who don't want to listen!

December Bookworm Bite

December was a slow reading month for me.  I baked, I shopped, I decorated, I wrapped presents resulting in very little reading.  I read a total of six books and they were all what I classify as "easy" reads. Easy because I can read them quickly. 

My favorite read of December is the The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper.  I just love his style of writing and the humor he incorporates into his novels.  I love a book that can make me laugh.  That would be the reason why I selected Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris for the holiday read for my book club.  I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Me Talk Pretty One Day, but there wasn't a story in our holiday read that didn't touch on some ironic truth of the season. I enjoyed Son of A Witch, but it reached a point where certain elements of the story just didn't seem to fit with the story.  My other reads Friday Night Knitting Club, Dead to the World and Long Lost were books I picked up that I knew would fit into that busy holiday schedule.  I am enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse novels and this book has been my favorite thus far.  What can I say I am an Eric fan!

Looking ahead into 2012.  I have my 2012 Reading Challenges to look forward to and I have set a goal of reading 100 books total for 2012.  I also plan to incorporate the "Baking" part of my blog title into my blog and I want to start writing individual book reviews.  I think that is some pretty good goals for 2012!!!  Maybe I will also try to cut back on my Diet Coke intake ....hmmmm ...nah ....the world ends in 2012 anyway :p

The Book Addicts 2012 Reading Challenge

The last challenge I am signed up for is with the book club I joined on Goodreads; The Book Addicts.  You have to select twelve books that have been on your TBR pile for over a year.  My selections are:

The Stand- Stephen King
Dragonfly in Amber- Diana Gabaldon
The Forgotten Garden- Kate Morton
Anil's Ghost- Michael Ondaatje
The Remains of the Day- Kazuo Ishiguro
Let the Great World Spin- Colum McCann
A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini
The Magicians- Lev Grossman
A Passage to India- E.M. Forster
The Stone Diaries- Carol Shields
The Bonesetter's Daughter- Amy Tan
Little Children- Tom Perrotta

Alternates (although I hope to read them as well)
Bridge of Sighs- Richard Russo
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant- Anne Tyler

That brings me to a total of 4 challenges and 52 books ...I got this!!

Top Ten Books of 2011

This weeks Top Ten from The Broke and the Bookish asks me to select my ten favorite reads of 2011.  I can easily pick ten ...the problem is choosing only ten! In no particular order they are:

1. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett 
2. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
6. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
7. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
8. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
9. Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkein
10. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

2011 End of Year Book Survey

The Perpetual Page Turner is hosting an end of year survey about books you read during 2011 and I just couldn't resist!

1. Best Book You Read In 2011
It impossible to pick just one book, but I can narrow it down to three! The Help, A Game of Thrones and Gone With the Wind.

2. Most Disappointing Book You Read In 2011
In the Woods by Tana French - I actually loved the book right up to the point where it ended without answering all the questions I wanted answered. Eat, Pray, Love and Never Let Me Go are close runner ups.

3. Most Surprising Book You Read In 2011 (In a Good Way!)
Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter - It was my book club's selection and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was fun without being cheesy and over the top ...well as not over the top as one get in this case :)

4. Book You Recommended the Most In 2011
The Help and The Hunger Games to anyone who was willing to listen.

5. Best Series You Discovered in 2011
A Song of Fire and Ice - I have only read A Game of Thrones but that is because I am pacing myself.  Knowing there are two more books yet to come means I need to do what I can to reduce my wait time.  I also started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series.  They make for a quick fun read, but it simply doesn't compare ....

6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2011
Jeffrey Eugenides - I read Middlesex this year and can't wait to read The Marriage Plot and The Virgin Suicides.

7. Best Book Out of Your Comfort Zone You Read in 2011
Hands down Jane Eyre!

8. Most Thrilling Unputdownable Book You Read in 2011
A Game of Thrones and when a book is a 1000 plus pages that is saying a lot.

9. Book You Most Anticipated in 2011
11/22/63 - I haven't read it yet, but I just know Santa will be providing my first read of 2012.

10. Favorite Book Cover
How fun is the front and back of this book!!

11. Most Memorable Character
Scarlett O'Hara - I have seen the movie many times, but the book added so much more depth to Scarlett. Don't even get me started on Lisbeth Salander ....I finished the series this year and just love, love. love her!  I am super excited to see the movie when it comes out next week.

12. Most Beautifully Written Book You Read in 2011
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  I read through it quite quickly and can't wait to reread it.

13. Book Read that Had the Greatest Impact on You
Still Alice - All I could think ....what if that was me ...

14. Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2011 to Read
Gone With the Wind

15. Favorite Passage or Quote
"When I first met you, I thought: There is a girl in a million. She isn't like these other silly little fools who believe in everything their mammas tell them and act on it, no matter how they fee. And conceal all their feelings and desires and little heartbreaks behind a lot of sweet words. I thought: Miss O'Hara is a girl of rare spirit. She knows what she wants and she doesn't mind speaking her mind--or throwing vases." - Rhett Butler

16. Book Read in 2011 that You Would Reread in 2012
The Hunger Games trilogy

17. Book That Had a Scene that had You Reeling and Dying to Talk to Someone about it (A WTF moment, epic revelation...) Be careful of spoilers!
The Kite Runner - The only book I read this year that I wanted to hurl at the wall while screaming WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top Ten Childhood Favorites

I am excited to be participating in my first Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!!! Such an appropriate first top ten as well. A top ten that is the roots that some 30 years later led to this blog!!! So here are my top ten Childhood Favorites :) :)

1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – What child hasn’t loved this book?  It was one of the first books I read and one of the first my daughter read.  To this day if you ask my daughter why shedoesn’t eat pork she will reply “I’m not eating Wilbur”
2. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume – I could list ten Judy Blume books alone on this list, but this was the book that made me feel older.  Hiding a copy of Forever also made me feel older and as a teenager it was the hidden copy of Wifey.  From Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to Wifey …..was there a better way to have gotten through those adolescent years? I think not!!
3. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George – My 4th grade reading teacher read this to us and inspired a little backyard camping of my own.
4. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald – I read this series of books over and over and over again ……
5. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – Another series that I read over and over again and to this day I will still watch the series on TV.
6. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein –There is something magical about his poetry no matter your age.  I now own the copy that belonged to my grandmother which makes it that much more magical.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – C.S Lewis led to my love of J.R.R Tolkien which has led to my love of George R.R. Martin.  Man, what is up with all the initials!
8. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell – Anyone who knows me would expect to love this book.
9. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary – Just like Judy Blume, I really enjoyed all her books.  The Ramona series is probably what prompted me to consider my sister a “pest”…..ok, so it isn’t fair to blame the book for that one.
10. Bridge to Terebithia  by Katherine Paterson – The author that taught me not only can books be sad, but they can downright break your heart.

I could list so many books ….Little Women, Jacob Have I Loved, Harriet the Spy, Pippi Longstocking, Go Ask Alice, Stuart Little, Island of the Blue Dolphins ……..
I think I need to run to the bookstore now and pick up a few to reread!

November Bookworm Bite

I have decided that to get myself started writing about books that I will do a monthly wrap up post about the books I have read instead of individual book posts ....at least for now.  Having decided to take this approach I realize I should work on these posts throughout the month as I finish reading a book. The contents of my brain empty quite quickly and I am likely to have no clue what I am talking about. So a quick recap of the books I read this month and the little I can remember of what I read.  The upside of forgetting things so quickly ....rereading books isn't like rereading at all. 

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is one of those books that I didn't really think would interest me. Not sure how much more interesting you can get then a girl who was really born a boy but it went unnoticed, but that is beside the point.  However, I had continually heard such good things about the book that I decided to give it a try. I can't even put my finger on what it was that most intrigued me about this book.  It is his style of writing that just ever so gently sucked me into his world. In the end I considered it a four out of five star read.  In contrast to Middlesex, which I had I talk myself into reading, is Still Alice which I decided I had to have a copy of and read as soon as I got my hands on a copy. It is rare that a book can make me cry.  Still Alice did that and more.  It scared me.  I hope when my time comes that Alzheimer's is not the way it announces itself.  The perspective of Still Alice was what prompted me to pick it up and it was also the reason I wanted to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.  I was amazed at not just the perspective but how that perspective rarely came across as sad. Then in a totally different direction I picked up Assassination Vacation.  I enjoyed it, but it was probably my least favorite read this past month. My least favorite in that I really just have nothing to say about it except if you enjoy US history, you will enjoy this book.  Which brings me to my favorite read of the month, No Country For Old Men.  This is the second book by Cormac McCarthy that I have read. The first being The Road.  I loved The Road and I loved No Country for Old Men.   I ask myself ...what if I came across 2.4 million dollars .....I mean that would buy A LOT of books!!!

There you have it ....my first Bookworm Bite!!  I will become better at this with time and maybe even get a little more in depth with my quick witt and insight!

What's In A Name Reading Challenge 2012

The next challenge I am participating in, as an effort to clear my TBR shelf,  is What's In A Name 5.  It is being hosted by Beth Fish Reads.  The categories and my choices are listed below.  Visit Beth Fish Reads for more details and to sign up!

A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title:
Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier
A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title:
Angela's Ashes -Frank McCourt
A book with a creepy crawly in the title:
Little Bee - Chris Cleave
A book with a type of house in the title:
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title:
The Children's Book - A.S. Byatt
A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title:
March - Geraldine Brooks

Back to the Classics Challenge 2012

I wasn't kidding when I said I was going to attempt to put a small dent in that TBR shelf.  So, I am taking on another reading challenge.  Back to the Classics Challenge 2012 hosted by Sarah Reads Too Much.  The categories and my selections are listed below.  Visit her blog for additional details and to sign up!

19th Century Classic:
Crime and Punishment - Fydor Dostoyevsky
20th Century Classic: 
Native Son - Richard Wright
Reread a Classic:
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
Classic Play:
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Classic Mystery/Horror:
Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
Classic Romance:
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Classic That Has Been Translated From Its Original Language to Your Language:
Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
Classic Award Winner:
The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara
Classic Set In a Country That You Will Not Visit in Your Lifetime: 
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

So, let's get this blog going with a post about the reading challenge that prompted me to get a move on and start this blog!  It is being hosted by My Reader's Block and I hope it is going to help me clean off my ever growing TBR shelf.  The levels are below and you can click on over to My Reader's Block for more information and to sign up. 

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

I have selected Mt. Vancouver. I could set my goals a little higher, but I am participating in two other challenges. I know I can use books for more then one challenge, but well, that just doesn't help clearing off that shelf. You don't have to select your books ahead of time, but I know myself.  That being said, here is the list of books from my TBR pile that I will be tackling in 2012.

Bloodroot - Amy Greene
Prodigal Summer - Barbara Kingsolver
The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood
Amsterdam - Ian McEwan
The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
The Corrections - Jonathan Franzen
Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky
Blonde - Joyce Carol Oates
The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
Franny and Zooey - J.D Salinger
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Falling Man - Don DeLillo
The Shipping News - E. Annie Proulx
The Enchantress of Florence - Salman Rushdie
Rabbit, Run - John Updike
The March - E.L. Doctrow
Run - Ann Patchett
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Disgrace - J.M. Coetzee
Mrs. Dalloway - Virginia Woolf
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Houskeeping - Marilynne Robinson
Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates

My Initiation Post ....to Myself!!!

Well here is my first post, but as I am my only follower at the moment, I guess it is more of a test post.  I have a lot to learn about blogging and making my blog "look pretty."  Maybe I should ask my twelve year old son for some help. I have money that says he has a video gaming blog that he has failed to mention.

I have been debating a blog for a few months.  Since I have decided to participate in some reading challenges on other blogs, I thought I would be more fun if I could blog my progress.  I am determined to get books off that TBR shelf!  Although, I will probably replace them with new books ....