2008 Challenge Wrap Up

This was my very first year of entering reading challenges. I enjoyed them all. I am also very excited that I was able to complete them.

Here's to next year's challenges.


The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritson
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Broken by Kelley Armstrong
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld



*July- Emma by Jane Austen
*August- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
*September- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
*October- Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
*November- Dubliners by James Joyce
*December- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens



My list of books read for 2008 can be found here. 100 books. Check. :)


One more month and one more book for this one:



Read:
Holes, Louis Sachar
Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer
Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman
Bel Canto, Anne Patchett

To Read:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon

2008 Books Read

December
100. Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney
99. Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling
98. In the Woods by Tana French
97. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
96. Death By Latte by Linda Gerber
95. Death By Bikini by Linda Gerber
94. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
93. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
92. Violet in Private by Melissa Walker
91. Violet by Design by Melissa Walker
90. Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker
89. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
88. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

November
87. 6th Target by James Patterson
86. Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young
85. Untamed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (nov)
84. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (nov)
83. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (nov)
82. Dubliners by James Joyce (nov)
81. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (nov)
80. The Book of Names by D Barkley Briggs (nov)
79. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (nov)

October
78. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (oct)
77. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz (oct)
76. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (oct)
75. Undone by Brooke Taylor (oct)
74. You Suck by Christopher Moore (oct)
73. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (oct)
72. Aura by Carlos Fuente (oct)
71. Look at Me by Jennifer Egan (oct)
70. Double Helix by Nancy Werlin (oct)
69. Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Raynor (oct)
68. Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (oct)
67. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (oct)
66. the perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (oct)
65. Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists (The Calabiyau Chronicles: Book One) by Diana Zimmerman (oct)

September
64. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (sep)
63. Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland (sep)
62. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (sep)
61. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (sep)
60. Broken by Kelley Armstrong (sep)
59. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (sep)
58. Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (sep)
57. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritson (sep)

August
56. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (aug)
55. Pretties by Curtis Westerfeld (aug)
54. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (aug)
53. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (aug)
52. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (aug)
51. Holes by Louis Sachar (aug)
50. Uglies by Curtis Westerfeld (aug)
49. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar (aug)
48. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (aug)

July
47. Emma by Jane Austen (jul)
46. On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison (jul)
45. Thursday Next: First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (jul)
44. A Hat Full of Sky by Terrt Pratchett (jul)
43. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (jul)
42. The 5th Horseman by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (jul)
41. The Rossetti Letter by Christi Philips (jul)
40. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich (jul)
39. London Bridges by James Patterson (jul)
38. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (jul)

June
37. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (jun)
36. Sepulcher by Kate Mosse (jun)
35. Haunted by Kelley Armstrong (jun)
34. House of Dance by Beth Kephart (jun)

May
33. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (may)
32. Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
31. Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
30. Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
29. Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong (may)
28. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (may)
27. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (may)
26. Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (may)

April
25. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (apr)
24. Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong (apr)
23. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong (apr)
22. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (apr)
21. Brilliance of the Moon by Lian Hearn (apr)
20. Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich (apr)
19. Grass For His Pillow by Lian Hearn (apr)

March
18. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn (mar)
17. 4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (mar)
16. Angus, thongs and Full-Fontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (mar)
15. In the Forest by Edna O'Brien (mar)
14. Valiant by Holly Black (mar)
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (mar)
12. Betrayed by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast (mar)
11. Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (mar)
10. 3rd Degree by James Patterson (mar)

February
9. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (feb)
8. 2nd Chance by James Patterson (feb)
7. White Knight by Jim Butcher (feb)
6. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher (feb)

January
5. Next by Michael Crichton (jan)
4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (jan)
3. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritson (jan)
2. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse (jan)
1. Anne of the Island, L.M. Montgomery (jan)


Woot! 100 Books Challenge Completed!!!

losing my knitting mojo?

For some reason, I just can't spend more than an hour here and there on my knitting.

Am I losing my knitting mojo?

I really hope not. I blame it on going back to work, and lack of interest in my current WIP's. The first week of school has come and gone. I can't complain too much. It went well. Seems like we have a nice group of kids this year. I am, however, already sick with my first cold of the school year. Don't know how that happened. Sucks.

Anyway, for those of you who aren't visiting the Reading Blog I thought I would share my August reads with you. Still really behind in reaching 100 for the year, but really, does it matter if I do?

Anyway, here they are. Some have links to my reviews if you are at all interested.

*Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert(aug)
Pretties by Curtis Westerfeld (aug)
*The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (aug)
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (aug)
*Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (aug)
* Holes by Louis Sachar (aug)
Uglies by Curtis Westerfeld (aug)
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar (aug)
*The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (aug)

* Links to my reviews.


I promise some knitting content to come. I have another square finished for the RMBR blanket and maybe some progress on the little wee sock will be done soon.

Thursday Next - book review

(archived from mariknits)


I just finished this really fun book that I checked out from the library and thought I would share a quick review.

It is the fifth in the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde which I began reading... hmm...probably 5 years ago. The Eyre Affair was the first. Its imaginative alternate world where people can jump in and out of books was refreshing after reading so many predictable and formulaic books. This new book, Thursday Next: First Among Sequels is another great installment to the series. Hilarious. The book jumps from the late 80's to the early '00's, which offers a whole new set of challenges for Next... teenage kids, being 15 years older, book reading rate dropping, and the stupidity index rising. Also, keeping the fact that she still works for Jurisfiction from her husband makes it all the more difficult to do her job.

So many great references in this one to everything I love: knitting, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, and Dr. Temperence Brennan. It's like it was written just for me. Hehe.

Anyway, very cool book. Glad I finally got a chance to read it.

3/5

So this makes book 45. Still falling behind.

June Books:

34. House of Dance by Beth Kephart (jun)
35. Haunted by Kelley Armstrong (jun)
36. Sepulcher by Kate Mosse (jun)
37. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (jun)

July Books:

38. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (jul)
39. London Bridges by James Patterson (jul)
40. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich (jul)
41. The Rossetti Letter by Christi Philips (jul)
42. The 5th Horseman by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (jul)
43. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (jul)
44. A Hat Full of Sky by Terrt Pratchett (jul)
45. Thursday Next: First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (jul)


Books picked up at the library today:

Saturday by Ian McEwan
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
On the Bright Side, I'm now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

thursday next - book review

I just finished this really fun book that I checked out from the library and thought I would share a quick review.

It is the fifth in the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde which I began reading... hmm...probably 5 years ago. The Eyre Affair was the first. Its imaginative alternate world, where people can jump in and out of books, was refreshing after reading so many predictable and formulaic books. This new book, Thursday Next: First Among Sequels is another great installment to the series. Hilarious. The book jumps from the late 80's to the early '00's, which offers a whole new set of challenges for Next... teenage kids, being 15 years older, book reading rate dropping, and the stupidity index rising. Also, keeping the fact that she still works for Jurisfiction from her husband makes it all the more difficult to do her job.

So many great references in this one to everything I love: knitting, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, and Dr. Temperence Brennan. It's like it was written just for me. Hehe.

Anyway, very cool book. Glad I finally got a chance to read it.

So this makes book 45. Still falling behind.

June Books:

34. House of Dance by Beth Kephart (jun)
35. Haunted by Kelley Armstrong (jun)
36. Sepulcher by Kate Mosse (jun)
37. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (jun)

July Books:

38. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (jul)
39. London Bridges by James Patterson (jul)
40. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich (jul)
41. The Rossetti Letter by Christi Philips (jul)
42. The 5th Horseman by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (jul)
43. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (jul)
44. A Hat Full of Sky by Terrt Pratchett (jul)
45. Thursday Next: First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (jul)


Books picked up at the library today:

Saturday by Ian McEwan
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
On the Bright Side, I'm now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

here's to the beginning of summer

(archived from mariknits)


Look what came in the mail yesterday. A new, signed book that I won in a contest over at Em's Bookshelf. Thanks Em! I have already started reading and am enjoying it so far.

So, the end of May has come and gone and I am far from being half way through the 100 books. I have read 33. Not bad, but not half.





May books:
26. Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (may)
27. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (may)
28. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (may)
29. Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong (may)
30. Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
31. Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
32. Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (may)
33. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (may)

Current reading list:
Emma, Jane Austen
Harsh Cry of the Heron, Lian Hearn
House of Dance, Beth Kephart.
Haunted, Kelley Armstrong

Not sure how many of these I will get through before I leave for Italy.

Bitten-Book Review

(archived from mariknits)



I continue to read, read and read to reach 100 books by the end of the year. I am falling behind but I do have an entire summer to make up for it. I didn't read as many books this month as I did in March. I did have a week off of work and lots of reading by the pool, though. So, this month I started a new series of books filled with supernatural beings, which I love. Werewolves, witches and ghosts. Lots of fun reading. It is the Women of the Underworld Series by Kelley Armstrong. I randomly picked up the first in the series, Bitten, on a gift buying trip to Borders at the beginning of the month.

I am now hooked.

The main character is Elena, the only female werewolf. Only males are werewolves, inheriting from their fathers. People can be bitten but the change is horrific and few survive it. No woman before her has. This is the story of her coming to terms with what she is and accepting it, accepting her new family (or Pack). She lives in Toronto, hiding who she really is, after leaving the Pack a year ago. When she is called by her pack because of a problem that arises that requires her help she must make a decision whether or not to leave the new life she has made for herself. It is an entertaining book and surprisingly a very good love story.

I have now read three of the books in the series. I believe it is up to 8 or 9 books now. Not all focus on the same character. The last one I read was about a witch that was introduced in the second book, which was mainly centered around Elena once again.

3/5

Anyway, off to finish Mansfield Park, now. I really love this book!

100 book challenge-April

I continue to read, read and read to reach 100 books by the end of the year. I am falling behind but I do have an entire summer to make up for it. I didn't read as many books this month as I did in March. I did have a week off of work and lots of reading by the pool, though. So, this month I started a new series of books filled with supernatural beings, which I love. Werewolves, witches and ghosts. Lots of fun reading. It is the Women of the Underworld Series by Kelley Armstrong. I randomly picked up the first in the series, Bitten, on a gift buying trip to Borders at the beginning of the month.

I am now hooked.

The main character is Elena, the only female werewolf. Only males are werewolves, inheriting from their fathers. People can be bitten but the change is horrific and few survive it. No woman before her has. This is the story of her coming to terms with what she is and accepting it, accepting her new family (or Pack). She lives in Toronto, hiding who she really is, after leaving the Pack a year ago. When she is called by her pack because of a problem that arises that requires her help she must make a decision whether or not to leave the new life she has made for herself. It is an entertaining book and surprisingly a very good love story.

I have now read three of the books in the series. I believe it is up to 8 or 9 books now. Not all focus on the same character. The last one I read was about a witch that was introduced in the second book, which was mainly centered around Elena once again.

Anyway, off to finish Mansfield Park, now. I really love this book!

contests...for books!

(archived from mariknits)

I am very excited about reading 100 books this year. To get ideas on books I have been checking out some reading blogs for book reviews. What do you know, I found contests. Contests where you can win books! How awesome is that?

Interested?

If so, go to The Story Siren to win the Study series.

And The Page Flipper has five books to give away!

Want yarn instead?

I will be announcing another contest on the 6th to celebrate the completion of one year of blogging! Stay tuned. :)

100 Book Challenge

(archived from mariknits)



I am an avid reader. There is always a book on my bookstand. So, my goal this year is to read 100 books. I am determined to do it. I haven't read many the past two months, so I have my work cut out for me. I have begun my list in the sidebar. I am at 8, so far. I started Pride and Prejudice last night. Also, I am sure I will get through at least 2-3 books during spring break. I already have a couple ready to take with me.



Click on the picture if you want to give it a try too.

100 Book Challenge

I am an avid reader. There is always a book on my bookstand. So, my goal this year is to read 100 books. I am determined to do it. I haven't read many the past two months, so I have my work cut out for me. I have begun my list in the sidebar. I am at 8, so far. I started Pride and Prejudice last night. Also, I am sure I will get through at least 2-3 books during spring break. I already have a couple ready to take with me.



Click on the picture if you want to give it a try too.