2014 Reading Challenges



You can find out the details by clicking the button above and going to Socrates Book Reviews, the host of this challenge.

I am going for the "Level 1 - Snoop", which involves reading 6 books of the cozy mystery variety.  What is a "Cozy Mystery" you ask?  Check out Cozy-Mystery.com!

Here is my list.  I will add the titles as they are completed.  If I feel extremely motivated, or I've had lots of coffee that day, I will add a link to my review:

1.  Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
2.  Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
3.  Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames
4.  To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames
5.  Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames
6.  A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon


Cruising Through the Cozies Reading Challenge
6/6 books

Having finished the "Snoop" level, I am officially bumping myself up to "Level 2 - Investigator", which means I now will be reading 7-12 cozy mysteries for the challenge!

7.  Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney
8.  Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum
9.  Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall
10.  Burnout (Betsy Livingston/Pecan Bayou #5) by Teresa Trent

8/12 books


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And because Yvonne's reading challenges ROCK,  here comes #2!


Again, I'm going with the lowest level, because I probably will be entering a lot of reading challenges for 2014, and I did not do so well with the 2013 Challenges I entered, although all of them were entered mid-year.  I won a book in a blog giveaway earlier this year about a cheese shop, and there were several other books in the series (which I wanted to read), so I'll probably go that route.

Level 1 - Complete 1 series.

1.  The Cheese Shop Mysteries - Avery Aames
     #1.  The Long Quiche Goodbye
     #2.  Lost and Fondue
     #3.  Clobbered by Camembert
     #4.  To Brie or Not to Brie
     #5.  Days of Wine and Roquefort

1/1 series


Having completed Level 1, I am bumping myself up to Level 2 - 2 completed series.

2.  The Publicist Series by Christina George
     #1.  The Publicist
     #2.  Shelf Life


2/2 series

Having completed Level 2, I am bumping myself up to Level 3 - 3 completed series.

2/3 series
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Do you remember me telling you that Yvonne has some fantastic challenges?  Well, here comes #3!


I am choosing Level 1 - Read up to 6 Books.  Check the button for the complete rules and sign-up.

1.  The Empty City (Survivors #1) by Erin Hunter
2.  Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison
3.  Lending a Paw: A Bookmobile Cat Mystery by Laurie Cass
5.  Seven Gifts From Seven Dogs: Lessons to Transform Your Life by Karen Snow

6/6 books

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I hope you know the drill by now.  :O)  Click the link to check out the rules and sign up!

C -  Clobbered by Camembert: A CheeseShop Mystery by Avery Aames
F -  
G -  
H -  A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Yurevich Lermontov
I -  Intentional Marriage: The Art of Loving Your Husband by Crystal Brothers
J -  
L -  Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
N -  
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S -  Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
T -  To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames
V -  
W - William Shakespeare's Star Wars:  Verily, a New Hope by Ian Descher
X - 
Y -  
Z -  


16/26 books
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Well, I'm definitely Level Bronze on this one.  I don't think I even have twelve books that I received with an 'understanding' that I would review them...and just haven't yet for whatever reason.  Of course, Maybe I'll get more during the year and handle it in a more prompt manner.

1. 1000 Creative Writing Prompts Volume 2by Bryan Cohen and Jeremiah Jones
3.  Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus' Death and Resurrection by Thabiti M. Anyabwile
4.  Big Money by Jack Getze
5.  Know Orphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology by Rick Morton
6.  The Publicist Book 1 by Christina George
7.  Shelf Life: The Publicist, Book 2 by Christina George
8.  The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson
9.  Lethal Lily by Joyce and Jim Lavene
10.  Let Loose by Rae Davies
11.  Two Performance Artists Kidnap Their Boss and Do Things With Him by Scotch Wichmann
12.  To Sleep...Perchance to Die by Donald R. Grippo


11/11 books

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13.  Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney
14.  Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum
15.  The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
16.  Love's Sorrow by Terri Rochenski
17.  Ritual Tea by Mario Zeleny
18.  A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon
19.  Stepping Out in Faith by Mark Gilbert
20.  Where the Wildflowers Grow by Vera Jane Cook
21.  Under Zenith by Shannen Crane Camp
22.  Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall
23.  Burnout (Betsy Livingston/Pecan Bayou #5) by Teresa Trent

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Click the link to read all the challenge info and to sign up!

I'm going for the DVD Level - which means I will read 25 e-books during the year.

6.  Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
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17/25 books

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Foodies Read 2014

Click the above button for challenge information and sign-up!

I'm choosing the Short-Order Cook level, so I'll be 1-3 books featuring food in some way.  Any more than that, and I'd become absolutely fabulous in the kitchen and my family wouldn't know me anymore! :p

1.  Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
2.  Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames
3.  To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames



3/3 books

4.  Ritual Tea by Mario Zeleny

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Click the link for information and to sign up.  Please note, this group will close to new members after January 31, 2014.

I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!  (Fun?  What is that? *lol*)
JANUARY - Paper Roses (Texas Dreams #1) by Amanda Cabot
FEBRUARY -  Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison
MARCH - 
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER




2/12 books


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Please click the book stack picture to get more information and to sign up!

I'm opting in at the "Board Book Level"  which means I commit to read 3 library books during 2014.  

1.  William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher
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1/3 books

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Please click on the challenge logo to see the rules and sign up!

I'm going for the Pike's Peak level, so I'm committing to read 12 books from my TBR (that's to-be-read) shelves/lists, etc etc etc.

2.  Clobbered by Camembert: Cheese Shop Mysteries #3 by Avery Aames
3.  To Brie or Not to Brie: Cheese Shop Mysteries #4 by Avery Aames
4.  Days of Wine and Roquefort: Cheese Shop Mysteries #5 by Avery Aames


12/12 books

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24.  Shelf Life: The Publicist, Book 2 by Christina George
25.  Know Orphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology by Rick Morton
26.  Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall
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Carolyn at Reidel Fascination is hosting 3 Reading Challenges this year.  They start February 1.  

In any case, I have chosen the "Secret Messages" level of 5-10 books.

1.  Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
2.  Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames
3.  To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames
4.  Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames
5.  A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon
6.  Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennnison
7.  Lethal Lily by Joyce and Jim Lavene
8.  Let Loose by Rae Davies
9.  To Sleep...Perchance to Die by Donald R. Grippo
10.  Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney


10/10 books

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11.  Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum
12.  Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall



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2014netgalleychallenge

Please click the button to see the information about the Netgalley Reading Challenge and to sign up!

As I am new to Netgalley, I have chosen the following category:

1.  Two Performance Artists Kidnap Their Boss and Do Things With Him by Scotch Wichmann
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1/5 books
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Please click the button for complete challenge rules and to sign up!  (There is even a drawing for participants who post at least one review!)

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Please click the button to get all the info about the challenge and to sign up at Bookish!

I have chosen the "Firm Handshake Level" of 1-10 books to clear out of my 'to-be-read- pile.

2.  Clobbered by Camembert: Cheese Shop Mysteries #3 by Avery Aames
3.  To Brie or Not to Brie: Cheese Shop Mysteries #4 by Avery Aames
4.  Days of Wine and Roquefort: Cheese Shop Mysteries #5 by Avery Aames
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Please click the button to find out all the information about the Where Are You Reading Challenge and to sign up!

Alabama - 
Alaska - 
Arizona - 
Arkansas - 
Colorado - 
Delaware - 
Florida - 
Hawaii - 
Idaho - 
Illinois - 
Indiana - 
Iowa - 
Kansas - 
Kentucky - 
Louisiana - 
Maryland - 
Michigan -
Minnesota -
Mississippi - 
Missouri - 
Nebraska - 
New Hampshire - 
New Mexico - 
North Dakota - 
Ohio - Clobbered by Camembert: Cheese Shop Mystery by Avery Aames
Oklahoma - 
Oregon - 
Pennsylvania -
Rhode Island - 
South Carolina -
South Dakota
Tennessee - 
Utah - 
Vermont-
Virginia - 
Washington - 
West Virginia
Wisconsin - 
Wyoming - 


12/50 books

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Reading Challenge Addict

Please click the link button to get all the information about the Reading Challenge Addict and to sign up!  Going by my information on this page (15 challenges accepted), I would be on track for the following level:

In-Flight (11-15 challenges).  Now I just have to complete them! :O)

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Please click the link to go to the blog Falling for YA, to get all the information for this reading challenge, and to sign up!

I have chosen the "Aluminum" level of 5 books:

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1/5 books

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Please click on the link to go to the Books and Chocolate blog to get all the information and to sign up!

I like this challenge for 3 main reasons...
a.  classics ROCK!
b.  chocolate ROCKS!
c.  I especially like that all the books for this challenge have to be older than I am! *LOL*

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0/11 books

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Please click the button to go to "52 Books in 52 Weeks" site for full challenge information and to sign up!

(I signed up for this challenge in 2013 and did not do well at all, but I read more in 2013 than I had read in other years, so that was a positive thing!)

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28/52 books
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Please click the link for more information.

I found out about the 50/50 Challenge from Inkeri on Goodreads.  The site is not showing updates for a 2014 challenge, but it seems like several people are doing it anyway.  The first column is for books.  The second is for movies.

1.  Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie  1.  Walking With Dinosaurs
2.  The Empty City (Survivors #1) by Erin Hunter  2.  Live Free or Die Hard
6.  Lethal Lily by Joyce and Jim Lavene  6.  The Replacements
7.  Let Loose by Rae Davies  7.  You Don't Mess With the Zohan
8.  The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson  8.  Galaxy Quest
11.  Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney  11.  Shanghai Noon
12.  Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum  12.  Mrs. Winterbourne
13.  The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman  13.  Forbidden Kingdom
14.  Love's Sorrow by Terri Rochenski  14.  Unbreakable
15.  Ritual Tea by Mario Zeleny  15.  Kung Fu Panda
16.  A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon  16.  Zombieland
17.  Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt  17.  Star Trek 2009
18.  Stepping Out in Faith by Mark Gilbert  18.  Star Trek Into Darkness
20.  Under Zenith by Shannen Crane Camp  20.  Balls of Fury
22.  Big Money by Jack Getze  22.  Cats & Dogs
25.  Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall  25.  First Wives Club
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26/50 books

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Please click the link to go to the Rose City Reader blog for full information and to sign up!

I'm going for the "Two Star-Adventurer" level (to read 2 books).  Why?  Because I like thinking of myself as an 'adventurer' *lol* and I can always read more, right?



2/2 books




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Please click on the button to go to Bev's "My Reader's Block" blog for the information and to sign up! 

I'm going for the "gold" edition, which entails reading books published before 1960.  This bingo involves a minimum of six books.

1.  Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (fulfills the E1 square of "detective team")
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1/6 books

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Please click the button to go to the Goodreads group for the info and to sign up!

I'm going for the easy challenge, 1 book in each of 12 categories:

Classics - 
Graphic Novels - 
Horror - 


9/12 books

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Please click on the button to go to the Reading in Winter blog for the info and to sign up!

If I understand correctly, this one could go from a 5 book commitment up to 53 books.  I'm going for 5 and taking a let's wait and see attitude.

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0/5 books

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Please click the button to go to Teresa's Reading Corner for full information and to sign up!

I may have listened to one or two audio books in my day, but it's been so long, it would be impossible for me to say what they were. *yikes*  My (initial) goal is to complete the Flirting Level - 6 audio books.

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0/6 books

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2014 Read Your Freebies! Reading Challenge

I was really trying to limit the number of challenges I sign up for, as I have *ahem* quite a number already, but this one just SCREAMED my name, so here I am.  Click the button with the little piggie on it to go to The Book Vixen blog to get all the info and to sign up!

I am going for the Coupon Clipper level of 12 books.  (As usual, I'm secretly hoping to up my level during the year ... once I get some successes under my belt.)

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1/12 books

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Nonfiction Challenge hosted at The Introverted Reader

Please click the button to go to The Introverted Reader blog for information about the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and to sign up!

I'm starting out with the Dilletante level of 1-5 books, with full expectations of leveling up during the year.



5/5 books

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Southern Literature Reading Challenge hosted at The Introverted Reader

Please click the button to go to The Introverted Reader blog for information on the Southern Literature Challenge and to sign up!

I am doing something different and going for the highest level listed so far:  Y'all Come Back Now, Y'hear? of 4 books.



4/4 books


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I know, I know, I'm out of control, but as the button says it is "The Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge 2014".  Hop on over to Carrie Slager's blog at Wordpress to get all the info and to sign up!

Personally, I'm going for the "Crazy" level of 52 books (1 per week for 52 weeks).  I figure I won't have a problem with that level since I'm in just about every reading challenge under the sun.  :O)

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27/52books

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Books in Translation Reading Challenge hosted at The Introverted Reader

Image attribution: Sara Aydin Matos


(Like I needed another challenge.  *LOL*  Oh well, don't some people say, "Go big or go home?")

Click on the button to go to The Introverted Reader blog and find out the details on the Books in Translation Reading Challenge and to sign up!

I wasn't sure I could find any books, but I wound up finding something shy of a dozen for Kindle, so I'm going for the Conversationalist level of 4-6 books:

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1/6 books

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See, it pays to comment on people's blogs!  Joy at Joy's  Book Blog is having a New Year's Resolution Reading Challenge during the month of January.   Since it is already the 15th, I'm signing in with the "Resolved" level of 1 book.  Even though I'm not 'doing resolutions' this year, I do have goals and my 'one word - order', so here I am!

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Real Book Challenge on Swoony Boys Podcast and Fiction Fare


Click the above button to go to the sign up post on the Fictionfare blog!

I was going to go with 25 "real books", but the name for that level is Book Snob, and that just didn't sound right.  So, I'm bumping myself up to "31-40 real books" with is a "Book Afficianado". :O)

11.  Shelf Life: The Publicist, Book 2 by Christina George
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12/40 books

27 comments:

  1. Thanks for signing up for the Back to the Classics Challenge!

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  2. Wow, LuAnn! You joined quite a number of challenges...you are so like me... loving the reading challenges :)

    Welcome to the cozies, animals and series challenges. I hope you have fun with them!

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  3. I do, I do, I do, Yvonne! :O)

    Last year I blamed it on Ramona at Create With Joy (that I entered so many challenges). This year, I'm going to blame it on you! (Not a bad thing at all, though!) I got your post email and was hooked! My game plan for 2014 is much better as well. :O)

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  4. Thanks for joining the Foodies Read challenge!
    Looks like you're a challenge addict like me...I'm at 16 already.

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  5. Thanks, Vicki, I'm excited for the Foodies Read challenge! I'm secretly hoping to get to a higher level, but since I am in so many, I wanted to start small so I'm more likely to succeed. Anything over the goal is GRAVY! (Yes, food pun intended!)

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  6. You're welcome, Karen! Thanks so much for hosting the challenge!

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  7. Welcome to the European Reading Challenge for 2014!

    And have fun with your other challenges. I'll go investigate some of the others you signed up for. Happy reading!

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  8. Thanks, Gillon! Looks like a great challenge. I'm chompin' at the bit for January 1st now! :O)

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  9. Thanks for joining me in the Mount TBR and Vintage Bingo Challenges! Good luck with those and with all the challenges you've got going in 2014!

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  10. Thanks, Bev, I certainly have a mountain of TBR's to conquer and the Vintage Bingo just looked like too much fun! Good luck with your challenges too! :O)

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  11. I haven't heard about the fifty/fifty challenge it sounds so cool. I know that I easily watch that many movies per year. My family loves tv and movies in general. I'm hoping to read 60 books this year.

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  12. You GO, Rachael! I found out about the 50/50 Challenge in a GoodReads group. Check it out if you like. The movie side is going to be hardest for me. I only see about 6 movies a year in the theatre.

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  13. Good luck on the reading challenges that you have participated. I hope to do more readings this year but I don't think I am ready for such a challenge as am doing many different blogging challenges at the moment.

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  14. interesting challenge that you are on..all the best in completing it.

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  15. These sounds like such fun! At home with a preschooler doesn't leave much time for reading but she starts kindergarten in the fall and I hope to get back into it. I was reading 2 books a week pre-child! Go reading!

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  16. @Dominique - thank you so much for the well-wishes! My best to you as well. It is good you know where to draw the line

    @Emma - Somebody needs to make a "reading to/with your toddler" challenge. And you can use this time to build up a HUGE TBR pile that needs to be whittled down a few years from now! :O)

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  17. I haven't participated in a book challenge before but since I discovered e-books, I have started reading more. In fact, I can read them faster than an actual paper book. I also review books on occasion on my blog too.

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  18. That's great, Christy! My younger son was like that...not too much interest in paper or hard-backed books, but give that boy a Kindle and he's off to the races! That's quite some giveaway you have on your site!

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  19. This is such a great idea. My kids read books every summer to "earn" money toward something special. We started because one child had a reading disorder and we wanted to offer whatever motivation we could. He asked if he could read to earn money to buy his brother a bass guitar (ummmm… okay) and in five months he read 600 books. Many were Dr. Seuss, but since he'd only been reading two years, we were thrilled to see ANY book in his hands. He now reads above grade-level and is finally catching up on all things language arts related. Reading IS fundamental!

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  20. My son had a reading disorder, so we decided to reward all our kids with cash for books read one summer. In five months, he read 600 books -- mostly Dr. Seuss, but anything was fine. At least he was reading!!! He used the cash he earned to buy his older brother a bass guitar. He was so excited to give his brother that gift and to have "earned" it by reading for it. Today, he's an honors English student and has a great attitude toward learning, despite having to work a bit harder. Reading is fundamental!!! :)

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  21. Dang girl! You're serious about this, aren't ya? Atta girl...I love book challenges :)

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  22. @Karen - That is GREAT news about your son! And to spend his rewards so selflessly! (E-Hi-5's all around!)

    @Sharon - Yes, I might have bitten off a leeeeetle bit more than I can chew...comfortably at one time. But what the heck. I'm making up for all those years of kiddie books and textbooks. WOOHOO!

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  23. WOW! I'm impressed! Best of luck with your challenge(s). I need to find time to read more!

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  24. Thanks, Cynthia! I am, of course, grateful that one book can count for more than one challenge...or I'd be in t.r.o.u.b.l.e! :p

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  25. Wow! Looks like some fun reading! I'm joining you for the Nonfiction and the Foodies.


    Joy's Book Blog

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  26. Welcome to the New Year's Resolution Reading Challenge! So cool that you found it through my comment.


    Joy's Book Blog

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