2011 Reading Challenges

Obviously my blog has the same look. The new look is coming, I promise. Also, I've been sick with sinuses (ugh), so this week, I won't be blogging as much. Next week, I'll be back in the game!

Now, on to other things. It's that time of year again...time to join reading challenges. Here are a list of challenges I've decided to join. At the end of this post, I'll list the names of some of the books I plan to read and the challenges they belong to. Some of the books qualify for more than on challenge. Now, the thing this year for me is to actually review the books. Last year, I completed most of my challenge lists, but forgot to review. This year, I'm trying to do more book reviews this year.

This challenge is hosted by The Story Siren . The goal is to read at least 12 from new Young Adult/Middle Grade authors.

Ok, I saw this one and knew I had to join! I absolutely LOVE kick ass heroines! Yvonne over at Diva Bookcase is hosting it. All you need to do is read at least twelve books featuring kick ass heroines. The heroines do not have to be the main character, but a big part of the story. The books must be read in 2011.

The purpose of this challenge is for readers to diversify their reading and send a message to publishers: we want more PoC literature and less of white washing of covers. You can sign up here. I'm going for Level 4 or 5.

• Level 1: Read 1-3 POC books
• Level 2. Read 4-6 POC books
• Level 3. Read 7-9 POC books
• Level 4. Read 10-15 POC books
• Level 5. Read 16-25 POC books

This challenge is hosted by Jamie at For The Love of YA. Anyone can join. There are four levels. I'm thinking I'm gonna go for Level 3.

• The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
• The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
• The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
• The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

This challenge is hosted at I Eat Words. Books must be MG or YA and all series must have at least 3 books by the end of 2011. I'll start with Level 3.

• Level 1-Trying it Out 3-5 Books
• Level 2-Making an Effort 6-8 Books
• Level 3-Working Hard 9-12 Books
• Level 4-Fully Committed 13-16 Books
• Level 5-Beyond Obsessed 17-22 Books
• Level 6-Addicted and Loving It 23-30 Books

I figured I can get some adult reading in this year, too. This challenge is hosted by Naida at The Bookworm. All you have to do is read at least 5 romance books. Romance can be anywhere from regency romance to YA romance...as long as there's a love story between the two main characters.

CHALLENGE BOOK LIST - There are many more books on my list, but here are a few to start off. In most of the series books, I've already read book one.

* DAC - Debut Author Challenge; KAC - Kick Ass Heroine Challenge; POC - People of Color Challenge; YAC - YA Challenge; YASC - YA Series Challenge; RRC - Romance Reading Challenge

• Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa (KAC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa (KAC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Kick - Walter Dean Myers & Ross Workman (POC, YAC)
• The Divas: India - Victoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• The Divas: Veronique - Victoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• The Divas: Aaliyah - Voctoria Christopher Murray (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Here Lies Bridget - Paige Harbison (DAC)
• Vampire Huntress Books (12 in all) - L.A. Banks (KAC, POC, RRC)
• Shadow Walker - L.A. Banks (KAC, POC)
• Manifest - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Mystify - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Mayhem - Artist Arthur (POC, YAC, YASC)
• Lost Voices - Sarah Porter (DAC)
• Famous - Simone Bryant (POC, YAC)
• Rival - Sara Bennett Wealer (DAC)
• How Lamar's Bad Prank Won A Bubba-Sized Trophy - Crystal Allen (DAC, POC)
• OyMG - Amy Fellner Dominy (DAC, YAC)
• Exorsistah: X Returns - Claudia Mair Burney (KAC, POC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• Exorsistah: X Restored - Claudia Mair Burney (KAC, POC, YAC, YASC, RRC)
• When The Stars Go Blue - Cardidad Ferrer (KAC, POC, YAC, RRC)

ARC Review: Those That Wake

Author: Jesse Karp
Genre: Young Adult; Dystopian
Release Date: March, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 2.5/5

Book Blurb: New York City's spirit has been crushed. People walk the streets with their heads down, withdrawing from each other and into the cold comfort of technology. Teenagers Mal and Laura have grown up in this reality. They've never met. Seemingly, they never will.

But on the same day Mal learns his brother has disappeared, Laura discovers her parents have forgotten her. Both begin a search for their families that leads them to the same truth: someone or something has wiped the teens from the memories of every person they have ever known. Thrown together, Mal and Laura must find common ground as they attempt to reclaim their pasts.

What I Didn't Like...

• It had a slow start. the beginning did not catch my attention. I kept reading in hopes that it would change, but it didn't do it for me.
• It read more like an adult book, rather than a YA. In fact, in parts of the book, we read from the points of view of the two adult main characters.
• The plot got quite confusing at some points and left me thinking, "What?"
• The ending was just as confusing.

What I Liked...

• The teen characters, Mal and Laura. I found myself rooting for them...especially for Laura. I wish the budding romance between them was fleshed out more (despite the typical bad boy/good girl vibe), but that's just cos I'm a closet romantic.
• The concept of a future where people are more into technology than human contact was interesting, especially with today's obsession with technology.

The blurb is what drew me in. I mean, I admit I'm sometimes guilty of texting/emailing/Facebooking/tweeting instead of calling and talking to the person. Sadly, the blurb was the most interesting part of the book to me. I SO wanted to like this book, but it just didn't hold my interest. Who knows, maybe your opinion will be different.

Tickle-Tuesday

Nine year-old, Starr Andrews, ice skating to Willow Smith's Whip My Hair. Cute video!

Man-ificent Monday: Pooch Hall

This week's cutie pie is Marion "Pooch" Hall, best known for his role as pro football player, Derwin Davis, on the tv show, The Game. The show was originally cancelled by CW, but, thanks to the fans, it will air on BET January 11th.

Word(s) to Describe: Cutie pie

Three Weeks til 2011!

My goodness, where has 2010 gone? This year has gone by pretty fast. If you haven't noticed, I haven't been blogging consistently. That's cos I'm trying to prepare for the new year. I'm so excited cos I'm updating my blog's look! Yay! It's looking awesome so far. Of course, Zoe from Chic and Sassy Designs is updating it. She's awesome, btw.

Anyway, I won't be blogging as much, but I will be back in 2011 with a new look and maybe some new things. Happy holidays, everyone!

Man-ificent Monday: Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum is this week's cutie pie. I must say I LOVE his eyes! You can see Mr. Tatum in movies like She's the Man, Step Up, Step Up 2, G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra, Fighting, and Dear John. He married his Step Up costar, Jenna Dewan, in 2009.

Word(s) to describe: Handsome; Good looking; Gorgeous eyes!

ARC Review: Rage

Author: Jackie Morse Kessler
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: April 18, 2011
* I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a different kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world. [Book Blurb from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]

Review: If I had to use one word to describe the second book in Kessler's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series, that word would be awesome. First of all, you don't have to have read Hunger, the first book, to understand this one...which is good cos I haven't read it yet, although, after reading this bundle of awesomeness, I realize I MUST go back and read it.

The cover alone, simple yet powerful, is what originally drew me in. The storyline pulled me in even further. A series about the horsemen of the Apocalypse is a nice break from vampires, werewolves, faeries, zombies, etc. Then, I read the story and was hooked. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I haven't read any books where the main character cuts herself so I was kind of leery about reading it. Self-mutilation is such a heavy topic. Kessler does a good job tackling a difficult subject without making it depressing.

In order to escape the pain brought on by others - ex-boyfriend, kids at school, family - Missy brings pain upon herself through cutting herself. Whenever something hurtful goes down, Missy goes to her little box, hidden in her closet, and lets the blade take her away, if only for a moment. After her ex plays a terribly cruel joke on her, Missy once again goes straight to the blade, only she cuts too deep (purely accidental). Death - a sexy Kurt Cobain look-alike, by the way - gives her a choice: die or except her role as War. Missy chooses the latter and her life is never the same.

I love how strong Missy is. She fights the urge to cut all throughout the novel. She gives in a few times, but for the most part, she's strong enough to fight it. I can't tell you how much I despise reading books with whiny, weak female main characters. I can tell you that Missy isn't that type. Yes she has her weaknesses - the blade, her ex to name a few - but her strengths outshines them. Missy is a well-rounded character and I found myself rooting for her all through the book. The way she takes on her new role without letting it consume her...awesome. Rage gives hope to those in Missy's shoes. I so hope, when it finally comes out, that teens experiencing the same issues can get their hands on it.

This ARC took my breath away. It's set to be published April 2011. Go out and Get. That. Book. Hats off to Jackie Morse Kessler!

Rating: 5/5