Searching for Challenges

Cheryl and I want to know....Is it just us or does it seem like there are fewer challenges popping up out there?  Do you think challenge hosts are caught up in the holidays and just haven't gotten the posts up or....gasp....that there will be fewer ways to feed our addiction in 2013?

Specifically, we're on a hunt for a 100+ Reading Challenge for Cheryl.  She does one every year.  She says she plans on doing that until she gets it done.  We've got to find her one---'cause if one doesn't appear she's going to twist my arm into sponsoring another challenge with, as she puts it, "a real cute badge."  I've got plenty of sponsoring going on.  Really.  Three of my very own (Color Coded Reading, anyone?  How about Vintage Mysteries?  Or tackling those TBR mountain ranges you've got stacked everywhere?  I've got challenges to cover you for that...step into My Reader's Block parlor....)--plus shepherding the Challenge Addicts and trying to keep everyone hooked up with their favorite Reading Challenges (see, Cheryl, I'm working it for you).  If you come across a challenge that will help Cheryl (and me!) out...be sure to let us know!

Oh....and try and make sure it has "a real cute badge," okay?  

Found A New Challenge

Cheryl has been worrying.  She seems to think that A. I'm losing my Challenge mojo (I've only signed up for eleven challenges so far--including this one) and B. That this might be due in part to what seems to be a paltry offering of Reading Challenges so far.  

Well, I'm here to say that Cheryl need not worry.  [We don't want her wasting precious waving energy.]  Even though I have pledged to cut back on challenges in 2013, I just don't think I'm going to be able to resist the siren call (and there doesn't seem to be anybody available to tie me to the mast so I won't jump over board).  I'm sure that number will more than double by the time the new year gets going.

AND...I have found what seems to me to be a VERY cool and unique challenge.  So, here you go, Cheryl.  How's this one sound?

Anne from Creativity’s Corner and Kristilyn from Reading in Winter LOVE a good challenge. So they put their heads together and came up with something awesome for the new year and created the 2013 Book Bingo Reading Challenge!

Here's the basics of what we have to read:

• Reading the books in our TBR pile
• Re-reading some books
• Reading some new books
• Reading books that EVERYONE but us has read
• Reading books from series that we have started & have been neglecting

And a fancy, schmancy scoreboard to help us keep track of our reads:


And as they say, a challenge isn’t really a challenge unless there are some rules and guidelines:

1. Be awesome. If you’re not, this isn’t going to work.
2. The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2013.
3. If you want to participate, you can join in any time of the year! Feel free to write up a blog post with the rules linking back to Kristilyn's and Anne’s blog in your sign-up post.
4. If you read one book for the “1 book” in any category, you can’t change it later on when you read another book to “2 books.” Once a square is crossed off, it’s crossed off for good! (Feel free to print off the scoreboard to keep track!)
5. Books read for one square are for that square ONLY and cannot be counted towards another category. This is all about reading ALL THE BOOKS.
6. The FREE SQUARE isn’t really a free square. In order to cross it off, you must read a book by either:
   1. Reading a book picked by another participant, or
   2. Reading a book in a genre picked by another participant.
7. You can start your board over again, but ONLY if you receive the stamp of awesome by completing a blackout. The “winners” of the challenge will be the ones who achieve the most winning combinations by the end of 2013.
8. You can feel free to post your reading list for each category, though it’s not a requirement.
9. Having a blog or writing reviews for books read is not required. So long as you want to have fun, you can participate!
10. This isn’t a race, but don’t be afraid to rub your reads in the other player’s face. This will be seen as encouragement. Feel free to use the hashtag #2013BookBingo on Twitter!

For a bit more info, hop on the challenge link above.

I'm in.  How about you? Will you participate in this challenge? Do you have what it takes to become a super reader?   I'm sure every one of us Challenge Addicts could take this on with one book tied behind our back.

A Very Special Announcement

We interrupt your regularly scheduled challenge reading to bring you this very special message:

Our fearless leaders, Cheryl (of CMash Loves to Read) and Gina (of Hott Books)--whose brainchild this marvelous self-affirming, addiction-aiding, challenge-loving, padded-wall section of the blogiverse is--have found themselves over-committed.  Not just with challenges, mind you; they have also taken up an alternate life as Virtual Blog Tour Hostesses over at Partners in Crime Tours.  Knowing how committed I am to Challenges....(Honestly, I have no idea what they're talking about.  I've only signed up for 37 challenges in 2012.  That's not much, is it???)....they have graciously asked if I would like to take over the maintenance of the Reading Challenge Addict Challenge and blog site.  With much fear and trembling, I have agreed to step in and try to keep this wonderful support group going.  

I know that I will not be able to fill their shoes--they have done such a terrific job egging us all on...er...supporting us and cheerleading and waving at us and waving new challenges under our noses. [Speaking of waving, Cheryl has promised to stop by and wave at us occasionally and Gina will be popping in every now and again as well.]  Let's have a huge round of applause and thanks for these two wonderful ladies.

And I ask for your patience as I get things together for another year of Challenge Addiction and Challenge fun.  Signup page for 2013 will be coming soon.  Stay tuned!  Thanks, Bev (My Reader's Block).




From Cheryl @ CMash Reads (formerly CMash Loves To Read):
awwwww....thank you for the kind words...........

However, I think you will all agree with me, who better to pass the torch to, but our resident Queen of Challenges....37 in 2012!  37?  Did I see 37?  37!!  WOW  37!!!  I would say that Bev is slightly addicted, major addicted, a little nutty, a master reader!!!!  My admiration, awe and respect to an amazing and wonderful person.  I know she will do a fantastic job leading and supporting our group.......

Since Bev mentioned one of our tour companies, I invite you to visit both sites, Partners In Crime Tours (www.partnersincrimetours.net) and Providence Book Promotions (www.providencebookpromotions.com).  If you like what you see and would like to join our group of hosts/reviewers, you can email me at CMash@partnersincrimetours.net or CMash@providencebookpromotions.com.

And as promised....................

Good Luck Everyone!!!!!

Another Read-A-Thon

Hi All!  

It's been a while since I checked in.  How is everyone?  How many challenges have you finished?  Me..just 5 and many, many to go.

If you are like me and need an incentive to kick it up a notch of reading time, I thought I would share about an upcoming Read-A-Thon.  I just signed up and plan on sitting outside (so I don't see and/or have my computer calling me), with my iced coffee, and maybe work on my tan!!  Mark your calendars now!!  Details you ask...here they are:

Michelle from The True Book Addict is hosting her seasonal read-a-thons and the summer one is running from July 16th through July 22nd.  Her read-a-thons a great because no pressure, no challenges and read as much as you want to.  Hoping you join me!!

From her Read-A-Thon Blog:

I'd like to welcome you to the new dedicated blog for my seasonal read-a-thons! The first official order of business here at Seasons of Reading is to announce sign-ups for the High Summer Read-a-Thon, coming your way Monday, July 16 through Sunday, July 22.   Times are central standard time so adjust your times accordingly.  I'll be hosting this read-a-thon (and all others in the future) at this blog from now on so be sure to follow (there is a multitude of ways in the right sidebar) so you can stay up do date on all the news.  Now, let's get down to brass tacks on the read-a-thon details:

• books read must be novels or novellas, adult or young adult are fine, but no children's books.  Of course, non-fiction is fine too.
• You DO NOT have to participate the entire week.  Join in when you can, start in the middle, end early...whatever works best for your schedule.
• I will not be hosting any mini-challenges during the read-a-thon.  Trying to keep it more about the reading here by eliminating time spent completing mini-challenges.
• There will be a participant giveaway at the end of the read-a-thon for those who sign in at the starting line and complete a wrap-up post.  Number of winners will be determined by the number of prize donations I receive.
• Other participants may host their own mini-challenges/giveaways, but participation in these is entirely optional.
• You do not have to have a blog to participate. You can sign-up, sign-in, and wrap-up...all from Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads. You can also do updates from those locations, if you do not have a blog.
• we will be on Twitter during the read-a-thon, tweeting under#HSreadathon  We had some nice little reading sprints last time on Twitter.  No prizes, just bragging rights.  Fun!

As usual, I'm putting the call out to any authors who would like to sponsor a giveaway or donate a prize to promote your book(s).  Also, any participants who want to host a mini-challenge or giveaway are more than welcome.  If you do opt to host something, make it as simple as possible so people can focus more on the reading.  You can contact me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom  Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

As with my previous read-a-thons, this will be a week of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries.  

She has set up a separate blog for her seasonal read-a-thons so visit and sign up here.

And now to my job description that the Boss Lady (Ms. Gina) dictates, makes me, tells me, asks that I do!

Announcement

Hi everyone!!!   waving......waving......waving.....

How are you doing?  How are those challenges going?  Have you finished any more?  lol...I bet our Challenge Queen Bev has finished a ton of them.......hmmmmm..........brb................need to find something..................hold on..............  don't go anywhere!!

PHEW....OK..I'm back.  Had a little problem with the charge cards.

Every now and then I get an idea.  It doesn't happen often so enjoy this one lol.  Matter of fact, I  probably used up my quota for the year with this one  lol!!!   OK...you ask....what's my idea?   Wellllllllll what do you think about this...At the end of the month, stop in and tell us how you are doing with your challenges, how many you finished and whoever has the most for the month, gets the honor to wear (drum roll please...................

THE OFFICIAL READING CHALLENGE ADDICT CHALLENGE CROWN

What do you think?  I hear some snickers....but I bet you wouldn't mind wearing those diamonds for a month  lol!!!   OK..What can I say....too much time on my hands?  Sorry been up since 4:30am...couldn't sleep lol.

Now for the reason I really stopped by, almost forgot, using all that grey matter for the tiara.  Next Saturday, April 21st is the  Dewey Memorial 24 hour Read-A-Thon.  This is the first time for me participating but I am signed up, making my list as to what snacks I need to sustain me, checking out the books, getting enough tooth picks to keep my eyes opened, etc etc.  The link for all the information, including criteria, cheerleaders, prizes, etc are here:  http://24hourreadathon.com/2012/03/27/mini-challenges-sign-up/.  Who's joining me?  I really hope some of you do so that in case someone sees me start to doze off, they can give me a good nudge lol.

Time to go blog hopping for Sunday Salon.  See you soon!!  

Oops...almost forgot...don't want the boss lady to be mad at me.  Gina runs a tight ship!!!