Book Challenges for 2012, Part 2

More Book Challenges

There are several more book challenges that have really appealed to me. Here is a summary and what I hope to accomplish in 2012. It will definitely be a "reading" year!

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5. Read Canadian Award Winners

I would like to be a "Can-Lit Lover" and so I will be reading one book from each of the five award lists (check the website for all the lists)

I’ve been trying to incorporate more Canadian writing into my 2012 reading list so I’ve decided to spotlight winners of Canadian literary prize.
I’ve chosen what I think are the most heralded of Canadian book honours: the Governor-General’s Award for Literature and the Giller Prize. Because the Giller hasn’t been around all that long, I’ve added in the prestigious Canadian Authors’ Association Literary Award. I’ve picked the main fiction category in all of those.
In addition, the Amazon.ca (formerly Books in Canada) First Novel Award is widely-known and, over the years, has brought to the forefront many who have become major players in Canadian literature.
Finally, I can’t host this challenge and not promote my adopted home, Nova Scotia, so I’m also drawing attention to the Atlantic Book Awards’ Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize.
Here’s the scoop on the ways you can enter:

Toe-dipper: one book from the list of award winners of each of “main” prizes: the Governor-General’s Award, the Giller Prize, and the CAA Prize. (Total 3 books)

Chance-taker: one book from each of the “main” lists plus one from the Amazon.ca First Novel Award winners. (Total 4 books)

Bluenoser: One book from each of the “main” lists plus one from the Atlantic Book Award winners. (Total 4 books)

CanLit Lover: one book from each of the five lists. (Total 5 books)
Here’s a list of the prize winners:

Governor-General’s Award for Literature

Canadian Authors Association Award for Fiction

Giller Prize

Amazon.ca First Novel Award

Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize

Be sure to check here for more information.

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6. Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012

I thoroughly enjoy a good mystery. I have read all of Sue Grafton books (except for the last which I am sure is under the tree!), most of Kathy Reichs and am just beginning reading Louise Penny's.

I am choosing the first level and so plan to read 12 books for the year - one a month.

Welcome to the Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012! I didn't do very well this year (again!) even though it is my own challenge, but I hope to do better this in 2012. However, it seems many of you did very well, so congratulations for completing the challenge. For those of you who were more like me, here's your chance to beat this challenge!
Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012
• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:- Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012 - Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012
• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.
• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.
• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.
• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to add your reviews.
• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog justFILL IN THIS FORM and I will add you to the list - just join the discussion in the comments section to let us know when you've read a book and what you thought of it! :)
• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I'm sure this challenge will have something for everyone! :)
To help you figure out and decide, I have updated a sub-genre list - to view this list go HERE.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

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7. Illustrated Year 2012 in Picture Books

As a teacher I am always on the lookout for good picture books that can inspire children to write and to think. This challenge is a natural fit.

I plan to select Level 3 and read 24 picture books during the year.

A few of us participated in my picture book reading challenge during 2011. I had a fun time with it and wanted to give it another try. I love picture books, and was collecting them long before I became an elementary librarian. Sometimes it's the story, sometimes the illustrations, and a lot of the time it's the fun of reading them out loud to kids that makes picture books so enjoyable. I thought it would be fun to create a reading challenge for this shorter, though just as entertaining, genre. Picture books are a great way to share stories and the experience of reading with children. If you're reading the books with kids, I encourage you to add their opinion of the books as well! I love the way the family at Bookie Woogie reviews books. That being said, not all picture books are for children. Picture books for older audiences are also welcome.
I will be using the thumbnail inLinkz form for participants to link their monthly reviews to. This way we can see the books you've reviewed!

To Sign Up

· IF YOU BLOG: Please make a post on your blog about participating in the challenge. Then use the URL for your CHALLENGE POST when signing up using the inLinkz below. IF YOU DO NOT BLOG: Please link to your GoodReads, Library Thing, or similar profile.
· You must add the button to your sidebar - make sure that it links back to this post so others can join the challenge if they wish. Just copy and past the code displayed below!

The Details
· Timeline: January 1, 2012- December 31, 2012
· Select your level:
Level 1 - Read 12 picture books
Level 2 - Read 16 picture books
Level 3 - Read 24 picture books
· You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. If you do list your books in the beginning, you can always change them later on.
· Crossovers with other challenges count.
· Digital books count
· Re-reads count as long as you read them in 2012 and you post a new review for the book.
· You can join anytime

Be sure to check the post here for more information.

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8. Young Adult Reading Challenge

There are so many good young adult novels and I do read these for my class. Another good fit.

I am aiming for the first level - 12 books for the year. (I hope to read more though.

Challenge 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
The Rules:
Anyone can join.
You don't need a blog to participate.
Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
There are four levels:
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.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

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I know, I know - it does seem like a lot of reading and a lot of challenges. But this past year, I really did miss reading. I did not read what I had hoped. The "Off the Shelf" challenge will provide a lot of the titles for the other challenges - so there will be overlap.

Check out here for a great overview of hundreds of book challenges.