ABC Wednesday - Z is For Zodiac

This week marks the final letter of this round.
Z marks the end - the finale.

Z is for Zodiac - of which Capricorn, my sign, is one of the twelve Zodiac signs.

Be sure to check here for what others around the world do for Z.
Hope you join as we start a new round next week!

The 2019 Resist Reading Challenge

Magic Resists is hosting The Resist Reading Challenge - to focus on history, politics and social change. Quite a worthwhile, and in this political climate, a very necessary one.

 I plan to read at least 5 books - but hope to read more.

Here are the guidelines:

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. ~ George Santayana

Read a damn book. ~ Various people

What is The Resist Reading Challenge?

The Resist Reading Challenge is a year long challenge that encourages you to read books about history, politics, activism, and social change.

I started it about a year ago and it ran only about a month or so but because there was very little interest I decided to end the challenge. Recent events made me realize I need to do this reading challenge for myself even if no one else participates. I was made painfully and publicly aware of how little I actually know about history. In all my time on Twitter I had never been more embarrassed. I knew I needed to do something about it.

This reading challenge also serves another purpose. The truth is, like many in The Resistance, I spend far too much time on Twitter, reading the news online, or watching the news on television. I love reading and it gives me a much needed break from tweeting or binging the news. The best part about this reading challenge is it's not about escaping reality but learning about history and the reality that goes beyond the latest headlines. 

I'm also extremely frustrated with just tweeting. This reading challenge is a way to learn different types of activism other than being a keyboard warrior. I want to do more than just tweet and vote. I want to become more involved and hands on in Resist but I honestly know little about how to do that. 

I could do this challenge on my own, and I will if no one else participates, but doing reading challenges with others is always more fun. I also think reading about these different topics would benefit anyone in The Resistance. Or a topic. Even if they just read one book it can make a difference.

Really! This is a low pressure challenge. Even if you only read one book this whole year I still want you to participate in The Resist Reading Challenge! This challenge is about reading however much you want or or feel you can handle. I do hope that you will join me in 2019 for The Resist Reading Challenge.

 How The 2019 Resist Reading Challenge Works: 

• This reading challenge runs from Jan 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2019.

• You do not need to consider yourself part of The Resistance to participate. 

• You may sign up anytime during the challenge.

• I want you to choose your own reading goals. I won't be creating different levels.Read as little or as many books as you want. Even if you just read one book you can still participate! 

• I will be creating an optional Bingo challenge. You do not have to do the Bingo challenge to participate. The link to the Bingo challenge can be found here. 

• Along with the Bingo card I include a suggested reading list on many political topics.

• Books may be fiction or nonfiction but must be on the topics of politics, history, government, human rights, feminism, race issues, LGBTQ issues, political movements, memoirs, autobiographies, climate change, or activism.

• You are also encouraged to read books that challenge your views or are the opposite of your views.

• Books may be adult, young adult, or children's books. 

• You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks.

• You may reread books. 

• Books may count towards other reading challenges.

There is a bingo challenge as well:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas, one and all!
May you be blessed this holiday season.

May 2019 bring everyone  happiness, health,
but above all - peace.

VIRTUAL Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2019

This new challenge is just what I need to spur me on to read those books that I keep returning to the library unread as I have too many I want to read and then run out of time. I keep a record of those that have been recommended and then I return.
Bev at "My Reader's Block" is hosting the VirtualMount TBR Reading Chaqllenge - the sister of the Mount TBR Challenge I have already signed up for. These are two good companion challenges - hopefully I will clear a lot of my TBR books. I am aiming for at least 26 each.(so I plan to climb Mt. Crumpit!)

Guidelines:


a Virtual Mount TBR Reading Challenge Books for all those folks with mile-long "wish-list" of TBRs who would like a chance to climb as well. The strategy and general set-up is the same--except you don't have to own the books. Heard about a great book from a friend, took note of the title, and then never got around to reading it? Saw a book online that you thought sounded intriguing but you keep putting off ordering it up from the library? You borrowed a book from somebody and need an extra push to read it and return it? This is the place for you!

Challenges Levels:
Mount Rum Doodle: Read 12 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Crumpit: Read 24 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Munch: Read 36 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
White Plume Mountain: Read 48 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Stormness Head: Read 60 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Mindolluin: Read 75 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Seleya: Read 100 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Olympus: Read 150+ books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library

[In keeping with the virtual nature of the challenge, all mountains are fictional (references in comment below). How many do you recognize? The only one shared by both TBR challenges is Olympus--both fictional and on Mars. However, since I don't know actual heights, I have arbitrarily assigned the levels.]

The Rules:
~Once you choose your challenge level you are locked in for at least that many books. If you find that you are on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a "taller" mountain, then you are welcome to upgrade. All books counted for lower mountains carry over towards the new peak.

~Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2019. You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided you have 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around. I will trust you on that.

~[UPDATE] Just to be clear: this challenge is only for books you do not own. They may be borrowed from the library, a friend, found on a free e-book site (like Project Gutenberg), or anywhere else that allows you to temporarily checkout the book. Also--unlike Mount TBR, there is no date limit on your wish list. If you see a book online that strikes your fancy after January 1 and you just have to go get it from the library, then it absolutely counts. 

~Rereads may count if you have not read it within the last five years [my arbitrary pick for a limit].

~You may count "Did Not Finish" books provided they meet your own standard for such things; you do not plan to ever finish it; and you move it off your mountain. For example, my personal rule (unless it's a very short book) is to give a book at leas 100 pages. If I decide I just can't finish it and won't ever, then off the mountain it goes and I count it as another step on the hike.

~Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

~There will be a year-end check points and prize drawing! [Since I'm adding an extra challenge to my round-up, I'm going to have to reduce the number of check points/prizes on all my challenges. I wish I could afford to give you all prizes!]

~A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post a challenge sign-up and link THAT post (not your home page) into the linky below. Non-bloggers please leave a comment declaring your challenge level--OR, if you are a member of Goodreads, I will offer this challenge there as well. Feel free to sign up HERE if that's where you want to participate.

2019 Review Writing Challenge

I just discovered this challenge at "Feeding Your Addiction" (where you can find the master list of challenges!).
I like the idea of challenging myself to write more reviews. Now I may do 10 or so for WOW! Women on Writing, but I'd like to do more.

So for this challenge, I plan to write a review a week, of books that I read for other challenges.
That means 52 reviews for the year.

Guidelines

Are you like me and sometimes the writing mojo leaves
you when you have to write a review?
Well, last year I challenged myself to write 50 reviews.
This year let’s make it 75!
Now I want to challenge you and me to write those reviews!

What?

Set a goal of how many reviews you want to write in 2019.

Post?

Post them on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your own blog.

When?

January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019

Sign Up   HERE

52 Books in 52 Weeks

This is another favourite challenge - the 52 Books in 52 Weeks hosted by Liz Mannegren at MommyMannegren


Here are the guidelines

The goals for this challenge are simple: stretch yourself out of your regular reading habits, read more, and have fun with it! While there are no “rules” to this challenge, here are a few helpful notes to keep in mind as you get started:

1. Don’t stress about whether or not you get through all 52 categories. The goal is simply to read more. (Whatever that looks like FOR YOU.) Set a goal for yourself and see if you can reach it.

2. Venture out of your usual section of the library/bookstore. As tempting as it may be to slot your regular reading into every category, use this as an opportunity to branch out a little too. These categories are a great way to uncover new authors and genres that you might not otherwise read.

3. Interpret the categories in whatever way you like. Feel free to use the fullness of your creativity and imagination as you pick books for each category. If you think a book fits a certain category, then it does!

4. Read books you like! This isn’t meant to be a stressful challenge. Due to our natural reading preferences some of the categories will be more difficult to complete than others — but just have fun with it! Do a little research and find books that not only fit that category but that you’ll also enjoy reading.

5. Join the Facebook Group. The Facebook group is the perfect place to meet fellow readers and discuss the books we’re reading. We help each other out with ideas for different categories, share reviews, and talk about all things books! (Plus, it’ll help you out with this year’s category “A book suggested by someone else in the challenge.”)

Here are the categories:

Categories:

1. Published in 2019:
2. An Author You've Never Heard of Before:
3. Book You've Read Before:
4. With a Strong Female Lead:
5. A Play:
6. Set in the Southern USA:
7. Memoir on Someone You Admire:
8. Set in the Victorian Era:
9. Character With a Career You Wish You Had:
10. A Plant on the Cover:
11. Published the Year You Graduated School:
12. Graphic Novel:
13. Featuring Music:
14. An Ugly Cover:
15. Teen as Main Character:
16. Retelling of a Well-Known Story:
17. Set During a Holiday:
18. Picked Out for You By Someone Else:
19. Gothic Fiction Novel:
20. Book About Time Travel:
21. Title That Starts With the Letter "J":
22. Fantasy Novel:
23. True Crime Novel:
24. Self-Published Book:
25. Name of a Color in the Title:
26. One-Word Title:
27. Book That Makes You Mad:
28. Discusses Mental Health:
29. Published by HarperCollins:
30. Author Who Uses Initials:
31. Book That Everyone's Talking About:
32. A Western:
33. Book About a Cult:
34. Nominated for (But Didn't Win) the 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards:
35. Sports-Related Book:
36. Humorous Novel:
37. Set in South America:
38. Allegorical Book:
39. Military-Related (Fiction or Nonfiction):
40. Character Who is an Immigrant:
41. Book Suggested by Someone Else in the Challenge:
42. A Family Member's Favorite Book:
43. Children's Book:
44. Author Who uses a Pseudonym:
45. A "Beach-Read":
46. First Book You See in a Bookstore or Library:
47. Set in a Country You've Visited:
48. Set in a Post-Apocalyptic World:
49. A Speed Read:
50. A Fairy Tale:
51. Book About Organized Crime/the Mob:
52. An Audiobook:

PopSugar 2019 Reading Challenge

I have thoroughly enjoyed the 2018 PopSugar Challenge. It was a challenge at times to find just the right book, but it forced me to expand my reading. So I am already looking forward to the 2019 version. This time I hope to do the advanced list as well.
I did not participate much in the Goodreads' discussions but I hope to do that more next year.


Here's the details and a link to the printable.

Categories:

1. Book Becoming a Movie in 2019:
2. Book That Makes You Nostalgic:
3. Book Written by a Musician (Fiction or Nonfiction):
4. Book You Think Should be Turned Into a Movie:
5. Book With at Least One Million Ratings on Goodreads:
6. Book With a Plant in the Title or on the Cover:
7. Reread of a Favorite Book:
8. Book About a Hobby:
9. Book You Meant to Read in 2018:
10. Book With "Pop," "Sugar," or "Challenge" in the Title:
11. Book With an Item of Clothing or Accessory on the Cover:
12. Inspired by Mythology, Legend or Folklore:
13. Published Posthumously:
14. Book You See Someone Reading on TV or in a Movie:
15. Retelling of a Classic:
16. Book With a Question in the Title:
17. Set on a College or University Campus:
18. About Someone With a Superpower:
19. Book Told From Multiple Character POVs:
20. Set in Space:
21. By Two Female Authors:
22. Title that Contains "Salty," "Sweet," "Bitter" or "Spicy"
23. Set in Scandinavia:
24. Takes Place in a Single Day:
25. Debut Novel:
26. Book Published in 2019:
27. Featuring an Extinct or Imaginary Culture:
28. Recommended by a Celebrity You Admire:
29. Book with "Love" in the Title:
30. Book Featuring an Amateur Detective:
31. Book About a Family:
32. Written by an Author from Asia, Africa, or South America:
33. Zodiac Sign or Astrology Term in the Title:
34. Book That Includes a Wedding:
35. By an Author Whose First and Last Name Start with the Same Letter:
36. A Ghost Story:
37. Two-Word Title:
38. Novel Based on A True Story:
39. Book Revolving Around a Puzzle or Game:
40. Your Favorite Prompt from a Past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge:

Advanced:

1. "Cli-Fi" (climate fiction) Book:
2. "Choose Your Own Adventure" Book:
3. An #OwnVoices Book:
4. Read a Book During the Season it is Set In:
5. A Lit RPG Book:
6. Book with No Chapters/Unusual Chapter Headings/Unconventionally Numbered Chapters:
7. Two Books That Share the Same Title (1):
8. Two Books That Share the Same Title (2):
9. Book that has Inspired a Common Phrase or Idiom (e.g., Big Brother from 1984):
10. Book set in an Abbey, Cloister, Monastery, Vicarage or Convent:

For the Love of eBooks Reading Challenge

Although I prefer to hold a print book when I read, I do enjoy reading ebooks. I belong to Bookbub and Freebooksy and have a very full Kindle! But I have discovered some wonderful writers and read some great series.
So I plan to join in with this challenge and just enjoy reading more ebooks.

Here are the guidelines from Tina from "As Told by Tina"


For The Love Of eBooks Reading Challenge Details:

• For The Love Of EBooks starts on January 1st to December 31st and you can sign up any time.
• Every book must be an eBook. (EBooks, eARCs, library eBooks etc.)
• All genres count.
• Re-Reading and crossovers for other challenges are encouraged.
• You don’t need to be a blogger to join. You can just share that you are joining on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Just spread the word.
• If you are a blogger, I’d love for you to make a sign up post (you can include other challenges you’re joining too, I don’t mind), just to help spread the word.
• Use the hash tag #ForTheLoveOfBooks19 to keep up with everyone’s progress.
• I’ll have a link up open every last Wednesday of the month, so you can link up your reviews. (I’m not sure if I’ll have a prize yet due to my current financial situation).

For The Love Of Ebooks Level Details:

• Phase 1 – 1-10
• Phase 2 – 11-20
• Phase 3 – 21-30
• Phase 4- 31-40
• Phase 5- 40+

2019 Library Love Reading Challenge

I love the library - my library card is used extensively. This challenge is perfect.
I have been trying to buy less books, but read more. So between the library and my TBR shelves, I have a wide choice of reading material.
For this challenge at "Angel's Guilty Pleasures", I aim to have a "Library Card on Fire" (reading 60+ books.

Here are the guidelines for the challenge:

Details:

Runs: January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019. You can join any time.

·         Put a sign up post on your blog or (dedicate a Goodreads shelf or LibraryThing)and link it in the linky below. Make sure it’s public.

·         The goal is to read at least twelve (12) books from the library, but you can read more. While twelve is the minimum, there is no maximum limit. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you.

·         Any format will work for this challenge (prints, ebooks, or audios); as long as you checked it out from the library, it counts.

·         Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, etc.).

·         Crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed, including re-reads. The goal is to support your local library and save money.

·         As an added bonus: I’m offering up a GIVEAWAY with this Challenge. Winner will be picked at the end of the year!! Their are a few freebie entries just for signing up to join the challenge and then the main entries throughout the year will be the direct links to your book reviews. You will have until Jan. 4th, 2020 to enter your reviews in the Linky/Rafflecopter. Go here to enter your reviews & the giveaway: 2019 Library Love Challenge Review Link-ups.

·         (Optional) Mid-Year Library Check In: This year (2019) I plan on posting a Mid-Year Library Check In Post sometime in June or July. This post is to showcase what you have done so far in the Library Love Challenge. I’ll be offering up a separate giveaway for the Mid-Year Library Check In.

·         (Optional) Reviews: Write a review to enter the giveaway – 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, “The plot was a delight, but the characters didn’t capture me.” “I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters.”

·         Please use #LibraryLoveChallenge when sharing your reviews, library pictures, etc…

Levels:

·         Dewey Decimal: Read 12 books

·         Thrifty Reader: Read 24 books

·         Overdrive Junkie: Read 36 books

·         Library Addict: Read 48 books

·         Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books 

ABC Wednesday - W is for Window

This week at ABC Wednesday, W gets the nod.

W is for Window

Here are 2 art tags I created:

Jane Austen Book Club Challenge 2019

        Jane Austen Book Club Challenge 2019

I hate to admit this but I have not finished any Jane Austen novel. I know, I know. Sacrilege.

But I plan to change that in 2019, by reading at least 6 of her novels as well as,  at least 6 novels inspired by Jane Austen.

From January to June I plan to read one Austen novel a month and from August to December, a Jane Austen inspired novel a month.

Rules

*This challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2019

*Just sign up in the comment section (This is a very low-key challenge after all!)

*You make your own plan, and choose your own novels.

*There are no levels, no required reading. The novels should be Jane Austen’s or inspired by her.

*Overlap with other challenges as you are able

*You don’t need to have a blog to participate.

At the end of each month, I plan to have a check-in where you can share what you’ve read and your progress with the challenge.

Here are some links to Jane Austen and Jane Austen inspired books:

Official Site

List of Jane Austen inspired novels at Goodreads

50 Books to read if you love Jane Austen

I hope you join with me for this challenge. 

What goal would you set?