Book Challenge 2012

Unbelievably it's December again!

Besides trying to figure out what to buy our loved ones for Christmas and making up New Year's resolutions, we should also start thinking about the vast number of books we challenge ourselves to read next year.

So how many will it be?

Julia

Well this year my goal was 30 and last night I finished number 39. I still have 3 books left in that series (each of which are taking me about 2-3 days to read) plus another book in 1/2 way through. So I'll probably make my goal for next year around 50 or 60. I like to keep my goals realistic so I don't feel like I have to force myself to read anything just to make a goal I set.

Well, I had set 125 for this year and at the end of Nov I was at 94. I think I would have made it, but I had a bit of a slump in Oct and Nov. So I think I'm going to keep the goal the same for next year.

I didn't read nearly as many as I planned on between a new job and some time in the hospital. I think next year I am going to set it for 100 for next year.

By the way, do folks include DNF books in their numbers? I mean, if you slog through 100 pages of a book and then give up, do you claim it in your list?

I only count books I've actually finished, but I also don't count books that aren't in novel/story form, otherwise my number might be a lot higher.

I also just count books I finished.

I far surpassed my 200 goal for 2011. Maybe I should get out more! Anyway, I'll keep the same goal of 200 books for 2012.

I also only include books that I have finished, although I do include re-reads if I read the whole book again - which I almost always do because they suck me in

I've fallen so far short of my 2011 goal that I hesitate to even think about a 2012 goal.

I'm going for 100 again, I've passed this in 2011, so I'm happy to keep this for next year. I didn't finish my 11 in 11 challenge, but I'm going to try again in 2012.

I only count books I've finished.

This year my goal was 100 and I've read 74 wonderful stories. (Last year I read 92 and the year before 51.) This year I wanted to read more quality romances so I used this Library Thing forum, AAR Top 100 and AAR Poll for ideas and it was great! My Top 5 Favorites for the year were A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie, Naked in Death by J.D. Robb, It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Someone To Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas.

I set my goal to 100 books in 2012.

Julia

I didn't do as great last year as I had planned, so I'm going to set my 2012 reading goal at 125 and go from there.

Enjoy!
TBQ
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com

Hello, I'm new to Library Thing and I love to read romance novels, although normally I read the ones that cover more then one genera. I was wondering, with your challenge do you just pick a number or is there a number your supposed to start at and go higher or lower from there?

Hi and Welcome to the group N_Stevens.

Just pick a number for your own goal. I include all the books I read, not just romance novels.

Thank you mamalaz,

In that case, I think I'll make my number 156. I know that sounds odd but I've read 13 books this month so I just multiplied it by 12.

My books for January were:
Johanna Lindsey: Warrior's Woman, Keeper of the Heart, Heart of a Warrior, and A Loving Scoundrel.
J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Cheryl Brooks: Slave, Warrior, Rogue, Outcast, Fugitive, Hero, and Virgin.

The only books I will not include are my school books, mainly because I never read them straight through, I just do the assigned reading for that week.

Out of curiosity, how many out there also have trouble with spelling? I've never been good at it and wondered.

Well it's already February. Time to post January books.

1. Finding Moon by Tony Hillerman
2. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
3. The Mistress "
4. The Hostage "
5. Acqua Alta by Donna Leon
6. Quietly in Their Sleep "
7. Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs
8. A Biltmore Christmas by Diane Ashley et al
9. Canyons of the Night by Jayne Castle
10. Skylark by Jo Beverley
11. True Colors by Thea Harrison
12. The Unquiet by J.D. Robb et al
13. A Well Pleasured Lady by Christina Dodd
14. Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique
15. The Fitzgerald Ruse by Mark de Castrique

1. The Dovekeepers
2. Fixing My Gaze
3. The Summer Hideaway
4. Fireside
5. Hometown Girl
6. Lakeshore Christmas
7. I'm Not Her
8. Christmas in Sugarcreek

Better late than never.

Here is my January list.

1. With Seduction in Mind - 5
2. Pride and Prejudice - 5
3. Time Off for Good Behavior - 5
4. Once Tempted - 4.5
5. Romeo, Romeo - 5
6. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One - 1
7. A Modest Proposal - 5
8. Ex and the Single Girl - 5
9. Cheri on Top - 5

Julia

My books for February

J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Cheryl Brooks: Stud

Nora Roberts: The Winning Hand, The Perfect Neighbor

Shayla Black: Bound and Determined

Cris Anson: Dance of the Seven Veils

Tia Isabella: After the Storm

Lila DiPasqua: The Princess in His Bed

Rick Riordan: The Lost Hero

So far so good, but the year has only begun.

February reads:

16. A Well Favored Gentleman by Christina Dodd
17. Death of a Snob by M.C. Beaton
18. Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison
19. Curtains for the Cardinal by Jill Staynes and Margaret Storey
20. The Return of the Prodigal by Kasey Michaels
21. How to Woo a Spinster "
22. How to Tempt a Duke "
23. How to Tame a Lady "
24. The Sandburg Connection by Mark de Castrique
25. A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon
26. Fatal Remedies "
27. Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle
28. The Scargill Cove Case Files by Jayne Ann Krentz
29. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie
30. Freaks by Tess Gerritsen

February

9. Alas, Babylon
10. The Secret Life of Bees

Not a good month for reading. Too much other stuff to do and too tired afterwards to read. Hopefully next month will be better.

I managed to read 14 books for Feb (and 14 for Jan, actually--I'm behind on posting here!). I'll add my list later, I'm just too lazy right now to look them up again. LOL. :)

Enjoy!
TBQ
TBQ's Book Palace

March
11. Marrying Daisy Bellamy
12. Rules of Attraction
13. Mockingbird
14. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
15. Arranged

31. How to Beguile a Beauty by Kasey Michaels
32. Becket's Last Stand "
33. Death of a Bore by M.C. Beaton
34. Death of a Scriptwriter "
35. Enchanted by Nora Roberts
36. Genuine Lies "
37. Nightmare in Pink by John D. MacDonald
38. The Devil's Gold by Steve Berry
39. Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas
40. Kidnapping the Laird by Terri Brisbin
41. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
42. Friends in High Places by Donna Leon
43. A Sea of Troubles "
44. Willful Behavior "
45. The Wedding by Julie Garwood
46. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
47. Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
48. Killer in High Heels "
49. Surrender by Amanda Quick
50. Silver Master by Jayne Castle

Ok here is my list for

February:
10. One night of passion - 5
11. Too Hot to Handle - 4
12. A Little Ray of Sunshine - 5
13. Stealing the Bride - 3.5
14. The Ways of Grace - 4.5
15. It Takes a Hero - 5

March:
16. Wasp Factory - 2
17. Strokes - 4
18. Looking for Lacey - 5
19. That Perfect Someone - 3.5
20. The Wedding Diaries - 5

Julia

April reads:

51. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
52. Once Upon a Winter's Eve "
53. A Week to be Wicked "
54. Uniform Justice by Donna Leon
55. Doctored Evidence "
56. Blood From a Stone "
57. Through a Glass, Darkly "
58. Suffer the Little Children "
59. Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson
60. Sex, Lies and Online Dating "
61. Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters
62. Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs
63. Flash by Jayne Ann Krentz
64. Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
65. Dangerous in Diamonds by Madeline Hunter
66. The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne "
67. Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton
68. My Dear Charlotte by Hazel Holt

April Books

16. Winter Garden
17. Hope Was Here re-read
18. Smokin' Seventeen
19. Explosive Eighteen
20. Born to Darkness
21. Sophie and the Rising Sun
22. Next to Love
23. The Lucky One
24. Safe Haven
25. Chain Reaction

Here are my April reads

21. Dove's Way - 4.5
22. Breakfast in Bed - 5
23. Swan's Grace - 3
24. Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? - 5
25. Nightingale's Gate - 4
26. Call Me Irresistible - 5
27. Something About Emmaline - 5
28. The Man for Me - 5
29. Toto & Harry - 5

Julia

May

30. This Rake of Mine - 4.5
31. Rescue Me - 3.5
32. Love Letters from a Duke - 4
33. The Demon's Daughter - 4
34. Confessions of a Little Black Gown - 4.5
35. I Want Candy - 5

Julia

May Books

26. Kindred Souls
27. Deadlocked
28. The Trouble with Valentine's Day
29. Any Man of Mine
30. The Ocean Between Us
31. Catching Jordan

May reads:

69. Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton
70. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
71. Cure by Robin Cook
72. Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle
73. This Rake of Mine "
74. Confessions of a Little Black Gown "
75. How I Met My Countess "
76. The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon
77. About Face "
78. A Question of Belief "

It's July already!

June books:

79. Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon
80. Beastly Things "
81. Mad About the Duke by Elizabeth Boyle
82. Lord Langley is Back in Town "
83. The Past is Never Dead by David Schulman
84. Sharp Edges by Jayne Ann Krentz
85. Trust Me "
86. Death of a Cad by M.C. Beaton
87. Death of an Outsider "
88. Death of a Perfect Wife "
89. Tokens of Love by Mary Balogh etal
90. A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie
91. All Shall Be Well "
92. A Knight to Remember by Christina Dodd
93. The Custom of the Army by Diana Gabaldon
94. To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt
95. To Beguile a Beast "

June Books

32. Virgin River
33. Shelter Mountain
34. Whispering Rock
35. The Midwife's Confession
36. Home for the Summer

July Books

37. Virgin River Christmas
38. Second Chance Pass
39. Temptation Ridge
40. Paradise Valley
41. Forbidden Falls
42. Angel's Peak
43. Moonlight Road
44. Midnight Kiss
45. Promise Canyon
46. Wild Man Creek
47. That Holiday Feeling

July

96. A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
97. Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
98. The Winter Lodge "
99. Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie
100. Mourn Not Your Dead "
101. Dreaming of the Bones "
102. Kissed a Sad Goodbye "
103. Deception by Amanda Quick
104. 'Tis by Frank McCourt
105. Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood
106. Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
107. Blindsight by Robin Cook
108. Do-Over by Dorien Kelly

August so far

48. A Slice of Heaven
49. Divergent
50. Insurgent
51. Stealing Home
52. Feels Like Family
53. Home in Carolina
54. Last Summer
55. The Joy Luck Club
56. Hidden Summit
57. Redwood Bend
58. Sunrise Point

It's September already! Here's what I read in August:

109. Contagion by Robin Cook
110. Tangled Up in You by Rachel Gibson
111. Death of a Charming Man by M.C. Beaton
112. The Lions Lady by Julie Garwood
113. Blood Sport by Dick Francis
114. Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
115. Fireside "
116. Lakeshore Christmas "
117. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
118. The Bridled Groom by J.S. Borthwick
119. Devil in My Bed by Celeste Bradley
120. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie
121. Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs

September

59. The Things I do for You
60. Remarkable Creatures
61. Too Much Temptation
62. Wildly Winston
63. The Sleeping Night

September Reads:

122. Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood
123. Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
124. Cross Bones
125. Break no Bones
126. Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
127. Affair by Amanda Quick
128. A More Perfect Heaven by Dava Sobel
129. The Summer Hideaway by Susan Wiggs
130. Anachronistic in Asheville by Israel Allen
131. Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
132. Dream Lake

October

64. The Final Hour
65. Forgotten
66. The Old Man and the Sea
67. Lover Reborn
68. Son
69. Return to Willow Lake
70. When You Dare
71. Trace of Fever
72. Yule Be Mine
73. Around Chamberlain
74. The Last Time I Saw You
75. My Kind of Christmas

October

132. Second Son by Lee Child (ss)
133. And Justice There is None by Deborah Crombie
134. Now May You Weep
135. In a Dark House
136. The Perfect Crime by Les Edgerton
137. The Gift by Julie Garwood
138. Miss Lacey's Last Fling by Candice Hern
139. Desperate Measures (ss)
140. Truth or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz
141. The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane by Kasey Michaels
142. Resurrection Row by Anne Perry
143. The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters
144. Chaos in Death by J.D. Robb
145. Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva
146. Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs

OK this is a longer list.

June-October

36. Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress
37. Hot Spell
38. How I Met My Countess
39. Mad About the Duke
40. Keeping Up With the Germans: A History of Anglo-German Encounters
41. Lord Langley Is Back in Town
42. Prince of Ice
43. Demon's Fire
44. Dumm kickt gut: und 44 andere Sportirrtümer
45. His Mistress By Morning
46. Tempted By the Night
47. Mood Swing
48. Sawyer
49. Morgan
50. Gabe
51. The Lion's Daughter
52. Jordan
53. Casey
54. Captives of the Night
55. Caught In The Act
56. Lord of Scoundrels
57. Too Much Temptation
58. The Last Hellion
59. Never Too Much
60. To Tempt A Scotsman
61. Say No to Joe?
62. A Rake's Guide To Pleasure

Julia

November

76. Savor the Danger
77. Nowhere to Run
78. The Marriage Bargain
79. The One that I Want
80. Forget You
81. The Wilder Life
82. Vanity Fare
83. One Crazy Summer

I can't believe another year is almost gone.

November books:

147. Death of a Macho Man by M.C. Beaton
148. Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie
149. Where Memories Lie
150. Necessary as Blood
151. Nocturne (ss)
152. No Mark Upon Her
153. Santa Baby by Jennifer Crusie et al
154. Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
155. Eye of the Beholder by Jayne Anne Krentz
156. The Turquoise Lament by John D. MacDonald
157. 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
158. Sweet Revenge by Nora Roberts
159. The Seduction by Julia Ross

Falling pretty far short of my goal. I may get a few more done yet and will add them if I do.

84. Heading Out to Wonderful
85. Easy
86. The Memory Thief
87. Matched

I think my goal was 200. Fell somewhat short.

160. The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry.
161. One for Sorrow by Mary Reed
162. True Betrayals by Nora Roberts
163. Death of a Nag by M.C. Beaton
164. An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley
165. A Scandalous Countess
166. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabeldon
167. Lola Carlyle Reveals All by Rachel Gibson
168. Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath
169. Shall We Dance? by Kasey Michaels