Chasing the Mouse....

Meow in Black & White...

2010-08-23T21:40:00.001-04:00

"Chasing the mouse..." - as in stalking a target (such as a reading challenge goal), and pouncing (succeeding) ...

This blog-kitten is (basically) a big filing cabinet, so that I can keep track of the weekly meme's I participate in, as well as the reading challenges I've decided to join (only a few at the moment - I warned you I was only a kitten... ;-)

Feel free to drop by the "4-Re's" (aka: "REad + RElax = REvitalize + REpeat"), the real blog-cat, or my "about me" page at "A Scribbler's Life..."

Cheers, J

Readers of Romance Seasonal Book Challenges

2009-09-07T20:49:00.021-04:00

When I noticed the Fall 09 Challenge announcement at A Novel Challenge, I decided to check it out. One thing led to another, and I've decided to play (unofficial) catch-up! I'm planning to work my way through all five (six, including the current) of the previous challenges as featured at the Readers of Romance Challenges blog.

I love the way the individual challenges are specific to a book title/character/location/author. I'm already making lists! ;-)

Jump to:

[ Summer 2008 ] [ Fall 2008 ] [ Winter 2008 ] [ Spring 2009 ] [ Summer 2009 ] [ Fall 2009 ] [ Winter 2009 ]

Summer 2008
The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. Title which includes the name of a flower (i.e. Rose, Lily, Ash, Daisy, etc.):
"Yellow Rose Bride" by Lori Copeland
2. Title which includes the word "Love"
3. Title which includes a wedding word (i.e. bride, ring, etc.):
"How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire" by Kerrelyn Sparks
4. Title which includes a colour word
5. A book with a one (1) word title
6. A new-to-you author
7. Title which includes prince/princess
8. Title which includes a jewel word (i.e. Ruby, Emerald, Amber, Jade, etc.)
9. Title which includes a word that makes you think of summer (i.e. lake, hot, cottage, etc.)
10. Title which includes a "W" word
11. Title which includes a number (i.e. 3, third, three, etc.)
12. Title which includes a time (i.e. midnight, today, tomorrow, etc.)
13. Title which includes lord/lady
14. An author whose first/last name begins with "J" (for June/July)
15. An author whose first/last name begins with "A" (for August)

Fall 2008

The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. Title that reminds you of a fairytale (i.e. once upon a time, prince charming, beauty and the beast, cinderella, etc.)
2. Book based on the cover
3. A book read/reviewed in the Summer 2008 challenge:
"Annabella's Diamond" by Judith A. Lansdowne; OR
"Lady Be Good" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
4. A book from a sub-genre you have not read yet/or read the least of
5. Title which includes an "N" word (for November)
6. An author whose first/last name begins with "S" (for September)
7. A book by Johanna Lindsey
8. For Halloween, read a "spooky" book (i.e. it includes ghosts, vampires, werewolves, mystery, suspense, etc.)
9. Title which includes an address/place (i.e. city, state, lake, cottage, river, road, etc.)
10. Title which includes a name/nickname:
"The Reluctant Miss Van Helsing" by Minda Webber
11. A series book (part 1)
12. A series book (part 2)
13. New-to-you author
14. Title which includes an animal
15. ~~A book with a two (2) word title~~:
"Cutting Loose" by Susan Andersen

Winter 2008

The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. Reader's choice
2. A book that was read/reviewed in the Fall 2008 challenge:
"Blade's Lady" by Fiona Brand; OR
"Kiss the Bride" by Patricia Cabot; OR
"Enchanting the Lady" by Kathryne Kennedy; OR
"The Bride and the Beast" by Teresa Medeiros; OR
"Love is Blind" by Lynsay Sands; OR
"Wolf at the Door" by Christine Warren
3. Title which includes a "D" word (for December):
"The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers" by Angie Fox
4. A book that features an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
5. For Valentine's Day, read a title which includes love, kiss or heart
6. A book by Lisa Kleypas
7. A book that makes you think of Christmas
8. A book with a four (4) word title
9. A book that features a military/civil servant character (i.e. firefighter, cop, FBI agent, clan chief, commander, etc.)
10. A book that features a viking/pirate character
11. A book first published in 2008
12. A category (Harlequin or Silhouette) book
13. An author with three (3) names (i.e. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Karen Marie Moning, etc.)
14. For the New Year, a book that has been in your TBR pile for a long time
15. Title which includes a "W" word (for winter)

Spring 2009

The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. A western
2. A book set in Scotland
3. Title which includes sun, moon, or stars (or moonlight, starlight, etc.)
4. Title which includes angel or devil
5. Any title by one of first romance authors you ever read (or re-read one of first romance titles you ever read)
6. Title that makes you think of spring
7. Reader's choice
8. A book that has been marked as a favourite/rated 5-stars from another group member's shelf
9. An AAR top 100 book
10. Title which includes secret or lie(s)
11. A book that was read/reviewed in the Winter 2008 challenge:
"Broken Wing" by Judith James
12. A book with a Romeo and Juliet theme (i.e feuding family/clan, etc.) - H/H must be on opposing sides
13. A trilogy/3 books from the same series (part 1):
"A Bite to Remember" by Lynsay Sands (book 5 in her "Argeneau Family" vampire series)
14. A trilogy/3 books from the same series (part 2):
"Bite Me If You Can" by Lynsay Sands (book 6 in her "Argeneau Family" series)
15. A trilogy/3 books from the same series (part 3):
"The Accidental Vampire" by Lynsay Sands (book 7 in her "Argeneau Family" series)

Summer 2009

The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a sports theme/title
2. Re-read a favourite:
"The Secret" by Julie Garwood
3. A book by Linda Howard
4. A book published before 2000
5. Title which includes a hot word for summer (i.e. heat, sun, fire, fever, hot, blaze, etc.):
"Fire and Ice" by Julie Garwood
6. A book set in a warm/tropical location
7. A book that features an unlikely hero/heroine (however you choose to define "unlikely")
8. An author whose last name starts with the same first initial as your last name
9. A book that features a schoolmarm/teacher/governess
10. Title which includes a person of nobility (i.e. duke, princess, queen, etc.)
11. Title which includes an "S" word (for Summer):
"Snowed in With the Boss" by Jessica Andersen
12. Title which includes a food word (i.e. lick, sweet, tasty, cake, bite, etc.)
13. A book that was read/reviewed in the Spring 2009 challenge:
"Sun Kissed" by Catherine Anderson; OR
"Sex, Lies, and Online Dating" by Rachel Gibson
14. Reader's choice
15. A book that features "double-trouble" (i.e. includes a twin/twins)

Fall 2009

The challenge is to read one (or more!) books in each of the following categories:

1. A book that features a Beta hero:
"The Foundling" by Georgette Heyer; OR
"Heart of Gold" by Sharon Shinn; OR
"Nerd in Shining Armor" by Vicki Lewis Thompson
2. ~~A debut author OR an author that has less than four (4) books published~~:
"Compromised" by Kate Noble [her debut novel, & she's only had a second published since...]
3. A book that was read/reviewed in the Summer 2009 challenge:
"Penelope and Prince Charming" by Jennifer Ashley; OR
"Prospero's Daughter" by Nancy Butler; OR
"Beguiled" by Susan Spencer Paul
4. Title which includes an "F" word (for Fall)
5. A book borrowed from a friend or the library
6. A book by Lori Foster:
"Casey"; OR
"Judd's Law"
7. A book less than 300 pages
8. An author that has a pseudonym (i.e. Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregory, Nora Roberts/J. D. Robb, etc.)
9. A book to catch up on a series you are reading
10. Reader's choice
11. A book set in Ireland
12. A romantic-supense
13. A book/an author you've given up on:
"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
14. Title which includes dream
15. A book from the backlist of a favourite author

Winter 2009
Coming in November!

Pre-Printing Press Challenge

2009-08-26T22:22:00.004-04:00

Pre-Printing Press Challenge
(May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010)

The Host:

Elena, over at All Booked Up - see the initial challenge post for further details.

The Challenge:

To read books that pre-date the printing press (pre-1440).

My Choices:
1. Epic of Gilgamesh (Sumerian)
2. Mabinogion (Welsh)
3. [Greek play - I have to browse for this one!]

My Progress:

Joined 28 August.

Much Ado About Shakespeare Challenge

2009-08-26T22:17:00.003-04:00

Much Ado About Shakespeare Challenge
(September 1, 2009 to April 26, 2010)

The Host:

Andrea, over at The Little Bookworm - see the initial challenge post for further information.

The Challenge:

To read any of Shakespeare's works, any book inspired by a Shakespearean play, or watch any movie from or inspired by a Shakespearean play.

My Choices:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

My Progress:

Joined 26 August.

Arthurian Reading Challenge

2009-08-26T22:06:00.005-04:00

Arthurian Challenge
(April 2009 to March 2010)

The Host:

Becky at Becky's Book Reviews - see the initial challenge post for further information.

The Challenge:

To read books starring characters found in or inspired by Arthurian legends (i.e. King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, Lady of the Lake, etc.).

My Choices:
1. Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur
2.
3.

My Progress:

Joined 26 August.

What an Animal II

2009-08-26T21:54:00.003-04:00

What an Animal II
(July 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010)

The Host:

Kristi at Passion For the Page - see the initial challenge post for further information.

The Challenge:

The challenge is to read fiction/non-fiction books where animals are involved (in the title, on the cover, as a character, etc.

The Rules:

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements: 
a. there is an animal in the title of the book; and/or 
b. there is an animal on the cover of the book; and/or 
c. an animal plays a major role in the book; and/or 
d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like ;o)

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea... 

4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction. 

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them. 

6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with). 

7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged. 

8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to. 

My Choices:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

My Progress:

Joined 26 August.

Science-Book Challenge 2009

2009-08-26T21:43:00.004-04:00

Science-Book Challenge 2009
(January to December 2009)

The Host(s): Scienticity - see the initial challenge post for further information.

The Challenge:

Read three science books in 2009, tell others about the books you've read and help spread science literacy.

The Rules:

* Read at least three nonfiction books in 2009 related somehow to the theme "Nature's Wonders". Your books should have something to do with science, scientists, how science operates, or science's relationship with its surrounding culture. Your books might be popularizations of science, they might be histories, they might be biographies, they might be anthologies; they can be recent titles or older books. We take a very broad view of what makes for interesting and informative science reading.

* After you've read a book, write a short note about it, giving your opinion of the book. What goes in the note? The things you would tell a friend if you wanted to convince your friend to read it--or avoid it. Naturally, you can read some of the existing Book Notes for ideas. You might like to read our Book-note ratings for ideas about how to evaluate your books.

* Don't worry if you find that you've read a book someone else has also read; we welcome multiple notes on one title.

* Get your book note to us and we'll post it with the other notes in our Book Note section. Use the book-note form or the comment form to get in touch with us.

My Choices:

1.
2.
3.

My Progress:

Joined 26 August.

Centuries Reading Challenge

2009-08-26T21:32:00.005-04:00

Centuries Reading Challenge
(January to December 2009)

The Host:

Becky, at Becky's Book Reviews - see the initial challenge post for further information.

The Challenge:

To read books written during different centuries.

My Choices:

1. Dante's "Divine Comedy"
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

My Progress:

Joined 26 August.

Sci-Fi Reading Challenge

2009-08-24T22:27:00.005-04:00

Sci-Fi Reading Challenge
(August 28, 2009 to August 8, 2010)

The Host:Mish, over at Stage and Canvas - see the initial challenge post for further information (and some suggestions garnered from WorldCon [cool!].)

The Challenge:

To expand your horizons (especially for those of us that don't read it at all) into the variety of science fiction works.

My Choices:

(in no particular order)
1. H. G. Wells, "...
2. Michael Swanwick, "The iron dragon's daughter"
3. Neil Gaiman, "The graveyard book"
4. Mary Shelley, "Frankenstein"
5.
6.
7.
8.

My Progress:

Signed up 28 August.

Surfer Sunday

2009-08-23T18:41:00.008-04:00

"Surfer Sundays"

The Purpose:

A personal meme to list all the interesting blogs, sites, etc. that I've drifted across during the course of the previous week.

NOTE: I did a brief google-blog search for meme's of this sort, but didn't find anything like it (the closest I found was the "Saturday Spotlight" at Kristen's "Bookworming in the 21st century" blog, but that was just too in depth for me!) If I've inadvertedly lifted this idea from someone, please let me know!

The Rules:

* List the title of the blog (with a link) and the author. Screenshots or profile pictures are welcome.

* Give a brief description of the blog (1-2 sentence(s) maximum).

* Any other comments. [Development is still in progress]

* Visit the site in question and leave a nice comment (or two) on their blog!

* Showcase as many blogs (or as less) as you want.

My Surfing:

August 23 - "My Handbound Books"

Friday Finds

2009-08-23T18:32:00.010-04:00

"Friday Finds"

The Purpose:

To share with others the "new-to-you" books found during the course of the week, either on the web (blogs or otherwise), through recommendations (newspaper, family, friends, etc.), or by browsing (in the library or the bookstore). These are books that you either want to add to you TBR pile, or that just sounded interesting, unique, groovy, etc.

The Rules:

* Write a post about you finds.

* Share the link in a comment at Should Be Reading’s current “Friday Finds” post.

My Finds:

2 October
25 September - 2 books by Harper
18 September - missed!
11 September - 3 books by Carriger, Hieber, and Nation
4 September - 1 book by Nayeri
28 August - 9 books by Bretton, Clement-Davies, Doyle, Fantaskey, Grange, Harrison, Murdock, Pauley, and Y'Barbo

Teaser Tuesdays

2009-08-23T18:10:00.008-04:00

"Teaser Tuesdays"The Rules:
* Grab your current read.

* Open to a random page.

* Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. Remember to add the author and title.

* Once you've posted, return to Should Be Reading, and leave a link under the current "Teaser Tuesday" post.

* Be careful not to include spoilers!

My Teasers:

15 September -
8 September - "Compromised" by Kate Noble
1 September - "No Rest For the Wiccan" by Madelyn Alt
25 August - "Night road" by A. M. Jenkins

PB & J Challenge

2009-08-22T22:04:00.008-04:00

PB & J Challenge
(perpetual)

The Host(ess): Becky at Becky's Book Reviews - see the initial "PB & J Challenge" post for more information.

The Purpose:

To read more of (in Becky's words) the "good stuff"! Translated, she means children's books - picture books, beginner books (aka early readers), and J(uvenile) fiction (aka chapter books).

The Goal:

Up to you... I think I'm going to start (with the bar low ;-) and challenge myself to read at least 12 picture books and 4 J (chapter) books every month.

My Progress:

Signed up August 26th!

September 2009
*title link is to posted review
Picture Books:
1. "Excuse me...are you a witch?" - Horn [August 30 - a little out of the gate, but since Sep. only has 30 days... ;-)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
J Books:
1.
2.
3.
4.

China Challenge

2009-08-22T20:25:00.007-04:00

China Challenge
(September 2009-September 2010)

The Rules:

The challenge will last a year and a day, from September 1, 2009-September 1, 2010. There are multiple buttons to choose from. Audio books are fine, as are books for all age levels. See here for the challenger's (Jennie) list of reviewed books.

Choose a Level:

1. Armchair Traveler: Read 1 book about China. The majority of the action should take place in China; places such as Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, and Taiwan count.

2. Fast Train to Shanghai: Read 5 books about China - 1 should be a translated work of fiction by a Chinese author (or not translated if you have the language skills); 1 should be non-fiction. For Chinese authors that also write in English - their English works are also fine

3. Hiking the Great Wall: Read 10 books about China - 1 should be a work of translated fiction, 1 should be nonfiction. Here you can read 1 book (but only 1) about Chinese immigration (i.e. stories of Chinese people abroad, or nonfiction about overseas Chinese communities).

4. Silk Road Trek: Same as "Hiking the Great Wall," but you also have to do (and blog about!) at least 3 of these other China-Related activities, listed below:

a. Listen to a lesson or two on Chinese Pod (the Newbie lessons are free for all) and learn some Mandarin

b. Check out a Chinese cookbook and make a dish that's new to you

c. Go out for Chinese food. If you can, dim sum brunch!

e. Read a blog about China (such as: Shanghaiist, Danwei, China Beat, and Laura & Tony. Don't worry, they're all in English!)

f. Listen to some Chinese music! Peking Opera might not be your cup of tea, but try Shanghai Lounge Divas or listen to some current Indie music from China here or the phenomenal Afterquake.

g. Watch a Chinese film

h. Check out a travel guide and plan a vacation to China-- it's a huge country--what cities do you want to go to and what do you want to see while there?

i. Actually take that vacation! Or a different trip to China.

j. Attend a Chinese cultural event or art exhibit in your area.

My Challenge Choice(s):

Having listed the rules, etc. above, I've decided to plop myself squarely in the second level: the "Fast Train to Shanghai." However, I am leaving the option open (hey, you never know - [rotflol]) to bump myself up to the third level of "Hiking the Great Wall."

My list of possibilities include (but are certainly not limited to - a year is a long time) ...

"Dragon lady: the life and legend of the last empress of China" by Sterling Seagrave

"The last empress : Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the birth of modern China" by Hannah Pakula (to be released in November)

"Wild orchid" by Cameron Dokey

"The corpse walker: real-life stories, China from the bottom up" by Liao Yiwu

"The man who loved China: the fantastic story of the eccentric scientist who unlocked the mysteries of the Middle Kingdom" by Simon Winchester
[Though I'm not quite sure if this should count, since it's technically about a European in China...]

"The woman who discovered printing" by T. H. Barrett

"Cinderella's sisters: a revisionist history of footbinding" by Dorothy Ko

"Chinese dress: from the Qing Dynasty to the present" by Valery Garrett

Hmmm... extremely heavy on the non-fiction. I think my problem is that I'm comfortable with non-fic (and I'm fairly certain of topics that will engage me), but Chinese fiction is (and excuse the pun) a foreign country. However, I'll be definitely including some J fiction...

20in2009 Reading Challenge

2009-08-21T23:25:00.012-04:00

"20 in 2009" Reading Challenge

Challenge Rules:

* You must have a website since you have to keep an online progress page. You can get free ones from wordpress.com or blogspot.com if you need to.

I'll be keeping track of my list below - with links to specific postings at my main blog.

* You must create a progress page, which will be updated each time you complete one of your 20 books. For more information about progress pages and an example of how you can do them, click here. If you do not have a progress page and would like to post your books as regular blog updates one at a time as you finish, please create a tag or category specific to the challenge that I can look at.

This post will act as my progress page, but I will also add a label ("20in2009") to specific book posts.

* You can read as many books as you want by an author or in the same series. If the book is a re-read, it must be from a year ago.

Even though I love re-reads (good ones are like visiting old friends ;-), I think I'll stick to new books for this challenge.

* If you begin the book in 2008 and finish it in 2009, it does count for this challenge.

Since I'm beginning in late August, it's not an issue!

* The following do not count: comics, catalogs, manga, journals, audiobooks.

I don't listen to audiobooks (I tried, but then got bored...), and I don't even count catalogs as reading. As a personal challenge, I won't include children's (picture, beginners or J's) or teen books, even though I read a lot of them.

* The following does count: paperbacks, hardbacks, advanced copies, ebooks. You can read fiction or nonfiction, the choice is up to you.

Since I tend to read equal amounts of fiction and non-fiction, neither will be a problem. But I promise to be a good girl, and read strictly big-peoples books ;-)

* You must link back to this challenge with the button provided or one that you make for your own personal use, or even a text link.

I've placed the button provided on the sideline of my blog, where it lists the title ("20in2009 Reading Challenge"), as well as my progress. The button itself links to this post.

* If you intend to participate, leave a comment on the main entry stating so. You will then be added to the participants list.

I left a comment earlier today!

* Everyone who successfully completes the 20 in 2009 challenge will win a small award graphic to display on their website.

The List:

1. "Elements of murder: a history of poison" by John Emsley (2005) - finished 23 Aug.

2. "A brief guide to Greek myths" by Stephen Kershaw (2007) - finished...

3. "A night in lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny (1993) - finished 25 Aug.

4. "Beatrix Potter: the extraordinary life of a Victorian genius" by Linda Lear (2007) - finished...

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Booking Through Thursday

2009-08-21T20:20:00.009-04:00

"Booking through Thursday:

A weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading"

Rules (the abbreviated version...):

* Copy the questions, paste them into your blog and answer them.

* When you're done, return to the post and leave a quick comment with a link to the actual post.

* Lastly, no, you do NOT have to answer on Thursdays. Please feel free to answer any time you want, we're just glad to have you.

The Questions (and my posts):

1 October
24 September - missed!
17 September - missed!
10 September - Recent informative: Jeffrey Domm's "Lormier pocketguide to Ontario birds"
3 September - Recent big read: Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Acheron"
27 August - Recent fluff read: Erin McCarthy's "High stakes"
20 August - Recent best read: Patricia C. Wrede's "Searching for dragons"
Woo hoo! I acually posted before next Thursday! ;-)
13 August - Recent worst read: Rogenna Brewer's "The marine's baby"