Joyfully Retired

The purpose of this page is to record my progress on the various book challenges I have joined.

100+ Books Reading Challenge

Goal: Read 100 or more books in 2010

Progress: 72/100

Library Reading Challenge

Goal: Borrow at least 25 books from the library.

Progress:  24/25

Women Unbound Challenge

Devoted to the study of women’s issues. Goal: 5 books (2 non-fiction) prior to November, 2010.

1. I read the book of Esther in the Old Testament and then read

Esther: A Women of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll

2. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees

3. Hidden Wives by Claire Avery

Social Justice Challenge

Project is concentrating on various social issues. Goal: Participate as an Activist 6 times.

1. January: Religious Freedom: In The Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham

2. February: Water: Rainwater Harvesting by Brad Lancaster

3. April: Hunger: Black Potato-The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Agatha Christie Reading Challenge

This is a perpetual challenge in which I am attempting to read

all of Agatha Christie’s novels in order of publication date.

See the Agatha Christie page for my progress.

Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge

This is in addition to reading all the Agatha Christie novels. Goal: 12 books in 2010.

1. Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

2. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry

3. Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

4. Face Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

5. Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan

6. Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

7. Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan

8. Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

Cozy Mystery Challenge Doubled

The goal is 6 books in 6 months (April to September). I’ve chosen to make this a

doubled challenge by reading cozy mysteries all written by the Cozy Chicks. The authors are:

1. Maggie Sefton: Knit One, Kill Two

2. Lorna Barrett: Murder Is Binding

3. Kate Collins:

4. Jennifer Stanley/JB Stanley: Chili Con Corpses

5. Leann Sweeney:

6. Deb Baker/Hannah Reed:

7. Heather Webber:

Take Another Chance Challenge

Goal: Participating at least 6 times.

1.  A new genre: French Milk by Lucy Knisley (Graphic Novel)

2. Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie (100 Best Books)

What’s In A Name Challenge.

Goal: Read books with these requirements in 2010:

1. A book with a food in the title: Black Potato by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

2. A book with a body of water in the title:

3. A book with a title (queen, president) in the title:

4. A book with a plant in the title:

5. A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway

6. A book with a music term in the title: Home To Harmony

Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge.

Goal: Read the book and watch the corresponding movie 4 times in 2010.

1. Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

2. Murder On the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Awesome Authors Challenge

Goal: Read at least 10 awesome authors in 2010.

1. Dorothy L. Sayers – Gaudy Night

2. Linda Gillard – Star Gazing

3. Marjane Satrapi – Embroideries, Persepolis, and Persepolis 2

4. Ivan Doig – Work Song

5. Curtiss Ann Matlock – Sweet Dreams At The Goodnight Motel

The 451 Challenge.

Goal: Read 3 to 4 books from the list.

The 18th and 19th Century Women Writers Challenge

Goal is to read 4 to 6 books.

The Global Challenge

Goal: Read one book from each of these countries:

Africa: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller

Asia

Australia: The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Europe

North America (other than the United States)

South America.

The Amy Einhorn Challenge

is a perpetual challenge. The goal is to read all books in the Amy Einhorn imprint. Books I’ve read:

1. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

2. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelley O’Connor McNees

3. Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan

The 1930s Mini Challenge

1. 1936: Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

2. 1934: Murder On the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

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A Few Personal Challenges:

1.  I’m going to read six Westerns this next year, primarily those that have won awards from the Western Writers of America organization.

2.  I want to read at least three more of Laurie Colwin’s books. I loved Home Cooking so much that I want to read more.

3.  I’m going to give away at least 50 books from my current library to others who will enjoy them at least as much as I have. That will help lighten the load in our little home.

BOOKS GIVEN AWAY SO FAR = 25