Christian Genre Challenge ending!

Well, with tomorrow comes the end of 2007, and also the end of the Christian Genre Challenge. So, how'd you do???

Personally, I finished 4/5 books, so I didn't do too badly! I had great hopes of actually finishing this challenge, given I was so close! But, unfortunately, I got pretty distracted in December (as usually happens), and didn't read much of anything this past month.

So, here's what I *did* finish from my list:

1. THERE IS MORE TO THE SECRET by Ed Gungor (nonfiction)


2. REVEALED by Tamera Alexander (western)


3. THE BEST GIFT by Irene Hannon (inspirational)


4. FEARLESS by Robin Parrish (suspense)


5. COURTING TROUBLE by Deeanne Gist (historical)

I'm happy with this. I may not have finished the challenge, but I got real close, so that's good enough for me. ;)

Leave a comment with how you did!

What's new...

I was on a real reading streak throughout November... I got 5 books read!

• Safe Dieting for Teens by Linda Ojeda (A.R.C.), rated: B


• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, rated: B-


• A Lady's Guide to Rakes by Kathryn Caskie, rated: A


• Revealed by Tamera Alexander, rated: B+


• Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling, rated: B+

Currently, I'm having a hard time focusing on, and getting "into", any book. I think that, because the holiday season is basically upon us (all the get-togethers & parties & planning), I'm just not going to get much more reading done for the remainder of this year.

Right now I've got bookmarks in both The Wise Woman by Christian Jacq, and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. I'm *trying* to read them, but like I said, it's proving difficult. I get a chapter or two read, here and there, but that's it. So, we'll see.

I've read 45 books so far, this year, so that's okay. Better than last year! But, still not quite where I'd like to end up -- I was / am aiming for at least 52 books. :-?

On a happier note, I'm getting excited about the new reading year! I love starting fresh with new goals, and a new pile of TBR books! Speaking of which, the well-loved TBR CHALLENGE is returning for a second year! Sign-ups begin DECEMBER 15th, 2007 for the 2008 year, so there's just one more week to go! I can't wait to post the *official* post about it on the challenge blog, as I know a lot of people have been anxious to sign up! :-) Soon, folks! Very soon!

Last but not least, I have announcement! As of January 1st...

THIS BLOG WILL BE REPLACED!
You will then be able to find me
at The Book Zone!

Please be sure to follow me over there, as you'll be able to keep up to date with my reading progress, my challenge stats, and all the other bookish things of Mizbooks! ;-)

Anticipation!

I don't know about all of you, but I'm really starting to look forward to the new year ... all new book lists, and all new challenges ... so many "fun" things! :D

I've already started compiling my book lists for the bloggy challenges I'll be partaking in:

• 2008 TBR Challenge


• Themed Reading Challenge


• Just4thehelluvit Challenge


• Book-a-Week Challenge


• 2New2U Challenge


• Casual Reading Challenge
  (Already in progress! Continues until Oct.1/08)


• ...etc

I also think I'll join in if the Classics or Chunkster Challenges go for a "round 2" in 2008. ;o)

What challenges are YOU taking part in next year? Are you familiar with the Yahoo group: "A Novel Challenge"? If not, I recommend you check it out! But, I add this warning: it's VERY addictive!!! LOL

New Books!

I ordered these today from Chapters:
























I also have a couple of books coming from Crossings Book Club:

BREAKING FREE: DAY-BY-DAY by Beth Moore
LANDMINES IN THE PATH OF THE BELIEVER by Charles Stanley

WWW... (09/24)

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading "The Vagabond Clown" by Edward Marston. It's very good, so far, and satisfying my craving for a "British" novel. ;)

I'm also reading "Get With the Program" by Bob Greene.

What did you just finish reading?

Recently I finished "Look Great, Feel Great" by Joyce Meyer (rated: 4/5), as well as "The Inn at Shadow Lake" by Janet Edgar (rated: 3/5).

What will you be reading next?

Probably either "Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist, or "Revealed" by Tamera Alexander. Both are review books for Bethany House Publishers. ;)

So Many Challenges, So Little Focus!

This morning, I finally got around to reading all of my Bloglines subscription-feeds. And, upon reading Wendy's "A Novel Challenge" blog posts, I've discovered a ton of new & interesting challenges -- blogger BOOK challenges, to be exact! -- for the 2008 reading year!

The two that caught my eye, most definitely, were:

* the 2008 Themed Reading Challenge

and

* the 8 Books in 8 Categories in 2008 Challenge!

Then, of course, there's my very own TBR Challenge, which will be continued in 2008 (year 2!). Changes are in the making for that group / challenge, but they're not huge... the best one being that anyone will be able to join, any time throughout the year -- no more "cut-off-date"! :-D

I also have personal challenges in mind:

• trying to read a few Classics (again)


• catching up / keeping up with my Reviewing
  (I have a great deal of books on that pile, waiting to-be-read!)


• attempting to keep reading my OWN books, instead of those from the library

Now, my *problem* with all of these wonderful challenges is that... I have very little FOCUS. I seem unable to pile so much upon myself, as I get overwhelmed, and then don't complete ANY of them!

Like this year (2007), for example...

I started my TBR Challenge to knock off some books on my TBR mountain that had been calling to me for way too long! The challenge is to read 12 TBR books, one each month. How many have I read so far? Only 3. [hangs head in shame] :-(

I joined in on the Classics Challenge earlier in the year, thinking I'd finally get around to reading some of the books in that category... I've been collecting the "Classics", after all, swearing that I'd read most of them some day! And, I read only 2, out of the 5 on my list. The other 3 are still sitting on the top of my bookshelf, staring at me, saying "Why haven't you read us yet? You said you were going to!"

I joined the Chunkster Challenge ... and, surprisingly!, I finished it! Mind you, I only chose to read 2 books for that challenge... but I did it! (Luckily, they were both books on my TBR Challenge list, as well!) I finally read "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, and "Envy" by Sandra Brown! Yay!

Then I created yet another challenge: Christian Genre Challenge (and, thankfully -- knock-on-wood -- I'm doing okay with it, so far!)

So, the question of the day is, "DO I DARE SIGN UP FOR THESE NEW CHALLENGES? JUST A COUPLE OF THEM?!"

Part of me screams "Nooooooo!" (I've been frustrated this year by not having the "freedom" to just read what I want from my shelves... just for the heck of it --- which brings to mind the fact that I should really join in on the just4thehelluvit challenge! LOL)

But, another part of me just cannot resist a new challenge ... especially when it's book-related! I want to try! I want to take part, and be included! LOL

What to do? What to do?

Guess I'll have to "chew" on this one for a while... ;-)

CGC: Update

My Christian Genre Challenge is going well for me, so far! I've finished two of the books from my list:

FEARLESS by Robin Parrish (August 24, 2007)
and
THE BEST GIFT by Irene Hannon (August 30, 2007)

If I can keep up that pace, I'll complete this challenge! (which is more than I can say for others I've joined/started! LOL... 9 months into the year, and I've only read 3 out of 12 of my TBR Challenge books!)

Ah well. We're reading what we can, when we can. Hopefully I'll get several under my belt in the month of September, as the kids will be back in school, and I still don't have a job... so I've got some uninterrupted reading time coming to me! ;-)

WWW... (08/14)

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading Robin Parrish's second book in the Dominion Trilogy, "Fearless". It's good, so far, but I'm not that far into it, yet.

What did you just finish reading?

Recently I finished "One Little Secret" by Allison Bottke (rated: 4/5). Recommended! A quick, cute read.

What will you be reading next?

Probably either "Revealed" by Tamera Alexander, or "Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist. Both are review books for Bethany House Publishers. ;)

Ready Set GO! (Christian Genre Challenge)

It's Official! The CHRISTIAN GENRE CHALLENGE has begun today!

And, because I've rarely blogged in the last couple of months, I had no idea that I have 14 participants joining me for this! Thank you so much, and good luck to you all! :D

Also, since I hadn't finalized my list, here it is... these are the 5 books I've chosen to read between today and December 31st!:

1. SUSPENSE: Fearless by Robin Parrish [FINISHED: August 24, 2007]







2. HISTORICAL: Courting Trouble by Deanne Gist






3. INSPIRATIONAL: The Best Gift by Irene Hannon [FINISHED: August 30, 2007]






4. NON-FICTION: There Is More to The Secret by Ed Gungor [FINISHED: September 13, 2007]






5. WESTERN: Revealed by Tamera Alexander

Update on the TBR Challenge

We are just about half-way through the year, so I thought I'd give a quick update on how things are going with my TBR Challenge.

While the other members are just flying along, and are basically on track --for the most part-- with reading the books off their list, their fearless leader (that'd be me!) is struggling to keep up! LOL. But, I just keep trying! Here's how my list looks, so far:

MY TBR in 2007 LIST:

1. Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone (#1) - J.K. Rowling


2. Passage - Connie Willis (done: Sept.11/07)


3. Middlemarch - George Eliot (done: Feb.6/07)


4. The Wise Woman - Christian Jacq


5. The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen (done: Apr.9/07)


6. Premonition - Randall Ingermanson


7. Shadow Baby - Ami McGhee


8. Envy - Sandra Brown (done: Jun.21/07)


9. Bethesda: A Novel - Paul A. Nigro


10. The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde


11. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs


12. The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly

For EXTRA CREDIT:

• Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli


• How to Be Good - Nick Hornby


• Flabbergasted - Ray Blackston


• The Rule of Four - Caldwell/Thomason


• Deep In the Valley - Robyn Carr


• Dying Declaration - Randy Singer


• Double Vision - Randall Ingermanson


• The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith


• If I Had You - Deborah Bedford


• Her Daughter's Eyes - Jessica Barksdale Inclan


• The Codex - Douglas Preston


• Peace Like a River - Leif Enger


• Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle - Stephen Arterburn

As you can see, I've not read ANY of the books from my "Extra Credit" list. But, I haven't yet felt the need to. My original list is hard enough to get through, given the small amount of reading I've been doing all-around this year! :-?

Ah well. Just keep reading, just keep reading, just keep reading, reading, reading... what do we do? We read, read, read! (ala Dory of "Finding Nemo")

TBR: "There is More to The Secret"

"There Is More to the Secret" by Ed Gungor

Found this book on Faithfulreader.com, today, and -- given that I just read Rhonda Byrne's book, "The Secret", about a month ago -- I was interested to know more about this new book by Ed Gungor!

"There is More to The Secret" is not an 'attack' on Ms. Byrne's book, but rather a compliment to it ... she left out a crucial element of the "Law of Attraction"... and, that's that Almighty God is always involved. ;o)

While I was reading "The Secret" (Byrne), I found a lot of it to be "New Age", and I had issue with that. BUT, I also found a lot of what the author said to have some truth to it, and I figured it can't hurt to try some of the things out... like thinking positively. ;o) That's always been touted as a good thing, even by my mother. ;o)

Here are some quotes from "The Secret" that I really liked:

p.18 - "...he changed from focusing on what he did not want, what he was afraid of, what he wanted to avoid, to focusing on what he did want."

p.58 - "a person cannot think 'thin thoughts' and be fat. It completely defies the 'Law of Attraction'."

p.74 - "Gratitude is absolutely the way to bring more into your life."

p.90 (paraphrased) - "Create a Vision Board - put on it what you want to acheive, or something you want to attract... put a picture of this / these things on this board, and look at it every day... start to visualize. Imagine you already have these things."

p.123 - "Treat yourself with love and respect, and you will attract people who will show you love and respect."

p.123 - "To make a relationship work, focus on what you appreciate about the other person, not your complaints. When you focus on the strengths, you'll get more of them."

p.127 - "All stress begins with one negative thought."

And, the one that really made me smile because it made me think of all the "good gifts that God has given me":

p.183 - "The earth turns on its orbit for you. The oceans ebb and flow for you. The birds sing for you. The sun rises and sets for you. The stars come out for you. Every beautiful thing you see, every wonderous thing you experience, is all there for YOU!" (see James 1:17)

Christian Genre Challenge: My List

So, I was looking at my list for my Christian Genre Challenge (which starts on August 1st!), and I decided I don't like the looks of it. I no longer care to read some of the books I listed. So, since it's not yet August 1st, I am changing my list... And, I haven't finalized it, yet, so I'm going to list, here, a few possibilities for each of the genres I'm hoping to read from. ;o)

Historical:

"Revealed" by Tamera Alexander
"A Woman's Place" by Lynn Austin
"Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist

Non-Fiction:

"Love Beyond Reason" by John Ortberg
"Idols of the Heart" by Elyse Fitzpatrick
"Religiously Transmitted Diseases" by Ed Gungor
"Making Peace with Your Mom" by H. Norman Wright

ChickLit OR Humor:

"Savannah Comes Undone" by Denise Hildreth
"The Secret Life of Becky Miller" by Sharon Hinck
"Flabbergasted" by Ray Blackston

Inspirational:

"The Best Gift" by Irene Hannon

Suspense OR Mystery:

"Freefall" by Kristin Hannah
"Cape Refuge" by Terri Blackstock
"Premonition" by Randy Ingermanson

A lot of these are my "review" books for Bethany House, and a couple of them are ones from my TBR Challenge list. I've GOT to start reading some books from both of those lists, as I'm terribly behind!

Last week I'd forgotten that I said I wanted to do this CG Challenge (doh!), so I told myself that this summer I would read ALL of the review books Bethany House has sent me, and I'd get myself caught up. Then I got a couple of comments here on my blog about the challenge, and I went, "Oh, yeah!" LOL. So, I changed my mind, and decided I'd read as many as I could ... they'd just have to fit into the challenge somehow. ;o)

Anyway. Make sure you leave your name in the Mr. Linky if you're participating in the challenge -- that way others can check up on you and see how you're doin'! ;o)

WWW... (06/15)

What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading "FATTITUDES" by Jeffrey & Norean Wilbert. It's very good, and I highly recommend it! It's got these great little questionnaires & forms that you can fill out to help you discover more about yourself and your eating, and the emotions behind why you overeat. Very helpful!

What did you just finish reading?
I recently finished reading Lisa Young's "The Portion Teller". It helps you learn how to better "eyeball" your portion sizes by giving you a list of "visuals" (a baseball = 1 cup; a shot glass = 2 Tbsp; etc), and then combining those with the Food Guide Pyramid to help you learn to eat healthier all-around. I gave this a rating of B+ (enjoyable), and I'd recommend it, for sure!

What will you be reading next?
I had gotten about half-way through Sandra Brown's "Envy" at the end of May before I picked up a few other library books to read, so I'd like to get back to that, and have it finished before the end of the month. It's my second "chunky" book for the Chunkster Challenge (of 2), so I need to have it finished before June 30th. ;o) It's a good read, so far, though, so I'm sure that won't be too much of a problem -- given other things don't stand in my way. ;o)

MEME: What's Your Preference?

Deena (who is doing a BOOK GIVEAWAY, btw!), had this meme posted on her blog, so I'm playing along, as always (can't seem to resist these things! LOL)


What's Your Preference?

1) Novel or novella?

Novel

2) Hardback or paperback?

Either... I go through "moods"... sometimes I crave a Hardcover, other times I want all mass-market paperbacks! LOL

3) Male authors or female authors?

Either

4) Fiction or non-fiction?

Well, I would've said "usually fiction", but that's not true. If you take a look at my reading list, you'll see that I'm reading more NON-fiction than anything...

So, long-answer-shorter... BOTH! ;o)

5) Bestseller or obscure title?

Obscure...I love finding new authors. I'll still read the bestsellers from time-to-time, though. ;o)

6) Local bookstore or chain franchise?

Both, though I tend to shop more at the Chains (when I'm not picking books up at the goodwill stores or yard sales!)

7) Read the book first or see the movie first?

Probably the book... but, this is one I always forget which I prefer more! LOL

---------
PS... Deena's answers were here. ;o)

Yay!

I'm so excited! My local library has agreed to purchase BOTH of the books I recently requested...

"Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg

and

"The Backward Life" by Jarrod Jones

Whoohoo! :-D Can't wait to read 'em both!

Another TBR book

The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Life" by Jarrod Jones

I found this book over at FaithfulReader.com today, and it sounds really good. I'm hoping my library will order it, too! :o)

(They ordered "The Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg for me! Yay!)

To Be Read: "THE ORGANIC GOD"

Found this book on FaithfulReader.com today...

"The Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg

"In THE ORGANIC GOD Feinberg uses personal anecdotes and introspection as entrée points to examine nine different aspects of God's character. God is big-hearted, breathtakingly beautiful, amazingly wise, surprisingly talkative, wildly infallible, outrageously generous, unbelievably stubborn, abundantly kind and deeply mysterious. Feinberg wants readers to consider the place this God should have in all areas of their lives --- to fight compartmentalization and to embrace a holistic understanding of faith." (Lisa Ann Cockrel, reviewer)

Tagged!

Deena tagged me with a meme, but because it's not "book-related", I've put it over on my other blog. Feel free to go on over and read it... it's 8 Random Things About Me. ;o)

CGC: My List

For my Christian Genre Challenge, I plan to read the following (in brackets, following each title, is the Genre the book falls into):

1. "REVEALED" by Tamera Alexander (Historical)


2. "SEX GOD" by Rob Bell (Nonfiction)


3. "TYING THE KNOT" by Susan May Warren (Romance)


4. "THE BEST GIFT" by Irene Hannon (Inspirational)

** This list is subject to change until July 31st (the last day before the challenge begins!) **

UPDATE: Christian Genre Challenge

Okay -- since there've been several people who've shown an interest in my CHRISTIAN GENRE CHALLENGE, I am now making it official!

For this challenge, you will choose 3-5 books, one per Genre (see below), and you will read those between August 1st - December 31st, 2007.

For example:

1. CHRISTIAN ROMANCE: "Happily Ever After" by Susan May Warren


2. CHRISTIAN LIVING: "How to Be Good Without Really Trying" by Mike Flynn


3. CHRISTIAN CHICK-LIT: "With This Ring, I'm Confused" by Kristin Billerbeck


4. CHRISTIAN FANTASY/SCI-FI: "Arena" by Karen Hancock


5. CHRISTIAN CLASSIC: "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton (author correct?)

There are a ton of Genres you could choose from... Here's a quick list (there may be others I'm not thinking of...):

• Christian Living


• Romance


• Fantasy


• Science Fiction


• Chick Lit


• Mystery/Suspense


• Classic


• Historical


• Humor


• Inspirational

Keep in mind that you are NOT LIMITED to just the Genres I've listed here! This is, by all means, NOT an extensive list! There are quite probably some that I've forgotten!

Leave your name & a permanent link in the Mr. Linky below to sign yourself up for this challenge! Thanks! ;o)