And now it's the end of April and I've made LOTS of progress on my Reading Challenges.  I must say, having Reading Challenges really DOES help me clean up my TBR piles quite a bit.  I've found lots of books that I love and lots of books that I didn't like as much and I'm also continually discovering new books that get added to my reading list.

In fact, my BFF and I were discussing our next Book Club selection and while making a "list of 3 to 5 books" I was interested in, I ended up adding about 13 new books to my never ending reading list.  And I chose 8 books to bring to our Mini Book Club meeting... but anyway.

Along the way, I've even picked up three more Reading Challenges and I'm all too excited about them.

I'm even doing a Reading Challenge BINGO sheet with my BFF, but my progress is a little frustrating.  My BINGO cards have come close to covering so many spaces, but still no BINGO because there seems to be that persistent "one space" in each row that I can't find a fill-in for.  More details on that some other time.

It's time to get back to my reading!

***

Related posts:

More Reading Challenges!

2014 TBR Pile Challenge -- Roof Beam Reader

2014 Series Challenge

1st in a Series Challenge

2014 Romantic Suspense Challenge

I Love Library Books 2014 Challenge

January/February Progress

March Progress

Challenges:

Generic 2014 Reading Challenge --  See My Shelf

100 Books in a Year hosted by Book City Chick  --  See My Shelf

Outdo Yourself Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen  --  See My Shelf

2014 TBR Pile Challenge hosted by Roof Beam Reader  --  See My Shelf

2014 TBR Pile Challenge hosted by Bookish  --  See My Shelf

2014 Series Challenge hosted by Read. Sleep. Repeat.  --  See My Shelf

Challenges not included in this post:  (see above linkies for full lists)

1st in a Series Challenge hosted by Darlene's Book Nook  --  See My Shelf

2014 Romantic Suspense Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen  --  See My Shelf

I Love Library Books 2014 Challenge hosted by Book Dragon's Lair  --  See My Shelf

***

2014 Reading Challenge:  

Goals: 100 books

Total 2014 Progress: 49 books

• January/February: 12 books
• March: 20 books

April -- 17 books read

1.  Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts -- Review

2.  No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige -- Review

3.  The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya -- Review

4.  Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige -- Review to come

5.  Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

6.  Crandall's Castle by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

7.  The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

8.  Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

9.  Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

10.  Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler -- Review

11.  Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review to come

12.  Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

13.  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn -- Review

14.  Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler -- Review

15.  Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst -- Review

16.  Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler -- Review

17.  Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin -- Review

Otherwise, here is my April progress for each of the other challenges listed:

100 Books in a Year hosted by Book City Chick 

Total 2014 Progress:  36 books read

April -- 17 books read

1.  Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts -- Review

2.  No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige -- Review

3.  The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya -- Review

4.  Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige -- Review to come

5.  Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

6.  Crandall's Castle by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

7.  The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

8.  Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

9.  Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

10.  Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler -- Review

11.  Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review to come

12.  Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

13.  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn -- Review

14.  Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler -- Review

15.  Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst -- Review

16.  Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler -- Review

17.  Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin -- Review

Outdo Yourself Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

Goal: 102 to 106 books

Total 2014 Progress:  36 books read

April -- 17 books read

1.  Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts -- Review

2.  No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige -- Review

3.  The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya -- Review

4.  Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige -- Review to come

5.  Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

6.  Crandall's Castle by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

7.  The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

8.  Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

9.  Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

10.  Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler -- Review

11.  Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review to come

12.  Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

13.  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn -- Review

14.  Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler -- Review

15.  Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst -- Review

16.  Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler -- Review

17.  Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin -- Review

2014 TBR Pile Challenge hosted by Roof Beam Reader

Goal: 12 pre-selected books

Total 2014 Progress:  4 books read

April

1.  Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts -- Review

2014 TBR Pile Challenge hosted by Bookish

Goal:  31 to 40 books

Total 2014 Progress:  32 books read

April -- 16 books read

1.  Someone Else's Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts -- Review

2.  No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige -- Review

3.  The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya -- Review

4.  Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

5.  Crandall's Castle by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

6.  The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

7.  Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

8.  Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

9.  Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler -- Review

10.  Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review to come

11.  Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

12.  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn -- Review

13.  Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler -- Review

14.  Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst -- Review

15.  Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler -- Review

16.  Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin -- Review

2014 Series Challenge hosted by Read. Sleep. Repeat.

Goal:  7 to 11 series

Total 2014 Progress:  8 series

April -- 9 books read

1.  Storm Glass / Book 1 of Glass series by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

2.  Sea Glass / Book 2 of Glass series by Maria V. Snyder

3.  Spy Glass / Book 3 of Glass series by Maria V. Snyder

4.  Midnight Caller / Book 1 of Chasing Evil Trilogy by Leslie Tentler -- Review

5.  Inside Out / Book 1 of Insiders series by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review soon

6.  Outside In / Book 2 of Insiders series by Maria V. Snyder

7.  Midnight Fear / Book 2 of Chasing Evil Trilogy by Leslie Tentler -- Review

8.  Edge of Midnight / Book 3 of Chasing Evil Trilogy by Leslie Tentler -- Review

9.  Whisper of Warning / Book 2 of Glass Sisters by Laura Griffin -- Review

See also:  2014 Series Challenge 

***

I wasn't really expecting to enjoy this one much after the first few chapters -- I couldn't quite not be annoyed with Courtney for a duration. I didn't care for her much from the first book, and as I had stated before, I started reading this Glass Sisters two-book series because it is supposed to be a lead-in to the Tracers series that I'm interested in. Her personality hadn't changed much from the impulsive, reckless, frustration that I had found her to be from the first book, but seeing things from her side of the narration DOES help, even if it doesn't completely alleviate my annoyance of her.

The murder mystery was the only thing keeping me anchored to the book for a while. Because even Will's enigmatic personality -- different, but in a way I can't quite pinpoint whether I liked or not -- wasn't really working for me. So much allusion to sex was being thrown around within the first meeting between these two that it seemed a little forced. I understand that this is a romantic suspense and romance and sex plays a pretty big role in the story line. But it still felt a bit awkward for Will to already be falling head-over-heels for Courtney so early on, especially while he's investigating her.

Stranger romances have happened I guess.

Of course, I had the distinct feeling that the entirety of this world hinged on whether or not everyone would finally get their sexual tension relieved at some point.

Anyway, towards the midpoint of the story, I surprisingly began to become more drawn to the characters. For some reason, they just seem to stand out more and Courtney's impulsive personality and her recklessness wasn't all too bad. In fact, it was kind of refreshing to follow a female character who wasn't completely a sweet, girl-next-door, self-sacrificing type. She might have had some moments of stupidity that kept putting herself in danger, but I can't deny that she's also quite quick on her feet and resourceful.

And Will still comes off... just, different... still in a way I can't quite pinpoint. And still in a way that I'm not certain I know how to feel about.

Nonetheless, I did end up enjoying Whisper of Warning. And to be honest, it might have helped that Will comes off as a better male hero in this book than Jack had from the previous book in the series.

However, there is also an awful lot of hidden dialogue that throws around insults and stereotyping that didn't quite sit well with me.

Darlene's Book Nook

I think we've already established that I have a love/hate relationship with book series.  I love them because I love getting more from a set of characters in a world that I love.  I hate them because when you find a good one, there is always, at minimum, an agonizing one year wait for the next book in the series to be released to the public.

And then there's a matter of procuring said sequels to those books (to buy or not to buy, can I find it at a library, so on and so forth).

But no matter what, I'm sure my love of book series totally outweighs my frustrations with them (if I happen to fall in love with the series' world and characters).

I'm probably already shooting myself in the foot by participating in this Reading Challenge, but I figured I'd give it a try since I have this almost masochistic drive to test out new authors and new book series by picking up that first book without reserve, even though I know those actions come with consequences.

But my tentatively put together reading list for this year already contains several book titles that happen to be the first book in a series.

And so, let's see how far I manage to get (amidst all the other challenges I'm already swimming in).  And to be honest, I'm going to be realistic about this list and choose a goal that I have a chance at finishing, but not choose a goal that is an obvious winner.  After all, as per one of my other Reading Challenges, I also need to be finishing a bunch of series rather than just starting them.

In my opinion, this is the easier challenge.

Update: 7/17/2014

Officially completed now!  But there will still be many other firsts to come, so while there isn't an official challenge to anything beyond 30 1sts in a series, I might think about challenging myself to increase the number of 1sts I read.  Of course, maybe I should really focus on finishing series rather than starting them.  Not that I haven't been finishing series.  I've officially completed THAT challenge already!

I Love Library Books

2014 Reading Challenge

hosted by

Book Dragon's Lair

After discovering that I couldn't possibly buy every single book that I want to read (yeah, the tears are flowing... ;_;) I had decided to rediscover the wonderful awesomeness that is the local city library.  While I have been checking out some e-books from our library's e-read's system, their collection is still fairly limited.

Lately I've been expanding to more library options, discovering that I can also get a state library number for online e-read check outs as well.

Let's just say, every time I discover something new about bookish stuff, I go a little crazy.

Anyway, looking back on all the books I've read since January this year, I've found that I have had my fair share of library book check-outs, whether paperback, hardback, or digital.  (I'm also explore audio options as well, but that's something for another time.)

So upon remembering a Reading Challenge I came across at the beginning of the year, I decided to seek it out and join in the fun!  So, I'm going to make a game of this for myself even if not for the challenge itself.  Because going to the library and checking out multiple books has always been a fun activity that gave me somewhere to go when I was a teenager -- now that I only have a simple monotony of work, work, and more work, this is the perfect for me to relive the "having something else to do" besides working.

Levels:

• board book - 3
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• adult - 36
• just insert IV - 50

Choose a level; you may move up, but not down.

My Goal:  just insert IV - 50 -- CHALLENGE COMPLETED -- 8/8/2014

My List:

Completed: 54/50 

See Also: 2014 Library Books Challenge shelf for additional books completed.

1.  The Giver by Lois Lowry - Review

2.  The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima - Review

3.  The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

4.  Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder -- Review  

5.  Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder -- Review

6.  Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder -- Review

7.  Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder -- Review

8.  Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review

9.  Crandall's Castle by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

10.  The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright -- Review

11.  Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

12.  Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

13.  Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder -- Bundle Review to come

14.  Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

15.  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn -- Review

16.  Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst -- Review

17.  The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn

18.  To the Edge by Cindy Gerard -- Review

19.  To the Limit by Cindy Gerard  -- Review

20.  To the Brink by Cindy Gerard -- Review

21.  Over the Line by Cindy Gerard -- Review

22.  Under the Wire by Cindy Gerard -- Review

23.  Into the Dark by Cindy Gerard -- Review

24.  Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard -- Review

25.  The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell -- Review to come

26.  Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna -- Review

27.  Fade to Black by Leslie Kelly

28.  Pitch Black by Leslie Kelly

29.  Black at Heart by Leslie Kelly

30.  Dead Wrong by Mariah Stewart -- Review

31.  Dead Certain by Mariah Stewart -- Review

32.  Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

33.  Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon

34.  Amber Beach by Elizabeth Lowell -- Review

35.  Jade Island by Elizabeth Lowell -- Review

36.  Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

37.  In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

38.  The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

39.  Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

40.  The Haunting of Josie by Kay Hooper

41.  Cold Sight by Leslie Parrish

42.  Moving Target by Elizabeth Lowell -- Review

43.  Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper

44.  Running Scared by Elizabeth Lowell -- Review

45.  Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper

46.  Out of the Shadows by Kay Hooper

47.  Die in Plain Sight by Elizabeth Lowell -- Review

48.  The Color of the Death by Elizabeth Lowell

49.  Haunting Rachel by Kay Hooper

50.  The Shadow Cats by Rae Carson

................

I think.... next year I should set up a table system or something.  I have a feeling I'm making all these lists more work than they need to be.  But my OCD-ness for lists and organization won't allow me to change too much right now.

And I like making lists anyway, so I guess it's not such a big deal.

 The Book Vixen

After realizing that I'm in a Romantic Suspense phase right now (strange how things happen), I found this Reading Challenge and decided to join in with the fun.  I already have a big long list of different books that I will be reading this year anyway, so I might as well up the ante and start a reading challenge to see how well I do.

Although the goals for this one seems a bit on the mediocre side, I should overestimate myself.

The Goal is to read 10 Romantic Suspense Novels.

Novellas and full length novels count.

Seems kind of skimpy for a Reading Challenge, but then again, I might drop off of my Romantic Suspense phase at any time without finishing ten books.  So I shall employ a "wait and see" strategy.

Though at present, I've already read three books that qualify for this challenge.  If I finish early, I might start making up my own rules and keep increasing the goal for number of books by ten... or something like that.

My List:

Completed:  42/10

1.  Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler -- Review

2.  Midnight Fear by Leslie Tentler -- Review

3.  Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler -- Review

4.  Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin -- Review

5.  To the Edge by Cindy Gerard -- Review

6.  To the Limit by Cindy Gerard  -- Review

7.  To the Brink by Cindy Gerard -- Review

8.  Over the Line by Cindy Gerard -- Review

9.  Under the Wire by Cindy Gerard -- Review

10.  Into the Dark by Cindy Gerard -- Review

See also: 2014 Romantic Suspense Challenge Shelf

CHALLENGE COMPLETED!  As of May 9, 2014, I've finished reading 10 Romantic Suspense novels!

6/3/2014 -- Completed 20 Romantic Suspense novels.  See shelf for list of titles.

6/29/2014 -- Completed 30 Romantic Suspense novels.

8/10/2014 -- Completed 40 Romantic Suspense novels.

I'm going to continue updating the number, but I'll refrain to listing them.  Other books read for this challenge can be found on my Romantic Suspense Challenge Shelf linked above.