2011 100+ Reading Challenge: January

Here is the summary of books I've read in the month of January for the 2011 100+ Reading Challenge from Overstuffed Bookshelf!  I've tried to give some info about the book, especially about genre, etc.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  All of these books are available on Amazon or elsewhere.

1-6. Fruits Basket vols. 18-23 by Natsuki Takaya - shojo manga series, this counts as six entries since it's six different books!  Great series featuring a supernatural element, teenage romance, etc.

7. Bloodroot by Amy Greene - contemporary fiction, bestseller, about families and their dynamics, has a little bit of supernatural elements in it, features the Appalachian region of the US.  I give this one 5 stars!

8. Onegai, Teacher vol. 1 by Yosuke Kuroda - shojo manga series about a teenage boy who finds himself in strange circumstances when he discovers that his new teacher is an alien!  A bit silly, but fun nonetheless.  I have yet to read anymore of the series, but I really enjoyed the first volume.

9-12. Protector of the Small series, by Tamora Pierce - young adult series with fantasy elements.  Tamora Pierce is my all time favorite author, and I'd started this series years ago but never finished.  Great story about a young woman who wants to become a knight and the struggles she endures on that road.  This series builds on a previous one, the Song of the Lioness series, but you don't need to read those to enjoy this one!  Perfect for the tween in your life.

So that's my January recap!  I'm already onto some other things and will be sure to share those at the end of February!

Happy reading,
Kelly

2011 100+ Reading Challenge

I love reading.  I am voracious about it.  There's a rule in our house that I'm not allowed to read fictional books until the weekend, because otherwise, I'll stay up all night to read them.  I read pretty fast, too.  I finished the last Harry Potter book in under 8 hours and 15 minutes (that's including potty and snack breaks).  So I am beyond stoked to participate in a reading challenge for this year!  Reading 100 books is going to be easy for me, so I've decided to step it up a notch by choosing to read books in other genres.  This ties in nicely with my resolution this year to really challenge myself as a writer.  I'm not sure yet how I'm going to list my books, but I'll start with a sidebar that lists the books I've read and then do a monthly post that includes a summary overview of everything I've read.  If you like to read, feel free to join too!

Hosted by Overstuffed Bookshelf

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.  What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky at the Overstuffed Bookshelf, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

Happy reading!
Kelly

One Word for the New Year

A few weeks ago I had a few minutes to myself at work in between meetings and I was suddenly reminded about how close we were coming to the end of the year. I decided to take the few minutes and pen down some of my resolutions with the plan that I would prep them later for automatic posting this morning.  But true to form, even the most well intentioned plans go awry!  One of my favorite blogs posed a different interpretation of the resolution – choose only one word to represent the theme for what you want to accomplish this year.  'One word?!'  I thought.  'But I've already written hundreds!'  I could have shoved Sarah's advice to the wayside and said 'Whatever!' but I like a good challenge.  Besides, I've already done half the work, right?  All I have to do is re-read them and decide what word fits best.  Done!

Not so fast, Kemosabe.  I started to notice a theme amongst my resolutions, a theme that was originally described as ME.  Choosing the word ME as my theme of the year seemed a bit, well, selfish.  But the reason I had chosen these resolutions was because I had felt that I've lost myself recently.  I've been feeling neglected and unhappy with myself and I knew that if I didn't do something about it, no good would come of it.  But I couldn't just say ME as a theme; there were other resolutions, ones that didn't  involve ME per se, things like stengthening relationships that have been neglected and spend more time together as a family, etc.  What word could be used to describe both of these aspects that I wanted to focus on?  'I'm doomed,' I thought.  'I've chosen to take on this challenge and I'll never be able to see it through! [Insert Equity scream here]'

And then Michael came up with the word.  We were driving out to Wimberly to visit with his aunt and Uncle and grandmother and he mentioned that we should choose one word for our resolutions.  Hold the wedding, what!?
"Have you been reading my favorite blog?" I asked him, shocked and delighted.
"No, I just thought it might be a good idea."  he shrugged.  I couldn't argue with that. 
"Well, what's your word then?" I asked, after explaining my excitement and the challenge issued by my favorite blogger.
"Simplicity." he answered. 
"Huh."  I grunted.  That was a good answer.  Definitely something we could work on.  But it just didn't jive with me.  "I don't know what to choose for me.  I had all these resolutions written out, and now...poof!  I can't think of one word to sum them up.  Except ME."  I explained glumly.
"What's wrong with ME?"
"Because it's selfish, that's why!  I can't make the theme of my year ME!"  He was quiet for a moment before speaking.
"I've got one for you."
"What?" I asked, curious.
"Invest."
"Invest?"
"Yeah.  You DO need to focus on yourself, so any of those things you plan to do will be an investment in you."
I paused to mull it over.  It sounded good, definitely less selfish than ME.  And it fit perfectly with my other resolutions as well!
"That's perfect, hon!"  I smiled.  "Thanks."
"You're welcome."  He squeezed my hand.  "You're definitely worth investing in."
(Hands off ladies and gents–this one's mine!)

So...[drum roll]...my theme for 2010 is INVEST.  I plan on investing in myself and my future, in my financial standing, in my relationships, and in my hopes and dreams.  I plan on being healthy in mind, body and soul.  I plan on investing in the relationships I have and making new ones.   I plan on getting my finances in order and getting us to a more stable place.  And I plan on pursuing some dreams that have been gathering dust for a little while and exploring my creative boundaries.  I've got some big goals and a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm gonna do it, come hell or high water!

Happy New Year,
Kelly