#COYER Blackout

COYER Blackout will run from December 17, 2016 – March 3, 2017. We will leave the linky open 1 extra day for you to get reviews in, but those reviews need to be posted by the end of the day March 3rd. We will announce winners of (3) $10 gift cards to Amazon or Barnes and Noble on March 4th.

I'm in my goal for 2017 is to clear out some of my old books. Yes there are children's book on there I got when my nephews were younger (now teenagers) so I hope to clear those out. I know less pages - but want to get space in Kindle.

There is still plenty of time to start reading and get those ebooks cleared out.

Book Review: The Things Lou Could Do by Ashley Spires

Title: The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do
Author: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1771387270 (ISBN13: 9781771387279)
Release Date: May 2nd 2017
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardback
Source: NetGalley

Good Reads: “Lou and her friends are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY fortresses. They rescue WILD animals.” But one day, when they're looking for a ship to play pirates in, Lou's friend has an idea: “Up there! The tree can be our ship!” “Ummm ...” says Lou. This is something new. Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she's sure she can't do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn't work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them --- her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn't climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?


Mine: A story about perseverance and facing fears.

Lou loved playing with her friends and the great adventures they had. They build things, rescue animals and many other things.

When Lou’s friends want to climb a tree – Lou makes many excuses to not do so.

She finally admits she doesn’t know how to climb a tree. Her friends try to root her on, so she can see what they see from their high perch.

*I received a free ARC of from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)
2016 NetGalley Reading Challenge (Fictively)

Book Review: The Tree Within The Tree by Sally Huss

Title: The Tree Within the Tree
Author: Sally Huss
Publisher: Huss Publishing
ISBN: B006O1XPBU
Release Date: December 18th 2011
Pages: 22
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Good Reads: In this book, you will meet a tree that longs to be a Christmas tree, but doesn't look the part, and fears he will never be chosen. He lingers on a rubbish pile until two children come onto a lot and find him. With their two dollars they purchase the tree and bring him home to their enthusiastic mother and siblings. Through the eyes of this appreciative family, the tree becomes a full-fledged, full-scented, magnificent Christmas tree. It is a wonderful Christmas after all, but most especially for the tree. Appreciation makes it so!

Mine: What a wonderful book about “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.”

The children buy a misfit tree but all they see is the beauty – as does the misfit tree in it’s surroundings.

At the children and mother decorate with simple items – tin foil balls soon look like silver balls, hair ribbons look like doves, and the popcorn garland looks like pearls – so in the end there is a beautiful tree.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Book Review: Dumpy at School by Julie Andrews Edwards & Emma Walton Hamiltion

Title: Dumpy at School
Author: Julie Andrews Edwards & Emma Walton Hamilton
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 0786806109
Release Date: September 18th 2000
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardback
Source:

GoodReads: It's Charlie's first day of school. It's a first day for Dumpy the Dump Truck, too--he's going to his first job away from Merryhill Farm, building a new playground at the school. Both are worried about being accepted in a new place, but they soon learn they have something special that will always help them out--each other.

Mine: What a delightful book. I had never read a Dumpy book, but had always hear about them. (Besides it’s a Mary Poppins book – I know Julie Andrews played Mary Poppins). I will definitely be looking at the rest of the series.

Charlie has to suffer through his first day of school and it’s painful.

But Dumpy comes to the rescue in the end when the school bus breaks down and he helps get the children home.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)

2016 Whole Latte Xmas Reading Challenge

2016 Whole Latte Xmas Reading Challenge


November 25, 2016 - January 7, 2017

I look forward to holiday books every year. There's just something special about curling up with a hot latte and a warm blanket with a good holiday book next to the lit Christmas tree while the snow falls quietly outside.

It may only be early November, but I've already started my holiday TBR which you can find here.

How the Whole Latte Christmas Reading Challenge Works:

This is a design it yourself challenge. I want you to choose your own reading goals. This is a low pressure challenge meant to be fun.

Books can be any genre but must be winter or holiday themed. While the name of the challenge is Christmas, books about other winter holidays will count. This includes Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and New Year's.

Books may have titles or cover art that features winter, frost, ice, freezing, the months of December or January, or anything else associated with the season.

When you have reviewed a book, you are encouraged to come back to this post and add the link to your review in the comments.

Additional Rules:

This challenge runs from Nov 25 - Jan 7.
You may sign up anytime during the challenge.
I won't be creating different levels. Read as little or as many books as you want.
You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks.
You may reread books.
Books may count towards other reading challenges.
Use the hashtag #WholeLatteXmas

If you could be so kind, please place the Whole Latte Xmas Reading Challenge banner on your blog to help spread the word.
Please link back to this blog, post about it on Facebook, Tweet about it, and so on to help spread the word.

Book Review: Silly Monsters 1, 2, 3 by Gerald Hawksley

Title: Silly Monsters 1, 2, 3
Author: Gerald Hawksley
Publisher: Gerald Hawksley
ISBN: B006VUDA14
Release Date: January 9th 2012
Pages: 44
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle


GoodReads: A Silly Monsters rhyming counting picture book for kids.

One sniffly grumpwuzzle scratches his nose.
Two giggling fluffwimples wiggle their toes.

A companion picture book to Gerald Hawksley's Silly Monsters ABC.
Count along with silly monsters from one sniffly grumpwuzzle to twenty silly bumblerabbits.

Which silly monster do you like the best?

Mine: A fun way to count to 20 with silly monster names : bumblerabbits, moppleheads, and socksnafflers.

A book not to be read fast as some of the names are real tongue twisters, but they are fun names

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)

Book Review: LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail by Mark Teague

Title: LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign
Author: Mark Teague
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
ISBN: 0439783151
Release Date: March 1st 2008
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardbound
Source:


Goodreads: Canine everyman Ike LaRue returns to take on the political machine in this gleeful tale, the third of Mark Teague's best selling, award winning DEAR MRS. LARUE series.

Ike finds his civil liberties at risk when Hugo Bugwort, the hard line mayoral candidate, promises to crack down on free-roaming, fun-loving dogs. As the anti-dog rhetoric escalates, Ike is compelled to join the political fray and run for mayor himself. Bugwort rethinks his pooch-policies when Ike selflessly helps rescue him after he collapses at a campaign rally. Told through letters to Mrs. LaRue and local newspaper accounts, Mark Teague delivers another excellent execution of split-screen visuals and uproarious escapades of the unforgettable Ike.


Mine: What a cute book – glad I read after the election though.

Since the man running for Mayor is against dogs Ike La/Rue starts a campaign against him – he wants to prove “Dogs Rule”

Ike’s campaign gathers steam, but the dogs seem to be causing problems. Chief Bugwort is giving his big speech when something happens and he does feel well – Ike to the rescue with Rocky Road ice cream. Bugwort decides dogs aren’t that bad after all. Soon LaRue is soon to be the Vice Mayor.


Reading Challenges:
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge) 

Book Review /#BookAdvocatesUnite: Kid Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative Legends by David Stabler

Title: Kid Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative Legends
Author: David Stabler
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 1594748993 (ISBN13: 9781594748998)
Release Date: August 9th 2016
Pages: 209
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardback
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: The series that began with Kid Presidents and Kid Athletes has a new volume that chronicles the childhoods of 16 celebrated artists—everyone from Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh to Mary Cassat, Frida Kahlo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and even Dr. Seuss! Readers will learn:

· Georgia O’Keeffe was so enthralled by nature that she once ate dirt just to see what it tasted like.
· Jackson Pollock lost the top of his right index finger in a childhood accident (and the severed tip was eaten by a rooster!).
· Andy Warhol’s favorite childhood lunch was—what else?—a bowl of Campbell’s tomato soup.

Every scribble, sketch, and sticky situation comes to life in these kid-friendly and relatable stories, all with Doogie Horner’s trademark full-color illustrations. Kid Artists is a delight for budding artists and eager readers alike.

Mine: It was fun to learn what drove some of the world’s most known artists as children.

VanGogh loved bugs
Beatrix Potter – Nature girl
Jackson Pollack – moved a lot
Charles Schultz – was a shy kid

Most were from humble beginnings and some even grew up in families that struggled, but all somehow make their way to greatness.


*I received a free ARC of from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
2016 NetGalley Reading Challenge (Fictively)

Book Review: Sri Lanka by Planet Collection

Title: Sri Lanka
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097IW4IW
Release Date: September 7th 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads: As a part of the , Planet Collection, "SRI LANKA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Sri Lanka.

Mine: Wonder fact can be found here – it is home to a World Heritage Site. They are one of the largest exporters of essential oils. They have many different religions: Hindu and Buddhist are a few.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
Summer Coyer (Fantasy is More Fun, Because Reading is better than real life, Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!)

Book Review: Helicopters by Planet Collection

Title: Helicopters: Picture Book
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B008FTIHJY
Release Date: June 28th 2012
Pages: 19
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads:
As a part of the Planet Collection, "HELICOPTERS" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the different helicopters.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the passages.


Early education sets up your child for success.

We are a green company and a portion of each sale is donated to charity.

Mine: Helicopters are often called “choppers”. They are often used in crowded or isolated areas to get around. They are often used for rescue operations.

It gave some very good facts about what helicopters are used for and how they work.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
Summer Coyer (Fantasy is More Fun, Because Reading is better than real life, Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!)

Book Review: ABC Come Play With Me by Sandie Lee

Title: ABC Come Play With Me
Author: Sandie Lee
Publisher:
ISBN: B00BFIAA8S
Release Date: August 13th 2013
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads: ABC Come Play With Me is a delightful book that will teach and engage your little listeners with all things alphabet. From A–Z the alliterative words will help your toddlers learn and grow and maybe even giggle along the way. The illustrations are simple enough, giving your child a bold picture of the letter and the accompanying word.

Mine: Very nicely illustrated – it’s great to see some different things names for the letters – Olive, Lemon, Jam and Drum. Nice rhyming

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads) 

Book Review: The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azua Kramer

Title: The Green Umbrella
Author: Jackie Azúa Kramer, Maral Sassouni (illustrator)
Publisher: North South Books
ISBN:
Expected Release Date: February 1st 2017
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: When you walk around in a forest you see trees everywhere. Trees, trees and even more trees. But do all trees in a forest look exactly the same? And are there any other plants in a forest? Which animals live in the trees of the forest? And on the ground? Do all forests in the world look alike? In this wonderful, big forest book you’ll discover all about conifers, deciduous trees, tropical forests and so much more!

An informative book filled to the brim with fun facts about the forest and nature

Mine: As you read the book you have to wonder why it’s called The Green Umbrella ; although there is a green umbrella in the story.

Wonderfully illustrated by Maral Sassouni - this story is actually about friendship and sharing. It follows many animals and how they believe the umbrella helped them. But the true message is about sharing.

*I received a free ARC of from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*


Reading Challenges:
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)

Book Review: All About Forests by Mack Van Gageldonk

Title: All About Forests
Author: Mack Van Gageldonk (Translator)
Publisher: Clavis Books
ISBN: 160537301X
Release Date: September 13th 2016
Pages: 80
Genre: Children’s
Format: Ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: When you walk around in a forest you see trees everywhere. Trees, trees and even more trees. But do all trees in a forest look exactly the same? And are there any other plants in a forest? Which animals live in the trees of the forest? And on the ground? Do all forests in the world look alike? In this wonderful, big forest book you’ll discover all about conifers, deciduous trees, tropical forests and so much more!

An informative book filled to the brim with fun facts about the forest and nature

Mine: The original book was published in Belgium & Holland in 2015, then translated to English in 2016.

The book talks about the different type of trees – leaf droppers or needle trees. The dwellers of the forest be it a squirrel, fox , badger, hedgehog and the multiple types of birds.

Every country has different types of forests – Sequoias in California, Bamboo in China and Rainforest in the Amazon.

*I received a free ARC of from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*


Reading Challenges:
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)

Book Review: Alphabet Everywhere by Elliott Kaufman

Title: Alphabet Everywhere
Author: Elliott Kaufman
Publisher: Abbeville Kids
ISBN: 0789211157
Release Date: May 29th 2012
Pages: 60
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: There is a world of letters just waiting to be discovered in the world around us -- if we know how to look for it.

In this engaging and delightful book, photographer Elliott Kaufman reveals the "secret" life of the alphabet through his photographs, showing how letters can be found in things we encounter every day. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by multiple images, each unintentionally created by the intersection of architectural details, shadows, light, or natural elements as caught by Kaufman's keen eye. Some are obvious, while others demand a little more imagination to recognize, inviting the readers to start their own game of hunting for letters! This fun approach also reinforces the notion that learning to see the familiar in new ways encourages visual literacy and creativity.

Elliott Kaufman is an architectural photographer whose work has been displayed in venues such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Light Gallery (NYC). He currently teaches at Queens College and the International Center for Photography.

Mine: Who knew that letters were out there everywhere?

What a wonderful book and the photography is spectacular.

The best thing is at the end of where there is a description of the photos: crosswalk markings (K), buss hand rail (S), chain link fence with green slats (N) and of course a ladder (A).

Makes you want to look around a little more as you take a walk to see what letters you can find.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2016 (The Introverted Reader)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books) 


*I received a free ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

Book Review: Guinea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Guinea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B00A0ZQH9S
Release Date: November 1, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the Planet Collection, "GUINEA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the Guinea.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the passages.

Mine: Guinea’s cash crop is peanuts and they have started to export.

Most of the country is rural – 18% live in urban areas. It is one of the least explore countries. Most people live in mud houses.

The River Zoo Farm is the best place to see most of the regional animals.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read (The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree) 

Book Review: Korea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Korea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097K9J1A
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "KOREA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Korea.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.

Mine: Known as “Miricle of the Han River” it was colonized by Japan from 1940 – 1953. Spicy foods are found everywhere.

Festivals are celebrated based on the Lunar Calendar. One of the biggest is the yearly fireworks festival.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)

Book Review: Fiji (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Fiji (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B00A0V4IL6
Release Date: November 1 2012
Pages: 18
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "FIJI" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Fiji.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.

Mine: Home to many type of crabs – since it is in the tropical region. It is a top vacation destination.

30% of the population studies Hinduism. The largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere is found here.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)

2016 Audiobook Challenge

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

Challenge Details
Runs January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016. You can join at anytime.
The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015.
Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
ANY genres count.

Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.

Levels
Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

Audio Resources
Audible.com
Audiobooks.com
Downpour.com
Tantor.com

Free Resources
Overdrive – through your local library
Audiobook Jukebox – audios for review
For a complete list click HERE


This reading challenge event is hosted by Hot Listens and the book nympho.
For more information and to sign-up, please see this post or this one.

Bookshelf Love Challenge

Perpetual (NO time limits - on going)

If you are a bookworm, you most likely have something called a TBR (to-be-read) -- be it a shelf, a pile, or a room with a maze-like path through the teetering paperback forest -- and, if you're anything like me, books that have been on it for months or even years. And yet, we keep buying more books. And visiting the library. And ordering ARCs (advance review copies). And entering giveaways. The bookshelf starts feeling neglected, sitting untouched except perhaps to have more novels shoved into every little available crevice.

I propose we show those bookshelves some love.

The point of this challenge is to read books you already own, and possibly clear some space on those over-loaded shelves. Pick a stack of books from your TBR shelf and set a time frame to read them in. This can range from a small stack you'll devour in a matter of weeks to clearing the whole TBR by the end of the year. Regardless, any books that remain untouched at the end of your challenge get donated, sold, given away, or recycled, leaving more space for books you love or those inevitable bagfuls you'll bring home from that upcoming library sale. Getting rid of books is not a requirement of the challenge (note the "guidelines" below), but it certainly adds some incentive!

Feel free to join me for any length of time during the next seven weeks (Feb. 2 - Mar. 22), which is the span of my personal challenge, or set your own time frame as mentioned above. I'll keep adding to the participants list for as long as I have people signing up so that we can follow each others' progress and offer encouragement. Just provide your name and a link to your challenge post in the comments below, and I'll update the list. No blog? No worries! You can post your challenge and updates on any social media outlet.

guidelines*
1. choose a time frame for your challenge
2. select a stack of unread books from your shelves/piles/boxes/book hoard
3. post a photo and/or list of the books on your blog or social media, along with the chosen time frame
4. use the challenge image in your post (if posting on a blog) and link back to this page
5. leave a link to your post in the comments below, so I can add you to the list of participants
6. read, read, read!
7. donate, sell, giveaway, or recycle any books still unread at the end of the challenge

*I use this term, and not "rules," intentionally. Make this challenge your own! It is typically helpful to choose a time frame for a reading challenge, though, and no cheating on #2!!! If it causes too much stress or you just can't bear to part with your dearly beloved books, you can forego #7. I don't blame you -- if I had the space, I'd keep mine, too!


Check out the blog post for this challenge.

Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (#FunIntheSunRC)

May 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016

Something happens to me when it starts getting hot out. Sure I want to slip on my flip flops, go swimming, and drink some iced lattes but what I really get in the mood for is reading a certain genre of books that are about fun in the sun! So I'm hosting a seasonal challenge specifically for these books.

The Rules:
This short term challenge begins May 1, 2016 and ends Aug 31, 2016.

You may sign up anytime during the challenge.

I won't be creating different levels. Read as little or as many books as you want.

You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks.

Books may be any genre but must have a fun in the sun theme, a cover with these elements on it, or something in the title that is about the theme. This includes everything associated with spring and summer such as weddings, swimming pools, the ocean, beaches, lounge chairs, flowers, sunglasses, palm trees, vacations, the sun, a garden, rain, thunderstorms, heat and so on. If you need ideas visit my Pinterest boards forspring books and summer books.

You may reread books.

Books may count towards other reading challenges.

Use the hashtag #FunIntheSunRC

If you could be so kind, please place the Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge banner on your blog to help spread the word.
Please link back to this blog, post about it on Facebook, Tweet about it, and so on to help spread the word.-