Book 2 – 52 in 52

The second book I read for the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge was The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.  I know it’s been around for a while, and it’s one I’ve been meaning to read for a while.  I found a copy for sale at the library and picked it up.  I enjoyed it, and I may rent the movie one of these days.  Not sure.  I’m really not a movie person.

I’m currently reading Hole in Our Gospel (another review for Thomas Nelson Publishers) and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (from the top 25 Book Blogger suggestions list). 

Isaac’s Book 1 – 52 in 52

Isaac decided to join me in my reading challenge.  I bet he can read 52 books this year!  His first book was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. Every time we would go to the library, he would try to find this book series.  It was always checked out.  So, we bought him the first two books for Christmas.  He got the third in the series Monday at the library, and he finished it last night (Tuesday).  He’s currently waiting on book four to come in at the library. 

Book 1 – 52 in 52 Challenge

I read (and reviewed for Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Sweet By and By. You can read what I thought of it here. This is book one of my 52 books in 52 weeks challenge.

Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

In conjunction with the 52 Books challenge, I decided to try out the Book Blogger Recommendation challenge as well. 33 bloggers came together to compile a list of over 200 of their favorite books. Here is a list of the top 25 (borrowed from Reading with Tequila):

The following information I borrowed from Tequila's blog:

The Top 25
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling
City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
Graceling - Kristin Cashore
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Eragon - Christopher Paolini
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
The Host - Stephenie Meyer
The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough
Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
The Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean M. Auel
The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
11 Minutes - Paulo Coelho
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

Of these, I've read 4 (all the Stephenie Meyer books and The Book Thief). The complete list can be found here.

The first ten I plan to read follow:

1. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling (Isaac will be so happy!)
3. Graceling - Kristin Cashore
4. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
5. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
6. The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
7. Eragon - Christopher Paolini
8. The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
9. Sloppy Firsts - Megan McCafferty
10. The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

You can read the challenge rules and sign up here.

52 Books in 52 Weeks...

So, last year I set a goal to read 100 books. I didn't accomplish that goal. I read about 50 books. However, if I had counted books I read aloud to the kids, I would have met it. I saw a post about this challenge, and I decided it was much more reasonable for this busy mom. So, basically it boils down to reading a book a week for the year. If you're interested in this challenge, sign up here.

Fall Into Reading 2009

Yep, it's another reading challenge. I love to read! These challenges tend to keep me motivated. Sometimes, life gets busy, and I slow down on my reading. Can I read 10 books this fall? We'll see.

Here's what's on my bedside table:

Take Two by Karen Kingsbury
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian
Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler
A Biblical Home Education by Ruth Beechick
Praying God's Word by Beth Moore
Fearless by Max Lucado

If I can make it through this list, I will add more. I am also setting a goal to read through and file/toss/give away my stack of magazines. They are accumulating on my countertop, and I need to move them along...

One more goal - I want to read through the Little House series with Emma at bedtime.