2011 Reading Challenges

at 01/01/11 2:03PM *
This year, I'm doing 2 reading and 1 craft challenge. I'll be tracking the craft challenge on my Facebook and will use this post to track my reading challenges. (So sorry again to anyone who sees my name lit up and gets excited about a new post just to find that it's only a new book...) This time I'll also post links to my reviews of the books I read on Goodreads.com.

Challenge #1: Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge

Target: Bourgeois - 5-8 books from the Wordsworth Classics list

Challenge #2: 2011 Year of Reading
January: New Books Month - books purchased/received in Dec. 2010 or Jan. 2011
  • The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family (received as a Christmas gift) - review
  • Matched (bought this month with a gift card) - review

February: Romance Month - goal: Read and review 5 romance novels or short stories.
  • The Fulness of Life (Edith Wharton; short story) - completely off as far as description of the afterlife goes, but there were some sections in here that I loved and could pull some "favorite quotes" from
  • Past One at Rooney's (O. Henry; short story) - eh... I might like something else of his better.
  • The Lagoon (Joseph Conrad; short story) - doesn't really fit the "optimistic ending" part of a typical romance but I'm counting it :)

March: Fantasy Month - goal: Read as many or as few fantasy (or sci-fi) novels and short stories and review if you like
  • Mossflower - review
  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief - review

April: Read-a-Thon Month - goal: Read as many novels as you can during the month of April. Re-reads count. :)
  • the_masked_erin
    By the way, I'm also doing the 101 goals in 1001 days challenge (Day Zero Challenge), and one of my goals is to read 20 different books recommended by 20 different friends. So if you have a book recommendation, let me know! :)
    by the_masked_erin at 01/01/11 3:22PM
  • colbylane27
    The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay (whole series)
    by colbylane27 at 01/04/11 1:20PM
  • the_masked_erin
    Aww, I can't count those, Colby, because I've already read them! Although, I do plan on reading the series again this year. Definitely one of my favorites.
    by the_masked_erin at 01/05/11 7:21PM
  • anne
    We had a good lesson today by Kris! It was wonderful to see and be with their family.
    by anne at 01/23/11 10:48PM
  • colbylane27
    The Clockwork Angel
    by colbylane27 at 01/25/11 3:35PM
  • the_masked_erin
    I'll put that on my list. Thanks, Colby!

    Anne, I know they enjoy being there as well. He does do a good job, huh. :)
    by the_masked_erin at 01/25/11 11:07PM

change of pace

at 05/23/10 4:39PM
Guess I have Lost on the mind... I typed "pace" above and immediately in my head said, "Charlie!" :)

I figured that I might put something besides my reading challenge list up here, although I will continue updating that list. (just so you know for when it seems like I've updated) I've decided this year that I was going to pick back up some old hobbies I had before, like reading and writing. And I figured the best way to actually get myself to do it would be to join a few challenges... thus, the Harry Potter reading challenge. I'm also doing a challenge to read 10,000 pages this year (I'm closing in on 5,000 right now), and I will be doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can actually get all of that done!

School year is wrapping up, but all that really means for me is that Brandi might be there when I come home for lunch. Looking forward to going to New York in a few weeks, though!!!
  • ttu_brandi
    YEAH for NEW YORK!!! AND for the school year being over!!!! :)
    by ttu_brandi at 05/24/10 7:35AM
  • darleen21
    How fun, NY! Have so much fun, enjoy every minute!
    by darleen21 at 05/24/10 9:12AM
  • colbylane27
    Harry Potter is awesome
    by colbylane27 at 12/28/10 4:03PM

Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010

at 03/19/10 6:00PM *
I saw this reading challenge on a book blog I follow, and it looks like a lot of fun!

Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010

March 8 2010 to December 13 2010

Challenge @ Worth Reading It? blog
In the Hogwarts Reading Challenge you are a student of the school. You will be sorted into houses. Each book you read must fit in to the subject of one the classes. You do not have to read books that fit all the subjects. Each book equals one point (toward the house cup).

You must read at least 5 books (audio books counts) before you are enter in to the drawing. At the end of the Challenge one person will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and one house will win the House Cup (purely a pride thing).

Check back regularly as there will be Mini Challenges. The first Mini Challenge will start on April 2nd. Come back to see what the challenge will be and it's incentive.

To be eligible to win prizes you must have a blog and sign up using Mr. Linky. Then start a Hogwarts Reading Challenge post and link it back to this post.
****Update you can be eligible for prize if you become a member of I Love Reading Challenges on Shelfari and keep the list of the books you read for this challenge under the Hogwarts Challenge post there. You can also become a fan of the I Love Reading Challenges Facebook fan page and keep you list there as well.

Reading a Harry Potter book earns you 25 house points.

First of all, my house...
I was Sorted!
Get Sorted By The Hogwarts Sorting Hat!


Mini-Challenges
Prefect Badge: I noted these down below as I read them, but I don't think they got counted. So I'm going to list them here as well.)

  • A Perfect Day (4/24/10)
  • A Crooked Kind of Perfect (4/18/10)
  • The Perfect Storm (5/8/10)

The Classes
Transfiguration - read any book that has trans or figure in its title, is about shape shifting, has a shape shifter in it, or is about anything having to do with changing one thing into another
  • The Host (7/6/10) - "Changing one thing into another" seems an appropriate description for the inserting process of the souls.
  • Belle (7/18/10) - retelling of "Beauty and the Beast"

Defense Against the Dark Arts - read any book that has defence(defense), dark and/or art(s) in its title, read any book that is about self defense, war, history of war/marital arts, murder mysteries
  • All Around the Town (6/12/10) - murder mystery
  • Night (6/14/10) - memoir of a Holocaust survivor
  • Loves Music, Loves to Dance (6/20/10) - murder mystery
  • Wild Orchid (7/10/10) - retelling of the story of "The Ballad of Mulan" and how she saved China
  • The Hunger Games (7/20/10) - tributes fight for survival in a game to the death
  • Catching Fire (7/22/10) - sequel to The Hunger Games
  • Mockingjay (8/28/10) - finale to The Hunger Games trilogy

Charms - read any book that has charm in its title, any book that deals with gives something or someone a new aspect (for example the nerdy guy become a handsome doctor)
  • Pride & Prejudice (4/14/10) - Even though no one's character truly changed, the whole book is about changed perceptions.
  • A Perfect Day (4/24/10) - Perfect Badge Mini-Challenge - An unhappy radio salesman becomes a successful author, triggering a transformation from a nice guy to a jerk (and eventually back to a nice guy again).

Potions - read any book that has potion in its title, cookbooks count but you must cook at least one recipe out of the book

Astronomy - read any book that has astronomy in its title, books about planets, stars, etc, sci-fi

History of Magic - read any book that has history or magic in its title, books about magic, witches, etc
  • 100 Cupboards (5/23/10) - has magical cupboards which are doors to other worlds, as well as a witch and other potentially magically beings (1st of a series)
  • Princess of the Midnight Ball (5/25/10) - magical curse, retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale

Herbology - read any book that has herb in its title, again cookbooks count and again you must cook at least one recipe out of the book

Arithmancy - read any book that has arithmancy in its title, any book with a number in its title, any book that deal with numbers or math
  • Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series (3/20/10)
  • Book of a Thousand Days (5/9/10)
  • Thirteen Reasons Why (8/16/10)

Ancient Runes - read any book that has ancient or runes in its title, books about historical places like the pyramids, Stonehenge, great wall of china, or any book about symbols

Divination - read any book that has divine in its title, any book about psychics or psychic abilities, tarot reading etc

Care of Magical Creatures - read any book that has magical or creatures in its title, about supernatural beings
  • Dragon Slippers (6/24/10)
  • Storm Thief (6/29/10) - my best guess as to where to put this... one of the characters has been made into a golem
  • Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (7/26/10) - The heroes of this book are 6 kids who have had avian DNA grafted into them
  • Maximum Ride: School's Out-Forever (7/29/10) - book 2 of the Maximum Ride series
  • Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (8/6/10) - book 3 of the Maximum Ride series
  • Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (8/10/10) - book 4 of the Maximum Ride series
  • Maximum Ride: Max (8/14/10) - book 5 of the Maximum Ride series

Muggle Studies - nearly any book works here, what better why to understand Muggle than to read what they read
  • Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle (4/3/10)
  • The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On (4/5/10)
  • A Crooked Kind of Perfect (4/18/10) - Perfect Badge Mini-Challenge
  • The Perfect Storm (5/8/10) - Perfect Badge Mini-Challenge
  • The Giver (5/30/10)
  • The Last Lecture (6/1/10)
  • Gathering Blue (6/6/10)
  • Messenger (6/7/10)
  • Imaginary Companions and the Children Who Create Them (8/3/10)


And so it goes...

at 07/25/09 1:41AM
Since my last entry was ridiculously old, I figured it might be time for a new one. And funny enough, I had just been to the American Idol concert after my last entry, and I just went to this season's tour last night! Great show (LOVE MATT GIRAUD!!!!!!!!!) with really strong performances. I may be in the minority here, but I think the show is actually getting better. *shrug*

Got to see Kris, Courtney, and the girls while I was down there, which was a lot of fun. :) Word to the wise, though... not a good idea to play "horsey" (or "cow" as the twins decided) when you have bad knees and 3 little girls who want to sit on your back at the same time. OUCH!

Anyway, hope all is well for everyone!

Erin
  • texastwins
    Ha! You know you loved every minute of it! :) (And so did they!)

    It was so good to see you!
    by texastwins at 08/03/09 10:23PM
  • the_masked_erin
    true, true :)

    It was really nice seeing y'all as well! The next visit will have to be a longer one!
    by the_masked_erin at 08/06/09 12:51AM
  • ninja_penguin
    I'm looking forward to finally meeting you.
    by ninja_penguin at 09/04/09 9:34AM

8 Random Facts...

at 10/08/08 3:23AM
Ok, I was tagged a little while back so I guess it's about time I put up my 8 random facts.

1. I have become very engrossed in the current political situation. I pay a lot of attention to political topics and have watched all the debates so far...something I've never done before. My conclusion: Factcheck.org and Politifact.com are very useful tools. :)

2. I've tried to pay a lot of attention to the financial situation, but I have a lot harder time understanding what they're talking about. What I do understand: It's bad. :(

3. I apparently have an on-again, off-again problem with insomnia, seeing as how it is 2:15AM, and I'm listening to CNN's breaking news about the international financial market.

4. My dog has issues. Anyone who has met my dog needs no further explanation.

5. If all goes well, my name will be on several published research articles fairly soon!

6. I want to see David Cook and Jason Castro in concert again...as soon as possible. They were awesome!

7. As random as I tend to be, I'm having a hard time thinking up 8 random facts. *shrugs*

8. I'm going to do what I did with the "Weird Things About Yourself" list and let y'all come up with the last random fact about me. Can you think of something that you think should be on this list that isn't? Just remember to be nice. ;)
  • darthdogbert
    I think you've been watching too many debates, because your "facts" lack substance. :-p
    by darthdogbert at 10/09/08 10:20AM
  • the_masked_erin
    Hey, it was 2:30 in the morning! (which ironically is the time right now as well)
    by the_masked_erin at 10/10/08 3:27AM
  • mud
    it's ok, i can think of maybe 2 random facts about me right now...
    by mud at 10/13/08 12:15AM
  • 21_lanes
    Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Your feet! I think they moved!
    by 21_lanes at 10/13/08 12:29AM
  • susie_the_q
    Haha :-P
    by susie_the_q at 10/13/08 12:51AM
  • the_masked_erin
    You're lucky I was sitting down when you did that. Can you imagine the damage that could have been done otherwise?!?! ;)
    by the_masked_erin at 10/14/08 1:34PM
  • ambie_06
    wow! that's great :) why cant they just do that from the beginning of the game?
    by ambie_06 at 10/20/08 8:15AM
  • colbylane27
    uuuhhhhh....you like to swipe the top of my hair?
    by colbylane27 at 11/03/08 9:06PM
  • crazyttuguy
    Thought you might get a chuckle from this. Look at weeks 10/11.
    by crazyttuguy at 11/13/08 12:09AM
  • the_masked_erin
    :)
    by the_masked_erin at 11/18/08 1:09AM
  • the_masked_erin
    Ok, while those crabs were cool, I'm not gonna lie - they're a little bit creepy too. But the 4-fingered pirate was a nice touch. :)
    by the_masked_erin at 11/18/08 1:13AM
  • curtis2
    Merry Christmas!
    by curtis2 at 12/11/08 11:47AM
  • amanda_rene
    It was nice seeing you. Courtney, the girls, and myself will be coming back in the middle of March, so I'm sure we'll see you then some!
    by amanda_rene at 01/13/09 4:27PM
  • amanda_rene
    Could you get me a cd copy of the lessons Brett was doing on church discipline maybe?
    by amanda_rene at 01/13/09 4:27PM
  • amanda_rene
    Thank you SO much Erin. You can just give me the cd's in march, it's no rush. Lance and I hope to visit oklahoma in late march or early april too!
    by amanda_rene at 01/17/09 6:33PM
  • susie_the_q
    Happy birthday!!
    by susie_the_q at 07/21/09 11:12AM
  • ninja_penguin
    Happy Birthday!
    by ninja_penguin at 07/21/09 8:08PM
  • ninja_penguin
    So, I have been to Lubbock three times now and we have yet to meet. Next time I'm there, I better meet you. That's all I'm saying.
    by ninja_penguin at 07/21/09 8:08PM
  • the_masked_erin
    Thanks for the birthday greetings! :)
    by the_masked_erin at 07/25/09 1:35AM