The I Haven't Reached My Reading Challenge Goals Yet! Read-a-thon Starting Line

This read-a-thon is hosted by Debz at Debz Bookshelf. The goal is to read books for the book challenges of 2013. I don't even know where to start. I have two books still to read for the Paranormal Challenge, my demon and zombie books. I need to read three new authors to reach my goal of 15 authors for the New Author challenge. I only need one more book for the Dusty Bookshelf Challenge and like 14 more books for a coverall on the Book Bingo Challenge. So just a little reading left. ;)

My reading stack from which I will choose books this week:

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard- New Author and Book Bingo Challenge/ everyone else has read
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott- Book Bingo/ reread
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Book Bingo/ everybody else
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen- New Author and Book Bingo/ everybody else
Splintered by A.G. Howard-New Author and Book Bingo/series
Champion by Marie Lu-Book Bingo/series
Looking for Alaska by John Green-Dusty Bookshelf and Book Bingo/everybody else
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan-New Author, Paranormal/Zombies and Book Bingo/ everybody else
Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover by Ally Carter- Book Bingo/ TBR
The Calling by Kelley Armstrong- Book Bingo/TBR
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare- Paranormal/ Demons

Now all I have to do is choose a book to start reading. I hope to finish two books this week and I would love to complete one of these challenges. Have you read any of these or any that you recommend I start right away? Good luck to everyone!

2013 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

This reading challenge is hosted by Michelle @ True Book Addict on the Christmas Spirit Blog. The goal is to read Christmas themed books and there are different categories. You can sign up at this link.
I am trying for the Mistletoe category of 2-4 books. I know Mrs. Miracle will be one of the books and I haven't decide yet on any others. If I like Debbie Macomber, I may read another one of her books for the challenge. I am also going to do the Fa La La La Films, because my husband loves Christmas movies and we will be watching a bunch of them, starting with Miracle on 34th Street, which we watch Thanksgiving night. Thanks to Michelle for hosting!

Books read:
Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Movies:
Miracle on 34th Street
Elf

Christmas Spirit Read-a-thon Wrapup

I was able to finish my reread of Legend by Marie Lu just in time for the booktalk today! I read 267 pages. I did not get to start Mrs. Miracle yet, but maybe this week. I also need to post a signup post for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, which I can hopefully do tomorrow, since I work a 10 hour day today and will not have any time. Thanks to Michelle for hosting!

The I Haven't Reached My Reading Goals Yet! Read-a-thon Signup

This read-a-thon is hosted by Debz at Debz Bookshelf. The goal is to read books for the book challenges of 2013. I have several challenges I need to finish including the New Authors Challenge, Paranormal Reading Challenge, Dusty Bookshelf, and Book Bingo. I am working on a few titles this week, so I will update this post with a reading list hopefully on Saturday. You can signup at this link. Good luck to everyone and thanks to Debz for hosting!

Monster Read-a-thon and Review-a-thon Wrapup

I managed to review 3 books and realized I actually had reviewed Dirty Little Secrets the first time I read it, so I reviewed all my backlogged books! I read 699 pages and finished Unstoppable and Dirty Little Secrets. I also managed to finish Midnight in Austenland shortly after the end of the read-a-thon, so I reviewed Shelter, Midnight in Austenland, and Unstoppable. I should be ready for my booktalks on Monday! Thanks to The Book Monsters for hosting!

Shelter by Harlan Coben

This is another one of my reads for the March Madness booktalks. This is book one in Coben's Mickey Bolitar series. I have not read any of his Myron Bolitar books, but I know Mickey is mentioned in Live Wire.

Mickey Bolitar is still reeling from the death of his father and from his mother's drug addiction and only wants a little normalcy. Unfortunately for Mickey, his life is complicated. He is forced to live with his uncle who spent the last fifteen years, Mickey's whole life, ignoring Mickey's father. Mickey starts a new school and thinks he has found a nice, sweet girlfriend, but then Ashley vanishes, leaving Mickey stunned. Driven to find her, Mickey searches for clues and believes the Bat Lady may have the answers he needs. When the Bat Lady yells at him that his father is still alive, Mickey will risk everything to find out the truth. Joined with by Spoon and Ema, who are outcasts, Mickey will have to spy in a strip club, face down a notorious war criminal, and risk his life if he wants to find Ashley and some answers.

Even though they visit a strip club, called a "go-go dance club," the book still would fit for ninth grade. There was enough action and suspense to make this a quick read, but it does seem written for a lower level. I liked the characters, although the bullies seemed a little too one dimensional and cliche. Mickey's friends are funny and endearing and his uncle seems to be someone Mickey can rely on. The ending was sort of a cliff-hanger, but most of the story-lines seemed to come to a close.

Favorite Character: Mickey. He is very loyal, almost too much so. He is both tough and in need of some guidance.

Favorite Quote: "The court is my escape and my paradise." The section about how basketball is his escape was really well-written.

I did like most of the characters and this was a fairly quick read. I do want to read the sequel, but it may be awhile before I pick it up. I also want to try to read one of the Myron Bolitar books. 3.5 cups of cocoa.

Christmas Spirit Signup and Starting Line

This is a read-a-thon hosted by Michelle at Seasons of Reading...Christmas! You do not have to read Christmas related books for the read-a-thon, but you do for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge.
I am just now signing up, but I am also going to make this my starting line post. I have to reread Legend by Marie Lu this weekend, because I have to booktalk it Monday at the high school. I am mainly worried I will reveal too much, since I have already read Prodigy. I did stop myself from reading Champion until after the booktalk. If I finish Legend, I may start Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber. Thanks to Michelle for hosting!

Read pages 38-305 in Legend and finished it!