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THE ANYTHING GOES MINI CHALLENGE
December 1 - 31, 2013

The theme for December is anything goes because the idea is to get as many books read as possible to get you to your 2013 goal.

1. Read a book by your favorite author.

2. Read a book of your favorite genre.

3. Reread your favorite book.

4. Read a book that takes place in your favorite place. (This is open to interpretation and doesn't need to be a real place. For example, I could read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress if I just loved the moon.)

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Jodi is our leader for this challenge. Thank you, Jodi!

Hi Kara,

I can lead this mini-challenge if you like.

That would be great, Jodi. Thank you!

This is a great challenge because it really is so open. So who is with me?

Participants

Jodi - 2/3
Brian - 2/2 Completed
Cassandra - 3/3 Completed
Sibyl - 2/2 Completed
Sharon - 2/3
Stephan - 2/3
Lorelei - 1/3
Stephanie - 3/3 Completed
Sherry - 3/3 Completed
Eric - 0/2
Lisa - 2/5
MH - 6/7
UniquelySweet - 0/1
Karena - 0/5
Erica - 1/1 Completed!

4. Read a book that takes place in your favorite place:

Finished The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker on 12/09/2013.

I read this for our monthly December group read and absolutely loved it. It takes place in New York City, which is my favorite place in the world. 5 stars

3. Reread your favorite book:
Finished/Reread Le Petit Prince by de Saint Exupéry, Antoine on 12/31/2013.

I think I said in a later post before editing this one something about The Hobbit being one of my favorite books. I have so many favorites, but none that warm my heart and bring a tear of joy to my eye every time like Le Petit Prince (the original French version. The English translation is still really good but not the same for me because I read it in French as a child and like any book, the original language is much better than the translation).

This was also just the perfect book to end the year with. I usually read it every other year but I think I will read it on New year's eve every year from now on. (5 stars, obviously)


2/2 Challenge Complete!

I'm in for three!

I'll do two.

Welcome Brian, Cassandra and Sibyl. I am looking forward to seeing what books you read.

I'll try for 3

Hi Sharon,

Welcome to the challenge.

Small group so far! If anyone else wants join, let me know.

sign me up for 2 as well please :)

Yay! Welcome Stephan! So happy to have you.

Please sign me up for 3.

I'm in

December - The Anything Goes Mini Challenge
Duration: 1st December - 31st December
2/3

1. Read a book by your favorite author. MacRieve by Kresley Cole (02/12/13)
2. Read a book of your favorite genre (PNR). Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole (08/12/13)
3. Reread your favorite book. Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole

I'm in for 3!

whoohooo! So happy to have you all.

Stephanie, I hope you don't mind that I put you down as Stephanie. I don't know how to do all of the fancy hearts around your name :)

Jodi wrote: "whoohooo! So happy to have you all.

Stephanie, I hope you don't mind that I put you down as Stephanie. I don't know how to do all of the fancy hearts around your name :)"

Thats okay, Stephanie is fine.

Hi Everyone,

How is it going with the challenge? I have to tell you that I am really slow in my book right now. It is taking me a while to finish. I have two on the go right now.

What are you all reading right now?

December - The Anything Goes Mini Challenge
Duration: 1st December - 31st December
3/3

1. Read a book by your favorite author. MacRieve by Kresley Cole (02/12/13)
2. Read a book of your favorite genre (PNR). Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole (08/12/13)
3. Reread your favorite book. Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole (13/12/13)



COMPLETED

Congratulations Stephanie! I will update your status :)

Sounds like fun! Even though I'm a new group member planning to start my overall challenge in 2014, put me in for two in December.

1) Two Graves - Preston & Child (in progress)
2) TBA

I'll before Dec. 31.

Welcome to the group Eric and welcome to the challenge! I will sign you up.

Thank you, Jodi. I'm looking forward to interacting :)

Updated message #5. Completed task #4 and am now at 1/2!

Way to go Brian! A 5 star book! That will have to go on my to read shelf. I wanted to read it with the group but it didn't fit in my reading schedule.

What is your next book in the plan?

Jodi wrote: "Way to go Brian! A 5 star book! That will have to go on my to read shelf. I wanted to read it with the group but it didn't fit in my reading schedule.

What is your next book in the plan?"

I don't knowwww!! I am having such a hard time picking favorites!! I always do, and now you're about to see my crazy indecisiveness come out in full force because -

For favorite author, if I could just get my hands on a copy of The Cuckoo's Calling, I would be so happy (and yes I'd be counting Robert Galbraith as J.K. Rowling :P). I'm not even sure if she is my favorite author, but the Harry Potter series changed my world as a 12-year old awkward pimply kid with braces and zero friends. And that series grew up with me over the years. And unlike most HP fans, I also loved Rowling's The Casual Vacancy and thought it was an extremely well-written and thought-provoking (though heartrendingly had-me-bawling-by-the-end) novel.

For favorite genre, I seem to go back and forth almost monthly. but I'm starting to really enjoy Fantasy books again. After finishing the fantasy The Golem and the Jinni and now in the middle of another fantasy for my TBR Twin read The Night Circus (INCREDIBLE so far), I might go with fantasy as favorite genre and go with The Night Circus.

And speaking of my new and rediscovered love of Fantasy - I just saw The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug yesterday in theaters -- I had extremely low expectations because I really did not like the first Hobbit movie. This one was incredible!! Also, The Hobbit is easily one of my favorite books, and this movie has persuaded me that it's time to reread it very soon. Hm...

That's so funny Brian! I have a hard time choosing favourites too. Lately, I have gotten into Sci-Fi because of Ender's Game. I love the fantasy/historical fiction because of Game of Thrones and Pillars of the Earth. It is so hard to choose favourites. Favourite authors, I have a ton of them.

Jodi wrote: "That's so funny Brian! I have a hard time choosing favourites too. Lately, I have gotten into Sci-Fi because of Ender's Game. I love the fantasy/historical fiction because of Game of Thrones and Pi..."

I am OBSESSED with the HBO series Game of Thrones. It is soooo so good. I've seriously been putting off reading the books because I want to save them and cherish them. But I am asking for a boxed set of the Game of THrones series for Christmas and am going to start reading them in the new year. I cannot wait!

I have only seen Seasons 1 and 2. My friend and I read the book and then watch the season. We have read books 1-3 and have seen seasons 1 and 2. I am reading Feast of Crows in the New Year.

Hi, Jodi. I'm new to the group for 2014, but I'll jump in on this mini-challenge. This will fall under the categories of Nos. 1 and 2. I'd like to finish these two books by the end of December:

Already about 20 percent into Two Graves

The Black Box will follow.

Thanks!

Eric wrote: "Hi, Jodi. I'm new to the group for 2014, but I'll jump in on this mini-challenge. This will fall under the categories of Nos. 1 and 2. I'd like to finish these two books by the end of December:
[bo..."

Excellent Eric. I have you listed for two books. Just let me know when you finish your first book and I will update you. Each time you finish a book, I will update your status. Are you enjoying Two Graves so far?

Yes, Jodi. I'm a big P&T fan. I got behind a bit and I'll have White Fire left to get caught up in series.

Count me in for five. I've already read 2 books this week and its Wednesday. Lisa Russo

Hi Lisa,

Welcome to the challenge! you already have a good start. What books did you read?

Hi, put me down for seven books, please! I saw this challenge on Friday when I joined the group, then 'lost' where I'd seen it.

I read two books over the weekend, both by Vince Flynn, American Assasin and Killshot.

Next, I'll be reading Lucky Bastard by Deborah Coonts; then, The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn.

If I can get my hands on Game of Thrones, it's been checked out of the library the last two months, it'll come after those.

Thanks, mh.

Welcome aboard MH. I will sign you up right away. Vince Flynn has been on my to read shelf for some time now. I will have to give him a try one day.

There has been a book I've been meaning to read...
Just put me down for 1 because December is almost over

Hello and welcome UniquelySweet! I will put you down for 1. If you end up reading more than one that fits this challenge, just let me know!

Finished first book of this challenge

Task # 2. Read a book of your favorite genre.
Wild About You (Love at Stake #13) by Kerrelyn Sparks
Wild About You

I'm actually past my goal of 175 and one away from 200. I want to see how many I can read past that. I think I can fit maybe 5 more in. So I guess 5 is my number?

1. Midnight's Daughter �� 12/19 (my favorite genre)
2. Fury's Kiss �� 12/21
3. Death's Mistress �� 12/20
4. Dark Currents �� 12/24
5. Angel's Ink �� 12/23

Done!

Way to go Sherry! Two more to go!

@Karena, I can't believe you read that many in one year! I will put you down for 5 books. Welcome to the challenge.

Jodi wrote: "Way to go Sherry! Two more to go!

@Karena, I can't believe you read that many in one year! I will put you down for 5 books. Welcome to the challenge."


I have an addiction problem. I've embraced it. :)

Actually all of my books are just #2 for Favorite genre. Does that still count or do I have to pick one from each?

You are supposed to choose from each section I believe, but really this is just about reading and I really don't mind how you work through the challenge. We aren't competing for points or prizes, so to me, choose what you like in a challenge and go with it!


I am not a moderator though, so they might have something different to say.

I finished Lucky Bastard and The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker. So, I think that brings me to four...

I've been itching to read a book but needed some direction on where to start, so I'll join!

MH I have you updated. Well done!

Erica, I have added you to the list. Good luck.

1. Read a book by your favorite author.
Finished Killing Floor on December 3, 2013.
4 stars.
Lee Child is by far my favorite suspense author, and so I decided to go back and read his books in the order he wrote them. I hadn't read this one yet, and I liked it very much!

2. Read a book of your favorite genre.
Finished The Phoenix Unchained on December 19, 2013.
3 stars.
I am a huge fan of fantasy, and in particular I love The Obsidian Trilogy by these authors. This is the first book of the sequel trilogy, which I didn't like nearly as much. I think it's still a worthwhile read, though.

4. Read a book that takes place in your favorite place.
Finished Pattern Recognition on December 2, 2013.
4 stars.
The writing style of Pattern Recognition took some getting used to, but by the end I was completely enthralled. It takes place in New York City, London, and Japan - all places I've never been but would love to see. They're on the top of my list!

3/3 complete!

Congratulations Cassandra! I have updated your goal!

Finished #1 by reading "Like Dandelion Dust" by Karen Kingsbury