My #AsianLitBingo 2019 Reading Challenge TBR

This post contains affiliate links.

Titles marked with an asterisk (*) were gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I'm signing up to take part in the #AsianLitBingo 2019 Reading Challenge, hosted by Lit Celebrasian. The aim is to read books featuring Asian main characters written by Asian authors, throughout May, which is Asian American Heritage Month in the US, and while doing so, complete a line on the bingo card.

Continue reading My #AsianLitBingo 2019 Reading Challenge TBR

My Aro Ace April Reading Challenge TBR

Ad: Titles marked with an asterisk (*) were gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

After the success of F/F February, Ellie of Fae on the Shelf and Imi of Imi Reviews Books are back this month with another month long reading challenge - Aro Ace April. Following a similar set-up as F/F February, the aim is to read books featuring aromantic and/or asexual representation. There is a bingo card to complete, with bingo giving you an entry into their giveaway, and a photo challenge for Instagram! And you can check out Ellie's list of recommendations for the challenge, too.

I really enjoyed F/F February, so I'll be taking part again this month! Again, due to my blogging schedule, the books won't be reviewed on the blog until May, but I will be tweeting about them! But I wanted to share my TBR to help promote the reading challenge, and to maybe give you some ideas of what you can read if you take part. On to my my TBR!

Continue reading My Aro Ace April Reading Challenge TBR

My Year of the Asian Reading Challenge 2019 TBR

Ad: Titles with an asterisk (*) were gifted to me by the publisher for the purposes of providing an honest review.

January saw the creation of a brand new, specific diverse reading challenge! Year of the Asian Reading Challenge 2019 is a reading challenge to get you reading more books by Asian authors, and is hosted by Vicky of Vicky Who Reads, CW of The Quiet Pond, Lily of Sprinkles of Dreams, and Shealea of Shut Up, Shealea.

The aim is to read the number of books by Asian authors from your chosen level, and I have chosen the Indian Cobra level, which means I'm aiming to read 11-20 books! I signed up for this challenge back in January, but I thought I would share with you all the books on my TBR that I could read! There are a huge number of books here, so it's unlikely that I'll get to them all, but what a range of books to choose from!

Continue reading My Year of the Asian Reading Challenge 2019 TBR

Heidi Heilig's MuggleNet Diverse Books Reading Challenge

Heidi Heilig, YA author of The Girl From Everywhere and the forthcoming sequel The Ship Beyond Time, had a guest post on MuggleNet last week for their Author Takeover feature, A Reader’s Revolution Recs from Heidi Heilig where she shares 30 diverse recs. It's a wonderful list of YA and middle grade novels written by authors of colour and native authors. Within the post, Heidi says:

"Just imagine: what would your year look like if you read only marginalized authors? What would the world look like if we all did the same? And how many books do you read each year, anyway? If it’s more than 30, I challenge you to pick up every one of these."

Looking through the list, there are a fair number of books there I actually really liked the sound of, and with not one of this authors being caucasian, well... it's one of my own goals this year to read more authors of colour, and if I read all of these authors, I'm pretty sure I'd be well on my way to acheiving this goal. When I tweeted about giving this a go, Heilig thre down the gauntlet:

@Jo_Scribbles @MuggleNet YES! I DARE YOU

— heidi heilig 🇺🇸 (@heidiheilig) February 23, 2017

I have actually being challenged - dared - by an author. I can't exactly back down now, can I? So I'm taking up this challenge, and will record how I do in my reading challenges page.

How about you join me in taking up Heidi's challenge? Book mark the post, and see how many you can get through in a year!

Continue reading Heidi Heilig's MuggleNet Diverse Books Reading Challenge

Retellings Reading Challenge 2016

I have quite a few retellings of various books that I really want to read, and just never get to. I know reading challenges help me to motivate me to pick up books, so I thought I'd take part in one for retellings for 2016. There doesn't seem to be any that cover all retellings though, so I thought I would create my own - the Retellings Reading Challenge 2016. Feel free to join me if you wish.


The Challenge:

• For readers to read retellings of stories we know well from their chosen level in 2016:
• Easy: 1-4 retellings
• Medium: 5-8 retellings
• Hard: 9-12 retellings

Continue reading Retellings Reading Challenge 2016

YA Book Prize 2015 Reading Challenge

Last Thursdsay, the Bookseller's YA Book Prize 2015 shortlist was announced! I was so excited to see a few really amazing books on the list, plus a few I haven't read. Here are the books that are on the shortlist.


An awesome shortlist, right? And I have decided to try and read all the books that have been shortlisted by the end of 2015. I have read three already, and will mark these on my reading challenge page. Anyone else interested in joining me? :)

Continue reading YA Book Prize 2015 Reading Challenge

Desperately Seeking Romance

Of the novel kind, that is.

I'm thinking of trying to dive in to more adult romance/"chick-lit" this year, however, I don't really know where to start, so I'm hoping you could recommend some titles to me.

I'm heading more towards the romance, but I don't want novels that are light and fluffy, I want ones that will have a profound affect on me - that will touch me, that will make me think, that will take my breath away, rather than just being sweet and entertaining. I don't mind crying, either. I want to be moved. Though I have no interest in recs for erotica or paranormal romance. I can do rom-coms, if they're still going to touch me.

In regards to "chick-lit", again, I want to be moved. But I'm not really looking for books to do with women and their relationship with their kids - grown up or otherwise. More like books to do with a woman's relationship with herself. That's going to mooooove.

ETA: This would be contemporary romance/"chick-lit". I'm not really a fan of historical.

So, do you know of any books that might be what I'm after? Please mention them in the comments below! Thank you! I'm thinking of setting myself a personal reading challenge, so I would like some books to go looking for. Cheers!

Get-a rec'ing! :)

Continue reading Desperately Seeking Romance

2011 Reading Challenges Wrap Up Post

As it's December and I've completed most of my reading challenges for the year, I thought I'd write up my wrap up post for my challenges. Although there are a few weeks left in the year, I may actually read more than what's listed, but I'm happy to post this now as most are complete.

Aim: to read 12 Debut YA novels from 2011. I completed this one! All links go to the reviews. I read:

1. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
3. Firelight by Sophie Jordan
4. Siren by Tricia Rayburn
5. Forgotten by Cat Patrick
6. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
7. One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson
8. Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
9. And By the Way by Denise Deegan
10. The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter
11. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis
12. Swim the Fly by Don Calame

Aim: to read 12 books by British authors. Another challenge I finished! Again, links go to the reviews. I read (across both my blogs OUaB and Ink and Paper):

1. The Bitter Seed of Magic by Suzanne McLeod
2. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
3. Della Says: OMG! by Keris Stainton
4. One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
10. By Midnight by Mia James
11. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
12. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis
13. Geekhood by Andy Robb - but no review as the book isn't published til next year. So I guess this doesn't completely count.

Aim: to read 100 books in a year. Unfortunately, this isn't one I'm going to be able to complete. I'm only at 55 now, I'm not going to get enough books in in the last few weeks. You can read which books I read here. I did read less this year than I did last year. I think this is because of a few reading slumps, a holiday, and visting a mate, there were just some periods where I wasn't reading. I hope to do better next year.

Continue reading 2011 Reading Challenges Wrap Up Post

I've Started a Challenge - Morganville Vampires Reading Challenge 2012!

Over on my fantasy blog, Ink and Paper, to celebrate the news that Rachel Caine will be released another three books to the series, I will be hosting the Morganville Vampires Reading Challenge 2012!

There are five different levels, so there's something for everyone, whether you're an old fan or have yet to try the series, there's something that should be doable for everyone! There will also be contests and prizes!

I will be taking the Bishop level challenge, which means I'll be attempting to read all the 13 novels that will be available by the end of the year, plus all Morganville Vampires short stories!

I do hope some of you will join in with me, it should be fun!

Continue reading I've Started a Challenge - Morganville Vampires Reading Challenge 2012!

2012 Reading Challenges Sign Up Post

To check out my progress on the following challenges, click on the 2012 Reading Challenges page link on the left sidebar.

2012 Debut Author Challenge

The Story Siren is hosting the 2012 Debut Author Challenge for the fourth year running this year! Where bloggers read a minimum of 12 debut authors' novels over the course of a year. And I, of course, am signing up! For more info, see the link above.

What's In a Name? Challenge 2012

Beth Fish Reads hosts the What's In a Name? Challenge 2012, where the aim is to read books with a word in the title that fits the categories below. For more info, see the link above.

1. A topographical feature (land formation)
2. Something you would see in the sky
3. A creepy crawly
4. A type of house
5. Something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack:
6. Something you'd find on a calendar

New Author Challenge 2012

Literary Escapism is hosting the New Author Challenge 2012, where the aim is to read new-to-me authors, old or new. I'm going to aim for 25, though I hope to read more. For more info, see the link above.

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

The Eclectic Reader is hosting the 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge, where the aim is to read the number of YA books from your chosen level. I'm going for Jumbo Size, which is to read 40 YA books, though I hope to read more. For more info, see the link above.


2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge

The Non Reluctant Reader is hosting the 2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge, where the aim is to read the number of dystopian books from your chosen level. I'm going for Medium, which is to read 8-14 books. For more info, see the link above.

Continue reading 2012 Reading Challenges Sign Up Post

Books Read in 2011

I shall be doing things differently this year. Last year I had one list on this blog for my YA reading, and one on Ink and Paper for my fantasy reading. This year, I'm going to list all books on both blogs, so it's easier for me to keep track, yet readers of both blogs can see if they're interested.

As I will be listing the books I will read over the course of the year anyway, I thought I might as well sign up to Book Chick City's 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge. No idea if I'll get anywhere close to 100, but we shall see. Now off we go...

1. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
2. The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
4. The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
6. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
8. Firelight by Sophie Jordan
9. The Bitter Seed of Magic by Suzanne McLeod
10. Siren by Tricia Rayburn
11. Forgotten by Cat Patrick
12. This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
13. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
14. Della Says: OMG! by Keris Stainton
15. A New Dawn: Your Favourite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series
16. And By the Way... by Denise Deegan
17. Sharing Sam by Katherine Applegate
18. One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson
19. Bite Club by Rachel Caine
20. Passion by Lauren Kate
21. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
22. Broetry by Brian McGackin
23. Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
24. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
25. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
26. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
27. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
28. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
29. Delores Claiborne by Stephen King
30. Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead
31. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
32. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
33. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
34. Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
35. Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance
36. By Midnight by Mia James
37. Bitten and Smitten by Michelle Rowen
38. Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
39. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
40. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
41. One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost
42. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
43. The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter
44. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
45. The Boy Book by E. Lockhart
46. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles
47. Abandon by Meg Cabot
48. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis
49. Swim the Fly by Don Calame
50. The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart
51. Beat the Band by Don Calame
52. Last Breath by Rachel Caine
53. Geekhood by Andy Robb
54. My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent
55. My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent
56. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
57. Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Continue reading Books Read in 2011

British Books Challenge 2011

The lovely Becky of The Bookette is hosting the British Books Challenge 2011, and being English, I thought I best at least give it a shot.

Being English, I can only sign up for Home Grown, which means I have to read 12 British books, new or old, in print or out, adult or YA, of any genre throughout the course of next year. Seeing as I run two blogs, and also read adult fantasy, any British adult fantasy will still be reviewed on Ink and Paper, but I will link from this post.

Books I've read:

1. The Bitter Seed of Magic by Suzanne McLeod
2. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
3. Della Says: OMG! by Keris Stainton
4. One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
10. By Midnight by Mia James
11. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
12. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis

Continue reading British Books Challenge 2011

2011 Debut Author Challenge

The Story Siren is hosting the 2011 Debut Author Challenge for the third year running next year! Where bloggers read a minimum of 12 debut authors' novels over the course of a year. And I, of course, am signing up! For more info, see the link above.

I'm going to edit this post as I go along. Books read:

1. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - review - Published in the UK on 20th January 2011 - Atom
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis - review - Published in the UK on 3rd March - Razorbill UK
3. Firelight by Sophie Jordan - review - Published in the UK on 3rd March 2011 - OUP
4. Siren by Tricia Rayburn - review - Published in the UK on 20th January 2011 - Faber & Faber
5. Forgotten by Cat Patrick - review - Published in the UK on 6th June 2011 - Egmont UK
6. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher - review coming in July - Published in the UK on 1st March - Orion Children's Books
7. One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson - review - Published in the UK on 2nd June 2011 - Atom
8. Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon - review - Published in the UK on 1st May 2011 - Usborne
9. And By the Way by Denise Deegan - review - Published in the UK on 17th February 2011 - Hachette Books Ireland
10. The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter - review - Published in the UK on 22nd September 2011 - Mira Ink
11. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis - review - Published in the UK on 3rd March 2011 - Andersen Press
12. Swim the Fly by Don Calame - review - Published in the UK on 9th May 2011 - Templar Publishing
13. Fury by Elizabeth Miles - review - Published in the UK on 1st September 2011 - Simon and Schuster

Continue reading 2011 Debut Author Challenge

POC Reading Challenge

Another challenge. I know I have a fair few going on, but I'm only signing up to the POC Reading Challenge because I have read books so far this year, and have books to read that will fit it - so I'm not looking for other books or recs to complete it, I'm already on my way. As I'll be reading these books anyway, why not sign up for a challenge?




I am going for Level 4, which is 10-15 books by POC authors, or with POC main characters.

1. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
2. Everlost by Neal Shusterman
3. Everwild by Neal Shusterman
4. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
5. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
6. Where I Belong by Gillian Cross
7. If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser
8. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
9. Eve of Darkness by S. J. Day (adult book, will be reviewed on Ink and Paper)
10. City of Ghosts by Bali Rai
11. Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Continue reading POC Reading Challenge

2010 Debut Author Challenge

I've signed up for the 2010 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. For more info, click the link above, and to sign up, just go here.

The books I'll be reading for this challenge are:

1. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore - published in the UK on 1st February 2010 (From Bloomsbury Children's Books)
2. My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey - published in the UK 4th January 2010 (From Bloomsbury Children's Books)
3. Need by Carrie Jones - published in the UK 1st February 2010 (Bloomsbury Children's Publishing)
4. My So-Called Afterlife by Tamsyn Murray - published in the UK 25th February 2010 (Piccadilly Press)
5. The Iron King - not yet published in the UK, I have the US edition, published 1st February 2010 (Harlequin Teen (US))
6. Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide by William Hussey - published in the UK 4th March 2010 (Oxford University Press)
7. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelsion - published in the UK 7th June 2010 (Walker)
8. Finding Sky by Joss Stirling - published in the UK 7th October 2010 (OUP)
9. A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowly - not yet published in the UK, I read the US edition, published 8th June 2011 (Knopf)
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - published in the UK 22nd July 2010 (Hodder)
11. Matched by Ally Condie - published in the UK 2nd December 2010 (Puffin)
12. Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - published in the UK 30th September 2010 (Quercus)
13. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - published in the UK 28th December 2010 (Atom)
14. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready - published in the UK 2nd September 2010 (S&S)
15. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - published in the UK 3rd June 2010 (Puffin)


CHALLENGE COMPLETE
12 read and reviewed on my blog, 2 read and not yet reviewed.

ETA: There has been some question about books released in 2010 that are read in 2009, with reviews posted in 2010 - I've asked Kristi about it, and she's updated her challenge info post, check it out. The following books do not count towards the challenge for me, but they are released in 2010, and so may be for you.

Books read in 2009, reviews posted in 2010:
When I was Jo by Keren David - published in the UK on 7th January 2010 (From Frances Lincoln)
Monster Republic by Ben Horton - published in the UK on 7th January 2010 (From Random House)
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves - published in the US (not released in the UK) on 5th January 2010 (Simon Pulse)

Continue reading 2010 Debut Author Challenge

GLBT Challenge 2010: The Challenge That Dare Not Speak Its Name

I've decided to join another reading challenge for 2010. This time it's The Challenge That Dare Not Speak Its Name - a GLBT challenge, run by blog GLBT Reading.

There are several levels to this challenge, each with a different number of books to read. I've chosen to go for the Pink Triangle Level, which is 8 books, as I've signed up for two other challenges already. Don't want to overload my plate.

ETA: Chosen all my books now; thanks to all for recs and links to lists! Really appreciate it!

The rules state that books can cross over from other challenges, so I have a few I can name already.

These are the books I'll be reading.

1. Sprout by Dale Peck
2. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
3. Between Mom & Jo by Julie Anne Peters
4. The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
5. My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr
6. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
7. Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
8. The Year They Burned the Books by Nancy Garden

Continue reading GLBT Challenge 2010: The Challenge That Dare Not Speak Its Name

Alphabet Reading Challenge

My first reading challenge on Once Upon a Bookcase! I'm taking part in the Alphabet Reading Challenge - click for details - which is hosted on LibraryThing.

I'm going to go by author rather than by title. AS this is a YA blog, all the books will be YA. Please, feel free to give me recs, as I don't know if I will be able to come up with them on my own.

A. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
B. Suspicion by Kate Brian
C. Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
D. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
E. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
F. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
G. King of the Screwups by K.L. Going
H. My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
I.
J. Need by Carrie Jones
K. Torment by Lauren Kate
L. Purge by Sarah Darer Littman
M. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
N. Rich and Mad by William Nicholson
O.
P. Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja
Q.
R.
S. Everwild by Neal Shusterman
T.
U.
V. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
W. Twisting the Truth by Judy Waite
X.
Y.
Z. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Continue reading Alphabet Reading Challenge