tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33246774308987210622011-04-21T17:52:35.531-07:00Robin's Reading ChallengesRobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-25340750984457954942009-04-02T20:17:00.000-07:002009-04-03T12:58:25.755-07:00Once Upon a Time III (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SdWACQbg8AI/AAAAAAAADdA/dmeR6D_52N4/s1600-h/out3banner6200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SdWACQbg8AI/AAAAAAAADdA/dmeR6D_52N4/s320/out3banner6200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320299311066574850" border="0" /></a><br />I chose to do "Quest the First": <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time III criteria. They might all be fa</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ntasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres. </span><span>This challenge runs from March 21st to June 20th.</span><br /><br /><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-of-lost-things.html">The Book of Lost Things</a>, by John Connolly</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/raven-steals-light.html">The Raven Steals the Light</a>, by Bill Reid and Robert Bringhurst</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/04/rapunzel-rapunzel.html">Zel</a>, by Donna Jo Napoli</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/04/rapunzel-rapunzel.html">Rapunzel's Revenge</a>, by Shannon and Dean Hale</li><li><br /></li></ol><div><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-2534075098445795494?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-50687590502199689292009-01-27T19:19:00.000-08:002009-02-21T20:45:39.495-08:00Independent Bookstore Reader's Challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bookstorepeople.com/2009/01/announcing-the-independpendent-bookstore-readers-challenge/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 145px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SX_PbmUd2rI/AAAAAAAADMQ/TlhCqeRTlGk/s320/indie_bookstore1.sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296179759860800178" border="0" /></a>Here are the rules: go to independent bookstores that are new to you between January 1 and December 31, 2009 and have some sort of interaction. The challenge comes with different levels you can sign up for. I've chosen the category in red.<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scout</span> - Visit 2 independent bookstores (easy!)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Specialist</span> - Visit 2 subject matter specialty bookstores (i.e., travel, children, cooking)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nationalist </span>- Visit 2 independent bookstores and 1 additional bookstore in a state you do not live in</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Continental</span> - Visit 2 independent bookstores and 1 additional bookstore in another N. American country (that would be the USA, Canada or Mexico)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Globetrotter</span> - Visit 2 independent bookstores and 1 additional bookstore on a different continent (if you’re going to Europe, check out Bookstore Guide)</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Type A Personality to the Max</span> - Satisfy any two categories</span></li></ul><ol><li>First store visited: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/snow-goose-bookstore.html">The Snow Goose</a>, Stanwood, Washington<br /></li><li>Second store visited: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/murder-by-book-bookshop.html">Murder By The Book Mystery Bookshop</a>, Portland, Oregon<br /></li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5068759050219968929?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-50733276290012393162009-01-27T19:14:00.001-08:002009-03-22T17:08:12.220-07:00The Sci Fi Experience 2009 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=1037"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SX_OfivZuII/AAAAAAAADMI/O83wXCsvWTI/s320/scifiexp09150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296178728107882626" border="0" /></a>1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/sci-fi-sunday.html">A Fisherman from the Inland Sea</a>, Ursula le Guin<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/mars-needs-moms.html">Mars Needs Moms!</a>, by Brian Breathed<br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/devils-arithmetic.html">The Devil's Arithmetic</a>, by Jane Yolen (time travel)<br />4. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/manga-shakespeare-macbeth.html">Manga Shakespeare: Macbeth</a>, by William Shakespeare (set in a post-apocalyptic world)<br />5. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/enchantress-from-stars.html">Enchantress from the Stars</a>, by Sylvia Louis Engdahl<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Science Fiction DVDs we enjoyed watching at our house during Jan-Feb:</span><br /><br />• <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/">Doctor Who</a> -- Series 1 (completed)<br />• Doctor Who -- Series 2 (underway)<br />• <a href="http://www.battlestargalactica.com/index.htm">Battlestar Gallactica: the Miniseries</a> -- Season 1 (completed)<br />• <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equilibrium">Equilibrium</a> (directed by Kurt Wimmer)<br />• <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellboy_2">Hellboy II: The Golden Army</a> (directed by Guillermo del Toro)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5073327629001239316?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-1041154840967616752009-01-19T20:31:00.000-08:002009-02-28T07:52:45.704-08:00Dewey's Knit-A-Long<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://deweysbooks.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/mini-challenge-2/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 179px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SXVVqLlqgDI/AAAAAAAADIE/pBRiw3Do1Cs/s320/DeweysKAL.med.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293231120197517362" border="0" /></a>I am co-hosting the <a href="http://deweysbooks.wordpress.com/">Dewey's Books Reading Challenge</a> with my friend, Chris (<a href="http://stuffasdreamsaremadeon.com/">Stuff As Dreams Are Made On</a>) as a tribute to the blogging friend we lost recently, Dewey (<a href="http://deweymonster.com/">The Hidden Side of a Leaf</a>).<div><br /></div><div>Project #1: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/deweys-knit-long-and-school-holiday.html">Knitted scarf</a><br />Project #2: Knitted man's scarf<br />Project #3:<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-104115484096761675?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-71413314159686576722009-01-19T20:27:00.000-08:002009-03-22T16:19:33.774-07:00Dewey's Books Reading Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://deweysbooks.wordpress.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SUP16u-tWbI/AAAAAAAACTk/QbNtKee3ius/s200/Dewey%27s_Books1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279333577600620978" border="0" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/wizard-of-earthsea.html"><s>A Wizard of Earthsea</s></a>, Ursula K. LeGuin<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/uncommon-reader.html"><s>The Uncommon Reader</s></a>, Alan Bennett<br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-of-lost-things.html"><s>The Book of Lost Things</s></a>, John Connolly<br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/People-Book-Novel-Geraldine-Brooks/dp/0143115006/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229189986&sr=1-1">The People of the Book</a>, Geraldine Brooks<br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beatrix-Potter-Nature-Linda-Lear/dp/0312377967/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I29KR86BVU6LMI&colid=3GUB0OPV5Q4PP">Beatrix Potter, A Life in Nature</a>, Linda Lear<br />6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Einsteins-Dreams-Alan-Lightman/dp/140007780X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229190066&sr=1-1">Einstein's Dreams</a>, Alan Lightman<br />7. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229190095&sr">The Book Thief</a>, Marcus Zusak<br />8. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Illuminated-Jonathan-Safran-Foer/dp/0061686670/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229189915&sr=8-2">Everything is Illuminated,</a> Jonathan Safran Soer<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-7141331415968657672?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-89523210198214281152009-01-19T20:25:00.000-08:002009-04-05T07:31:10.986-07:00Audiobook Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-audiobook-challenge.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274951716945199506" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRko3_bAZI/AAAAAAAACQ0/PX1-KeklfDo/s320/audio_book_challenge.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/">J. Kaye</a> is hosting an <a href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-audiobook-challenge.html">Audiobook Challenge</a>, and since I love listening to audiobooks, and have listened to 23 audiobooks this year, I am signing up for this 2009 challenge, too!<br /><br />Our goal is to listen to 12 audiobooks in 2009, and I'll update this post and list my books as I go.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/wizard-of-earthsea.html">A Wizard of Earthsea</a>, by Ursula Le Guin (narrated by Rob Inglis)<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/audacity-of-hope.html">The Audacity of Hope</a>, by Barack Obama (narrated by himself)<br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/rumpole-and-penge-bungalow-mystery.html">Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Mystery</a>, by John Mortimer (narrated by Bill Wallis)<br />4. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/devils-arithmetic.html">The Devil's Arithmetic</a>, by Jane Yolen (narrated by Barbara Rosenblat)<br />5. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/uncommon-reader.html">The Uncommon Reader</a>, by Alan Bennett (narrated by himself)<br />6. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/lost-painting.html">The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece</a>, by Jonathan Harr<br />7. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/04/rapunzel-rapunzel.html">Zel</a>, by Donna Jo Napoli (narrated be Alexandra O'Karma)<br />8.<br />9.<br />10.<br />11.<br />12.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-8952321019821428115?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-67239664739578114102009-01-19T20:22:00.000-08:002009-04-03T07:00:28.615-07:00Support Your Local Library Challenge, 2009 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-support-your-local-library.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274947834912338978" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRhG6SqdCI/AAAAAAAACQs/itQu-QgFVqc/s320/library+challenge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/two-sweaters-for-my-father.html">Two Sweaters For My Father</a>, by Perri Klass<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/forest-lover.html">The Forest Lover</a>, by Susan Vreeland<br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/wizard-of-earthsea.html">A Wizard of Earthsea</a>, by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />4. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/mars-needs-moms.html">Mars Needs Moms!</a>, by Berkeley Breathed<br />5. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/audacity-of-hope.html">The Audacity of Hope</a>, by Barack Obama<br />6. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/rumpole-and-penge-bungalow-mystery.html">Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Mystery</a>, by John Mortimer<br />7. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/enchantress-from-stars.html">Enchantress From the Stars</a>, by Sylvia Louise Engdahl<br />8. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/devils-arithmetic.html">The Devil's Arithmetic</a>, by Jane Yolen<br />9. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/uncommon-reader.html">The Uncommon Reader</a>, by Alan Bennett<br />10. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/lost-painting.html">The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece</a>, by Jonathan Harr<br />11. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-manga-reading.html">Return to Labyrinth, Vol. 1</a>, by Jake T. Forbes<br />12. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-of-lost-things.html">The Book of Lost Things</a>, by John Connolly<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-6723966473957811410?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-70323835854941932722009-01-19T20:19:00.000-08:002009-03-13T07:18:41.779-07:00Art History Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.arthistoryreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274942869274716322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 120px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRcl32ZaKI/AAAAAAAACQk/O051TOD0oyk/s320/Readingchallenge.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Rules:</span><br /><ul style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><li>Challenge yourself to read at least 6 books about art in 2009. These can be either fiction or nonfiction, and can span every genre from historical fiction to graphic novel.</li></ul><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/forest-lover.html"><s>The Forest Lover</s></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forest-Lover-Susan-Vreeland/dp/B000C2GNLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228062071&sr=1-1">,</a> by Susan Vreeland</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/12/madonnas-of-leningrad.html"><s>The Madonnas of Leningrad</s></a>, by Debra Dean</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/lost-painting.html"><s>The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece</s></a>, by Jonathan Harr</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Matisse-Stories-S-Byatt/dp/067976223X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228062140&sr=1-1">The Matisse Stories</a>, by A.S. Byatt</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Artist-Young-Signet-Classics/dp/0451530152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228062198&sr=1-1">A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man</a>, by James Joyce</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-House-Gauguin-Turbulent-Weeks/dp/B001IWO866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228062233&sr=1-1">Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles</a>, by Martin Gayford</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/LeConte-Stewart-landscape-Robert-Davis/dp/B0006YSOBM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228062277&sr=1-1">LeConte Stewart: The Spirit of Landscape</a>, by Robert O. Davis</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-7032383585494193272?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-57828821484330145332009-01-19T20:18:00.000-08:002009-02-28T09:08:11.861-08:00Jewish Literature Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://jewishliteraturechallenge.blogspot.com/2008/10/jewish-literature-challenge-2008.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 129px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRZdgahGKI/AAAAAAAACQc/SQjaDzVihyA/s320/jewishlit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274939427009927330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">What: Reading at least 4 books by Jewish Authors or about Judaism</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> When: December 21, 2008 (Beginning of Hanukkah) to April 27, 2009 (End of Passover)</span></li></ul>1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-name-of-sorrow-and-hope.html"><s>In the Name of Sorrow and Hope</s></a>, by Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/devils-arithmetic.html"><s>The Devil's Arithmetic</s></a>, by Jane Yolen<br />3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Oprahs-Book-Club-Wiesel/dp/0374500010/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228061822&sr=8-1">Night</a>, by Elie Wiesel<br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Day-Novel-Elie-Wiesel/dp/0809023091/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228061822&sr=8-6">Day</a>, by Elie Wiesel<br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Elie-Wiesel/dp/0809037726/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228061822&sr=8-3">Dawn</a>, by Elie Wiesel<br />6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/People-Book-Novel-Geraldine-Brooks/dp/0143142984/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228057651&sr=8-1">People of the Book</a>, by Geraldine Brooks<div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5782882148433014533?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-68371227346752774062009-01-19T20:16:00.000-08:002009-03-22T16:35:07.510-07:00Shakespeare Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRY7gBge-I/AAAAAAAACQU/ZeDQ_eeXkKQ/s1600-h/christensenalltheworldsastage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRY7gBge-I/AAAAAAAACQU/ZeDQ_eeXkKQ/s320/christensenalltheworldsastage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274938842789477346" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(All the World's a Stage, by <a href="http://swoyersart.com/jameschristensen.htm">James C. Christensen</a>)<br /><br /></div>Historia, at BiblioShakespeare, is hosting a new <a href="http://biblioshake.blogspot.com/">Shakespeare challenge</a> for 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The rules are simple:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• You can read anything about or related to Shakespeare - fiction or non fiction, straight bio or authorship debate - and you can read the plays and sonnets as well.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Read 6 books in 12 months</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Starts January 1st 2009</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Ends December 31st 2009</span><br /><br />1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/01/photo-by-katie-claypool-my-fellow.html"><s>Introduction to Shakespeare</s></a>, by Marchette Chute<br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/manga-shakespeare-macbeth.html"><s>Manga Shakespeare: Macbeth</s></a><br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-manga-reading.html"><s>Manga Shakespeare: The Tempest</s></a><br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeares-Wife-Germaine-Greer/dp/0061537152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228058102&sr=1-1">Shakespeare's Wife</a>, by Germaine Greer<br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Sketchbook-James-C-Christensen/dp/0867130598/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228166813&sr=8-1">Shakespeare Sketchbook</a>, by Renwick St. James; artwork by James C. Christensen<br />6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Alive-Joseph-Papp/dp/0553270818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228058211&sr=1-1">Shakespeare Alive!</a>, by Joseph Papp<br />7. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Life-William-Shakespeare-1599/dp/0060088745/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228058264&sr=1-1">A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599</a>, by James Shapiro<br />8. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Anthony-Burgess/dp/B001KYM77Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228058614&sr=1-4">Shakespeare</a>, by Anthony Burgess<br /><br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-manga-reading.html"><s></s></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-6837122734675277406?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-12945027652249602972009-01-19T20:14:00.000-08:002009-03-14T15:45:35.719-07:00Manga Challenge, 2009 (in progress)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rhinoasramblings.blogspot.com/2008/11/manga-challenge.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/STRSV4QhgfI/AAAAAAAACQE/KuF0gpjbXxM/s320/manga+challenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274931599390114290" border="0" /></a><span style="">The rules are:</span><br /><span style="">• Read at least 6 Manga novels in 2009 (crossovers with other challenges are fine, and please feel free to read more!).<br />• You do not need to set a list of books to read in advance, just fill them in as you go if it's easier.</span><br /><br />1. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/manga-shakespeare-macbeth.html">Manga Shakespeare: Macbeth</a><br />2. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-manga-reading.html">Manga Shakespeare: The Tempest</a><br />3. <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-manga-reading.html">Return to Labyrinth, Vol. 1</a>, by Jake T. Forbes<br />4.<br />5.<br />6.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-1294502765224960297?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-59270818816405118842008-11-10T22:09:00.000-08:002008-12-06T18:14:30.365-08:00May Sunshine Light Your Day... (an ongoing personal challenge)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SRhl2dB5sTI/AAAAAAAACNk/LRftMpIcpEQ/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SRhl2dB5sTI/AAAAAAAACNk/LRftMpIcpEQ/s320/sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267071750389739826" border="0" /></a>A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows. <br />-- St. Francis of Assisi<br /><br /></div>When November arrives in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest">Pacific Northwest</a>, it brings deep darkness and rain. Most of us living here actually like the rain and understand Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's advice: <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." </span> But that doesn't mean we don't long for sunshine on those long, dark, wintery days. One of my favorite things to do in winter, on a dark and dreary day, is to read a book that takes place in sunnier climates. I love to immerse myself in the written sunlight, and then look up to be startled by the dark contrast outside my window.<br /><br />As I was looking through the books on my bookshelves this weekend, I was amazed at how many fit that sunshine description. I decided to put a list together of books I can read on very gray days...my own little journey south in search for sunshine.<br /><br />My Sunshine choices:<br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/11/across-continents.html"><s>The Old Patagonian Express</s></a>, by Paul Theroux<br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/11/bridge-of-san-luis-rey.html"><s>The Bridge of San Luis Rey</s></a>, by Thornton Wilder<br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/12/malinche.html"><s>Malinche</s></a>, by Laura Esquivel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Death-Comes-Archbishop-Vintage-Classics/dp/0679728899/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336101&sr=8-2">Death Comes for the Archbishop</a>, by Willa Cather<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mexico-Travelers-Literary-Companion-Mayo/dp/1883513154/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336137&sr=1-1">Mexico, A Traveler's Literary Companion</a>, edited by C.M. Mayo<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/General-His-Labyrinth-Everymans-Library/dp/1400043336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336318&sr=1-1">The General in His Labyrinth</a>, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Mansions-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0192832883/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336364&sr=1-5">Green Mansions</a>, by W. H. Hudson<br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Martin-Fierro/Jose-Hernandez/e/9781583488119/?itm=6">Martin Fierro</a>, by José Hernández<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336607&sr=1-1">The Alchemist</a>, by Paul Coehlo<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Spirits-Isabel-Allende/dp/0553383809/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226336694&sr=1-2">The House of the Spirits</a>, by Isabel Allende<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lashunbealfinearts.com/catalog/index.php"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SRkeN7Oo3XI/AAAAAAAACOM/amfffR-CKNE/s320/LaShun_reader.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267274463772728690" border="0" /></a>People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy. <br />-- Anton Chekhov<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5927081881640511884?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-41782425223449930542008-08-29T16:21:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:07:26.434-07:00Readers Imbibing Peril 3, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=993"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SLiE2OfmgkI/AAAAAAAACGU/ogSwknP-mfo/s320/ripthree200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240084233584017986" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/john-le-carr.html"><em>A Murder of Quality</em></a>, John le Carré</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/unstrung-harp.html">The Unstrung Harp</a>, Edward Gorey</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/eye-of-jade.html">The Eye of Jade: A Mei Wang Mystery</a>, by Diane Wei Liang</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/varjak-paw.html"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Varjak Paw</span></em></a>, S.F. Said</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/gossamer.html">Gossamer</a>, Lois Lowry</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-man-in-havana.html">Our Man in Havana</a>, Graham Greene</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/tales-of-moonlight-and-rain.html">Tales of Moonlight and Rain</a>, by Ueda Akinari</li><li>The Outlaw Varjak Paw, by S.F. Said</li></ol></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-4178242522344993054?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-68809120475309526662008-08-15T15:39:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:05:23.852-07:00Book-to-Movie Challenge, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://booktomoviechallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-information-and-signups.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234878199630497842" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SKYF_KtpiDI/AAAAAAAACBE/z5EXqhnxiCI/s200/bookmoviechal.jpg" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/diving-bell-and-butterfly.html">The Diving Bell and the Butterfly</a>, by Jean-Dominique Bauby</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-man-in-havana.html">Our Man in Havana</a>, by Graham Greene</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/tales-of-moonlight-and-rain.html">Tales of Moonlight and Rain</a>, by Ueda Akinari</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-6880912047530952666?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-52759482478805581302008-07-11T15:56:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:04:16.540-07:00Japanese Literature Challenge2, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/2008/07/japanese-literature-challenge-2.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SHfl0x7yWaI/AAAAAAAAB0o/Fs-KHBeV6WA/s320/JapanLitChallenge1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221894987879438754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/11/after-quake.html">After the Quake</a>, Haruki Murakami<br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/08/twenty-four-eyes.html">Twenty-Four Eyes</a>, by Sakae Tsuboi<br /><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/tales-of-moonlight-and-rain.html">Tales of Moonlight and Rain</a>, by Akinari Ueda<div><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/10/knit-kimono.html">Knit Kimono</a>, by Vicki Square<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5275948247880558130?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-82438908210332351162008-07-09T06:41:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:03:20.115-07:00Book Awards Challenge II, 2008-09 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bookawardschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/05/book-awards-ii-rules-and-signup.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SHTAp28ZlrI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/G2R8hbV_tl0/s320/bookawardsdraft2small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221009693385266866" border="0" /></a><ol><li>PULITZER: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/07/optimists-daughter.html">The Optimist's Daughter</a>, Eudora Welty</li><li>SASQUATCH: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/08/ghosts-grave.html">The Ghost's Grave</a>, Peg Kehret</li><li>PULITZER Special Award: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/08/maus-i-survivors-tale.html">Maus I: A Survivor's Tale</a>, by Art Spiegelman</li><li>PURA BELPRÉ: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/08/esperanza-rising.html">Esperanza Rising</a>, Pam Muñoz Ryan</li><li>NESTLÉ SMARTIES BOOK PRIZE: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/09/varjak-paw.html">Varjak Paw</a>, by S.F. Said</li><li>MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-Read-Aloud-E-White/dp/0060882611/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226406519&sr=8-4">Charlotte's Web</a>, by E.B. White</li><li>PULITZER: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/11/bridge-of-san-luis-rey.html">The Bridge of San Luis Rey</a>, Thornton Wilder</li><li>THE ALA'S SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/12/becoming-naomi-len.html">Becoming Naomi León</a>, by Pam Muñoz Ryan</li><li>THE MAUD HART LOVELACE BOOK AWARD: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/02/devils-arithmetic.html">The Devil's Arithmetic</a>, by Jane Yolen<br /></li><li>THE ROBERT F. SIEBERT HONOR AWARD: <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2009/03/to-dance-ballerinas-graphic-novel.html">To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel</a>, by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel</li></ol><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-8243890821033235116?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-43871175516256939762008-05-04T09:29:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:02:35.336-07:00Southern Reading Challenge, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/southern-reading-challenge-yall.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SB3kmuj-2dI/AAAAAAAABgw/tnDtkfvdeq8/s200/Southern+Challenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196560899040532946" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/07/watermelon-king.html">The Watermelon King</a>, by Daniel Wallace</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/remembering.html">Remembering</a><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/remembering.html">,</a> by Wendell Berry</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/midnight-in-garden-of-good-and-evil.html">Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</a>, by John Berendt</li></ol><div>Maggie's <a href="http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/name-your-homeplace-contest.html">Name Your Homeplace contest </a><br />Maggie's <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/midnight-in-garden-of-good-and-evil.html">Sense of Place contest</a><is></is></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-4387117551625693976?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-6350214125918528412008-05-03T07:38:00.001-07:002009-03-22T16:53:40.756-07:00The Non-Fiction Five Challenge, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thoughtsofjoyblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/non-fiction-five-challenge-2008.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/SBx5Dej-2bI/AAAAAAAABgg/KyK_c4SHJc4/s320/NFF2008Med.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196161170729261490" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/looking-back-book-of-memories.html">Looking Back: A Book of Memories</a>, by Lois Lowry</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/renoirs-garden.html">Renoir's Garden</a>, by Derek Fell</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/old-friend-from-far-away.html">Old Friend from Far Away</a>, by Natalie Goldberg</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/midnight-in-garden-of-good-and-evil.html">Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</a>, by John Berendt</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/08/maus-i-survivors-tale.html">Maus I: A Survivor's Tale</a>, by Art Spiegelman</li></ol><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-635021412591852841?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-28649181943300600852008-03-23T20:12:00.000-07:002009-03-22T16:51:46.669-07:00Once Upon a Time II, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R-ccw1rz-GI/AAAAAAAABWg/_fwB4dofDOA/s1600-h/onceupon2008120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181141521683183714" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R-ccw1rz-GI/AAAAAAAABWg/_fwB4dofDOA/s200/onceupon2008120.jpg" border="0" /></a><div> </div><ul><s></s><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/03/somewhere-over-rainbow.html">The Wizard of Oz</a>, by L. Frank Baum</li><li>Four wonderful authors each wrote an "ecologically-minded story" based on a Brian Froud painting they chose from his Faerieland project. I’m going to read <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/03/faerielands-wild-wood.html">The Wild Wood</a>, by Charles de Lint; <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/faerielands-wood-wife.html">The Wood Wife</a>, by Terri Windling; <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/faerielands-something-rich-and-strange.html">Something Rich and Strange</a>, by Patricia McKillip; and <a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/faerielands-hannahs-garden.html">Hannah's Garden</a>, by Midori Snyder</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-of-thousand-days.html">Book of a Thousand Days</a>, by Shannon Hale</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/briar-rose.html">Briar Rose</a>, by Jane Yolen</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/young-merlin-trilogy.html">The Young Merlin Trilogy</a>, by Jane Yolen</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/04/sweet-read-snugglepot-and-cuddlepie.html">Snugglepot and Cuddlepie</a>, by May Gibbs</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/seven-wild-sisters.html">Seven Wild Sisters</a>, by Charles de Lint<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/smith-of-wootton-major-and-farmer-giles.html">Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham</a>, by J.R.R. Tolkien</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/06/solstice-wood.html">Solstice Wood</a>, by Patricia A. McKillip</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-2864918194330060085?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-73766038365051317732008-01-21T07:52:00.000-08:002008-07-11T16:04:06.023-07:00B's Reading Challenge, 2008 (ongoing)<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/personal-reading-challenge.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157959009090164530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R5TAZAbYVzI/AAAAAAAABPE/T0jlV3bwgaw/s200/B_challenge.sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>No Rules...just books my husband really likes and would like me to read sometime.<br /></p><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/02/heart-of-darkness.html"><s>Heart of Darkness</s></a>, by Joseph Conrad</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Being-Twentieth-Anniversary/dp/0060597186/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200868231&sr=8-2">The Unbearable Lightness of Being</a>, by Milan Kundera</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Immortality-Perennial-Classics-Milan-Kundera/dp/0060932384/ref=pd_bbs_sr_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200868231&sr=8-8">Immortality</a>, by Milan Kundera </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Death-Ricardo-Reis-Panther/dp/1860465021/ref=pd_bbs_sr_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200868582&sr=8-9">Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis</a>, by Jose Saramago </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Jesus-Christ/dp/0156001411/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200868545&sr=8-4">The Gospel According to Jesus Christ</a>, by Jose Saramago </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Curtain-Essay-Seven-Parts/dp/0060841958/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200868231&sr=8-1">The Curtain</a>, by Milan Kundera<br /></li></ol><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-7376603836505131773?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-10514217450011823692008-01-13T07:56:00.000-08:002009-03-22T16:48:04.508-07:00The Sci Fi Experience, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://scifiexperience.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154990980530198146" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4o0_AbYVoI/AAAAAAAABNU/WDclqJAUCjA/s200/sciexperience150.jpg" border="0" /></a> <ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/first-meetings-in-enders-universe.html">First Meetings in Ender's Universe</a>, by Orson Scott Card</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/green-book.html">The Green Book</a>, by Jill Paton Walsh</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/wolf-of-shadows.html">Wolf of Shadows</a>, by Whitley Streiber</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-1051421745001182369?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-41669177369194895602008-01-12T08:08:00.004-08:002009-03-22T16:46:40.990-07:00Expanding Horizons Challenge, 2008 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://melissasbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/expanding-horizons-challenge.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154752231888148066" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4lb2AbYVmI/AAAAAAAABNA/jOcvhxI0aqs/s200/LatinAmerica.sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/12/tales-our-abuelitas-told-hispanic.html">Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection</a>, by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/far-away-and-long-ago.html">Far Away and Long Ago: A Childhood in Argentina</a>, by W. H. Hudson (ARGENTINA)<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-invented-country-memoir.html">My Invented Country: A Memoir</a>, by Isabel Allende (CHILE)</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/02/short-stories-by-latin-american-women.html">Short Stories by Latin American Women: The Magic and the Real</a>, edited by Celia Correas Zapata<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/02/where-flame-trees-bloom.html">Where the Flame Trees Bloom</a>, by Alma Flor Ada (CUBA)<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/02/where-flame-trees-bloom.html">Under the Royal Palms</a>, by Alma Flor Ada (CUBA)<br /></li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-4166917736919489560?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-69424422979370779492008-01-12T08:08:00.003-08:002009-03-22T16:46:17.247-07:00Japanese Literature Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dolcebellezza.blogspot.com/2007/11/youre-invited.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154750900448286290" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 162px; cursor: pointer; height: 117px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4laogbYVlI/AAAAAAAABM4/6eYpz5psZnw/s200/Japanese+Lit.jpg" border="0" /></a> <ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/12/big-wave.html">The Big Wave</a>, by Pearl S. Buck </li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/thousand-cranes.html">Thousand Cranes</a>, by Yasunari Kawabata</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/01/bells-of-nagasaki.html">The Bells of Nagasaki</a>, by Takashi Nagai</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-6942442297937077949?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-38577883134027057722008-01-12T08:08:00.001-08:002009-03-22T16:45:57.343-07:00Hometown Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/10/hometown-challenge.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 125px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4kgkgbYVWI/AAAAAAAABLA/a-cTDJ2saZ4/s200/SLCchallenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154687060054398306" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/12/goose-girl.html">The Goose Girl,</a> by Shannon Hale (SALT LAKE CITY)<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/11/absolutely-true-diary-of-part-time.html">The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian</a>, by Sherman Alexie (SEATTLE)<br /></li></ol><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/10/hometown-challenge.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4kg2AbYVXI/AAAAAAAABLI/97O6EOT3BMU/s200/seattle-skyline2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154687360702109042" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-3857788313402705772?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-89494923182171474372008-01-12T08:07:00.001-08:002009-03-22T16:45:40.280-07:00Book-To-Movie Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/12/book-to-movie-challenge-is-on.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 136px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4lScgbYVfI/AAAAAAAABMI/aIVE8_xk4GQ/s200/bookmoviechal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154741898196833778" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/09/african-queen.html">The African Queen</a>, by C. S. Forester</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/11/namesake.html">The Namesake,</a> by Jhumpa Lahiri</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/11/tale-of-despereaux.html">The Tale of Despereaux</a>, by Kate DiCamillo</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-8949492318217147437?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-1519299626130410732008-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:002009-03-22T16:45:22.796-07:00R.I.P., II Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ripingyarns.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 125px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4lULwbYVhI/AAAAAAAABMY/Xdr7oGi-V1Y/s200/rip200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154743809457280530" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/08/study-in-scarlet.html">A Study in Scarlet</a>, by Arthur Conan Doyle</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/10/red-house-mystery.html">The Red House Mystery</a>, by A. A. Milne<br /></li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/09/reading-weekend.html">The Woman in Black,</a> by Susan Hill</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/09/strange-happenings.html">Strange Happenings</a>, by Avi</li><li><a href="http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2007/08/melancholy-death-of-oyster-boy.html">The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy</a>, by Tim Burton</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-151929962613041073?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-11364266771624960032008-01-12T08:05:00.001-08:002009-03-22T16:45:07.492-07:00Southern Reading Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2007/04/summer-reading-challenge-info.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 154px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4knugbYVcI/AAAAAAAABLw/4clrgtKql2E/s320/Southernchallenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154694928434484674" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fish-Daniel-Wallace/dp/0743484258/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200171277&sr=1-1">Big Fish</a>, by Daniel Wallace</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Cassette-Harper-Lee/dp/0060888709/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200171304&sr=1-8">To Kill a Mockingbird,</a> by Harper Lee (audiobook version, read by Sissy Spacek)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Their-Eyes-Were-Watching-God/dp/B000OCZESW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200171340&sr=1-2">Their Eyes Were Watching God</a>, by Zora Neale Hurston (audiobook version, read of Ruby Dee)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Julia-Strikes-Back/dp/0670038415/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200171373&sr=1-1">Miss Julia Strikes Back</a>, by Ann B. Ross</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-1136426677162496003?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3324677430898721062.post-58216652122449808662008-01-12T08:02:00.000-08:002009-03-22T16:44:51.828-07:00Once Upon a Time Challenge, 2007 (COMPLETED)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://onceuponatimechallenge.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtMla9qUeh8/R4lXHQbYVkI/AAAAAAAABMw/ddJBMeTuwFY/s200/onceupon_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154747030682752578" border="0" /></a><ol><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moorchild-Margaret-K-McElderry-Book/dp/1416948198/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200169777&sr=8-1">The Moorchild</a>, by Eloise McGraw</li><li>The Arthurian Trilogy written by Rosemary Sutcliff<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Circle-Arthur-Knights-Round/dp/0140371494/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200169821&sr=1-3">: The Sword and The Circle</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-beyond-Forest-Arthurian-Trilogy/dp/0140371508/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200170016&sr=1-2">The Light Beyond the Forest</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Camlann-Death-King-Arthur/dp/0140371478/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200169886&sr=1-19">The Road to Camlann</a></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Spirits-American-Mythology-Mythologies/dp/0805238573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200170108&sr=1-1">Warriors, Gods & Spirits from Central and South American Mythology</a>, text by Douglas Gifford, illustrations by John Sibbick</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Neil-Gaiman/dp/1401211909/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200170170&sr=1-1">Stardust</a>, by Neil Gaiman<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eyre-Affair-Thursday-Next-Novel/dp/0142001805/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200170220&sr=1-1">The Eyre Affair</a>, by Jasper Fforde</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Signet-Classics/dp/0451526961/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200170250&sr=1-2">A Midsummer Night's Dream,</a> by William Shakespeare</li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3324677430898721062-5821665212244980866?l=bookchallenges.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01857602206725562335noreply@blogger.com