2012 Cristmas Spirit Reading Challenge Wrap Up

I almost forgot that I was supposed to write a wrap up post for this challenge. I've been having such fun reading Christmas books that I would happily continue to read them. 

My goal was to read 5 or 6 books and I ended up with 8 books read (although I still have to write 2 of the reviews) and a few more in the TBR pile which I think I will leave for next year's challenge (assuming Michelle will keep on hosting it :-)  ).

Books read:

1. Marian's Christmas Wish by Carla Kelly
2. The First Snowdrop by Mary Balogh
3. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas
4. A Christmas Odyssey by Anne Perry
5. What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander
6. Christmas Belle by mary Balogh
7. Mistletoe and Mischief (review coming soon) by several authors
8. Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight (review coming soon) by Grace Burrowes

I had a great time with this challenge, although I didn't read some of the titles I had first planned nor did I manage to watch anything Christmas themed, and I am really happy with most of my reads. Looking forward to another one next year! 

My Challenges in 2012

Although I was a bit worried about having time to read when this year started the truth is that it things went better than I thought and not only did I manage to read more books than I was expecting but I also managed to complete most of the challenges I joined. One thing that these last few months taught me was that in times of crisis I turn to my family and to books to give me comfort. While I did not complete all of them I am very happy with what I achieved and I do plan to join a few challenges again next year.

Here's is the list of the ones I joined this year:

The Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge

2012 Reading Challenge

Ana T. has
completed her goal of reading 50 books in 2012!

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58 of 50 (115%)

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Historical Fiction Challenge

Hosted by Historical Tapestry I was planning to read 10 books and I managed to succed. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and while I have been turning to lighter reads recently I have every intention of joining the challenge again next year. Here's my list of books read:

Hearts That Survive, A Novel of the Titanic - Yvohne Lehmann

Strongbow, The Story of Richard and Aoife - Morgan Llywellyn

The Perfume Garden - Kate Lord Brown

Hungry Hill - Daphne du Maurier

Oleanna - Julie K. Rose

The Secret Keeper - Sandra Byrd

Defend and Betray - Anny Perry

O Segredo da Bastarda - Cristina Norton

No Graves As Yet - Anne Perry

A Small Death in Lisbon - Robert Wilson

The Portuguese Historical Fiction Challenge

Although the year hasn't ended yet I don't think I will sucessfully finish this challenge. I had planned to read 5 books and in the end I've read only 3. It was refreshing to read portuguese settings and I do intend to challenge myself again in 2013. I have been toying with the idea of doing a proper challenge with a monthly post and a Mr Linky so that other people may participate and easily find the list of participants and books read. If you would like to participate leave me a comment and help me decide. :-)

Here's my list of books read:

 O Segredo da Bastarda - Cristina Norton

A Small Death in Lisbon - Robert Wilson

Codex 632 - José Rodrigues dos Santos

The Pin It & Do It Challenge

Ever since I found Pinterest I have been collecting photos of projects to try later. When I found this challenge I couldn't resist joining because I already knew I wanted to do some crafts for Christmas. I joined at the lowest level - 1 to 3 pins - and I am happy I did so because despite my best intentions I have only managed to do one - A Christmas Tree for Toddlers.

The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

I'm still working on this one but I can safely say that I will reach my goal. I have till Jan 6th to read 5 or 6 books with a Christmas theme and so far I have read 4. Since cosy, sweet reads about love, friendship, families coming together and big house parties are exactly what I feel like reading at the moment this was the perfect challenge to join in Decemberl.

Books read so far:

1. Marian's Christmas Wish
2. The First Snowdrop
3. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
4. A Christmas Odyssey

Pin It and Do It - Intro post

For the first time ever I've decided to enter a Pinterest challenge. As I've mentioned previously I'm looking for holiday projects to do with/for the boys. I don't think a traditional Christmas tree would stay up for long so I'm looking for alternative trees and decorations. I was planning to save the ideas I come across on the WWW on Pinterest so this just seems like the prefect challenge!

It is organised by Trish @ Love Laughter and a Touch Insanity and here are the rules:

The Details:

1. To participate you will choose your level and then make (or do) that amount of pins during Nov 15-Dec 31, 2012. Challenge ends December 31st. Links must be submitted by January 4th.

2. Report back on your Pin It and Do It success. Ideally this will come in the form of a blog or tumblr post. Or you can post about it on Facebook if you don’t have a blog or tumblr. Or create a board on Pinterest for this challenge. You can create multiple updates, a few updates, or one update. Whatever is best for you.

3. Anyone is welcome to join at any time. If you need an invite to Pinterest, let me know your email address and I’ll send an invite.

The Levels:

Timid Pinner: 1-3 Pins

Pinterested: 4-7 Pins

Pin Obsessed: 8+ Pins

***

Since this is my first attempt I'll go with the Timid Pinner level (1-3 Pins). You can find the link to join in here

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

As I mentioned yesterday I am looking forward to some Christmas projects this year and joining a Christmas Reading Challenge seems just the perfect thing to do.  So, I am joining the 2012 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge hosted by Michelle, the True Book Addict at The Christmas Spirit blog. She has lots of interesting information about Christmas stuff  posted so even if you don't want to join it might be worth checking it out.

Here are the rules in Michelle's own words:

• challenge will run from Monday, November 19, 2012 through Sunday, January 6, 2013 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany).
• cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged!
• These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level!
• Levels:

            --Candy Cane:  read 1 book

            --Mistletoe:  read 2-4 books

            --Christmas Tree:  read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)

          Additional levels:

            --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!

            --Visions of Sugar Plums:  read books with your children this season and share what you read

          *the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

I'm joining at the Christmas Tree level. I definitely plan to read some books to my children although they are too small for longer stories (I'll have to see what I can find), and if I have the time I do want to watch some movies too!

So far I have in my TBR pile:
Marian's Christmas Wish - Carla Kelly
The First Snowdrop - Mary Balogh
Christmas Belle - Mary Balogh
A Christmas Homecoming - Anne Perry
Mischief of The Mistletoe - Lauren Willig
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor - Lisa Kleypas

and I am planning to get Silent Night by Deanna Raybourn.

I'll see if I'll change the list till the end of the challenge...


Books read:

1. Marian's Christmas Wish
2. The First Snowdrop
3. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
4. A Christmas Odyssey
5. What Happens at Christmas
6. Christmas Belle
7. Mistletoe and Mischief (review coming soon)
8. Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight (review coming soon)

Book Challenges

I used to be a challenge's enthusiast but in 2011 I missed all goals... I have been toying with the idea of joining just one challenge and I have decided to join Historical Tapestry's Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. Not only because I am a member of that blog's team (I didn't join last year) but because I really have been in the mood for some HF.

Since I'm not sure how much time I'll have I'm joining at the Struggling the Addiction level and try to read 10 books. If you want to join me (and a whole lot of other booklovers) you can find the challenge post here and the post for the January reviews is already up! 

Books read:

1. Hearts That Survive, A Novel of the Titanic - Yvohne Lehmann
2. Strongbow, The Story of Richard and Aoife - Morgan Llywellyn
3. The Perfume Garden - Kate Lord Brown
4. Hungry Hill - Daphne du Maurier
5. Oleanna - Julie K. Rose
6. The Secret Keeper - Sandra Byrd
7. Defend and Betray - Anny Perry
8. O Segredo da Bastarda - Cristina Norton
9. No Grave As Yet - Anne Perry
10. A Small Death in Lisbon - Robert Wilson