Fall Into Reading

It's been a while since I've read some good ol' YA books.  Granted, I haven't been the greatest at reading or blogging with the move and the new baby and all, but man, do I miss curling up with my Kindle or a good paperback and a frappachino and just reading. 

So anyway (now that I'm desperately craving a frap) let me get to the point of this post.  Katrina at Callapider Days is hosting the PERFECT book challenge to get me back into reading.  I love that you can set your own goals and reading list.  So anyway, since I'm still getting into the swing of things in a new house and with another kiddo, I'm only planning on reading 5 books.  If I can do more, awesome possum.  If not, I think I can handle a book or two each month.  'cuz that's how long the challenge lasts, during my favoritest of all seasons.  Yay for autumn!

So, just in case you're curious as to what I'll be reading (and hopefully reviewing) in the next few months, here they are:

Happy Autumn Everyone!  And happy reading!

Anyone else gonna participate in this challenge?  

And have any of you read any of these books?

One, Two, Theme! update

I feel compelled to inform you of where I'm at on my One, Two, Theme! reading challenge.   First, I must tell you about the challenge. "The idea of the challenge is to read about specific topics that interest you, in various degrees of detail. For theme 1 you'll read one book, for theme 2 you'll read two books, for theme 3 you'll read three books and so on."  Oh, and once you get to theme 2 and beyond, you have to read at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.  


Originally I had planned to read more books on bees and genetics, and I also had a theme for psychology (see my old post with themes here).  But I am rewriting my story and it needs more scientific research to make the story more realistic.  Research about what, you may ask?  The brain AKA, neuroscience.  So, I have restructured my themes as you see here, and also crossed off and rated those books I've read.  It's not too late to join in on the reading challenge fun!


Here's my themes:

1) bees 
-Honeybee: Lessons From an Accidental Beekeeper (NF)  4 stars!  Fun AND informative.
2) genetics
-Genetics Demystified (NF)
-Champion Maker (F)
3) writing
-On Writing: A Memoir of Craft (NF)   5 stars!  Awesome writer's resource!!!
-Misery (F)    4 stars.  Super creepy!
-Zen and the Art of Writing (NF)
4) neuroscience (research for my current writing project)
-The Brain That Changes Itself (NF)  4 1/2 stars.  Amazing true stories and case studies!
-Left Brain/Right Brain (NF)
-Mind Wide Open (NF)
-Saturday (F)
4) cake decorating (my new, self-taught hobby)
-Hello Cupcake! (NF)  5 stars!  Awesome pics!
-What's New Cupcake? (NF)  5 stars!   More awesome pics!
-Wilton Cake Decorating Basics (NF)  3 stars.  Boring, yet informative tips.
-Cupcake Queen (F)

So, what do you want to learn more about?  Willing to read a few books about it?

(Not Just) Another Reading Challenge

Yep.  That's right.  More reading challenges I'm participating in for 2011.  I already know my New Years Resolution is to watch less TV and read more books.  These challenges will (hopefully!) keep me on track.

Up first: Christian Fiction

This one is sponsored by The Book Junkie's Bookshelf and requires you to read 12 Christian books.  I'm aiming for mostly YA Christian fiction.  So, you're gonna be seeing some reviews of some Christian books in the Teen Reads Archive soon. :)

Up first on my Christian Fiction reading list is Christy, Red Velvet and Hollywood Nobody.

And My Next Challenge: YA Reading Challenge

This one's sponsored by Jamie Loves YA.  You can choose which level you want to participate in:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels

I'm aiming for the Fun Size one.  :)  Don't have my list picked out for sure, but I know up first is Across the Universe.  Can't wait to read it!

Oh and btw,  I'm up to 50 followers!  Yay!  Thanks for following.  :)