Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Sunday Salon: Dec 9, 2012 - Challenges

The Sunday Salon.com
It's been an overcast weekend here in NY and I am feeling a little under the weather which means I have accomplished very little over the past two days. This Christmas to-do list is looming next to me - I need to get a least a few things done! I have the cards out and am going to get those started today for sure. Do you have holiday tasks scheduled today?


As the end of the year nears, I am wrapping up my 2012 reading challenges. After three years of attempting challenges, I think this is the first where I have completed most of them (there are still some DNF's in there unfortunately).   I am also excited to see all the reviews people have linked to the challenge that I am hosting - The Immigrant Stories Challenge. You can check them out here.  I am going to host again in 2013 so look for the sign-up info soon!

Today I am going to wrap up two challenges for which all the reviews are posted (I have finished others but the reviews of some are still pending).

Ireland Reading Challenge  - This challenge is hosted by Carrie at Books and Movies.  My Mom is from Ireland and I have always enjoyed books set in Ireland so this is an easy one for me.  This year I joined at the Kiss the Blarney Stone level (6 books) and I read:

Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy (audio)
Solace by Belinda McKeon
When Summer Is In the Meadow by Niall Williams and Christine Breen
Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney
Recipes for a Perfect Marriage by Morag Prunty

South Asian Challenge is hosted by Swapna at S. Krishna's Books. I read a lot from this part of the world so I have joined this challenge for the past few years. This year I read five books:

The World We Found by Thrity Urmigar
Miss New India by Bharati Mukherjee
Little Princes by Conor Grennan
And Laughter Fell From The Sky by Jyotsna Sreenivasan
The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam

Do you do reading challenges?  How have you done on yours so far?

9 comments:

  1. I just love the Keep Calm and Be Merry cards! I'm cleaning the house and doing a little more decorating today - it's a very gradual process around here.

    Are you going to the rescheduled Random House Open House on Friday? Hope to see you there :-)

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  2. I did finish my challenges this year, and I think it's because I cut down on the number....so, as much as I would like to do an Ireland Reading Challenge (which I did and enjoyed a couple of years ago), I probably won't. I already signed up for four challenges.

    Enjoy!

    Here's MY SUNDAY SALON POST

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  3. I don't want to even think about how far behind I am on Christmas. I did get the tree up yesterday and got a few gifts wrapped this morning. I hope you're back to normal before you know it.

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  4. I love reading challenges, can't resist entering all that intrigue me. But my goal was realistic: "finish 12 challenges in '12", and I met that goal easily. Next year's goal: "finish 13 challenges in '13", and I'm signing up for all the challenges that appeal. I look forward to participating again in the Immigrant Stories Challenge next year - thanks for re-hosting.

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  5. I used to compulsively sign up for every challenge that sounded interesting. I hardly ever succeeded. Now I rarely sign up.


    My Sunday Salon

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  6. Cute holiday cards:) I just wrote our over the weekend and will mail them tomorrow. Not stressing over gifts and mall shopping, either buying online or buying gift cards.


    Thanks for the sweet comments about my granddaughter Colleen - have a great week.

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  7. It's always hit or miss with challenges for me. I feel like I start strong and then taper off, mostly because I'm easily distracted when it comes to reading! I think the only one I've been consistent with is my own at The Stephen King Project. So I better be consistent with it! :)

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  8. I am in love with the Keep Calm and Be Merry Card! Want!

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  9. Impressive list! I haven't joined any challenges, but I have posted a list of my favorite books from this year. My focus is on my writing so the books I read are often in my genre, but I also like to read for fun and appreciate your suggestions.

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