Even though I read a lot in 2012 (112 books!), I was unorganized about it, I didn’t read the classics I wanted to read, and I allowed my to-be-read (TBR) stack to proliferate ridiculously. I also didn’t participate in any reading challenges, and I missed that. I don’t need prodding to read, but I like the feeling of working towards a goal. So this year, I’m going to participate in two reading challenges, both sponsored by Bev at MyReader’s Block.
I desperately need to do another “Off the Shelf” challenge, and there are several floating around out there with varying degrees of rigor. I chose Bev’s TBR challenge because it’s simple, I like the button and the mountain references! I’m shooting for the
The second challenge is another Vintage Mystery Challenge. I
participated in Bev’s VMC in 2011 and loved
it. I found some great, new-to-me authors (and revisited some old favorites).
This year, Bev has come up with categories that sound like lots fun. To be eligible for a prize, there’s an eight book minimum using the categories
she’s provided, which include things like “Colorful Crime: a book with a color
or reference to color in the title” and “A Calendar of Crime: a mystery with a
date/holiday/year/month/etc. in the title.” I haven’t chosen all my titles yet,
but I think my first choice will be Gladys Mitchell’s Spotted Hemlock (“Murderous Methods: a book with a means of death
in the title”). I’m planning to look for new authors and books instead of just
rereading old favorites…though I’m sure one or two will sneak in.
Do you participate in reading challenges? Which ones? Do you have any reading plans for 2013?