I love participating in challenges. They help me focus and try books and authors I wouldn’t have otherwise. In 2009 I completed all 4 of my challenges. This year? Not so much. Having many months of morning sickness and then the arrival of little Gage 10 weeks ago have forced me to prioritize and I’m okay with that.
I only completed one challenge this year – The New Authors challenge where I committed to read 35 new to me authors. My favorite is Beth Hoffman, author of Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, because not only did I love her debut novel, but she is a super nice person, an inspiring speaker and she actually interacts with the book blogging community. Three cheers for Beth.
I failed the A-Z Challenge this year and plan to try again in 2011. I also failed The RYOB Challenge where I had you all vote for 50 of the books I’d read this year. I have 14 left and will be reading them in 2011. You guys really picked some winners for me, you chose 4 of my top 5 reads this year! I failed the States challenge and Color challenge and will try again in 2011. I also failed the Short Story and 100 mile fitness challenges.
I’ll be a bit choosier in my 2011 challenges. Unless I can start counting board and cloth books 🙂
1. She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb – 12 votes (Mary, Marce, Jo-Jo, Amanda, Calico Critic, ‘Nise, Jo Ann, Allesandra, Piroska, Mom, Literary Feline, Melissa)
2. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – 10 votes (Mary, BermudaOnion, Word Lily, Linda B, Em, Literate Housewife, Ms. Mazzola, Jessica, Mille, Margie)
4. Life of Pi by Yann Martel – 10 votes (Gofita, Carol, Staci, Ms. Mazzola, Heather, Kerri, Rebecca, Alita Reads, Julie H., Rhapsody)
9. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley – 7 votes (Carol, Staci, FleurFisher, Vasilly, Ms. Mazzola, Angie, Amanda)
11. Emma by Jane Austen – 6 votes (Candice, Jennifer, Ms. Mazzola, Alita Reads, Kathrin, Literary Feline)
14. Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire – 5 votes (Shanyn, Jo-Jo, Calico Critic, Donna S, Lisa-Marie)
16. Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen – 5 votes (Kristie, Jessica, Sharon, Sue R., Jason)
17. Blood Memory by Greg Iles – 5 votes (Jennofer, Kristie, Carol, Jenners, Angie S.)
18. The Pact by Jodi Picoult – 5 votes (Sharyn, Em, Colleen, Sheral, Margie)
19. Roots by Alex Hailey – 5 votes (Cee-Cee, Staci, Literate Housewife, Sarah E., Angie S.)
21. The Lake House by James Patterson – 4 votes (Donna S., GMR, Mom, Sue R., Rebecca)
22. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – 4 votes (Jo Ann, GMR, Piroska, Mystica)
23. Love Walked In by Maria de los Santos – 4 votes (Candice, Amanda, Colleen, Soft Drink)
24. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner – 4 votes (Shanyn, Wrighty’s Reads, Em, Mom)
25. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher – 4 votes (Linda B., Margot, FleurFisher, Sandee)
26. Digital Fortress by Dan Brown – 4 votes (Melody, Bumbles, Virginie, Jason)
27. Women Who Loves Books Too Much – 3 votes (Amanda, Angie, Mystica)
28. Welcome to the World, Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg – 3 votes (Wrighty’s Reads, Bumbles, Sarah E.)
29. The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber – 3 votes (‘Nise, Mom, Bonnie)
30. See Jane Run by Joy Fielding – 3 votes (Kristie, GMR, Debby)
31. The Sleeping Doll by Jeffrey Deaver – 3 votes (Kristie, Margie, Jason)
32. The Husband by Dean Koontz – 3 votes (Wrighty’s Reads, Marce, Jason)
33. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – 3 votes (Jennifer, Calico Critic, Angie)
34. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz – 3 votes (Donna S., Sandee, Sharon)
35. Good Grief by Lolly Winston – 3 votes (Staci, Jenners, Margie)
36. Testimony by Anita Shreve – 3 votes (Marce, Allesandra, Mystica)
37. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner – 3 votes (Candice, Word Lily, Bumbles)
38. Remember When by Nora Roberts – 2 votes (Donna S., Debby)
39. The Bean Trees by Barabara Kingsolver – 2 votes (Golda, Amanda)
40. Three Junes by Julia Glass – 2 votes (Golda, Soft Drink)
41. The Sister by Poppy Adams – 2 votes (Literate Housewife, Sandee)
42. Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins – 2 votes (Carol, Mille)
43. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – 2 votes (Vasilly, Allesandra)
44. The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve – 2 votes (Piroska, Wanda)
45. The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini – 2 votes (Gofita, Calico Critic)
46. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – 2 votes (Golda, Heather)
47. Running Blind by Lee Child – 2 votes (‘Nise, Sheral)
48. White Fang by Jack London – 2 votes (GMR, Rhapsody)
49. The Human Stain by Philip Roth – 2 votes (Jackie, Mille)
50. A Room With a View by E.M. Forster – 2 votes (Candice, Jenny girl)
51. The Devil & Tom Walker by Washington Irving
52. Red Light by T.Jefferson Parker (Color Challenge)
53. Black Water by T.Jefferson Parker (Color Challenge)
54. The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher (Color Challenge)
55. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Titles
A As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
D Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
E
F Fortunate Harbor by Emilie Richards
G Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
I In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
J The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
K
M Murder List by Julie Garwood
N The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Q
R Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker
S Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
T The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini
U Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
V
W Women Who Love Books Too Much by Brenda Knight
X
Y
Z
AUTHORS
D The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
G The Beach House by Jane Green
I The Devil & Tom Walker by Washington Irving
K The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
M The Cougar Club by Susan McBride
N The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
O Keeper of the Keys by Perri O’Shaughnessy
P The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher
Q Put on Your Crown by Queen Latifah
R Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
S This One is Mine by Maria Semple
U Why We Buy by Paco Underhill
V Think of a Number by John Verdon
W The Proof is in the Pudding by Melinda Wells
X
Y The Shack by William P. Young
Z The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
1 Beth Hoffman – Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
2 Elle Newmark – The Book of Unholy Mischief
3 Sarah Addison Allen – Garden Spells
4 Sara Angelini – The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy
6 Susan McBride – The Cougar Club
7 Helen Keller – The Story of My Life
9 This One is Mine by Maria Semple
10 Washington Iving – The Devil & Tom Walker
11 Sophie Kinsella – Confessions of a Shopaholic
14 William P. Young – The Shack
15 Marisa de los Santos – Love Walked In
16 Laurie Viera Rigler – Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
17 Brenda Knight – Women Who Love Books Too Much
18 Fannie Flagg – Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!
19 Jennifer Donnelly – The Tea Rose
20 Eloisa James – Potent Pleasures
21 Frances Mayes – Under the Tuscan Sun
22 Jeannette Walls – The Glass Castle
23 Jane Green – The Beach House
24 Alexander McCall Smith – The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
25 William Faulkner – As I Lay Dying
26 Carol Burnett – This Time Together
27 Barbara Ehrenreich – Nickel and Dimed
28 Nicole Krauss – The History of Love
29 John Verdon – Think of a Number
30 Jennifer Weiner – Good in Bed
31 Amy Tan – The Joy Luck Club
32 Paco Underhill – Why We Buy
33 Heidi Murkoff – What to Expect When You’re Expecting
34 Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam – On Becoming Baby Wise
35 Perri O’Shaughnessy – Keeper of the Keys
Queen Latifah – Put on Your Crown, Carlos Ruiz Zafon – The Shadow of the Wind
1 The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher
2 Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker
3 Black Water by T. Jefferson Parker
5
6
7
8
9
1 The Devil & Tom Walker by Washington Irving
2 The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher
3
4
Alabama The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
Alaska
Arizona The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Arkansas
California The Husband by Dean Koontz, The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini, The Proof is in the Pudding by Melinda Wells, This One is Mine by Maria Semple, Red Light by T. Jefferson Parker, Black Water by T. Jefferson Parker, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver, This Time Together by Carol Burnett, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Keeper of the Keys by Perri O’Shaughnessy
Colorado The Shining by Stephen King, The Lake House by James Patterson
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida Fortunate Harbor by Emilie Richards, Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen
Georgia Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois Limitations by Scott Turow, Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg, Murder List by Julie Garwood
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
Maryland Digital Fortress by Dan Brown, Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler, Remember When by Nora Roberts
Massachussetts The Beach House by Jane Green, See Jane Run by Joy Fielding
Michigan
Minnesota Storm Prey by John Sandford
Mississippi Blood Memory by Greg Iles, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Missouri The Cougar Club by Susan McBride, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! by Fannie Flagg
Montana Die Trying by Lee Child
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire The Pact by Jodi Picoult
New Jersey Caught by Harlan Coben, Put on Your Crown by Queen Latifah
New Mexico
New York Deadly Love by Brenda Joyce, Deadly Pleasures by Brenda Joyce, Deadly Affairs by Brenda Joyce, Deadly Desire by Brenda Joyce, Deadly Caress by Brenda Joyce. Deadly Promise by Brenda Joyce, Deadly Kisses by Brenda Joyce, The Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, Think of a Number by John Verdon
North Carolina Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon The Shack by William P Young
Pennsylvania Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos, Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk, The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
West Virginia The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Washington DC Inside Out by Barry Eisler
(England-Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Sister by Poppy Adams, Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophi Kinsella, The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher , Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler, The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly, Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James) Italy-The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark, Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes Russia- War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy Canada- White Fang by Jack London, Botswana- The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Angency by Alexander McCall Smith Scotland- Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher) Spain- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Too many places – Give + Take by Stona Fitch, Women Who Love Books Too Much by Brenda Knight, Running Blind by Lee Child, Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, Why We Buy by Paco Underhill
Jan-March = 100 miles 96 miles (as of 1-8-10) 94 miles to go (as of 1-15-10) 91 miles to go (as of 1-22-10)
Stacy's Books 
I still think you did marvelously for having finished any! Congrats. I also failed on the A-Z Challenge. I’m not even going to do a challenge this year other than read what I already own! Being a new mom and a mom period is tough work! Congrats again and good luck this next year as well.
Are you telling me this mothering thing doesn’t get any easier?!
I wish! But there always seems to be something new to deal with with each age!!! Someone told me that by the time my kid is 8 I might start getting a good night’s sleep! Yikes…I’ve got a few years to go…Oh, and thanks for sharing your Sundays with Gage! They are great.
Well I think you did a fabulous job! I didn’t do that good but there’s always next year. I’ll have to check out the A-Z Challenge or the new author one i haven’t seen that one yet.
Natalie :0)
You did well, Stacy!
And wow, you must have put in lots of efforts for this post!
Nah. I’ve been keeping it up to date on a page at the top of my blog and I just copied and pasted it. I don’t have this much time right now!
I think you did awesome! You have read so MANY books 🙂
I think you did remarkable with all of these challenges, especially getting ready with the arrival of Gage and then of course his finally being here Yay! which I might add made my 2010 much brighter seeing his beautiful face 😀
Great job Stacy – on the books. Great job on your new addition as well. I agree that 2011 will probably be the year you become an expert on board books.
Excellent work my friend! Impressive. You inspire me to do better in 2011.