I need another challenge like I need another 10 month old, but here I am, admitting I joined just one more.  I’ve seen this one around every year and always meant to participate, but never got around to it, so this year in a moment of weakness I joined it.  I think it’ll be fun.

Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings is hosting.  Here are a few of the details if you are interested too.

The purpose of the R.I.P. Challenge is to enjoy books that could be classified as:

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

The emphasis is never on the word challenge, instead it is about coming together as a community and embracing the autumnal mood, whether the weather is cooperative where you live or not.

I signed up to read two books before the end of October.   Let me know if there is one that I just have to read.

This is a continuation of last year’s challenge where I asked all of you to vote for 50 books from my shelves that I would read.  I have 14 left and I’m honoring my committment to reading them.  Maybe it’s because you guys chose 4 of my 5 favorite books last year!  Here are the ones I’ve still yet to read…

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)

19. Roots by Alex Hailey – 5 votes (Cee-Cee, Staci, Literate Housewife, Sarah E., Angie S.)

35. Good Grief by Lolly Winston – 3 votes (Staci, Jenners, Margie)

36. Testimony by Anita Shreve – 3 votes (Marce, Allesandra, Mystica)

40. Three Junes by Julia Glass – 2 votes (Golda, Soft Drink)

42. Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins – 2 votes (Carol, Mille)

46. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – 2 votes (Golda, Heather)

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)

Tasha is hosting this challenge.  I’m hoping I even get 50 books read this year, but I’m going to give this one a shot.  I’ll try to read at least one book from each of the 50 states.  Last year I visited 23 so we’ll see if I can improve on that.

The goal of this challenge is to read books that are set in each of the fifty states. Your books can be of any genre and any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. (Re-read reviews must be written within the year 2011; you can not use old reviews.)

This one hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea looks like fun and it should fit it with my monthly giveaways.  I’m signing up for 12. 

• Challenge runs from January 1 – December 31, 2011.
• Read books from your own shelves, and then pass the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves your house once it has been read.  
• Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum – no maximum). Cross over books are allowed.
• Grab the button and do a post about the challenge.
• Keep a running list of the books you’ve read and passed on.
•  Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered  (no Mr. Linky).
• Have Fun and GOOD LUCK!

And this one hosted by Jamie at Nitty Gritty.  I grew up on romances and since I have started my blog I feel like I have largely abandoned them so I’m signing up with a goal of 12.

1. Create a post for the challenge using the image above and link back to this post.
–Non-Bloggers: You are welcome to join too. Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.
2. Sign up with the Mr. Linky.
–Link to your challenge post when you sign up please.
3. The goal of this challenge is to read AT LEAST 12 novels that are in the Romance genre (ANY kind of romance) between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.
4. Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.
5. There is no need to create your list now. Please feel free to use your challenge post to keep track of your titles if you so desire.

I’m blaming this one on Margot (her posts always made me want to join in), but it’s hosted by Kerrie  at Mysteries in Paradise.  I’m signing up to read my way through Agatha Christie’s novels in order.  This challenge has no time limit, which is why I’m signing up.  Since there are around 100 works I may be at it awhile!

Last year I signed up for only a few challenge and managed to complete them all.  Why sign up if you aren’t planning on succeeding?  Well, I was humbled by the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge that ran from January 1-March 31.  I got off to a slow start and due to a few challenges at home (which I will share with you next week) I came in at only about 75 miles.  Big fat fail.  So I decided to see how I was doing with my other challenges and promptly started to panic.

I let you guys choose 50 of the 55 books I signed up for and I need to get busy.  Of the 50 you chose for me I’ve managed to complete only 11.  I have started 3 others.  And of the 5 I chose from my shelves I’ve read 3.  So I’m 14 out of 55 for this challenge. So far my favorite book that you chose is Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.I flew through this one last year, but not so much this time around.  I have read 20 out of the 52.

I signed up for 35 and have read 12 new authors this year.  Just by adding the ones that you chose for me for the RYOB challenge I’ll add 17 more.  Beth Hoffman author of Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt is my favorite new find. 

The Color Challenge is to read 9 books with nine different colors in the title.  I finished one this week and am reading a second.

I’m supposed to read a short story collection every quarter and I’m on track.  Whew.  At least I’m caught up on one.

The States Challenge is one I joined late knowing that it would be difficult to complete.  Since it includes Washington DC I’ve managed only 13 of 51 so far.  New York is my most read state since I re-read the Deadly series with 8 books.

So, there it is.  My reading has really taken a hit lately, as has my visiting your blogs.  Hang in there with me, more details next week…