The Maiden's Court: 2012 Challenges Wrap-Up

Typically when I do a challenge wrap up it is a little sad because I don’t typically do tremendously well. But this year I am very excited because I finished all but a couple – and those I didn’t expect to from the outset. There was only one that I failed miserably at.

First the good:

European Reading Challenge 2012
Hosted by Rose City Reader

My goal was to read 5 books set in 5 different European countries. I finished this challenge very early in the year – 6/12/12. A lot of the HF I read is set in Europe so this was pretty easy. I read books set in the following countries: France, Greece, Italy, Scotland, and Spain.

Truth in Fiction Challenge
Hosted by Fig and Thistle

My goal was to read 2 book related pairs (total of 4 books) one fiction and one non-fiction in each pair. I just finished this challenge on 12/31/12. My book pairs were as follows: Pair 1 Marie Therese – Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey and Marie Therese: Child of Terror by Susan Nagel and Pair 2 Abraham Lincoln – The Lincoln Conspiracy by Timothy L. O’Brien and Lincoln by David Herbert Donald. This challenge was just as difficult as I expected it to be but I was glad for the challenge.

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2012
Hosted by Historical Tapestry

My goal was to read 20 historical fiction books of any sub genre. I finished the challenge on 9/12/12. Having read 33 HF books this year that was a goal I expected to have no problems achieving. I will be participating in this challenge again next year.

2012 Mammoth Book Challenge
Hosted by Darlene’s Book Nook

I really went small with this challenge, as anyone who knows me well will tell you I have an aversion to anything over 350 pages. It’s not that I don’t like epic stories – I just feel the need to start a new book after that many pages and move on – even if I’m riveted. I chose to read 2 books over 450 pages. I completed the challenge by 9/28/12. However I did substitute one physical book for an audiobook – which was allowed by the rules as long as the paper version was over 450 pages, which it was.

Non-Fiction Non-Memoir 2012 Reading Challenge
Hosted by My Book Retreat

One of my goals this year was to read more non-fiction, particularly about Presidents and First Ladies – so this challenge made sense. I chose to read 10 non-fiction books – which I really think was the perfect number as I wrapped up this challenge 11/22/12. 4 out of 10 were about Presidents – I missed the mark on First Ladies – they are a lot more difficult to find books on – especially audiobooks. I was even able to count one of the books I had to read for my class toward this challenge – talk about killing two birds with one stone. I would participate in this one again this year if it is offered.

2012 Audio Book Challenge
Hosted by Theresa’s Reading Corner

Another thing you probably know about me by now is that I’m a fan of audiobooks – I use them to stay sane on my long drive to and from work each day – so this was another challenge that just made sense. I chose the highest level of 25+ audiobooks. I completed the challenge 10/23/12 with 26 audiobooks, but for the year I actually listened to 32 audiobooks. I will be participating in this challenge again in 2013.

Now for the bad (the challenges were great, however I didn’t finish them, but did as well as I could expect):

2012 ARC Reading Challenge
Hosted by So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

There was just no way I was going to finish this challenge – and I knew this going into it – I was hoping to use it as a way to kick my butt in gear and get to the backlogged pile of ARCs I had – which it did. I managed to get through most of my ARCs from 2011 that I had left over (there are still 4, but they are short and I’m using January/February to get them caught up). I even managed to put a dent in 2012 – however I went on an accepting spree – thanks to my Kindle and Netgalley which set me back some. After doing this challenge for 2-3 years – I’m not participating in this one next year. It is too hard for me to keep on top of with updating the ARCs I receive etc. Good challenge – bad follow thru on my part.

The 4 Month Challenge
Parts 8, 9, & 10
Hosted by Book Drunkard

I never anticipate actually finishing all 250 points worth of these challenges. I typically manage somewhere in the range of 130-175 points. But I love participating and finding how what I’m reading fits different criteria. For Part 8 I finished at the end of April 2012 with 135 points. Part 9 was my worst segment of the year, ending at the end of August 2012 with 130 points – however fairly consistent. Part 10, ending at the end of December 2012 was the best by far with a total of 165 points. I will be participating in 2013 – with a goal of beating 165 points.

Now for the truly ugly (I failed miserably, although I had such high hopes)

Fairy Tales Retold
Hosted by Debz Bookshelf

Oh how I tried to do this one – I did. I even made the first step very early in 2012 – but alas, that was the only step I made. I went for the lowest level, which was 3 fairy tale retellings, knowing that I didn’t have a lot on my shelf but I was interested in reading some. I managed to finish one – Half Upon a Time by James Riley – which I found hilarious and fun. In truth, I think I forgot about this challenge after that until November and then I panicked and gave up on it. I think if I had set my mind to finishing it, I could have found what I needed on audiobook if nothing else. I was thinking I didn’t want to try this again in 2013 – I mean who wants to set themselves up for failure again – but now that I think about it, I just might to show that I can beat it! We’ll see.

So far for 2013 I only signed up for 6 (likely to increase to 8 or 9 by the end of the year to include the various segments of The Four Month Challenge and maybe something else that catches my eye). However I’m not setting myself for too high of challenges, because I like to actually finish them. Some are my favorite while some are new. I’m tackling:

2013 E-book Challenge hosted by Workaday Reads with a goal of 10 e-books
2013 Audio Book Challenge hosted by Theresa’s Reading Corner with a goal of 25+ audiobooks
2013 American Revolution Reading Challenge hosted by War Through the Generations with a goal of 3 books set during or surrounding the American Revolution
2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Historical Tapestry with a goal of 25 HF books
2013 Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen with a goal of 1-4 (aiming for 4) Nicholas Sparks books
The Four Month Challenge Part 11 hosted by Book Drunkard