Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Challenges Update ~ #2015HW, #ShelfLove, Mythology Reading Challenge, LGBT Reading Challenge, 2015 New Release Reading Challenge, Take Control of Your TBR Pile

So March just flew right by and we didn't have all that much wind! At least not here in Colorado. I'm pleased with my reading accomplishments for the month although I wish I could have read more. If only I could learn how to sleep less. :) Here's my update:



2015HWLogo


This challenge is hosted by Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading.


This month, I read Hopeless and Cry Wolf. So far I've read 6 of 24 from my Reading Assignment. (images take you to my reviews)


Bully (Fall Away, #1)Endure (Need, #4)Breathe (Sea Breeze, #1)Fight with Me (With Me in Seattle, #2) Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)




Show Your Shelves Some Love: No Book Buying Challenge


This challenge is hosted by Chapter Break and Second Run Reviews.

I've shown my shelves some love - my digital shelves anyway. ;) I've read 13 books so far! You can click here to check out the books and their reviews on Goodreads or click on the book images below. 


Bully (Fall Away, #1)Endure (Need, #4)Breathe (Sea Breeze, #1)Fight with Me (With Me in Seattle, #2)Tempted by a Rogue Prince (Eternal Mates, #3)Half-Blood (Covenant, #1)Obliterate (Havoc, #2)Three, Two, One (321)Spend the Night I (The Hotel Collection, #1)Dance For Me (Fenbrook Academy, #1)Strange Magic: Part One (Magic, #1)The Governess Affair (Brothers Sinister, #0.5)Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers, #1)Daimon (Covenant, #0.5)Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)Claimed by a Demon King (Eternal Mates, #2)Lord Wastrel (The Curse of True Love #2)A Gentleman's Promise (Scandalous Series, #1)Strange Magic: Part Two (Magic, #2)Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)The Gamble (Colorado Mountain, #1)Blue Shoes, Vol. 1 (Blue Shoes, #1)Blue Shoes, Vol. 2 (Blue Shoes, #2)Blue Shoes, Vol. 3 (Blue Shoes, #3)Secrets (Secrets, #1)Bite Me (Bitten, #1)RushAlpha and Omega (Alpha & Omega, #0.5)


As part of this challenge, I budgeted $10/month for books. In March, I spent ~$5. So far this year, I've spent $7. However, I'd *earned* 5 books, so I'm waaay in the black, right? ;) I am able to carry over $5 into April PLUS the 2 books I *earned*. I'm still really enjoying not spending any (much) money on books. (although I do one-click freebies!) Oh, and I won a $5 GC and my birthday is in April, so we'll see how much restraint I have. :)

Other Personal Guidelines for this challenge...I can earn books - at least where reading is concerned. I must read 5 books from my shelves to earn a book. The other ways to earn stayed the same...for every week that I exercise 5 days, I earn a book. And for every 5000 words I write on my book, I earn a book. 

So for March, I earned:


13 Books = 2 Books Earned

I've been in an exercise and writing slump - partially due to a sick kid, partially due to Spring Break and having company, and partially just because I'm in a slump. Thank goodness I have a clean slate in April to start all over again. :)

As I mentioned last month, I'm once again going to tweak my *earning* methods. I feel like I've made it too easy on myself. So, starting in April for every 5 books I read, I *earn* $0.50. We'll see if this *hurts* or not. My exercising and writing goals remain the same.




LGBTChallenge2015

This challenge is hosted by Niji Feels.

I read one book that qualified for this challenge in March. I'm really looking forward to reading more books for this challenge as soon as I can. I adored Rush!


Come Undone (Rock Hard, #1) Rush





This challenge is being hosted by Lili Lost in a Book.

I challenged myself achieve God level or 6-10 books. So far, I've read:


Endure (Need, #4)Half-Blood (Covenant, #1)Daimon (Covenant, #0.5)Strange Magic: Part One (Magic, #1)Strange Magic: Part Two (Magic, #2)






New Release Challenge (un)Conventional Bookviews


Lexxie @Unconventional Book Views and Stormi @Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! are co-hosting this year-long challenge to read books being released in 2015. Originally, I challenged myself to reach New Release Newbie status - or 1-15 books. As I've already reached that goal, I'm going to aim higher. ;) My new goal is New Release Pro - or 16-30 books.


Strange Magic: Part One (Magic, #1)Strange Magic: Part Two (Magic, #2)Fading Out (Living Heartwood, #3)Acting Brave (Fenbrook Academy #3)All Fired Up (Black Halo, #2)Spend the Night I (The Hotel Collection, #1)Past HeavenThree, Two, One (321)Hunted by a Jaguar (Eternal Mates #4)Incite (Ignite, #2)Craved by an Alpha (Eternal Mates, #5)Spend the Night II (The Hotel Collection, #2)Spend the Night III (The Hotel Collection, #3)For Authentication PurposesHope Is Lost (Ocean Beach, #2)Bitten by a Hellcat (Eternal Mates, #6)Coda (Songs of Submission, #9)




Take Control 2015


I participated in Kimba The Caffeinated Reviewer's Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge in March. Although I didn't read as many books as I'd hoped to, I did get a few books off my TBR.

RushCry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)The Gamble (Colorado Mountain, #1)Blue Shoes, Vol. 1 (Blue Shoes, #1)Blue Shoes, Vol. 2 (Blue Shoes, #2)Blue Shoes, Vol. 3 (Blue Shoes, #3)Secrets (Secrets, #1)Bite Me (Bitten, #1)Alpha and Omega (Alpha & Omega, #0.5)



In all, I read 13 books in March. Not too bad, eh? I stayed true to my personal observation that I read more slowly when I'm not under tight deadlines. But I think I enjoy reading at a more relaxed pace...for good or bad. We'll see how I do in April!

12 comments:

  1. I don't know how you keep up with all the challenges! I don't think I could be that disciplined to do it. But it looks like you are doing great!

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  2. Not bad! I commend you for keeping track... Which is why I quit doing these. The updates drives me nuts!

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  3. Wow! You certainly are involved in a lot of challenges. I didn't take any on this year to ease the pressure. (Still trying to finish the final book in my trilogy). Hope you had a great Spring Break.

    Marilyn @ Marilyn's Mystery Blog

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  4. Holy wow Brandee! You are the bomb! You are doing so many challenges and are getting so much done. I am in awe of you. I just started working out again and I wish I could go to the rec more but I end up getting so busy by 8 when I get home I just want to go to bed. Keep up the good work, I know you'll do awesomely in April!

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  5. You're doing so well! I may need to modify my $ rewards too - I'm getting the $ pretty easily... I think I'm going to donate the money instead.

    Good luck in April and happy April Birthday! Can you believe we get to meet next month!?!?

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  6. I made spreadsheets! Yep. And I'm *not* a spreadsheet person. ;) I don't know that I'll do so many challenges again - we'll see how I do this year. But I try to insert the images as I read them. Oh, and the TBR Pile challenge - I read those books but didn't get a single review linked. So....

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  7. Yeah, I don't know that I'll do so many again. I had to do spreadsheets...and that's painful for me. *ha*

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  8. Yes, maybe too many, Marilyn. We'll see how I fair by the end of the year. :) I hope you're enjoying a nice week!

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  9. *haha* Thanks, Sharrice. It's a struggle to keep up with all the challenges. I don't know what I was thinking. ;) I understand just wanting to go to bed...really, I do. :)

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  10. Yeah, I think I should modify it again. I'm not spending it though. So that's a good thing.


    Thanks for the birthday wishes and YES!! Only 34 more days, Berls!! *squee*

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  11. Wow!! You are doing an amazing job in your challenges! I am too slack to join... kind of like to read at my own leisure!!

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  12. You have so many challenges! And you're doing great :-)

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??