2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge

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2013 YOUNG ADULT
READING CHALLENGE
January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
The Rules:
-Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
-Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
-No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
-Young Adult is a broad range. Middle grade and New Adult CAN be included.
There are four levels:
The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
The “Fun Size” YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.
Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 -December 31, 2013. 
Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.
When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
Come link up at the beginning of each month to share your reviews! 
-(this is optional, but we all love to hear your thoughts on books you have read!)

150+ Reading Challenge for 2013

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It is my pleasure to present to you the 
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013!

THIS IS THE SIGN UP PAGE FOR THE CHALLENGE ONLY!!!!
For me 100 books is not a problem to read for one year.  I know there are a lot of people out there who can read more than the base line of 100.
So….this year I am not only challenging myself, I am going to challenge you to read even more this year!
The goal is to reach 150+ books for this challenge.  Now don’t get discouraged!  I know 150 books or more sounds like a lot.  When you read the rules below though, you will find that it is quite easy to reach 150 books.
Don’t be shy! Come sign up and spread the word!  The challenge doesn’t officially start until January 1st, 2013.  Only books read on this date or after count towards the challenge.

DETAILS/RULES:

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn’t count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.
3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 thru December 31, 2013. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.
6. When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
READY……SET…..SIGN UP!!!!


Top Picks of 2012

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Another year is coming to a close which means another post featuring my Top Picks of 2012.  While some of these sections only have one, you will find that it was hard to narrow it down in others.  There were many great books in 2012! I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring us! 
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Contemporary Romance
Yours To Keep by Shannon Stacey
— Ms. Stacey, how much do I love thee? This is one author that knows how to write a Romance with sweetness, love, and wit.  I loved the entire series, but Yours To Keep is the one that stood out for me. 
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Historical Romance

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare
— While I am not a huge fan of Historical Romance, author Tessa Dare made me a firm believer in it.  Flawed characters with a romance that isn’t always easy makes a true romance stand out.  Thank you Ms. Dare for giving me a reason to read this genre.
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YA/Dystopia
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
— PERRY! Is it any wonder that this made my list? I bow down to author Veronica Rossi.  Under the Never Sky brought angst, turmoil, first love, and a freaky world to boot! Plus did I mention Perry?
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Paranormal
Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost
— Oh Vlad, I have waited forever for your turn.  While I will always love Bones and Cat, your story was the one I needed.  Unfortunately, Ms. Frost is breaking your story up into several books.  I will say though, your story is worth the wait. You fire me up on so many levels!
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Erotica
The Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day
— Oh Gideon. How could I not put you on this list? You are so messed up but you are so swoon worthy.  Author Sylvia Day has brought her A-game with the Crossfire series.  With Bared to You and Reflected in You, I was met with anticipation and desperate want for Gideon Cross.  Then the ending of Reflected in You was one I couldn’t stop thinking about!  The next book in this series is already on my pre-order list.  


** Runners Up are:
Fifty Shades series by E.L. James
Club Shadowlands series by Cherise Sinclair
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M/M Romance
Faith and Fidelity by Tere Michaels
— M/M Romance is one genre that I have slowly introduced to my reading experience.  I had heard wonderful things about Faith and Fidelity so I decided to give it a try.  This is the book that captured my heart and my interest in reading more in this genre.  The characters were written wonderfully and the plot was one that seemed real.  I hope to finish this series in the upcoming year!

**Runners Up are:
Grey’s Awakening by Cameron Dane
Aaron by J.P. Barnaby
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Series

Feral Warriors by Pamela Palmer
Demonica Series by Larissa Ione
–Bad boys, sexy boys, great writing and awesome plot.  Two series that I discovered this year and devoured in no time! YUM!

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Young Adult Debut

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
— I adored this book!  There were so many debut authors this year, but My Life Next Door is the top pick for me.  The characters were believable.  The hero was swoon worthy and sweet. Simply wonderful and definitely an author to keep an eye on.

**Runner Up:
The D.U.F.F. by Kody Keplinger (re-read and still in love with it)
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Best Fiction/Psychologic Thriller

Consequences by Aleatha Romig
–Mind. Blown.
Every time someone even mentions this title and author, my mind starts thinking about Tony.  This is by far the most emotional and dark story that gave me the chills this year.  So many questions and shock factors are involved as well.  So it is no surprise that the next book in the series titled Truth was my runner up. I keep telling the author to write faster and to send me hints for the next book, but alas she is tight lipped on it.  Ms. Romig, I bow to you and I am keeping my fingers crossed that you don’t make us wait much longer.
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New Adult

Easy by Tammara Webber
— I think it is a safe bet that author Tammara Webber is going to be appearing on a huge amount of blog lists.  This author can write and weave a story with so many emotions it is unbelievable!  I quickly fell in love with the hero.  He was sweet, amazing and a good guy.  I wanted to pull him out of the pages and put him safely away in my closet so no one else could have him.  This is one author who I will be following and purchasing more from!
**Runner Up:
Down To You by M. Leighton

Review: Things Go Wrong For Me by Rodney Lacroix

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Things Go Wrong For Me
(When Life Hands You Lemons, Add Vodka)
Author: Rodney Lacroix
E-Book Edition Review

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Things Go Wrong For Me (when life hands you lemons, add vodka) is a memoir of sorts, a roadmap of Rodney Lacroix’s haywire life thus far. From his childhood, through the raising of his own kids, to his vasectomy and post-divorce world … this book is more than just a culmination of outrageous stories woven into a cohesive narrative, it’s a testament for the “little guy.”

In this case, literally. Rodney is 5’3”. He’s very little. Almost tiny. Bank tellers offer him lollipops. He makes holiday money wearing green stockings and fake ears.

But even though he’s small in stature, his stories and the laughs that accompany them are definitely BIG.

There’s no doubt, if you enjoy snorting milk through your nose, and you’re drinking milk right now … you’re going to love this book.

MY THOUGHTS

Sometimes you just need a good laugh-out-loud book to read.  While cruising around the blog-o-sphere,  I came across the blog Mental Poo.  Yes, you read that correctly.  A blog that is described as “Jerking off your funny bone, one post at a time.” While laughing and trying not to pee my pants at the blog posts, I came across a link in the right hand sidebar to purchase the book.  I laughed so hard with this book.

Author Rodney Lacroix touches on some subjects that shouldn’t be funny and turns them into a work of comedy art.  I am talking about things like Chocolate Ex-Lax episodes, Sex Game Dice, and Vasectomy.  Yes, he even laughs at himself while undergoing the knife in the sensitive area.  While some men would cringe at a puff of smoke coming from below, Mr. Lacroix finds the humor in it. Plus, I will never look at a raisin the same way again. To understand why, well, you have to read the book.

Included in the series of topics, we also get illustrations that the author created as well.  A diagram becomes a tool of laughter.  I loved the chapter and pictures about the popular app “Draw Something”.

They say that laughter is the best medicine and I can honestly say that I am feeling like a million bucks after reading this.  Tears ran down my face and I might have received funny looks from my family while reading it. This is one book that I will be reading again when I need a pick-me-up laugh and a blog that I have bookmarked so I can continue on in his journey of parenthood and life.

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!