2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

I have done this in the past and at the rate I am going, I am hoping to read about 77-79 books this year, which is the most that I have read since I have been since I have been doing the Goodreads reading challenge and which I really like, since I can track if I am on target or not.

Here are the details for the challenge:

• Runs January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015 (books read prior to 1/1/2015 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime before 9/30/2015. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more in 2015 than you did in 2014. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down. Remember, the idea is to challengeyourself.
• Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).
• Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, mystery, etc.).
• Novellas that are 100 pages in length (give or take), as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• To join the challenge, grab the 2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge button below and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes, etc., so as long as you have a dedicated shelf for the 2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge and your profile is not private. The point of linking up is to have a place where people can see what you’re reading.

Levels:

• Getting My Heart Rate Up: read 1–5 more books (or 250–1,499 more pages)
• Out of Breath: read 6–10 more books (or 1,500–2,749 more pages)
• Breaking a Sweat: read 11–15 more books (or 2,750–3,999 more pages)
• I’m on Fire!: read 16+ more books (or 4,000+ more pages)

I am going to aim for Getting My Heart Rate Up for 2015.  If you wish to join, you can go over to The Book Vixen and sign up.

Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey - Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon

Title: Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey
Author: Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon
Pages: 320
Published: 2013
Challenges: Outdo Yourself
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography, History
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: Sometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than the fiction...

This book tells the story of Lady Catherine, a beautiful American girl who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the setting for Julian Fellowes' award-winning drama Downton Abbey.

Charming and charismatic, Catherine caught the eye of Lord Porchester (or 'Porchey', as he was known) when she was just 20 years old, and wearing a pale yellow dress at a ball. She had already turned down 14 proposals before she eventually married Porchey in 1922. But less than a year later Porchey’s father died suddenly, and he became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, inheriting a title and a Castle that changed both their lives forever.

Catherine found herself suddenly in charge of a small army of household staff, and hosting lavish banquets and weekend house parties. Although the couple were very much in love, considerable challenges lay ahead for Catherine. They were immediately faced with the task of saving Highclere when debts threatened to destroy the estate. As the 1920s moved to a close, Catherine’s adored brother died and Catherine began to lose her husband to the distractions London had to offer. When the Second World War broke out, life at the Castle would never be the same again. (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: It was okay.  I felt that the first few chapters were pretty good, but once it got into the middle third of the book, it kinda hit a rut and it kinda lagged.  The final third was interesting to a point and felt that the author basically rehashed things that one can grab from anywhere and did get a little dull at times, even though she did put in more personal information about the family at the time.  If I wasn't a fan of Downton Abbey, I don't know if I would have finished the book

Bottom line: I would recommend the book to those are fans of Downton Abbey and are interested in the history of Highclere Castle (where the show is filmed at and whose lovely interiors you see on the screen). Recommended.

Rating: 3/5

Pages for 2013: 18, 601

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Pages: 328
Published: 2013
Challenges: Outdo Yourself
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under. (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: I honestly didn't know what to expect of this book, except that among the bloggers, it was well received and that most people that I read over the past year or heard talk about the book really quite enjoyed it and I didn't really encounter anybody that really disliked the book, but I am sure that there are readers who didn't like the book.  But my impression was that it lived up to the hype.  

I found it easier to read than I expected it to be and when I was able to get into the rhythm of the book, I actually found myself ripping through the book, wanting to know more about how they would interact with each other.  While I think that some readers will probably say that the ending was a bit of a downer, I think it was a good ending and I was satisfied with how it ended, probably a little sad that this amazing story had ended, maybe having a tiny hope that maybe it would turn out differently.

Bottom line: It was an amazing journey of these two teens and it really didn't feel like a YA book, but more of a transitional book between YA and Adult, just like Eleanor and Park were each transforming from teens into adults.  While I probably won't read this particular book again, I will definitely read more of this author and I look forward to reading Ms. Rowell's next book, Fangirl.  Highly recommended.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2013: 18,281

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley

Title: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce #4)
Author: Alan Bradley
Pages: 288
Published: 2012 (originally published 2011)
Challenges: Christmas Spirit
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Edition: Paperback
Source: Personal library

Description: Colonel de Luce, in desperate need of funds, rents his beloved estate of Buckshaw to a film company. They will be shooting a movie over the Christmas holidays, filming scenes in the decaying manse with a reclusive star. She is widely despised, so it is to no one's surprise when she turns up murdered, strangled by a length of film from her own movies! With a blizzard raging outside and Buckshaw locked in, the house is full of suspects. But Flavia de Luce is more than ready to put aside her investigations into the true identity of Father Christmas to solve this yuletide country-house murder. (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: Really liked it, as usual.  I am a big fan of this series and so glad I have made the effort to catch up with the series.  I like how the author has used characters from the previous book in this one and how he incorporated each of a portion of the characters from the previous 3 books, but there is enough that one doesn't really have to read the other books, but it is strongly suggested that one does read the other 3 previous books to understand the characters a little better than if one jumps in right away.

Once I got into the book, which was pretty quick, I found it fairly easy to get into the book and finish it quickly (I got sick towards the end of the book and had to put it aside for a bit as I for some reason am unable to read lots while I am not feeling well; I had a cold, if you are wondering).  And also loved the fact that it took place around Christmas Day.

Bottom line: While the story is a stand-alone, there are elements of the previous three books, that while not exactly crucial to the book, are somewhat important to have a background of (I had forgot some of them).  I would recommend the book to those individuals that like cozy mystery series books and like something light and fairly easy to read at times and also to those that have read the previous Flavia books.  Recommended.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages for 2013: 17,953

Outdo Yourself Challenge 2013

This probably the one challenge that I did complete because I know that I did outdo myself by reading 15 over what my stated goal was for the year and due to that, I know that this coming year is a little more daunting than last year.  Before I state where I am aiming towards, here are the details:

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2013 than you did in 2012. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
• Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels:
     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

Since I am really not wanting to get up to 75 this coming year, which would be the out of breath level, I am going to aim for  the Getting my heart rate up level.