Final report & announcement: Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2016

Book challenge announcement before I tell you how I did personally.  After 10 challenges, Megan has decided to halt her hosting duties for Semi-Charmed book challenges.  She has kindly and generously steered her participants to Book Challenge by Erin.  I know she's a beloved host, so I was honored that she did this.  Also, her "winners" will be picking categories for Book Challenge by Erin 7.0 that happens July 1st - October 31st later this year.  So, if you are one of those, feel free to contact me via emailat texerin-in-sydneyland@hotmail.com, through the facebook group, the goodreads group, or this blog.

How did I do?  Not great: 95 points out of 200.  I take that back.  I'm a big believer that if these challenges motivate and encourage a book, any book, even just one book to be read, then that's a win. 

Challenge Categories:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 150 pages long.

 READ: Plan B by Jonathan Tropper - he's a favorite author of mine - completed December 15, 2016

10 points: Read a 2016 finalist (longlist or shortlist) for one of the following literary prizes: National Book Award, Man Booker or Man Booker International.

READ:  Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo  - a delightful book - completed November 8, 2016

10 points: Read a brand-new release (something published between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017).

READ:  Cross the Line by James Patterson (expected release date: November 3, 2016) -  The Alex Cross series is the only James Patterson books that I loyally keep up with when one is released - completed November 24, 2016

15 points: Read a book by an author of a different race or religion than you.

My choice:  We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo -  I picked up this book last week for $5 without knowing it would be a perfect choice for this challenge; this book is still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

15 points: Read a book featuring a main character who is of a different race or religion than you.

READ:  When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi -  If you have any interest in the plight of refugees, I recommend this fictional account - completed November 21, 2016

20 points: Read a modern retelling of a classic (e.g. an Austen Project novel, Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, etc.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kaity.

My choice:  The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (retelling of Hamlet) -  Jana rated this book 4*, and Jana and I have similar tastes in books; didn't get to it, but I will someday.

25 points: Read a book with an alcoholic beverage (neat or cocktail) in the title. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kerry. (And she was nice enough to come up with a long list of suggestions for you!)

READ:  Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken - it was good, wasn't great, but I enjoyed it enough - completed November 13, 2016

30 points: Read a book with a character that shares your first or last name. (Alternate spellings are okay, e.g. Megan and Meghan or Smith and Smyth.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Ericka.

READ: The Girl Before by Rena Olsen - Fantastic, creepy, messed up book that I recommend; There was a character in the therapy group named "Erin"; completed January 11, 2017

30 points: Read two books: a nonfiction book and a fiction book with which it connects. For example: A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie and one of Christie's mystery novels that features poison, or The Monuments Men and All the Light We Cannot See. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with this one! — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Bev. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 30 points! No partial points will be awarded.)

My choices (both books about someone wrongly imprisoned):  Getting Life by Michael Morton - this book is still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

READ:  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - completed December 4, 2016; I don't get the points

40 points: Read two books: one by an author whose first name is the same as the last name of the author of the other book. For example: You may read a book by Martin Cruz Smith and a book by George R.R. Martin, or a book by James Joyce and a book by Joyce Carol Oates. The shared name must be spelled exactly the same, no variations. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Jamie. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 40 points! No partial points will be awarded.)

My choices:  In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran by Nigel John TAYLOR and The Informationist by TAYLOR Stevens - I checked out both of these books from the library during the challenge; I renewed both of them too, but I still didn't pick up either to read.  Oh well.

If you've participated in any of Megan's book challenges, make sure you stop by her blog and wish her well!