Yes, plays count. Whatever you want to read - whether it is nonfiction, fiction, plays, essays, etc. The goal is to read, plus have some fun doing it. What kind of problem are you having posting to the blog? You are listed as okay to post. Let me know.

Yes - i'm just jumping the gun as usual. :) I'm in the middle of Wicked, myself. I sent you an invite email and you should have it shortly. Robin

For those of you who just finished reading your first book and going to do a review, don't forget to post it to the blog. Or if you reviewed on your blog, send me a link to your review and I will post it on the blog. Or, just send me a few thoughts and I'll have a wrap up of thoughts about books for the first week. Have fun reading.

Come visit me. My link is in signature. Robin

Ours is up. We started back this week and lots of changes in store. Robin

bump. Anyone or are ya'll still thinking about it? Robin

Hey gang, The blog is a work in progress and ready for those who have requested to start posting reviews. For those of you participating with blogs of your own and if you are doing reviews of the books, is it okay for me to post links to your blogs in the sidebar. I will also be trying to do a weekly wrap up - probably on saturdays, since I work Friday that links to your reviews. Also if you all have any suggestions for other links or posts to encourage or provide book suggestions, please let me know. Polly brought up the idea of making a list of short books, easy reads for those weeks we are short of time and don't want to read a heavy book. I found one site called Lazy Readers Book Club. It actually has a good list of books less than 250 pages which includes classics and current reads for children, young adults and adults. Every week they update a top ten. Also, if you all want to give me the names of short books, I can post a list on the site. Happy Reading! Robin

I still haven't started wicked yet. But I will this weekend. Side question regarding 52 books in 52 weeks blog: For those of you with blogs, if you are going to do reviews on your sites - would you like me to post links from the group blog. I can put participant blogs links in the sidebar. On Fridays will do a weekly post linking to your reviews. Also if you all have any suggestions for the blog for other links or a weekly wrap up or whatever, let me know. Robin

Howdy

Hey Gang, I've set up a 52 books in 52 weeks group blog where you may post reviews and get ideas for more books. click here to see it. For those who want to be a contributor, email me with your email address and I will add you. Then you will be able to post reviews. Good thing for those who don't have blogs or don't want to post book reviews on their home school blogs. Any suggestions for links to book lists and/or suggestions to what you would like to see on the site will be appreciated. It's a work in progress. All lurkers will be welcome so bookmark the site to find out what everyone is reading and what they think about their books. Robin of My Two Blessings.

Hi gang, I discussed with kay and I am willing to set up and administrate a dedicated blog much like nan did with welldrainedmind. It would be a central point for everyone to post book reviews, etc. For those of you who don't have blogs, don't want a blog or want to blog about books on their general blog. I would be able to set you each up as a participant and each would be able to post their own reviews. Edited to say: Howdy and happy new year. I went ahead and set something up here. For those who want to contribute send me your email address and I will add you on. For those who want to lurk, be sure to bookmark the site. I will be putting up links to book lists and sites with book lists. Any suggestions for links or other things you like to see on the site will be appreciated. The blog is a work in progress. Robin

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Hey: great idea with the blog. Will be interesting to follow. I was fascinated by the wsj article tooand posted it on my blog when the article came out. My hubby just finished 'the black swan' and he wants me to read it as well. He told me so much about it as he read it, I don't need to. :) We also bought a copy for FIL for christmas who is currently enjoying it. It will be interesting to hear what you have to say about it. Robin

Mine's up. Happy New Year. :party:

I read a variety of books, writing, author and homeschool blogs which numbers around 36. I won't list them all. Besides Confessions of a pioneer woman and Trivium Academy Forensics and Faith - author brandilyn collins The Book Lady's Blog -- writes about her adventures in bookselling at book store. Murder she writes - several authors including allison brennan and toni causey Shouldbereading - mizb blogs about books and memes Murderati - group mystery authors blog including Tess Gerritsen Lisa's Chaos Mental Multivitamin Life is like a lunchbox West of mars - win a book Semicolon Nekked Lizard Adventures Life with my three boybarians hth

Okay I was wrong - it wasn't 204, it was 219. I'm not trying to brag. I'm just astonished with myself that I had time to read all those books, plus do home school, work, nano and everything else. I posted a list on my blog if anyone wants to see. I promise this is the last time I'll mention it. I'll definitely be slowing down in 2009 to read some classics.

:tongue_smilie:I just finished inputting all the books I read this year in library thing. 204! Surprise, surprise. I knew I read alot, but not that much.

Well so far: The Unseen by T.L. Hines Hercules Poirot Christmas by Agatha Christi Wicked by Gregory Maguire Magyk by Angie Sage The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen Unspeakable by Sandra Brown Split Second by David Baldacci A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham Life of Pi by Yann Martel A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper (Also Romance Challenge) Destiny Hills by Keri Arthur (Also Romance Challenge) Five in a Row by Jane Coffey (Romance Challenge) Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb Prey for a Miracle by Aimee Thurlo Bad Faith by Aimee Thurlo Sarah Palin by Joe Hilley Mysterious Benedict Society Series to Finish Challenge 2009 (all 7 books apply to Romance Challenge as well) Killing Fear (1) Allison Brennan Playing Dead (3) Allison Brennan Blood Bound (2) Patricia Briggs Iron Kissed (3) Patricia Briggs Take No Prisoners (2) Cindy Gerard Whisper No Lies (3) Cindy Gerard For Her Eyes Only (3) Cait London Edge of Midnight (4) Shanna McKenna Martel - Harper Challenge 2009 - First Quarter Jan 1 to March 31st Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett Casual Classics 2009 Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton St. Augustine Confessions Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen' War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Teresa of Avila - Life of St Teresa of Avila by Herself Christian Readers 2009 Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins Eighth Shepherd by Bodie Thoene Fireproof by Eric Wilson Hadassah by Tommy Tenney Line of Duty by Teri Blackstock The Apostles by Pope Benedict Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble 2009 Pub Challenge - books published in 2009 Whisper No Lies - Cindy Gerard (1/1/09) A Killing Frost - Hannah Alexander (1/1/09) Kiss - Ted Dekker (1/6/09) Dark of Night - Susanne Brockmann (1/27/09) Double Minds - Teri Blackstock (2/1/09) Bone Crossed - Patricia Briggs (2/3/09) Promises in Death - J.D. Robb (2/24/09) Deceived - James Scott Bell (3/1/09) 2009 Romance Reading Challenge Hero Under Cover by Suzanne Brockman Last Look #1 by Mariah Stewart Last Words #2 by Mariah Stewart Last Breath #3 by Mariah Stewart Night Fall by Cherry Adair Servant: The Awakening by L.L. Foster Servant: The Acceptance by L.L. Foster Dewey's Books Reading Challenge 2009 The Uncommon Reader (also part of casual challenge) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Order House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs Waiting for Spring Reading Challenge with Calladipper days Walls of Phantoms by Courtney Thomas I have 65 on the list so far. I have all except for the ones published in 09. Plus I decided to continue with SWB well educated mind and working on what 3 books going to read for history, drama and poetry.

The basic premise is to read the book everyday and pick out a different subject to concentrate on: math, art, geography,etc. There's a manual that tells you what to look for and talk about. That said we don't read the book every single day, some do. You read the book at least one and then the next day, pick out the part of the story you want to discuss - say geography. Remember the story took place such and such. Then you go look up or study about that place - state, town, etc. Does this make any sense. I'm sure some of the other ladies will be able to explain more clearly. hth Forgot to say: All the books for this are excellent. even if you don't do the program, the books are well worth reading.

Thanks, I'll try to remember that. I have the one translated by anthony briggs who supposedly improved upon the text changing many of the 'shalls, shant's and i say's'. Laughing Lioness: I'll be doing reviews on my blog. If anyone wants to do reviews and have a central point, I can put up a post with a linky. Just let me know.

I'm also going to read the Book Thief. On my list for next year besides romances and mysteries, are a few classics like war and peace (christmas present), Graveyard book by Gaiman, Year of living biblically, and Wicked to name a few. Oh, a good cozy mystery writer - cleo coyle, lorna barrett. For a good christian suspense, but not preachy, look into ted dekker. I've got a list of books reading for different challenges on blog here if you need some ideas.

I'm in. I've got so many book challenges going right now, I think I can manage a book a week. :)

I write about everything. Books, writing, homeschooling, life in general. Weekly meme's help alot because they give you a subject to write about. It changes as I change. Having a blog has really helped me with my writing skills also. I think. Pick out something that interests you the most and write about it consistently whether it be books or movies or politics. Just a quick glance at your blog and what you have linked to tells me you are interested in jane austen. Write about her books - what you thought of them, etc. That could lead to reviewing other books. There's a huge contingent of book bloggers out there.

It varies with us. During breaks, James has unlimited screen time unless his attitude starts getting snarky or his attention span seems to be affected, then he loses screen time for the rest of the day. The screen time is the first thing to do as punishment for any infraction. Screen time is a big incentive for him so he basically doesn't get to do it if he doesn't do (fill in the blank). I've tried no computer time for him during the week, but it ends up me being frazzled and needing the time out. So, it benefits me to give him 1 - 2 hours during the day. Again, for infractions, he will lose it for one day to a week depending on what the situation is. We have had week long computer breaks just because. It all depends on his attitude.

I'm pretty sure I got this from someone here but don't remember who. Genres bible reading plan written up by intothyword.com which is similar to the bible reading plan mentioned. Also a book blogger is having a "operation actually read bible" challenge, or just a thing really in which you set your own goals for bible reading. There are no rules and she may set up a post where people can share their progress. We could do the same thing here with a social group if there isn't already one that I just haven't noticed yet. I have set a goal to read the bible daily using the genre plan, plus doing some bible studies by kay arthur, etc. I'm posting it on my blog to give myself some accountability. thanks for bringing this up. It's very timely since working on goal for the new year. :001_smile: