Saturday, June 7, 2008

The ARC Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by me. That's right, Teddy is finally hosting her own challenge.

The challenge will run from June 21, 2008-September 21, 2008. It will be to help those of us with ARC's to get in gear and read and review them.

Here are the rules:

1. Make a list of all of the ARC's that you currently have and/or are on their way to you.

2. If you have:
1-3 ARC's then pick at least one to read and review for this challenge.
4-6 ARC's then pick at least two to read and review for this challenge.
7-9 ARC's then pick at least three to read and review for this challenge.
10 or more Arc's then pick at least 4 to read and review for this challenge.

3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

4. List the books that you plan to read for this challenge (you can change it at any time, as long as the books you change are also ARCs). You can read the books on your list in any order.

5. Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Amazon. Leave a comment on this post with a link to each of your reviews.

6. Be sure to leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog post about this challenge.

7. Since this is my first challenge as host, please let me know if I have left anything out. LOL!

8. Enjoy!

This is my list of all of the ARC's I currently have (there may be more on their way, but they are unconfirmed, so I will update if there are):

1. Blood Harvest by Brant Randall
2. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
3. The Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
5. The Longest Journey by Diana Patterson and Rita Turner
6. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
7. The Horseman's Graves by Jacqueline Baker
8. Testimony by Anita Shreve
9. Jakie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist by Nancy Goldstein
10. Rainbows End by Peter Webb
11. Ringside 1925: Views From the Scopes Trail by Jen Bryant
12. The Glimmer Palace by Beatrice Colin
13. Stealing Athena by Karen Essex
14. Dear John by Norma L. Betz
15. Sweet Mandarin by Helen Tse

The 4 books that I plan to read for the challenge are:

1. The Horseman's Graves by Jacqueline Baker
2. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

3. Dear John by Norma L. Betz
4. Ringside 1925: Views From the Scopes Trail by Jen Bryant

These are the participants for this challenge, so far:
CCDPiper
MizB

Katknit (1)
Amy
Stephanie
Teddy (1, 2 , 3)
Wendy
(1, 2, 3, 4) Completed
Lori (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Completed
3M
thebluestockings
Jen
Kathleen (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Completed
Chris (1, 2, 3, 4)
Halfginger
Tracy
Jill (1, 2)
Literary Feline (1, 2 )
Janie
Susan
Kristen
Megan (1, 2, 3)
Alessandra (1, 2)
Josette (1, 2)
Callista
Bonnie

Photo credit: Teddy Rose
From Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, BC Canada

98 comments:

CCDPiper said...

Thanks for making this challenge accessible to those of us with few ARC's! Count me in!

MizB said...

Teddy -- I like the way you've set up this challenge with different levels for those with different numbers of ARC's to get read! Thanks!

I'm signing myself up officially, as I can really use the push to get these books read, finally!

Here is the link to my list of books (and my post). Thanks so much for hosting this! :D

Katherine said...

This is actually a great challenge. Its too bad I don't have any ARCs in my TBR pile. :-(. If I do get any, though, I'll be sure to join up. But I read A Golden Age (also in ARC form), and I thought it was good, so I suggest reading it as well.

Teddy Rose said...

Piper,
Thanks for joining. Please besure to give me the link to your post after you have posted about this challenge. I'm glad I could make it so accessible too!

Mizb,
Thanks for joining. I'm glad were going to get through some of our ARC's. ARC's are becoming another addiction for me, it's just so hard to say no to good sounding books!

Katherine,
You can sign up anytime if you get ARC's latter. I'm glad you liked A Golden Age! It sounds really good to me.

Beachreader said...

Great challenge idea -- one quick question - do the ARCs have to be for books not yet released? I ask because I have several ARCs sitting here for books that have already been released yet I have not gotten to them. Thanks!

Katknit said...

Hi Teddy,
Great idea. Sign me up! Link to my ARCs:
http://yourehistory.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/the-arc-reading-challenge-by-teddy/

Amy said...

Great Challenge Idea Teddy!
Here's my list! Thanks for hosting!

Teddy Rose said...

Beachreader,

Any ARC is good. Ones that have or haven't been released yet.

Kat & Amy,

I'm glad that you have joined the challenge! Welcome!

Stephanie said...

You know me Teddy. Can't back away from a challenge!! I need to make a list of all the ARC's I have floating around. There are some I really need to get to!

Teddy Rose said...

Hooray! Stephanie, I'm so glad you are joining the challenge. I look forward to seeing your list.

Callista said...

YOu had me all excited till I realized ARC's are only ADVANCED reading books. I have over 10 review books to read but they have all already been published.

Wendy said...

Here's my post about the challenge and list of books :) Thanks for hosting!

Teddy Rose said...

Callista,
Review copies do count, even if they have already been published. I have a couple of those counted in my ARC's.

Teddy Rose said...

What a list you have Wendy. I thought perhaps I was requesting/ accepting too many ARC's, but you got me beat, big time. LOL!

I'm glad you joined the challenge and I always look forward to read your reviews.

Wendy said...

LOL, Teddy - that's my compulsive nature ... I could use a 12 step program!

lorisreadingcorner said...

Great challenge. I've posted about it on my blog. I'm going for the 4reviews since I just had a slew of ARC's come my way :) Great timing.

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/arc-reading-challenge.html

3m said...

Here's my list!

thebluestockings said...

Great idea!! Count me in. I'm going to ruminate on my list and come back and post it later.

Teddy Rose said...

Lori & 3M,

Great lists! I'm so glad that you both decided to join the challenge!

Bluestockings,

I look forward to seeing your list! I'm also glad that your joining in!

Jen said...

I have a ton of ARCs anyway, so I'm going to make this my first challenge. Here's my post.

Teddy Rose said...

Thanks so much for making this your first challenge Jen! I feel honoured! I look forward to reading your reviews.

kbookreviews said...

This is such a great idea. It's just what I need to start working my way through these ARCs. Like Jen, this is my first challenge. My post is here.

Teddy Rose said...

Welcome to the wonderful and addictive world of challenges Kathleen! I feel so honoured that you chose my challenge as your first. I hope you enjoy it!

kbookreviews said...

Thanks for adding me to your list. This is such a great challenge! (I think my link and Jen's got connected though, I can't get to hers through her name)

Chris said...

Hey, I can join this one! I have to get back to you with the list though.

halfginger said...

This sounds like fun! I have a few at home and I'm not 100% sure what they all are, so I'm going to have to update with my list after the weekend. But I'm in!

tracy said...

Great contest! my link is
http://bookroomreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/113
I just posted about it. U r my first challenge:)

Teddy Rose said...

Kathleen,

Thanks so much for pointing that out to me! I fixed it. :)

Chris,

You just made my day! I was so hoping you would join! I look forward to seeing your list.

Halfginger,

Thanks for joining! I look forward to seeing your list.

Tracy,

Thanks for joining and making my challenge your first. I feel honoured!

Jill said...

Hi, Teddy Rose! I am officially in. Here is my post about this challenge with my selections. I am looking forward to this one!

Take care!
Jill

Teddy Rose said...

Thanks for joining us for the challenge Jill! You have a great list as well.

I am really having fun seeing all the ARC's that everyone has! The only problem is that it has prompted me to want to request more for myself from publishers. This is Teddy trying hard to restrain herself!

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finished my first book - Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. I loved it! You can find my review here.

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/say-goodbye.html

Literary Feline said...

This will be fun! I'm definitely in. I posted my announcement about joining the challenge here.

Teddy Rose said...

Lori,

Um.. The challenge doesn't officially start until June 21st. LOL!

Oh well everyone, go for it.

J Scott Savage said...

If you need another ARC to complete the challenge, I've still got a few leftovers of Water Keep, (Farworld Book 1.) It's a YA fantasy. The publisher will ship them anywhere in the USA or Canada, if you agree to do a review.

Just e-mail scott at jscottsavage dot com

More info on the book at jscottsavage.blogspot.com

kbookreviews said...

Lol, Teddy- like Lori, I jumped the gun. Even the thought of this challenge motivated me so much that I finished and reviewedd the first book for the challenge.

My review is here.

Michelle said...

I'm totally in!

http://www.inthelouvre.org/bookmobile/arc-reading-challenge/

Teddy Rose said...

Kathleen,

Great review!I added this one to my TBR.

janiejane said...

Count me in!

kbookreviews said...

Mwah, I totally blame you and this challenge for motivating me so much. Even though it hasn't offically started, I've now finished my second review! Lol you can find it here. (and a giveaway too!) Wow I wonder how many of my ARCs I can really knock out during the challenge.

Teddy Rose said...

Kathleen,

I'm glad that this challenge has been so motivating for you! You go girl!

Teddy Rose said...

Janie,

Thanks for joining the challenge! I look forward to reading your reviews.

Susan said...

This is the perfect challenge for me. I have around 50 ARCs waiting for my attention - hopefully this will help me clear my shelves a little.

My list is here (http://up4achallenge.blogspot.com/2008/06/arc-challenge.html)on my challenge blog. My main book blog is at http://blogginboutbooks.blogspot.com .

Teddy Rose said...

Thanks for joining the challenge Susan. Wow, 50 ARCs, I think you have us all beat. I look forward to reading your reviews.

Kristen said...

Here's a link to my woefully incomplete ARC list and my intentions for this challenge.

Teddy Rose said...

Welcome to the challenge Kristen! I look forward to reading your reviews.

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finished by first "official" book for this challenge :) I've also upped my challenge to read 7 ARC's.

My review of Cold Hearted by Beverly Barton can be found here ~

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/cold-hearted.html

Teddy Rose said...

Lori,

Great review for your 1st book of the challenge. Good luck on reading 6 more. You go girl!

Megan said...

This is just the kind of challenge I need! Please sign me up.

Here's my list.

Alessandra said...

Please count me in! My list is here.

Teddy Rose said...

Megan and Alessandra,

Thanks for joining the challenge. I hope you enjoy it!

Josette said...

Hi Teddy,

I hope I'm not too late?! I'd love to join in this challenge. There's a stack of ARCs waiting for me to read, so this challenge will motivate me to finish reading them as soon as possible.

Here's my list. :)

Thanks! I'm glad that there's such a challenge.

Katknit said...

Review #1:
Songs for the Missing, by Stewart O'Nan:
http://yourehistory.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/modern-lit-songs-for-the-missing-by-stewart-onan/

Teddy Rose said...

Josette,

It's not too late, Im so glad you can join us! I look forward to reading your reviews.

Linda,

Great review! I linked it to your blog.

Alessandra said...

I posted my review for Aberrations by Penelope Przekop.

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finsihed book 2 for this challenge. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly. FANTASTIC!

My review is here

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/brass-verdict.html

Jill said...

Hi! Thanks again for hosting this challenge. I posted my first review for Resistance by Owen Sheers. A very good book if you like historical fiction!

All the best,
Jill

Teddy Rose said...

Lori,

I'm glad you enjoyed the book so much!

Jill,

This book is on my TBR. I look forward to reading it!

Josette said...

Hi Teddy! I finished my first ARC for this challenge! Here is my review of Crazy Fool Kills Five. Thanks! :D

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finsihed book 3 last night. It was amazing. I had to stay up to finish it. Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain. If you havne't heard Heartsick by her, then you absolutely must! Here's my review of Sweetheart

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/sweetheart.html

Teddy Rose said...

Lori and Josette,

I posted links to your reviews. Keep up the good work!

Josette said...

Hey there, I finished another book. Read my review for The Poem I Turn To! Happy Reading!

Teddy Rose said...

Josette,

I posted a link to your review.

Alessandra said...

I posted my second review for this challenge.

Teddy Rose said...

Great Alessandra! I posted a link to your review.

Eleanor said...

Hi Teddy,

I came across your blog and noticed that THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN was in your pile of ARC books to be read before September.

It sounds like you have quite a stack already, but I thought you might be interested in a book by another canine narrator. A DOG AMONG DIPLOMATS (April 2008) is the second novel in the Bull Moose Dog Run Mystery series. The first book, A DOG ABOUT TOWN, was published in May 2007.

(If you accept very recently published books in the challenge, I'd be happy to provide review copies to those on here who were interested in participating but short ARCs.)

An overview of the books and excerpts from reviews already in are below. I'd be happy to send you (and other bloggers) review copies of either or both books if you're interested!

Best,
Eleanor
adogabouttown@gmail.com


BULL MOOSE DOG RUN MYSTERY SERIES - A Dog About Town, A Dog Among Diplomats

In writing this fanciful mystery series, Englert adopts the daring and original conceit of employing a first-person narration by a labrador-cum-detective, Randolph. The first book in the series, A Dog About Town, was recognized with the 2007 fiction award from The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA).

Unbeknownst to his owners, Randolph (a black lab) is both sentient and literate--even well-read, spending much of the time that he has to himself at their Upper West Side apartment immersed in books. A year before the first novel opens, Randolph's mistress Imogen disappears without a trace, leaving behind a broken-hearted and mystified boyfriend and dog.

In A DOG ABOUT TOWN, the object of Randolph's ability to read and to reason turns from private past time to undercover detective work as he gently prods his less-enlightened owner, Harry, toward the answers behind a suspicious death--which also holds clues to Imogen's disappearance. Combining his powers of reasoning with his superior sense of smell (100,000 more powerful than that of humans), he is able to literally sniff out the trail, as well as the guilty parties.

In A DOG AMONG DIPLOMATS, Randolph dedicates himself to a second murder case—this time one with ties to the U.N. and in which Imogen is implicated as a possible suspect.


Advance praise for A DOG AMONG DIPLOMATS
Englert's droll mix of mystery, philosophical musing about man and beast, political doings at the U.N. and the mysteries of love make this an elegant, funny and inspiring romp in the park. - Publishers Weekly

LibraryThing members on A DOG AMONG DIPLOMATS
"This book reminded me of two things, both very disconnected: the old-time movie serials where the heroine is always left in utmost peril until the next sequence and P.G. Wodehouse."

"the writing is sharp and witty"

"I couldn't help but fall in love with Randolph."

"a marvelous study of character, especially the dog's, and has some of the funniest writing I've ever read in the genre."

"Like Wodehouse, [Englert] often throws off phrases that you want to reread just for the sheer pleasure of it."

Sharon said...

Hi, Teddy Rose! I'm intrigued by your challenge, but I'm feeling a little dumb right now...exactly what is an ARC? Thanks!

Sharon

Teddy Rose said...

Sharon, An ARC is an advanced reading copy of a book, that publishers send to bloggers for review, before a book is published. Sometimes they send one's out that are already published as well, to create interest.

Literary Feline said...

I've posted my first review for the challenge. I'll be back tomorrow to post a link here for my second book.

Thanks for hosting this challenge!

Callista said...

I'm in! Sorry it took me so long to post about it: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/07/arc-reading-challenge.html

Literary Feline said...

Hi, Teddy! The review of my second ARC for the challenge can be found here.

Teddy Rose said...

Literary Feline,

I posted links to both of your reviews. Thanks!

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finished book 4 - Die, Decorator Die by Franklin Levy on 6/30 (forgot to come here and post). My review can be found here ~

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/die-decorator-die.html

And book 5 - Night Kills by John Lutz. That review can be found here ~

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/07/night-kills.html

Megan said...

Here's my first review for the challenge.

Teddy Rose said...

Lori,

I added links to 4 & 5.

Megan,

I added a link to your first book.

Bonnie said...

I'm joining your challenge a bit late and it's my first challenge in the blogging world.
Here's a link to my post on my blog that I just started!

http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-first-challenge-arc-reading.html

Teddy Rose said...

Welcome to the challenge Bonnie! Thanks for making The ARC Reading Challenge your first. I hope you enjoy it.

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finished book 6 last night ~ The Mercedes Coffin by Faye Kellerman. Great book. My review is here

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/07/mercedes-coffin.html

Teddy Rose said...

Great Lori! I added the link to your number 6.

Wendy said...

Hi Teddy: Technically I've finished the challenge - but I'm going to keep on reading from my list. So far I've read 4.5 :) My post is here.

Teddy Rose said...

Congrats of finishing the challenge Wendy! I'm glad your going to keep going. I posted links to your reviews and your latest post about completing the challenge.

Josette said...

Hi Teddy, I'm done with my 3rd ARC. Here it is: Friday's Child. Thanks!

Megan said...

Here's number two for me. =)

Teddy Rose said...

Megan,

I just added a link to your #2 and posted a comment on your blog.

Jill said...

I finished number two: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Loved it!

My review

Thanks!
Jill

Teddy Rose said...

Jill,

I just added a link to your #2 and posted a comment on your blog.

Kathleen said...

Okay so I had a bit of trouble reading those on my original list, and totally didn't notice that I could change the titles!

I reviewed a couple of ARCs in my pile :)
-Aberrations by Penelope Przekop:
http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/review-interview-and-giveaway-aberrations-by-penelope-przekop/

-The White Mary by Kira Salak
http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/review-the-white-mary-by-kira-salak/

-One More Year by Sana Krasikov
http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/review-one-more-year-by-sana-krasikov/

Again this is a great challenge- it's really kept me motivated to read through my pile. I have to find some time to visit everyone's posts!

Teddy Rose said...

Kathleen,

I'm glad you enjoyed the challenge and that it motivated you! I added links to your reviews and commented on your blog.

Maybe I'll re-new this challenge again for Fall and Winter, anyone interested?

Megan said...

Here's my number 3.

And if you were to renew the challenge for fall and winter and so on and so on, I'd probably join up again (and again and again?) - there's still plenty more ARCs that I really should get to! =)

Chris said...

I forgot to update!

Master Pip
http://chris-book-a-rama.blogspot.com/2008/07/mister-pip-review.html

False Colours
http://chris-book-a-rama.blogspot.com/2008/07/false-colours-review-and-q.html

Loyalists and Layabouts
http://chris-book-a-rama.blogspot.com/2008/07/loyalists-and-layabouts-review.html

lorisreadingcorner said...

I finished up the challenge this weekend ~~ 7 ARC's read (and so many more to go!)

My review of Too Close To Home by Lindwood Barclay can be found here ~~

http://lorisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2008/08/too-close-to-home.html

Thanks for a great challenge!

Literary Feline said...

I'm almost there! I have finished my third ARC.

Far World, Book 1: Water Keep by J Scott Savage.

Kathleen said...

I'd definitely be interested in doing it again :) anything that motivates me is good!

Teddy Rose said...

Literary Feline,

Great! I add a link to your review from my updated post about the challenge.

Wonderful to hear Kathleen!

Jill said...

I finished my third (and probably final) book for this challenge.

So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwartz

My review: http://mrstreme.livejournal.com/58723.html

Thanks!
Jill =)

Teddy Rose said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge Jill! Way to go!

mint said...

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.


Kaylee

http://grillsblog.com

Teddy Rose said...

Mint,

Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by!

gaby317 said...

Hi Teddy,
I just finished The Law of Attraction by Sally Huss. Here's the link:

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-review-law-of-attraction-how-to.html

Thank you!
Gaby

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