The Happy Booker's Vampire/Zombie Acrostic Challenge

The Happy Booker  has issued a poetry challenge to go with a giveaway and I just have to accept it. Mock my acrostic at your own peril!

The challenge is to take the title of one of your favorite vampire and/or zombie novels and write an acrostic poem about it. Here's mine for Warm Bodies.

Without breath or life
A lost soul
Roaming aimlessly
Moaning, groaning

Brains sustain him
Opening doors into memories
Dreams of the living
In them is a girl
Everything changes as
Still hearts learn to beat

               Lieder Madchen

Father's Day Reading Challenge

Welcome to the Father's Day Reading Challenge. This is the first challenge that I have come up with rather than just joined, so feel free to make suggestions if it seems like I am doing something silly.

The Father's Day Reading Challenge starts today and will run through June 25th. The purpose of this challenge is to share books that your dad shared with you. These books can be anything from the kid's books he read to you as a child or the adult novels and authors he introduced to you as you got older.
For example, my dad read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series to me when I was younger and started me reading the works of Robert Ludlum and Clive Cussler when I was old enough. Currently he is trying to convince me to read Stephen King, but I have not yet been swayed.

You can participate in this challenge in a variety of ways. You can write book reviews, share memories or basically post whatever you want so long as it is related to your dad. All you have to do to sign up is leave a comment saying you want to participate and grab the pic above to put in your sidebar with a link back here so that others can check it out. When you post something, just link it below and leave a comment.

Here are the levels of participation. You can change your level at any time or ignore them entirely, they are just for fun.

Infant: Share 1 book
Toddler: Share 5 books
Kid: Share 7 books
Teen: Share 10 books
Adult: Share 15 books

Okay, so maybe 15 books is a lot to ask for a challenge that only lasts 20 days, but I will be highly impressed if somebody does it.

Have fun and Happy Father's Day!

                                            Lieder Madchen

Once Upon a Time Challenge

Challenge Homepage

I found this challenge on the Tell Me a Story blog, and it looks like so much fun! I am going for Quest the Second, to read one book each in the categories of fantasy, folklore, fairy-tale and mythology. The challenge runs from March 21 through June 20. I love fantasy, fairy-tale, and mythology, but I haven't read a whole lot by way of folklore, so I think that that will be he hardest part of this challenge for me.

Fantasy

1. The Seven Towers by Patricia C. Wrede

2. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

3. Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland (Book 1 of the Nine Kingdoms series)

4. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

5. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

6. Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

7. Random Magic by Sasha Soren

8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

9. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

10. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Fairy-Tale

1. Cloaked by Alex Flinn

2. Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

3. Entwined by Heather Dixon

Folktale

1. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

Mythology

1. King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett

                                             Lieder Madchen

Chivalrous Deeds: A Historical Fiction Challenge

This challenge can be found on the Bippity Boppity Book Blog.
It was the name of this challenge that first caught my attention, I love tales of chivalry. :) This challenge is also interesting in the fact that it has no defined goal except to read more books set in a larger variety of times and places than anybody else, which adds a fun element of competition. For this challenge, you read historical novels with connections to court and royalty. However, you are not allowed to read a book set in the same court as the last one you read. For example, if I was to read a book about Elizabeth I, it is against the rules to read another about her right away but you can come back to her later after reading a book that is about, say, Richard the Lionheart. This rule makes things more interesting, I think. :)

1. The Tudor Secret by C.W, Gortner (Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary Tudor)
2. The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick (Baldwin II of Jerusalem)
3. The Running Vixen by Elizabeth Chadwick (Henry I)
4. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Hatshepsut)
5. Petra: City of Stone by T.L. Higley
                                                      
                                                     Lieder Madchen

Reading Challenge Addict 2011

This challenge has its own blog Here.
I cannot seem to stop joining reading challenges, so when I found this I had to join. :) My goal is to complete all nine of the challenges I have joined and complete the goals I have set for myself.

Here they are:
Time Travel Reading Challenge My goal is 20 books.
Italy in Books Reading Challenge My goal is 20 books.
Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge My goal is 20 Sci-Fi books.
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge My goal is Severe Bookaholism: 20 books.
Jane Austen Reading Challenge My goal is Fanatic: 12+ books.
Classics Forever Reading Challenge My goal is Level 4: 13+ books.
Young Adult Reading Challenge My goal is 100 books.
Chivalrous Deeds My goal is to be the most widely traveled.
Once Upon a Time Challenge My goal is Quest the Second.

If I join any more I will have to put them up, too. :)

                                        Lieder Madchen

Italy in Books Reading Challenge 2011

This challenge can be found at the Book After Book Blog.
I love Italy. I love Italian books and Italian history and the one place I would go if I could go anywhere in the world would be Italy, so this challenge is a good one for me. :)
My goal is 20 books in this category.

                                        Lieder Madchen

Speculative Fiction Challenge 2011

This challenge can be found at the Floor to Ceiling Books Blog. I thought this one looked like fun, but I am going to narrow the peramaters of the goal for myself and only count Science Fiction and bump the number up to 20.

1. Skyfall by Catherine Asaro
2. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
3. The Moon's Shadow by Catherine Asaro
4. The Ruby Dice by Catherine Asaro
5. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
6. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (Sequel to Leviathan)
7. The Resurrection by Henry Parker
8. Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon
9. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
10. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
12. Divergent by Veronica Roth
13. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
14. Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch
15. Alien Tango by Gini Koch
16. Alien in the Family by Gini Koch

                                            Lieder Madchen

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

This challenge can be found on the wonderful Historical Tapestry Blog. Historical Fiction is probably my favorite literary genre (with Fantasy as a very close second). I love to find interesting stories that inspire me to go look up what really happened.
My goal is Severe Bookaholism: 20 books.

Here is what I have got so far:
1. Cleopatra's Heir by Gillian Bradshaw (Ms. Bradshaw graciously agreed to an interview, which was awesome.)
2. The Champion by Elizabeth Chadwick
3. Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson
4. The Blackstone Key by Rose Melikan
5. The Counterfeit Guest by Rose Melikan
6. The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
7. The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick
8. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
9. The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick
10. The Running Vixen by Elizabeth Chadwick
11. Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant
12. No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull
13. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
14. The Ballad of Gregoire Darcy by Marsha Altman
15. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
16. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Blair
17. Petra: City of Stone by T.L. Higley
18. The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
19. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King
20. Quintspinner by Dianne Greenlay
                                           
                                             Lieder Madchen

Book Review #18 Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson

Lady of the Glen
by Jennifer Roberson

Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Ages: 16 and up

This is the story of Catriona "Cat" Campbell and her tumultuous romance with Alasdair Og "Dair" MacDonald. Their two families have a long-standing feud and it is only by the purest chance that the two of them keep meeting, sometimes under less than fortunate circumstances. Scotland is in turmoil, the MacDonalds of Glencoe fight for James while the Campbells are loyal to the King of England. Cat is fiercely proud, but she is tired of all of the bloodshed and strife. Dair is slightly more easy-going but no less stubborn. They will have to overcome their families, childhood conditioning, and the politics of the time if they are to be together.
I have always loved novels about the Jacobites and their attempt to regain their liberty from England, I always root for them even though I know that they lose. I loved the characters in this story, and Jennifer Roberson is a brilliant storyteller (her Robin Hood novels are also very good). The only slight problem I have with this novel is that there are a few more sexual references than I am entirely comfortable with, but that seems to be unavoidable in novels about Scotsmen. (I think it might be because of the kilts.)

This book gets a 4.10 for profanity, there were some insulting terms used as well as a great many "bluidys".

I give it a 7.10 for sexuality because of a few varyingly graphic scenes and quite a few rather crude references and innuendos.

There are several scenes of violence in Lady of the Glen, some more graphic than others, including a massacre. I rate it as a 7.10.

                                          Lieder Madchen

Jane Austen Challenge 2011

I found this challenge on The Life (and lies) of an inanimate flying object Blog, she seems to have some fun challenges! I love Jane Austen, but it seems that lately I am going through a phase where I am reading a lot more than I usually do. I have read all of Jane Austen's works, save for Northanger Abbey, and I have been meaning to read them all again (and Northanger Abbey for the first time).
My goal is Fanatic: 12+ total, 6 by Jane Austen, 6+ re-writes, spoofs, etc.
It should be fun!

1. The Second Mrs. Darcy by Elizabeth Aston
2. The Darcy Connection by Elizabeth Aston
3. Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston
4. Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons by Jane Austen and Vera Nazarian
5. Mr. Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds
6. Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith
7. The Ballad of Grégoire Darcy by Marsha Altman
8. The Road to Pemberley Anthology edited by Marsha Altman
9. A Pemberley Medley by Abigail Reynolds

                                       Lieder Madchen

Classics Forever Reading Challenge 2011

This challenge can be found on The Life (and lies) of an inanimate flying object Blog. I only like a few "classics" but what I like about this challenge is that anything that is old enough to be in the public domain counts, and I can think of a lot of old books like that. (My collection of old e-books is huge!)
My goal is Level 4: 13+ novels.
As a more personal goal, I want to, for the most part, read old books that few people will have heard of as well as The Importance of Being Earnest. (I watched the movie a couple of nights ago and now I want to read the book.)

1. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

                                    Lieder Madchen

Young Adult Reading Challenge 2011

I am kind of behind on my challenges, I have been joining them left and right but not posting about them, so now I am having to do them all at once. :)

I found the YA Challenge on the Jamie's Bookshelf Blog. I read a lot of YA novels, so I thought it looked like fun. My goal is to read 100 books in this category, and I have already started. :)

1. The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (Book 1 in the Maximum Ride series)
2. School's Out - Forever by James Patterson (Book 2 in the Maximum Ride Series)
3. Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson (Book 3 in the Maximum Ride Series.)
4. A Hidden Magic by Vivian Vande Velde
5. The Final Warning by James Patterson (Book 4 in the Maximum Ride Series.)
6. Max by James Patterson (Book 5 in the Maximum Ride Series.)
7. Fang by James Patterson (Book 6 in the Maximum Ride Series.)
8. Angel by James Patterson (Book 7 in the Maximum Ride Series.)
9. The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (Book 1 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
10. The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan (Book 2 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
11. The Icebound Land by John Flanagan (Book 3 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
12. The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan (Book 4 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
13. Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan (Book 7 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series, chronologically book 5.)
14. The Sorcerer in the North by John Flanagan (Book 5 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
15. The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan (Book 6 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
16. A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
17. Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
18. A Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee (The Agency Book 2)
19. The Seven Towers by Patricia C. Wrede
20. Cloaked by Alex Flinn
21. The Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan (Book 8 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
22. Halt's Peril by John Flanagan (Book 9 in the Ranger's Apprentice Series.)
23. Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
24. By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
25. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle
26. Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce
27. To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson
28. Close Kin by Clare B. Dunkle (Book 2 in the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy)
29. In the Coils of the Snake by Clare B. Dunkle (Book 3 in the Hollow Kingdom Trilogy)
30. Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz (Book 9 in the Alex Rider Series)
31. Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis (Book 1 in the Dragons in Our Midst Series)
32. The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
33. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
34. No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull
35. Forged by Fire by Ann Turnbull (Sequel to No Shame, No Fear)
36. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy
37. King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett
38. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
39. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (Sequel to Wicked Lovely)
40. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce (Book 1 in the Song of the Lioness Quartet)
41. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
42. In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce (Book 2 in the Song of the Lioness Quartet)
43. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
44. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (Sequel to Leviathan.)
45. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce (Book 3 in the Song of the Lioness Quartet)
46. Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce (Book 4 in the Song of the Lioness Quartet)
47. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
48. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
49. Random Magic by Sasha Soren
50. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
51, 52 and 53. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
54. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
55. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
56. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (Book 1 of the Darkest Powers)
57. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong (Book 2 of the Darkest Powers)
58. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong (Book 3 of the Darkest Powers)
59. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
60. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
61. Entwined by Heather Dixon
62. Evermore by Alyson Noel
63. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
64. The Song of the Ovulum by Bryan Davis
65. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
66. Fallen by Lauren Kate
67. Torment by Lauren Hate
68. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
69. The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
70. Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
71. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
72. The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
73. Legacy by Cayla Kluver
74. Destruction From Twins by L. Carroll
75. 400 Days by L. Carroll
76. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
78. Shadowlands by Alyson Noel
79. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
80. The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn
81. Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguie
82. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
83. Die For Me by Amy Plum
84. Passion by Lauren Kate
85. Divergent by Veronica Roth
86. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast
87. Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
88. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
89. Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
90. Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz
91. The Trouble With Spells by Lacey Weatherford
92. The Demon Kiss by Lacey Weatherford
93. Blood of the White Witch by Lacey Weatherford
94. The Dark Rising by Lacey Weatherford
95. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
96. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
97. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
98. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
99. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
100. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

                                     Lieder Madchen

Time Travel Reading Challenge 2011

I found this reading challenge on the At Home With Books blog, and it looked like a lot of fun. I love time travel stories and I feel quite positive that I can find at least twenty novels that fit the category. :) My first book is Catch the Lightning by Catherine Asaro. Here is a link for anyone else who wants to take up he challenge! Time Travel 2011 Reading Challenge

1. Catch the Lighting by Catherine Asaro, Book 2 in her Skolian series. (It does not really have anything to do with the first one.) A futuristic, not-quite-human soldier crash lands in an alternate late eighties Los Angeles, where he befriends a troubled young woman, well, perhaps more than befriends. :) Ages 15 and up.
2. The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
3. Rise of the Darklings by Paul Crilley
4. Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
6. Ruby Red by Kristin Gier
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I will keep updating this list as I go along. :)

                                       Lieder Madchen