It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.  It's a way to organize your TBR pile to take a look at what you've read last week, what you're currently reading, and what you need to read next week.  You may also win a prize!

What I Read Last Week:
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
Midnight Fugue by Reginald Hill
Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

What I am Currently Reading:
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Ruined by Paula Morris
Delirious by Daniel Palmer

Up Next:
Blue by Lou Aronica
By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

I have been playing around a lot with my new Kobo e-reader and used it last night for the first time to read most The Vespertine.  I never thought I would enjoy reading something from an electronic device, but it was pretty handy, that's for sure.  I can see the advantages already to having multiple books on one little device when I travel to Europe this March (but I will probably still have a book for backup just in case something happens as being on a plane for 6 hours with no book to read would drive me insane!!!!!!).

New Year's Resolution Giveaway Hop

New Year’s Resolution Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the New Year’s Resolution Giveaway Hop, hosted by Candace’s Book Blog, Pure Imagination, and Reading Angel!   There are over 100 blogs participating in this hop with many prizes to be won. 

My Prizes

Prize #1:  $25 GC to Amazon.com  (US/Canada only)

Prize #2: $15 Book of Choice to Book Depository (International only. Please make sure Book Depository ships to where you live.)


Mandatory Entry:  As I am celebrating my blogoversary as well as the New Year, I have decided to also make this a "Thank you to my followers contest". 
1) Must be a GFC Follower.
2) Please leave a comment with your email address.
3) Tell me what prize you are entering for.

Good luck everyone, and have fun hopping!!!

Here is the link for the other blogs in this contest:

Review: Midnight Fugue by Reginald Hill

Midnight Fugue (Book 24, Dalziel & Pacoe Series)
by Reginald Hill
Release Date: October 24, 2010
2010 Harper
Trade Paperback Edition; 358 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-145197-3
Genre: Murder / Myster
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Still recovering from a near-fatal bomb blast, Superintendent Andy Dalziel is eager to get back up to speed - and loses an entire day in the process.

Agreeing to help Gina Wolfe search for her missing husband - a policeman who vanished years earlier under a very dark cloud - "Fat Andy" doesn't realize that events set in motion decades ago will come to a violent head on this otherwise ordinary summer's day.  Caught up in an intricate composition played up-tempo by a vicious gangster and his politician son; a tabloid journalist chasing the deadliest story of his career; and a desperate wife/widow/fiancee unaware of the target on her forehead, Dalziel has only twenty-four hours to pursue this twisting piece to its shocking, discordant conclusion - hoping that justice will not be among the ultimate victims.

My Thoughts
Midnight Fugue is the twenty-fourth instalment of the Pasco and Dalziel series and is very different from any of the earlier instalments in this series.


Still groggy and unsure from a terrorist bomb which almost killed him several books ago, Superintendent Andy Dalziel is anxious to get back to his job and his normal routine – but apparently loses an entire day in the process. On his way to what he thought was a Monday morning meeting, he inadvertently ends up at a local Cathedral and runs into Gina Wolfe, a woman who has been tracking him down in order to ask for his help locating a missing (dead?) husband who disappeared under mysterious circumstances almost seven years before. When Andy agrees to help, and put together his missing day at the same time, he somehow sets in motion a series of events that began decades ago, events that will come together and reach a violent end before the day is over.

This was one the funniest – and quickest – novels in this series that I have read. The entire sequence of events took place in less than twenty-four hours, and the pace was riveting to say the least. From the moment Andy left his flat in the morning to the final events in the novel, the pace was relentless, moving from one scene to another, never giving the reader a chance to breathe. Peopled with a variety of characters, from the Welsh reporters, one who got in the way following a different story and his brother, to the senior Welsh policeman caught in a hilariously funny compromising position in the back seat of his car, to the uptight Maggie Pinchbeck who works for and keeps in check an up-and-rising young MP and is looking for revenge, to Pascoe and Wield, longtime co-workers of Dalziel’s, and to Novello, who will always help out Dalziel when help is needed. The witty and fun dialogue between the characters adds a sense of suspense and tension to the novel as well as a touch of irony and farce. The interaction between the characters is always a strength of Hill’s narrative writing style; he makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next.

Andy Dalziel has always been one of my favourite characters because he is so different from the usual cop stereotype, and he doesn’t disappoint in this novel. To be honest, this is one of the first novels where I saw him as being more than human rather than superhuman; for example, after eating a scrumptious lunch and drinking more than was good for him, he fell asleep for more than two hours in Gina Wolfe’s hotel room which created a miasma of problems for him as events in the novel will tell. That type of thing would never have happened in previous novels and I really enjoyed seeing some fallability in Andy. The resulting events found Andy scrambling for the first time to explain himself and it put him in a defensive position, something he had never experienced. It definitely gave him a new perspective on other people and his job.

Verdict
Midnight Fugue was an enjoyable novel, full of fun, with many serious moments as well. Mr. Hill is definitely on top of his game and shows he can pack a powerful punch when least expected as well as keep one entertained at the same time. I was completely caught off guard by the surprising twist of an ending, but “what goes around, comes around”. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in this delightful series.

Review: Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy

Buffalo West Wing (Book 4, White House Chef Mystery)
by Julie Hyzy
Release Date: January 4, 2011
2011 Berkley Prime Crime
Trade Paperback Edition; 310 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-425-23923-0
Genre: Murder / Mystery
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

4 / 5

Summary
With a new First Family moving into the White House, executive chef Olivia Paras can't afford to make any mistakes.  But when a mysterious box of take-out chicken shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a no-wing situation...

No way is Ollie handing over a suspicious box os barbecue chicken wings to Abigail and Josh Hyden, children of the country's new commander-in-chief and her new boss.  With no clue who provided the culinary gifts for the kids, Ollie's not about to put them at risk.

Wit the First Lady giving her the cold shoulder for her decision, and the family's personal chef being brought in, Ollie starts to fear she may be plucked from the White House staff.  When it turns out the chicken was poisoned, Ollie realizes the First Kids are targets - and she'll need more than a wing and a prayer to keep them out of harm's way...

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this latest installment of the White House Chef Mystery series and read the entire book in one sitting.  Olivia Paras is the executive chef of the White House kitchen and as always, I find the behind-the-scenes workings of the White House to be absolutely fascinating.  Ollie and her loyal kitchen assistants have access to quite a list of interesting people including a variety of Secret Service Agents, the Social Secretary and a variety of assistants, and the President and First Lady and the First Kids.  I don't think I really gave too much thought as to what it would be like to be a First Kid until I read this novel and the limitations and restrictions would be claustrophobic after a while.  Those poor kids couldn't go anywhere without bodyguards and Secret Service Agents everywhere.

The action starts up almost immediately when Ollie comes across a suspicious box of chicken wings, and trouble also starts for her when she makes the decision not to serve the wings to the First Kids, a safety issue that is not completely understood by the First Family and causes trouble for Ollie.  When a variety of the White House staffers get sick after eating the chicken wings, and become hostages at the local hospital, Ollie suspects something much more dire may be afoot.  Despite her suspicions, she is still shunned due to the chicken wing episode and a new chef is brought in to make the family meals while Ollie is relegated to working only on state dinners.  And here is where the real fireworks began.  The interactions between competing chefs was marvelous and I enjoyed every minute of the interplay between Virgil and Ollie.  

One of the things I really enjoy about Ms. Hyzy's work is her writing style.  The lyrical writing, the banter between her characters, and the witty dialogue makes the novel interesting and fun, and I never know what is going to happen, which adds an element of suspense and mystery.   Ollie is such an interesting character, strong yet at the same time vulnerable, that I connected with her almost immediately and want her to succeed and do well.  I really felt her pain and discomfort when the other chef was brought in and she thought she might be losing her job as executive chef.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who wanted to bop Virgil with a frying pan!! And her date with the other famous chef was hilarious if at the same time embarrassing, and I felt very embarrassed along with her.   There was little romance in this novel, although the set-up for a possible and interesting new romance for Ollie for the next book is definitely there and I can't wait to see how that develops. 

If you are a budding chef, each of the White House Chef Mystery novels comes with a series of recipes included in the back of the book, recipes that were mentioned in the novel.  In this novel, there is a section for kid-friendly recipes that include tzatziki, chicken souvlaki, fried chicken strips, and green beans with bacon bits and blanched almonds.  For the adults, I was salivating over the descriptions of the Nantucket sea scallops and the mixed berry cobbler, both of which are also included in the novel.  I am planning on trying both tonight.

Verdict
Buffalo West Wing was a charming addition to the White House Chef Mystery series.  After visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time this past summer, this book held more meaning for me as I could visualize the places Ollie and Cyan went to and I could visualize the area surrounding the White House.  I really enjoyed the research and the descriptions that went into the scenes describing the making of the state dinners and some of the other events as it gave me more of an idea of life behind the scenes.   The action and pacing move quickly and keeps you interested from beginning to end.  I am looking forward to the next installment of the adventures of Olivia Paras.

2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

I am addicted to challenges and to books.  I told myself I wasn't going to sign up for anymore of these, but I got a Kobo ereader for Christmas and now I find myself signing up for just one more challenge.  And I promise, this is my last or I don't think I will be able to successfully complete some of them if I don't stop here.  Thank goodness for crossovers from one challenge to another though!!!!

The 2011 E-Book Challenge is hosted by The Ladybug Reads.




Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join.  2. There are four levels:
- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
--- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
---- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.
3. Challenge runs from 01 January 2011 until 31 December 2011.

Head on over to The Ladybug Reads for more information and to sign up. 
I have decided to go for the Addicted Level this year. 

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade (Book 1, Nightshade)

by Andrea Cremer
Release Date: October 26, 2010
2010 Philomel Books
Hardcover Edition; 455 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25482-6
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

5 / 5 Stars

Summary
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Thoughts
Nightshade is one of those books where I was hooked right from the beginning, and couldn't put down the book.  It's been a long time since I've stayed up late reading a book into the early morning hours of the morning, but I have to admit I had a hard time putting this one down.  It had all of the elements I like in a novel: romance, suspense, adventure, mystery, magic, and forbidden knowledge.

The atmosphere and setting were some of the things I admired most in this novel.  Up in the Colorado outback, the deep woods, valleys, and caves make a perfect background for the events in Nightshade.  There are so many possibilities for endless mystery and secrecy available here, as well as dark and light to play off one another.   The creepy mansions and houses and mysterious libraries are also a draw for a reader who thrives on things mysterious and things secret.  And as crazy as it sounds, I couldn't get Lois Lowry's The Giver out of my head the whole time I read this novel as I kept making comparisons between the two novels, in particular the character development and in the settings.  The wolf packs are given everything they could want for their daily needs, are deemed superior to humans, so long as they don't go about questioning their daily lives and their daily existence.  It's this aspect in particular in which I kept comparing things to The Giver.  It's a twisted and deceptive world in which they live, and someone is bound to come along and ask difficult questions and turn their world upside down. 

I also really enjoyed the characters and character development.  There is really no character that I disliked as they were written and developed so well they were all so enjoyable to read about and to get to know.  Calla is such a strong and independent character and I definitely felt her pain as she struggled between her duty and obligation to her growing horror at what she learned about the reality of her situation.  I couldn't really say if I liked Ren or Shay better as I admired them both for very different reasons: Shay for his quiet strength and Ren for his deep loyalty to the pack.  It was certainly interesting reading about the pack loyalties and hierarchies and how they all fit together.  There was one very telling scene when Calla sees her very strong mother defer to an alpha male in a negative way and when Calla questions her mother, her mother replies that you never cross an alpha male even when you belong to another and that's just the way it is.  Calla has to readjust her way of thinking and doesn't really like what she sees or what she may have to become.  

The writing style is mesmerizing and just sweeps you along and traps you into a very original storyline.  I honestly did not know who to root for, Ren or Shay, and admired Ms. Cremer's writing style for making me feel the same conflicting emotions that Calla was feeling.  It is a gift to be able to write this way, and I've always needed to feel that connection to the characters in order to become involved in a novel.  I was completely involved in Calla's world and could almost smell the leaves on the trees and the pine needles in the forest.

Verdict
Nightshade is a very enjoyable novel and definitely had more than enough romance and suspense to keep me satisfied through to the end.   The treachery and deceptiveness and secrecy are things that I definitely enjoy and just enough information was given to be tantalizing.  I am certainly looking forward to the release of Wolfsbane, the second book in this thrilling series in July 2011.

IMUA: Happy New Year!

Imua!

A great Hawaiian saying is "Imua!" which means to move forward with confidence and courage.  It's a great word for the upcoming new year as we explore new opportunities and perhaps face fears.

This week, I put into practice "imua" by facing my fear of ziplining. Yes, I stepped off a wooden platform to soar across 1800 feet of the world's fifth largest caldera located in Kauai. Encouraged by my teenage daughters, I faced my fear of not being in control of my destiny and took a leap of faith.



The excellent guides, Mitch and Chris of Outfitters Kauai prepared us well for our ultimate "black diamond" zipline adventure. We did several practice runs on what I thought were "big ziplines" but little did I know what was really awaiting. The guides constantly reminded us that the most important lesson we all needed to learn to be safe was to "trust our gear."

True wisdom that I needed to hear. For too long in life, I have "held on tightly" when what I should have done was to "let go and let God." He provides "the gear" that we need to sustain us through the difficult moments of life as we soar across jungles.

So I guess my advice would be this: "Face your fear and trust God's gear." IMUA!!

What fear do you need to face this year? What have you been holding on too tightly? What does "imua" mean to you?

Margaret McSweeney is the founder of Pearl Girls (http://www.pearlgirls.info/), the host of Kitchen Chat (http://margaretmcsweeney.com/kitchen-chat/), and an author. Her book, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, was published in 2009. Margaret is fast at work on a fiction manuscript (or three) and can be found blogging at From Finance to Fiction (http://fromfinancetofiction.blogspot.com/).

2011 Reading Challenges

These are the reading challenges in which I am participating in 2011.  I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but I think I am up for the challenge.  My biggest problem may be keeping this page up to date as I am terrible at this.

Twenty Eleven Reading Challenge
To YA or Not YA
1. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
2. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
...With a Twist
1. A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert G. Pielke
2. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
Hot Off the Presses
1. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
2. The Second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas
It Wasn't Me
1. Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner
2.
Show it Who is Boss
1.
2.
Bablefish
1.
Will-Power? What Will-Power?
1.
2.
Mind the Gap
1.
2.
Back in the Day
1.
2.
Way Back When
1.
2.
Slim-Pickings
1.

Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge
1. Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy
2. Delirious by Daniel Palmer
3. A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr
4. The Night Season by Chelsea Cain
5. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
6. Redemption by Laurel Dewey
7. Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder
8. Dead of Wynter by Spencer Seidel
9. The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane
10. Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
11. Nine Man's Murder by Eric Keith
12. Inherit the Throne by Steve DeWinter
13. Other Eyes by Barbara D'Amato
14. The Summoner by Layton Green
15. The Watchman of Ephraim by Gerard de Marigny
16. The Egyptian by Layton Green
17. The Sixes by Kate White
18. Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell
19. Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley
20. The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis
21. The Witch of Babylon by D.J. McIntosh
22. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths
23. Underdead by Liz Jasper

Gothic Reading Challenge
1. Descent Into Dust by Jacqueline Lepore
2. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
3. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule
4.
5.

YA Historical Fiction Challenge
1. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
2. The Agency: The Body in the Tower by Y.S. Lee
3. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
4. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
5. Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
6. The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory Kaufman
7. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
8. The Last Seal by Richard Denning
9. The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Historical Romance Challenge
(Romance Book Junkies)
1. Catriona by Jeanette Baker
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

New Authors Challenge
(Literary Escapism)
1. Tempted By Fate by Kate Perry
2. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
3. Hellforged by Nancy Holzner
4. Catriona by Jeanette Baker
5. The Summoner by Layton Green
6. Out of Breath by Blair Richmond
7. The Darkness by Crystal Connor
8. Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade
9. The Shoppe of Spells by Shanon Grey
10. Underdead by Liz Jasper
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

Support Your Local Library Challenge
(Book Junkie's Bookshelf)
1. The Goldsmith's Daughter by Kate Sedley
2. The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
3. The Agency: The Body in the Tower by Y.S. Lee
4. Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
5 The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
7. Wizard's Daughter by Catherine Coulter
8. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
9. Descent Into Dust by Jacqueline Lepore
10. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Paranormal Romance Challenge
(Bitten By Paranormal Romance)
1. Blood Spells by Jessica Andersen
2. Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry
3. Catriona by Jeanette Baker
4. The Shoppe of Spells by Shanon Grey
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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17.
18.
19.
20.

Speculative Fiction Challenge
(Floor to Ceiling Books)
1. The Sorcerer's House by Gene Wolfe
2. The Kings of Eternity by Eric Brown
3. Marysvale by Jared Southwick
4. 7 Scorpions Rebellion by Mike Saxton
5. Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner
6. The Darkness by Crystal Connor
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12

2011 Debut Author Challenge
(The Story Siren)
1. Across The Universe by Beth Revis
2. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
3. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
4. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
5. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
6. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule
7. Entwined by Heather Dixon
8. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
9. Out of Breath by Blair Richmond
10.
11.
12

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
(Historical Tapestry)
1. Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
2. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan
3. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
4. A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert G. Pielke
5. Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
6. A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr
7. The Second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas
8. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
9. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
10. Bellfield House by Anna Dean
11. Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
12. Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay

YA Reading Challenge
1. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
2. Ruined by Paula Morris
3. The Ancillary's Mark by Daniel A. Cohen
4. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5. Subject Seven by James A. Moore
6. The Discovery of Socket Greeny by Tony Bertauski
7. The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
8. The Agency: The Body in the Tower by Y.S. Lee
9. Always A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
10. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
11. Chime by Franny Billingsley
12. Blue by Lou Aronica
13. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
14. Across The Universe by Beth Revis
15. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
16. Matched by Ally Condie
17. Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon
18. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
19. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
20. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
21. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
22. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
23. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
24. Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
25. The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory Kaufman
26. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule
27. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
28. Entwined by Heather Dixon
29. The Last Seal by Richard Denning
30. Awaking by Madeline Freeman
31. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
32. Out of Breath by Blair Richmond
33. Crossed by Ally Condie
34. The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards
35. A Time for Dancing by DAvinda Wills Hurwin
36. Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade
37. Beautiful Dead: Phoenix by Eden Maguire
38.
39.
40.
41.
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43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

2011 E-Book Challenge
1. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
2. The Discovery of Socket Greeny by Tony Bertauski
3. Always A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
4. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
5. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
6. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
7. Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder
8. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule
9. Inherit the Throne by Steve DeWinter
10. Catriona by Jeanette Baker
11. 7 Scorpions Rebellion by Mike Saxton
12. The Summoner by Layton Green
13. The Watchman of Ephraim by Gerard de Marigny
14. The Egyptian by Layton Green
15. The Last Seal by Richard Denning
16. The Legacy by Katherine Webb
17. Awaking by Madeline Freeman
18. Phantom Lives: Collier by Elizabeth Loraine
19. Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
20. Two and a Half Dead Men by Jason Krumbine
21. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths
22. Underdead by Liz Jasper

2011 Audio Book Challenge
1. The Goldsmith's Daughter by Orson Scott Card
2. Wizard's Daughter by Catherine Coulson
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

2011 A - Z Reading Challenge
A - Across the Universe by Beth Revis

B - Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
C - Chime by Franny Billingsley
D - Delirium by Lauren Oliver or Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
E - Entwined by Heather Dixon
F - First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones
G - Goddess Test by Aimee Walker
H - Hereafter by Tara Hudson
I - Inherit the Throne by Steve DeWinter
J - Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
K - Kat, Incorrigble by Stephanie Burgis
L - Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
M - Matched by Ally Condie
N - Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
O - Other Eyes by Barbara D'Amato
P - Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder
Q - Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
R - Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay
S - Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon
T - Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry
U - Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
V - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
W - Wither by Lauren DeStefano
X - XVI by Julia Karr
Y - You Had Me At Halo by Amanda Ashby

Dystopian Challenge
(BA Reading Challenges)
1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2. Matched by Ally Condie
3. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
4. The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory Kaufman
5. Crossed by Ally Condie
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.


Outdo Yourself Challenge
1. Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy
2. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
3. Delirious by Daniel Palmer
4. Ruined by Paula Morris
5. The Ancillary's Mark by Daniel A. Cohen
6. Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry
7. Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
8. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan
10. Blood Spells by Jessica Andersen
11. Subject Seven by James A. Moore
12. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
13. The Discovery of Socket Greeny by Tony Bertauski
14. The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
15. The Goldsmith's Daughter by Kate Sedley
16. The Agency: The Body in the Tower by Y.S. Lee
17. Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry
18. Always A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
19. Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
20. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
21. Chime by Franny Billingsley
22. Blue by Lou Aronica
23. Anyone Can Die by James LePore
24. A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert G. Pielke
25. The Kensei by Jon F. Merz
26. Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
27. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
28. Wizard's Daughter by Catherine Coulson
29. A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr
30. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
31. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
32. Matched by Ally Condie
33. Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon
34. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
35. The Twinning Murders by Shelly Frome
36. The Night Season by Chelsea Cain
37. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
38. Descent Into Dust by Jacqueline Lepore
39. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
40. Redemption by Laurel Dewey
41. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
42. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
43. Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder
44. The Sorcerer's House by Gene Wolfe
45. Hellforged by Nancy Holzner
46. The Second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas
47. Dead of Wynter by Spencer Seidel
48. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
49. The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman
50. Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
51. The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory Kaufman
52. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
53. The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane
54. The Language of the Sea by James MacManus
55. Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
56. Dark Jenny by Alex Bledsoe
57. Nine Man's Murder by Eric Keith
58. Lagan Love by Peter Murphy
59. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
60. Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule
61. Bellfield House by Anna Dean
62. Inherit the Throne by Steve DeWinter
63. Other Eyes by Barbara D'Amato
64. Chosen by Paula Bradley
65. Catriona by Jeanette Baker
66. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
67. Entwined by Heather Dixon
68. The Kings of Eternity by Eric Brown
69. Marysvale by Jared Southwick
70. 7 Scorpions Rebellion by Mike Saxton
71. The Summoner by Layton Green
72. The Watchman of Ephraim by Gerard de Marigny
73. The Egyptian by Layton Green
74. Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend
75. The Last Seal by Richard Denning
76. The Legacy by Katherine Webb
77. The Sixes by Kate White
78. Awaking by Madeline Freeman
79. Phantom Lives: Collier by Elizabeth Loraine
80. Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell
81. Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley
82. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
83. Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
84. The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman
85. Bloodstone by Nancy Holzner
86. Out of Breath by Blair Richmond
87. Crossed by Ally Condie
88. Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay
89. The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards
90. Two and a Half Dead Men by Jason Krumbine
91. A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
92. The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis
93. The Darkness by Crystal Connor
94. Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade
95. The Shoppe of Spells by Shanon Grey
96. The Witch of Babylon by D.J. McIntosh
97. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths
98. Beautiful Dead: Phoenix by Eden Maguire
99. The Thirteen Hallows by Michael Scott & Colette Freedman
100. Underdead by Liz Jasper

And so on...