November #BookDare

Adam just posted the themes for the November #BookDare reading challenge. Basically, you check the themes, read the books, talk about them, see suggestions from other readers, and maybe win a prize. Do you need any other reasons to join the fun?

Adam's debut book,
Warning: Do not Open
This Book!

Go to author Adam Lehrhaupt's blog for details.

Without further ado, the November themes:
Thanksgiving is in November. Read a book with a Thanksgiving theme.
November 2 is Book Lover’s Day. Read one of your favorite books.
November 11 is Veteran’s Day. Read a book with service or the military as a theme.
November 13 is Sadie Hawkins Day. Read a book by a female author.

And here are your November bonus themes:
November 4 is Waiting for the Barbarians Day. Read a book with barbarians, vikings or other unruly type characters..
November 25 is National Parfait day. I have no idea what this means, but it seems like fun. Read a funny book.
November 29 is Black Friday. Read a book with black on the cover or in the title.
November 15 is the America Recycles Day. Read a book with an ecological theme.

November Bookdare prize,
Turkey Claus

Courtesy Lee Harper

The giveaway this month is for Wendi Silvano's Turkey Claus, illustrations by local favorite, Lee Harper.

Both Wendi and Lee have been chosen as Picture Book Month Champions, and Adam will be a guest poster for PiBoIdMo. 

Also please consider purchasing an on-demand copy of Lee's new book, Coyote. It's a book born of personal loss, but it certainly has wider appeal. The proceeds benefit the children and families of Sandy Hook.

Last Days to Enter October BookDare

Even Monsters Need Haircuts,
 by Matthew McElligott 

 Thanks again to Adam Lehrhaupt  for his #BookDare challenge. This has definitely been a challenging month!

In September, I forgot to post my reading list and be entered for the giveaway. Don't you do the same in October. Hop over to Adam Lehrhaupt's blog and comment on the books you've read this month which correspond with the categories below. If you missed this month's challenge, stay tuned. Adam posts a new list each month. Tweet your favorites and get a conversation started.

I usually try to coordinate the BookDare list with my regular MG/YA reads, but in preparation for Picture Book Month, I decided to choose picture books which fit the themes. It's a lot of fun. I hope you'll join us in November.

The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?
by Mo Willems

October Themes:
1. Halloween is in October. Read a book with a Halloween theme.
2. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read a book with pink on the cover.
3. October 31 is Increase Your Psychic Powers Day. Read the book that you think I’m thinking of right now.
4. October 6 is Mad Hatter Day. Read a book with a hat on the cover.

And here are your October bonus themes:
October 9 is Moldy Cheese Day. Just mention your favorite cheese in the comments for an entry.
October 11 is Take Your Teddy B ear to Work Day. Read a book with a bear in it.
October is Cookie Month. Read a book with a cookie on the cover or in the title.
October is the beginning of Hockey Season. Read a book featuring this great sport.

Don't miss Adam's guest post on Tara Lazar's blog, November 15.

This month's fabulous prize:

Tea Party Rules, by Ame Dyckman
 and K. G. Campbell

August Bookdare Challenge

The criteria for the August Bookdare are posted.

This month's themes range from dogs to princes to aliens. Bonus #2 is my favorite: a random book from your "to read" pile.

1. Stop by Adam's blog to check out the details.
2. Stop by your local library to check out the books.
3. Stop by a comfy spot near you for some quality reading time. You can always use the excuse you are doing research!

Warning: Do Not Open This Book!,
by Adam Lehrhaupt and Matthew Forsythe

Don't forget to tweet your completed books to #bookdare to enter this month's giveaway, and look for Adam's book, Warning: Do Not Open This Book! (There are Monkeys in it), set for release August 27, 2013.

The Story of Fish and Snail,
by Deborah Freedman

Where's your perfect summer reading hideaway?

Book Dare, Book Challenge, Booklist

No book review today, but here is an update on the 300 Picture Book Challenge.

Also a look at BookDare from author, Adam Lehrhaupt. I had fun rearranging my "to read" list to meet the criteria for July. 

Lastly you'll find a few books I'm currently reading to keep on track with my annual reading list. I hope you find some good suggestions among them.

The Paper Crane,
by Molly Bang

Picture Book 300 Challenge

Some recent Reads

Cranky Doodle, Exclamation Mark, Open This Little Book, The Paper Crane, Have You Seen My Duckling?, Ming Lo Moves The Mountain, Juma and the Magic Jinn, King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, Baby Days, My Napoleon, Sweet Dream Pie

I will be updating my Pinterest board next week if you would like to get more information on these and other picture book titles.

Below you'll find the categories and bonus categories, as well as the books I chose for #BookDare.

Flotsam, by David Wiesner

"Who Could That Be
At This Hour?"
by Lemony Snicket

First Light, by Rebecca Stead

1. ocean / beach : Flotsam; A Net to Catch Time
2. red, white, or blue cover : First Light
3. adventure / trip : Sheep Take a Hike; Cousins in the Castle
4. nature / animals : For Pete's Sake; A Farm (Carl Larsson)
Bonus
1. cold / winter : Snowflake Bentley
2. humor : "Who Could That Be at This Hour?"
3. parent characters : Sleepover Squad, Sleeping Over; The Ghost Belonged to Me; Peeled
4. 2013 release : Phoebe & Digger; Exclamation Mark






Here are a few books I'm working my way through to reach my goal of 50 chapter, MG, and YA for 2013.

The Beloved Dearly,
by Doug Cooney

The Rogues,
by Jane Yolen

Theater Shoes,
by Noel Streatfeild

So what's in your book bag?