If you happened to glance at the calendar today, you may have realized that the first two months of 2010 are already gone! Which means that we are now in March.
Which means that spring will be here in about three weeks. I cannot tell you how ready I am for spring. I’m ready for sunshine, and warmth, and green grass, and no snow. And I’m also ready to incorporate a little structure in my reading. So I’m happy to announce that along with getting ready for the season of spring, it’s also time to get ready for the Spring Reading Thing 2010, here at Callapidder Days! Hooray!
Many of you know what my reading challenges are all about, and I’m so thankful for all of you faithful readers who come back twice a year to join in. But for those of you who are new to my challenges, let me give you the basics.
Essentially, Spring Reading Thing 2010 is a fun, low-pressure reading challenge open to anyone and everyone. It will take place March 20th-June 20th (which is, not-so-coincidentally, the spring of 2010).
To participate, here’s what you need to do:
- Create a list of some books you’d like to read or finish this spring.
- Feel free to set some additional reading goals (such as reading to your kids two hours per week, getting through your pile of magazines, etc.). This is completely optional.
- Write a blog post including the list of books you want to read and any additional goals you’ve set, and get ready to post it on your blog on March 20th.
- Visit my blog on March 20th to sign up. I’ll have a Mr. Linky set up that morning, so you can submit a link to your personal Spring Reading Thing post, and it will be added to the master list.
- Read! Work on your goals throughout Spring 2010.
- Report your results. Write another blog post in June to let everyone know how you did.
- Have fun! Visit other participants to see what they’re reading. Write reviews if you’re so inclined. But most of all, enjoy your spring reading.
A brief Q & A
Q. What is the point of this whole thing?
A. I started these twice-yearly challenges because I thought it would be fun to share my love of reading with other bloggers and to push myself to read some books I might not otherwise read, or to finish some books I had started and then abandoned & stashed under my bed. I thought there were probably others out there who would appreciate the accountability and encouragement that a challenge can provide. And along the way, I discovered there were lots of people who — whether they needed the extra push or not — loved to share what they planned or hoped to read during the upcoming months.
So that’s the point: sharing some reading goals with all the other participants and doing it in a way that works for you. If you want to push yourself, go for it! Or if you just want to share what you’re hoping to get around to reading before winter, that works too. The most important thing is to read this fall, to enjoy it, and to share that enjoyment with others.
Q. What if I don’t have much time to read and I only set a goal to read 2 books? Is that lame?
A. No, it’s not lame! Whether your list includes two books or thirty-two books doesn’t matter to me. Make the challenge work for you. Be reasonable. Maybe try to stretch yourself a little. But don’t stress about it. This is supposed to be fun.
Q. What if I get half-way through the challenge, realize it’s not working for me, and I want to change my list/goals? Does that mean I lose?
A. No! I don’t mind one bit if you change your list part-way through the challenge. The point of my challenges is to provide a fun and easy way for you to set some goals, work toward them, and enjoy reading. If your original list isn’t working for you, you’re likely to be miserable, which would completely defeat the point. Rework your list/goals and keep on reading.
Q. Do I have to review the books I read? I stink at writing reviews.
A. Absolutely not. Writing reviews of the books you read is entirely optional. To be honest, I usually don’t write reviews of the books I read during these challenges.
Remember: Katrina’s reading challenges are low-to-no-pressure.
Q. What should I write in my post that has my list and goals? Is there any special format?
A. Nope. As long as you include your goal-list of books, it’s entirely up to you. You might want to check out last year’s challenge page and visit some participants to see how they did it, if you’re not sure where to start.
Q. Do you have a graphic we can put in our sidebars?
A. Um…not yet. But I’m working on one and plan to get it up and available to you very soon.
Q. Where can we get more information?
A. Well, you already have just about all the information you need. Check back here next week, though — I’ll have a few posting guidelines up, just a few to-do’s that I ask you to abide by if you decide to be part of Spring Reading Thing 2010. And feel free to leave a comment here if you have a specific question I haven’t yet addressed.
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Okay, that’s enough babbling by me. It’s time for you to start making your list. Go peruse your bookshelves, visit the library, check behind your nightstand for lost or abandoned books, and decide what you’d like to read this spring. See you soon!
More information about SRT ’10:
*The Button*
Yeah, I’m ready for some more structured reading too! Oh and Spring can get here any day now!
okay So I’m not sure I have read much since the fall! I am in a major reading slump and I’m hoping to snap out of it soon! So I am sure the Spring Reading Thing will help me along with that
Can’t wait to sign up for this one again!!! Thanks for hosting it again this year.
Duly noted and marked on the calendar! =D
You know I’m in!
WOOHOO!! Spring Time!
I’ll be there!
.-= Joyful´s last post ..Dancing with My Father (by) Sally Clarkson =-.
I had so much fun with the Fall Into Reading Challenge — I am so excited to participate in another!!
Yippee!!!! I was just thinking the other day that it would start soon and here it is almost time to start!
Kim
The Misplaced Midwesterner
Yay! SRT! I actually already started my list and look forward to many edits. My goal this time will be to read the books on my shelf that I’ve been ignoring. Can’t wait to get started – spring can’t get here fast enough for many reasons but this is my favorite one.
Shaking my head in wonder. How did we already get to the Spring Read Thing? Didn’t we just finish Fall? hahaha Can’t quite wrap my brain around it Katrina, but will start working on it.
I’m looking forward to this. It will give me a chance to read all the books I had forgot I bought a while back and get them read.
It’s almost SPRING?! For real?
Looking forward to it.
I love your button for this spring reading thing. Its so pretty. I’m so excited. My little one is only three months old and I want this to be our start on making reading to him a habit. Between little sleep, nursing all the time, and laundry we’ve let it fall by the wayside. Thx!
YEA!!!! Button posted, reading list being made, fun, fun, fun.
I can’t wait for the start of this challenge! I’m counting down.
Hey ladies! I just found this through another site tonight so I literally stumbled up on ! I can NOT wait! I love to read & have some things I really need to get through & FINISH!! Plus some new books coming in the mail. I can’t wait to link up & be a part of this challenge! =)
.-= Crystal´s last post ..Morpheawha? =-.
I think this is a GREAT idea! And I really do love the tree graphic….it’s beautiful.
I’m not the best at keeping up or finishing with reading challenges, but I’ll try…very hard. School and life, especially school, interupts my reading time
Thanks for the great reading challenge.
Gayla
I’m looking forward to another fun reading challenge, thank for hosting once again. I better get a list ready!
So exciting. This is my first time doing your challenge. I love reading and look forward to seeing others lists and reviews. Time to get my list ready. (that’s not too hard I have a few books on my Kindle lined up to read)..
Happy reading.
I have a spot on my blog where I talk about my books Im reading, what Ive read, and what I want to read. If you go to my site and then click on “My Projects” you’ll then see a reading link that has all three of my “shelves” there. I can’t wait to participate in this challenge…I LOVE to read!!
.-= Jessica´s last post ..Hide and Seek is Especially FUN… =-.
I am ready to do this again!
Indeed! I am so happy that spring is right around the corner. The weather is finally starting to warm up and I couldn’t be happier. It has been a gloomy gloomy winter. Can’t wait for a change of scene!
I’ve been waiting for this!
Sarah
i so need this…count me in!
love is in the air, do, da, oh, sorry. It is reading is in the air. thanks for doing this challenge. I have a stack of books beside my bed that I have started and need to finish. So that is my goal to finish those books.
kim in ohio
I posted a page with ALL current reading challenges. Let me know if you want me to add any other information about yours. I hope it brings even more readers to your challenge!
Reading Challenges.
Rachelle (Bibliobabe)
I just found the Spring Thing! Can I still sign up?
Okay – should have gone to the official spot – because I have already answered my own question! Can’t wait to get going on this and see everyones books!
20 104 Quick, Amanda Second Sight rated 4.5
20 105 Garwood, Julie One Pink Rose rated 3.5
21 106 Keene, Carolyn Nancy’s Mysteries Letter #8 rated 3
21 106 Cannell, Dorothy Spring Cleaning Murders rated 1
22 107 Spindler, Erica Blood Vines rated 5+
23 108 Fairstein, Linda Hell Gate rated 4.5
25 109 Adler, Elizabeth Summer in Tuscany rated 3
28 110 Keene, Carolyn The Sign of the Twisted Candles #9 rated 3
29 111 Roberts, Nora Taming Natasha rated 4
29 112 Fobes, Tracy To Tame a Wild Heart rated 3
30 113 Keene, Carolyn The Password to Larkespur Lane #10 rated 3
31 114 Roberts, Nora Luring a Lady rated 4
31 115 Garwood, Julie Saving Grace rated 4
11,860 pages 44 books 9 are mine
to date 36, 033 115 books
April
1 116 Barclay, Linwood Never Look Away rated 4
2 117 Erickson, Carolly The Tsarina’s Daughter rated 3
2 118 Heyer, Georgette The Black Moth rated 1
3 119 Hill, JOe HOrns rated 2.5
4 120 Brunsetter, Wantda E. A Cousin’s Promise rated 3
6 121 Diamant, Anita Good Harbor rated 1.5
7 122 Spark, Muriel The Abbess of Crewe rated 2
8 123 Marshall, Jqames Old Mother Hubbard rated 2
9 124 Andrews, V C Ruby rated 4
10 125 Kehret, Peg The Volcano Disaster rated 5
11 126 Kraukaur, Jon Into Thin Air rated 10
12 127 Underwood, Michael The Anxious Conspirator rated 2.5
12 128 Cameon, Stella Target rated 3
13 129 Chaikin, Miriam Esther rated 3
13 130 Gray, Charlotte Mother Teresa rated 3
13 131 Petrucha, Stefan Nancy Drew The Charmed Bracelet rated 1
14 132 Sparks, Nicholas Dear JOhn rated 3.5
14 133 Burgess, Thorntpm W. The Adventures of Bob Coon rated 2.5
15 134 Corben, Harlan Caught rated 4
15 135 Rice, Anne Angel Time rated 4
15 136 Keene, Carolyn The Stolen Relic #7 Girl Detective rated 3.5
16 137 Roberts, Nora Falling for Rachel rated 3.5
16 138 VanGlieson, Judith The Stolen Blue rated 4
16 139 Robanrds, Karen Shattered rated 4.5
17 140 Roberts, Nora Convincing Alex rated 3.5
17 141 Kehret, Peg Small Steps rated 5
17 142 Keene, Carolyn The Clue in the Broken Locket #11 rated 3
18 143 Yep, Laurence The Ghost Fox rated3
18 144 Keene, Carolyn The Message in the Hollow Oak #12 rated 3
19 145 Andrews, V. C. All that Glitters rated 4
19 146 Brill arlene Tart Autism rated 3.5
19 147 Zalben, Jane Breskin Pearl’s Passover rated 2.5
19 148 Rice, William B. Geologists rated 3.5
20 149 Marzollo, Jean Miriam and Her Brother Moses rated 3
21 150 Greenblass, Miriam Napoleon Bonaparte rated 3
21 151 Denenbert, Barry All Shook Up: Elvis Presley rated 3.5
21 152 Adler, Elizabeth Invitation to Province rated 4.5
22 153 O’Neal, Zibby Grandma Moses rated 3.5
22 154 Roberts, Nora Waiting for Nick rated 3
23 155 Gleiter, Jan Kit Carson rated 3
23 156 Goodwin, Vincent Adventures of Abby Grange rated 1
24 157 Geeson, Brian Joseph a d His Brothers rated 3
24 158 Roberts, NOra Considering Kate rated 3
25 159 Jones, Elizsabeth McDavid Secrets on 26th Street rated 3.5
25 160 Andrews, V C Tarnished Gold rated 3
27 161 Parker, Robert B Widow’s Walk rated 3.5
28 162 Putney, Mary Jo A Distant Magic rated 4
29 163 Brown, Sandra White Hot rated 4
30 164 Parker, Steve Pond and River rated 1
30 165 Godden, Rumer Great Grandfather’s House rated 2.5
30 166 Keene, Carolyn The Mystery of the Ivory Charm #13 rated 3
May
1 167 Kenret, Peg Cages rated 5
1 168 McKenna, Lindsay Heart of the Storm ratd 1.5
2 169 VanGieson, Judith Vanishing Point rated 3.5
2 170 Elish, Dan Galaxies rated 2.5
2 171 Osborne, Mary Pope Dark Day’s in the Deep Sea rated 3
3 172 Keene, Carolyn The Whispering Statue #14 rated 3
3 173 Page, Katherine Hall The Body in the Big Apple rated 3.5
3 174 Potter, Beatrix The Tailor of Gloucester rated 4
4 175 Jackson, Lisa Without Mercy rated 3
4 176 Rice, Anne The Claiming of Sleeping beauty rated 1.5
5 177 Keene, Carolyn The Haunted Bridge # 15 rated 3.5
5 178 Lewis, Beverly The Telling rated 4
6.179 McPhee, Andrew T. Aids rated 3.5
6 180 Sayre, April Pulley Tropical Rain Forest rated 3.5
7 181 Henry, Sue Tne Serphant’s Trail rated 5
8 182 Levy, Elizabeth Dracula is a Pin inthe Neck rated 3
8 183 Xinran Sky burial : a love story of Tibet rated 5
9 184 McDonough, Yona Zeldis Frank Lloyd Wright rated 3
9 185 Levinson, Nancy Smiler North Pole, South Pole rated 3
9 186 Rockwell, Anne Why Are the Ice Caps Melting rated 3
10 187 McKenna, Colleen O’Shaughessey Mother Murphy rated 3.5
10 188 Chadwick, Elizabeth First Knight rated 3
10 189 Saul, John Creature rated 3.5
11 190 Joslin, Mary Mary Mother of Jesus rated 3
11 191 Mazzollo, Jean Daniel in the Lion’s Den rated 3
11 192 Robards, Karen Shameless rated 4.5
12 193 Woods, Stuart Lucid Intervals rated 4.5
12 194 Clark, Mary Higgins The Shadow of Your Smile rated 5
12.195 Keene, Carolyn The Clue in the Taping Heels #16 rated 3
13 196 Anderson, Deborah Margaret’s Story rated 3
13 197 Opie, Iona, editor Mother Goose rated 3
14 198 Putney, Mary Jo A Kiss of Fate rated 4.5
14 199 Johansen, Iris 8 Days to Live rated 4
14 200 Quick, Amanda The Perfect Poison rated 4.5
15 201 Page, Katherine Hall The Body in the Bookcase rated 4
15 202 Ballard, Robert D. The Lost Wreck of the Isis rated 4
15 203 Keene, Carolyn The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunkrated 3
16.204 Heminway, Ernest The Old Man and the Sea rated 5
16 205 Parker, Robert B. Widow’s Walk rated 4
16 206 Fisher, Leonard Everett Cyclops rated 2
17 207 Innocenti, Roberto Rose Blanche rated 2
17 208 Brown, Alan The Bible and Christianity rated 2.5
17 209 Bach, Richard Illusions rated 1.5
18 210 Johansen, Iris 8 Days to Live rated 4
18 211 Roberts, Nora Savor the Moment rated 4.5
18 212 Hesse, Karen Just Juice 138 rated 3.5
19 213 Zindel, Paul Reef of Death rat4ed 4
19 214 VanGieson, Judith Confidence Woman rated 4.5
19 215 Spalding, Rank Genocide in Rwanda rated 3
19 216 Warren, Andrea Orphan Train Rider rated 3.5
19 217 Lauber, Patricia Who Came First: Clues to Prehisotric Americans rated 3.5
20 218 Carroll, Lewis Alice Adventures in Wonderland rated 2.5
20 219 Staub, Wendy Corsi Live to Tell rated 3.5
20 220 Putney, Mary JO Stolen magic rated4.5
21 222 Baum, L. Frank The Wizard of OZ rated 4
22 223 Bondoux, Anne Laure The Killers Tears rated 4.5
23 224 Darling, Kathy There is a Zoo on You rated 3
24 225 Klingel, Cynthia Dolly Madiosn rated 3
26 226 Rose, M J The Hyponotist ct resident rated 3.5
27 227 Keene, Carolyn The Mysery of the Moss-Covered Mansion rated 3
31 228 Conlon-McKenna, Marita Under the Hawthorn Tree rated 4
June
1 229 Sunset Books Fish and Seasfood on the Grill
1 230 Keene, Carolyn The Clue inthe Jewel Box #20
2 231 William Sonoma Books Picnics and Tailgates
2 232 Browne, Sylvia Insight
3 233 ARonson, Billy Eclipses 64 Hogwarts
4 234 Siplera, Paul P. Constellations 47 HOgwarts
4 235 Keene, Carolyn The Clue in the Old Attic #21
5 236 Hart, John Last Child
5 237 Howard, Linda Diamond Bay
5 238 Brunsettr, Wanda E. A Cousin’s Challenge
6 239 Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody In the Stone Circle
7 241 Kehret, Peg Spy Cat
7 242 Quick, amanda Burning Lamp
8 243 Gross Andrew Reckless 416
9 244 Kephart, Beth A Slant of Sun: One Child’s Courage,
9 245 Koontz, Dean Cold Fire
10 246 Bowen, Rhys Evan’s Gate
10 247 Brown, Sandra Seduction by Design
10 248 McKenna, Marita Conlon- Under the Hawthorn Tree
11 249 dePaola, Tommie Queen Esther
11 250 LaBrosse, Darcia Mommy’s Hnads
11 251 Godden, Rumer The Mousewife
12 252 Ibbotsoon, Eva Which Witch?
12 253 Yolen, Jane Simple Gifts Shakers
12 254 Langton, Jane The Thief of Venice
12 255 Hargrove, JIm Dwight D. Eisenhower
13 256 Norman, Jull Herbs & Spices
13 257 Kehret, Peg The Flood Disaster
13 258 Keene, Carolyn The Clue in the Crumbling Wall # 22
13 259 Clark, Mary Higgins- Death on the Cape
14 260 Gross, andrew Reckless
14 261 Sutcliff, Rosemary The Witches Brat
14 262 Barret, Rodford Life Numbers 1
15 263 Browne, sylvia Physic 243
15 264 Koontz, Dean Darkest Evening of the Year
16 265 Joslin, Mary Mary
17 266 Andrews V C Petal in the Wind
17 257 Keene, Carolyn The clue in the Old album #24
18 268 Keene, Carolyn The Phantom of venice #78
18 269 Hunt, David The Magician’s Tale
19 270 Hart, John The King of Lies
19 271 Hoffman, Alice Blackbird House
20 272 Keene, Cartolyn The Mystery of the Tolling Bell #23
20 273 Hesse, Karen Brooklyn Bridge