Fall into Reading 2010 Wrap-up

Well gang...the leaves are gone and winter has arrived! It's a bit nippy in my neck of the woods (but silently rejoicing that there isn't an abundance of snow here). Fall into Reading is over and here's my wrap-up. Our lovely host for this challenge has been Katrina at Callapidder Days, and if you've participated in this challenge be sure to write a wrap-up post and link it on this post.

I originally had my goals broken down into three different categories: Review Books, Christy Awards Challenge Books, and Too Good to Pass Up Books. I did finish all my review books and completed my Christy Challenge by its Dec 1 deadline (not bad considering I read my final five in the last week of the challenge). I also added another category to my list...Finally off the Shelf! I've been having computer issues since around Thanksgiving so I've been able to read more, and I decided work on pruning down some of the books I've had on my shelf for a while.

I read quite a few good books but have to say I was extremely impressed with the two Christy Award Challenge books by Cathy Gohlke.

I'm quite pleased with myself for exceeding my list since I have gone through a couple of 'reading funks' this year when I could barely make it through a book in a week. Here's my completed list:

Review Books:

1. Judgment Day by Wanda Dyson
2. The Dead Rise First by Alton Ragan/Robert McLaughlin
3. The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan
4. Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler
5. The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson
6. Uncertain Heart by Andrea Boeshaar
7. Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K Paul

Christy Awards Challenge Books:

1. Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach (Lits 2008)
2. Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington (1st Novel 2004)
3. Unashamed by Francine Rivers (Intl Historical 2001)
4. William Henry is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke (YA 2007)
5. I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (YA 2009)
6. The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson (Contemporary Standalone 2010)
7. You Had Me at Goodbye by Tracey Bateman (Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas 2009)

Too Good to Pass Up:

1. The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
2. Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie
3. Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
4. Cowboy for a Rainy Afternoon by Stephen Bly
5. Catwalk by Melody Carlson
6. Rendezvous by Melody Carlson
7. A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston
8. Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
9. Don't Kiss Him Goodbye by Sandra Byrd
10. Flirting with Disaster by Sandra Byrd
11. Nursing a Grudge by Chris Well
12. Missing Mabel by Nancy Mehl
13. Carol by Bob Hartman
14. Grace by Shelley Shepard Gray
15. I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguie

Finally off the Shelf!:

1. Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson
2. Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson
3. Suspicious Minds by Christy Barritt
4. Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
5. Out with the In Crowd by Stephanie Morrill
6. So Over It by Stephanie Morrill
7. The Aluminum Christmas Tree by Thomas J Davis
8. Somewhere Fast by Bob Beltz
9. Reality Queen by Debbie DiGiovanni
10. Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
11. A Piece of the Sky by Michelle Buckman
12. Heartwarming Christmas Stories ...anthology
13. Love Finds You in Hershey, PA by Cerella Sechrist
14. Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety

Everyone stay warm this winter... and I'll see you in the spring!

Christy Awards Challenge Wrap-up

If you've been around Christian Fiction long enough, you have to have heard of the Christy Awards...the awards for the best of the best in Christian Fiction.

The Christy Awards Reading Challenge is reading challenge that spotlights Christian Fiction and the nominees and winners of the prestigious Christy Award. Amy and Deborah are the hosts for the challenge and have put in a lot of time and effort so the rest of us can join in.

I joined in at the 4th tier - with the mix & match option. I didn't choose my books at the beginning of the challenge, but just picked them as I to what I felt like reading at the time. Here's the list of the books I read for the challenge (and I'm hoping it's okay with the Challenge coordinators that I snuck in a 2010 winner). I had planned on reading a book about every six weeks or so, but found myself in mid-September not having read any at all. Needless to say, I had to book it (pun intended) to finish the challenge by December 1st...reading 5 of my 7 books in the last week of the challenge. Whew!

I enjoyed all the books on my list and was particularly impressed by Cathy Gohlke's books. They are definitely books anyone who loves both historical and young adult Christian Fiction would enjoy.

1. Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach (Lits 2008)
2. Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington (1st Novel 2004)
3. Unashamed by Francine Rivers (Intl Historical 2001)
4. William Henry is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke (YA 2007)
5. I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (YA 2009)
6. The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson (Contemporary Standalone 2010)
7. You Had Me at Goodbye by Tracey Bateman (Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas 2009)

You can find our hosts online:
Deborah blogs at Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Amy blogs at My Friend Amy