21 Nov 2015

READING CHALLENGES: 'CHRISTMAS SPIRIT' & WHAT'S IN A NAME?


What's this?  I hear you ask. 

This, my lovelies, is my doing my happy dance.

Your happy dance?

 My Happy Dance! Let me explain .....

Today I had notice of not just one of my annual reading challenges but of both of them.

Michelle has just announced the 6th Annual Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge (details and sign up here) which, with its 'Candy Cane', 'Mistletoe' and 'Christmas Tree' levels not to mention its 'Fa La La La Films' and 'Visions Of Sugar Plums' runs from the 23rd of November 2015 right through to the 6th of January 2016.

Whilst ....

Charlie has announced the What's In A Name? 2016 Reading Challenge (details and sign up here) which running from the 1st of January through until the 31st of December 2016 has the following categories ...


  • A country: Delizia: The Epic History Of The Italians And Their Food by John Dickie. Not so much a country I know but Charlie does encourage us to be creative and at first glance its either this or God's Playground: A History Of Poland: Volume One by Norman Davies OR Andrew Marr's The Making Of Modern Britain  both of which at almost 500 pages might prove a bit daunting.
  • An item of clothing: The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas. A book I've read many, many times before, I'm hoping closer inspection of our shelves/my TBR pile will reveal something more inspiring.
  • An item of furniture: Nope, I'm afraid nothing instantly comes to mind.
  • A profession: On my TBR pile for a long while now I'll definitely be reading The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse.
  • A month of the year: Once again, hopefully closer inspection will prove inspiring.
  • A title with the word 'tree' in it: Likewise nothing instantly springs to mind.
My plans? you ask.

Weeeellll .....

For the Christmas Spirit Challenge I'm hoping to read 
And as for What's In A Name 2016 ....

Hmm! A bit more complicated as not only do I have to pick books to fit the categories BUT I also give myself a personal challenge in that I refuse to buy any books for the challenge choosing instead to only read books I already have. Books that at the moment might include those in brackets as above but then again, after closer inspection of our shelves and my TBR pile, might not.

What about you, signed up for any challenges? 

Planning to sign up for any of the above, any clues as to what you might be reading?

12 comments:

Kelly said...

Like you, I love the What's In A Name challenge and plan to participate in 2016. I have ideas for all the categories, but you've inspired me with The Robe. I think that's on our shelf and I don't believe I've ever read it (though I've seen the film version). It's good to see what you have planned and hopefully I can get my entry post up this week.

Happy reading!

Gina said...

Alas no challenges for me but more power to you ma'am! You got this!

LL Cool Joe said...

I'm glad you are so happy. I'll do a happy dance for you, well as long as no one is watching!

brandileigh2003 said...

Interesting for the what's in a name challenge

Stephanie Faris said...

No challenges for me...just my personal challenge to read five books a month. I'm falling short in Thanksgiving with only four--but with the holidays, we all have to give ourselves a break on our goals!

Trac~ said...

Sounds like lots of fun to me!! :)

Aunt Mary said...

Dear Tracy,I loved your dance,I am happy for you.
Following your blog with G connect :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I just did a Christmas themed read-a-thon and got two books in, so I'm excited about that! Best of luck with both of these challenges!

Literary Feline said...

I am thinking of signing up for What's In A Name. I could probably pull off the Christmas Spirit Challenge given how many Christmas books I have to read. :-) I'm on the fence about it though as I don't know if I want to commit. Good luck with your challenges, Tracy!

Brian Joseph said...

The "What's in a Name" challenge sounds really interesting and fun. I wish that I had more time these days otherwise I would be tempted to participate.

Delizia! looks really good. My wife and I have been collecting these cooking/cultural; books for years. We really enjoy them.

Alexia561 said...

Good luck with your challenges! I love the What's In A Name Challenge, but didn't do so well this past year. Will probably try, try again, but need to make a plan this time instead of just reading and then seeing if any titles fit. I am a lazy challenger! ha!

Charlie (The Worm Hole) said...

Glad to have you :D

'A nationality' was one of my ideas for this year so Italian would've fit anyway :) (I thought it'd be too samey to have nationality and country). But yes to Italian. I saw The Taxidermist's Daughter when I was looking for examples. I'm glad someone's chosen it; it's original.