Summer 2012 Book Challenge

I curled up in the chair on the porch as the morning sun broke through the clouds. I looked at the pile of books I wanted to read and was grateful I was truly taking this summer to relax. As I sipped my coffee I thought about how long it had been since I enjoyed a good book. Not because good books are hard to find, but because I simply had been too busy to pick one up. Actually, that's a lie. I hadn't been too busy. I simply hadn't done it.

But now it's time to do so. On Sunday {Jo} shared the link for {this book challenge} on {Facebook}. I can not remember the last time I participated in a reading challenge, but this one charmed me. I doubt I will be winning anything, but it will be fun and it will put me back into the reading habit.

While it's called the Summer 2012 challenge it starts on May 1 and lasts until Sept 1. I'll need to find a balance between everything else I want to do and these books, but I think I can do it. The hardest time will be this first month as school comes to a close. Here's what I am planning on reading so far.

• 5 points: Read a book chosen for the 2012 World Book Night. :
  Peace Like a River by Leif Enger pp311
• 10: Read a book you were supposed to read in school, but either bailed on or Cliff-Noted.
  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee pp. 284 I read all the book required of me in school, that I can remember. I know many friends are gasping because this book is on my have not read list. I've seen the movie, but I don't think I have ever read it, and I should have.
• 10: Read a memoir or narrative nonfiction book.
  Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley
• 15: Read a book in one day.
  A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott
• 15: Read a book that you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to yet.
  The Hobbit JRR Tolkein pp276 Please don't disown me for not reading this yet.
• 20: Read a pair of books that have antonyms in the titles.
  Emily of New Moon by LM Montgomery
  The Old Man and the Harley by John J Newkirk 
• 20: Read a book that is set in a place you've never been but want to visit.
  Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (Ireland) pp.279 Originally I was looking for Russian, where the second book in this series was written. When I saw that the first was Ireland I figured that would work too.
• 25: Find a book written the year you were born that was later made into a movie. Read the book and watch the movie; compare. Or find a movie released the year you were born that was based on a book. Do the same thing.
  Jakob the Liar by Jurek Becker This was so hard to find! I had to go with a book published in the year I was born, but it worked out.
• 25: Go into a bookstore or library. Pick any bookshelf. Read the third book from the left on the fourth shelf from the top. (If it's not at least 200 pages, pick the next book to the right.)
  Heresy by S.J. Parris I'm curious how many shelves you looked at before you found one? This was on my 5th. ha! Is that cheating?
• 25: Read a book about which you’ve heard bad things.
  The Shack by William P. Young pp248 I was torn here. I got a few good titles which people disliked, but went with this one because I HAVE heard a lot about it both good and bad. It was one I wished I knew more about and now I'll be able to have my own opinion.
• 30: Read a trilogy. Total page count for all three books together must be at least 500 pages.The Hunger games Trilogy My procrastination paid off!The Hunger Games pp374
  Catching Fire pp391 Mockingjay pp398

If you decide to join let me tell you that Good Reads helped me a TON in choosing the books. They list by setting, year published, ect. Of course, you can keep track of what I've read with my {reading list} as well. If you aren't doing this challenge, what are you going to be reading this summer?