My muse reads - and this year, I do, too

Karen and I are doing it again. The great 100 Book Reading Challenge.

We attempted it in 2010, aiming to devour 100 *new* books between the end of December and the start of 2011. Neither of us made it, though 70-ish books is nothing to sneeze at.

But I can almost count on two hands the number of books I actually finished reading in 2011. There were a number - far too many - starts and stops. Maybe I burnt myself out the year before, but one thing I know for sure, without the dedicated reading time, my creativity suffered.

I have many projects on the go this year. And with the help of my good friend, Judith, I'm working on a spreadsheet to organize them all. I'm positive none of these works in progress will be accomplished if I don't make reading a priority.

It's not like I don't have enough books lying around my house. I went on a book binge months ago, and most of the titles are on my shelf, collecting dust. Even the novels sent FROM GREECE by Jessica.

So, the challenge begins now. Actually, it began yesterday - and I started with Mockingjay, the third and final book in Suzanne Collins' brilliant Hunger Games trilogy. I'm 100 pages in and loving it.

The rules are simple:

• 100 books *read in full* by January 1, 2013
• Each book must be reviewed/talked about on our blogs
• Books we've read before don't count
• Picture books don't count
• Manuscripts for friends/writers DO count

Missed anything? Up for negotiation.

If you're up for the challenge, I dare you to join us. Or, you're welcome to hang out at our blogs and add to our TBR list and maybe get a few recommendations for yourself. 

Oh - and special thanks to Johnny Depp for his double duty muse avatar role this week - reading AND writing. When you're that sexy, you deserve the jobs, no?

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins