What: The 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. Typically hosted by Trish, this round is being hosted by Enriched Mom (Allie) and Softdrink (Jill).

When: April 1 — June 30, 2010

The Challenge: “Travel” 100 miles by June 30, 2010. I’m walking. Find more info at 100milefitness.

Since the snow has melted, I’ve started walking outside and enjoying the mild spring season, so I thought this challenge would be a perfect fit!

I’m joining a little late, and I will be happy if I can reach 60 miles by the end instead of the full 100.

I like to catch up on my audiobooks when I’m walking, so I will try to post an update once a week to list the miles I walked and share what I’ve been listening to. Wish me luck!

I found another reading challenge to join!

What: The New York Challenge hosted by Jill at Fizzy Thoughts.

When: February 1st, 2010 — May 15, 2010

The Challenge: Read one book set in NYC and review it.

Each month, there will also be an accompanying mini-challenge. February’s mini challenge is to list 10 things about New York. I’ve only been to NYC for one day.

There was only enough time to see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building before we had to catch our train. It was a whirl of sightseeing, and it didn’t last nearly long enough!

If I had to do it all again, here is where I would go:

10 Places I would go in New York City

1. Book Expo America (BEA)

2. Guggenheim Museum

3. Morgan Library & Museum: The Jane Austen Exhibit

4. Ellis Island

5. The Metropolitan Art Museum

6. Central Park

7. To see a Broadway Show

8. Times Square

9. To see the Naked Cowboy

10. On a harbor cruise

What about you? Have you ever been to NYC? Have you visited any of these places?
If you could go, what would you want to do?

This sounds so fun!  I will be participating.

What: Essay Reading Challenge hosted by Carrie at Books and Movies.

When: Jan 01, 2010 – Nov 30, 2010

The Challenge: Choose to read 10, 20, or 30 Essays — I choose 10.

I love the Best American Essays books, and I’m considering choosing one of those to read for this challenge. If anyone has any other suggestions of essays to read, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks to Carrie for hosting this challenge!

In November, I joined the Shelf Discovery Challenge that is being hosted by Julie P. at BookingMama. It’s taken me a long time to pick my books for this challenge, but I finally have my picks!

I was able to get a copy of Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick, and I read it over the Christmas holiday. Loved it!  Shelf Discovery takes us back through Lizzie’s favorite young adult books that she read growing up. I found so many books that I had forgotten about, and I also found some new ones that I’m excited to read.

What:  BookingMama’s Shelf-Discovery Challenge

When: November 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010

The Challenge: Choose and read six books referenced in the book Shelf Discovery by April 30, 2010

Here are my picks:

1. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
2. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
3. A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan
4. Forever by Judy Blume
5. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
6. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

I was delighted to find the references to author Lois Duncan whose books I couldn’t get enough of when I was a kid. I had to force myself to only choose one of her books because I wanted to reread them all.

If you’ve read any of these books, leave me a comment. I’d love to hear what you thought.  What was your favorite book when you were growing up?