Here's the categories for the 2017 challenge. Feel free to start organizing books but only titles finished after 1/1/17 should be included. All books can be from any of these genres (unless specified to be certain ones per category): (UF, YA, mystery, paranormal romance, erotica, graphic novels & mangas are OK too).

Here is our Reading Challenge for 2017. Challenge starts Jan 1, 2017.

• Read one in a category bronze medal.
• Read two in a category for silver medal.
• Read three in a category gold medal.
• Read five in a category for platinum medal.
• Read 10 in a category for overachiever/paranormal junkie status.

1. Can't Wait for those New Releases - Read 1-10 new 2017 releases of any paranormal book.
2. That Old Black Magic - Read 1-10 books that has a main character that uses magic.
3. Whodunit - Read 1-10 paranormal mysteries.
4. Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Read 1-10 books that you borrow from a friend or library or that have blue on the cover.
5. New To Me- Read 1-10 books by authors you haven't read before or that are #1 in a series.
6. We Are the Weirdos Mister- Read 1-10 books that have less popular paranormal characters (merpeople, pixies, fairies, orcs, trolls, elementals etc)/
7. Been Around the World - Read 1-10 books that take place in a different country or a fictional place.
8. Ch-Ch-Changes - Read 1-10 books that have werewolves or shapeshifters.
9. Collecting Dust - Read 1-10 books that have been on your TBR for 1+ years or that you had WL'ed for 1 year or more.
10. You CAN Judge a Book by it's Cover - Read 1-10 books that you love the cover art or picked it up to read based on the cover.

Alternates (Don't like one above? Feel free to substitute with one of these or your own.):

1. BINGE - Read 1-10 books that you either read in a day or read at least 2 of the series in sequence.
2. LOL - Read 1-10 books that make you laugh.
3. OK Cupid - Read 1-10 books that involve a hook up or couple getting together for the first time.

Please do NOT feel like you need to do any specific level. Even doing just 1 per category is AWESOME! I've just expanded it to the 10 since we've got some power readers in the group.

You can add your list to keep track of books read to the post:

Feel free to use these in the forums or create your own.

Thanks for getting us started Melissa!

Banners are very nice

I love the banners you made!

So glad y'all like the banners. They were super fun to make.

how do i apply a banner - i have no clue!!!

Stephanie,

Right click on it and do a save as and store on you computer in pictures. Go to settings on you main tab, scroll down to forum setting and go to the upload and upload the banner. Very easy. Let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks so much!!

I finished an older PnR Erotica yesterday.  House of Dark Delights by Louisa Burton.  It had a type of character that I don't think I have ever read about before.  A dusios.  In this instance, he's an Elf who can morph from male to female.  The story also includes a succubus and a shapeshifter.  Kinda interesting, mostly historical, although there are some present day sections.  3 stars.

For the purpose of this challenge, is "paranormal" considered to be "anything outside the realm of normal", like the Paranormal WLVB?  Specifically in this case, what about zombies?

Don't know what WLVB stands for, but, yep, zombies count as paranormal. They could be used in New Release, That Old Black Magic (if raised by a Necromancer), Borrowed, New, maybe Weirdos if it's a self aware zombie like in Warm Bodies, Been Around World (highly recommend Apocalypse Cow), Dust, Cover, Binge, Not too many for OK Cupid but I did love The Loving Dead. So, yeah, they'd be OK for almost all categories.

Thanks Melissa.

(WLVB = Wishlist Virtual Box)

Yay! My first book!

I am reading a  very good new paranormal and author

Oooh, thanks Alice, I have been looking at that one and wondering how it was...

The Amanda Bouchet book sounds very interesting. I have it on my WL now. Thanks, Alice!

Yeap, looked so interesting that I put all three books on my WL!

BTW Alice, please let me know of it's a cliffhanger.

If so, I won't read it until I have all three books!

First book of the year - 

1. Paper and Fire [Great Library] by Rachel Caine

I like this series, I keep wondering exactly where it is going, it does feel like a lot of running and not a lot of getting anywhere.

I read that one too Amy.  I liked this one better than the first.  Can't wait to see what happens next.

Just finished DeadLands: Thunder Moon Rising by Jeffrey J. Mariotte.  Part Horror, Part Western, all dark magic.  It took me this week to read but probably because I have a cold from hell and slept most days.  This is a new author for me and checking PBS the only book of his.  I liked it as it mixed gritty western with absolute horror.  I don' t usually read either genre but I am really tired of the same stuff I had been reading.  This definitely isn't the same no really main likeable character but a mix of flawed characters that find their way to unite against a rising evil.  I think what I liked it stayed true to the western genre but really melted horror with the desert scenes.  Kept my interest and was well written.

That sounds crazy Susan, I have to look it up. :) Sorry about the cold, hope you are feeling better!

Did you ever have a series you've been reading over the years and when you pick up the most recent book, you have no idea what they are talking about?

I tried to read Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire (10th book in the 'October Daye' series) and I was totally lost. I am starting the year by re-reading the whole thing. I really love the series, it being one of my favorites, but I still dislike the first two books in the series. Had to push through them the second read through as well to get to the good stuff... Though I don't remember why I kept reading after the first book the first time I read these. With sooooo many books on my TBR list, I usually give up on a series if it doesn't grab me right away.

Secondary question: Are there any series YOU'VE read that you almost gave up on, but were glad you didn't?

Did you ever have a series you've been reading over the years and when you pick up the most recent book, you have no idea what they are talking about?

OMG yes! It was happening all the time. I just read so much that I can't keep series separate anymore. I try to wait until the series is complete before I start reading. Or if I really like it, I'll stop reading (it's why I'm still on book 8 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood).

I have done the same thing, haven't picked a series in several years and forget previous plot and characters

I am reading a really  good new to me series

Kendra has new Paranormal swap open   Paranormal Phenomenon

Hope you can join

Maybe you can fill the holes in some of you challenge categories