Happy New Year! Back in December we announced our new Random Reader Challenge series. Are you ready to get started? Here’s our first Challenge!
January 1 – February 29
How to get started:
1. Grab this handy challenge button to display on your blog.
2. Post a comment below with your blog link so we know you’re participating.
NOTE: Don’t have a blog but still want to play? Use your social media URL such as Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads, and post your review there instead!
3. Buy, borrow, download (but don’t steal!) and read any ONE of the following books (yes, audiobooks count too!):
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak (Available January 3. Check out the video trailer!)
The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich
The Salt Road by Jane Johnson
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
Anything in the Outlander or Lord John series by Diana Gabaldon (If you haven’t met Jamie Fraser yet, are you ever in for a treat!)
4. Once you’ve completed your challenge, post a link to your review in the comments below.
About the Prize:
If you complete the Historical Fiction Challenge, you’ll be entered for a chance to win the Sexy Seven gift box from Sexy Gourmet Food, and the book of your choice from the next Challenge.
Historical fiction is hot! Sometimes it gets downright sexy (hello, Jamie Fraser). That’s why the Sexy Seven gift box is a perfect prize for this challenge! It’s a great collection of 7 Sexy Spice blends that will help you create culinary magic. Seven is Sexy!
Retail value of this prize is up to $55
This contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Martina from British Columbia!
Frequently Anticipated Questions:
Q: I have already read and reviewed one of these books on my blog…can that count as my entry?
A: No, nice try. You must read and review one of the books during the challenge dates, January 1 – February 29.
Q: I live outside of Canada. Can I participate?
A: Yes! Of course, we welcome readers from around the world. However, for legal reasons, only Canadian residents excluding Quebec are eligible to win the prize.
Q: I don’t like this genre. Can I substitute another book instead?
A: Sorry, rules are rules. Part of this challenge series is to encourage you to break out of your comfort reading zone and try something new.
Q: What’s the next challenge going to be?
A: Sorry, that’s classified information.
Random Reader Challenge: Historical Fiction runs from Sunday, January 1 to Wednesday, February 29 at 11:59pm EST. Open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec. Winners will be chosen at random from the eligible entries.
Full contest rules:
1. All entries must be entered on-line, at www.booklounge.ca, by registering their participation. The entrant must participate in the challenge by reviewing a book of their choice from the list provided. The review may be posted on the entrant’s blog, website, or social media account such as Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, LibraryThing, etc. The entrant must post a direct link to their review in the comments section of the original challenge post.
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. The Random Reader Challenge: Historical Fiction begins on Sunday, January 1, and closes on Wednesday, February 29 at 11:59pm EST. Random House of Canada Limited is not responsible for on-line entries that are lost or misdirected. The winner will be randomly selected by no later than March 1, 2012 and will be notified by email. If we do not receive a response to our email within 7 days, a new winner will be chosen.
4. Entrants may enter only once for each challenge. The chances of being selected depend upon the number of on-line entries received.
5. The prize consists of one Sexy Seven gift box (Retail value $34.99) plus one book selected from the next challenge book list (Retail value up to $19.99).
6. Prize must be accepted as awarded and is not transferable. Approximate retail value is $55.00.
7. Challenge is open to all Canadian residents over the age of 18 years, except the residents of the province of Québec, employees of Random House of Canada Limited, and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, dealers, advertising and promotion agencies, or members of their immediate families.
8. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Random House of Canada Limited will not be responsible for telephone, technical, network, online, electronic, computer hardware or software failures of any kind, misdirected, stolen, incomplete, garbled or delayed Internet/e-mail computer transmissions on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this contest.
9. The winners will be posted on the Booklounge.ca Web site at the end of the contest period. Entering the contest constitutes consent to the use of the winner’s statement for publicity and promotional purposes on behalf of Randomhouse.ca and with no additional compensation or further permission (except where prohibited by law). Other entry names will NOT be used for subsequent mail solicitation.
Copyright © 2012 Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved.
I’m excited to join the 2012 Random Reader Challenge. May the New Year be filled with bookish delight, creativity, good words, more stories, and book blogs. Happy reading to all!
http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com
I am so game. It just so happens that I have three of those books on my reading/review list for January. First up is The Winter Palace.
I’ve posted this on my blog-commonersguidetolife.blogspot.com
I’m hoping for a good read.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I’m in, and planning to read The Paris Wife. It was on my to-read list for most of 2011.
Ooh, fun!! I think I already have copies of Virgin Cure, and Paris Wife! Definitely will work on this challenge
Looking forward to this. Will definitely help with my 50 books in 2012 goal.
Look for my updates at:
http://mommomsdaily15.blogspot.com
I don’t have a blog, but I’m going to get in on this Challenge! What fun! I’ve already “Salt Road”- I downloaded Madame Toussad on audible.com – does that count as ‘reading’?
An audio book is definitely considered reading! ENJOY!
Oh this sounds like so much fun. I am in! I like the idea that this will get me to read out of my comfort zone
I’m totally joining this! Fun times
Madame Tussaud was amazing – I actually have a giveaway for the book going on at my blog right now.
For this month, I’ll be reading and reviewing THE WINTER PALACE!!
http://virginiebarbeau.wordpress.com/
We’re in! We’ve only read The Virgin Cure (awesome!!) so can easily pick any of the other titles because most of them have been earmarked for the TBR pile already!
literaryhoarders.wordpress.com
Excellent – my sister lent me Midwife of Venice — this will help me get it back to her – I put this months challenge badge on my main page & on my Challenges Page I put the main page and I will link to each of the challenges as I complete then
http://raymentsreadingsrantsandramblings.blogspot.com/
Count me in! This is my first Reader Challenge ever. Can’t wait
http://bookosaur.wordpress.com/
I’m in! I just picked up The Virgin Cure at the library last night specifically for it. I loved her last book.
This sounds like fun! And, by happy coincidence, I just started reading Madame Tussaud this afternoon. Count me it!
I started The Virgin Cure last night, and finished it this morning! Here is my review! I will be adding the other books on the list to my “to read” pile.
http://counterbalancedcoquette.blogspot.com/2012/01/virgin-cure-book-review.html
Sign me up !! I’m not sure as to whether Ill post on my blog or not, I have some posts that have to be posted, so when I get around to it, Ill let you know !! I’ve read the Midwife of Venice and The Virgin Cure earlier, so My pick will be the Paris Wife, to be honest AND forthcoming !
Good Luck Everyone !
I’m all in! Although I’m asking for help choosing my first book.
http://lavenderlines.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/2012-random-reader-challenge-historical-fiction/
C
I will rise to this challenge. I like historical fiction. I haven’t read any of the books listed and have selected book one of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. If I like it – I will go on to read the rest!
I have wanted to read Ami McKay for awhile now! Thanks for posting these challenges!
Awesome challenge! And I’m so pleased that you have included AUDIOBOOKS as a choice of format!
The Outlander series has long been on my To Be Read list. I have the audiobook for the first book already, so I’m all set to go!
Thanks so much for hosting this challenge!
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com/2012/01/random-reader-challenge-historical.html
I am all in for this 2012 Random Reader Challenge! There are copies of Diana Gabaldon’s An Echo in the Bone & The Scottish Prisoner sitting in my “to read” pile. Postings will be on Goodreads as I don’t have a blog.
This challenge inspired me to start a blog – no joke! I just stared the Paris Wife.
http://wherethebookshelvesend.wordpress.com/
It may be late but it’s not too late. I am in! I’ll be reading Midwife of Venice since it has been on my TBR list for awhile. Check it out at http://letsbookit.blogspot.com
You’re not too late, you’ve got until February 29th to sign up AND read your selected book
I completed both Madame Tussuad and Virgin Cure. Enjoyed both and see my notes at http://mommomsdaily15.blogspot.com
Just finished my review for The Winter Palace. Working on my review for Madame Tussaud!
Here is what I thought of The Paris Wife:
http://wherethebookshelvesend.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/paris-wife-by-paula-mclain/
I really enjoyed it!
I’m so in. I don’t know which one or more I’ll be reading, but I love historical fiction and can’t wait to read and blog for you and me.
My review of The Winter Palace
http://virginiebarbeau.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/the-winter-palace-by-eva-stachniak-review/
Thanks for getting me off my butt and reading this book that my sister lent me months ago
The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich
http://raymentsreadingsrantsandramblings.blogspot.com/2012/01/midwife-of-venice-by-roberta-rich-mini.html
I can’t even describe the whirlwind of emotions I felt as I read The Paris Wife. Even this live-post can’t fully capture it, but wow did Paula McLain ever capture my attention and heart http://litlaughlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/the-paris-wife/
My review of The Virgin Cure: http://bookosaur.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/the-virgin-cure-by-ami-mckay/
Yay! I’ve completed my first book for the Random Reading Challenge, Historical Fiction from January 1 to February 29!
I read and reviewed The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay. To see my review, please visit:
http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/308/
Can’t wait to see what’s next on the list.
Zara
Email: zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
On Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
http://literaryhoarders.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/review-the-winter-palace/
Read The Winter Palace. Great stuff!
Review coming soon for The Paris Wife.
I read Michelle Moran’s ‘Madame Tussaud: A novel of the French Revolution’. My review is on goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/267646243 .
I am so glad this was part of the challenge, loved the book and would probably not have tried it otherwise. Looking forward to the next challenge.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I don’t have a blog or a website – so I posted my book review on FaceBook – here is my link:
http://www.facebook.com/ptwells
Love this! I have been wanting to read The Midwife of Venice for awhile, great reason to pick it up now!
I am signing up!!! I can’t wait to read and review The Paris Wife!!
Finished my review you can see it here!
http://scrappin-geek.blogspot.com/2012/02/virgin-cure-random-house-readers.html
Finished my blog post! http://crackabook.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/the-paris-wife-paula-mclain/
I read The Midwife of Venice, and reviewed it here on my blog: http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-midwife-of-venice-by-roberta-rich.html
How did I not hear about this until now?!? Thankfully, I have The Virgin Cure waiting for me to read on my Kobo. This will compliment my 50 Book Pledge as well
Finished The Midwife of Venice. My review is here: http://letsbookit.blogspot.com/2012/02/midwife-of-venice-random-reader.html
I am definitely participating! I won ‘The Virgin Cure’ on Twitter and am really looking forward to reading it! Guess I should get on it since the end of the month is coming soon!
Here is my review of The Paris Wife:
http://literaryhoarders.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/review-the-paris-wife/
Madame Tussaud to follow!
I will definitely participate. I will keep posting updates!
Loved The Virgin Cure – Ami McKay is inspiring and crazily talented.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/268060741
Up for the challenge!
Madame Tussoud– finished! Read review here:
http://literaryhoarders.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/review-madame-tussaud/
Not counting the Outlander books The Literary Hoarders read 5 of the 6 historical novels suggested!!
My review for Ami McKay’s ‘The Virgin Cure’:
http://readinginwinter.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/book-review-the-virgin-cure-by-ami-mckay/
My review of The Paris Wife: http://www.notmytypewriter.com/2012/02/review-paris-wife-by-paula-mclain.html
Thanks so much! How exciting
I was unable to finish my pick, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, in time to complete the challenge…did you know the audiobook is nearly 33 hours long? I am enjoying it immensely and am on Disc 26 of 28. I should finish it in the next day or so, just short of the deadline. Darn it that February isn’t 30 days!!
I’ll come back and link-up my review in the next couple days.