I Bleed Ink

So, I meant to start really utilizing this site to review books in the year of 2014. But that was obviously a major fuckin' fail. I'm going to practice getting more book reviews up on this site, and hopefully by 2015, it'll be second nature. I'm NOT enjoying the toss-up between Wordpress, here, and tumblr (which I don't have a page for, but it seems everyone else does). I just want to find that perfect fit of exposure for my reviews. Where will most people see them??? So let the experiment begin!

Okay, so I've read so many reviews saying this book is sexist and people on Goodreads are actually going back and changing the rating of a 'beloved book from my teen years' to a lower rating because of how dreadfully and horribly sexist and demeaning towards women the book is.  Well, good for those people, I suppose. And yes, this IS one of those books that I wish I hadn't read the reviews before I read the book. But my boyfriend had been urging me to read these literally since we got together, and I just wasn't sure if it was up my alley or not and that's why I read the reviews. But let me say this...how many of those review changers noticed this shit when they were a kid? Answer: FUCKING NONE!!! So, my question is, if it was so enjoyable as a teen, who the fuck cares if its chock full of juvenile humor??? And it is, indeed, full of bawdy jokes, often at the expense of women, but its not bad, and if anything, it empowers women by depicting us as having real power in the real world. That power would be the power of the pussy, obviously. Most of the time the 'juvenile humor' steps in, its to highlight the fact that even in life or death situations, men oftentimes think with the wrong head when there's a lady around. So, if anything, its sexist towards men, as it makes them seem foolhardy and constantly horny. So yeah...I guess I just felt like clearing up those reviews that portray this book as evil. Its a YA book about magic for fuck's sake. Just enjoy it!

I'm not into challenges that feel too much like school, so I wanted one that would be just for fun. I created this one to accommodate my somewhat quirky personality. Join me if you're a little quirky, too. (Tweak as needed.)

Any books used to complete this challenge can be used for any other challenges you may be doing, but each book can be used for only one of the categories in this challenge. 

A is for April (the month in which you read the book)
B is for Bathing Suit (this book takes place at least partly in hot weather months)
C is for Children's book
D is for Doctor (one of the characters)
E is for Ever (in the title)
F is for Family (book is about a family or family relationships)
G is for Geography (the story takes place in at least two different countries)
H is for Heart (it's a love story)
I is for Ice (the setting is cold - snow, ice, rain)
J is for Jokes (the book is humorous)
K is for Keyboard (at least one character plays a musical instrument)
L is for Lamp (the book takes place before electricity was discovered)
M is for Mom (one of the characters)
N is for New-to-you author
O is for Out of This World (where the story takes place)
P is for Pilgrims (the story involves moving someplace new)
Q is for Question Mark in the title
R is for Run (the main character is running from something)
S is for Sequel to a book you've already read
T is for Time (the book travels time, moves through time quickly or flashes back)
U is for Useful (which you found the book to be)
V is for Veteran (at least one character is/was a member of a military force)
W is for Wind (the book blew you away)
X is for XXIV (it's the 24th book you read this year)
Y is for Yo-Yo (your emotions were up and down as you read the book)
Z is for Zoo (there is an animal on the cover)

What are your reading plans for 2014? If you haven't decide about your reading goals yet, we present you seven Reading Challenges to hop into. Read books and have fun :) 

If you are an audiobook fan this challenge is for you. The goal is to find a new audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audiobooks in 2014 than you did in 2013.

You can pick any genres and choose one of six levels depending on the amount of chosen books.

The Audiobook Challenge is hosted by The Book Nympho, check details of this challenge and join here: SIGN UP | 2014 Audio Book Challenge.

Some of BookLikers have already signed up:

Happy Booker:

This year I’m joining The Book Nympho and Hot Listens’ Audiobook Challenge at the My Precious level which is 30+ audiobooks. My personal goal for 2014 is a total of 101 books read with at least 50 being audiobooks, so this challenge should definitely help keep me motivated to reach my personal reading goal!

See some of the books she wants to read/listen: Happy Booker - 2014 Audiobook Challenge.

Rabid Reads:

I don't typically participate in very many challenges because I find that a lot of them require meticulous tracking, link submitting and often severely limit which books you can actually read. My consumption of audiobooks has been on the incline for the past few years and the rules of this challenge are simple which is why I've decided to participate in The Book Nympho's and Hot Listen's second annual Audio Book Challenge. In 2013 I listened to 27 audiobooks so I'm aiming for the Binge Listener Level. Visit Rabid Reads.  

If you love non-fiction, you're all welcome to immerse into History Reading Challenge. There are some strict rules to follow. Your books must be pure non-fiction, no historical fiction is allowed. It has to be a work through investigation and researches, and not only collecting and listing historical data. Biography is permitted, but not Autobiography. You can choose from three levels depending on how many books you're planning to read.

Degrees of Affection...

Right now, I'm aiming for Historian (I have a LOT of history reading to make up for) but I will be reading at least to Scholar. I've been needing something like this for awhile. I have a lot of history books I've been wanting to read but they never seem to actually make it into my hands. See more details here: History Reading Challenge 2014 - A Sail to the Past: I am SO in!

A to Z Reading Challenge was created by Sock Poppet at Play. Why? Here's quote from the blog:

I'm not into challenges that feel too much like school, so I wanted one that would be just for fun. I created this one to accommodate my somewhat quirky personality. Join me if you're a little quirky, too. Read more here A to Z 2014 Reading Challenge

We've spotted several bloggers already participating. And there is also a discussion room where you can chat about your progress and meet other booklikers participating: Group: The Sock Poppet 2014 Reading Challenge

Silver Thistle

In all the years I've been trying reading challenges I don't think I've ever completed one.  Ever. This one though, from Sock Poppet at play seems likely as my ticket to challenge completion.  It seems do-able even for someone as fickle as me so I'm in.  I'm looking forward to this!  Might have to make a button for it though....every challenge needs a button! See challenge buttons or ask one here: 2014 challenge buttons

Just FYI. I'm going to do these as I go. I don't like to pick what I'm reading ahead of time.

Visit Merry Meerkat Marginalia. 

MandyM

This challenge, via Sock Poppet at play and Silver Thistle, looks easy and fun. You can tweak the categories to suit yourself (Sock Puppet's version is the original - mine is already slightly changed). And you can ask Silver Thistle for a personalised challenge button. Each time I find a book that fits a category I'll repost this with an update. Red more: 2014 A to Z Reading Challenge

Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge is for all those who love cozy mysteries. Your can read books in any format and choose from four levels depending on how many books you want to read in 2014. 

DanySpike is taking part :-) Discover what level DanySpike has chosen on the blog: Cruisin' Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2014!

If your TBR pile is growing and growing and reaching the sky and every year is getting bigger instead of smaller, grab this challenge button and choose 12 books from your TRB pile to read in 2014. This would be your goal and nice way of organizing books you're planning to read. Finall ;)

Several of BookLikers are in:

Loosheesh Can Read Too ...

My list is all about the non-fictions because this is what normally gets the short-shrift in my day-to-day reading. See which books from TBR were picked by Loosheesh: The 2014 TBR Pile Challenge!

Bambbles Rambles

For the past three years I have participated in RoofbeamReader's TBR Pile challenge. Alas, I have as of yet not even come close to  finishing. No matter though! 2014 is a new year for all and that means new books to put on this list and actually read them! See the TBR book list from TBR pile: Challenge: 2014 TBR Pile Challenge Master List

50 books in a year? Piece of cake!

Book Hangovers

I’m so ready to do this! I participated in the 2013 reading challenge and did pretty well. Setting a goal of 30 books and accomplishing that plus some with 42 books! So I decided with this years goal to “up the ante” and go with 50 books. What is Book Hangovers reading? See here: 50 Books in a Year.

Debbie's Spurts blog brings you 2014 Wimpy Challenge. To participate each month post or reblog month's challenge.

And the particular Challenges are: 

January - Post Holiday Cabin Fever Slump

February - Revive A Stalled Series

March - New Release

April - Out of Zone

May - Favorite Author

Read more details here: 2014 Wimpy Book Challenge (One Book Per Month)

Share your Challenges and reading resolutions in comments and set you Reading Challenge on BookLikes :)