Read Any Good Books Lately?

I am apparently blog stalking Jennifer over at Rundpinne. I am following her lead and joining in on a few bookish pursuits.

The first is My Friend Amy's Book Challenge 2009. This challenge is designed to encourage the rediscovery of the joy of reading, while supporting the authors who bring us books.

There are two levels or choices for this challenge.

1) The first option is to simply buy one book and read it. The book should be a book you have chosen for pleasure. It should not be work related. Books read to your children don't count!

2) The second option is to buy one book a month and read it. This is for those of us who will have read a book by January 2! Books can be on your other challenge lists, it is only necessary that you buy them and read them!

The challenge will end December 31, 2009. Amy will post a Mr. Linky for reviews on January 1st. If you plan to join in, please leave a comment and please consider spreading the word about this challenge - especially among your non-bookish friends.

At the conclusion of the challenge, Amy will draw a winner from each level to win a 10 dollar Amazon gift card. (Woo hoo! Free book money!)

I made the button in my sidebar to spread the word. I sent the code to Amy, so she may post the code at her site. If not, I'd be happy to send it to you.

Secondly, I have decided to join the Sound Mind, Sound Mom Book Club at Simple Mom. I have wanted to join a book club for a while now, but the pickin's are slim here in Small Town, Texas. I like the idea that the books are aimed at helping me do a better job and be happier staying home.

So here's the drill: Each Thursday, new questions will be posted in the Club’s online forum, specific to the previous week’s reading assignment. You can answer questions, start discussions, and reflect with your fellow readers all the next week, and anytime thereafter.

The reading assignments and calendar are set in stone, but you can join in at any time. Discussions about chapter one will remain posted throughout the entire book assignment, and possibly longer.

The tentative plan is also to have a live chat once per book, probably at its end, for final reflections and application.

The Book Club is open to anyone and everyone, though the discussions and application will be geared towards moms, home managers, and women in general.

The first book is Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. I'll let you know what I think!