2012 Girl Power Reading Challenge

Ever get tired of reading about damsels in distress? Wish you could find some stories featuring strong, independent women? Then look no further!

This challenge is to discover and read books written by or featuring heroines. What constitutes being a heroine? Perhaps it's being able to swashbuckle, cast spells, mix poisons, control minds, joust, spy, or protect just as well as (or better than!) her guy friends. Perhaps it's having a won't-back-down attitude, a penchant for getting into and out of sticky situations, or a desire to change the world. Or perhaps it's simply the courage to tell her story. It's up to you to decide.

The Rules

• Books must contain a heroine of some sort. Could be the narrator, the main character, the villain, a prominent side character, or the author. I won't be quizzing you on why you picked each and every book. But please, use a little discretion and don't count damsels in distress.
• Challenge will run January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Participants can join at any time throughout the challenge.
• Create an intro post, linking back to this post.
• Sign up with the Mister Linky below with your intro post, not your blog home page.
• All forms of books are acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.).
• Counting books read before joining the challenge (but still in 2012) is allowed.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

The Levels
Dame       ~         Read 5 books
Lady Knight ~ Read 10 books
Baroness    ~    Read 15 books
Countess    ~   Read 20 books
Duchess     ~    Read 35 books
Queen      ~       Read 50 books
Empress   ~   Read 50+ books

The Badges


<a href="http://the-wolfs-den-147.blogspot.com/p/girl-power-reading-challenge-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Girl Power Reading Challenge 2012" border="0" src="http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/1610/challenge2012girlpower2.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://the-wolfs-den-147.blogspot.com/p/girl-power-reading-challenge-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Girl Power Reading Challenge 2012" border="0" src="http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/1412/challenge2012girlpower3.jpg" /></a>

Or for those not wolf-ily inclined...

<a href="http://the-wolfs-den-147.blogspot.com/p/girl-power-reading-challenge-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Girl Power Reading Challenge 2012" border="0" src="http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1053/challenge2012girlpower1.jpg" /></a>

Some Examples

Authors:

• Tamora Pierce
• Jane Austen
• Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Kristen Cashore
• J.K. Rowling
• Charlotte Brontë
• Anne McCaffrey
• Nora Roberts
• Anne Frank

Books:

• The Golden Compass
• The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
• A Spell for Chameleon
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
• Ender's Game
• Little Women
• Joan of Arc
• Memoirs of a Geisha

The Sign-Up

I'll be shooting for the Duchess level, myself.
Feel free to leave your own recommendations below
and spread the word!