Welcome to the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012! This reading challenge was previously called the Show Me the FREE RC, but this year, I have a co-host, Kelly from Reading the Paranormal, and we decided to shake things up a bit.
Quick FYI: This is not a library books, books you've won, or ARCs reading challenge. There are already plenty reading challenges for those specific type of books. You can find them here: A Novel Challenge.
This reading challenge has been developed specifically for FREE and LEGAL downloaded books. As many of you with e-readers know, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and a few other site periodically offer FREE books for your e-reading devices.
The aim of this challenge is to grab and read those FREE and LEGAL downloads!
Since getting my Kindle, I've downloaded 300 Free books from Amazon, but sadly, I've only read a handful. Kelly, my new sidekick, has read over 100 Free books! Even though I failed my own RC miserably, Kelly has inspired me to renew my determination to get those FREE books off my TBR, and we want you to join us!
Here is how it works:
- Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained FREE e-books. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
- Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.
- Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage.
- Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
- The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime.
- e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
- Every month in 2012, I will make a post for the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012 so you can link your reviews. Based on participation, monthly link ups may be combined.
- Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your e-Reader.
Challenge Guidelines:
- If you have a blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
- Non bloggers: participate by linking up your profile URL from the site you plan to post your reviews on such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
- When you post your book review, you MUST reveal how you obtained the free & legal download. Please make your source clear.
- You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
- Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but ARCs/galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble.
- Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month.
Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books
Please visit this post to sign up for the challenge: Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012!
Places where you can legally grab some free e-books:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
All Romance eBooks: offers random freebie books throughout the year (signing up for the newsletter to get updates)
Pocket After Dark: offers free online reads that change monthly and/or bi-monthly
Sony's Reader Store: occasionally pops up with free books that aren't available at Amazon or B&N
Harlequin: offers Freebie Friday
Sourcebooks: offers monthly freebies
Books on the Knob pulls freebies from around the web in different genres for reader consumption
your header is amazing missie! LOVE IT. how do you do it? your blog is THE bets looking blog i know :)
ReplyDeletealso, LOVING the new name of this meme ;)
Love the new challenge name!!! And that button is too cute. This is such a great idea ladies, I really need to prowl around on Amazon and find some of these free deals. I've only downloaded maybe 2 in all the time I've had my Kindle. Fail.
ReplyDeleteUm, okay, the new challenge name? Best. Title, Ever. ***snicket*** Oh, reminds me of mom when I was in high school!
ReplyDeleteI have downloaded so many free books and have only read a couple of them. I'm a terrible glutton!
ReplyDeleteThe name of this is too frickin' cute!
ReplyDelete"warning" that Samhain
Your site has actually excited me.
ReplyDeleteThis is UDDERLY AWESOME. I do believe I will have to sign up.
ReplyDeleteTotally freakin brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI did not know so many sites offered free books! Oh well I have been saving up hundreds of freebies from Smashword and B&N already now I can check out some more sites! YAYYY!
ReplyDeleteWill be signing up soon :D
WOWIE! I never knew that there are so many free books out there -- that's so cool!! As soon as I get my iPod fixed, I'm definitely going e-book shopping LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis challenge is pure awesomeness! (And not just because I'm seriously hearting that cow button LOL!) I can't wait to see what you're going to read, Missie! :)
OH MY GOD!!! This is the cutest thing EVER!!! I said I was only doing ONE challenge... But I'll have to do this one too dude!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThat's such a cute button for this challenge. I won't be signing up since I don't read that many e-books but I'll totally cheer on everyone who's participating :)
ReplyDeleteAdorable button. Hope you can finish your challenge next year!
ReplyDeleteLove Love the name of this challenge. I definitely will be signing up.
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the 2011 one. Did I read all my free ones...no! Ugh. I have so many. Should I sign up? I have to make a commitment if I do. Great button!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this. I'll put my post up later this week.
ReplyDeleteI am trying for the Penny Pincher---if and when I can freaking get organized!
ReplyDeleteWhere is my personal assistant when I need one? (preferably one that looks like Karl Urban)
Good luck with this challenge, girl! And I love your new layout. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteFun, fun, fun! I'm the Queen of free reads!
ReplyDeleteI'm always scouring the net for free books! I have a blog that people can go to that will give them free e-books but I'll have to come back and post it because I can't find it!
I get it on my Kindle but you can go to the blog for free. I get lots of great books that aren't on the Top 100 Free Kindle books.
I'll be back with the url :o]
I love the new button..:D I think this one and the audio are the only challenges Im doing for 2012!! YAY for Tina...then maybe Ill actually get one done!!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I'm going to have to sign up for this now :) To my surprise, I accumulated quite a few free books last year. This challenge will encourage me to read them. I might not make it to 12 but it'll be nice to get some out of the way.
ReplyDeleteMissie, that cow may be one of the most adorable and happiest things I have seen in a long time!
ReplyDeleteAs a new Kindle owner (two weeks!!) I have already discovered a whole bunch of free books that look promising, so this challenge is perfect!!
Shelagh
The Word Fiend
oh dear lord...I really should sign up for this...I have downloaded about 50 free books and still haven't gotten to any...#facepalm
ReplyDeleteLove it! Signing up! What info can I use on my blog other than the button?
ReplyDeleteI think I need to do this. I received a NOOK last year for Christmas and have hardly used it (as my hubby the purchaser, has pointed out.)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally participating. My post just went up. Got a kindle for Christmas and with the free ebooks I've won or been asked to review plus the ones I've found of amazon this is one I have to complete.
ReplyDeleteMy first time participating in an blog challenge. I usually just go by the challenges posted in Goodreads. This should be fun, I am in.!
ReplyDeleteI have a Kindle and I got it for Christmas Last year and I have even used it so I am going to sign up and committ to 12 book so I can use it. My questions is does Net Galley books count or not?
ReplyDeleteHi Glenda,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but Net Galley books don't count because they are ARCs.
Truly excited for this I need to get my freebies off my kindle and I needed to get my blog up and running again I have been gone due to family and other this so starting out fresh in the new year makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteYay! This is awesome, sign me up. I have read quite a few free books this year that were wonderful. Looking forward to more in 2012. Thank you for hosting this challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!! Love the idea, I'll do it, but I need to make the post first :)
ReplyDeleteMini Holiday Ebook Giveaway :
Mini Holiday Giveaway
I am in for this, can't wait.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I'm so glad to see I'm not the only person who grabbed freebie but hasn't really read them yet. Question, has anyone downloaded books from Smashbooks but not been able to open the file? I have about 6 like that :(
ReplyDeleteI am a blogger idiot. I have one, but don't know how to do all the cool stuff everyone else seems to have. Going to go and see if I can make that link...feel free to give me suggestions :D
Tawn
www.simplytawny.wordpress.com
Signing up!! (:
ReplyDeleteHere is my post:
http://www.booknerds-are-pretty-too.com/2011/12/2012-book-challenges.html
Thanks for hosting this challenge!!
I'll sign up as well! Great challenge for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my. You must have seen my Kindle. LOL I have over 1000 books on it and have only purchased one or two. I would love to make at least a tiny dent in the vast unread portion of those.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this challenge! Since I read 19 e-books last year I will put my goal there, at 19, but I guess I will actually need 24 to get into the next official category!
ReplyDeleteJust a question do ebooks sent by the author for review count?
ReplyDeleteSo do I need to link up my reviews as I post them or is this not necessary ? And if so where I'm so not seeing that. Or blind. I so fail.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this great challenge, Missie!:) I'm going to give it a try- I've got lot of free Amazon downloads to get through. Best of luck with your challenge goals!
ReplyDeleteSarah
I remember clicking to follow you but don't see my mug so clicked again to follow. Sorry! Thanks for this list. I tweeted it. Hope that's ok.
ReplyDeletei seem not to get links correct. My February book is A Bride for Tom from Smashwords whcih I reviewed on my blog. http://raesrumblings.blogspot.com A Bride for Tom is the one you want to look for.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome reading challenge and will help me get some of those books read that I've accumulated from Amazon, BN & Smashwords. :)
ReplyDelete