Welcome to the Chunkster Reading Challenge - a challenge which satisfies those readers who like their books fat and chunky!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Welcome To the Challenge: 2010


February 1, 2010 - January 31, 2011

Many thanks to Dana who has hosted this challenge for the past couple of years and has generously handed over the reins to me in 2010. I am keeping most of Dana's rules and definitions...Why? Because why fix something that isn't broken?!??!

Definition of a Chunkster:

  • A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) ... A chunkster should be a challenge.
  • If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more ... The average large type book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.
The Rules:
  • No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn't seem right. Words on paper for this one folks.
  • No e-Books allowed - we are reading traditional, fat books for this challenge.
  • Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
  • Books may crossover with other challenges
  • Anyone may join. If you don't have a blog, just leave me a comment on this post with your progress (and to let me know you are playing)
  • You don't need to list your books ahead of time.
  • Once you pick a level, that's it...you're committed to that level!
You must pick a level of participation (thanks again to Dana for the humor in these categories!):

  1. The Chubby Chunkster - this option is for the reader who has a couple of large tomes on their TBR list, but really doesn't want to commit to much more than that. 3 books is all you need to finish this challenge.
  2. Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? - this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to 4 Chunksters over the next twelve months.
  3. Mor-book-ly Obese - This is for the truly out of control chunkster. For this level of challenge you must commit to 6 or more chunksters OR three tomes of 750 pages or more. You know you want to.....go on and give in to your cravings.
Some Other Questions you Might Have:
  • To review or not to review, that is the quesion...Reviews are not mandatory, but they are strongly encouraged. I will be putting up a Mr. Linky at the beginning of the challenge for links to your reviews. I will also be posting a Mr. Linky for wrap up posts at the end of the challenge.
  • Will there be prizes? Perhaps. I am still thinking on this...but I may consider some bookish giveaways as the challenge progresses! If I were you, I would subscribe to this blog just in case I announce something important.
  • Is there anything else we need to know? Um, not that I can think of right now. But, lately I have been into being flexible. And I may decide to add some fun stuff to this blog, or even have a guest poster or two. Check back in occasionally (or subscribe to the feed) just in case!
To sign up, please use Mr. Linky below by linking DIRECTLY to your post about the challenge (please, please - do NOT link to your main blog page!!). If you do not have a blog, just enter your name in the name part of Mr. Linky and hit enter (also leave me a comment telling me which level of participation you will be doing).


1. wendy Booger Bottom Books
2. Booklover Book Reviews
3. Theresa
4. Paige
5. Kris
6. Rose City Reader
7. Carin (Caroline Bookbinder)
8. Jo
9. Chloe Connelly
10. Bea (How Novel!)
11. Caitlin (chaotic compendiums)
12. Sarah from Sarah's Books
13. otterevilreads
14. Brittanie (A Book Lover)
15. Book Snob Wannabe
16. The Inkwell
17. Chèli
18. eve
19. Honey (Coffeespoons)
20. Patti (Reading Distractions)
21. Shonna
22. MJ @ Creative Madness
23. Whitney {She is too fond of books}
24. Miss Moppet
25. Melissa
26. schatzi @ the stacks my destination
27. Cassandra - Adventist Homemaker
28. Mlle
29. Bcteagirl (Fabulous Canadian Freebies)
30. Kisha
31. Between the Covers
32. A Reader's Respite
33. Laura
34. Laurre
35. Nique (Nique's Life)
36. Kati Gormley
37. Pam (SocrMom78)
38. Manasa
39. Jeff
40. Amanda (Life in a Suitcase)
41. Jenny
42. Darlene
43. Kymmie
44. Megan
45. Boof (The Book Whisperer)
46. Allie-A Literary Odyssey
47. Manasa
48. Elena (roots of mountains)
49. Tracey (A Book Sanctuary)
50. Tweezle@Just One More Paragraph
51. Rachel (Beyond Words Book Club)
52. Eva (A Striped Armchair)
53. Dominique (Coffee Stained Pages)
54. Dreadful Penny
55. Becky (Page Turners)
56. Susie (All Things Royal)
57. Pam (iwriteinbooks)
58. Matt (Matt's Book Blog)
59. pinuccia
60. Juanita (Life at Home)
61. The Morland Dynasty: The Emperor
62. Kristen (BookNAround)
63. Melissa (Avid Reader)
64. Kinna Reads
65. the little reader
66. The Feminist Texican [Reads]
67. Jo's Bookshelf (Johanna)
68. Carolina
69. Julie (Reading Without Restraint!)
70. larissabookgirl
71. kdreader
72. Sumthinblue
73. damnvixen
74. Funandfearless
75. Dead White Guys
76. Carolyn (A Few of My Favourite Books)
77. Stepford Mum
78. Moony
79. Jenn @ Once Upon a Time...
80. Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)
81. Joy Renee @ Joystory
82. iusepseudonyms
83. iusepseudonyms
84. Zoe
85. Tony's Reading List
86. Notorious Spinks Talks
87. Donna
88. Meg (BeNonsensical)
89. Bibliophile (Reading in Reykjavik)
90. Alysha DeShaé
91. Julie (Reading Without Restraint)
92. Elizabeth (Beyond the Brush)
93. Orly (My Wuthering Heights)
94. Abigail
95. Martha G

102 comments:

  1. In 22209 I read 47 chumsters. I think I will try for 50. I would have done 50 if it had not been only 9 1/2 months. I will do anythign other than reviews, takes away from reading time.

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  2. Just letting you know I'm joining up, at level 2. I posted my blog already. Thanks for hosting!

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  3. I'm going to try Do These Books Make My Butt Look Big - can't wait to get started. Thanks for hosting!

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  4. I'm going to do level 2. This is going to be fun. Tahnks for hosting.

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  5. That should be Thanks for hosting!

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  6. I'm in for the mor-bookly-obeses level. I am so glad to see this one again. thanks for doing this again this year.
    kim in ohio

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  7. I'll sign-up - link to follow. I want to read The Tin Drum, Wolf Hall and My Mutual Friend. But there may be a few others sitting in the TBR.

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  8. I'm not sure when I'll be posting this to my blog, but I'm going to go easy on myself and take the Chubby route with 3 books.

    I just use Mr. Link above to make it formal, even though there won't be a link.

    Hope that is okay.

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  9. I'm going the Cubby route too and only reading 3 books. Thanks for hosting!!!

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  10. Shucks! I was looking forward to this one, but since e-readers aren't allowed, I won't be participating. I do most of my reading on public transportation and on the go. Good luck!

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  11. Thanks for hosting this. It will be my first time doing this challenge and I'm signing up at the mor-bookly-obese level.

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  12. I'm looking forward to this one starting. I do another reading challenge too but this easily fits in with that! I'm going for the Mor-book-ly obese one!

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  13. I'll try the Chubby level. Thank you for hosting.

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  14. Thanks for hosting. I'm going for 4 this time around.

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  15. Thanks for hosting......restraining myself and going for the Big Butt option 2.

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  16. I'm once again doing Mor-Bookly-Obese, which, despite my worries, was a huge success for me this year.

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  17. Signing up at the Chubby Chunkster level again. Thanks so much for taking this on!

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  18. I signed up. Thanks for hosting!

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  19. Just signed up for the Mor-book-ly Obese level-thanks for hosting

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  20. Thanks for hosting. I will be signing up for Mor-book-ly Obese...LOL

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  21. This is a great challenge to make reading those chunky books a little less scary. I'm Mor-book-ly Obese and I am going to reading 3 over 750 pages.

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  22. Thanks for hosting this challenge this year Wendy. I succeeded at this one for 2009 so I'm looking forward to it for 2010.

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  23. I'd like to try this. One question. In November I started reading the mammoth 1074 page Under the Dome. I stopped at 395 to finish it in January. Could I count that for this one since I'll finish it in 2010. Also, can it count for 2 books? ;P

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  24. Bibliomom: The challenge does not officially start until February 1st, so it sounds like you will finish the King book in January and it will not count. You cannot count a book as two books, even though it has such a large page count *smiles*

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  25. So excited about this. It will be my first 'official' challenge. Doing the More Book-ly Obese level and pumped up about it. Will be reviewing on Goodreads and my website... http://followingfiction.blogspot.com

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  26. Yikes! I signed up without fully reading the rules (posted straight to my blog!). I can re-do. Just let me know that I'm removed from this list?

    Sorry :(

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  27. Christina, let me know when you get a post done about the challenge (send me the link) and then I will update your link here with the correct one.

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  28. Hi I've signed up and I'll be doing the Morbookly Obese level of 6 books over 450 pages. Thanks for running this challenge I have been looking out for it.

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  29. I'm going with level 2, which crosses over nicely with my clean up your bookshelf challenge as I have a few chunksters lugging around my shelves!

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  30. I'm gonna try for the mor-bookly-obeses level! :) Thanks for this awesome challenge!

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  31. I signed up but I haven't decided yet what level I want to do yet.

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  32. Signing up, doing Level 1 (mentioned that in my post on my blog).

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  34. Just signed up, going for #1 seeing how this is my first chunkster challenge.

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  35. I think it is level 3 for me. I had made this plan before finding this challenge. This may help.

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  36. I will be doing level 3 Mor-book-ly Obese

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  37. I will be doing level 3 again this year, 6 books or more. My post is up and linked.

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  38. I'm doing Mor-Book-Ly obese again this year (in 2009, I read more than 15 chunksters). Since my blog is not solely devoted to books, I won't use the Mr. Linky, because I don't think you folks want to read about my cross stitch and Christmas ornaments. LOL However, I'll try to remember to put my monthly reviews (when they are relevant to the challenge) in the comments. Let me know if this is not acceptable.

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  39. I'm doing Mor-Book-ly Obese - and am really looking forward to it!

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  40. I just signed up too. I'm going for the Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big?

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  41. I did this challenge last year and am looking forward to doing it again. Haven't decided yet which level to sign up for.

    Karen

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  42. What a challenge! Timidly undertaking level 1.

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  43. I'm signing up for the "Do these books make my butt look big?" 4th level. To answer that questions, books don't make my butt look big but cupcakes sure do!

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  44. Love the level names :) I will attempt Mor-book-ly Obese!

    http://inthesound.us/bookheart

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  45. I'm tempted by this one and may yet sign up for it! I wish I'd known about it in 2009 as I read several chunksters - some 19th century classics and three of Susan Howatch's family sagas.

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  46. I'm going for level 3. When I see how many I read in 2009 that would have qualified, I think I can do this.

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  47. I am going for the Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big option. I read 7 500+ page books in 2009 (I would have even more if I had counted down to 450 pages). In theory I could go for Mor-book-ly Obese, but since this is my first time trying challenges, I don't want to set an overly high bar to hurdle!

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  48. I am signing up for the Mor-Book-ly Obese level, and am planning to read Ulysses and Buddenbrooks and. . . I don't know what else.

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  49. Second year doing this, and a respectable list of titles to go at. Can't promise to finish, but love it for providing the impetus! Thanks for hosting, Wendy.

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  50. Signing up for level 3 - I've got Stephen King's new book! May do his and 4 'lesser' chunksters. We'll see :)

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  51. I'm going for level 3 - I read 30 last year, I know I can do at least 6.

    Chèli
    Cheli's Shelves

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  52. I haven't signed up for the chunkster since I hosted it (in 2007, I think?) but I'm thrilled that you're continuing the challenge by taking over for Dana and just wanted to drop by to say thanks!

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  53. I'm doing the Do These Books Make My Butt Look Big. Good luck for everyone and happy 2010!

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  54. I'm going to try Do These Books Make My Butt Look Big. Would have gone for level 3 if it included essay collections as I have a couple meaty ones of those.

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  55. This is my first time, so I'll be joining the Chubby Chunksters!!

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  56. This is my first time too! But I read at least 12 chunksters in 2009. And the first one I have in mind - When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman - is 909 pages long. So I'm going for Mor-book-ly Obese. Off to amend sign-up post accordingly!

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  57. Joined at level 3! Can't wait to start my first chunkster of the year ... but what shall it be?

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  58. I'm joining in at the bottom level with only three books planned. I have no idea what, yet, but I look forward to "shopping" at my library for books. Thanks for hosting this challenge!

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  59. I've added my link and sign on for the Mor-Book-Ly Obese level. I know that I will be updating the list and commenting more fully on those titles at some point in the future. I will keep an eye out for the Mr.Linky so that I can link up with reviews, etc. Thanks!

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  60. I am in at OBESE if I can get this to work!

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  61. Whooo hooo! I am reading so many big books for my own blog that I should easily tackle this one! A great idea for those of us who like our books BIG!!

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  62. I'll try the Mor-Book-Ly Obese level. Sounds like fun, and many thanks for hosting!

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  63. Just signed up for the mini...however my link is to my homepage...tried to re-enter with correct link, #139 should be http://inspiredbyfiction.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-challenges.html
    Sorry about that, and thanks for the challenge!

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  64. No problem, Megan - I fixed it for you :) Thanks for joining!

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  65. Just letting you know I signed up for level 1 :). And sorry if it looks like I signed up twice. I signed up once a month ago on an old blog I ended up deleting.

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  66. I'm going to sign up for the middle level, though I may read more than that.

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  68. I'm going for Mor-book-ly Obese. My Mr. Linky is to my main blog page, because that's where my book list is - on my sidebar.

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  69. Sorry, just signed up but accidentally Mr. Linky'd to my main page. All my challenges are here: http://dreadfulpenny.wordpress.com/reading-challenges/ and I'm in for six of these monsters.

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  70. You're all set now, Penny :) Thanks for letting me know.

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  71. I am signing up for Mor-book-ly Obese will post Chunkster button on my side bar.

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  72. Hello! I am a late comer Chubby Chunkster :)

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  73. I'm signing up on the Mor-book-ly Obese level. Great challenge!

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  74. I think this is a great challenge (and I love the names!) This will really help me shed some of the weight from Mt. TBR!

    I do not have a blog, so I'll be a "poster girl" (*L*)...I'm going for the "Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big?" challenge level.

    Mr. Linky does not like that I don't have a blog, so this is the only place I have signed up. Thank you for overseeing such a fun challenge & Happy Reading, Everyone!!!

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  75. Hockey Goddess: welcome to the challenge - Mr. Linky is a bit picky, isn't he???!!

    Bibliobabe: Thanks.

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  76. My first time for this challenge. I think I shall be forced to hunker down with my thick novels to get them finally off my TBR. Thanks for putting this up!

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  77. Great challenge! I need to clear some space on my shelves! LOL

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  78. Oops, I just posted my link to my review on the sign up page. Could you remove it please?

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  79. No problem, Elena, it's gone now :)

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  80. I'm new to blogging and the book challenges, so I'm going to start with the Chubby Chunkster. I already have a couple of books over 450 pages on my TBR list, so I should be good. I'm excited about this challege!

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  81. Great challenge! I just joined and I'm going all the way!

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  82. ive just joined and am committing to level 1 first then momentum should take its course..

    The ViXeN's LaiR

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  83. I finished the challenge!

    http://www.readingwithtequila.com/2010/05/completed-2010-chunkster-challenge.html

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  84. This is my first book challenge and I'm excited about it. I have always preferred thick books but the pages that this challenge requires is really... challenging! ^_^

    I'm going for The Chubby Chunkster for my first try.

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  85. Jennifer: I went ahead and added your link to the Wrap Up links :)

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  86. I just posted a review of a second book (which actually is a YA book). But, it's 590 pages, so I'm putting a post here. Still plan to read 2 more. :)
    http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/2010/05/hunger-gone-novel-by-michael-grant.html

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  87. Just posted another review of a book that definitely fit within the parameters. http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/2010/05/kraken-by-china-mieville.html

    One more to go! :)

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  88. Signed up! Going to do the mor-book-ly obese level, hopefully. I'm at http://deadwhiteguyslit.blogspot.com

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  89. I'm just going for The Chubby Chunkster for now, although I may do more.

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  90. I'm a little late but would love to participate! I'm aiming for level 2 "Do these books make my butt look big?" (I love the level titles!) and think I've got some ideas in mind...

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  91. I'm well beyond Chubby Chunkster already, but I'm not going to jinx myself and say I'm going for the ultimate morbidly prize, though I'm partway there. Great idea for a challenge!

    Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)

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  92. I'm going for the Mor-book-ly Obese as I'm more than half way there anyway.

    My intent to join post.

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  93. Just totted up the numbers, and I'm up to ten already! No 750+ books yet this year though; that will have to be remedied...

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  94. I know it's late. But since I already have two chunksters queued; AND since I have until the end of January, I may as well sign up for the "Chubby Chunkster." Your header image says, "take the plunge" to me. Is that what you intended? Thanks. The "butt look fat" title reminds me of a comedian who said a girl asked him, "Do I look fat in this dress?" His response was, "Do you look fat out the dress?"

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  95. Donna: Never too late to join! Hmmm, re: the header image...to me it is a huge whale tail!!! LOL

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  96. Oh! How fun! I am late but I will still go in with the "Chubby Chunkster"! =) YAY! Great idea!

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  97. I know I'm signing up really late, but I'm choosing the "Mor-book-ly Obese" level. I'm #184 on the list above and that page is my main page for all reading challenges that I'm doing. :-) All reviews are linked from there and that's also where I keep track of how far along I've gotten with the challenges.

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  98. I'm going to try for the Chubby Chunkster. Next time I plan to go for more (and get an earlier start...).

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  99. I know it's late to join, but I hope that this will give me the inspiration I need to tackle a few of the goliath sized books in my reading pile!

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