Friday, December 31, 2021

Reading Challenges for 2022, part III


I absolutely love reading challenges. 
This year I plan on pledging to read 222 books in GoodReads :-D It's the year 2022, after all. :-)
I know I can do it. I read 331 books in 2019, and that during January to April and October to December. I read practically nothing from May to September. I read over a book a day in January, February, March, and April with about 300 pages on average, and about 3 books a day in November and December, though mostly picture books and short stories. Had I continued with the speed I devoured books in February, I would have read over 500 books. :-D

I use the reading challenges as a jumping board to get me reading when I'm in a slump, and then I read books I find interesting, just because. Like in 2019 I read the whole Unfortunate Events series, and the prequel series as well, and those weren't part of a reading challenge. 

This year I'm planning on doing the PopSugar, a couple of "book a week" challenges, and a couple of monthly challenges. Like The 2022 Read Your Bookshelf Challenge

January: quiet
All Quiet on the Orient Express by Magnus Mills
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
Let Sleeping Sea-Monsters Lie and Other Cautionary Tales by Eva Ibbotson
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

February: "love"
Love of Seven Dolls by Paul Gallico
Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara
Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl
The Island of Eternal Love by Daína Chaviano
Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard
The Djinn Falls in Love and Other Stories by Mahvesh Murad
Love and Other Pranks by Tony Vigorito

March: growth
I don't have any books on growth! I have several with a garden, that might do, but I think the closest I get is
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
There's also Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, which kind of fits

April: my initials in the title
How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban
it has my birth initials, my married initials, and my internet initials :-D
KSPSBJ

May: new to you author
Some new to me authors on my TBR list are:
Molly Knox Ostertag
Colleen Oakes
Sarah Beth Durst
and
Catherine Fisher

June: book on the cover
The Book Jumper by Mechthild Gläser
The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark 
Curiosities of Literature: A Feast for Book Lovers by John Sutherland
The Little Bookroom by Eleanor Farjeon,
Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower 
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

July: a book you have been avoiding but actually want to read
World Without End by Ken Follett

August: body part in the title
The Witch's Head by H. Rider Haggard
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
Paris and Back by Nancy Grace
The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
The Way Back by Gavriel Savit
A Face like Glass by Francess Hardinge
Assholes: a Theory by Aaron James
The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
His Footsteps, Through Darkness and Light by Mimi Mondal
The Worm And The Toffee Nosed Princess by Eva Ibbotson
Alice Through the Needle's Eye by Gilbert Adair

September: a collection
I have all the Seon Manley's ladies, women and dames :-D It would be nice to actually read some of them.
Culottées by Pénélope Bagieu
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke
Collected Fantasies by Avram Davidson
Long Hidden: Speculative Fiction from the Margins of History
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales by Virginia Hamilton

October: "secret"
The Book of Secrets by M.G.Vassanji
Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
La canción secreta del mundo by José Antonio Cotrina
The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret
The Secret Ingredient of Wishes by Susan Bishop Crispell
The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor
The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan
Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll
The Garden of Lost Secrets by A.M.Howell

November: a book that makes you feel cozy/nostalgic

December: mostly white cover



The 52Club's reading challenge for 2022

1. A Second-Person Narrative

2. Featuring A Library Or Bookstore

3. Title Starting With The Letter "E"

4. Title Starting With The Letter "F"

5. Chapters Have Titles

6. Household Object On The Cover

7. A Non-Fiction Best Seller

8. Involving The Art World

9. A Book That Sparks Joy

10. A Book Based On A Real Person

11. A Book With Less Than 2022 Goodreads Ratings

12. Set On At Least Two Continents

13. Includes A Club

14. A Character With Superhuman Ability

15. A Five-Syllable Title

16. A Book You've Seen Someone Reading In A Public Place

17. A Book Picked Based On Its Spine

18. Jane Austen-inspired

19. A Book That Has An Alternate Title

20. Related To The Word "Gold"

21. Published By Simon & Schuster

22. An Unlikely Detective

23. Author With An X, Y, Or Z In Their Name

24. Addresses A Specific Topic

25. A Wealthy Character

26. Has An "Author's Note"

27. Includes A Map

28. Award-Winning Book From Your Country

29. Over 500 Pages Long

30. Audiobook Is Narrated By The Author

31. Technology Themed

32. A Book That Intimidates You

33. A Bilingual Character

34. Author's Photo On The Back Cover

35. From The Villain's Perspective

36. Recommended By A Favorite Author

37. Set In A Rural Area

38. Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover!

39. A Middle-Grade Novel

40. A Book With Photographs Inside

41. Involves A Second Chance

42. An Indie Read

43. Author Who's Published In More Than One Genre

44. An Anthology

45. A Book With Illustrated People On Cover

46. Job Title In The Title

47. Read During The Month Of November

48. Redo One Of This Year's Prompts But With A Different Genre

49. Book Title Starts With The Same Letter As Your First Name

50. A Person Of Color As The Main Character

51. The Word “Game” In The Title

52. Published In 2022


A vintage Black Feminist/Womanist text (published before 2000)
A contemporary Black Feminist/Womanist text (published between 2000 & now)
LGBTQ author and/or content - fiction
LGBTQ author and/or content - non fiction
A book by a revolutionary, community activist, political organizer or abolitionist
A book on self care, health, lifestyle strategy or personal development
A romance or erotic novel
A book that centers relationships between women
A young adult or middle schooler’s novel
An award winning novel and/or classic
A debut or famous author’s first
Any book by Octavia Butler
Any book by Toni Morrison
A book by a Caribbean author
A book by an African author
A book that classifies as Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, or Fantasy
A book on Spirituality, Religion, Faith or Ritual
A book with a name in the title
A book with a one word title
A book that was published within the past year
A graphic novel or series of comic books
A memoir or autobiography
A book where characters speak Patois, Creole, Geechee, or AAVE 
A book set in your hometown
A collection of poetry, short stories, essays, recipes or prose
A book on Body Politics, Trauma, Autonomy or Acceptance 
A book on Migration, Travel, Location or Place - fiction or non fiction 
A book on Disability or Neurodivergence - fiction or non fiction
A book on Parenting or Child Advocacy 
History, Historical Fiction or Slave Narrative

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Thursday, December 30, 2021

Reading challenges for 2022, part II


Now, I'm not Christian, and some of these prompts are pretty... awful to me. But I love the idea of "Light", "Avid", "Committed" and "Obsessed", and some of the prompts are interesting. So... if you are interested, replace the prompts you don't like with ones you like :-D 
It's not serious. It's just a reading challenge.

Light (1 book every 4 weeks)
A book for children or teens
A memoir or autobiography
A novel
A book by a woman
A book by a man
A book published prior to 2000
A book with the word "gospel" in the title or subtitle
A book with an image of a person on the cover

A book about a current social issue
A book published in 2021 or 2022
A book about suffering
A book about Christian living
A book of your choice

Avid (1 book every 2 weeks)
A book written by a Puritan
A book recommended by a family member
A book about a current issue
A novel that won a prize
A book with more than one author
A book with at least 400 pages
A book by an author who was alive in the 1800s
A book that has a name in the title
A book on a bestseller list
A book about a book of the Bible
A book about theology
A book about Christian living
A book of your choice

Committed (one book every week)
A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with
A book by someone you think you could be friends with
A book that won an award
A book about relationships
A book by Jane Austen or one of her contemporaries
A book of poetry
A book based on a true story
A book with a photograph on the cover
A softcover book
A book with 100 pages or less
A book with a two-word title
A devotional book
A novel set in a country that is not your own
A book about art or music
A book of Christian fiction
A book about something fun
A book by a female Christian author
A book whose title comes from a Bible verse
A book by a living author who's 70 or older
A self-improvement book
A book set during a war
A book you own but have never read
A book about euthanasia or abortion
A book about theology
A book about something interesting
A book of your choice

Obsessed (2 books every week)
A book about something that fascinates you
A book about a historic figure or event
A book about public speaking
A book about animals OR geography
A book about sports OR art
A book about marriage OR friendship
A book about parenting OR retirement
A book about adoption/foster care OR singleness
A dystopian novel OR a book of comics
A detective novel OR a war novel
A book about theology OR psychology
A book about a Christian perspective on Islam
A book you don't want to read but think you should
A book about business OR generosity
A book about science OR worldview
A book about sin OR revival
A book about the natural world
A book about the local church
A book that challenges your thinking on a topic
A book by a male conference speaker
A book by a female conference speaker
A book about history
A book by your favorite author
A book you have read before
A book about love
A Christian novel
A book about theology
A book about Christian living
A book of your choice
An author's debut book
A book about a leader
A book about the Bible
A book about a region, country, or city
A book set in a country not your own
A book you think your mom or dad would enjoy
A book by or about a missionary
A book written by a European author
A book about a non-controversial subject
A book about words or language
A book more than 100 years old
A book your pastor recommends
A book written by an author you've never read before
A book about something virtuous
A book that you borrow from someone or somewhere
A book about spiritual disciplines
A book you have always wanted to read
A book about sports or an athlete
A book with a great cover
A biography, memoir, or autobiography
A book about theology
A book about Christian living
A book of your choice



Baker's Dozen: 13 books in a year

A new book (Less than 15 years old)
An old book (Older than 30 years)
A specifically Christian title
A biography
A fantasy/science fiction book
A mystery book
A realistic fiction book
A historical fiction book
A nonfiction book
A graphic novel
A book recommended by a family member
A book recommended on Redeemed Reader
A book of your choice

Quarterback Challenge: baker's dozen + dozen - 25 books in a year

Above list +

A book older than your grandparents (published before 1950)
A biography about a notable Christian
Another mystery book, from a different series
A nonfiction book about a hobby you like
A fairy tale or a folk tale
A picture book
A book about or set in a different culture than your own
A book recommended by someone at your church or school (friend or acquaintance)
A starred review book from Redeemed Reader
3 books of your choice

Weekly Reader Challenge: 50 books in a year

Previous books +

A book published in 2022
A classic
A book from a Christian publisher
A book of the Bible
A book by a professing Christian
A biography of a scientist/inventor
A classic fantasy/science fiction book
A book with a dragon or another magical creature
A historical fiction book set during a time period studied this year in school
A nonfiction book about a historical event
A nonfiction book about science or nature
An award winner
A story about school
A book about sports
A book that has been turned into a movie
A book of poetry
A book 10 times as long as your age
A book recommended by a friend (or read with a friend)
A "family read aloud" book reviewed on Redeemed Reader
Fill in the rest with any book of your choice

Grand Slam: 100 books in a year

the previous +

A book by a living author
A book older than 50 years
A book older than 100 years
A devotional
A book about church history
A book about Christmas or Easter
A biography of an artist, author, musician
A biography of a world leader
A book from the library
Another mystery book
A nonfiction book about a different country
Another graphic novel
A fairy tale or folk tale from a different culture
A book about a different race or culture than your own
A book targeting the opposite gender or with the MC of the opposite gender
A book about a family
A book about space or ocean
A book about animals
A book about art
A book about the civil rights movement or the civil war
A book about food/a cookbook
Another book that has been turned into a movie
A verse novel
A play, a drama, or a book about Shakespeare
A magazine 
A book from a trilogy or longer series
A book with a great cover
A family favorite book
An audiobook
A picture book reviewed on Redeemed Reader
A book from a Redeemed Reader booklist
A "discussion starter" book from Redeemed Reader
A book from RR's summer reading program
3 books by the same author
fill in with books of your choice

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Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Reading challenges for 2022, part I

And we'll start with the 2022 PopSugar Reading Challenge

A book published in 2022
Book of Night by Holly Black 
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne 
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd 
Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor 
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

A book set on a plane, train, or a cruise ship
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje
Violet by S.J.I. Holliday

A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

A book with a tiger on the cover or in the title
The Tiger in the Well by Philip Pullman
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

A sapphic book
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth 
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey 
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir 
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

A book by Latinx author
Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore 
Lobizona by Romina Garber 

A book with an onomatopoeia in the title
Bats Sing, Mice Giggle by Karen Shanor, Jagmeet Kanwal
Under the Whispering Door T.J. Klune 

A book with a protagonist who uses a mobility aid
The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu 
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A book about a "found family"
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce found family
Vicious by V.E.Schwab
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki
The Civilization of the Goddess by Marija Gimbutar
The Arrogance of Faith by Forrest G. Wood
The Women of Plums by Dolores Kendrick
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

A #BookTok recommendation
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao 

A book about the afterlife
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R.Pan
The Library of the Unwritten by A.J.Hackwith

A book set in the 1980s
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix 
The Confession by Jessie Burton
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
The Puzzle Women by Anna Ellory

A book with cutlery on the cover or in the title
Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang

A book by a Pacific Islander author
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
Telesa: The Covenant Keeper by Lani Wendt Young

A book about witches
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
Magic Lessons / The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman 
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

A book becoming a TV series or movie in 2022
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

A romance novel by a BIPOC author
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

A book that takes place during your favorite season
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny
The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher

A book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous read
This cannot be chosen before I know which is my "previous read" :-D
Right now it would be Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, so some books from my to be read list that start with N are
Nefertiti's Heart by A.W.Exley
Nation by Terry Pratchett
The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
Nobody's Home by Tim Powers

A book about a band or musical group
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton

A book with a character on the ACE spectrum
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan 
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz 

A book with a recipe in it
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala 
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner 
Death on the Limpopo by Sally Andrew

A book you can read in one sitting
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

A book about a secret
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

A book with a misleading title
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
The City & the City by China Miéville
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

A book set during a holiday
Greenglass House by Kate Milford 
The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale
Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz

A different book by an author you read in 2021
The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune 
Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston

A book with the name of a board game in the title (?)
Red Rising by Pierce Brown 
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 

A book featuring a man-made disaster
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

*A book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover or Amazon page

A social horror book
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

A book set in Victorian times
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title
The Conductors by Nicole Glover
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
The Star Thief by Lindsey Becker

*A book you know nothing about
I suppose I'll pick one when the time comes :-D

A book about gender identity
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta 
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi 

A book featuring a party
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier 

An #OwnVoices SFF book
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse 
Jade City by Fonda Lee
Reverie by Ryan La Sala 

A book that fulfills your favorite prompt from a past PopSugar Reading Challenge
A book that shares a title with a movie or a TV show but is unrelated to it
The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey, retelling of the ballet, and Black Swan 2002 Australian movie about real black swans.

ADVANCED

A book with a reflected image on the cover or "mirror" in the title
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi 
The Phoenix and the Mirror by Avram Davidson
Silver Mirrors A.A. Aguirre (2nd book in series, 1st is Bronze Gods)

A book that features two languages
Kaya Abaniah and the Father of the Forest by Wayne Gerard Trotman

A book with a palindromic title
Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Madam by Phoebe Wynne

A duology
Raybearer / Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
Spint the Dawn / Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
The Talisman / Black House by Stephen King
Raven's Shadow / Raven's Strike by Patricia Briggs
The Hazel Wood / The Night Country by Melissa Albert

A book about someone leading a double life
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict 
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon 
The Good Person of Szechwan by Bertolt Brecht

A book featuring a parallel reality
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

A book with two POVs
The Desolations of Devil's Acre by Ransom Riggs
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis
The Incarnations by Susan Barker
The Binding by Bridget Collins

Two books set in twin towns (sister cities)
Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack (Kyiv) 
Johanna Sinisalo; Ukkoshuilu (Tampere)



The 2022 #ReadICT Challenge 

1. A book by a debut author 

2. A book with a cover you like 

3. A book that intimidates you 

4. A book about a culture or topic you’re unfamiliar with 

5. A middle-grade or teen book 

6. A book based on mythology or folktales 

7. Reread a favorite book 

8. A book set at sea or on the beach 

9. An immigration story 

10. A genre-blending book 

11. A book that deals with mental illness 

12. A book by an author visiting Wichita or hosted remotely by a Wichita organization 


Around the Year in 52 Books 2022

1. A book with a main character whose name starts with A, T, or Y
2. A book connected to a book you read in 2021
3. A book with 22 or more letters in the title
4. A book that fits your favorite prompt that did not make the list
5. A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name
6. A book with an image of a source of light on the cover
7. A book related to psychology, neuroscience, or the mind
8. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 1
9. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 2
10. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 3
11. A book from the historical fiction genre
12. A book related to glass
13. A book about a woman in STEM
14. A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads
15. A book without a person on the cover
16. A book related to Earth Day
17. A book from NPR's Book Concierge
18. A book by an Asian or Pacific Islander author
19. A book that involves alternate reality, alternate worlds, or alternate history
20. A fiction or nonfiction book that is set during 1900 -1951
21. A book with one of the Monopoly tokens on the cover
22. A book with a Jewish character or author
23. A book that features loving LGBTQIA+ relationship
24. A book related to inclement weather
25. A book less than 220 pages OR more than 440 pages
26. 2 books with the same word in the title - Book 1
27. 2 books with the same word in the title - Book 2
28. A book that won an award from Powell's list of book awards
29. A book set on or near a body of water
30. A book related to mythology
31. A book published at least 10 years ago
32. A book where the main character is a female detective/private eye/police officer
33. The next book in a series
34. A book with an academic setting or with a teacher that plays an important role
35. 2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 1
36. 2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 2
37. A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name
38. A book by a Latin American author
39. A book from the TIME list of 100 Best YA Books of All Time
40. A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards
41. A book with a theme of food or drink
42. A book with a language or nationality in the title
43. A book set in a small town or rural area
44. A book with gothic elements
45. A book related to a game
46. A book with a non-human as one of the main characters
47. A book with handwriting on the cover
48. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2021 or 2022
49. A book connected to the phrase "Here (There) Be Dragons"
50. A book that involves aging, or a character in their golden years
51. A book published in 2022
52. A book with a time-related word in the title



Read a biography of an author you admire.

Read a book set in a bookstore.

Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list.
The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma.

Read an anthology featuring diverse voices.

Read a nonfiction YA comic.

Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40.

Read a classic written by a POC.

Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest.
World Without End by Ken Follett 

Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+).
While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character.
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz 

Read an entire poetry collection.

Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author.

Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book).
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk 
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier 
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital).

Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes.

Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary.
Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard

Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice.

Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author.

Read an award-winning book from the year you were born.

Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth.

Read a history about a period you know little about.

Read a book by a disabled author.

Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!


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Thursday, July 8, 2021

Why do you think you have the right to write --- characters?

 Yes, I am sorry, but I was born white, and I am a straight cis woman. I am fully abled physically, I am Autistic, I have FM, I am overweight, I am youngest of six kids, but have no children of my own, I am happily married to a transman, who is as white as I am. I was brought up by a Christian mother, but I am Pagan, my husband is Jewish.

I will be writing GLBTQA+ characters, male characters, characters of different colors, races, and species, of varying abilities, religions, etc. I will be writing mothers and fathers, grandparents and grandchildren, and families, friends, co-workers and strangers, people having different occupations and hobbies, skills and talents, and everything between heaven and earth, and I don't think any of them will be exactly like me. They all will have something of me in them, of course, because that's what anyone can ever write.

Because I believe we are all human beings, and the essential humanity is something that's the same in every human being. Even my non-human characters will have this human essence, because I am a human and cannot write anything but human characters. I believe love is love, be it between a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man, lovers, family members, friends - I believe we all recognize the love if we have ever loved anyone. 



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Wednesday, July 7, 2021

 One vulture, bolder than the rest, dropped down from the ledge on wide-spread wings, stirring up the putrid air. Unheralded, a Gary Larson cartoon flashed into Anna's brain. Vultures around a kill: "Ooooooweeeeee! This thing's been here a looooooooong time. Well, thank God for ketchup."

Gagging, Anna turned and stumbled toward the pool. Razor thin lines of red appeared on her face and arms where the saw grass cut. Oblivious to their sting, she fought free of the vegetation.





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Monday, June 28, 2021

Continents reading challenge

 I have heard white people complain about there not being white heritage months or white pride etc.

Sure, let's have it.

Let's dedicate all the months to different people on this planet.

Now, I am aware of the fact that some people are a mix of people from different continents. Do as you please with this. I would choose "people who identify as ---, or people who are mostly ---"
I for example identify some Latinx people as of European heritage, being mostly Spanish or Portuguese - but I also recognize that there's been quite a lot of "mixing" going on in Central and South America - there's a lot of Black and Native American blood in people who identify themselves as Latinx. Put them in any category you think they fit, or use June and December to read Latinx authors.

January and July - Oceania - read only books written by the indigenous people of the Pacific (This means Pacific Islanders, Maori, Australian Aboriginal people etc. Not the descendants of the Europeans living in the area.)

February and August - Europe - read only books written by White people

March and September - Americas - read only books written by Native Americans

April and October - Africa - read only books written by Black people

May and November - Asia - read only books written by Asian people

June and December - One World - read books written by people unlike you.



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Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Mythical, mystical yada yada :-D

Read a fantasy novel from 10 different countries

Now, this is, I assume, easier for me than for a lot of other people, because I'm fluent in three languages, and can manage reading books in two more. Nevertheless, I am 100% certain of that there's English translations of enough Fantasy books from different countries.

I am going to choose a Finnish Fantasy novel, because that's my motherland, and I love her, and I appreciate Finnish fantasy very much. One of my favorite Fantasy books come from Finland; Anne Aarnio's Lintukansan poika (Son of the Bird People).
I chose Neiti Kymenen ihmeellinen talo (The wondrous house of miss Kymene)

Next I'm going to choose a Swedish Fantasy novel, because I live in Sweden, and Sweden has some pretty original Fantasy also. I think I want to read Niklas Krog's first fantasy serie, because I love his Jor & Ka. I'm pretty sure I'll appreciate the fantasy series as well.

Of course there will be a USonian, British, and Canadian Fantasy book on the list.
I choose Anne McCaffrey's Dragonflight for USA
Mary Stewart's Merlin books for UK
For Canada there's R. Scott Bakker, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Charles de Lint to choose from

Michael Scott is Irish, and I have a couple of his books on my TBR list

I have Garth Nix Sabriel on my TBR list, and he's Australian.

I'll read a Witcher novel, from Poland. (Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski)

I'll finish The Secret of Jie, from France (and I have another French fantasy book on my TBR list, the last book on the Mirror Visitor series)

I need to read Cornelia Funke's Dragon Rider, and also finish Walter Moers' Rumo.

And that's 10

I could have chosen also Kaoru Kurimoto's Guin saga. She's Japanese.

Read a fantasy novel with

- black and white cover (can have different shades of grey on it, but no color)
- red cover (mostly red)
- orange cover
- yellow cover
- green cover
- blue cover
- purple/lilac/violet cover
- brown cover

Read a book from each of these lists:

Pre-Tolkien Fantasy (and alike)
Fantasy Classics
The Best Epic Fantasy
Hidden Gems: YA-Fantasy Novels
Best Fantasy on Goodreads with less than 100 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 100 and 999 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 1000 and 9999 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 10000 and 24999 ratings 

I chose
The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Magician's Ward by Patricia C. Wrede
I'm changing my mind on this, and I choose Mistress of Mistresses by E.R. Eddison
City of Skies by Farah Cook
The Red Wyvern by Katharine Kerr
Daggerspell by Katharine Kerr

Read a Fantasy novel written in

1930s Jirel of Joiry by C.L. Moore
1940s The Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt
1950s The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson
1960s Witch World by Andre Norton
1970s Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz
1980s Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
1990s Homeland by R.A. Salvatore
2000s Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
2010s Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
2020s Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
and two written before the 1930s
The Well at the World's End by William Morris and The Tale of Tales by Giambattista Basile, Giambattista

Pick an author who writes Fantasy. Read their favorite Fantasy book, a Fantasy book that has inspired them, a Fantasy book they recommend.

Neil Gaiman and Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees

Read a Fantasy novel written by a female author

Alanna by Tamora Pierce

Read a Fantasy novel written by a male author

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony

Read a Fantasy novel with a female MC

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Read a Fantasy novel with a male MC

Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey

Read a Fantasy novel with a female mentor/tutor/guardian/parental figure

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

Read a Fantasy novel with a male mentor/tutor/guardian/parental figure

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

Read a Fantasy novel written by a person who has a different ethnicity/nationality/religion/skin color etc. from you

I chose
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - A Pakistani-American Muslim woman, born in 1983, English-speaking
Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany - An American man, born in 1942, black, English-speaking, gay

Read a Fantasy novel where the MC has a different ethnicity/nationality/religion/skin color etc. from you

I chose The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco. Rin is Philippine, so I hope there's more diversity in this book. The MCs are lesbian if I have understood it correctly.

Read a Fantasy novel where the MC has at least one parent and grandparent alive, and they have a good relationship with them

Raven's Shadow by Patricia Briggs - I'm not sure about this, but people say it fits

Read a Fantasy novel with less than 250 pages

The Leopard Mask by Kaoru Kurimoto 231 pages

Read a Fantasy novel with 250-350 pages

 New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson, 256 pages

Read a Fantasy novel with 300-500 pages

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker 486 pages

Read a Fantasy novel with 500+ pages

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss 994 pages

Read a Fantasy novel from 10 different subgenres.

Dying Earth Fantasy
The Dying Earth by Jack Vance

Grimdark Fantasy
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Erotic fantasy
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

Fantasy of Manners
Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Flintlock / Gunpowder fantasy
Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

Steampunk fantasy
Soulless by Gail Carriger

Bangsian fantasy
A House-Boat on the Styx by John Bangs

Urban fantasy
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Wuxia fantasy
Jade City by Fonda Lee

Fairy tale
Andrew Lang's Pink Fairy Book

Read the three first books you haven't read from any list of "best Fantasy books"

The Palm-Wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Amos Tutuola
A Hero Born by Jin Yong

Read a Fantasy book that has received an award

 Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

Read a non-Fantasy book that's related to Fantasy

Either
The Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Their Friend by Humphrey Carpenter
or
Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings by Diana Pavlac Glyer

Read a Fantasy book with an amazing cover

 
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

Read a Fantasy book with a horrible cover

These both are pretty bad, but I think I'll choose Wizard at Large by Terry Brooks.
Grendel at least has a nice layout and AD. Wizard at Large is a total mess.

Read a Fantasy book with a one word title

Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Read a Fantasy book that was made into a movie or tv-series

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Read the Fantasy book you are most ashamed/sorry/irritated of not having read :-D 

Now, I have deliberately filled this list with the books I'm most ashamed, sorry, irritated of not having read, so what's left is
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

Read the Fantasy book that has been on your TBR the longest time

The Inheritance Quartet by Christopher Paolini

Read the Fantasy book that has been on your TBR the shortest time

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

Finish a Fantasy series 

The Inheritance Quartet by Christopher Paolini

Start a Fantasy series

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Reread a favorite

 Earthsea by Ursula leGuin

Read a self-published fantasy novel

The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington

Reread the first Fantasy book you ever read (or the first you remember) 

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis (I think I was about 7 or 8)

Literary Map Chain

I chose 10 and started with
Mary Stewart - The Walk in Wolf Wood
Patricia C. Wrede - Mairelon the Magician
Patricia McKillip - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
C.S.Friedman - Black Sun Rising
Anne Bishop - Daughter of the Blood
Juliet Marillier - Daughter of the Forest
Janny Wurts - Curse of the Mistwraith (Janny Wurts)
Lynn Flewelling - Luck in the Shadows
Ellen Kushner - Thomas the Rhymer
Megan Whalen Turner - The Thief
Cinda Williams Chima - The Demon King


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Sunday, June 6, 2021

Mythical, Mystical, Magical Reading Challenge 2021

 I could have named this "Fantasy Reading Challenge", but there are quite a lot of them around already :-D

Why my own? Because I can. I like big challenges, and I can't lie ;-)

 


Read a fantasy novel from 10 different countries

Read a fantasy novel with

- black and white cover (can have different shades of grey on it, but no color)
- red cover (mostly red)
- orange cover
- yellow cover
- green cover
- blue cover
- purple/lilac/violet cover
- brown cover

Read a book from each of these lists:

Pre-Tolkien Fantasy (and alike)
Fantasy Classics
The Best Epic Fantasy
Hidden Gems: YA-Fantasy Novels
Best Fantasy on Goodreads with less than 100 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 100 and 999 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 1000 and 9999 ratings
Popular Fantasy on Goodreads with between 10000 and 24999 ratings

Read a Fantasy novel written in

1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
and two written before 1930s

Popular Pre-1900 Fantasy Novels
Popular 1900s, 10s and 20s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1930s and 40s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1950s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1960s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1970s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1980s Fantasy Novels
Popular 1990s Fantasy Novels
Popular 2000s Fantasy Novels

Pick an author who writes Fantasy. Read their favorite Fantasy book, a Fantasy book that has inspired them, a Fantasy book they recommend.

Read a Fantasy novel written by a female author
Read a Fantasy novel written by a male author

Read a Fantasy novel with a female MC
Read a Fantasy novel with a male MC

Read a Fantasy novel with a female mentor/tutor/guardian/parental figure
Read a Fantasy novel with a male mentor/tutor/guardian/parental figure

Read a Fantasy novel written by a person who has a different --- from you

- gender
- generation
- race/ethnicity
- nationality
- mothertongue
- sexual orientation
- religion (either personal, or if not religious or known, the majority religion of the society/background they come from)

Choose one, choose many, choose all, read one book by each category, combine them all, what ever rocks your boat

Read a Fantasy novel where the MC has a different --- from you
(mothertongue in this case means the language the character was written in, not their language.)

Read a Fantasy novel where the MC has at least one parent and grandparent alive, and they have a good relationship with them

Read a Fantasy novel with less than 250 pages
Read a Fantasy novel with 250-350 pages
Read a Fantasy novel with 300-500 pages
Read a Fantasy novel with 500+ pages

Read a Fantasy novel from 10 different subgenres.
Try to choose ones you don't usually read.
One of them has to be fairy tales. Not retellings. Read a fairy tale you haven't ever read or heard in any version before.

Read the three first books you haven't read from any list of "best Fantasy books"

For example:
Times The 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
The 25 Best Fantasy Novels
31 of the best fantasy books everyone should read
Top 100 Fantasy Books
The 60 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
Top 25 Best Fantasy Books
/r/fantasy best books

Read a Fantasy book that has received an award

Read a non-Fantasy book that's related to Fantasy, for example a book about Fantasy literature or fairy tales, a biography of a Fantasy author, or about writing Fantasy

Read a Fantasy book with an amazing cover
Read a Fantasy book with a horrible cover

Read a Fantasy book with a one word title

Read a Fantasy book that was made into a movie or tv-series

Read the Fantasy book you are most ashamed/sorry/irritated of not having read :-D 

Read the Fantasy book that has been on your TBR the longest time
Read the Fantasy book that has been on your TBR the shortest time

Finish a Fantasy series
Start a Fantasy series

Read a self-published Fantasy novel

Reread a favorite

Reread the first Fantasy book you ever read (or the first you remember) 

A literary Map Chain Challenge

Pick a number (how many books you are going to read, at least 5), and pick one of your favorite Fantasy authors and write his/her name on the Literature Map
(If you don't know where to start, start with Tolkien :-D)
You get a "map" with authors who are more or less similar to that author. The names closest are most similar to the author.
Pick one of the names, check that they have written Fantasy, and read a Fantasy book by that author.
Then insert his/her name in the map and choose the next author.
Continue until you have read the number of books you chose in the beginning of the challenge.
Don't read the same author twice!

The only rule is that the book has to be Fantasy. 

Not Science Fiction, not Horror. 

So - what's the difference?

* fantastical elements must be obvious through the whole work. 

Outlander doesn't classify as Fantasy, because the only fantastical element I know of was the time travel through some kind of magic. I think there's some witches in the series later on, but 99% of the book is about the MC and her life in a totally normal environment in our world, and relations with other totally normal humans.

 * non-humans should be Fantasy races, not classical horror monsters, like vampires, werewolves, zombies and ghosts. Let's say that if they were humans once, and then something happened and now they are something else, then it's not fantasy. Even when the story in itself isn't a horror story, I classify it as belonging to Horror genre. This is why I have discarded a bunch of books that are marked as "Fantasy" on Goodreads, and that some others classify as Fantasy. If you have a vampire fighting heroine, or vampires fighting other vampires and werewolves, I classify it as part of Horror, not Fantasy.

* Paranormal events and talents classify also as Horror (ghost stories, most of the things Stephen King writes about), even if the story in itself isn't horrifying. Like Bid Time Return (Somewhere in Time). Unless the story is set in a Fantasy world, and the paranormal is just part of that world.

* science should be equal or lesser partner to magic. Steampunk counts as Fantasy, when it's set in a Fantasy world, like in Terry Pratchett's Discworld. If the world doesn't have magic, more than our world does, and everything can be explained with science, technology, machines, and aliens, then it's SciFi, not Fantasy.

* Dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories are 9/10 SciFi, and not Fantasy. Hunger Games is not Fantasy. 

* Magical realism is not a subgenre of Fantasy in my book, but it's own genre. It can be hard to separate Urban Fantasy and Magical realism, because they both are set in our modern world, but with a magical twist. In Urban Fantasy, the world is fantastical, with magic and magical beings, just as any other kind of Fantasy, but it's set in a world that looks like our world. In Magical realism, it's our world, but with... let's say chaos pockets, where magical things can happen. 

* Even though a book is classified as Fantasy or Urban Fantasy, I don't count it as Fantasy, unless it fulfills these requirements. Check the genre classification on Goodreads, and if it says something like this:
Fantasy > Paranormal,
Fantasy > Supernatural,
Romance > Paranormal Romance,
Fantasy > Urban Fantasy,
Paranormal > Vampires
Science Fiction > Steampunk
Horror > Zombies
Science Fiction > Alternate History
Science Fiction > Time Travel
etc., it doesn't qualify as Fantasy for this challenge.

 

Bah, whom am I kidding? :-D
Read what ever you want. :-D

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Saturday, June 5, 2021

2021 Reading Challenges Part II

Here's the "2021 Master List of Reading Challenges" :-D

The 52 Reading Club

Read a book set in a school
Read a book featuring the legal profession
Read a book with a dual timeline
Read a book by an author that is deceased
Read a book published by Penguin
Read a book with a character who shares a name with a male member of your family
Read a book by an author with only 1 published book
Read a book in the 900s of the Dewey Decimal System
Read a book set in a Mediterranean country
Read a book related to the word "fire"
Read a book with discussion questions inside
Read a book with a title starting with the letter "D"
Read a book which includen an exotic animal
Read a book written by an author who was over 65 when it was published
Read a book mentioned in another book
Read a book set before the 17th century
Read a book with a character "on the run"
Read a book with an author with a 9 letter last name
Read a book with a deckled edge
Read a book by Kristin Hannah
Read a family saga
Read a book with an ending that surprises you
Read a book you think should be read in schools
Read a book with multiple character POV
Read a book by an author of color
Read a book where the first chapter ends on an odd page number
Read a book that includes a historical event you know little about
Read a book featuring the environment
Watch out for dragons!
Read a book which has a title similar to another book
Read a book with a selfish character
Read a book featuring adoption
Read a book you'd rate 5 stars
Read a book set in a country that starts with the letter S
Read a book with a nameless narrator
Read an educational read
Read a book recommended on BookBub
Read an alternate history novel
Read a book found via #bookstagram
Read a book with an endorsement by a famous author on the cover
Read an epistolary
Read a book with a character who has a pet cat
Read a book that includes a garden
Read a coming of age novel
Read a National Book Award winner (any year)
Read a book with a character with a disability
Read a book with a cover with a woman facing away
Read a book with a flavour in the title
Read a book with a shoe on the cover
Read a book published 2021
Redo one of the previous challenges

Beachcombers mystery reading challenge sounds absolutely delightful

Likewise the Century Club :-)

Beat the Backlist sounds amazing as well :-D

* more than one author (a book written by at least 2 authors; not an anthology)
* dragons OR lizards (a book featuring one or the other, or both!)
* it’s on a ship! (a book that takes place on a ship, the type of ship is up to you)
* purple cover (bring on the purple!)
* set in a major city (this can be any major city around the globe)
* book you forgot you had (don’t lie, you know there’s at least one… well, maybe you don’t know… yet)
* caused a major book hangover (the book was so good that you just don’t think you can start a new one just yet)
* multiple points of view (there are at least two different character perspectives)
* book you’re giving another chance (you tried it before and it just wasn’t working, but maybe this time…)
* quest to find lost/hidden object (this can be a search for any lost and/or hidden object so get creative!)
* chapter title page has art (the pages that mark the beginning of a new chapter feature some sort of artwork or design)
* kept you up late reading (definitely not a book you can easily put down)
* picked by a friend/trusted reviewer (whether a friend decided it or a reviewer online you trust recommended it, either is fair game)
* non-human character (a prominent character in the story is not human)
* first line is less than 10 words (that’s right, count ’em!)
* banned book (need ideas? check out this list!)
* cover features your favorite color prominently (make sure that color dominates the book cover)
* all about music (a story where music is a strong focus in some way)
* character lets out a breath they didn’t realize they were holding (if you’ve seen a line like this is a book, that’s what we’re looking for here)
* genre you never/rarely read (there has to be at least one genre you don’t usually pick up)
* standalone (allll byyy itself…)
* lost royalty (lost in time, lost to the world, don’t know who they are, interpret “lost” as you see fit)
* cover with your country’s flag colors (ideally the main colors of the cover but you may have to get creative)
* written in letters or diary entries (yes, we mean books told through letters or diary entries, the word is “epistolary” if you were looking for it)
* book centered around politics (everything from court intrigue to presidential elections!)
* features a carnival or circus (doesn’t have to be the main story, just part of it)
* snake on the cover (we bet you can think of a few…)
* on the Indie Bestseller list in 2020 or earlier (you can find the list archive by clicking here)
* historical with a twist (stories set in history that didn’t quite happen that way)
* character has a dream scene (if the protagonist details a dream then wakes up, you’ve got a dream scene)
* set in autumn (at least part of the story)
* based on non-Greek/Roman mythology (literally any other mythology works here)
* non-binary protagonist (the book’s protagonist identifies as non-binary)
* a book with illustrations (anything from graphic novels and manga to small illustrations throughout an otherwise text-heavy novel)
* WTF plot twist (those twists that make you wonder WTF, whether it’s in a good way… or bad)
* second book in a duology (time to get to that duology you started but haven’t finished yet)
* non-fairytale re-telling (any spin on something that isn’t a classic fairytale)
* from your 2020 backlist TBR (a backlist book you planned to read last year… and didn’t)
* book where the woods/forest are important (exactly like it sounds, the woods are forest are an important part of the story in some way)
* black and white (interpret as you wish)
* novella (generally under 200 pages)
* person on the cover (character art or models count!)
* anthology (here is where you can play the anthology card, short stories generally around a theme with one or more editors)
* has a map (any kind of map will do!)
* book about bones OR “bone” in the title (take your pick, a book featuring bones prominently or one that has the word “bone” in the title)
* good book, bad cover (another one exactly as it sounds, you liked the book but the cover is… not good)
* brings out the geek in you (whether it’s a fandom dream or you’re just really into rocks and this book talks about rocks, whatever makes you geek out!)
* bought it for the cover (we’re sure you’ve done it at least once)
* book written in verse (a novel told through poetry)
* includes a 2nd person point of view (at least one character narrates the story as “you walk” or “you go” vs “I walk/They walk”)
* author has a book releasing in 2021 (let’s support authors’ backlists! if they have a new book coming out, count any of their previous books published in 2020 or earlier)
* mentions a pineapple (yes we’re serious.)

2021 Book Club

* an unusual format
* set in a country you've never visited
* LGBTQ+ protagonist
* a story about witches or magic
* read in one sitting
* with foiling on the cover
* based on a real event
* a multigenerational story
* on your TBR for over a year
* set at or featuring a wedding
* one word title
* with a face on the cover
* a murder mystery
* a play
* mentioned in a TV show or film you love
* an autobiography or memoir
* a 2021 release
* with snow on the cover
* an audiobook
* written by an author who is younger than you
* a book with illustrations
* 500+ pages
* with flowers on the cover
* 2020 Goodreads Choice Award winner or nominee

Book Riot’s 2021 Read Harder Challenge

* Read a book you’ve been intimidated to read
* Read a nonfiction book about anti-racism
* Read a non-European novel in translation
* Read an LGBTQ+ history book
* Read a genre novel by an Indigenous, First Nations, or Native American author
* Read a fanfic
* Read a fat-positive romance
* Read a romance by a trans or nonbinary author
* Read a middle grade mystery
* Read an SFF anthology edited by a person of color
* Read a food memoir by an author of color
* Read a work of investigative nonfiction by an author of color
* Read a book with a cover you don’t like
* Read a realistic YA book not set in the U.S., UK, or Canada
* Read a memoir by a Latinx author
* Read an own voices book about disability
* Read an own voices YA book with a Black main character that isn’t about Black pain
* Read a book by/about a non-Western world leader
* Read a historical fiction with a POC or LGBTQ+ protagonist
* Read a book of nature poems
* Read a children’s book that centers a disabled character but not their disability
* Read a book set in the Midwest
* Read a book that demystifies a common mental illness
* Read a book featuring a beloved pet where the pet doesn’t die

Books and Tea 2021 reading challenge

1. Hexed with Colour – ask a friend for a colour, read a book with a cover to match
2. Hidden Creations – an author’s lesser known book / a lesser known author
3. Stardust – a book you’ve owned since 2016
4. Awesome, Of Course – a book by an author of colour
5. In Satan we Stan – a book with 666 pages or longer
6. Full of Pride – LGBT+ books and authors
7. Highly Recommended – a recommendation from a friend
8. A Fresh Look – a new to you diverse read*
9. Star’s the Limit – travel to another country or world
10. New Kids on the Pub(lisher) – 2021 debut author
11. Opposites Attract – swap a TBR entry with someone
12. Small Stories – an anthology or book that’s shorter than most 

A Book A Week Reading Challenge 2021 with The Booklist Queen

1. A Productivity Book
2. Book Becoming Movie in 2021
3. Goodreads Winner in 2020
4. Biography
5. About a Pressing Social Issue
6. A Book About Books
7. Set in the 1920s
8. An Author Who Uses Initials
9. Poetry
10. A 2020 Bestseller
11. Recommended by a Colleague
12. With a Number in the Title
13. Bottom of Your To-Read List
14. Reread a Favorite Book
15. Own Voices Story
16. Published in the 1800s
17. Local Author
18. Longer Than 400 Pages
19. A Book Turned Into a TV Series
20. A Book That Makes You Think
21. A WWII Story
22. A Highly Anticipated Book
23. Eye-Catching Cover
24. A Summer Read
25. Coming of Age Story
26. Bestselling Memoir
27. Book Club Favorite
28. A Book About Friendship
29. An Audiobook
30. Set in Australia
31. By a Nobel Prize winner
32. About an Immigrant
33. Time Travel Novel
34. An Author You Love
35. Childhood Favorite
36. Classic Read in High School
37. Borrowed from the Library
38. Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller
39. From an Indie Publisher
40. Fantasy
41. A Sequel
42. Recommended by a Librarian
43. Psychological Thriller
44. Oprah Winfrey Book Club Pick
45. A Book About Technology
46. Title with Three Words
47. Debut Novel of Famous Author
48. Genre You Don’t Usually Read
49. A Book Everyone Is Talking About
50. You Own But Haven’t Read
51. Borrowed from a Friend
52. A 2021 New Release

Build Your Library 2021 Reading Challenge

* A book with your favorite color on the cover
* A story that takes place under the sea
* A story set in a country you want to visit
* A story written in verse
* A story set in a library
* A story inspired by mythology
* A fairy tale retold
* A book written by an Indigenous author
* A genre you never pick up (ex: mystery, romance, fantasy...)
* A book about a game
* A sequel you have been meaning to pick up
* A book with a household pet in the story
* A book in translation
* A book by a favorite author
* A book by an author you have never read from before
* A book you think will be a new favorite
* A book that was released the year you were born
* A book about food
* A book with a house on the cover
* A book that makes you feel nostalgic
* A new release you are excited about
* A book recommended by a friend
* A book that a family member loves
* A biography or memoir
* A classic
* A book published in your lifetime that you think should be a considered a classic
* A book that won an award
* A book about an issue that is important to you
* A book written by a person of color
* A short story collection
* A book that was adapted into a movie or television show
* A book about music
* A book with LGBTQIA+ representation
* A play
* A book written by a local author
* A non-fiction book about a topic you want to learn more about
* A book about girls in STEM
* A book set in your favorite vacation destination (ex: beach, camping, amusement park...)
* A book with an animal on the cover
* A book with a cover that makes you feel cozy
* Your favorite book

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