2019 Reading Challenge
Pick your level, set your goal,share your reading!
Creating a reading community.
For me as a reader, categories help me expand my reading selections so I don't get bogged down in the familiar (authors, genres, themes). With that in mind, each challenge level will have suggested categories.But it's your choice whether you set a goal of number of books, reading as many categories, or both!
In the past, there has been questions about what is "legal" or allowed. This is your personal challenge. This is a community of shared reading without feeling stressed by time or selection. So if you want to cheat and count a book in more than one category so you're accomplishing all of the categories, and not necessarily number of books, well that is up to you! You cheater ;)
Book of the Month Club - 12 books
January - Have you identified a "word of intent" for the year? A goal or resolution? Begin the year by reading a book connected to your focus.
February - It's the month of love. Read a good romance (perhaps something a bit juicy than your normal read). For the men in the group, or those not interested in the romance genre, you can find a good love story in almost any genre.
March - "Beware the Ides of....." For this month, inspired by one of Shakespeare's most famous line, find a Shakespeare connection. Read a favorite play, a new play, explore Sonnets, or find an adaptation. For our non-fiction readers, perhaps a biography on the Bard.
April - During this season of Lent, find a spiritual read. You decide what is meant by "Spiritual". Perhaps revisit your favorite book from the Bible. Or perhaps a book of meditations.
May - In celebration of mothers, find a book that features a mother character, or read a book about motherhood.
June - the season of weddings and graduations is all about celebration. Find a book that celebrates. There are some interesting commencement addresses that have been published that would make for an interesting, quick read.
July - Independence is the theme. Whether celebrating our great country, or other historical events, find a read that has you grateful for those before you who made your independence possible.
August - last chance for a summertime focus before the weather and schedules leave behind the carefree days.
September - It's back to school time! Celebrate with a read about education. It can be political, professional (for my educator friends) or fiction with a school connection. Haven't yet read Educated by Tara Westover? Well, then I highly recommend!
October - all things fall is your theme for this month. Apple orchards, pumpkins, turning leaves.
November - Rivalry month. For my non-football friends, sorry not sorry! I won't make the theme football necessarily, although there are great rivalry stories to be read in sports!
December - the season of darkness often is a difficult one. Advent is a spiritual time of preparation and "expectant waiting", which provides a focuses on hope or joy. Choose a read that will keep you focused on the joy of the season.
The Trifecta - 36 books
If you are completing the challenge categories, start with the "book of the month" club, then add these 24 categories:
- A book recommended by a librarian (I happen to know one if you need a recommendation ;) ).
- A book being adapted in 2019.
- A book you found in a Little Free Library.
- A book you purchase from an independent bookstore (my favorite is The Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor. They have a great FB page, and they doing online ordering and shipping!). Yes, they cost more than Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Support them people.
- A book you bought for the cover.
- A book by an author you’ve met (Social media counts! JK Rowling, and many authors, will connect with you on Twitter).
- A book you’re embarrassed you haven’t read yet.
- A book from an independent publisher.
- A book you borrowed from the library.
- A novel that includes a recipe (Bonus points for making the recipe).
- A book about going on a quest.
- A book set in a city you’ve visited.
- A book that’s been out for less than a month.
- A book with a name in the title.
- A book from a genre you want to read more of.
- A book written by a Native American author.
- A book you meant to read in 2018.
- A book of short stories.
- An Alex Award book.
- A YA book.
- A book recommended by a child (definition of "child" is up to you. As is how they "recommend". Yes, it may be the same story you read every night at bed time for a month)
- A book that has been banned by a school or community. (ALA has a yearly banned book list, as well as a frequently banned book. Your favorite classic is more than likely on the list!)
- An audio book.
- a political book that makes you think about "the other side" (whichever side that may be! - bonus points if you get a recommendation from someone with different political beliefs than yours. We need convos people!)
Proud Book Nerd - 52+ books
If you are also completing the challenge categories, begin with the "book of the month" selections, add "The trifecta", and then choose your last 16+ titles from the PopSugar 2019 challenge. Readers choice.