I struggled for the past couple of weeks, deciding if I wanted to attempt hosting a reading challenge for the second year. While I thoroughly enjoyed it in 2018, completing all but two prompts, I seemed to be one of very few. Recognizing that sometimes things take a little bit of time to catch on, I decided to give it another go. If only a handful of people enjoy it, then so be it -- it's better than no one at all!
Much like the switch from Style Challenge to Wardrobe Challenge, I changed the structure of the reading challenge too. Same basis, just broken up into categories (except for a couple randos). You can do as few or as many as you would like, at your own pace of course. My only goal is to inspire you to pick up a book...any book really, but one maybe you wouldn't have otherwise is certainly a bonus!
Need a little bit of inspiration? Let's take a look at the prompts then, shall we?
Read a book...
Containing flashbacks. This is a pretty easy one to start out with, as many books have at least one flashback in them. Some popular ones that I have read are: Girl on the Train, It Ends with Us, 13 Reasons Why, The Nightingale, and Gone Girl. There are many many more; I am considering either Little Fires Everywhere (since I have already started it) or Water for Elephants to complete this prompt.
Recommended by BookBub. It's really quite simple: you sign up for BookBub, tell them what you like to read and they handpick the best ebook deals on the web just for you. Some of my favorite reads were a direct result of their email recommendations.
That fulfills a prompt from a different challenge. There are tons of reading challenges out there so I wanted to throw a freebie your way -- fulfill a prompt from a different challenge and get this one as well!
That was turned into a TV series. This one is probably easier than you think. Netflix is bleeding shows that have been adapted from books. 13 Reasons Why, Mindhunter, Hemlock Grove, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards. Some popular shows from other networks include Big Little Lies, Fahrenheit 451, Little Women, Sweetbitter, and Sharp Objects. Oh, and a couple oldies but goodies include both the Gossip Girl & Pretty Little Liars series. I was captivated by the show You this year on Lifetime (now on Netflix), so I am hoping to pick up a copy of that.
Much like the switch from Style Challenge to Wardrobe Challenge, I changed the structure of the reading challenge too. Same basis, just broken up into categories (except for a couple randos). You can do as few or as many as you would like, at your own pace of course. My only goal is to inspire you to pick up a book...any book really, but one maybe you wouldn't have otherwise is certainly a bonus!
Need a little bit of inspiration? Let's take a look at the prompts then, shall we?
Read a book...
Containing flashbacks. This is a pretty easy one to start out with, as many books have at least one flashback in them. Some popular ones that I have read are: Girl on the Train, It Ends with Us, 13 Reasons Why, The Nightingale, and Gone Girl. There are many many more; I am considering either Little Fires Everywhere (since I have already started it) or Water for Elephants to complete this prompt.
Recommended by BookBub. It's really quite simple: you sign up for BookBub, tell them what you like to read and they handpick the best ebook deals on the web just for you. Some of my favorite reads were a direct result of their email recommendations.
That fulfills a prompt from a different challenge. There are tons of reading challenges out there so I wanted to throw a freebie your way -- fulfill a prompt from a different challenge and get this one as well!
That was turned into a TV series. This one is probably easier than you think. Netflix is bleeding shows that have been adapted from books. 13 Reasons Why, Mindhunter, Hemlock Grove, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards. Some popular shows from other networks include Big Little Lies, Fahrenheit 451, Little Women, Sweetbitter, and Sharp Objects. Oh, and a couple oldies but goodies include both the Gossip Girl & Pretty Little Liars series. I was captivated by the show You this year on Lifetime (now on Netflix), so I am hoping to pick up a copy of that.
Read a book whose author...
Did not write alone. While I cannot say for certain, I am not sure I have ever written a book with co-authors (outside of textbooks of course). Luckily, both Goodreads and Barnes & Noble have well-developed lists of two-author books.
Has the same first name as one of your favorite authors. I recommend turning to Google for this one, unless you already have something on your TBR pile. One of my favorite authors is Lisa Scottline, so I searched "books by Lisa" and came up with Lisa Gardner, Lisa Jackson, Lisa Graff, Lisa Genova, Lisa Wingate, and many more. Now I just have to do a little research and see who has written something I may be interested in. Who am I kidding? I have two on my TBR shelf already (one Lisa Gardner, the other Lisa Genova, strangely enough)...it will be one of those.
Last name ends in a vowel. I thought this one could be fun. Don't seek it out right away; you probably have one around the house or will stumble across one at the library.
You typically dislike. I am pretty sure this one is going to suck, but I am trying to give someone out there a second chance. So, just because we didn't like one of their books doesn't mean they are all doomed. Let's try again.
Did not write alone. While I cannot say for certain, I am not sure I have ever written a book with co-authors (outside of textbooks of course). Luckily, both Goodreads and Barnes & Noble have well-developed lists of two-author books.
Has the same first name as one of your favorite authors. I recommend turning to Google for this one, unless you already have something on your TBR pile. One of my favorite authors is Lisa Scottline, so I searched "books by Lisa" and came up with Lisa Gardner, Lisa Jackson, Lisa Graff, Lisa Genova, Lisa Wingate, and many more. Now I just have to do a little research and see who has written something I may be interested in. Who am I kidding? I have two on my TBR shelf already (one Lisa Gardner, the other Lisa Genova, strangely enough)...it will be one of those.
Last name ends in a vowel. I thought this one could be fun. Don't seek it out right away; you probably have one around the house or will stumble across one at the library.
You typically dislike. I am pretty sure this one is going to suck, but I am trying to give someone out there a second chance. So, just because we didn't like one of their books doesn't mean they are all doomed. Let's try again.
Read a book from the genre...
Chick lit or gruff fluff. I am of no help when it comes to gruff fluff, but I assume it would be something action-packed, but light & fluffy. As for chick lit, that is totally in my wheelhouse. There are several comprehensive lists on Goodreads, but the one I am linking has over 1,000 titles on it.
Dystopian fiction. This genre is exploding right now so what better time to explore it? Some popular ones include 1984, The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, The Giver, and World War Z. I had a student recommend Never Let Me Go a few years back so I am either going to opt for that one or Brave New World.
Humor. I definitely don't typically go for this genre, but the titles I see most often are Bridget Jones' Diary, Bossypants, and Sh*t My Dad Says. I have read the Asshole's Finish First books as well as most of Jenn Lancaster's books and laughed at all of them. I am leaning toward Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (mostly because I want to see why it keeps getting banned/challenged) or Confessions of a Shopaholic (for obvious reasons).
Memoir. Now this is one I have no trouble getting behind; in fact, it is going to be difficult to choose. Wild, Yes Please, The Diary of Anne Frank, Hillbilly Elegy, I am Malala, Why not me? and Girl, Interrupted are rather popular. I am most interested in Running with Scissors or Educated (honestly, I just love the pencil cover).
Chick lit or gruff fluff. I am of no help when it comes to gruff fluff, but I assume it would be something action-packed, but light & fluffy. As for chick lit, that is totally in my wheelhouse. There are several comprehensive lists on Goodreads, but the one I am linking has over 1,000 titles on it.
Dystopian fiction. This genre is exploding right now so what better time to explore it? Some popular ones include 1984, The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, The Giver, and World War Z. I had a student recommend Never Let Me Go a few years back so I am either going to opt for that one or Brave New World.
Humor. I definitely don't typically go for this genre, but the titles I see most often are Bridget Jones' Diary, Bossypants, and Sh*t My Dad Says. I have read the Asshole's Finish First books as well as most of Jenn Lancaster's books and laughed at all of them. I am leaning toward Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (mostly because I want to see why it keeps getting banned/challenged) or Confessions of a Shopaholic (for obvious reasons).
Memoir. Now this is one I have no trouble getting behind; in fact, it is going to be difficult to choose. Wild, Yes Please, The Diary of Anne Frank, Hillbilly Elegy, I am Malala, Why not me? and Girl, Interrupted are rather popular. I am most interested in Running with Scissors or Educated (honestly, I just love the pencil cover).
Read a book that is set...
During the decade your parents were born. This prompt was inspired when I read a book set in the 60s (The Bookseller) and was basically looking for an excuse to read another. If you too are looking for the sixties, keep in mind that anything Manson related will fit that category. While the serial killer route is the one I would typically take, I am thinking of seeking out a Cold War-related book (which spans quite a few decades, following WWII into the early 90s, if you are struggling to find something else). Again, don't seek this one out right away...you might want to read something that just happens to fall into this category.
In an urban area. By urban, I mean a city of any description. Do not mistake this for urban fiction (unless you want to). I was originally leaning toward NYC, but I had a horrible flashback to reading A Dangerous Age and don't want to risk being that disappointed again. So, I have no plans at this time. Hopefully something I pick up just happens to be set in the city and not the country.
On/around a major holiday. This is basically my way of forcing myself to read a Christmas book. I never have and I want to. For you, though, any holiday will do. Maybe a book set around Halloween? Labor Day? New Years?
Somewhere you've visited. Maybe you will recognize some of the places described in the book...how cool would that be!?
During the decade your parents were born. This prompt was inspired when I read a book set in the 60s (The Bookseller) and was basically looking for an excuse to read another. If you too are looking for the sixties, keep in mind that anything Manson related will fit that category. While the serial killer route is the one I would typically take, I am thinking of seeking out a Cold War-related book (which spans quite a few decades, following WWII into the early 90s, if you are struggling to find something else). Again, don't seek this one out right away...you might want to read something that just happens to fall into this category.
In an urban area. By urban, I mean a city of any description. Do not mistake this for urban fiction (unless you want to). I was originally leaning toward NYC, but I had a horrible flashback to reading A Dangerous Age and don't want to risk being that disappointed again. So, I have no plans at this time. Hopefully something I pick up just happens to be set in the city and not the country.
On/around a major holiday. This is basically my way of forcing myself to read a Christmas book. I never have and I want to. For you, though, any holiday will do. Maybe a book set around Halloween? Labor Day? New Years?
Somewhere you've visited. Maybe you will recognize some of the places described in the book...how cool would that be!?
Read a book with a title that...
Contains a character's name. Decided on this prompt after reading Marlena because I liked how simple it was. You knew where your focus should be; you knew the story was essentially circling back to that person no matter what. I also recommend Where'd You Go, Bernadette? since it is hitting theaters this year.
Contains the word "lie" "lied" or "lies." Truthfully (haha), I just wanted an excuse to read another mystery/suspense/thriller.
Has a subtitle. Again, I defer to Goodreads on this one.
Refers to a game. This is a growing group of titles, though I have little knowledge of them. I know gaming books like Ready Player One are growing in numbers. I recently came across Word Freak (about Scrabble players) at a book sale. I plan on reading Two Truths and A Lie (it is my fave game after all).
Contains a character's name. Decided on this prompt after reading Marlena because I liked how simple it was. You knew where your focus should be; you knew the story was essentially circling back to that person no matter what. I also recommend Where'd You Go, Bernadette? since it is hitting theaters this year.
Contains the word "lie" "lied" or "lies." Truthfully (haha), I just wanted an excuse to read another mystery/suspense/thriller.
Has a subtitle. Again, I defer to Goodreads on this one.
Refers to a game. This is a growing group of titles, though I have little knowledge of them. I know gaming books like Ready Player One are growing in numbers. I recently came across Word Freak (about Scrabble players) at a book sale. I plan on reading Two Truths and A Lie (it is my fave game after all).
Have other suggestions for any of the prompts? Comment below -- I would love to hear them!
Please remember to use the #LLBreadingchallenge hashtag so I can follow you year of books! I look forward to learning some of your faves.
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