I’ve been wanting to join Erin’s book challenge for a while, and am really excited to catch it this time. I love this challenge because it makes me pick some books that are not my usual genre. I have less time to read now that I’m back at work, but the challenge is pretty relaxed and I’m going to do my best.
Rules:
· First and foremost, have fun. Don’t stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it’s an accomplishment for you, then that’s awesome.
· The challenge will run from JULY 1, 2017 to OCTOBER 31, 2017. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on October 31 will count. (We live in different time zones – follow this according to your own time zone.)
· Each book must be at least 200 pages long. Audio books are fine too.
· A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries.
· You can read your books in any order you choose.
· Rereads can be used only once. If a book you love fits into a category, go ahead and visit it again. Read it in its entirety. But, only do this once for the challenge.
· There will be a photo album for each category with links to books chosen. Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish reading them. A comment can include a review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought of your choice. (if you need help with this, let me know…or there is a file attached to our group explaining what to do.)
· There will be 10 book categories with a possibility of earning 200 points. That’s 10 books in four months. For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge; for others it will be easy peasy. It’s all for fun, remember!
· Book categories will be posted June 1st to give you time to gather books in preparation.
· After the categories are posted, please post a preliminary list with books of your choice according to their categories on the facebook group page by June 15th (if possible). If you need help with a particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading enthusiasts can help each other. (Late entries will still be accepted.)
· The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The following will get a small prize from me (1st to complete 1st round; 1st to complete both rounds; most points accumulated; and WILD CARD random draw – all who finish the 10 book challenge will qualify as an entry)! Plus, everyone who completes the challenge will gets all sorts of recognition and support!
· Lastly, have fun. Don’t stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it’s an accomplishment for you, then that’s awesome. Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!
My picks:
· 5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I’ve heard so many good things about this one and can’t wait to read it.
I’ve heard so many good things about this one and can’t wait to read it.
· 10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “B”
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Same here – I’ve heard lots of good things and I am excited to get into it. I haven’t read anything from this author before and have several of his books on my TBR list.
Same here – I’ve heard lots of good things and I am excited to get into it. I haven’t read anything from this author before and have several of his books on my TBR list.
· 10 points: Read a book that has a (mostly) yellow cover
Slade House by David Mitchell
I haven’t read a ghost story in a long time so this is unusual for me. I’m excited/scared.
I haven’t read a ghost story in a long time so this is unusual for me. I’m excited/scared.
· 15 points: Read a book that has a picture of an animal on the cover
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
I admit half the reason I want to read this one is because the author has an amazing name, but the story sounds fascinating, as well.
I admit half the reason I want to read this one is because the author has an amazing name, but the story sounds fascinating, as well.
· 20 points: Read a book that was published in 2017
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
I love books with a little bit of fairy tale and mythology in them.
I love books with a little bit of fairy tale and mythology in them.
· 20 points: Read a book with a compass or cardinal direction in the title
East by Edith Pattou
This sounds very similar to Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, which I really enjoyed. I guess I love stories about anthropomorphic polar bears.
This sounds very similar to Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, which I really enjoyed. I guess I love stories about anthropomorphic polar bears.
· 25 points: The ALA’s “Banned Books Week” occurs while our challenge is happening. Read a book from this list of the most commonly banned books in America: https://en.wikipedia.org/…/List_of_most_commonly_challenged…
Fight Club by Chuck Palahnuik
I’ve never read a Chuck Palahnuik book so this will be different for me. I’m a fan of the movie, but not sure if I’ll like Palahnuik’s writing.
I’ve never read a Chuck Palahnuik book so this will be different for me. I’m a fan of the movie, but not sure if I’ll like Palahnuik’s writing.
· 30 points: Read a fictional book about mental illness
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
I loved this movie and I hope I love the book as much or more.
I loved this movie and I hope I love the book as much or more.
· 30 points: Read a book with a non-human main character; i.e. animals, elves, gods, robots, merpeople, etc..
Watership Down by Richard Adams
I read this when I was a teenager and it was one of my favorite books. It’s a reread for me but it’s been so long, I barely remember what happens.
I read this when I was a teenager and it was one of my favorite books. It’s a reread for me but it’s been so long, I barely remember what happens.
· 35 points: Read a book a Disney movie was based on OR a book based on a Disney movie
As Old as Time by Liz Braswell
I wanted to reread Cinder since I wasn’t a huge fan for the first time and thought I’d give it another try, but I’m already doing one reread for the challenge, so I’m trying something new. It was hard to find a Disney-related book over 200 pages. I love Beauty and the Beast, which is why this ended up being my pick. Let’s see how it goes.
I wanted to reread Cinder since I wasn’t a huge fan for the first time and thought I’d give it another try, but I’m already doing one reread for the challenge, so I’m trying something new. It was hard to find a Disney-related book over 200 pages. I love Beauty and the Beast, which is why this ended up being my pick. Let’s see how it goes.
I’m excited for this challenge and need to start gathering my books once we’re closer to July. Are you thinking of joining Erin’s challenge?
Jeans and a Tiara 
YES to beartown!! such a great book.
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Hooray for joining in on the challenge! I love that Erin's challenge is so laid back, but I hope that you can still finish it up! I've read a few Frekrik Backman books and he's such an amazing author! From everybody that's read Beartown, it sounds like this is their favorite by him, so I'm excited to hear what you think!
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I almost put Beartown and Watership Down. I'm curious to see what you think of Fight Club. We'll have to compare notes on The Bear and The Nightingale!!
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These look like great choices! I've heard great things about Beartown. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale. Eowyn Ivey is the coolest name! I liked her first book (The Snow Child) better than To The Bright Edge though – But I don't know if it has an animal on the cover! I liked Watership Down in high school but was unfortunately disappointed when I reread it in my 20s – I will be curious to hear what you think on the re-read!
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Awesome. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale as well! I hope that you enjoy it. It is kind of a winter-y book… but you can obviously read them anytime haha. I kind of want to name my future child Eowyn.. .but KC says she'd be mercilessly teased. Perhaps.:( LOL. I really like your choices. I hope you give Cinder a second chance someday. It wasn't my favorite, but I loved Scarlet and awful lot. Cress too. Xo – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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