Raeann's optimistic and indecisive plan!

[Raeann]

And here goes nothing! I'm hoping that this list is much more manageable than the one I made myself in 2015 and that I actually stick to reading these books. I've given myself a lot of graphic novels, which I'm super jazzed about.

Around the Year in 52 Books
Progress: 7/52 books read

✓ = read
➜ = currently reading

✓ 1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
finished on 1/4/16

✓ 2. A book set in a different continent
The Property by Rutu Modan
finished on 1/4/16

✓ 3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015
Soppy: A Love Story by Philippa Rice
finished on 1/6/16

✓ 4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015
You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When It Monsoons: The World on One Cartoon a Day by Mo Willems
finished on 1/20/16

✓ 5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name (R)
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
finished on 1/30/16

✓ 6. The highest rated on your TBR
Lobster Is the Best Medicine: A Collection of Comics About Friendship by Liz Climo
finished on 1/1/16

7. A book about books
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

8. A classic book with less than 200 pages
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

9. A book that was mentioned in another book
Quidditch Through the Ages by "Kennilworthy Whisp" (mentioned in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
Zoo by James Patterson

11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsburg

12. A childhood classic
The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis

➜ 13. Reader’s Choice
Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
How To Be a Heroine by Samantha Ellis

15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago)
The Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln by Noah Van Sciver

16. A book from the top 100 mystery novel
Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

17. A book with a beautiful cover
How To Be Happy by Eleanor Davis

18. A book on a summer/beach reading list
Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Levy

19. A non-fiction book
Mike's Place: A True Story of Love, Blues, and Terror in Tel Aviv by Jack Baxter

20. A book with a first name in the title
Celeste by I.N.J. Culbard

21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page
Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beacon

22. The first book in a new to you series
Aama, Vol. 1: The Smell of Warm Dust by Frederik Peeters

23. The next book in a series you are reading
Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.)
Extraction by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

26. A book everyone is talking about
The Walking Dead, Book One by Robert Kirkman

27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
Displacement: A Travelogue by Lucy Knisley

28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
Cancer Vixen by Marisa Marchetto

29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own
The Girl Who Married the Moon: Tales from Native North America by Joseph Bruchac

31. A work of young adult fiction
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

32. A historical fiction book
The Fade Out, Vol. 1: Act One by Ed Brubaker

33. The 16th book on your TBR
Batman: No Man's Land by Greg Rucka

34. A book about mental illness
Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney

35. An award winning book
Stitches by David Small

36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation
None of the Above by IW Gregorio

37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

38. A book about an anti hero
Goliath by Tom Gauld

39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list: A book with a title that describes you/your life
Museum of Mistakes: The Fart Party Collection by Julia Wertz

40. A novella book under 200 pages from your favorite genre
The Late Child And Other Animals by Marguerite van Cook

41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)
How the World Was: A California Childhood by Emmanuel Guibert

42. A top 100 fantasy novel
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night
Ring by Koji Suzuki

✓ 44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public
Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison
finished on 2/1/16

45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have
Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

46. A crime story
The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title
Over Easy by Mimi Pond

48. A dystopia
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

49. A book with a great opening line
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

50. A book originally written in a language other than English
Earthling by Aisha Franz

51. A short story from a well-known author
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling

52. A book published in 2016
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

[Sophie]

I've been trying to read Red Dragon this year, maybe I will be more motivated if somebody else reads it with me!

I'm in the same place as you for the week with the profession. I actually considered adding a book from the Supernatural series, why not, maybe killing bad creatures would interest me hahaha

[Zaz]

Sophie, I think we root for the same profession :p

Happy to see one more person for The Book of Lost Things, I hope we'll like it.

The Walking Dead were good, more interesting than the TV show. I reached around issue 100 before stoping it because it was really too violent for me, without real purpose.
Miss Peregrine was nice, not outstanding but there are some nice ideas and the atmosphere in the first half is good.
I'm probably the only one on Earth who didn't like Ready Player One, so I suppose you'll like it if you have all the 80s references :)

[Francesca]

I'm with you both, there. Hunting with Sam and Dean is certainly a profession I would enjoy (well, until I inevitably died).

I read Holly Madison's book this year and actually really enjoyed it, but I did listen to it on audio book so no one was able to actually see that I was reading it in public. Haha!

[Jody]

Francesca wrote: "I'm with you both, there. Hunting with Sam and Dean is certainly a profession I would enjoy (well, until I inevitably died)."

Yes, females in Supernatural don't tend to have a very long shelf life. :(

[Raeann]

Jody wrote: Yes, females in Supernatural don't tend to have a very long shelf life. :("

Which is SUPER UNCOOL because most of them are awesome. But I'm all for reading a book about them! It would be pretty cool to get rid of evil things... so I say you guys should totally read about that. XD

Francesca wrote: "I read Holly Madison's book this year and actually really enjoyed it, but I did listen to it on audio book so no one was able to actually see that I was reading it in public. Haha!"

Another reason audiobooks are great! I'm glad the book was good. It's come through the bookdrop when I've been working a few times and I thought it looked interesting. Now I have an excuse to read it!

Zaz wrote: "Happy to see one more person for The Book of Lost Things, I hope we'll like it"

I totally snagged that one for that reason. I wasn't sure what to use for that week and this way I'll have people to talk with about it. I hope it's a good one!

Sophie wrote: "I've been trying to read Red Dragon this year, maybe I will be more motivated if somebody else reads it with me!"

I meant to read it this year, too! I just keep putting it off for no real reason. Next year, though... hold me to it, man. And then we can talk about it. Mutual peer pressure! XD

[Sarah]

I read The Red Tent this year as a book a friend recommended and I really enjoyed it. I also went out and bought the movie to watch after reading the book. Hopefully you like it!

[Sophie]

You need to tell me when you start it so we can support each other!

[Raeann]

Sophie wrote: "You need to tell me when you start it so we can support each other!"

Maybe I'll bump it up to week one and choose something else for week 16... Start 2016 off with completing unfinished business!

Sarah wrote: "I read The Red Tent this year as a book a friend recommended and I really enjoyed it. I also went out and bought the movie to watch after reading the book. Hopefully you like it!"

My mom watched part of it and I happened to be in the room with her while it was on. That's the main reason why I want to read the book! I'm glad to know the book is a good one.

[Raeann]

The Popsugar 2016 Reading Challenge AKA get these books the eff off my TBR...
Progress: 0/41 books read

✓ = read
➜ = currently reading

1. A book based on a fairy tale
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

2. A National Book Award winner finalist
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

3. A YA bestseller
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

4. A book you haven't read since high school
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

5. A book set in your home state
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

6. A book translated into English
Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

7. A romance set in the future
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
(not exactly a romance but this is an oddly specific category so I'll take it)

8. A book set in Europe
Vincent by Barbark Stok

9. A book that's under 150 pages
Tonoharu: Part One by Lars Martinson

10. A New York Times bestseller
Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

11. A book that's becoming a movie this year
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

12. A book recommended by someone you just met
Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley

13. A self-improvement book
Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke

14. A book you can finish in a day
Run Like Crazy Run like Hell by Jacques Tardi

15. A book written by a celebrity
Yes Please by Amy Poehler

16. A political memoir
March: Book One by John Robert Lewis

17. A book at least 100 years older than you
Spring's Awakening by Frank Wedekind

18. A book that's more than 600 pages
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling

19. A book from Oprah's book club
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

20. A science-fiction novel
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

21. A book recommended gifted by a family member
Dear Life: Stories by Alice Munro

22. A graphic novel
Giant Days, Vol. 1 by John Allison

23. A book published in 2016
TBD

24. A book with a protagonist who has your occupation
I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan

25. A book that takes place during summer
Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir by Maggie Thrash

26. A book and...
Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

27. ...its prequel
Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

28. A murder mystery
Cold Vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

29. A book written by a comedian
You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day

30. A dystopian novel
Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughn

31. A book with a blue cover
Blue Labyrinth by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

32. A book of poetry
Memories by Lang Leav

33. The first book you see that catches your attention in a bookstore the library

34. A classic from the 20th century
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

35. A book from the library
Two Graves by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

36. An autobiography
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

37. A book about a road trip
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

38. A book about a culture you're unfamiliar with
Vietnamerica: A Family's Journey by GB Tran

39. A satirical book

40. A book that takes place on an island

41. A book that's guaranteed to bring you joy
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling

[Raeann]

Book Riot's 2016 ReadHarder challenge
Progress: 0/24 books read

✓ = read
➜ = currently reading

1. Read a horror book.
George A. Romero's Empire of the Dead: Act One by George A. Romero

2. Read a nonfiction book about science.
Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation by Michael Keller

3. Read a collection of essays.
Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

4. Read a book out loud to someone else.

5. Read a middle grade novel.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

6. Read a biography (not a memoir or autobiography).
Che: A Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson

7. Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel.
UnBound by Neal Shusterman

8. Read a book originally published in the decade you were born.
Outlander or Dealing with Dragons

9. Listen to an audiobook that has won an Audie Award.
The Girl with All the Gifts by MR Carey, 2015 winner in paranormal

10. Read a book over 500 pages long.
The Complete Essex County by Jeff Lemire

11. Read a book under 100 pages.
Beautiful Darkness or Shoplifter

12. Read a book by or about someone who identifies as transgender.
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

13. Read a book that is set in the Middle East.
Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

14. Read a book that is by an author from Southeast Asia.

15. Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900.
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

16. Read the first book in a series by a person of color.
Legend by Marie Lu

17. Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Russell Brand

18. Read a book that was adapted into a movie, then watch the movie. Debate which is better.
Snowpiercer: The Escape by Jacques Lob

19. Read a nonfiction book about feminism or dealing with feminist themes.
Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti

20. Read a book about religion (fiction or nonfiction).
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

21. Read a book about politics, in your country or another (fiction or nonfiction).
March: Book Two by John Robert Lewis

22. Read a food memoir.

23. Read a play.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

24. Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

[Sophie]

Oh I forgot to tell you I started Red Dragon on Monday! I picked it up on audiobook, but it maybe wasn't the best idea... I've been a bit distracted this week, especially in the car while listening to it, so maybe I'm not appreciating it as much as I should. It is good, but I'm not really into the story.

[Francesca]

Great lists but Deathly Hallows is guaranteed to bring you joy?! I mean, every Harry Potter brings me joy in some way but that one also caused me the most amount of emotional pain. Lol!

[Jody]

Actually that reminds me of another book I'd abandoned (Red Dragon) - I was the same as you, Sophie, it just didn't really do much for me. I will give it a go another time though, for sure. I love the movie of The Silence of the Lambs, and I'd really like to read the books.

[Raeann]

Sophie wrote: "Oh I forgot to tell you I started Red Dragon on Monday! I picked it up on audiobook, but it maybe wasn't the best idea... I've been a bit distracted this week, especially in the car while listening..."

Audiobooks can be tricky that way, especially if the narrator isn't that great. I hope it starts to really grab your attention soon!

[Raeann]

Francesca wrote: "Great lists but Deathly Hallows is guaranteed to bring you joy?! I mean, every Harry Potter brings me joy in some way but that one also caused me the most amount of emotional pain. Lol!"

Haha I know what you mean! I'll be distraught by the end of it (as always), but it brings me more joy than Half-Blood Prince does so that one got put in there instead. I knew Harry Potter needed to make the list somewhere, and that one just made the most sense... even if everyone dies. ;P

[Raeann]

Jody wrote: "Actually that reminds me of another book I'd abandoned (Red Dragon) - I was the same as you, Sophie, it just didn't really do much for me. I will give it a go another time though, for ..."

Silence of the Lambs is a super good movie, and part of my reason to start reading the books! I'm not one to see the movie before reading the book so I figure this is my way to fix it. (In my defense, I didn't even know there WAS a book when I first saw the movie!)

[Michelle]

Lol I have Harry Potter and the half-blood prince for that bring you joy category. Every Harry Potter book brings me joy, even if it contains lots of heart wrenching parts.

[Francesca]

Haha! Fair enough, you're definitely both right there. All the Harry Potter books bring me joy, even if there are some parts that make me distraught.

[Raeann]

I think that's the Harry Potter curse. The books will make you SO HAPPY but then your favorite characters die and your childhood is over and you're crying and can't remember why you thought this was a good idea. XD

[Michelle]

Well put, Raeann!

[Sophie]

Raeann, I just finished Red Dragon, it was ok, a good investigation with a nice villain, but I would have liked to see more of Hannibal!

[Raeann]

Sophie wrote: "Raeann, I just finished Red Dragon, it was ok, a good investigation with a nice villain, but I would have liked to see more of Hannibal!"

Interesting... so I shouldn't get my hopes up on reading all about Hannibal Lecter in this one, haha! I assumed he would have been in it more because the series is marketed as "the Hannibal series."

[Sophie]

My thought exactly Raeann! I've seen the movies The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, so I know what to expect, but I guess Red Dragon is an introduction... I think Hannibal Rising is the one that focuses the most on Hannibal himself.

[Raeann]

Sophie wrote: "My thought exactly Raeann! I've seen the movies The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, so I know what to expect, but I guess Red Dragon is an introduction... I think Hannibal Rising is the one that..."

Maybe Silence of the Lambs was the most popular book and that's why they made that movie first? I always wonder about that sort of thing... you'd think they'd start with book one when making movies. But I guess not!

I updated my popsugar list because it struck me that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows could count as a road trip? Kind of? And there's no way I'm reading a book about an actual road trip (that just does not appeal to me at ALL) so even if it doesn't, too bad! It's locked into my list now!

[Sophie]

I also wondered why they adapted The Silence of the Lambs before, but actually they didn't! The first Red Dragon movie was made in 1986. So we learned something today, thanks wiki ;)

[Raeann]

Sophie wrote: "I also wondered why they adapted The Silence of the Lambs before, but actually they didn't! The first Red Dragon movie was made in 1986. So we learned something today, thanks wiki ;)"

No way! Maybe it was the other way around and the SotL movie was the most popular so everyone just assumed that one came first. Myself included!