New Year, New Challenge

[Trinity]

POPSUGAR has put out their annual reading challenge and I would love to tackle it. Who is willing to join me?

1. A book based on a fairy tale.
2. A National Book Award winner.
3. A YA bestseller
4. A book you haven't read since high school.
5. A book set in your home state.
6. A book translated into English.
7. A romance set in the future
8. A book set in Europe.
9. A book that is under 150 pages.
10. A New York Times Bestseller.
11. A book that is becoming a movie this year.
12. A book recommended by someone you just met.
13. A self-improvement book.
14. A book you can finish in a day.
15. A book written by a celebrity.
16. A political memoir.
17. A book at least 100 years older than you.
18. A book that is more than 600 pages.
19. A book from Oprah's Book Club.
20. A sci-fi novel.
21. A book recommended by a family member.
22. A graphic novel.
23. A book published in 2016.
24. A book with a protagonist that has your occupation.
25. A book that takes place during Summer.
26. & 27. A book and it's prequel.
28. A murder mystery.
29. A book written by a comedian.
30. A dystopian novel.
31. A book with a blue cover.
32. A book of poetry.
33. The first book you see in a bookstore.
34. A classic from the 20th century.
35. A book from the library.
36. An autobiography.
37. A book about a road trip.
38. A book about a culture you are unfamiliar with.
39. A satirical book.
40. A book that takes place on an island.
41. A book that is guaranteed to bring you joy.

And there it is. A years worth of reading in one list. Are you up to the challenge?

[Trinity]

1. A book based on a fairy tale. Scarlet
2. A National Book Award winner. Fates and Furies
3. A YA bestseller. Red Queen Finished
4. A book you haven't read since high school. 1984
5. A book set in your home state. Destined
6.‹s› A book translated into English. ‹/s›The Hangman's Daughter Finished
7. A romance set in the future
8. A book set in Europe. The Silkworm
9. A book that is under 150 pages. The Slow Regard of Silent Things
10. A New York Times Bestseller. The Nightingale
11. A book that is becoming a movie this year. Allegiant
12. A book recommended by someone you just met. Pathfinder
13. A self-improvement book. Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot Started
14. A book you can finish in a day. The Wolf Gift
15. A book written by a celebrity. Yes Please
16. A political memoir. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
17. A book at least 100 years older than you.
18. A book that is more than 600 pages. The Wise Man's Fear Finished
19. A book from Oprah's Book Club. The Invention of Wings
20. A sci-fi novel. Cress
21. A book recommended by a family member. Shadow Spell
22. A graphic novel.
23. A book published in 2016. The Last Days of Magic Started
24. ‹s›A book with a protagonist that has your occupation. ‹/s›Montpelier Tomorrow Finished
25. A book that takes place during Summer.
26. & 27. A book and it's prequel.
28. A murder mystery. Grave Surprise Finished
29. A book written by a comedian. Bossypants
30. A dystopian novel. Winter
31. A book with a blue cover. The Uninvited Finished
32. A book of poetry. Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne
33. The first book you see in a bookstore. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
34. A classic from the 20th century. Slaughterhouse-Five
35. A book from the library. The Boy Who Drew Monsters
36. An autobiography.
37. A book about a road trip. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
38. A book about a culture you are unfamiliar with. The Wrath and the Dawn ‹b› Started‹/b›
39. A satirical book. The Serpent of Venice
40. A book that takes place on an island. Burial Rites
41. A book that is guaranteed to bring you joy. Burned

[Michelle]

Thanks Trinity, for posting this. I saw it when you mentioned it a month or so ago.

I already have a book ready for #33: "The first book you see in a bookstore". I was in a thrift store that has a good used-book selection, so I kept my head down until I got to the book section, then when I popped my head up, it was Riding the Iron Rooster that I was staring at. Definitely not something I would normally choose, but it was the first one I saw, so I'll give it a go, probably some time in the next month or so.

[Shainlock]

Oh, I love this. It sounds like I'm in.
Some of them will definitely be a challenge.

[Michelle]

Yeah, some of them don't sound very interesting to me: political memoir, written by a celebrity, and self-improvement - blech! I like the idea of the challenge as a whole, though, but I will probably not fulfill all the categories, hopefully at least half though. Also, a book set in your home state is going to take some hunting. I don't think Delaware is a commonly used setting for literary types! lol

[Trinity]

Lol, remember it's simply a challenge to get you on your way to your yearly goal and to broaden your reading horizons.

[Michelle]

Spoken like a true teacher, Trinity! lol (and me sounding like the whiny pupil). I think it's a great idea for the group. I finally finished my A-Z challenge, so I'm ready to go!!

[Shainlock]

Very Zen, Trinity.
Michelle, don't worry, as much as I love reading and broadening my horizons, I agree with you on some of those topics. Gonna do my best, too, though.
If I see anything cool based in DE, I'll let you know. Lol.

[Trinity]

Michelle wrote: "Spoken like a true teacher, Trinity! lol (and me sounding like the whiny pupil). I think it's a great idea for the group. I finally finished my A-Z challenge, so I'm ready to go!!"

Kinda sad I didn't finish my A-Z. So much happened in such a short time. I am just doing well to finish the BOTM reads LOL. I did make my 2015 reading goal but I dropped the ball on some challenges...

[Trinity]

Nancy wrote: "Trinity wrote: "1. A book based on a fairy tale. Scarlet
2. A National Book Award winner.
3. A YA bestseller
4. A book you haven't read since high school.
5. A book set in your home..."

Select your own. Feel free to take the suggestions posted but they do not have to be the same at all.

[Michelle]

Number 28. A murder mystery - A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. Started this on New Year's Day.

[Trinity]

I've been wanting to read Elizabeth George. Her books sound really good.

[Michelle]

She has 19 in the Inspector Lynley series. One of my goals for the year is to make progress in a few series, instead of just one book or not starting at the beginning.

[Nina]

I'm willing to take on this challenge. It sounds fun, and I've been in a reading rut. Some of these are books I was planning on read anyway this year, some are books that have been on my TR list for years, and quite a few are stretches for me. I'm excited and hopeful that I can finish!

1. A book based on a fairy tale. Deceptions
2. A National Book Award winner. The Singing
3. A YA bestseller A Court of Mist and Fury
4. A book you haven't read since high school. Wuthering Heights
5. A book set in your home state.
6. A book translated into English. Waiting for Godot
7. A romance set in the future Glory in Death
8. A book set in Europe. The White Devil
9. A book that is under 150 pages. This Rough Magic
10. A New York Times Bestseller. Fire Touched
11. A book that is becoming a movie this year. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon
12. A book recommended by someone you just met. Jaws
13. A self-improvement book. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
14. A book you can finish in a day.Magic Breaks
15. A book written by a celebrity. Why Not Me?
16. A political memoir. Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
17. A book at least 100 years older than you.Aurora Leigh
18. A book that is more than 600 pages. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
19. A book from Oprah's Book Club. Great Expectations
20. A sci-fi novel. The Man in the High Castle
21. A book recommended by a family member.The Lost Symbol
22. A graphic novel. Nimona
23. A book published in 2016. Feverborn
24. A book with a protagonist that has your occupation.The Rosie Project
25. A book that takes place during Summer. Jefferson Blythe, Esquire
26. & 27. A book and it's prequel. Frostbitten and Men of the Otherworld
28. A murder mystery. Fair Play
29. A book written by a comedian. Bossypants
30. A dystopian novel. Magic Binds
31. A book with a blue cover.The Restorer
32. A book of poetry. In Memoriam
33. The first book you see in a bookstore.The Charioteer
34. A classic from the 20th century. Beloved
35. A book from the library.A Single Man
36. An autobiography. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography
37. A book about a road trip. The Canterbury Tales
38. A book about a culture you are unfamiliar with. American Born Chinese
39. A satirical book. Jonathan Wild
40. A book that takes place on an island. The Kingdom
41. A book that is guaranteed to bring you joy.Murder at the Vicarage

[Trinity]

Awesome Nina!

Michelle I have wanted to read them for a while. Let me know what you think.

[Trinity]

Nina wrote: "I'm willing to take on this challenge. It sounds fun, and I've been in a reading rut. Some of these are books I was planning on read anyway this year, some are books that have been on my TR list fo..."

Hey Nina,
Let me know when you read Sabriel, maybe we could do a buddy read. Been on my TBR for way too long.

[Shainlock]

I have Sabriel too.

[Nina]

I would love to do a buddy read. I love YA fantasy, and Sabriel is constantly recommended to me, but I've never picked it up.

[Trinity]

Awesome, let me know when you pick it up and plan to read it. I have it so I can do so any time.

[Nina]

So, this is my first time engaging in one of these challenges online, and I have a question. Am I supposed to update my post as I read each book? Or do I wait until the end of the year/challenge?

[Trinity]

Nina wrote: "So, this is my first time engaging in one of these challenges online, and I have a question. Am I supposed to update my post as I read each book? Or do I wait until the end of the year/challenge?"

Totally up to you. I find it easier to simply edit my original post throughout the year. However, this will not let the group know you have made any progress, so if you want kudos, you will have to post another comment as well.

Hope that helps.

[Nina]

Thanks so much!

[Trinity]

Michelle wrote: "Thanks Trinity, for posting this. I saw it when you mentioned it a month or so ago.

I already have a book ready for #33: "The first book you see in a bookstore". I was in a thrift store that has a..."

I am terrified but I am going to have to go with The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. I have a love hate relationship with the man and a love hate relationship with short stories but it always seems to be the first book I see.

[Trinity]

Finally beginning The Uninvited in earnest.

[Michelle]

Trinity wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Thanks Trinity, for posting this. I saw it when you mentioned it a month or so ago.

I already have a book ready for #33: "The first book you see in a bookstore". I was in a thrift..."

LOL, what's the nature of your love-hate with Mr. King?

[Trinity]

Michelle wrote: "Trinity wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Thanks Trinity, for posting this. I saw it when you mentioned it a month or so ago.

I already have a book ready for #33: "The first book you see in a bookstore". I..."

I kinda just love to hate him, LOL. No, I love the movies based off of his books but for some reason I can never get into the books themselves. My mom is the biggest horror/Stephen King fan I know and she is always trying to get me to read something of his. I have yet to read one I actually like. However, his wisdom on writing is beyond compare. I have a few books, such as On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft that I think are quite brilliant.

[Shainlock]

Sometimes King drives me crazy, but some of his books are worth "the plow" like Needful Things... Just to see how beautifully it works out in the end.

[Trinity]

I have heard I must pick that one up. Almost did the other day.

[Trinity]

Started my self-improvement book, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot.

[Nina]

Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, but there are a few of his books, namely The Stand and Full Dark, No Stars, that I couldn't finish. The Stand in particular pains me because it's supposed to be a horror classic, but I cannot get past 300 pages for the life of me.

I'm having a similar problem with the bookstore selection. My selection, The Charioteer, was one I saw in my local used bookstore. I'd heard great things about it, but so far it hasn't engrossed me, although the prose itself is brilliant. I hope I won't have to change it. I'm going to try and power through.

[Shainlock]

Yes, he was one of my favorites too. I haven't read anything recently of his.
As for your bookstore one, all you can do is try- right?
I'll struggle w the political one.

[Shainlock]

Oh, his son is a good writer too, but geez... He scares me with how good he is acquainted with the horrors of the human mind/condition. I kinda have to stay away from him.

[Michelle]

I started late with reading King. My first book was my Mom's copy of "Bag of Bones", and it was so different than what I expected - I thought Stephen King always meant plain horror.

Some of his books that I liked best I wouldn't even call 'horror' (not like "The Ritual", now that to me was HORROR). 11/22/63 was the best example, more of a time-travel, sci-fi example. Under the Dome was more about the horrors that people can inflict on one another. (The TV show was BAD, though, especially season 3).

One of my reading goals for this year is to go back and read some of his early books. I have Carrie ready to start on audio.

Nina, good luck with your bookstore choice. Nothing to say you can't take another trip to the store though and pick another one, right?

[Shainlock]

Yeah I agree w your sentiments Michelle. You can make a trip and see another one if that one gets unbearable.

Yeah, he's not always straight horror, I agree. I can't believe he wrote Dragon Tears. I think I started to learn he is just King of the Weird.

[Nina]

Shaina, I have yet to read anything by his son, although I've heard good things. I like the title King of the Weird...it totally fits.

Michelle, it's funny you should mention that. After reading a few classics- Cujo, Needful Things, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon- I decided to go back and read everything in order of publication. I just finished Firestarter, which I thought was pretty amazing. I just love the way King can embody each character, even secondary characters, with a life of their own. You feel that they live and breathe off the page.

And, yes, The Ritual is the scariest book I've read in a long time. Like, sleep with a night-light on scary. I actually put it under my bible the night before I returned it to the library, just in case anything decided to escape.

[Michelle]

Wow, how did I forget to mention King's "Dark Tower" series?! Awesome, although I have never finished it. At this point, I would probably just start over again. Do you mean The Eyes of the Dragon, Shaina? It is part of the Dark Tower larger body of work.

[Michelle]

That's so funny Nina! Any protection you could get from the ancient Moder...

[Shainlock]

Yes, that's what I meant, Nina . I loved that one.

I read this one review where a lady would put scary books in the microwave. Using the Bible sounds effective, though.

[Trinity]

Nina wrote: "Shaina, I have yet to read anything by his son, although I've heard good things. I like the title King of the Weird...it totally fits.

Michelle, it's funny you should mention that. After reading ..."

LOVE IT! Now I am even more excited to start it!

[Shainlock]

Yeah, we're here for you when you do. Then there is putting it in the microwave or putting the Bible on it and some other holy relics. Lol.

[Shainlock]

Oh yeah, Stand by Me! Good one to bring up, Nancy.

[Shainlock]

You mean Joe Hill, Nancy? If so, you hit the nail on the head. Can't agree more with you. Very well written, but I don't think I could do it again. It messed me up a bit.

[Nina]

Are you guys talking about Horns? We've read that before in this group, correct? Over at my horror book club NOS4A2 is part of the 101 best horror novels ever written. I'm thinking about reading it this year for a challenge, but now I'm a little wary.

[Shainlock]

Yeah. I was. Did you read it?
I don't think I could read another by him. I actually looked at it, but hey, if you can --do it. I know I can't.
It was the only thing I have ever read that actually messed with me that bad and I am I into forensics.

[Trinity]

This is doing nothing but making me want to read them more.

[Shainlock]

It's what it does to your mind. How you perceive other ppl ... And how you think they perceive you. Total mind$&?!.

[Michelle]

I'm with Trinity - makes me want to read it now. :)

[Trinity]

Anyone heard of any books with a SPED teacher as the protagonist?

[Nina]

No, I haven't read anything by him. I think Horns was before I joined the club. I just like to get feedback before I commit to reading anything. I'm a little on the fence, but, like Trinity, I'm starting to get intrigued.

[Trinity]

Finished Red Queen