2018 Read Harder Challenge List

[Jen]

The only assigned book I remember not liking and sort of skimming through it was Moby Dick and I am not reading that again. I don't know what I will do.

[Ann]

Mona wrote: "FYI: Melissa at Feminist Texan Reads has published a list of recommended feminist titles for each of the tasks in the 2018 challenge. See here: https://feministtexicanreads.wordpres......"

Excellent, thanks for this

[Melissa]

Nikki wrote: "Looks like I'm reading Heart of Darkness for #24 this year!"

Nothing will ever make me touch Heart of Darkness ever again. Not this. Not a cash prize. NOTHING. lol

[Heather]

For folks who are looking for help with #4... I really like Ursula Vernon's Digger. It's about a pragmatic wombat who is unwillingly drawn into the battle between good and evil. Also, Bone, by Jeff Smith, which also involves a little guy and an epic battle of good and evil. Both of them are series, but the first volume would check a box, and then you'd have a whole series to enjoy if you love them.

I'm actually looking forward to #24. Most of the books I hated in school, looking back, I see that I hated because I didn't understand them - and I'm a much better reader now. I'm thinking of trying Absalom! Absalom! or The Portrait of a Lady. If I really want to test myself, I might take another run at Hemingway, but I think my reasons for hating him might actually still be pretty sound.

[Dani]

For number 10, I would highly recommend An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole if you're looking for a Civil War romance. Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai is also an excellent read if you want a really emotional and angsty contemporary.

There are also a bunch of romance novels by women of color that I'm planning to read in 2018 that you might be interested in, too. They include:

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev (contemporary)
The Preacher's Promise by Piper Huguley (historical)
The Hidden Blade by Sherry Thomas (historical)
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (historical—one of the classics!)
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh (paranormal)
Once Upon a Marquess by Courtney Milan (historical)
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole (contemporary—perfect to read before the royal wedding!)
Trade Me by Courtney Milan (new adult contemporary—prince and pauper switch places)
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (contemporary—recced by Roxane Gay)
Love Will Always Remember by Tracey Livesay (contemporary)
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (paranormal)
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas (historical Sherlock retelling)

[Bonnie G.]

Had no clue Courtney Milan was a woman of color. I love her! Thank you. I was planning on Sherry Thomas but I have options. Rai's book is also on my TBR so I am set.

[Theresa]

Dani (Dani's Bookshelf) wrote: "For number 10, I would highly recommend An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole if you're looking for a Civil War romance. Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai is also an ex..."

I'm going with Hate to Want You. It's been in my wish list since seeing it on several best of the year lists & I was just itching for an excuse to buy it.

[Martha]

For essays, so far I'm going with Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation because I have it, but I saw one or two anthologies with multiple authors that look better scattered here and there among essay lists here at GoodReads and at Book Riot. They're not easy to find, so I'm eager to hear more about this category.

[Ann]

Martha wrote: "For essays, so far I'm going with Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation because I have it, but I saw one or two anthologies with multiple authors that loo..."

I'm going with Brief Encounters: A Collection of Contemporary Nonfiction by Judith Kitchen and Dinah Lenney [editors], as I'm a fan of flash nonfiction/lyric essays. Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction is a favorite and a classic of the genre.

[Martha]

Ann wrote: "Martha wrote: "For essays, so far I'm going with Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation because I have it, but I saw one or two anthologies with multiple a..."
Thanks! I put Short Takes on my TBR list. I think I'm going to like this category a lot.

[Cheryl]

Question for the Book Riot challenge powers-that-be---For the 2018 challenge...4, 8, 18...Are we strictly looking for comics or was that meant to be interchangeable with graphic novels too?

[Ann]

Cheryl wrote: "Question for the Book Riot challenge powers-that-be---For the 2018 challenge...4, 8, 18...Are we strictly looking for comics or was that meant to be interchangeable with graphic novels too?"

I don't know what the powers-that-be have to say, but I look at this as an act-now-apologize-later situation (where, c'mon, no need to apologize, as long as you're challenging yourself to read a pace or two out of your comfort genre). I've got graphic novels and comics in my tbr list.

[Dani]

Dani (Dani's Bookshelf) wrote: "For number 10, I would highly recommend An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole if you're looking for a Civil War romance. Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai is also an ex..."

I can't believe I forgot to mention this, but WOC in Romance is also a great resource!
http://www.wocinromance.com

[Jill]

I am new to this challenge this year. Last year I did three challenges, Popsugar, Around the Year and Modern Mrs. Darcy and was looking to add a fourth challenge to the mix for 2018 and this challenge seemed like the perfect one. I was eagerly anticipating the release of the list and when it came out I almost decided to not do this particular challenge. I do not like comics and there are three prompts involving comics. I was just about to opt,out of the group and then I thought about why I love to do reading challenges. I love them because they broaden my horizons and enrich my reading life. So,I decided to hang in there and do the challenge but I am going to need A LOT of help figuring out comics to read for the three tasks. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

[Yrinsyde]

Eujean2 wrote: "Some of these prompts will require some research. Let the hunt begin!

The library comic Unshelved is published by Overdue Media. They are fun too!

[Yrinsyde]

Eujean2 wrote: "Some of these prompts will require some research. Let the hunt begin! ..."

For 4, you could read a Tintin - story and illustrated by Herge

[Ann]

#24 Great Expectations....I... just ...can't.

[Yrinsyde]

Yrinsyde wrote: "Eujean2 wrote: "Some of these prompts will require some research. Let the hunt begin! ..."
For 4, you could read a Tintin - story and illustrated by Herge"

Herge had colourists and researchers on his team so this won't really work. My husband suggested Doonesbury.

[Ellie]

Jill wrote: "I am new to this challenge this year. Last year I did three challenges, Popsugar, Around the Year and Modern Mrs. Darcy and was looking to add a fourth challenge to the mix for 2018 and this challe..."

What is it you don't like about comics? I'm not a huge fan of the sort of thing Marvel and DC churn out but there is so much more variety out there, including some great non-fiction work (eg. Persepolis, March, anything by Guy Delisle or Joe Sacco).

[Bobby]

Is there a way to save the editable form with the content filled in? I filled out half the titles, then saved it to my computer, but when I open the file all the titles have disappeared.

[Karen]

Bobby wrote: "Is there a way to save the editable form with the content filled in? I filled out half the titles, then saved it to my computer, but when I open the file all the titles have disappeared."

I used "Save as," renamed the file, saved it, and had no problems. Also, if you are told that the file already exists and asked if you want to replace it -- answer YES.

[Nima]

Hi everyone! Is there a thread where we can post our lists to keep track? Can't find one.

[Simant]

Tanima wrote: "Hi everyone! Is there a thread where we can post our lists to keep track? Can't find one."

Hi Tanima, this is the place you are looking for:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nima]

Simant ♥ Flipping Through the Pages wrote: "Tanima wrote: "Hi everyone! Is there a thread where we can post our lists to keep track? Can't find one."

Hi Tanima, this is the place you are looking for:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/191..."

Thank you!!

[Judith]

I'm not certain what qualifies as 'post colonial.' How far past colonial does something hae to be to qualify as postcolonial? If it's 400 years past colonial and the colonized are still suffering the effects, does that qualify as post colonial?