Libby's 40 book challenge in 2018

[Libby]

This year I'm aiming to take on my ever-growing TBR list and read books I already own. I've decided to participate in 4 challenges to help me with my goal. I'm little worried I won't be able to complete all of them but I'll keep reminding myself that reading shouldn't be a competition or a chore but pure enjoyment.

I'm going to post all the challenges later today.

Update: 13/40 (as of Oct 28)

[Libby]

Challenge #1

12 + 4 Challenge (this is from another group)

1. The Blue Castle read Aug 23
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest read July 17
3. The Kite Runner read Aug 29
4. The Bluest Eye
5.Pride and Prejudice
6. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman
7. The Ash Garden
8.My Sister's Keeper
9. Hate List Read Oct 6
10.Jesus and His Enemies
11. Bedtime Story
12. Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God Sept 14

Alternatives
1.14 Words from Jesus
2. An American Tragedy
3. A is for Alibi
4.A Trip to the Stars

[Susy]

I’m focusing on books I have owned for quite a while too. Struggling with the dilemma of sticking to that vs allowing myself to participate in group/buddy reads of other books. As you say, we should enjoy reading, it shouldn’t feel like a chore or a competition! So I wish you the best of luck Libby but above all I wish you a very happy reading year!

[Libby]

Challenge #2

The Chain Reaction

1.Since I am a black Canadian born in the province of Ontario I will be reading Lawrence Hill's The Book of Negroes (he was born in Ontario) Read Sept 22

2. The Book of Negroes tells a story of a former slave so I will be reading Up from Slavery by Booker T Washington

3. Up From Slavery was written in the 1900s. Another book written in that era is Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery. Written in 1909. This will be a re-read for me.

4. Anne of Green Gables was set in Canada which is a Commonwealth country which brings us to British author, Ruth Rendell. I'll be reading A Sleeping Life

5. Another book that deals with secrets, deception and murder: A Mind to Murder by P.D James

[Libby]

Challenge #3

The Colour Challenge

1. "White"


2. "Pink"


3."Red"


4. "Orange"


5. "Yellow"


6."Green"


7. "Light Blue"


8. "Dark Blue"


9. "Purple"



10. "Brown"


11. "Black"


12. Metallic color in the cover (gold, silver, bronze, etc...).


13. Read a book with at least 5 colors on the cover.


14. Read a book with a color in the title of the book.


15. Read a book with a word describing colors in the title (rainbow, stripes, polka dots, etc...).

[Libby]

Susy wrote: "I’m focusing on books I have owned for quite a while too. Struggling with the dilemma of sticking to that vs allowing myself to participate in group/buddy reads of other books. As you say, we shoul..."

Thanks Susy! I definitely understand your dilemma especially when new and exciting books start coming out and you realize your TBR list is gathering more dust bunnies lol!

[Libby]

Challenge #4 (final challenge)

The TBR Challenge

1. Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America
2. Devices And Desires
3. Don't Cry Now
4. The Ransom Game

[Kim]

So is the TBR challenge to read 4. That's a TBR goal I can probably stick to!

[Susy]

Libby wrote: "Susy wrote: "I’m focusing on books I have owned for quite a while too. Struggling with the dilemma of sticking to that vs allowing myself to participate in group/buddy reads of other books. As you ..."

Exactly!!! :D

[Susy]

Kim wrote: "So is the TBR challenge to read 4. That's a TBR goal I can probably stick to!"

You can set the TBR challenge (and I guess any other challenge) for as many or as few books as you like Kim!

[Blagica , Challenges]

Good luck with your goal, Libby! Do you know what book will start your year?

[Libby]

Kristin wrote: "Libby, you have some great goals for 2018. I'm happy to see that you are participating in some challenges. Can you explain the challenge from another group? It looks intriguing :-)

Wishing you luc..."

Hi Kristin! Sorry for the late reply. The 12+4 challenge is quite simple: you have to read 12 books in the year (they must be books from your tbr shelf for more than a year, I believe). “Alternates” are extra books you can read after you finish the previous 12. Hope that makes sense :)

[Libby]

Blagica wrote: "Good luck with your goal, Libby! Do you know what book will start your year?"

I haven’t decided yet but I’m thinking of doing 1 or 2 books per challenge in each month

[Blagica , Challenges]

Hoping you had fun getting lost in some pages in your first month!

[Susy]

Libby wrote: "Susy wrote: "I’m focusing on books I have owned for quite a while too. Struggling with the dilemma of sticking to that vs allowing myself to participate in group/buddy reads of other books. As you say, we shoul..."

Thanks Susy! ..."

You're welcome Libby!
How are you doing so far?

[Libby]

Susy wrote: "Libby wrote: "Susy wrote: "I’m focusing on books I have owned for quite a while too. Struggling with the dilemma of sticking to that vs allowing myself to participate in group/buddy reads of other ..."

It's going very slow for me unfortunately (according to goodreads, I'm 4 books behind). School work is getting in the way of my reading but I've found audiobooks to be very very helpful :)

[Blagica , Challenges]

You are doing great! Hoping March is a great month for you.

[Blagica , Challenges]

A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. I hope that April brings you many more five star reads. Do you have a stand out book so far this year?

[Blagica , Challenges]

“Reading brings us unknown friends” While the warm weather is coming I hope you make some new friends in May! You are doing great keep it up!

[Libby]

It's been really hard for to focus on my challenge while I'm currently in school. So far I finished The Picture of Dorian Gray and a couple of graphic novels that aren't part of my challenge lol. It's going ever so slowly but I'm still reminding myself that it's not a race!

[Susy]

Libby wrote: "It's been really hard for to focus on my challenge while I'm currently in school. So far I finished The Picture of Dorian Gray and a couple of graphic novels that aren't part of my challenge lol. I..."

Exactly Libby, it’s not about how many books you read but about enjoying yourself when you do read.
How did you like Dorian Gray btw?

[Blagica , Challenges]

I agree with Susy if you can find a great book to read with great friends you have already won.

[Libby]

@Susy :) Thank you. You're right. Enjoying a book first is what I want to focus on the most.

I thought Dorian Gray was okay (I gave it 3/5 stars). It took a while for me to really get into it. It started to pick up for me by chapter 12 and I enjoyed the rest of the book after that.

[Libby]

Blagica wrote: "I agree with Susy if you can find a great book to read with great friends you have already won."

Very true. Thank you, Blagica :)

[Blagica , Challenges]

You are welcome hoping July is a great month for you.

[Libby]

The Picture of Dorian Gray June 3rd 2018, 3 stars

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest July 17 2018, 2.5 stars

Inferno July 25 2018, 3 stars

[Libby]

The Blue Castle read August 23, 4 stars

B Is for Burglar read August 24, 3 stars

Voices of the True Woman Movement: A Call to the Counter-Revolution read August 29, 3 stars

The Kite Runner read August 29, 4 stars

The Rape of Nanking read Sept 7, 5 stars

Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God read Sept 14, 3.5 stars

The Book of Negroes read Sept 22, 5 stars

[Blagica , Challenges]

You are on your way to having a great year in books! Do you have a book you still can't wait to read?

[Libby]

Blagica wrote: "You are on your way to having a great year in books! Do you have a book you still can't wait to read?"

I’m really looking forward to reading Reefer Madness, Ghettoside, Pride and Prejudice, The Bluest Eye, and My Sister’s Keeper :)

[Libby]

Hate List read Oct 6, 3.5 stars

[Libby]

Lost Souls read Oct 21, 3 stars
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas read Oct 28, 4 stars

[Susy]

Libby wrote: "I thought Dorian Gray was okay (I gave it 3/5 stars). It took a while for me to really get into it. It..."

Same here.

Which has been your favorite read so far?

[Libby]

Same here.

Which has been your favorite read so far?"

I'd say so far my favourites are The Blue Castle and The Book of Negroes. I still have lots to read so that may change :) Thanks for asking!

How about yourself? What have been your favourites this year?

[Susy]

Libby wrote: "

Same here.

Which has been your favorite read so far?"

I'd say so far my favourites are The Blue Castle and The Book of Negroes. I still have lots to read so that ma..."

Added them both to my TBR!

My favourites this year have been Circe and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Book Thief, Ready Player One and the last instalments in The Lunar Chronicles (Winter and Stars Above)

[Libby]

Added them both to my TBR!

My favourites this year have been Circe and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Book Thief, Ready Player One and the last instalments in The Lunar Chronicles (Winter and Stars Above)

I have Circe, The Book Thief and Ready Player One in my TBR (I own the latter two)! I didn't include them for this year's reading challenge but I really want to read them for next year. Glad to hear they are among your favourites :)