Martha's 2021 Summer Reading Challenge

[Martha]

JUNE
1. Start of Summer
Summer means the best reading months for so many of us. New releases have bright and shiny colors, and the warm weather makes for great picnics and reading in the sun.

b. Read a book published in June, July, or August: Life on the Line: Young Doctors Come of Age in a Pandemic (published June 8)


2. June Birthday: Octavia E. Butler

Read book whose main character is a Black woman: Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

3. Pride Month
The majority of Pride events are held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City on June 28, 1969, which most historians consider to be the birth of the modern LGBT movement. At the time, police raids on bars catering to LGBT patrons were common, but that night, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. While historical accounts of the night vary, the violent response ignited a national firestorm of activism that brought new visibility to the struggle for LGBT equality.

b. Read a book featuring an LGBTQIA+ protagonist (not side character): A Master of Djinn

4. Set Sail

c. A book set completely on an island: The Dictionary of Lost Words (Finished 6/10/2021)

[Martha]

JULY
1. Halfway there!
July 1st marks the halfway point of the year, and that means 2021 is drawing to a close!

c. Read a book featuring twin characters: Half Sick of Shadows Finished 8/27/2021

2. July Birthday: Madeline Miller

a. Read a book whose author's initials are found in MADELINE MILLER.
b. Read a retelling of a myth, fable, or fairytale: Ariadne


3. It's Winter Down South
While those of us in the northern hemisphere are enjoying the warm temperatures and the sunshine, our neighbors in the southern hemisphere are cozying up around the fire and drinking hot cocoa.

c. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN: Revival Season

4. Take a Dip

c. Read a book featured on one of these lists:
- 34 of the Best Beach Reads to Help You Escape: People We Meet on Vacation (Finished 6/14/2021)

[Martha]

AUGUST
1. Back to School
Many students and teachers are heading back to the classrooms this month. Celebrate that back-to-school feeling with a bit of smart summer reading.

a. Read a book by an author that is new-to-you.
b. Read a YA book.
c. Read a book often tested on the AP Literature exam, as found on this list.

2. August Birthday: John Green
John Michael Green is an American author and YouTube content creator. He won the 2006 Printz Award for his debut novel, Looking for Alaska, and his fourth solo novel, The Fault in Our Stars, debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list in January 2012. He was born on August 24, 1977.

a. Read a contemporary book.
b. Read a stand-alone novel (not part of a series).
c. Read a book nominated for the Printz Award.

3. Summer Reading
Summer is a great time to catch up on your backlist TBR or read the newest releases that you haven't got around to reading yet.

a. Read the newest book by a favorite author: Once There Were Wolves

4. Jump on a Plane
With the world reopening, now is a great time to jump on a plane to new countries (literally or, in the case of reading, metaphorically).

a. Read an adventure book.
b. Read a book set in a country you've never visited.
c. Read a book featuring a character that travels to multiple countries.