Marie's 2021 Summer Challenge

[Marie]

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. Beyond the Surface by Felice Stevens Published August 2015


2. June Birthday: Octavia E. Butler
Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction author. A multiple recipient of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, she became in 1995 the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. Born in Pasadena, California, Butler was raised by her widowed mother. Octavia Butler was born June 22, 1947.

a. Read book whose main character is a Black woman.
Honey Girl byMorgan Rogers

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). We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia


4. Set Sail
One summer activity is to hop on a boat and go for a ride on the water. Whether you're fishing off of a kayak, sailing the open seas, or sunbathing on a yacht, floating on the water is guaranteed to bring peace and relaxation.

c. Read a book that takes place completely on an island. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

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. These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

2. July Birthday: Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller is an American novelist, author of The Song of Achilles and Circe. Miller spent ten years writing The Song of Achilles while she worked as a Latin and Greek teacher. Madeline Miller was born on July 24, 1978.

a. Read a book whose author's initials are found in MADELINE MILLER. I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver


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. Work for It by Talia Hibbert

4. Take a Dip
Summer is hot, hot, hot, so jump in a pool, lake, or ocean to cool off and get some exercise swimming.

a. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in OCEAN. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé


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.

b. Read a YA book We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia



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. Better Than People by Roan Parrish

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.


b. Read the next book in a series you've already started. Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell


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).


b. Read a book set in a country you've never visited. The Song of Achilles and Madeline Miller