2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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November - First Class


Hi, lovely people! 🙋🏻♀️
November 25 is recognized worldwide as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women, which honors the Mirabal sisters(*), and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence that runs till December 10th International Human Rights. The day is also known as Orange Day because the colour orange is worldly recognised by UN Women to symbolise a future without violence against women.
Literature wouldn't be the same without the women authors of the world. Throughout history, female writers have been breaking barriers, changing the rules, and challenging the status quo through their writing.
Despite their global impact, however, women authors are often underrepresented in publishing, bestseller lists, and literary awards, which is basically another type of violence against women.
Let's honor with this challenge all the women in the world, especially, everything female authors have done, both for readers and for the world. While the list could go on forever, we'll focus on just 10 of the female authors who have made history. Let's read their books, talk about their stories, celebrate their contributions. Without them, literature wouldn't be the same.
Enjoy your readings!!!
👩♀️🧡🎗️🦋📙👵🏾✍🏿🟠🦋👩🏿📖🧡✍🏼🦋♀️🖋️🧡📖👵🏻🦋🟠✍️👩🏽📙🦋🎗️🧡♀️👵
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
― Maya Angelou
Please, sign up and let me know how many books you'll be reading 📚🧡🎗️
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Updating your progress
When posting your progress, please include your original (sign-up) message number plus the current progress using the format below:
Update to msg #xx: books read/books pledged
If you decide to drop out of the challenge, please don’t delete your original sign-up post. Just update and let me know. Thanks!
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
🚌En route
✔️Allie (# 19) - 0/5
✔️Amy (# 23) - 0/5
AnnaG (# 22) - 0/7
Ariail (# 24) - 0/10
Ashleigh (# 12) - 0/2
✔️Beth (# 8) - 0/10
Caraina (# 10) - 0/10
✔️Carmen (# 3) - 0/10
✔️Catsalive (# 18) - 0/5
✔️Chalmation (# 17) - 0/4
✔️Frankie (# 6) - 0/5
Gwen (# 13) - 0/10
✔️Jen (# 16) - 0/2
Jenn (# 20) - 0/10
Jess (# 27) - 0/10
Jill (# 4) - 0/5
✔️Kendra (# 14) - 0/8
Kristina (# 34) - 0/4
✔️Laurie (# 29) - 0/5
✔️Lina (# 5) - 0/4
✔️Odette (# 25) - 0/4
Rachael (# 28) - 0/10
✔️Sarah (# 33) - 0/10
✔️Sheila (# 9) - 0/20
✔️Sherri (# 15) - 0/10
Suzanne (# 26) - 0/10
TerryJane (# 7) - 0/11
🏫 In the classroom
Amy (# 23) - 3/5
Jill (# 4) - 1/5
Laurie (# 29) - 4/5
Odette (# 25) - 3/4
Sherri (# 15) - 7/10
🦋Butterflies
Allie (# 19) - 5/5 Completed!
AnnaG (# 22) - 7/7 Completed!
Beth (# 8) - 5/4 Completed!
Carmen (# 3) - 10/10 Completed!
Catsalive (# 18) - 5/5 Completed!
Chalmation (# 17) - 4/4 Completed!
Frankie (# 6) - 5/5 Completed!
Jen (# 16) - 3/2 Completed!
Kendra (# 14) - 9/8 Completed!
Lina (# 5) - 6/4 Completed!
Sarah (# 33) - 10/10 Completed!
Sheila (# 9) - 20/20 Completed!
TerryJane (# 7) - 11/11 Completed!
STATS
Participants: 27
Books Read: 110
Book Goal: 190
Completed: 12
Updated on December 1, 2023
(*) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal...

PROGRESS: 10/10













❎️1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
La educación de las hijas ✔️
❎️2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
Los Watson✔️
Emma✔️
❎️3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
El mortal inmortal: Y otras fantasías góticas✔️
❎️4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
The House of Mirth✔️
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
Por la Humanidad Futura: Antología política de Gabriela Mistral
❎️6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot✔️
❎️7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
La parábola del sembrador✔️
La parábola de los talentos✔️
❎️8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
Carol✔️
❎️9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
Sacarse La Flecha del Corazón✔️
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
The Running Grave

1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
Jane and the Year Without a Summer
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

👩🏻🏫 First Class - Monthly Challenge 👩🏻🏫
Duration: November 1 - November 30, 2023
👩🏻🏫 Progress: 6/4 👩🏻🏫
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the theme for November is Original. Both premises have been united into this challenge about women writers who were pioneers and broke some glass ceilings with their work.
👩🏻🏫 1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
The Heart of a Mother (finished Nov 07)
👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫 2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
Northanger Abbey (finished Nov 20) or Pride and Prejudice (finished Nov 26)
👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫 3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
Frankenstein (finished Nov 19) and The Lottery (finished Nov 08)
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
👩🏻🏫 6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
Murder at the Vicarage (finished Nov 18)
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
Kindred
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.






👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫👩🏻🏫

Duration: November 1 - November 30, 2023
5/5 Completed. Finished
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the theme for November is Original. Both premises have been united into this challenge about women writers who were pioneers and broke some glass ceilings with their work.
1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book about a love story written by a woman.
Natasha Madison-Mine to Promise 11/02/23
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a sci-fi book written by a woman
I Like Big Dragons and I Cannot Lie-Lani Lynn Vale 11/24/23
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author
Carmen Amato-Cliff Diver 11/07/23
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read any mystery book written by a woman
Local Girl Missing-Lisa Regan 11/16/23
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by another WOC
Alexandria House-Let Me Love You 11/25/23
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

Duration: November 1 - November 30, 2023
Progress: 11/11 -- COMPLETE
🎗️ 1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
The Vegetarian
🎗️ 2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a love story written by a woman.
Like Water for Chocolate
🎗️ 3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
The Memory Police
🎗️🎗️ 4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
Chéri
The Last of Cheri
🎗️ 5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
Eva Luna
🎗️ 6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
The Perfect Nanny
🎗️ 7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
Kitchen
🎗️ 8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
Inseparable
🎗️ 9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
Ladivine
🎗️ 10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
The Devil's Pool Author George Sand (pen name for Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin)

5/4 complete
1. Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
✔️ 2. Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman. - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
✔️ 3. Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
4. Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
✔️ 6. Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman - The Ruin (Cormac Reilly, #1) by Dervla McTiernan
✔️ 7. Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century - I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
✔️ 8. Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author - Orlando by Virginia Woolf
9. Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.


Duration: November 1 – November 30, 2023
Completed: 0/10
1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

“I don’t really want to become normal, average, standard. I want merely to gain in strength, in the courage to live out my life more fully, enjoy more, experience more. I want to develop even more original and more unconventional traits”
― Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934

📚 Progress: 9 /8









📖 Currently reading:
1. Read a book ... about feminism or women's rights
📚 Blood Feast: The Complete Short Stories of Malika Moustadraf
2. Read a book ... by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
📚 Incense and Sensibility
3. Read ... a sci-fi book written by a woman
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau
The Atlas Six
4. Read a book ... by a female writer in the first half of the 20th century
📚 Mrs. Dalloway
5. Read a book ... by a female Latin American author
📚 Neverforgotten
6. Read ...a mystery book written by a woman
📚 The Family Plot
7. Read a book by Octavia E. Butler
📚 Parable of the Sower
8. Read a book ... by a LGBTQ+ author
📚 We Had to Remove This Post
9. Read a book ... by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
📚 The Weight of Blood
10. I'm going to read a book by a trans woman for this prompt
📚 The Subtweet

1.• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World by Shelley Puhak, 3/5*, 11/15/23
2. • Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
The Velvet Promise by The Velvet Promise, 3/5*, 11/1/23
3. • Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, written by a woman
Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling, 3/5*, 11/23/23
4. • Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather, 3/5*, 11/5/23
5. • Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
6. • Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney, 2/5*, 11/7/23
7. • Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, 4/5*, 11/13/23
8. • Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. • Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, 3/5*, 11/12/23
10. • Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

For sure, for #4 Edith Wharton, Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, published in 1950
And for #9 Alice Walker: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
I will for sure read more, but I don't plan my books in advance, when I finish one, the random number generator chooses the next.

4/4
Challenge Complete
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
Northanger Abbey
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
Parker Pyne Investigates
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
Wireman by Billie Sue Mosiman
Published 1984
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike #7)

Duration: November 1 – November 30, 2023
5/5
1. Mary Wollstonecraft
• Read a book about feminism or women rights
You're Doing it Wrong by Kaz Cooke 16/11 5★
or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
In the Summertime by Maeve Haran 1/11 3★
3. Mary Shelley
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
Two Feet, Four Paws by Spud Talbot-Ponsonby 9/11 3★
4. Edith Wharton
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett 3/11 5★
6. Agatha Christie
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny 8/11 3★
7. Octavia E. Butler
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

Progress 5/5
✔️1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before. Founding Mothers
✔️2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman. A Court of Wings and Ruin
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
✔️5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free
✔️6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman A Caribbean Mystery
✔️7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century Milk and Honey
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

✅1. Mary Wollstonecraft: Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before. The Bell Jar
✅2. Jane Austen: • Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman. A Ring from a Marquess
✅3. Mary Shelley: • Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels
✅4. Edith Wharton: • Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
✅5. Gabriela Mistral: • Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism Skint Estate: A Memoir of Poverty, Motherhood and Survival
✅6. Agatha Christie: • Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman Death in the Sunshine
✅7. Octavia E. Butler: • Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century The Lamplighters

3/5-- Challenge Incomplete

First Class
Duration: November 1 – November 30, 2023
Progress: 1/4
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
Read -
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia
Author born in Mexico, book ranslated from Spanish
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
Read -
Published 1989
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
Read -

November - First Class
Duration: November 1 – November 30, 2023
Progress: 8 out of 10
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the theme for November is Original. Both premises have been united into this challenge about women writers who were pioneers and broke some glass ceilings with their work.
If you'd like to join this challenge, post a message below letting the challenge leader know how many books you plan to read.
1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before:
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill - **** - 1/29/2024 - 367 Pages

2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman:
Enemies by Tijan - ***** - 11/2/2023 - 379 Pages

3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman:
You Can't Joke About That: Why Everything Is Funny, Nothing Is Sacred, and We're All in This Together by Kat Timpf - **** - 11/5/2023 - 248 Pages - Biography

4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
The Women by Kristin Hannah - ***** - 4/21/2024 - 480 Pages

6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman:
Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case by Kristen Painter - *** - 11/8/2023 - 198 Pages - Mystery

7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century:
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah - ***** - 2/29/2024 - 279 Pages

8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC:
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto - **** - 2/3/2024 - 302 Pages

10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb - ***** - 3/10/2024 - 347 Pages


• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.

5/5 Completed
✅ Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.

✅ Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.

✅ Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.

✅ Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.

✅ Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.


I'm now going to read Lessons in Chemistry for Jane Austen

“There are no original ideas. There are only original people.”
― Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
I love to see new people around here!
The old ones too 😜

Well done, Jen! 👏

10/10-COMPLETED
✅1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
•Read a book about feminism or woman rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories (9/11/23)
✅2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined woman's roles in society.
•Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
Sanditon (9/11/23)
✅3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, eassyist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn't accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi nover ever.
•Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman.
Transformation (10/11/23)
✅4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
•Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
The Age of Innocence (11/11/23)
✅5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
•Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism.
Resisters: 52 Young Women Making Herstory Right Now (14/11/23)
✅6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysterious she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
•Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman.
Sleeping Murder (15/11/23)
✅7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
•Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century.
Fledgling (18/11/23)
✅8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
•Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (12/11/23)
✅9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
•Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC.
The Third Life Of Grange Copeland (25/11/23)
✅10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children's literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbaith.
•Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
The Ickabog (12/11/23)

November 1 - November 30, 2023
Progress: 0/4
Sign me up for 4 books!
Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
1. Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the 18th century or before: A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
2. Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
3. Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the 20th century: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
4. Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the 20th century: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

“Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos; the materials must, in the first place, be afforded: it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself.”
― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein

1/5 Completed
Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.

Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.

✅ Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.

Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.

Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.


Still working on Lessons in Chemistry. I have to say the TV show regularly has me in tears, but the book is lighter.
Today I'm starting The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell for Agatha Christie

Progress: 2 /8


I read The Weight of Blood for the Alice Walker prompt. It's a YA supernatural/horror thriller that centers on the harmful legacy of Jim Crow racism in a fictional small town in Georgia. Themes of bullying and revenge clearly invoke Carrie (hello, amazing cover!), but the contemporary setting, messiness of social media, and complexity of multiple POV characters across a political spectrum takes those references in a really interesting direction. Plus, the commentary on ethical issues around consuming true crime media hit home for me. I recommend it!
Editing to add that I've just finished reading Blood Feast: The Complete Short Stories of Malika Moustadraf as well. This was a gut-wrenching and powerful collection, and I don't have quite a sense of what I can say about it because I'm still processing. I do really appreciate the extended translator's note not only for the insight into the language and references that would not have come through in the English, but also for the biographical information about the author, whose writing career was cut short by an untimely death.

Finished book written by famale author in second half of 20th century.
3/4 books completed
Books mentioned in this topic
Portrait in Death (other topics)The Women (other topics)
When Women Were Dragons (other topics)
Falling Leaves (other topics)
You Can't Joke About That: Why Everything Is Funny, Nothing Is Sacred, and We're All in This Together (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.D. Robb (other topics)Kristin Hannah (other topics)
Kelly Barnhill (other topics)
Kat Timpf (other topics)
Adeline Yen Mah (other topics)
More...
Duration: November 1 – November 30, 2023
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the theme for November is Original. Both premises have been united into this challenge about women writers who were pioneers and broke some glass ceilings with their work.
If you'd like to join this challenge, post a message below letting the challenge leader know how many books you plan to read.
1. Mary Wollstonecraft: her pamphlet A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is considered to be one of the most significant work of the early feminist movement.
• Read a book about feminism or women rights or a book written by a woman in the XVIII century or before.
2. Jane Austen: changed the literature with her now classic love stories which often examined women’s roles in society.
• Read a book by Jane Austen or a book about a love story written by a woman.
3. Mary Shelley: a novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, there were few things Shelley couldn’t accomplish. Her seminal work, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, is widely considered to be the first sci-fi novel ever.
• Read a book by Mary Shelley or read a biography, sci-fi, or travel book written by a woman
4. Edith Wharton: changed literature and history when she won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence.
• Read a book by Edith Wharton or a book written by another female writer in the first half of the XX century.
5. Gabriela Mistral: was the very first female Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Not only did her writing influence Latin American poetry, but her work as a humanitarian transformed the education system in Chile and in Mexico.
• Read a book by a female Latin American author or a book involving female activism
6. Agatha Christie: is the best-selling novelist in history. Besides the mysteries she also wrote several dramatic novels as Mary Westmacott.
• Read a book by Agatha Christie/Mary Westmacott or any mystery book written by a woman
7. Octavia E. Butler: a talented artist ahead of her time, broke down barriers of race, sex, class and genre with her writing.
• Read a book by Octavia E. Butler or a book written by another female writer in the second half of the XX century
8. Jeanette Winterson: made history with her 1985 coming of age novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, which is often considered the first mainstream novel about gay women.
• Read a book by Jeanette Winterson or by a LGBTQ+ author
9. Alice Walker: was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, for her epistolary novel, The Color Purple.
• Read a book by Alice Walker or a book written by another WOC
10. J.K. Rowling: is the first and only billionaire author, she is often credited with getting kids interested in reading again and revitalizing children’s literature. She also writes books for adults as Robert Galbraith.
• Read a book by J.K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith or a book written by a woman under a male pen name.
Thank you to Carmen for creating and leading this challenge!