Book Riot 2019 Read Harder Challenge

[miss_marissa]

Updated my post. I finished 2 books recently. 

 

The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales for task 19. Real meh. The author originally wrote this as a vanity fair article and expanded it to a book. Was better left as an article.

 

Hunger by Roxane Gay for task 3. Devoured this in a day. I have a lot of feelings about it, but 100% worth reading.

[raptron]

I want to play! I haven't read a ton yet this year, so I won't be too far behind. I'll edit this post probably, like other people are doing.

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters - I'm thinking of finding a book of Frida Kahlo's letters because I've read excerpts before and loved them. I also haven't read Vonnegut's yet.
2. An alternate history novel - 
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 √ -- Mira T. Lee, Everything Here is Beautiful 
4. A humor book - √ Kristin Newman -- What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding (it's a travel memoir, but definitely high on humor and she's a comedian writer, so I'm definitely counting it)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - √ Ta-Nehisi Coates -- Between the World and Me (I feel like he counts as a journalist)
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - √ Octavia Butler -- Dawn (I might read the other two books in the trilogy too)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America - 
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania  - 
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads - 
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman √ Yuri Herrera (translated by Lisa Dillman) -- Signs Preceding the End of the World 
11. A book of manga - 
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character - 
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse - 
14. A cozy mystery - 
15. A book of mythology or folklore - 
16. An historical romance by an AOC - 
17. A business book - 
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author - 
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - John Carreyrou -- Bad Blood is on my list here
20. A book written in prison - 
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator √ - Tillie Walden -- On a Sunbeam, but I'll definitely be reading more comics from LGBTQIA folx this year  
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - 
23. A self-published book - 
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 √ - nayyirah waheed -- nejma

[CourtnieMarie]

updated list! Binti was SO SHORT. but good. so if you're looking for an easy #6, that's a good pick. Confessions is... an interesting format so far. It's one voice telling a story that's already happened so you don't really get into the thick of the characters. The rest that I read I would recommend! And I picked up volume 1 of Monstress this past weekend  

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters - Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1) 
2. An alternate history novel -  The Underground Railroad 
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Exit West 
4. A humor book –  Nerd do Well
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Library Book
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Read)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America – Like Water for Chocolate
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Telesa: The Covenant Keeper
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads -  Chosen Soldiers
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman – Confessions (Reading)
11. A book of manga – Monstress vol. 1
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character – The Chapel Perilous
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse – Criminal (Read)
14. A cozy mystery - A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock, #2) (Read)
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) 
16. An historical romance by an AOC – Under a Painted Sky (Read)
17. A business book – Grit
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author - The Only Harmless Great Thing
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Invisible; The Library Book
20. A book written in prison – A Rage in Harlem
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Relish: My Life in the Kitchen 
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark 
23. A self-published boo – The Summer We Got Free
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1) 

[Gemma]

I just realized that Like Water for Chocolate (which I have wanted to read for a long time but haven't yet) is both an #OwnVoices book set in Mexico, and a translated book written by a woman. I <3 multitasking  

 

Technically I think it is also a historical romance by an AOC, but I really want to read The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo so I'm keeping that one on my list. 

 

Also, my friend Anna's novella is scheduled for Kindle release on April 11. If you are not particularly into cozy mysteries and would like a short quick inexpensive ($3) one to complete this task, check out Sight in the Dark. (Also self-published ftw) 

[Gemma]

I updated my list - haven't made much progress on it, I'm having a slower than usual reading year, but at least I finished "Lovelock" and started "Like Water for Chocolate." Also, thanks @raptron for pointing me at "On A Sunbeam" - I am definitely looking forward to that one! 

 

How is everyone else doing? 

[raptron]

On 5/25/2019 at 3:52 PM, Gemma said:

 Also, thanks @raptron for pointing me at "On A Sunbeam" - I am definitely looking forward to that one! 

Ohhhh, I'm so glad! It's so lovely. 

On 5/25/2019 at 3:52 PM, Gemma said:

How is everyone else doing? 

I also haven't made a ton of progress lately... I updated my list to include some things I have read, but I have been doing some comfort re-reads in between reading recommendations from my friend who is undergoing chemo (so we can talk about her fave books while we hang out) and some old white dude books... dang it. How did I wind up reading more old white dudes? 

[Scaly Freak]

48 minutes ago, raptron said:

How did I wind up reading more old white dudes? 

 

Because they still write the majority of all commercially printed books?

[CourtnieMarie]

I'm actually doing pretty good!

I wasn't a huge fan of Like Water for Chocolate... too much of a give up everything for a love that blossomed in 0.5 minutes. I did enjoy the recipes and cooking part though.

I am enjoying Illuminae but kind of hate the format (which is the point of that particular challenge of course)

Super enjoying City of Brass - you just have to get past the first 10% or so where it seems like the author is going to hammer-explain everything to you over the head multiple times.

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -  Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)  (Reading)
2. An alternate history novel -  The Underground Railroad (Read)
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Exit West (Read)
4. A humor book –  Nerd do Well (Read)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Library Book
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Read)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America – Like Water for Chocolate (Read)
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Telesa: The Covenant Keeper
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads -  Chosen Soldiers 
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman – Confessions (Read)
11. A book of manga – Monstress vol. 1
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character – The Chapel Perilous
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse – Criminal (Read)
14. A cozy mystery - A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock, #2) (Read)
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)  (Reading)
16. An historical romance by an AOC – Under a Painted Sky (Read)
17. A business book – Grit
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author - The Only Harmless Great Thing
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Invisible
20. A book written in prison – A Rage in Harlem
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Relish: My Life in the Kitchen 
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark 
23. A self-published book – The Summer We Got Free 
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1) 

[miss_marissa]

On 2/4/2019 at 5:40 PM, miss_marissa said:

I don't think the two books I have read/am reading yet so far fall into any of these categories. Dang, should have looked in detail at this sooner.

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -
2. An alternate history novel
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:  Hunger by Roxane Gay
4. A humor book
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: Salvagers
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman Au Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka 
11. A book of manga - Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa 
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse
14. A cozy mystery
15. A book of mythology or folklore
16. An historical romance by an AOC
17. A business book - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell or Mindset by Carol Dweck
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales
20. A book written in prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - ALL OF THEM PLZ AND THANK YOU
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill
23. A self-published book - Legend of the Stone Keepers by NF NERD J.L. Trepanier
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014

 

purples are completed

I've also updated my list.

 

Books I've read since the last update:

1. The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin - LOVED it, can't wait to devour books 2 and 3. Her worldbuilding is fantastic and her writing style is great. She uses second person for some of the chapters, which is honestly so rare in storytelling that I was taken aback.
2. Au Haru Ride - slice of life manga. Everyone in my comics club loves it, but just not the type of book I enjoy. If you do like that type of book though, you would enjoy this.
3. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - If you are a Malcolm Gladwell fan, you will enjoy this. 
4. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders - This won a Nebula and was nominated for a Hugo a few years ago and honestly is fantastic. low fantasy that was super easy to get into.

My to-read:

I just bought a box set for Kindle of Courtney Milans stories while they were on sale a few days ago. Should fulfill 16.

21. I am 100% certain I have already done this? But I just need to write something down

I think for 2 I will read Everfair by Nisi Shawl as it has been on my list for some time.

 

 A little behind to finish the whole year, and I've also knocked out all the easy categories. So we'll see how far I make it

[Scaly Freak]

I'm going to gracefully bow out of this challenge before it becomes too embarrassing for me to do so. I signed up with the intention of starting my reading in the the early summer, when things slowed down at work. Instead, the opposite has happened, and I find that I need to de-prioritize things that I would like to do, but that will mentally drain me. This is one of the things that needs to go.

 

I'm really hoping that my third try next year, will be a charmed one.

[Gemma]

On 5/30/2019 at 9:44 AM, CourtnieMarie said:

 

I wasn't a huge fan of Like Water for Chocolate... too much of a give up everything for a love that blossomed in 0.5 minutes. I did enjoy the recipes and cooking part though.

 

Super enjoying City of Brass - you just have to get past the first 10% or so where it seems like the author is going to hammer-explain everything to you over the head multiple times.

 

Spoilering for people who have not read Like Water for Chocolate and plan to: 

Spoiler

Like Water for Chocolate is the first time in a long time I've given a book a 2-star review on Goodreads. That whole "Sex Chemistry = TrueLuvWorthDying4" thing is almost a trope in magical realism, but this book took it WAAAAAYYYY over the top. My eyes, they roll. 

I'm really looking forward to City of Brass! It's been on my TBR for a long time, I'm on waitlist for it at my library. 

 

And thanks for pointing me towards The Princess Saves Herself in This One - that flew under my radar, I rarely read poetry (Tolkien and Beowulf notwithstanding) but this one sounds pretty great! 

 

On 6/4/2019 at 2:03 PM, scalyfreak said:

I'm going to gracefully bow out of this challenge before it becomes too embarrassing for me to do so. I signed up with the intention of starting my reading in the the early summer, when things slowed down at work. Instead, the opposite has happened, and I find that I need to de-prioritize things that I would like to do, but that will mentally drain me. This is one of the things that needs to go.

 

I'm really hoping that my third try next year, will be a charmed one.

 

Self-awareness and realistic expectations FTW  

 

 

I'm moving my list over here to page 2 so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth - I just finished Alvin Journeyman  and it was better than I expected, also just finished Blink, which my director has decided to assign the whole faculty to read and write an analytical essay about. Also better than I expected. This has been a good reading week. 

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters - The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela READ
2. An alternate history novel - I'll probably just go with Alvin Journeyman READ 
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Maybe A Moonless, Starless Sky (PEN Open Book Award, 2018)
4. A humor book - Lords and Ladies  READ
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Professor and the Madman 
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - NInefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire #1)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America - Like Water for Chocolate READ
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - The Things She's Seen 
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads - Time Zone READ
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman - Like Water for Chocolate READ
11. A book of manga - The Promised Neverland Ch. 1 READ
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character - Lovelock  READ
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse - The Disorganized Mind
14. A cozy mystery - A Caribbean Mystery (Miss Marple) READ
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The Celtic Twilight CURRENTLY READING
16. An historical romance by an AOC - The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo 
17. A business book - Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking READ
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author - Born on the Edge of Race and Gender 
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - The Cuckoo's Egg  READ
20. A book written in prison - The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela READ
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - On a Sunbeam 
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark 
23. A self-published book - Sight in the Dark READ
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One  

 

 

[Gemma]

If anyone is looking for a book to meet Task 13 "A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse" I highly recommend Crazy is my Superpower. I read it last year for the "celebrity memoir" task, and even though I don't care much for celebrity memoirs and don't know or care anything about pro wrestling, I loved it. It is more about Mendez Brooks' struggles with her own and her mother's bipolar disorder, the wrestling world stuff is more 'setting' than 'plot.' She has a wacky, brutally honest and completely transparent voice as a writer - she really just puts it all out there and even though I do not have BPD much of it was terribly relatable. 

[CourtnieMarie]

On 6/6/2019 at 11:04 AM, Gemma said:

 

Spoilering for people who have not read Like Water for Chocolate and plan to: 

  Reveal hidden contents

Like Water for Chocolate is the first time in a long time I've given a book a 2-star review on Goodreads. That whole "Sex Chemistry = TrueLuvWorthDying4" thing is almost a trope in magical realism, but this book took it WAAAAAYYYY over the top. My eyes, they roll. 

 

Oh phew. I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw it that way. I know it’s a well-loved piece. 

 

On 6/6/2019 at 11:04 AM, Gemma said:

I'm really looking forward to City of Brass! It's been on my TBR for a long time, I'm on waitlist for it at my library. 

It’s a lot of fun! And an interesting piece of mythology I hadn’t dived into before. 

 

On 6/6/2019 at 11:04 AM, Gemma said:

And thanks for pointing me towards The Princess Saves Herself in This One - that flew under my radar, I rarely read poetry (Tolkien and Beowulf notwithstanding) but this one sounds pretty great! 

 

I’m the same - not a poetry fan. But this looked like something I could get into.

[miss_marissa]

On 2/4/2019 at 5:40 PM, miss_marissa said:

I don't think the two books I have read/am reading yet so far fall into any of these categories. Dang, should have looked in detail at this sooner.

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -
2. An alternate history novel
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:  Hunger by Roxane Gay
4. A humor book
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: Salvagers
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman Au Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka 
11. A book of manga - Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa 
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse
14. A cozy mystery
15. A book of mythology or folklore
16. An historical romance by an AOC
17. A business book - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell or Mindset by Carol Dweck
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales
20. A book written in prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - ALL OF THEM PLZ AND THANK YOU
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill
23. A self-published book - Legend of the Stone Keepers by NF NERD J.L. Trepanier
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014

 

purples are completed

 

I finished Legend of the Stone Keepers which was honestly just SUCH a delight. She really does a great job of creating her characters and making you care for them. The world building is so unique and I am really excited to see how the story continues in the future books. It was a super fun read that I would recommend if you need something in this category.

 

I am falling a bit behind because I've had a crazy June and July with work and moving into a new house. I'm hoping now that things are settling a bit to catch up and get a bit back on track  I am not confident I will finish all 24 categories, but I think 16 should be feasible (but I'm also not going to stop trying to hit 24)

[CourtnieMarie]

nice! i might have to pick up Stone Keepers! I'm on my 14th in the list and have kind of stalled with Invisible. I'm not good with biographies that don't have a good story arc, it's people's lives though i get it!

I SUPER enjoyed The Library Book though and can highly recommend that.

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -  Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)  (Read)
2. An alternate history novel -  The Underground Railroad (Read)
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Exit West (Read)
4. A humor book –  Nerd do Well (Read)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Library Book (Read)
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Read)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America – Like Water for Chocolate (Read)
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Telesa: The Covenant Keeper (need to buy)
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads -  Chosen Soldiers (bought on kindle)
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman – Confessions (Read)
11. A book of manga – Monstress vol. 1
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character – The Chapel Perilous (Read)
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse – Criminal (Read)
14. A cozy mystery - A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock, #2) (Read)
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)  (Read)
16. An historical romance by an AOC – Under a Painted Sky (Read)
17. A business book – Grit (audio on hold)
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author - The Only Harmless Great Thing
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Invisible (Reading)
20. A book written in prison – A Rage in Harlem
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark 
23. A self-published book – The Summer We Got Free
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1) 

[SMintYoongi]

Ohh, I wanna join in on this!! Even though I probably won't manage to complete everything...

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
2. An alternate history novel
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
4. A humor book
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
11. A book of manga
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse
14. A cozy mystery
15. A book of mythology or folklore - Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Reading)
16. An historical romance by an AOC
17. A business book
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author
19. A book of nonviolent true crime
20. A book written in prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009
23. A self-published book
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014

[CourtnieMarie]

15 hours ago, SMintYoongi said:

Ohh, I wanna join in on this!! Even though I probably won't manage to complete everything...

 

welcome! i had fun reading the Percy Jacksons  hope you enjoy!

[miss_marissa]

NPR just published a list of 100 favorite funny books if you are still looking to fill spot 4. I noticed they also did a Romance one previously, I imagine there are others as well. Enjoy!

 

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/20/752044550/we-did-it-for-the-lols-100-favorite-funny-books?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Today in Books&utm_term=BookRiot_TodayInBooks_DormantSuppress

[miss_marissa]

Came across a Twitter account @  WOCinRomance which may be useful for anyone looking to fulfill 3 or 16.

[CourtnieMarie]

oooo update time! getting closer. Telesa was not good. Definitely way more YA than my tastes run if that makes sense. Too juvenille. But learned a bit about Samoa and their mythology so not going to hate too much. Chosen Soldiers was also not great lol BUT I super enjoyed An Unkindness of Ghosts (which I switched from The Only Harmless Great Thing because it was available on audiobook on my hoopla app).

 

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -  Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)  (Read)
2. An alternate history novel -  The Underground Railroad (Read)
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Exit West (Read)
4. A humor book –  Nerd do Well (Read)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Library Book (Read)
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Read)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America – Like Water for Chocolate (Read)
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Telesa: The Covenant Keeper (Read)
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads -  Chosen Soldiers (Read)
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman – Confessions (Read)
11. A book of manga – Monstress vol. 1 (Reading)
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character – The Chapel Perilous (Read)
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse – Criminal (Read)
14. A cozy mystery - A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock, #2) (Read)
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)  (Read)
16. An historical romance by an AOC – Under a Painted Sky (Read)
17. A business book – Grit (Read)
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author – An Unkindness of Ghosts (Read)
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Invisible (Read)
20. A book written in prison – Letter from Birmingham Jail (Read)
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Relish: My Life in the Kitchen 
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark 
23. A self-published book – Telesa: The Covenant Keeper (Read)
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1)  (Read)

[miss_marissa]

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -
2. An alternate history novel - Everfair by Nisi Shawl
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:  Hunger by Roxane Gay
4. A humor book
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: Salvagers
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman Au Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka 
11. A book of manga - Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa 
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse
14. A cozy mystery - In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware
15. A book of mythology or folklore: The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
16. An historical romance by an AOC
17. A business book - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell or Mindset by Carol Dweck
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales
20. A book written in prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - This is literally like 80% of what I read.
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill
23. A self-published book - Legend of the Stone Keepers by NF NERD J.L. Trepanier
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014

 

Ok. Going to round this out for the year as I don't plan to read any more of these today.  Since my last post I've read:

#2 - Everfair by Nisi Shawl - I really struggled with this. I enjoyed it, but I really had a hard time until probably 1/3 to 1/2 way through. I'm surprised I didn't give up on it before then. Combination of the time period, lots of characters, and rotating POV, it was just a really challenging read. I did end up loving some of the characters and story elements, such as the air canoes.

#14 - In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware - This was a fun little read that I knocked out in a Sunday. 

#15 - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - This was a fun read as well. I imagine if you are into Greek mythology you would enjoy it more than I did. Lots of shared characters with the Odyssey/Iliad.

I also marked off #21, because most of what I read is that... but it's a lot of single issue comics, unsure if any of them are collected editions. I also read The Nib like every day, which is "political" cartoons that has many LGBTQ+ creators.

 

So I ended up at 14/24, which is not too shabby IMO.  It looks like the 2020 list has been posted, is anyone considering participating? I am not sure. I liked doing this to stretch myself a bit, but I also have a long list of books and comics I'd like to read that don't necessarily fall into any of these categories.

[miss_marissa]

2020 list. If anyone is interested in participating I can create a new thread here.

https://bookriot.com/2019/12/03/2020-read-harder-challenge/

1. Read a YA nonfiction book
2. Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color
3. Read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman
4. Read a graphic memoir
5. Read a book about a natural disaster
6. Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author
7. Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII
8. Read an audiobook of poetry
9. Read the LAST book in a series
10. Read a book that takes place in a rural setting
11. Read a debut novel by a queer author
12. Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own
13. Read a food book about a cuisine you’ve never tried before
14. Read a romance starring a single parent
15. Read a book about climate change
16. Read a doorstopper (over 500 pages) published after 1950, written by a woman
17. Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages)
18. Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community
19. Read a book by or about a refugee
20. Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the U.S. or the UK
21. Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)
22. Read a horror book published by an indie press
23. Read an edition of a literary magazine (digital or physical)
24. Read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author

[CourtnieMarie]

thanks @miss_marissa  I will probably do 2020 but i can't guarantee how often I'll post! I still update my goodreads though https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27753292-courtnie-marie

 

i was really happy with 2019 despite a few bad ones. i found a lot of women and POC authors that write in genres i enjoy! Only one duplicate too. I'd recommend everything below EXCEPT 7-10, and 23

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters -  Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)  (Read)
2. An alternate history novel -  The Underground Railroad (Read)
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - Exit West (Read)
4. A humor book – Nerd do Well (Read)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The Library Book (Read)
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Read)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America – Like Water for Chocolate (Read)
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Telesa: The Covenant Keeper (Read)
9. A book published prior to Jan 1 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads -  Chosen Soldiers (Read)
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman – Confessions (Read)
11. A book of manga – Monstress vol. 1 (Read)
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character – The Chapel Perilous (Read)
13. A book by or about someone who identifies as neurodiverse – Criminal (Read)
14. A cozy mystery - A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock, #2) (Read)
15. A book of mythology or folklore - The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)  (Read)
16. An historical romance by an AOC – Under a Painted Sky (Read)
17. A business book – Grit (Read)
18. A book by a trans or nonbinary author – An Unkindness of Ghosts (Read)
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Invisible (Read)
20. A book written in prison – Letter from Birmingham Jail (Read)
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Relish: My Life in the Kitchen (Read)
22. A children's or middle-grade (not YA) book that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark (Read)
23. A self-published book – Telesa: The Covenant Keeper (Read)
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1)  (Read)