One of the goals included in my 50 by 50 Project for 2016 is, “Read 50 books for the 2016 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge,” which is immediately followed by, “Within my 50 books read, include one from each of the 24 categories in the Read Harder Challenge 2016.”
In case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the list of categories for the Read Harder Challenge 2016 (with thanks to Book Riot):
I’ve started slotting some of the books I want to read this year into the various categories, a few of which were taken from ideas posted on the NYPL’s Suggestions for the 2016 Read Harder Challenge and others from Facebook friends’ suggestions, but there are still a number of gaps to fill… so I’d really appreciate some recommendations from YOU!
I can’t promise that I’ll be able to tackle every book suggested, but would love to hear what you think would be some good choices for the various categories in the challenge.
So, got any book recommendations for me?
Please share!
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Twitter: indywrites
January 4, 2016
It is quite a difficult challenge. I wish you all the best.
Book suggestions :
Dystopian : The Ruby Iyer Diaries by Laxmi Hariharan. Or Dying for a living by Joey M Shrum. Have read the first book of both the series. Goods writers.
Food memoir :Julia and Julie.
Non fiction feminist book : I am Malala.
Let me what other categories are left , would be happy to help.
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you so much, Inderpreet! I’ve read a couple of those, but none of the dystopian ones, so appreciate the recommendations.
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
Got your middle grade novel yet? I work at Scholastic and so I have access to a wide range of YA fiction – we’ve got a lot of good stuff here but there was one book that particularly caught my attention last year, to the point that I (*gasp*) actually wrote something of a review. I read ALL THE TIME but I mostly keep my opinions to myself, and my blog is totally not a book blog, so this was unusual.
Here was my review – and I’ve actually got a couple of extra copies that I grabbed to share here on my desk, I would be happy to mail you one if you like the sound of it. e-mail your mailing address if you like.
And I swear this is genuinely my personal opinion, I’m finance, not publicity!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
That book sounds really interesting, Bonnie, and I would love a copy if you have one to spare! If so, here’s my mailing address:
Laurel Regan
PO Box 24062
Windsor ON N8Y 4Y9
Canada
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
You’re welcome! I’ll get that in the mail next week. Hope you enjoy it!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Looking forward to it – thank you very much! 🙂
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Twitter: TraciYorkWriter
January 4, 2016
I’ve seen this challenge in my news feed, and I’ve been toying with the idea of doing it myself. My only suggestion for you at this time is for the category of, “Read a book that was adapted into a movie, then watch the movie. Debate which is better.” I would recommend, “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman. I’ve read the book multiple times, and seen the movie many more times, and I still can’t decide which one is better! Best of luck to you with your challenge!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thanks so much, Traci – that book sounds intriguing, and I didn’t realize there was a movie made of it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
Twitter: RoxJonesWriter
January 4, 2016
Whew…this is quite an undertaking–I wish you luck (and the time it’ll take!). Some initial thoughts/suggestions:
Book by or about a person who identifies as transgender: She’s Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan
Food memoir: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
A non-fiction book about science: The Secret Life of the Grownup Brain: The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind by Barbara Strauch (I’m currently reading this)
Biography: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Great guidance to develop a reading list!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you so much, Roxanne – the only one I’ve read is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (great book!), so I will check out the others.
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
Twitter: --biggreenpen
January 4, 2016
Wow, this sounds like quite a challenge but one that will be rewarding! Good luck!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
For the book of essays, I can recommend Anne Lamott, having read “Traveling Mercies” and “Small Victories.” She can make you laugh out loud and break your heart in the same paragraph. For the book/movie, “Brooklyn”; for the book over 500 pages, I’m currently reading “City on Fire,” and it’s a gripping story. Good luck.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you so much, Elaine – I will check those out!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
Twitter: cynkingfeeling
January 4, 2016
I recommend Roller Girl for the graphic novel task: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504701-roller-girl
I love the Read Harder challenge. I might actually write reviews on my blog this year. That’s what I planned in 2015, but it didn’t materialize.
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you, Cyn! It seems like a really fun challenge.
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
I keep seeing this challenge and can’t decide if I want to give it a go! Some of the suggestions you have here are very tempting though
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
It’s been so much fun putting my list together – definitely a tempting challenge!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: RambinGarden
January 4, 2016
What a wonderful reading list you are compiling from fellow readers. If I had the time…well, anyway, here are some of my suggestions
Dystopian or post apocalyptic: The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
First book of a series by a person of color – Dawn, by Octavia E. Butler
A book adapted into a movie – which was better: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
A book by an author from Southeast Asia – not sure this would qualify, but anything by Kazuo Ishiguro, especially Never Let Me Go. (that would also qualify for the dystopian category, and the book turned into a movie catagory).
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you so much, Alana – great list!
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Twitter: mumbaionahigh
January 5, 2016
Food memoir – Tiffin by Rukmini Srinivas
Non fiction book dealing with feminist themes – Crossing Thresholds by Meera Kosambi
Author from Southeast Asia – The Bestseller she wrote by Ravi Subramanian
Book about Politics – Durbar by Tavleen Singh
I have purposely suggested books written by Indian authors which I’ve read and enjoyed.
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you so much for the suggestions – they all look very interesting!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: sanchlivinglife
January 5, 2016
Interesting challenge.
Some recommendations: The brain that changes itself (science) or Delusions of gender (science), A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (over 500 pgs), The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid suns by Khaled Hosseni (Middle east), Perks of being a wallflower (book and movie).
Good luck with it!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you for the recommendations – I’ve read A Fine Balance and the two by Khaled Hosseni and loved all of them. Perks of Being a Wallflower has been on my TBR list for awhile, but just haven’t got to it yet!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: pythoroshan
January 5, 2016
Well, that’s certainly something new! Categorizing books you are ABOUT TO start reading… but it does seem like a fun idea to kickstart the reading habit.
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
It’s definitely a new thing for me, but I’m enjoying it tremendously!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
January 5, 2016
That’s an ambitious list and I wish you great success with it. Laurel! Historical fiction is a favourite genre and I would highly recommend Aztec by Gary Jennings or the Civil War Trilogy- North & South, Love & War, Heaven & Hell – by John Jakes. Those were all published many years ago, mind you. Happy reading! 🙂
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you so much, Debbie!
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Twitter: travelcraftjrnl
January 5, 2016
You’re going to be reading up a storm! All the best to you this year!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you, Stephanie!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
My favourite play is The Visit. It’s chilling.
I like the idea of a reading challenge pushing you off the beaten track in terms of reading material.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
That’s definitely what intrigued me about this challenge!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
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