Last week, I was flipping through a few blogger friends’ posts when I stumbled across this post on Make It Count. Which then connected me to Semi-Charmed Kind of Life and her seasonal book challenges! Where has this been my whole life??
So, this winter (November 1 – February 28), I will try to get all of the points available for this challenge! The rules are on the blog, but in summary, the novel must be at least 200 pages long, no doubling up books for different categories, and re-reads can only be used three times.
I am so so so excited about this!
5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules.
I’ll just choose one of the eight books I have checked out from the library. Ooooops.
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.
Once upon a time, I spent a summer reading Jodi Picoult. I think this is the perfect time to revisit her novels! (I’m thinking House Rules.)
10 points: Read a book of short stories.
I want to use this as an excuse to read some short stories by more popular authors, like F. Scott Fitzgerald or Shirley Jackson (who wrote “The Lottery”).
10 points: Read a book with a food (not a drink!) in the title.
I think I’ll use this as a re-read… I read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake in the middle of a semester that was crazy, and I wish I had more time to slow down and really absorb it.
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you (so no rereads for this one!).
I’ll be checking out my Top 10 Series I Want to Start post from last Tuesday!
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language.
Natalie from Cosmos Mariners posted a few great recommendations on my Bookish Quotes post last Wednesday, so I’ll be checking out The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon! (Originally written in Spanish!) (This one could count for bookish book and first in a series… but I figured it will be harder to find a translated book than the other ones.)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author (either an author from your state if you live in the United States, or in your country if you live somewhere else).
I’m debating between rereading The Awakening by Kate Chopin (one of my favorite authors!) or checking out a novel by Ernest Gaines, who is featured with a whole section of our university’s library!
20 points: Read a “bookish book”.
I might reread Fahrenheit 451, because I can’t get enough of that novel. If I’m feeling like reading something new, I might dive into a new series, like Inkheart or A Discovery of Witches.
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title (e.g. north, south, east, west or any combination of those).
I’m leaning towards North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill. I’ve heard great things about it, and it has excellent ratings on Goodreads!
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don’t usually read.
I think I will read Manic, which was recommended by Abby. I hardly ever read nonfiction, so this will definitely be a change.
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. Be sure to tell us the song name and artist as well!
I’ve heard great things about Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson, and now that I’ve equated it to Kelly Clarkson, I can’t get the song out of my head!
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.
I’ll be checking out The Dinner by Herman Koch and Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote.
What do you think? Will you be taking the challenge with me?!
I wish I felt like I had the mental energy to tackle this, it sounds like a great way to mix up my normal reading!
This is so much fun. I may have to try this out.
What an awesome challenge!! I may do this with you, I LOVE to read!!
Ooh that's a cool seasonal book challenge. Good luck with your goals 🙂
I love this challenge! I might have to look into doing it to. I think it'll really diversify my reading selections. I always seem to read the same sorts of novels.
Sounds wonderful! I'm still trying to get through the 32 books I promised I'd read by the end of the year. It's not looking too good either.
This is a really interesting challenge and a great way to make time for reading.
This is a really interesting challenge and a great way to make time for reading.
This is a really interesting challenge and a great way to make time for reading.
This is a really interesting challenge and a great way to make time for reading.
I had a goal of 36 books books (3 per month) on Goodreads and surpassed it by the end of August! That either means that I spent too much time procrastinating my homework or I sincerely underestimated how many books I can read a year. Either way, good luck with your challenge! If you need any recommendations, feel free to poke around!
You shoulddddd! It starts on Saturday, and you have until February. The first people to complete the challenge get to choose categories for next season's challenge. Pretty darn cool, and a great way to branch out. (I'm looking forward to reading Breakfast at Tiffany's!)
Thank you!
You should!! It was difficult to find novels for some of the categories, so it's definitely going to force me to branch out of my comfort zone!
You should!
That's what I'm going for! Reading is the best way for me to wind down, so I force myself to make time for it.
That's what I'm hoping for!
How fun! Such a creative challenge idea. I love the meal title one, and your choices were great!
-Lindsay from Dearest Darling
This is so cool! I've seen this challenge on quite a few blogs. I might have to think about doing it myself!
This is great!! I love the idea! I'll definitely be joining you on this one!! Or at least try to haha
What a great idea!
This sounds like such fun! I would love to do reading challenges at the end of the year, but with NANO and the holidays, I can't muster up the time. 🙂 Good luck to you, though!
I'm jealous of your NaNo! I think I'm going to tackle it next year when I'm done with school!
Yay! Let me know how it goes!
You should! Let me know how it goes!
Thanks! It was more difficult to come up with books than I thought it would be!
Thanks! I'm happy I stumbled across it!