Booklist Queen 2021
After last year's mammoth effort of joining five (!) challenges, I definitely feel the need to cut back. At first I wasn't going to commit to any, but then I found these two and thought "why not?" Remember, first and foremost, I look at challenges as a gateway to new reading paths, a fun way to nudge me in a new direction with my reading. It's not a competition and if I don't finish, I don't care; but, I'm going to give it a shot! Are you inspired to join me? If this one doesn't appeal to you, here's a comprehensive list of reading challenges.
This is my second year of joining Rachael at The Booklist Queen in her reading challenge. Her reading challenge list is LONG (52 categories for a book a week) and full of ideas.....I did pretty well last year (you can see my results on the 2020 challenges tab) so we'll see how I do this year. As she reminds us, her goal is to inspire people to read more, just one more book - but whether you read 12 books or all 52, the goal is to enjoy reading.
Here's where I'll track my efforts to complete the challenge in 2021. I'll be double dipping some of the books that will also fit categories in my other challenge. I started by taking the lists and perusing my own bookshelves to see what I already own that will fit the challenge. Then, as I search the forums for ideas, I watch for books I know are already on my TBR list. Finally, I fill in with books totally new-to-me. Completed books will be in bold with a cover image and links to the reviews will be bold and blue.
1 - a productivity book
will change this to: educational book
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp; published 2003, 247 pages
Full of her experiences to keep creativity alive as well as some tips, lists, and encouragement.
2 - book becoming a movie in 2021
Dune or Without Remorse
3 - Goodreads winner 2020
Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Garcia-Moreno; published 2020, 302 pages
4 - biography
Diamond Doris by Doris Payne; published 2019, 288 pages
5 - about a pressing social issue
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead; published 2019, 224 pages
The based-on-true story of a Florida reformatory and the abuses suffered by black boys sent there. Pulitzer winner.
6 - book about books
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson; published 2019, 453 pages
Fantasy about librarian of a magical library where books are precious and can talk and cause mischief.
7 - set in 1920s
Snow Child (The) by Eowyn Ivey
8 - author who uses initials
Invisible Life of Addie Larue (The) by V.E. Schwab
9 - poetry
change to: magical realism
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn; published 2020, 376 pages
10 - 2020 best seller
Vanishing Half (The) by Brit Bennett
11 - recommended by a colleague
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson; published 2003, 447 pages
12 - a number in the title
TBD
13 - bottom of your TBR list
An Equal Justice #1 by Chad Zunker
14 - reread a favorite book
TBD
15 - own voices story
Paddling with Spirits by Irene Skyriver; published 2017, 240 pages
16 - published in 1800s
War of the Worlds (The) by HG Wells; published 1898, 192 pages
17 - local author
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
18 - over 400 pages
Black Water Rising #1 by Attica Locke; published 2009, 430 pages
A legal drama about a struggling black lawyer and the challenges he faces as a black man and trying to keep his family safe.
19 - book turned into TV series
Fatal Voyage #4 by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan), published 2001, 448 pages
20 - book that makes you think
TBD
21 - WWII story
The Huntress by Kate Quinn; published 2019, 530 pages
Told in two timelines, it's the story of a tiny Nazi hunter group and their search for a woman, The Huntress, and 1950 when their hunt brings them to America.
22 - a highly anticipated book
The Gilded Ones #1 by Namina Forna; published February 2021, 442 pages
YA Fantasy about a young woman whose blood color determines her worth, which is nothing, so she accepts an invitation to join the King's new army - of females only.
23 - eye-catching cover
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley; published 3/2021; 320 pages
#own voices story of young Ojibwe / white teenager's desire to fit in and her involvement with a crime investigation.
24 - summer read
Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
25 - coming of age story
TBD
26 - best selling memoir
The Color of Water by James McBride; published 1996, 328 pages
27 - book club favorite
TBD
28 - book about friendship
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, published 2020, 272 pages
29 - audiobook
Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng; published 2014, 292 pages
At the death of a young, favored daughter, each family looks back and we see how the dynamics led to this tragic result.
30 - set in Australia
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
31 - by a Nobel prize winner
Less by Andrew Sean Greer; published 2017, 272 pages
32 - about an immigrant
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
33 - time travel novel
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain; published 2018, 371 pages
34 - by a favorite author
Law of Innocence (The) #6 Haller by Michael Connelly; published 2020, 432 pages
Mickey Haller is framed for a murder and must work from jail to save himself.
35 - childhood favorite
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
36 - classic read in high school
TBD
37 - borrowed from library
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne; published 2014, 384 pages
A February Buddy Read about an Irish Catholic priest as he is forced to confront his church's response to priests' actions against young boys.
38 - nonfiction New York Times best seller
TBD
39 - from an indie publisher
Angelfall #1 by Susan Ee; published 2011, 326 pages
40 - fantasy
The Stone Sky #3 Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin; published 2017, 416 pages
The final installment of this award winning fantasy series is complex and intriguing and a satisfying conclusion to this wonderful series.
41 - a sequel
Assassin's Quest #3 Farseer by Robin Hobb; published 1997, 757 pages
42 - recommended by a librarian
TBD
43 - psychological thriller
Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews; published 3/2021, 336 pages
44 - Oprah book club pick
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
45 - about technology
TBD
46 - title with three words
Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff; published 2013, 391 pages
Nonfiction about several military planes crashing in Greenland in 1942. Told in two timelines - 1942 and the efforts to rescue the pilots, and a 2012 expedition to recover planes and bodies.
47 - debut novel of famous author
Still Life #1 Gamache by Louise Penny; published 2005, 293 pages
Award winning
48 - genre you don't usually read
TBD
49 - book everyone is talking about
TBD
50 - own but haven't read
TBD
51 - borrowed from a friend
Royal Assassin #2 Farseer by Robin Hobb; published 1996, 675 pages
The middle installment of this trilogy finds Fitz embroiled in palace politics, falling in love, bonding with a wolf, and still trying to serve his King faithfully.
52 - 2021 new release
A Caller's Game by J.D. Barker; published Feb 2021, 424 pages
A lone cop is trying to save a woman and her daughter in a deadly game set up by a radio listener.