Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Book Challenge by Erin 16.0
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Stacked Reviews 2022 Reading Challenge
I'm doing this one again, at Stacked Reviews.
- Historical Fiction: The Red Queen--Philippa Gregory
- Over 500 Pages: The Time Traveler's Wife--Audrey Niffeneger
- Debut Novel: Black Buck--Mateo Askaripour
- YA Book: Unfriended--Rachel Vail
- New York Times Bestseller: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
- Chick Lit: Life's Too Short--Abby Jimenez
- Can Read in One Day: Easy Crafts for the Insane--Kelly Williams Brown
- Classic: Martin Eden--Jack London
- Own Voices Novel: Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating--Adiba Jaigirdar
- Published in 2022: This Woven Kingdom--Tahereh Mafi
- Award-winning book: Salt to the Sea--Ruta Sepetys (Carnegie Medal)
- Controversial book: How to Be an Antiracist--Ibram X. Kendi
- Set in a Country You'd Like to Visit: The Little Paris Bookshop--Nina George
- Fantasy Novel: Silverworld--Diana Abu-Jaber
- Foreign Language: Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio--Pu Songling
- Friend Recommendation: A Crack in the Sea--H.M. Bouwman
Saturday, November 27, 2021
2022 Nonfiction Reader Challenge
Doing this one again.
Categories:
1. Social History: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
2. Popular Science: The Radium Girls--Kate Moore
3. Language
4. Medical Memoir: Hunger--Roxane Gay
5. Climate/Weather
6. Celebrity: Kitchen Confidential--Anthony Bourdain
7. Reference: The XX Brain--Lisa Mosconi, PhD
8. Geography: My Invented Country--Isabel Allende
9. Linked to a podcast
10. Wild Animals: The Whale Family Book--Cynthia D'Vincent
11. Economics: Decluttering at the Speed of Life--Dana K. White
12. Published in 2022
Friday, November 26, 2021
2022 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge
Another of my favorites, also at GirlXOXO, is now up.
JAN – Last, Kingdom, Girl, Dark, When, Winter, Light, Window: When It Happens to You--Molly Ringwald
FEB – Midnight, Never, Into, Sun, Love, Good, Spell, Search: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
MAR – End, Fall, Loud, Queen, Woods, Nine, Beautiful, Crown: Guenevere Queen of the Summer Country--Rosalind Miles
APR – Race, Now, Chose, While, Stop, Burn, Red, One: How to Be an Antiracist--Ibram X. Kendi
MAY – Thorn, Catch, Black, Under, City, Cloud, Sing, Legacy: The Wyndham Legacy--Catherine Coulter
JUN – Sea, You, Hate, Perfect, Shade, Until, Beach, Little: A Crack in the Sea--H.M. Bouwman
JUL – Star, Next, Infinity, Iron, Word, People, Rise, Clear
AUG – Breath, Case, Hundred, Day, Happy, Language, Stay, Lie
SEP – Bright, Here, Out, Life, Strange, Rule, Story, Salt
OCT – House, Bone, Haunt, Body, Blood, Witch, Murder, Mystery
NOV – Many, Boy, River, Fever, Down, Gold, Jade, Hill
DEC – Still, Cabin, Cafe, Night, Lake, By, Holiday, Fire
2022 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge
Another of my favorites, at GirlXOXO, is now up for next year.
FEBRUARY- Girl Power. Highlighting Women! Female Authors, Fierce female characters, feminism, female body positivity, females in science/government, etc: Lean In--Sheryl Sandberg
MARCH- Buzzed About Books. Read a book you saw buzzed about a lot in 2021 but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
APRIL- Books to Screen. Read a book that has a movie or TV adaptation made based on it. For an extra challenge, watch the show after reading the book: Station Eleven--Emily St. John Mandel
MAY- Book Lovers Unite. Read a book set in a library or bookstore; with a librarian, author, or book loving character; OR a book with the word ‘BOOK’ in the title: The Little Paris Bookshop--Nina George
JUNE- Supporting PRIDE through books. Read a book by an author who is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or a book featuring LGBTQIA+ character(s): The Summer of Jordi Perez--Amy Spalding
JULY- Summer Lovin’ – Having a Blast. This month it’s all about the beach reads, rom coms, and/or love stories. Pick something fun and light-hearted:
AUGUST- Quick Lit. Novellas, Graphic Novels, Poetry Collections, books under 200 pages, one sitting reads:
SEPTEMBER- Title Play. Read a book with a clever title that uses a play on words, a pun, a joke, or titles that have double meanings:
OCTOBER- Murder or Magic. Read a murder mystery book or a magical realism book:
NOVEMBER- Books in Translation. Read any book that wasn’t originally written in your native language but has since been translated to it:
DECEMBER- The Fire is So Delightful. Read a book that has a fire, flames, candles, smoke, or burning in the title or on the cover:
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
2022 Four Moon Reading Challenge
Here is a new one, just started this year at Four Moon Reviews:
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Staying Home for Thanksgiving
Once again, I will not be doing much for Thanksgiving this year. Even before COVID, my family began doing less and less on this holiday. The good thing is that there will be no leftovers.
I always dread running out of food or other essentials just before Thanksgiving Day, as I fear the crowds in the stores of people getting food for the holiday the day before. And I don't plan on on going to stores for Black Friday, something that I have always avoided. No big plans for Christmas either, another holiday that my family has done less for in the past years, again even before COVID.
Whatever you have planned for this coming week, have a safe and happy holiday.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
While I Was Reading 2022 Challenge
Doing this one again at Ramonamead.com
- A book with a question in the title:
- A book of non-violent true crime: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
- A book with a cover you don’t like: Miss Herbert (The Suburban Wife)--Christina Stead
- A historical fiction novel not set in Europe: The Power of One--Bryce Courtenay
- A book with a character’s name in the title: Martin Eden--Jack London
- A book featuring paranormal activity (fiction or non.): The Girl Who Drank the Moon--Kelly Barnhill
- A book with a number in the title:
- A food-related memoir: Kitchen Confidential--Anthony Bourdain
- A book that’s won an award: When You Trap a Tiger--Tae Keller
- A middle grade novel: Out of My Mind--Sharon M. Draper
- A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign: Dragonfly in Amber--Diana Gabaldon
- A book that’s a combination of genres:
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Booklist Queen’s 2022 Reading Challenge
Another of my favorites.
- By an author you love: The Fixer Upper--Mary Kay Andrews
- Goodreads Winner in 2021:
- Becoming a movie in 2022:
- Book with a twist:
- Speculative fiction: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
- Bird on the cover: Smoke and Mirrors--K.D. Halbrook
- About a difficult choice:
- Published in 2012: When It Happens to You--Molly Ringwald
- Name in the title: Martin Eden--Jack London
- Local author: Retro Rhythms--Francesca Damkar
- Discussion-worthy book club book: Half a Yellow Sun--Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- 2021 Bestseller: The Guncle--Steven Rowley
- Genre you usually don't read:
- Shakesperean play: The Merchant of Venice
- With a two-word title: Black Buck--Mateo Aksaripour
- About a Muslim protagonist: Here to Stay--Sara Farizan
- Set in the 1980s:
- Asian American & Pacific Islander author: I'll Be the One--Lyla Lee
- Bottom of TBR:
- Literary fiction: Station Eleven--Emily St. John Mandel
- Recommended on Instagram:
- LGBTQ+ Book: Jay's Gay Agenda--Jason June
- Book everyone is talking about: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
- Pulitzer Prize winner:
- Blue cover: Twice in a Blue Moon--Christina Lauren
- Author with your initials:
- Epic adventure:
- Guilty pleasure read: Miss Herbert (The Suburban Wife)--Christina Stead
- Audiobook: Die, Snow White! Die, You D*** Fool!--Yuri Rasovsky
- Catchy title: Easy Crafts for the Insane--Kelly Williams Brown
- About nature: Visionary Women--Andrea Barnet
- Two books by the same author: The Mockingbirds--Daisy Whitney
- Two books by the same author: The Rivals--Daisy Whitney
- YA fantasy: A Song Below Water--Bethany C. Morrow
- Purchased at a bookstore:
- Family Drama:
- Classic you have avoided:
- Set in Africa: The Power of One--Bryce Courtenay
- Recommended by a librarian:
- British author:
- Reread a favorite: By the Shores of Silver Lake--Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Under 300 Pages: Angel of Greenwood--Randi Pink
- Spooky read:
- Nonfiction bestseller: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
- Book about life:
- Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: The Cactus--Sarah Haywood
- Makes you laugh: Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim--Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
- Historical novel: Code Name Verity--Elizabeth Wein
- 2022 new release: This Woven Kingdom--Tahereh Mafi
- Inspring memoir: The Rainbow Comes and Goes--Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt
- Cozy mystery: Cat Me If You Can--Miranda James
- Own but haven't read: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave
Monday, November 15, 2021
The Nerdy Bookworm 50 Books a Year Reading Challenge 2022
Here is a new one at Emily the Nerdy Bookworm.

THE CHALLENGES:
1. 2022 New Release: This Woven Kingdom--Tahereh Mafi
2. A Reese Witherspoon BOTM pick (because Reese is my favorite actress): The Cactus--Sarah Haywood
3. A romance book with enemies to lovers trope
4. Read a memoir: Kitchen Confidential--Anthony Bourdain
5. Read a book based on a tv series or movie adaptation (watch the show or movie after for fun)
6. Read a book that was recommended to you
7. Thriller novel: While Justice Sleeps--Stacey Abrams
8. Book with two authors or more: Twice in a Blue Moon--Christina Lauren
9. Graphic Novel: Dancing at the Pity Party--Tyler Feder
10. Hyped book that everyone is talking about: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
11. Book that has been on your TBR list a very long time: Sleeping With Anemone--Kate Collins
12. Goodreads 2021 Winner or Nominee: The Guncle--Steven Rowley
13. Book with less than 200 pages: Retro Rhythms--Francesca Damkar
14. Listen to an audiobook: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach--Carmen Agra Deedy
15. New-to-you author: A Song Below Water--Bethany C. Morrow
16. 2022 Bestseller
17. A book that makes you think and contemplate life: Visionary Women--Andrea Barnet
18. Highly anticipated read
19. Summer vibes/summer read
20. Library book: Glass--Ellen Hopkins
21. A book where the cover caught your eye: Silverworld--Diana Abu-Jaber
22. A book by an auto-buy author of yours
23. Physical book on your bookshelf: Here to Stay--Sara Farizan
24. New York Times Nonfiction Bestseller: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
25. Read a holiday romance
26. Read a book that gives you fall and/or creepy vibes
27. Read an office romance novel: Would Like to Meet--Rachel Winters
28. Read a YA book: Angel of Greenwood--Randi Pink
29. Read a book with a summer romance
30. Read a book that has the friends to lovers trope: The Summer of Jordi Perez--Amy Spalding
31. Read a book that has paranormal elements in it (witches, ghosts, vampires, etc.): The Girl Who Drank the Moon--Kelly Barnhill
32. A book with the color pink on the cover
33. A book that has a cover you love
34. A book that is written in text messages, emails, or different forms of text: Meet Cute--Jennifer L. Armentrout & others
35. A book that has mental health aspects to it: Out of My Mind--Sharon M. Draper
36. A book that has a place in the title imaginary or real (example Malibu Rising, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Beaches): The Little Paris Bookshop--Nina George
37. A coming of age story where the characters are in school: The Mockingbirds--Daisy Whitney
38. Dual timeline book: The Island of Sea Women--Lisa See
39. Book about family: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave
40. Read a romance with a single parent in it
41. A book you bought from a bookstore: Castle Rackrent and The Absentee--Maria Edgeworth
42. Read a contemporary novel
43. Read a Young Adult Romance: Jay's Gay Agenda--Jason June
44. A funny book: Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim--Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
45. A book with an animal in it: My Patients and Other Animals--Suzy Finchman-Gray
46. Book you meant to read last year but didn't: Dirty Rotten Tendrils--Kate Collins
47. Book with a winter scene on the cover
48. Read a classic: Martin Eden--Jack London
49. Read any book from a series: Game On--Janet Evanovich
50. Free space/pick any book
Friday, November 12, 2021
What An Animal Reading Challenge 2022
Another I have been doing. At Socrates's Book Reviews.
Welcome to the 2022 What an Animal Reading Challenge. I began hosting this challenge in 2010, when I took it over from Kristi at Passion for the Page. I love reading books that feature animals and am going to host this one again. I hope you will join me.
The challenge will begin on January 1, 2022 and end on December 31, 2022.
The rules are really simple. I am changing it up a little bit, though...read on...
1. Any book read for this challenge has to have an animal that plays a major role in the book (which could be fiction or non-fiction.) It also counts if a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like). In the past, books would qualify if an animal is in the title or on the cover, but that alone no longer qualifies. This challenge is for books related to animals and just because they are in the title or on the cover, doesn't mean it's about an animal.
These are the levels.
Level 1 - Read 6 books
Level 2 - Read 7-12
Level 3 - Read 13-20
Level 4 - Read 21 or more
2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...
3. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.
4. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.
My Books:
- The Twin Princes--Tedd Arnold
- When You Trap a Tiger--Tae Keller
- Martina the Beautiful Cockroach--Carmen Agra Deedy
- My Patients and Other Animals--Suzy Finchman-Gray
- Afternoon on the Amazon--Mary Pope Osborne
- Unicorn on a Roll--Dana Simpson
- Cat Me If You Can--Miranda James
- Dogs in the Dead of Night--Mary Pope Osborne
- A Cat Story--Ursula Murray Husted
The 52 Book Club’s 2022 Reading Challenge
Another favorite of mine, at the 52 Book Club.
- A second-person narrative:
- Featuring a library or bookstore: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
- Title starting with "E": Easy Crafts for the Insane--Kelly Williams Brown
- Title starting with "F": The Fixer Upper--Mary Kay Andrews
- Chapters Have Titles: When It Happens to You--Molly Ringwald
- Household Object on the Cover: Would Like to Meet--Rachel Winters
- Non-Fiction Bestseller: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
- Involving the Art World:
- Book That Sparks Joy:
- Book Based on a Real Person: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald--Therese Anne Fowler
- Book with Fewer Than 2022 Goodreads ratings: My Patients and Other Animals--Suzy Finchman-Gray
- Set on at Least Two Continents:
- Includes a Club:
- A Character With Superhuman Ability: When You Trap a Tiger--Tae Keller
- A Five-Syllable Title: Twice in a Blue Moon--Christina Lauren
- Book You've Seen Someone Reading in a Public Place: A Crack in the Sea--H.M. Bouwman
- A Book Picked Based on Its Spine: Technically, You Started It--Lana Wood Johnson
- Jane Austen-Inspired: Pride and Premeditation--Tirzah Price
- Book That Has an Alternate Title:
- Related to the Word "Gold":
- Published by Simon & Schuster: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave
- An Unlikely Detective:
- Author with an X, Y, or Z In Their Name: How to Be an Antiracist--Ibram X. Kendi
- Addresses a Specific Topic: Hunger--Roxane Gay
- A Wealthy Character: The Coldest Winter Ever--Sister Souljah
- Has an "Author's Note": The Mockingbirds--Daisy Whitney
- Includes a Map: The Red Queen--Philippa Gregory
- Award-Winning Book From Your Country: Ringworld--Larry Niven
- Over 500 Pages Long: The Power of One--Bryce Courtenay
- Audiobook Narrated by the Author: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach--Carmen Agra Deedy
- Technology-Themed: Lean In--Sheryl Sandberg
- A Book That Intimidates You:
- A Bilingual Character: Moloka'i--Alan Brennert
- Author's Photo on the Back Cover: Game On--Janet Evanovich
- From the Villain's Perspective: Poor Unfortunate Soul--Serena Valentino
- Recommended by a Favorite Author:
- Set in a Rural Area:
- Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover!:
- A Middle-Grade Novel:
- Book With Photographs Inside: The Radium Girls--Kate Moore
- Involves A Second Chance:
- An Indie Read: The Girl Who Drank the Moon--Kelly Barnhill
- Author Who's Published in More Than One Genre:
- Anthology: Meet Cute--Jennifer L. Armentrout & others
- Book With illustrated People on the Cover: Dancing at the Pity Party--Tyler Feder
- A Job in the Title:
- Read During the Month of November:
- Redo One of This Year's Prompts But With a Different Genre:
- Title Starts with the Same Letter as your First Name: Jay's Gay Agenda--Jason June
- Person of Color as the Main Character: Silverworld--Diana Abu-Jaber
- The Word "Game" in the Title:
- Published in 2022: This Woven Kingdom--Tahereh Mafi