2022 Reading Challenge @ Linz the Bookworm

 Another I have have enjoyed doing.

Level 1: Book of the Month Club
1. Read a book that cost less than $5: Castle Rackrent and The Absentee--Maria Edgeworth
2. Read a book that is under 350 pages: When You Trap a Tiger--Tae Keller
3. Read a book that was recommended to you: Music is History--Questlove
4. Read a newly published book (within the past year): Black Buck--Mateo Askaripour
5. Read a book that has a type of plant or flower in the title: The Cactus--Sarah Haywood
6. Read a book because of the cover: Silverworld--Diana Abu-Jaber
7. Read a book about a mythical creature: Unicorn on a Roll--Dana Simpson
8. Read a book that takes place in the future: Parable of the Sower--Octavia E. Butler
9. Read a book by an author that’s new to you: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave
10. Read a book from NPR’s top 50 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the past decade: Mexican Gothic--Silvia Moreno-Garcia
11. A book by an author whose first or last name has 5 letters: Angel of Greenwood--Randi Pink
12. Free Space – Pick any book: The Fixer Upper--Mary Kay Andrews

Level 2: Casual Reader Club
13. Read a book published 5 years ago: Hunger--Roxane Gay
14. Read a Speculative Fiction: The Midnight Library--Matt Haig
15. Read the first book in a duology: The Mockingbirds--Daisy Whitney
16. Read the second book in a duology: The Rivals--Daisy Whitney
17. A book that was published when you were 5 years old: Miss Herbert (The Suburban Wife)--Christina Stead
18. Read a book by an author named Alex, Alexander, Alexandra (or variant): Towering--Alex Flinn
19. Read a book about Zombies: The Last Kids on Earth--Max Brallier
20. Read a book with a black cover: Game On--Janet Evanovich
21. Read a book from AbeBooks.com’s list of 100 (fiction) books to read in a lifetime: Native Son--Richard Wright
22. Read a book with the word City in the title: City on Fire--Garth Risk Hallberg
23. Read a book about a musician (non-fiction or fiction): River of Time--Naomi Judd
24. Free Space – Pick any book: Caramel Pecan Roll Murder--Joanne Fluke

Level 3: Dedicated Reader Club
25. A book with a title that has 5 letters: Glass--Ellen Hopkins
26. Read a book published by Macmillan (or subsidiary): Apples Never Fall--Liane Moriarty
27. Read a book with a title that doesn’t start with an article (A, An, The): Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore--Robin Sloan
28. Read a book you recently acquired: Call Us What We Carry--Amanda Gorman
29. Read a book that’s been on your TBR for over a year: Dragonfly in Amber--Diana Gabaldon
30. Read a Revenge Story: Poor Unfortunate Soul--Serena Valentino
31. Read a book by Philippa Gregory: The Red Queen
32. Read a book that takes place on an island: Moloka'i--Alan Brennert
33. Read a book that does not have a person (or people) on the cover: My Patients and Other Animals--Suzy Finchman-Gray
34. A book that you intended to read on last year’s challenge: Dirty Rotten Tendrils--Kate Collins
35. Read a Pyschological Thriller: While Justice Sleeps--Stacey Abrams
36. Free Space – Pick any book: The Homewreckers--Mary Kay Andrews

Level 4: Speed Reader Club
37. Read a book over 500 pages: The Time Traveler's Wife--Audrey Niffenegger
38. Read a book that starts with the letter Z (or has Z in the title): Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald--Therese Anne Fowler
39. Read a book that takes place around your favorite holiday: The Brightest Star--Fern Michaels
40. A book with 5 objects on the cover: Kitchen Confidential--Anthony Bourdain
41. Read a book with the word Wisdom in the title: Pocket Kamala Harris Wisdom--Hardie Grant
42. Read a Dystopian Fiction: Station Eleven--Emily St. John Mandel
43. Read a book by an author with the same name as one of your parents (Biological, Step, Adopted): The Anthropocene Reviewed--John Green
44. Read a book that a movie/show you’ve watched is based on but have yet to read (example: Watched The Hobbit, but never read the Hobbit): Fast Food Nation--Eric Schlosser
45. Read a book about a Saint (non-Fiction or Fiction): Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton--Jeanne Marie Grunwell
46. Read any book from the Men’s Health most popular book list: The Emperor's Children--Claire Messud 
47. Read a book published in a year that was important to you: The Power of One--Bryce Courtenay
48. Free Space – Pick any book: Tell the Wolves I'm Home--Carol Rifka Brunt

Level 5: Overachiever Club
49. Read the 5th book in a series or an author’s 5th novel: Timeless--Gail Carriger
50. Read a True Crime book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
51. Read a book by Georges Simenon (or one of his Pen Names): Maigret and the Headless Corpse
52. A book with the number 5 in the title: Punk 57--Penelope Douglas
53. Read a book that takes place in Russia: Three Stations--Martin Cruz Smith
54. Read a book by an author using initials as part of their name: Smoke and Mirrors--K.D. Halbrook
55. Read a book that has a title in the form of a question: Where To, Little Wombat?--Charles Fuge
56. Read a banned book from this banned book list: l8r, g8r--Lauren Myracle (from The Internet Girls series) 
57. A book with at least 5 prominent characters: Unfriended--Rachel Vail
58. Read a book that Linz read previously (see book review archive here): Voyager--Diana Gabaldon
59. Read a book that Tress read previously (see reading category archive here): The Hating Game--Sally Thorne
60. Free Space – Pick any book: The Summer Deal--Jill Shalvis

Challenge completed on December 18

The 2022 Book Bingo Reading Challenge @ Modern Gypsy

I did this one in 2020, but skipped it this past year. I will be in again for 2022, filling as many spaces as possible.

My Books:

1. Face on the Cover: The Rivals--Daisy Whitney
2. Color in the Title: The Red Queen--Philippa Gregory
3. A Favorite Genre: You Don't Have to Say You Love Me--Sherman Alexie
4. Escape to a New World (Fantasy): A Curse So Dark and Lonely--Brigid Kemmerer
5. True Crime: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt
6. Feminist Discourse: Lean In--Sheryl Sandberg
7. Author You've Never Read Before: The Masqueraders--Georgette Heyer
8. A Sequel: Life's Too Short--Abby Jimenez
9. Focuses on Mental Health: Easy Crafts for the Insane--Kelly Williams Brown
10. Writer is the Protagonist: Martin Eden--Jack London
11. New-to-You Culture: Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating--Adiba Jaigirdar
12. Own But Haven't Read: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave
13. Book Released in 2022: This Woven Kingdom--Tahereh Mafi
14. Centering refugees: Salt to the Sea--Ruta Sepetys
15. Your Choice: Music is History--Questlove
16. Book Set in France: The Little Paris Bookshop--Nina George
17. Found in Translation: Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio--Pu Songling
18. Mytho-Fiction: Poor Unfortunate Soul--Serena Valentino
19. Nominated for the Goodreads Awards: The Guncle--Steven Rowley
20. Author From a Developing Country: Breath, Eyes, Memory--Edwidge Danticat
21. Adapted Into a Netflix Series: Bridgerton: The Duke and I--Julia Quinn
22. 2021 Bestseller List: Tokyo Ever After--Emiko Jean
23. Road Trip!: First Trip--Cheryl Taylor
24. Related to Your Hobbies: Drawing Lessons--Tracy Mack
25. Against Backdrop of the Civil War: Last in a Long Line of Rebels--Lisa Lewis Tyre

Challenge completed on December 6

Not Planning Much for Christmas

Even before Covid hit, my family had not been doing much in the way of celebrating Christmas. And now it looks like that will be the same this year. And I'm fine with this. And getting a tree seems unlikely at this point. Again, I'm OK with this. I have been used to this for years now. But this doesn't mean that I don't have Christmas Spirit--you can still have it without elaborate decorations, celebrations and presents. 

Every year, I find myself kind of wanting to put up Christmas decorations that never getting around to doing so. I might think "Maybe another year," but that always seems to fall through as a new year comes. But at least I have my snowman I made at work one year (pictured below) in the living room by the TV set. 

And I'm not sure if any celebrations are planned at work. Since Covid, we have not been able to have potluck celebrations, but last year we did do a gift exchange. No word on this year and there isn't much time left. We will close on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, since the actual holidays occur on Saturdays this year.

Do you have anything planned yet? 

This or That Reading Challenge 2022

A new one I want to take part in this year, hosted by Shh, I am Reading. I like the idea of getting to choose between two different themes for each month. Each I do will be determined as each month arrives.

Shh, I am Reading's This or That Reading Challenge- 2022
Welcome readers! If you love reading challenges but often find the large lists a little daunting and sometimes hard to follow like me then you'll be pleased to find that my reading challenge has 2 challenges a month equaling to 24 challenges AND you only have to choose one or the other. You're, absolutely, welcome to choose both, though. 

Bloggers and non-bloggers alike are welcomed! If you post on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #thisorthat2022

January
This: A book that is to be published in 2022.
or
That: A book you meant to read in 2021: Castle Rackrent and The Absentee--Maria Edgeworth

February
This: Read a multiple genre romance novel: A Curse So Dark and Lonely--Brigid Kemmerer
or
That: Cozy up and re-read a favorite book.

March
This: A book written by an Irish author
or
That: Close your eyes and pick at random from any bookshelf that you or another person own. Book stores and libraries count too!: Here to Stay--Sara Farizan

April
This: Read a historical fiction or non-fiction book.
or
That: Read a futuristic science fiction/fantasy book: Parable of the Sower--Octavia E. Butler

May
This: A book that features mental health for Mental Health Awareness Month List of Mental Health Books: Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac--Gabrielle Zevin
or
That: A book from a female author that has more than 10 books published.

June
This: A book by a independent publishing company or small press. The Big, Big List of Indie Publishers and Small Presses: The Girl Who Drank the Moon--Kelly Barnhill
or
That: A book with 3 or 4 people on the front cover. 

July
This: A book you got for free, this includes books that were gifts.
or
That: A book by an BIPOC author: Breath, Eyes, Memory--Edwidge Danticat

August
This: A book by a winner or a nominee of the Goodreads Choice Awards in the last 5 years.
or
That: A back-list book (anything published in 2021 or before 2021): The Lies That Bind--Emily Giffin

September
This: A banned book for Banned Book Week.
or
That: A book that is a fairy tale retelling: Hansel & Gretel--James Marshall

October
This: A book with orange or purple on the cover: Devonshire Scream--Laura Childs
or
That: A book that is a spooky as you can handle.

November
This: A book from a debut author of the last 5 years.
or
That: A book with a 5 or 6 word title: Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale--Lynda Rutledge

December
This: A Christmas themed book: A Wallflower Christmas--Lisa Kleypas
or
That: Read a book that a family member, friend or someone you admire has recommended.

Challenge completed on December 12

2022 Poetry Reading Challenge

 Once again I will be doing this one at Savvy Verse and Wit, choosing the third option.

1. One of the easiest, and possibly most difficult, will be getting people to sign up to read a poem-a-day through the Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day service. The challenge is to read a poem-a-day for a week once per month and write about which poems were your favorite and why. You can write up a short blurb on your Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, or your blog. I’d love for you to share your experience in the comments each month.
2. Second, read at least 1 book of poetry (doesn’t have to be cover-to-cover) and write about your favorite poems and what you learned about yourself while reading those poems.
3. Third, if you want to go all out, feel free to read as many books of poetry as you can in one year and link to your reviews in the comments.

My Books:

1. Glass--Ellen Hopkins
2. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me--Sherman Alexie
3. Angel of Greenwood--Randi Pink
4. Call Us What We Carry--Amanda Gorman
5. Ordinary Hazards--Nikki Grimes
6. Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio--Pu Songling
7. Retro Rhythms--Francesca Damkar
8. Book Fiesta!--Pat Mora
9. The Merchant of Venice--William Shakespeare
10. Vanilla--Billy Merrell
11. Ruby--Erica Varela
12. What Was I Scared Of?--Dr,. Seuss
13. You're My Little Pumpkin Pie--Natalie Marshal
14. Maccabee!--Tilda Balsley
15. The Oxford Treasury of Christmas Poems--Michael Harrison 

Calling challenge complete on December 13

Book Riot's 2022 Read Harder Challenge

 Another that I always look forward to.

1. Read a biography of an author you admire: Who Was Jane Austen?--Sarah Fabiny
2. Read a book set in a bookstore: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore--Robin Sloan
3. Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list: Half a Yellow Sun--Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4. Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma: Black Buck--Mateo Askaripour
5. Read an anthology featuring diverse voices: Meet Cute--Jennifer L. Armentrout & others
6. Read a nonfiction YA comic: Dancing at the Pity Party--Tyler Feder
7. Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40: The Switch--Beth O'Leary
8. Read a classic written by a POC: Native Son--Richard Wright
9. Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest: The Fixer Upper--Mary Kay Andrews
10. Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+): While Justice Sleeps--Stacey Abrams
11. Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character: Ace--Angela Chen
12. Read an entire poetry collection: Call Us What We Carry--Amanda Gorman
13. Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author: The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea--Maggie Tokuda-Hall
14. Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book): Fast Food Nation--Eric Schlosser
15. Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital): LitHub.com
16. Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes: 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life--Joyce Meyer
17. Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary: It Never Goes Away--Dr. Anne L. Koch
18. Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice: The Best American Short Stories 2014--Jennifer Egan (ed.)
19. Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author: Parable of the Sower--Octavia E. Butler
20. Read an award-winning book from the year you were born: Ringworld--Larry Niven
21. Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth: Cinderella is Dead--Kalynn Bayron
22. Read a history about a period you know little about: The Radium Girls--Kate Moore
23. Read a book by a disabled author: The Kiss Quotient--Helen Hoang
24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat (Nonviolent True Crime): Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--John Berendt

Challenge completed on December 7

Elif Reading Challenge 2022 – Discoveries

Another new one to me, at Elif Reader. 

1- A historical fiction: Castle Rackrent and The Absentee--Maria Edgeworth

2- A book set in a city you love: Martin Eden--Jack London

3- A book by a woman writer you’ve never read before: The Red Queen--Philippa Gregory

4- A book about art: Easy Crafts for the Insane--Kelly Williams Brown

5- A book from a writer whose last name begins with S: Miss Herbert (The Suburban Wife)--Christina Stead

6- A short story collection: Meet Cute--Jennifer L. Armentrout & others

7- A novel written in the 2000s: The Time Traveler's Wife--Audrey Niffenegger

8- A book set in more than one city/country: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald--Therese Anne Fowler

9- A book with an adorable cover: Moloka'i--Alan Brennert

10- A non-fiction book: Kitchen Confidential--Anthony Bourdain

11- A book that will make you think: Visionary Women--Andrea Barnet

12- A book with a one-word title: Silverworld--Diana Abu-Jaber

13- A science fiction book by a woman writer: Parable of the Sower--Octavia E. Butler

14- A book you bought last year: The Cactus--Sarah Haywood

15- A book waiting to be read for years: Eight Hundred Grapes--Laura Dave

16- An LGBTQ+ writer’s book: The Guncle--Steven Rowley

17- A memoir or an essay: My Patients and Other Animals--Suzy Finchman-Gray

18- A book with a city/country name in the title: The Little Paris Bookshop--Nina George

19- A children’s book: The Girl Who Drank the Moon--Kelly Barnhill

20- A book with an animal in the title: When You Trap a Tiger--Tae Keller

Challenge completed on June 16