I started a new list and challenge this year, borrowed from something I saw on Facebook – read 26 books this year, satisfying a list of criteria designed to keep the list diverse and encourage exploring new styles, genres, etc. With a few friends, we came up with our own version of the list, and started in early January. Since the challenge requires writing a little blurb about each completed book, I thought I’d add my summaries to my blog. I’ve completed 3 so far (so right on schedule), so a few quick blog posts will follow.
The list is below. Any suggestions for additional categories?
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2017 Reading Challenge (RSJ style)
1. A book you read in school (high school or university).
2. A book you were supposed to read in school, but didn’t.
3. A book published before 1900.
4. A book published in 2016.
5. A book published when you were half the age you will be in 2017.
6. A non-fiction book.
7. A book written by a male author.
8. A book written by a female author.
9. A book that is (or is becoming) a film.
10. A book of non-fiction essays.
11. A book set in your hometown or province.
12. A book set in or near where you now live.
13. A book set somewhere you’ve never been.
14. A book with someone’s name in the title.
15. A book with a number in the title.
16. A book with a colour in the title.
17. A book with a place name in the title.
18. A book of short stories.
19. A book you can finish in a day.
20. A book with a one-word title.
21. A book translated from (or in) another language.
22. A book of poetry.
23. A memoir, journal or book of letters.
24. A book written by someone younger than you.
25. A book about food or cooking (not a cookbook, although it can include recipes).
26. A book by an author whom you’ve never read.
General guidelines:
• No more than four books can be ones you’ve read before.
• You can reassign a book from one category to another throughout the year. As your reading progresses, you may decide that your number 7 book would be better as your number 15 book, as you’ve found another male author you’d like to read.
• After completing a book, the reader should email the others with a very brief synopsis and review. This may help others seeking that elusive book-of-poetry-they-can-get-through.
rclr 