In the last couple of years, I have become quite an avid fan of them. They are fantastic for discovering new-to-you authors or genres you’ve never tried before. The thing I really love about them is seeing which of the books in my towers and piles will work for each category.
I’ve finally decided to design my very first reading challenge, and you’re the first to learn the categories here on Writing to Inspire.
This reading challenge will be for the second half of 2017, and since autumn is smack in the middle of these months, I’ve titled it “Autumn 2017 Reading Challenge.” Because summer’s also in there, I’ve created levels with a beach theme. This challenge is active from July through December of this year.
To keep track of who’s participating and how many books they sign up for, I’ll be editing this article to include the participants’ names and number of books they’re aiming for (I’m going ahead and marking myself down to give you an example of what this will look like). To get your name on the list, leave me a comment letting me know that you’re in and how many books you’re striving to read for this challenge.
Once the challenge gets going, make sure to leave another comment once a month or so to update me on how many books you’ve read toward the challenge, that way I can update your entry in the reading challenge.
There are four different levels for this challenge:
Testing the Water – 6 books (1 per month)
Wading In – 12 books (2 per month)
Swimming to the Buoy – 18 books (3 per month)
Open-Water Swimming – 24 books (4 per month)
For the first three levels, you can choose any of the categories to reach your number of books. For the largest level, all the categories must be completed.
Here are the twenty-four categories for the
Autumn 2017 Reading Challenge:
1. A book that was turned into a movie
2. A book set in Germany
3. A book that’s over 400 pages
4. A book with only two colors on the cover
5. A book whose cover has the author’s name in larger print than the title
6. A book featuring a road trip
7. A book that takes place on a boat
8. A book about brothers
9. A borrowed book
10. A book with a quilt on the cover
11. A book with “daughter” in the title
12. A book with jewelry on the cover
13. A book that made you laugh out loud
14. A book with a wedding dress on the cover
15. A book that takes place in two or more time periods
16. A book with yellow lettering on the cover
17. A book with a POV character with a diverse cultural background
18. A book with stars on the cover
19. A book written by a new-to-you author
20. A book with an eccentric character
21. A book with a theme of “trust”
22. A book with a two-word title
23. A book written by one of your favorite authors
24. A book you read without first reading the back cover
Here’s a picture version of the categories. Feel free to save it to your computer for future reference. I’ll also have it on my Reading Challenges Pinterest board if you want to share it with your friends.
Which level are you in for?
Which categories are the most intriguing to you?
Have you ever before participated in a reading challenge?
You can also find it in the right-hand sidebar of my website for the rest of the year.
Andrea, thank you for clarifying. I don't know if there will be a boat ride in the book or not as I have only read about a third of it so far. No, I have not read To Dance with Dolphins by Bonnie Leon. I have read her Touching The Clouds #1 Alaskan Skies series and hope to read the others in the series.Blessings, Tina
Andrea, oops, sorry.Hmm, for The Man She Knew, #23..favorite author,and for The Captivating Lady Charlotte, #21…trust.Blessings, Tina
Thanks, Tina!
That's one of the fun parts of some of the categories, I think, to see if books you read will fit even if at first they didn't seem like they would. I hope you're enjoying the books you're discovering for this challenge!
I finished my second book today.Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr#8 brothersTwo stars
Book 3Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson#22 two-word titleOne star (sensuality, crude jokes, and theme of intentional sin)
12. Laugh out loud: Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster19. New author: Countdown by Heather Woodhaven
I've heard of Daddy-Long-Legs, but I haven't read it yet. Is it worth the time?
Book 4: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson#19 New-to-me authorReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2064411959
Great job, Rebekah! You're on pace to finish all 24 categories. You go, girl!
Completed Book #2FALSE IDENTITY by Jennifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole#22 A book with a two-word titleIt kept me turning page after page!
🙂 Thanks. I was going to ask you to move me to Wading In because I've Tested the Waters and they're just fine. 🙂 I've started another book for this and have about 8 more picked out. Once I've neared the goal for the second group, I'm hoping to move up again.
Sure thing! I got your name moved to the Wading In section. Great job!
So proud of you, Mom! Two books in the first month? Look at you! 🙂 Now I'm curious to see how many books you end up with. Perhaps it will be more than six.
Book 4For Such a Time by Kate Breslin#9 borrowed bookI got this one from the library.Rating: 2 stars(innuendo, expletives, romance felt forced, random POVs)
Andrea,Book 3…Turbulence by Alana Terry #19, new-to-me author.Book 4…To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander, #23, favorite author.blessings, Tina
Cruising right along, Tina. Great job!
It is a fun romp of a story, but be aware that it was written from a liberal (Socialist) standpoint.
I finished reading \”Love Comes Softly\” by Janettte Oke for #5 Author's name in larger print than the title. :)Here's my review if anyone's interested.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2070835575
Book 1/a book over 400 pages: A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow (2 stars)Book 2/a book set in Germany: High as the Heaven by Kate Breslin (3.5 stars)
Well done, Rebekah! I have been working on my collection of that series for a long time now. I think I only have one or two books to go.
Great job, Olivia! Did the setting come alive for you in High as the Heaven? That's what I'm looking forward to in whichever book I read for the Germany category.
Ah, thank you for the heads-up. I think I have a copy in my Kindle, so I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. Is it the book that the Fred Astaire movie by the same title was based on?Here's the link for the IMDB page for the movie version in question: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047969/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Andrea,Book #5…The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson, #16, yellow lettering on the cover.Book #6…Lady Sarah (#2 Patriots & Seekers) by Lyn Cote, #7, takes place on a boat (in part of the story).Blessings, Tina
Great job, Tina! Wow, six books in the first month. You're really flying through 'em!
My 6th book: The Best of Reminisce#13 Made me Laugh Out LoudMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2075921311
Fabulous job, Rebekah!
Andrea,This is for July as I finished reading it last night, July 31st:Book #7…The American Heiress Brides Collection by Kimberly Woodhouse, Lisa Carter, Mary Davis, Susanne Dietze, Anita Mae Draper, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Lisa Karon Richardson and Lynette Sowell, #12,jewelry on the cover.Blessings, Tina
Seven books in the first month? Tina, I'm quite impressed! Well done, my friend.
Yes, that's what the movie was based on, but I can't say how closely they followed it.
I'll have to read the book before I watch the movie again, then. Thanks for the tip!
I finished my 7th book. \”Doctor Kate\”#22 Two-word titleMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2085169246
Tina, I have you down as having two books for #23, favorite author (The Man She Knew and To Wager Her Heart). Does one of them fit into a secondary category?
Been a while since I updated my own book count.#3, over 400 pages: A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White 8/7/17, 3 Stars#7, on a boat: All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt 7/27/17, 4 Stars#19, new-to-you author: The St. Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree 7/27/17, 1 StarThat puts me up to seven categories finished. How are all of you coming along?
Just finished book #8 The Treasured Brides Collection#12 Jewelry on the coverMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2086638881
I'm checking in to update.I've actually read 14 books since this started, but don't quite have them all under categories right now…and some of these could actually fit under a few different categories. I might still be able to get the others in a category, I'll keep thinking! 🙂 Here's what I have so far#3 over 400 pages- Tiffany Girl by Deanne Gist #4 only two colors – A Fool and His Monet by Sandra Orchard#5 author's name larger than title – Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon, Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter#9 borrowed book – The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller#13 book that made me laugh out loud – True to You by Becky Wade#15 takes place in two or more time periods – The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick#19 new to me author – Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll, Arms of Promise by Crystal Walton#20 eccentric character – Smart Vaccine by Richard Sadok, The Hanover Street Affair by Ashley Gardner#21 theme of trust – Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman#22 two word title – The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim#24 read without reading back cover – The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson
Andrea,August so far:#8…A Christmas Surprise #1 Love In the Cascades series by Kimberly Rose Johnson, #23 favorite author.#9…A Name Unknown #1 Shadows Over England series by Roseanna M. White, #3 over 400 pages.blessings, Tina
Book #9 Who Gets the Drumstick?#9 Borrowed bookMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2089709820
My third book: Category #12 A book with jewelry on the cover entitled \”One Plus One Equals Trouble\” by Sondra KraakHave a great day!Dawn
Good afternoon Andrea, Book #8…A Christmas Surprise #1 Love in the Cascades by Kimberly Rose Johnson…#23, favorite author.Book #9…A Name Unknown #1 Shadows Over England by Roseanna M. White…#3, over 400 pages.Book #10…Abiding Mercy #1 Amish Mercies by Ruth Reid…#22, two-word title.Book #11…At the Stroke of Midnight: A Sweet Romance #1 A Fairly Western Tale by Kate Palmer and Jennifer Hatch…#14, wedding dress on cover. Book #12…Frontier Want Ad Bride #4 Wilderness Bride by Lyn Cote…#21, theme of trust. Book #13…The Matchmaker’s Match #4 Love in the Cascades by Kimberly Rose Johnson…#23, favorite author. Blessings, Tina
Still cruising along, I see. Well done!
Rosalyn, you're knocking it out of the park! Nicely done. It's only necessary to have one book per category, so if there is another category that works for some of those duplicates you have (books listed for #5, #19, and #20), let me know. So proud of you!
Tina, you're doing well! I think you've hit \”favorite author\” three times already. Guess you've got lots of favorite authors! (Me too!) Are there other categories that the extra books will work for?
Intriguing title!
A math-related title… neat!
Cruising through! Nicely done, Tina. So proud of you.
Afternoon Andrea,Book #14…In Love & War by Miralee Ferrell, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Debby Mayne & Trish Perry…#4, Two colors on the cover.Book #15…Blind Spot #3 Chesapeake Valor by Dani Pettrey…#7,took place on a boat (part of the story).blessings, Tina
Wow, Mrs. Tina, you amaze me. Keep up the fast reading!
Guess I am going to have to go for the whole enchilada as I've already completed 17. So here's to open water swimming:1. A book that was turned into a movie2. A book set in Germany3. A book that's over 400 pages – The Dead Saint (Bishop Lynn Peterson #1) by Marilyn Brown Oden4. A book with only two colors on the cover -A New Dawn in Montana by Isa Teaque5. A book whose cover has the author's name in larger print than the title – The Maiden of Mayfair by Lawanna Blackwell6. A book featuring a road trip – The Queen of Sleepy Eye by Patti Hill7. A book that takes place on a boat8. A book about brothers – Texas by Debra White Smith9. A borrowed book – Penny Wise (Windy City Neighbors #3) by Neta and Dave Jackaon10. A book with a quilt on the cover11. A book with \”daughter\” in the title – Eve’s Daughters by Lynn Austin12. A book with jewelry on the cover – High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin13. A book that made you laugh out loud – Joy Breaks: 90 Devotions to Celebrate, Simplify, and Add Laughter to Your Life by Patsy Clairmont,Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Mebert, and Luci Swindoll14. A book with a wedding dress on the cover15. A book that takes place in two or more time periods16. A book with yellow lettering on the cover – Over the Waters by Deborah Raney17. A book with a POV character with a diverse cultural background – Pound Foolish (Windy City Neighbors #4) by Neta & Dave Jackson 18. A book with stars on the cover19. A book written by a new-to-you author – Uncle’s Bakery by Dana Meachen Rau20. A book with an eccentric character21. A book with a theme of \”trust\” – Mountain Man by Yvonne Lehman22. A book with a two-word title – Hidden Places by Lynn Austin23. A book written by one of your favorite authors – Without a Doubt (Rock Harbor #1) by Colleen Coble24. A book you read without first reading the back cover – McKenzie (Montana Skies #1) by Penny Zeller
Well done, Loraine! You're really soaring through the categories now.