Reading Challenges for 2016

It occurred to me recently that I still need to make my reading more diverse. I want to add more writers who are people of color, LGBTQIA, and others who fall outside the literary "mainstream." There are so many other perspectives, so many other voices out there to hear.

Someone said once that every child deserves to see faces like her own in stories. That's not an exact quote, but it is essentially the sentiment, and I agree.


There are excellent authors with different world views out there, but one must make a concerted effort to find them, what ever the reason.

Literary erasure is not always deliberate, but literary championing must be.

                                                                                - Sarah Weinman

I love poetry and murder mysteries, and I will attempt this year to search out new authors with which to expand my reading list, and my world view.

I am just beginning but if any one else is interested I will park the sources I find here, and if you have any to share I would truly appreciate that as well.

* Writers of Color * Some Notable Writers of Color * Sister Sleuth *

* Your 25 Favorite Writers of Color * We Are Many, We Are Everywhere *
* SFGate * Diversity! Books for a Better Today * Good Reads *

So, my chosen Reading Challenges this year are basically the same ones as in years past, but I'm hoping to change the make up of my reading lists.

New Year’s Resolution Reading Challenge - Joy's Book Blog - Ends Jan 31, 2016

"What do you want to accomplish in the New Year? Will reading a book help you reach your goal, keep your resolution, or complete your project? Start the year off right by reading books that support your goals, resolutions, and projects.

Whether you want to write a memoir, wage a campaign, or wake up your creativity, there are books to aid you in your quest. The New Year’s Resolution Reading Challenge is to read one to four books that will stimulate action on your goals."

Here are the levels:

Resolved: 1 book * Determined: 2 books * Committed: 3 books * Passionate: 4 books

The books can all support the same resolution - or not.

My Goals: I have had to make some major changes in my life because of health issues. Trying to reinvent ones self and rebuild is not an easy thing to do, but this is my goal. I am at the Committed level with 3 books.

1. I need to have some source of income even though my job hunt has been, shall we say, less than fruitful. 
2. I need to be able to maximize my accomplishments when I am able to function. 
3. And I need to make peace with the situation. 

In some ways that makes this year much like last year, except this year I am more focused.

My List:

• The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living ... - Chris Guillebeau - I am in the process of setting up an Etsy business to bring in a few dollars with skills and abilities I still possess. This book seems to have a great deal of practical advice on starting a business from scratch and making it work. (COMPLETED)  

"Remember, this book isn't about founding a big Internet startup, and it isn't about opening a traditional business by putting on a suit and begging for money at a bank. Instead, It it's the account of people who found a way to live their dreams and make a good living from something they care deeply about." This is a book of practical advice filled with examples of people who stepped outside of convention with their ideas and succeeded. For those of us who lack the 'business gene,' it can be both inspiration and source material. As I prepare to go live with my business, I need all the encouragement I can get, and this book has been great.

• The Life Changing magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo - This book is basically a book on organization, but her focus is on your relationship with things and how changing that relationship can change your life. (I'll let you know how that works out.) (COMPLETED)  

My thoughts on this book are mixed. Ms Kondo has some good ideas on letting go of things, but she comes across as one who might need a bit of therapy to deal with her own relationship to things. Her methods of dealing with great swaths of sorting at a time are overwhelming for someone struggling with disability. Still, I found it encouraging.

• Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat-Zinn - This was on my list for last year, but I never ended up reading it. I have seen reviews that lead me to believe it could be helpful to me in attaining my third goal - making peace with my lot. (COMPLETED) 

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." Is there such a thing as practical mindfulness? Well, if there is, this is the book to help you on your way. I don't know about you, but I need to be continually reminded to be aware and mindful. It is so easy to fall back into worrying, and thinking about what was or what will be, and forget about what is.

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2016 - Corinne Rodrigues - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016

"The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more in 2016 than you did in 2015.  ... Remember, the idea is to challenge yourself."

Levels:

Getting My Heart Rate Up: read 1–5 more books (or 250–1,499 more pages) * 

 Out of Breath: read 6–10 more books (or 1,500–2,749 more pages) * 

Breaking a Sweat: read 11–15 more books (or 2,750–3,999 more pages) *  

I’m on Fire!: read 16+ more books (or 4,000+ more pages)

My Goal is modest. I hope to Break a Sweat with a scant 11-15 more books this year.

My List: 

1. X - Sue Grafton
2. Taken (ebook) - Robert Crais
3. Speaking In Bones - Kathy Reichs
4. Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat-Zinn
5. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living ... - Chris Guillebeau
6. The Life Changing magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo 
7. The Long Fall (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
8. Blood Oath: The President's Vampire (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
9. The President's Vampire - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
10. Red, White, and Blood - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
11. The Maltese Falcon (audiobook) - Dashiell Hammett 
12. What Color is My World? (ebook) - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 
13. Breakdown - Jonathan Kellerman  
14. Revival - (audiobook) - Stephen King 
15. The Drowning Man (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
16. Known To Evil (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
17. Sometimes I Wonder About You (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
18. The Long Walk (audiobook) - Stephen King 
19. Go Set A Watchman (audiobook) - Harper Lee 
20. Joyland (audiobook) - Stephen King 
21. Rumpole of the Bailey (audiobook) - John Mortimer 
22. The Wind Through the Keyhole (audiobook) - Stephen King 
23. Mycroft Holmes (ebook) - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar  
24. Double Homicide - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
25. Capital Crimes - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
26. The Murderer's Daughter - Jonathan Kellerman 
27. 11/22/63 - Stephen King 
28. Driving Heat - Richard Castle 
29. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (audiobook) - P. D. James 
30. The Talisman (audiobook) - Stephen King & Peter Straub 
31. The Library Policeman (audiobook) - Stephen King 
32. Face Off (audiobook) - Ed. David Baldacci 
33. True Detectives (audiobook) - Jonathan Kellerman 
34. The Mystery Box (audiobook) - Mystery Writers of America, Ed. Brad Meltzer 
35. Malice Domestic vol. 6 (audiobook) - Ed. Anne Perry 
36. On Writing (audiobook) - Stephen King 
37. The Colorado Kid (audiobook)- Stephen King 
38. Mr. Mercedes (audiobook) - Stephen King 
39. Doctor Sleep - Stephen King

2016 I Love Libraries Reading Challenge - Bea's Book Nook - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016

"I Love Libraries was formerly hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. She's cutting back her challenge hosting for 2016 and passed the baton to me. This challenge is one of several library challenges I've done since started my blog so I'm delighted to be hosting.

It's no secret that I love my library and it's been a tremendous resource for me over the years, and not just for books. For this challenge, use your library to check out reading material - books, magazines, any sort of reading material that you are allowed to check out, physical or digital."

Levels:

board book - 3 * picture book - 6 * early reader - 9 * chapter book - 12 * middle grades - 18 *  

Young adult - 24 * adult - 36 * just insert IV - 50

This has been an easy goal for me in the past because most of the books I read throughout the year come from the library. I believe wholeheartedly in supporting libraries, because they are an important source of support for communities in spite of insufficient budgets.  Therefore I expect to Just Insert the IV, and make it to at least 50 books.

My List: 

1. X - Sue Grafton
2. Taken (ebook) - Robert Crais
3. Speaking In Bones - Kathy Reichs 
4. The Long Fall (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
5. Blood Oath: The President's Vampire (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
6. The President's Vampire - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
7. Red, White, and Blood - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
8. The Maltese Falcon (audiobook) - Dashiell Hammett 
9. What Color is My World? (ebook) - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 
10. Revival - (audiobook) - Stephen King 
11. The Drowning Man (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
12. Known To Evil (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
13. Sometimes I Wonder About You (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
14. The Long Walk (audiobook) - Stephen King 
15. Go Set A Watchman (audiobook) - Harper Lee 
16. Joyland (audiobook) - Stephen King 
17. Rumpole of the Bailey (audiobook) - John Mortimer 
18. The Wind Through the Keyhole (audiobook) - Stephen King 
19. Mycroft Holmes (ebook) - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar  
20. Double Homicide - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
21. Capital Crimes - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
22. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (audiobook) - P. D. James 
23. The Talisman (audiobook) - Stephen King & Peter Straub 
24. The Library Policeman (audiobook) - Stephen King 
25. Face Off (audiobook) - Ed. David Baldacci 
26. True Detectives (audiobook) - Jonathan Kellerman 
27. The Mystery Box (audiobook) - Mystery Writers of America, Ed. Brad Meltzer 
28. Malice Domestic vol. 6 (audiobook) - Ed. Anne Perry 
29. On Writing (audiobook) - Stephen King 
30. The Colorado Kid (audiobook)- Stephen King 
31. Mr. Mercedes (audiobook) - Stephen King

  
2016 Audiobook Challenge - Hot Listens - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016

"The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015."

Levels:

Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5 * Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10 * Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15 * Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20 * Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30 * My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+ * Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I always hated having to chose between sewing or gardening and reading. Now I don't have to! I am aiming for Socially Awkward with 15-20 audio books.

My List:   

1. X - Sue Grafton 
2. The Long Fall (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
3. Blood Oath: The President's Vampire (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
4. The President's Vampire - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
5. Red, White, and Blood - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
6. The Maltese Falcon (audiobook) - Dashiell Hammett 
7. Revival - (audiobook) - Stephen King 
8. The Drowning Man (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
9. Known To Evil (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
10. Sometimes I Wonder About You (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
11. The Long Walk (audiobook) - Stephen King 
12. Go Set A Watchman (audiobook) - Harper Lee 
13. Joyland (audiobook) - Stephen King 
14. Rumpole of the Bailey (audiobook) - John Mortimer 
15. The Wind Through the Keyhole (audiobook) - Stephen King 
16. Mycroft Holmes (ebook) - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar 
17. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (audiobook) - P. D. James 
18. The Talisman (audiobook) - Stephen King & Peter Straub 
19. The Library Policeman (audiobook) - Stephen King 
20. Face Off (audiobook) - Ed. David Baldacci 
21. True Detectives (audiobook) - Jonathan Kellerman 
22. The Mystery Box (audiobook) - Mystery Writers of America, Ed. Brad Meltzer 
23. Malice Domestic vol. 6 (audiobook) - Ed. Anne Perry 
24. On Writing (audiobook) - Stephen King 
25. The Colorado Kid (audiobook)- Stephen King 
26. Mr. Mercedes (audiobook) - Stephen King

The Women Challenge! - Peek a Book - Jan 1,2016 - Dec 31, 2016

"This challenge will make us want to read more books of any kind written by women, so choose whatever you like and get involved!

Set your level and, if you like, leave me a comment on this post listing your three favourite women writers, in order to suggest new names to other participants as well.

Here are mine (they are just the first ones coming to my mind): Anne Brontë * Joan Didion * Christa Wolf"

Levels:

Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books written by a woman author

Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books written by a woman author

Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books written by a woman author

Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books written by a woman author

I started seeking out more female authors several years ago and I have not been sorry. I believe that I can make the level of Wonder Woman with at least 20 books written by women.

My Goals:

1. X - Sue Grafton
2. Speaking In Bones - Kathy Reichs
3. The Life Changing magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo 
4. The Drowning Man (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
5. Go Set A Watchman (audiobook) - Harper Lee 
6. Double Homicide - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
7. Capital Crimes - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
8. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (audiobook) - P. D. James 
9. Face Off (audiobook) - Ed. David Baldacci 
10. True Detectives (audiobook) - Jonathan Kellerman 
11. The Mystery Box (audiobook) - Mystery Writers of America, Ed. Brad Meltzer 
12. Malice Domestic vol. 6 (audiobook) - Ed. Anne Perry 

Banned Books Challenge 2016 - Buckling Bookshelves - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 15, 2016

"The idea is to read some books this year that people have tried to keep off the shelves. Here in the US, we are fortunate that the government does not legally ban books, but that has not stopped the challenges to school and library materials. (Bear in mind, I am not advocating for any sort of illegal activity here -- read at your own risk!)"

Below are the levels you can choose from:

Making Waves: 1-2 Challenged Books * Trouble-Maker: 3-5 Challenged Books * Rabble-Rouser: 6-9 Challenged Books * Rebel: 10-14 Challenged Books * Leader of a Revolution: 15+ Challenged Books

This is an instance where I need to seek out and pay closer attention to the books that are being challenged and the outcomes of those cases. I'll set my goal at a modest Trouble-Maker level and hope to surpass it.

My Goals:

1.
2.

2016 Cloak and Dagger Challenge - Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! & Booker T's Farm - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016

"I’m a mystery and crime novel fan so I wanted to do a challenge that incorporated all the different types of mystery and crime type novels."

Levels:

1-10 books – Amateur sleuth * 11-20 books – Detective * 

21-30 books – Inspector * 31+ books – Special agent

Since murder mysteries are my drug of choice I expect to ace this challenge at the Special Agent level.

My List:

1. X - Sue Grafton
2. Taken (ebook) - Robert Crais
3. Speaking In Bones - Kathy Reichs 
4. The Long Fall (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
5. Blood Oath: The President's Vampire (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
6. The President's Vampire - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
7. Red, White, and Blood - (audiobook) - Christopher Farnsworth 
8. The Maltese Falcon (audiobook) - Dashiell Hammett 
9. Breakdown - Jonathan Kellerman  
10. The Drowning Man (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
11. Known To Evil (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
12. Sometimes I Wonder About You (audiobook) - Walter Mosley 
13. Joyland (audiobook) - Stephen King 
14. Rumpole of the Bailey (audiobook) - John Mortimer 
15. Mycroft Holmes (ebook) - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar  
16. Double Homicide - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
17. Capital Crimes - Jonathan & Faye Kellerman 
18. The Murderer's Daughter - Jonathan Kellerman 
19. Driving Heat - Richard Castle 
20. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman (audiobook) - P. D. James 
21. Face Off (audiobook) - Ed. David Baldacci 
22. True Detectives (audiobook) - Jonathan Kellerman 
23. The Mystery Box (audiobook) - Mystery Writers of America, Ed. Brad Meltzer 
24. Malice Domestic vol. 6 (audiobook) - Ed. Anne Perry

Mental Illness Advocacy (MIA) Reading Challenge - Opinions of a Wolf - Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016
 
"I started the Mental Illness Advocacy (MIA) Reading Challenge in December 2010 in an effort to raise awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of mental illness.  Reading, both fiction and nonfiction, is an excellent way to broaden one’s horizons and expose one to new ideas and ways of thinking and being.  ...  In spite of mental illnesses being recognized by the scientific community as diseases just like physical ones, many still think those suffering from one are at fault for their own suffering.  ...  They already have to struggle with an illness; they shouldn’t have to face a stigma too.

Any book, fiction or nonfiction, that is either about mental illness or features characters or real people with a mental illness counts for the challenge.  However, the book must not demonize people with mental illnesses."

Challenge Levels:

Acquainted–4 books * Aware–8 books * Advocate–12 books

I plan to set a modest goal of 4 books at the Acquainted level.

My List: 

1. Breakdown - Jonathan Kellerman
   

PERPETUAL READING CHALLENGES:

Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge (hosted by: Darlene's Book Nook)

Begun in 2012 {My Link}

The Stephen King Challenge: A Perpetual Reading Challenge (hosted by: Michelle & Kate)

Begun in 2014 {My Link}

The Nero Wolfe Not-so-Mini Challenge (hosted by: Becky's Book Reviews)

Begun in 2014 {My Link}

Looking for a challenge of your own?
Try:

{A Novel Challenge}