The last couple of weeks haven’t gone precisely to plan, so I find myself at the end of October about 7 posts behind, 3 books down from plan and freaking out just a little. But never mind!

I want to say a huge thank you to those who have nominated our little blog for awards – we’ve received a few over the last couple of weeks and I’m really grateful to those who have nominated us, and to all of you who take the time to drop by, read, like and comment. I’m hoping to get up to date in the next week.

We also have a new book tag brewing which will also be unveiled in the coming days.

But today, I wanted to have a look at the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge.

I’m a big Book Riot fan – I appreciate the focus they put on diverse reading, which is something I also try to incorporate into my life. For the last couple of years, Book Riot has posted a Read Harder Challenge, to challenge people to diversify their reading. I haven’t been actively participating this year, but I’m curious as to how my reading progress has intersected with the current challenge.

Here are the categories:

1. Read a horror book
2. Read a nonfiction book about science
3. Read a collection of essays
4. Read a book out loud to someone else
5. Read a middle grade novel
6. Read a biography
7. Read a dystopian or post apocalyptic novel
8. Read a book originally published in the decade you were born
9. Listen to an audiobook that has won an audie award
10. Read a book ove 500 pages long
11. Read a book under 100 pages
12. Read a book by or about a person who identifies as transgender
13. Read a book that is set in the Middle East
14. Read a book that is by an author from South-East Asia
15. Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900
16. Read the first book in a series by a person of colour
17. Read a non super hero comic that debuted in the last 3 years.
18. Read a book that was made into a movie, then watch the movie – debate which was better.
19. Read a non fiction book about feminism or dealing with feminist themes
20. Read a book about religion (fiction or non fiction)
21. Read a book about politics in your country or another
22. Read a food memoir
23. Read a play
24. Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness

So, how have I gone so far?

1. A horror book.

I don’t usually do horror, but read this one for October to get the Halloween vibe.)

 

 

 

 

2. A nonfiction book about science.

 

 

This is a really interesting book looking at where today’s resuscitation techniques came from and the science involved in getting us to where we are now.

 

 

 

3. A collection of essays

4. A middle grade novel.

I haven’t done this one – if I was going to it would be:

5. Read out loud to someone else? Not my style – next!

6. Biography

I’v read a bunch of memoirs but nothing that classes as a biography. Suggestions anyone?

7. A dystopian or post apocalyptic novel.

 

 

This stuff is my bag.

 

 

 

 

8. A book published the decade I was born

 

While the copy I read was the 25th anniversary edition, Helter Skelter was originally published in 1974. Yes, I know I’m old.

 

 

 

 

9. Audie winner

 

 

This is a full cast production and is just brilliant. Also in this category – Born with Teeth by Kate Mulgrew

 

 

 

10. Book over 500 pages

 

 

Boom. The precious is 659 pages long.

 

 

 

 

11. Book under 100 pages

 

 

I’ve not done this one – this is the closest at 130 pages.

 

 

 

12. A book by or about a person who identifies as transgender

13. Set in the Middle East. Not yet but I do have this one on my TBR for the next month or so

14. By an author from South East Asia.

Sadly no, but I’m open for suggestions.

15. Historical fiction before 1900

16. First book in a series by a person of colour

17. Non super hero comic that debuted in the last 3 years

 

 

 

How could I resist that cover.

 

 

 

18. Book made in to a movie

 

 

 

Which was better? The book of course.

 

 

 

19. Non fiction book about feminism

20. Book about religion.

Ah, nope.

21. Book about politics.

I just need to finish this one:

22. Food memoir. Bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Pass.

23. Read a play

 

 

Not only is this brilliant, but the cover is fabulous and sparkly!

 

 

 

 

24. Main character with a mental illness.

 

 

This is hands down one of the worst books I’ve ever read. Don’t do it.

 

 

So I’m pretty happy I’m only missing 6 categories, and I should still be able to knock over a few of those.

What is your reading challenge this year. How are you doing?