2024 Book Challenges

My 2024 Book Challenges


20 Books of Summer Challenge 
20/20

How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America by John Dvorak (Nonfiction; Naturalist Book Club)

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg (Nonfiction; Writing)

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood (Historical Fiction)

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl (Fiction; Paris in July)

Magpie Murders: A Novel by Anthony Horowitz (Mystery; Face-to-Face Book Club)

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan (Nonfiction; Memoir; Birding)

The Great Book of Journaling: How Journaling Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, 
Meaning, and Purpose edited by Eric Maisel (Nonfiction; Writing)

North Woods by Daniel Mason (Fiction)

The Wedding People: A Novel by Alison Espach (Novel)

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson (Nonfiction)

Summer by Edith Wharton (Novel; Classic)

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (Novel; Classic)

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (Novel)

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger (Novel)

James by Percival Everett (Novel)

Germinal by Émile Zola (Classic)

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Science Fiction)

Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Fantasy; Ozathon)

The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Fantasy; Ozathon)

French Windows by Antoine Laurain (Novel; Paris in July)

Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Cartier (Novel; Paris in July)



Big Book Summer Challenge
6/6

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson - 565 pages

Germinal by Émile Zola - 596 pages

Magpie Murders: A Novel by Anthony Horowitz - 501 pages

Captain Fracasse by Théophile Gautier - 478 pages

How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America by John Dvorak - 464 pages

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - 831 pages

Read-along with Gather Together this summer.




2024 Nonfiction Reader Challenge 

12/12 Completed

The aim of the Nonfiction Reader Challenge is to encourage you to make nonfiction part of your reading experience during the year. This challenge is hosted by Book'd Out.

How it works:

You can select, read, and review a book from the categories listed below during the year for a total of up to 12 books; OR select, read, and review any nonfiction book. A book may be in print, electronic or audio format. 

Categories:

History:

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson


Biography/Memoir:

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley


Science:

The Underworld: Journey to the Depths of the Ocean by Susan Casey


Food:

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley


Health:

Cheerfulness by Garrison Keillor


True Crime:

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta


Culture:

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson


Transportation:

The Night Lives On by Walter Lord


The Future:

Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt


Pets/Animals:

Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufmann


Architecture:

Paris and Her Cathedrals by R. Howard Bloch


Published in 2024:

Somehow by Anne Lamott


Choose a goal:

Nonfiction Nipper: Read & review 3 books, from any 3 listed categories.

Nonfiction Nibbler: Read & review 6 books, from any 6 listed categories.

Nonfiction Nosher: Read & review 12 books, one for each category.

Nonfiction Grazer: Read & review any nonfiction book. Set your own goal.





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2024 Back to the Classics Challenge 
12/12 Completed

The Back to the Classics Challenge is a year-long challenge in which participants are encouraged to finally read the classics they've always meant to read -- or just recently discovered. 

The Back to the Classics Challenge was sponsored by Sarah from Sarah Reads Too Much until 2014, and Karen at Books and Chocolate until 2022. I've decided to press on with it. You are welcome to join in.

And now, the rest of the rules:
  • All books must have been written at least 50 years ago; therefore, books must have been written by 1974 to qualify for this challenge. The ONLY exceptions are books published posthumously.
  • E-books and audiobooks are eligible! You may also count books that you read for other challenges.
  • Books may NOT crossover within this challenge.
  • You can change your list at any time. Books may also be read in any order. 

1. A 19th century classic. Any book first published from 1800 to 1899

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens


2. A 20th century classic. Any book first published from 1900 to 1974. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books that were written by 1974 and posthumously published.

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

3. A classic by a woman author. 
Summer by Edith Wharton


4. A classic in translation.  Any book first published in a language that is not your primary language. You may read it in translation or in its original language, if you prefer. 

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

5. An award-winning classic. It could be the Newbery Award, the Prix Goncourt, the Pulitzer Prize, the James Tait Award, etc. Any award is fine. 

Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis (Nobel Prize)

6. Classic detective fiction. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

7. A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction. The journey itself must be the major plot point -- not just the destination. Good examples include The Hobbit, Around the World in 80 Days, Unbeaten Tracks in Japan, Kon-Tiki, Travels with Charley, etc. 

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella L. Bird

8. Classic children's book. Indulge your inner child and read that classic that you somehow missed years ago. Short stories are fine, but it must be a complete volume. Young adult and picture books don't count!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

9. A nonfiction classic. Travel, memoirs, and biographies are great choices for this category.

The Night Lives On by Walter Lord

10. Humorous/satirical classic. Find the classic book that's been hanging around unread the longest, and finally cross it off your list!  

The Complete Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino

11. Banned or censored classic. This has been a hot topic lately. Here's a list from the American Library Association to get you started.

Germinal by Emile Zola

12. Free choice.  Read any book you like.

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens





2024 Chapter-a-Day Challenge 

2/20 Completed

  • The Chronicles of Narnia (January 1-April 14)
  • Lord of the Rings (April 15-June 15) 
  • The Fellowship of the Ring (April 15-26)
  • The Two Towers (April 27-May 6)
  • The Return of the King (May 7-27)
  • Harry Potter Series (June 16-December 31)
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (June 16-July 2)
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (July 3-20)
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (July 21-August 11)
  • Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire (August 12-September 17)
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (September 18-October 25)
  • Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince (October 26-November 24)
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (November 25-December 31)






2024 Ozathon 
12/12 Completed


Lory at Entering the Enchanted Castle will start a readalong of the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. The Book Stop, home of a fellow Oz fan, will be joining Lory as co-host.

There are 14 books, and the plan is to start in December and read in published order through January of 2025.

If you’re not up for such a commitment, though, there will be a stopping point at the end of the first six books. Baum actually tried to end the series here — he wanted to write other things — but his fans wouldn’t let him, so he reluctantly went back to writing an Oz book a year till the end of his life. The later books have some good parts, but the first six are probably the strongest. You’ll get a good taste of Oz that way, even if you don’t go further.

It’s not necessary to read all of them, or read them in order. Feel free to dip in as you wish.

There will be a monthly post on each book, at The Enchanted Castle or at The Book Stop or both, and a roundup of any posts that are shared with us. #Ozathon24 is the hashtag for sharing.

Part I: Essential Oz adventures

Partb II: Further journeys in Oz

  • June, 2024: The Patchwork Girl of Oz
  • July, 2024: Tik-Tok of Oz
  • August, 2024: The Scarecrow of Oz
  • September, 2024: Rinkitink in Oz
  • October, 2024: The Lost Princess of Oz
  • November, 2024: The Tin Woodman of Oz
  • December, 2024: The Magic of Oz
  • January, 2025: Glinda of Oz






2024 Gaia/Nature Reading Challenge 
12/12 Completed
There are no strict rules to the challenge. Pledge to read as many or as few nature-themed books as you would like. Just one qualifies for the challenge. The titles you choose can be either fiction or non-fiction; they just have to have nature, climate or environment as an issue or theme. This challenge was originally created by Gumtrees and Galaxies. Links are welcome and encouraged.

My list:
Prairie Up by Benjamin Vogt
How the Mountains Grew by John Dvorak
Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard
Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufmann







2024 Super Past Due Reviews Challenge 
10/10 Completed

Anne at My Head is Full of Books writes: "Prior to 2017, my priority in blogging was writing reviews for the YA books I was reading. I purposely didn't review all the adult books I read, thinking my students wouldn't be that interested in them. Now I realize that many of the books I never reviewed are some of my favorites and I really, really wish I hadn't neglected them. I keep wondering if it is possible to write reviews for books I read years ago? Well, this project will be my attempt to go back and correct the record, writing super-duper past due reviews."

I shall try to join her. I will start with books that are on my list of favorites and my list of must-reads, but which I have failed to review.

For more about Anne's project, take a look here.

My list:


The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Half Magic by Edward Eager
Knight's Castle by Edward Eager
Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager
The Time Garden by Edward Eager
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle







Creativity Reading Challenge 2024
12/12 Completed


This challenge is about reading books on creativity, art, crafts, writing, film making, photography, cosmetology, DIY, cooking, music and any other topic that helps you live a more creative life.

How It Works:
  • Runs January 1 to December 31, 2024. 
  • Read as many books as you want. 
  • Books may be nonfiction, memoir, how-to, self help, coffee table books, instructional, picture books, and even fictional books if they are about people who are creative.
  • You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks or audiobooksYou may reread books. 
  • Books may count towards other reading challenges in which you are participating.
  • Ideas for books to include: 40 of the Best Books to Unlock Your Creativity; Goodreads Creativity List; and 20 Best Creativity Books of All Time.
The original sponsor of this challenge: Whatever I Think Of.

My List:

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Write for Your Life by Anna Quindlen
How to Get Ideas by Jack Foster
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Three Simple Lines by Natalie Goldberg
How to Get Ideas by Jack Foster
The Great Book of Journaling
Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Urban Sketching Handbook by Mike Daikubara 
1000 Words by Jamie Attenberg
Daily Rituals: Women at Work by Mason Currey







2024 Happiness Project Challenge 
10/10 Completed

Ten years ago, Gretchen Rubin began a year-long experiment to discover how to create true happiness. Drawing on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world examples, Rubin's book will provide the model for a happiness project of my own.

I will aim to read ten books about various aspects of happiness.

Some of the books I may read:

On Getting Better by Adam Phillips
The Well-Lived Life by Gladys McGarey
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
Cheerfulness by Garrison Keillor
Getting Unstuck by Pema Chodron
Joie by Ajiri Aki
The Algebra of Happiness by Scott Galloway




Mt. TBR Reading Challenge 
12/12 Completed

Lucky 13! January 2024 kicks off the thirteenth year for the Mount TBR Reading Challenge, sponsored by My Reader's Block.

Please join us in knocking out some of those books that have been waiting for attention for weeks...months...even years.

Challenge Levels:

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancounver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro*: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s (*aka Cerro El Toro in South America)
Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

The Rules:
*Once you choose your challenge level, you are locked in for at least that many books. You are welcome to voyage further and conquer taller mountains after your commitment is met. All books from lower mountains carry over towards the next peak.

*Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2024

*You may sign up at any time--no matter when you see this challenge. All qualifying books read after January 1st count.

*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2024--items requested or ordered prior to January 1, may count even if they arrive in the new year. No library books~. If you're looking for a library book challenge or one that counts books on your non-owned TBR list, then please see Mount TBR's sister challenge: the Virtual Mount TBR Challenge.

   ~The ONLY exception to the library rule: If you own the book in any form and have a reason to check out a version from the library instead, then you may count it. For example--if you own a hard copy, but are planning on taking a trip where listening to the audio version would be a great way to knock out a book while you drive, then by all means check out the audio version and have a wonderful trip! Please check with My Reader's Block if you have questions.

*Rules for Rereads: Any reread may count, regardless of how long you've owned it, provided you have not counted it for a previous Mount TBR Challenge.

*Audiobooks and E-books may count provided they are yours prior to January 1. ARCs are also fine.

*You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided you had 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around. I will trust you all on that. The only exception is if you have participated in Mount TBR in 2023 and were unable to finish the book in time for the final Check-in Post. Then--if you finish the book post-January 1, you may count it as your first step of the new challenge.

*You may count "Did Not Finish" books provided they meet your own standard for such things, you do not plan to ever finish it, and you move it off your mountain [give it away, sell it, remove from e-resources, etc.]. For example, my personal rule (unless it's a very short book) is to give it 100 pages. If I decide I just can't finish it and won't ever, then off the mountain it goes and I count it as a victory--the stack is smaller!

*No page limit--if it was published as a book, it counts. No single short stories--but collections of short stories do count.

*Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

*Feel free to submit your list in advance or to tally them as you climb. 

*A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post about the challenge and link that post (not your home page) in the form below. My link provider has limited the number of link "parties" I can have open at a time--so I will be using Google forms for all my sign-up links this year. Non-bloggers may enter their names only without a blog link OR members of Goodreads are welcome to join the Goodreads group HERE. 
 
*Anthologies which contain more than one full-length book may count for the number of books included in the edition--provided that you read all books included AND that the books were published individually at some point. For instance, I own a large number of 3-in-1 Detective Book Club editions. Those three books count as three separate entries on Mount TBR. Occasionally, publishers put together editions of "previously unpublished works." Those editions would only count as one entry since those works have not been published separately at any time.

*If you post on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media to log a book, please use #MountTBR2024.

* As I have in the past, I will have a headquarters link in the left hand side-bar which will offer links to this original post, monthly review links, and the final wrap-up. I will update it at the beginning of the new year The Headquarters will also have a link to a list of our climbing crew with their commitments. 

Happy climbing!


I am aiming for climbing Pike's Peak.

The Book of (More) Delights

A Winter in New York

Photo Ark

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle

The Complete Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino

Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard

Summer by Edith Wharton

Daily Rituals: Women at Work by Mason Currey

Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard

Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr

Captain Fracasse by Theophile Gautier

Joie by Ajiri Aki

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi





2024 Historical Fiction Challenge
7/5


Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created at The Intrepid Reader where you can add the links for the books you have read. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

Everyone can participate! If you don't have a blog you can post a link to your review if it's posted on Goodreads, Facebook, or Amazon, or you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish.

Add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to the monthly post (please use the direct URL that will guide us directly to your review)
Any sub-genre of historical fiction is accepted (Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, History/Non-Fiction, etc.)

During the following 12 months, you can choose one of the different reading levels:

20th Century Reader - 2 books
Victorian Reader - 5 books
Renaissance Reader - 10 books
Medieval - 15 books
Ancient History - 25 books
Prehistoric - 50+ books

To join the challenge you only need to make a post about it, add your link in Mr. Linky here or just leave a link to your blog if you are not yet ready to post about it yet. If you don't have a blog you can just leave a comment for this post saying that you are joining, and link to your Facebook, Goodreads or other social media page where you will be sharing your reviews.

1. World of Pies by Karen Stolz

3. Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse

4. Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter

5. The Stolen Child by Ann Hood

6. Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah

7. Countdown by Deborah Wiles

8. James by Percival Everett

10. The Women by Kristen Hannah



Cook the Books Club

Cook the Books Book Club

Guidelines

1. Order, buy, or borrow the appointed book.
2. After reading the book, cook up something delicious inspired by the book and blog about it. If you don’t have a blog, one of us four co-hosts would be happy to post your entry as a guest blogger. Make sure to include a link to this COOK THE BOOKS blog so others can find out about the details.
3. In the meantime, feel free to suggest other food-rich readings for a future round of COOK THE BOOKS by leaving a comment after this post.

Cook the Books hosts:


December 2023 / January 2024: Undercooked by Dan Ahdoot (hosted by Debra at Eliot's Eats)
February / March 2024 Relish by Lucy Knisley (hosted by Simona at Briciole)









April / May 2024: Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (hosted by Deb at Kahakai Kitchen)
June / July 2024: Family Tree by Susan Wiggs hosted by Claudia at Honey from Rock)

August / September 2024: The Secret Life of Bees by sue Monk Kidd (hosted by Debra at Eliot's Eats)

October / November 2024 Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (hosted by Simona at briciole)



Happy reading and cooking!

 




 To recap:


December 2024 / January 2025: Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang (hosted by Claudia at Honey from Rock)
February / March 2025: Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (hosted by Debra at Eliot's Eats)

April / May 2025: The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson (hosted by Simona at briciole)



















June / July 2025: The Mystery Selection by "details to be revealed in due time"

Happy reading and cooking!


2024 Goodreads Challenge

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

100/100 Completed




1 comment:

  1. AnonymousDecember 31, 2023 at 3:14 PM

    It looks like you have a great year of reading ahead of you!!! So many great challenges. Good luck! Cindy from Cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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