TBR Reading Challenge
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
— Neil Gaiman, Coraline
This is a challenge that is after my heart. On all of the other challenges that I’m participating in, where it’s allowed, I’m taking books off of my TBR list but this challenge INSISTS ON IT!!! On the 2020 TBR Reading Challenge there are 22 prompts and those who finish and post their reviews also have a chance to win a book… of their choice!!! This is book lovers dream!!! Thank you so much Stacked for putting this incredible challenge together!
A special thank also goes out to you at Orange County Readers for posting such great articles – especially those about all the reading challenges for this year. Seriously check out this blog. It’s really good.
If you plan on participating in this challenge make sure you go to Stacked‘s website here and get all the information.
So here are the prompts and what I’ve chosen:
A 2020 Release
Wet Work by Mark A. Hewitt – This was only released the 1st week of January so it just makes it in to 2020 deadline. The storyline looks super interesting.
Book Published in the Year You Were Born
FYI… 1972 is the year I was born
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin – This is one of those rare times that I’ve seen the movie before I read the book (I really hate doing that). It’s been a long time since I’ve watched this film though so I figured it was a good time to read the book and then I could rewatch the movie.
Novel That Will Get a Movie Adaption in 2020
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – I love to read books before they go onto the screen, television or movie, (see above) so I’m always reading a ‘book to screen’ book so I can try to stay caught up with them. I’m really excited about this one, too.
Friend Recommendation
Stardust by Neil Gaiman – My daughter Nicole, recommended this one to me. I think she was a little surprised that I gave her no parameters for the recommendation because we read very different genres. I trust her completely though.
Book You Can Read in A Day
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson– This book has been on my TBR for over 2 years and I felt it was time to get the poor thing off. And since it is only 146 pages I can definitely knock it out in a day.
Book Originally Written in a Foreign Language
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery – When I saw this prompt this book was my 1st choice. I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile. And since my son and his wife live in France I had to pick a French book!
Book by a Dead Author
The Trial by Franz Kafka – This is another one that’s been on my TBR list for over 2 years so I really chose it to read and knock it off that list. It’s also part of the Rory Gilmore Challenge so that definitely helps.
Novel That Was Banned
The Color Purple by Alice Walker – I chose this one because I’ve heard great things about the book and the movie. Frankly I’m looking forward to both of them. Obviously the book first…
NYT Bestseller
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan– I remember when this book came out and I was so excited to read it and obviously never got around to it. I can’t wait to finally read it this year!
Booker Prize Winning Book
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – I’ve been dying to read this book since it was announced that it was coming out!!!! Loved loved loved the 1st book. Can’t wait to see how this one is…
Book by a Nobel Prize Winner
Beloved by Toni Morrison– This is another one that I’ve heard about for awhile but just haven’t picked up. I can’t wait to read it.
Goodreads Winner
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – This one looks so interesting. Anything to do with history gets me excited. Especially books. Honestly I can’t wait to read it!!!
Book From Rory Gillmore Challenge
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton – Another book to screen book. And I actually have NOT seen this film yet. It was pretty easy for me to pick a book for this prompt because I’m also doing the Rory Gilmore Challenge. (There will be another post for that ongoing challenge.)
Book With One-Word Title
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow – This is another historical fiction. My favorite genre. So this was an easy pick for me. And honestly? Look at the cover… Is it not stunning?
Book with Over 500 Pages
The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory – I love Philippa Gregory‘s writing. Most of her books are historical fiction and so much fun to read. I’ve been dying to begin this series for such a long time. This is the 1st book of 15 in the Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Series. I’m extremely excited to read this one!!!
Books Set in Different Continents:
North America
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate– This book was actually chosen ‘for me’ by a dear friend of mine. I’m in a bookclub and we take turns choosing the selections and this was hers for an upcoming month. The book looks incredible and I’m really looking forward to reading it.
South America
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – I chose this one because it is also on the Rory Gilmore Challenge list. Two birds with one stone. I’ve been eyeing it for awhile because of the Gilmore challenge so I’m excited to finally see what it’s all about.
Asia
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See – This choice kind of fell right in my lap. Immediately after I read this prompt, I was on Goodreads, trying to figure out a book to go with it. I happened to notice a friend of mine had just finished reading this book and had given it a great review. It was already on my TBR so it seemed ready made for this prompt. I can’t wait to see what it’s all about.
Australia
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty – I actually had a difficult time narrowing this one down. There was quite a few books that I could’ve put here. This is one that looks super interesting though and I cannot wait to dig into it.
Europe
Diana: Her True Story by Andrew Morton – I love biographies. Especially royal biographies. To me there is just something about hearing that THEY have real problems too. And Morton is The Who’s Who for biographers so this was a no brainer.
Africa
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs – This one has been on my list for awhile because it’s a classic. I’m excited to read it so that I can compare the story to the Disney movie.
Book set in your home country/state
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson – Now this book is set in Washington and I live in California, so clearly I’m going for my home country. As for the book it looks incredibly intriguing.
Book trilogy
The Outlander Series: Book 2 ~ Dragonfly in Amber, Book 3 ~ Voyager, Book 4 ~ Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon – With the Outlander series I am once again going about the process backward. My husband and I are hooked on the television show. which if you haven’t seen Outlander you definitely need to. It’s now on Starz and Netflix. And I’ve only read 2 of the books so far but they are AMAZING. Diana Gabaldon is an incredible writer. Definitely one of my new favorites. Her passion comes through in the pages and on the screen. I can’t wait to continue this series.
Young Adult book
The Giver by Lois Lowry – I admit it. I have seen this movie already. But honestly? When I saw it I didn’t even know that there was a book. I’m so excited to read it now though.
Historical Book
My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira – I seriously love these types of historical fiction books that take historical details like the civil war and Abraham Lincoln. Then they weave in a fictional character to make the period come alive for us, the readers. That’s what this book does. And. I. Can. Not. Wait.
Fantasy Book
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman – I’ll admit it. I am not a fan of fantasy. I don’t have many books on my fantasy TBR shelf so choosing one was not easy. I chose this one because HBO has a show based on this series. I wanted to read it before my grandbabies and I watched the show together when they get older. I’ve gotta be prepared you know.
A Classic
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Now this is just sad. I never read The Scarlet Letter while I was in school. I did go to 3 different high schools in 2 states so it may have been overlooked because of moving around. Still, I really feel there was a little bit of an oversight here. This is one of those books I’ve always felt I need to read and this is the year I’m going to get it done.
I think this challenge is going to be so much fun. I’d love for a few of my friends to try doing the challenge with me. Create your own list and lets have a “readable” 2020 together.
- Nicole – @razberrymuffin
- Aidan – @pretty.peachy
- Tammy – @tlena728
- Katie – @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf
- Teresa – @teresagrill
Your turn, are you ready? What are you going to read?
