…and the 2022 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge seems to fit the bill.
I debated about doing the Classics Challenge and the When Are You Reading Challenge, but neither suited my mood this year.
With classics, I’d rather just see where my natural impulses take me. (So far, they’ve taken me to The Women of Brewster Place, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Barbara Pym.)
And, with historical fiction, well, I read a lot of it last year and I’ll probably continue reading it this year, with no prompts needed. It is one of my favorite genres after all.
I decided I wanted to break out of my usual genres/themes and also learn a little more about contemporary fiction.
The Read Harder Challenges seems to offer some new-to-me types of categories and I will definitely enjoy looking for books to fit them.
All that said, here’s the list for the Read Harder Challenge and my best laid plans. We all know what happens to those. 😉
Read a biography of an author you admire.
Read a book set in a bookstore.
Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list.
Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma.
Read an anthology featuring diverse voices.
Read a nonfiction YA comic.
Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40.
Read a classic written by a POC.
Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest.
Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+).
I hate political thrillers, but I’m trying to keep an open mind.
Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character.
Read an entire poetry collection.
I’m already rolling on this one because I received this for my bday last year. It’s becoming one of my favorite books of all time. I have to read it slowly because every poem kills me. Right in the feels.
Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author.
Cool, I was planning to read this anyway.
Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book).
This is a tough one for me because I usually read a book then look for and watch the adaptation. Just me? Welp, maybe this is the year I finally read the books made into Merchant Ivory films. Howard’s End perhaps? A Room with a View? Maybe…
Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital).
After I stopped submitting my poetry to them (with middling success), literary mags pretty much fell off the map for me. This looks like a good list though.
Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes.
That’ll be easy. I don’t know anyone who has the same taste as me. I’ll ask Ben and see what he picks for me.
Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary.
I just like the cover.
Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice.
I’m not looking forward to this. I can’t seem to get through these contemporary anthologies.
Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author.
Can’t resist a creepy/haunted house story.
Read an award-winning book from the year you were born.
1980, here we come?
Actually, this is post-WWII literature. But it won the National Book Award in 1980.
Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth.
Definitely don’t like retellings. But, sigh, we’ll giver her a whirl.
Read a history about a period you know little about.
I rarely read histories focused on time periods. Rather, I read histories of specific people. It’s hard for me to look at a straight history book and be like, yes, that’s the one for me. I’ll give this one a whirl.
Read a book by a disabled author.
Torn between this and Hellen Keller’s autobiography.
Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!
I think I’m going with “Read a book that takes place in a rural setting.” That leaves the field pretty open for me.
Are you doing the Read Harder Challenge this year? Or, do you have any books to recommend for these specific categories? Let me know!
Pillow Fort 
This looks like a fun challenge but — way too demanding for me (I’m not good at thinking outside my box!). You have some great books there and should have a marvellous time — good luck!
P.S. If you natural impulse took you to Barbara Pym, well, you’re doing jus fine with the classics. I love her work; she’s one of my favorite authors.
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I love Barbara Pym too!
I can see how this would be too demanding if you like more freedom of choice. I like the idea of reading a bit out of my comfort zone this year. Wish me luck, haha!
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You are very ambitious! I know you will conquer that list.
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Thanks! I’m certainly going to try, haha. 😀
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Sorry to miss you at When Are You Reading this year. Good luck with your challenge. Maybe we’ll have you in a future year. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Sam! I may aim for WAYR next year. :)) Good luck with your challenge too! <3<3
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