Book Challenge by Erin 7.0

Yes, I am still on my mini blog hiatus, but you didn't think I'd forget my book challenge post, did you?

Hi, my name is Erin, and I like books.  I like to talk about books.  I'm a sucker for book challenges.  I started my own challenge a couple of years ago hosting it through this facebook group page.  My thought was this: if I host it through facebook, that's another venue to talk about books with my fellow readers.  I am already in a few challenges that link back to blogs, but not facebook.  I'm pretty happy and proud of the group I've got happening on facebook.  It's so fun to see a collection of readers that are my high school friends, friends of friends, friends around the globe, all coming together for a mutual love of books.  If you're a reader, please join us.  Even just join the group to follow along with the fun.  Or jump in and rock the challenge!

If you aren't a facebooker, that's okay too.  I have some that participate through their blogs and others through goodreads.  Participation is encouraged as much or as little as you choose.  We now have a goodreads group too.  I must admit, I'm not nearly as active in that group and I am the facebook one.  It started to become double the work for me, so I just stuck to my original medium. Just trying to create enough options for those who want to participate can in the easiest option for them to do so.

I attempt to be a stress-free, no-pressure kind of host.  This is about loving books, supporting readers, and encouragement for all who express an interest.

Book Challenge by Erin 7.0 - General Rules

·         First and foremost, have fun. Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.

·         The challenge will run from JULY 1, 2017 to OCTOBER 31, 2017. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on October 31 will count.  (We live in different time zones – follow this according to your own time zone.)

·         Each book must be at least 200 pages long.   Audio books are fine too.

·         A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries. 

·         You can read your books in any order you choose.

·         Rereads can be used only once.  If a book you love fits into a category, go ahead and visit it again.  Read it in its entirety.  But, only do this once for the challenge.

·         There will be a photo album for each category with links to books chosen.  Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish reading them.  A comment can include a review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought of your choice.  (if you need help with this, let me know…or there is a file attached to our group explaining what to do.)

·         There will be 10 book categories with a possibility of earning 200 points.   That’s 10 books in four months.  For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge; for others it will be easy peasy.  It’s all for fun, remember!

·         Book categories will be posted June 1st to give you time to gather books in preparation. 

·         After the categories are posted, please post a preliminary list with books of your choice according to their categories on the facebook group page by June 15^th (if possible).  If you need help with a particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading enthusiasts can help each other.  (Late entries will still be accepted.)

·         The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The following will get a small prize from me (1^st to complete 1st round; 1^st to complete both rounds; most points accumulated; and WILD CARD random draw – all who finish the 10 book challenge will qualify as an entry!)  Plus, everyone who completes the challenge will gets all sorts of recognition and support!

·         Lastly, have fun.  Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.  Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!

Book Challenge by Erin 7.0 - Categories

·         5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages

·         10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “B”

·         10 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) yellow cover

·         15 points:  Read a book that has a picture of an animal on the cover (submitted by Mattie)

·         20 points:  Read a book that was published in 2017 (submitted by Olya)

·         20 points:  Read a book with a compass or cardinal direction in the title (submitted by Mary)

·         25 points:  The ALA’s “Banned Books Week” occurs while our challenge is happening.  Read a book from this list of the most commonly banned books in America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_commonly_challenged_books_in_the_United_States (submitted by Christina)

·         30 points:  Read a fictional book about mental illness (submitted by Jamie); several helpful links: http://bookriot.com/2016/05/23/100-best-books-about-mental-illness/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_illness_in_fiction; https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/mental-illness-fiction

·         30 points:  Read a book with a non-human main character; i.e. animals, elves, gods, robots, merpeople, etc. (submitted by Bev); helpful links: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/non-human-characters; https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/99906.Books_with_Nonhuman_Characters; http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/polls-and-discussion/the-33-best-books-with-a-non-human-protagonist/3704

·         35 points:  Read a book a Disney movie was based on OR a book based on a Disney movie (submitted by Kirsten); Don’t forget to check that the book is at least 200 pages: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Novels_first_published_in_serial_form&pageuntil=Dune+Messiah#mw-pages; https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11716.Books_Turned_Into_Disney_Movies

  If you are stuck on any of these categories, ask for help or recommendations!  GOOD LUCK!

Anddddd...my preliminary list (on goodreads):

             5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

·         10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “B”:  Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

·         10 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) yellow cover:  Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

·         15 points:  Read a book that has a picture of an animal on the cover:  Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

·         20 points:  Read a book that was published in 2017:  Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

·         20 points:  Read a book with a compass or cardinal direction in the title (submitted by Mary):  Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail by Rusty Young and Thomas McFadden

·         25 points:  The ALA’s “Banned Books Week” occurs while our challenge is happening.  Read a book from the list of the most commonly banned books in America: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

·         30 points:  Read a fictional book about mental illness:  The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

·         30 points:  Read a book with a non-human main character; i.e. animals, elves, gods, robots, merpeople, etc.:  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

·         35 points:  Read a book a Disney movie was based on OR a book based on a Disney movie:  Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

Will you join us?  What do you think of my choices? 

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 Wrap Up

You all know that I am a sucker for book challenges.  Also, you know the one that is nearest and dearest to me is the one that I host ~ Book Challenge by Erin (yes, I know, those creative juices were really flowing when I came up with that name.)

Most of the challenge's activity occurs on the facebook group.  Selfishly, it allows me to interact with book lovers from every era of my life ~ family, high school friends, college friends, co-workers, adult friends, blogger buddies, friends of friends and more!  It is an open group.  I try to be a stress-free, no-pressure host.  I encourage as much (or as little) participation as a reader wants to give. 

I did add a goodreads group this challenge as well.  But, the activity was lacking there (something for me to work on in the future). 

This group enriches my life.  The support, the participation, the interaction, and just sharing the love of books is something that I could have never predicted would bring me so much happiness! Yes, I keep a score, a tally of points, and I give prizes, but those don't matter to me nearly as much as the engagement with each other and the passion for reading that is evident among the group members.   Thank you to all who participate! I probably get greater pleasure out of it than any of the challenge participants. 

How did we do for the sixth challenge installment?  Take a look...

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 is complete! For all who participated this challenge:

• The most books ever read for one of our challenges - 605! (compared to 566 in the previous challenge) - this total has increased with every challenge
• The most to finish all 10 books - 33!
• The readers that finished BOTH rounds (20 books total) - 6
• Readers from USA (25+ states), Canada, Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, Australia participated

I appreciate each and every one that gives to this group. I read every book list, review, comment, and I am grateful for all of the support and encouragement shown for the love of books!  It is a happy place for me, and I hope I've created a happy place for others.  I've received some amazing feedback from participants this time. 

Winners!  I gave *small* prizes to four participants: the first person to finish BOTH rounds & the first person to finish the first round were the same person, the second person to finish the first round, the person that accumulated the most points, and a "wild card" draw between all the ones who finished the challenge. 
 
Let me brag a little about more of our blogger friends...the following completed the challenge by reading 10 (or more) books:

Megan at Can I Decide Another Day?

Heather at Heather's Hurrah

Karen at Run Wright

Tanya at A Mindful Migration

Bev at Confuzzledom

Ericka at A Quiet Girl's Musings of a World that Talks Too Much

Jamie at Whatever I Think Of!

Mattie at Northwest Native

Jen at It's My Life

Jenn at Quirky Pickings

Olya at The Siberian American

Christina at Easily Entertained

Thinking about joining us for the next challenge??  Join the facebook group.  If you have any facebook friends that you think would enjoy the challenge, recommend them to join the group.  Some of the most enthusiastic readers in the group are friends of friends...and I love that!  Again, this challenge is open to more than just bloggers.  We have a lot of non-blogger participants.  If you know anyone who may want to dabble into the world of book challenges, share this page with them:  Book Challenge by Erin.

Or don't.  Some bloggers don't do facebook, and I'm cool with that too.  Of course, I announce stuff here on my blog too.

JUNE 1st - category announcement for Book Challenge by Erin 7.0

JULY 1st - OCTOBER 31st - BOOK CHALLENGE by ERIN 7.0 - tell your friends! Invite them to the group.  The more book lovers, the better!

I repeatedly say it (because I mean it): I don't care if someone reads one book or 20, as long as my challenge has encouraged reading, that's a win for me. 

Final report & announcement: Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2016

Book challenge announcement before I tell you how I did personally.  After 10 challenges, Megan has decided to halt her hosting duties for Semi-Charmed book challenges.  She has kindly and generously steered her participants to Book Challenge by Erin.  I know she's a beloved host, so I was honored that she did this.  Also, her "winners" will be picking categories for Book Challenge by Erin 7.0 that happens July 1st - October 31st later this year.  So, if you are one of those, feel free to contact me via emailat texerin-in-sydneyland@hotmail.com, through the facebook group, the goodreads group, or this blog.

How did I do?  Not great: 95 points out of 200.  I take that back.  I'm a big believer that if these challenges motivate and encourage a book, any book, even just one book to be read, then that's a win. 

Challenge Categories:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 150 pages long.

 READ: Plan B by Jonathan Tropper - he's a favorite author of mine - completed December 15, 2016

10 points: Read a 2016 finalist (longlist or shortlist) for one of the following literary prizes: National Book Award, Man Booker or Man Booker International.

READ:  Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo  - a delightful book - completed November 8, 2016

10 points: Read a brand-new release (something published between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017).

READ:  Cross the Line by James Patterson (expected release date: November 3, 2016) -  The Alex Cross series is the only James Patterson books that I loyally keep up with when one is released - completed November 24, 2016

15 points: Read a book by an author of a different race or religion than you.

My choice:  We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo -  I picked up this book last week for $5 without knowing it would be a perfect choice for this challenge; this book is still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

15 points: Read a book featuring a main character who is of a different race or religion than you.

READ:  When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi -  If you have any interest in the plight of refugees, I recommend this fictional account - completed November 21, 2016

20 points: Read a modern retelling of a classic (e.g. an Austen Project novel, Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, etc.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kaity.

My choice:  The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (retelling of Hamlet) -  Jana rated this book 4*, and Jana and I have similar tastes in books; didn't get to it, but I will someday.

25 points: Read a book with an alcoholic beverage (neat or cocktail) in the title. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kerry. (And she was nice enough to come up with a long list of suggestions for you!)

READ:  Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken - it was good, wasn't great, but I enjoyed it enough - completed November 13, 2016

30 points: Read a book with a character that shares your first or last name. (Alternate spellings are okay, e.g. Megan and Meghan or Smith and Smyth.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Ericka.

READ: The Girl Before by Rena Olsen - Fantastic, creepy, messed up book that I recommend; There was a character in the therapy group named "Erin"; completed January 11, 2017

30 points: Read two books: a nonfiction book and a fiction book with which it connects. For example: A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie and one of Christie's mystery novels that features poison, or The Monuments Men and All the Light We Cannot See. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with this one! — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Bev. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 30 points! No partial points will be awarded.)

My choices (both books about someone wrongly imprisoned):  Getting Life by Michael Morton - this book is still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

READ:  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - completed December 4, 2016; I don't get the points

40 points: Read two books: one by an author whose first name is the same as the last name of the author of the other book. For example: You may read a book by Martin Cruz Smith and a book by George R.R. Martin, or a book by James Joyce and a book by Joyce Carol Oates. The shared name must be spelled exactly the same, no variations. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Jamie. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 40 points! No partial points will be awarded.)

My choices:  In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran by Nigel John TAYLOR and The Informationist by TAYLOR Stevens - I checked out both of these books from the library during the challenge; I renewed both of them too, but I still didn't pick up either to read.  Oh well.

If you've participated in any of Megan's book challenges, make sure you stop by her blog and wish her well!

Aussie Author Challenge 2016 completion

 Yea, yea, yea.  2016 is over.  But, I forgot to post when I completed the Aussie Author Challenge, and it didn't happen unless I blog about it, right? 

Out of the books I read this year, the two I'd recommend the most are Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic and The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood.

The authors that I will continue reading: Michael Robotham, Geraldine Brooks, Emma Viskic, Liane Moriarty, and I am willing to give a couple of others another try.

Goodreads shelf for reviews and ratings.

And, I know in a previous post I mentioned that I was going to shorten my list of book challenges this year, but this one isn't getting cut.  I've thoroughly enjoyed exploring, discovering, reading, supporting, and championing the Aussie authors, so here's my post for the 2017 challenge, in case you missed it.

It's the 7th year for the Aussie Author Challenge, and my 2nd year participating (click on the picture/link to take you directly to the site for more information).  My completed book list is as follows:

Female Authors:

• People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - COMPLETED 23 April 2016
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty  - COMPLETED 25 March 2016
• The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood - COMPLETED 24 August 2016
• Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 17 January 2016

Male Authors:

• I Hear Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty - COMPLETED 04 November 2016
• Life or Death by Michael Robotham - COMPLETED 23 September 2016
• Guilt by Matthew Nable - COMPLETED 3 February 2016
• The Broken Shore by Peter Temple - COMPLETED 21 December 2016

Authors New to Me:

•  Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett - COMPLETED 12 March 2016
• This House of Grief by Helen Garner (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 25 February 2016
• Hades by Candice Fox - COMPLETED 21 May 2016
• Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic - COMPLETED 14 April 2016

Reading Habits vol.2

Earlier in the year, I dissected/analyzed/reported about my reading habits in this post.  I thought a 6 month recap was a good way to turn this into a series.  Maybe?  Or maybe this should just be an annual thing?  I don't know.  We'll see.  For now, let's look at my "reading habits" for all of 2016.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction:  Apparently, I only read one more non-fiction book the entire last half of 2016.  Maybe that's why I got three of them as Christmas presents...to get more of them into my life.

Format:  book vs. ebook vs. audiobook - Nothing has changed since my last review.  I still don't own an e-reader.  I still don't want one.  I'm still old-fashioned. 

Source:  library vs. owned - I'm a little disappointed with this stat.  I wanted to make more of a dent in the books that I own already.  I'd like for next year to have these results be more balanced. 

Female Authors vs. Male Authors:  Girl Power!

Genre: crime/mystery/thriller, ya, memoir/bio, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, short stories, western, horror, children's lit, classics - This is what I said at mid-year, and it remains true:  "I know I read an assortment of genres.  I enjoy mixing it up.  I guess this (again, sorta kinda maybe) shows that is true.  Heavy on the crime/mystery/thrillers."

Ratings:  Obviously, I'm a big fan of giving books high marks.  I think that's a combination of reasons - I've learned what I like and tend to pick up books I know I'll enjoy, I'm not much of a book basher, and if I'm wavering between two ratings, I tend to be generous rather than stingy.  I feel like there were another couple of DNF in the mix though.

Favorites:  I told you about my faves of the year in this post:  Show Us Your Books Best of 2016: The Lucky 13; if you're interested and you missed that post of mine, take a look because I hit several genres with my recommendations.  I am confident there is something there for any reader.

Book Challenges:  You know, I am a book challenge junkie.  Here's a wrap-up of the challenges I participated in 2016:

Book Challenge by Erin 4.0 - read 17/20
Book Challenge by Erin 5.0 - read 20/20
Aussie Author Challenge 2016 - read 12/12
Read My Books Challenge 2016 - read 7 books that I already owned during the month of June
Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge 2016 - read 12/12
Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2016 - I've fumbled the ball on this one, and there's no picking it up - read 5/12
Around the World in 80 Books - read 18/80, but still going with this one; I've given myself a "due date" of my 50th birthday which is YEARS away.
USA Reading Roadtrip - read 6/50; same due date as above

As much as it pains this book challenge junkie's heart, I may sit out of the Semi-Charmed challenges in 2017.  There's a lot of crossover and a little bit of challenge burnout.  I am still passionate about keeping my personal book challenge a source of joy, so others may take a backseat moving forward.

Now, I need to stop posting and start reading.  I'm so behind in my blog reading, and I need to know what is going on in your lives!

Aussie Author Challenge 2017

Hey.  Guess what.  I'm participating in (another) book challenge.  Surprise, surprise.

This will be my 3rd year to tackle the Aussie Author Challenge.  As an American living in Australia, I am intrigued by the number of musicians and authors that I have discovered since moving here.  This challenge has helped facilitate finding some amazing authors that were born and/or now live in Australia.  Check out this link to find out more.  You can limit yourself to only tackling only 3 books for the entire year by an Australian author.  That's pretty easy peasy for a book challenge, am I right?

I've just started my last book for the 2016 challenge, so that I can reach "kangaroo" status, and I'll be aiming for that again in 2017.  I've read more than 12 books by Aussie authors this year, but for some reason, they were mostly by women.  I need to complete the "male authors" category.

"Kangaroo" status consists of:

KANGAROO: Read and review 12 titles written by Australian Authors of which at least 4 of those authors are female, at least 4 of those authors are male, and at least 4 of those authors are new to you; Fiction or non-fiction, at least 3 genre.

Here's my preliminary list (subject to change):

Male authors:
1.   Black Rock White City by A.S. Patric
2.   Working Class Boy by Jimmy Barnes
3.   The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion
4.   Suspect by Michael Robotham

Female authors:
5.   Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta
6.   The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
7.   Ghost Girls by Cath Ferla
8.   We Ate the Road Like Vultures by Lynette Lounsbury

Authors new to me:
9.   The Fictional Woman by Tara Moss
10.  So Much to Tell You by John Marsden
11.  After Darkness by Christine Piper
12.  I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0

I host a book challenge on facebook.  If you've read this blog for any amount of time at all, you know I love books.  I read.  I like to talk about books.  I'm a sucker for book challenges.  I started my own challenge a couple of years ago hosting it through this facebook group page.  My thought was this: if I host it through facebook, that's another venue to talk about books with my fellow readers.  I am already in a few challenges that link back to blogs, but not facebook.  I'm pretty happy and proud of the group I've got happening on facebook.  It's so fun to see a collection of readers that are my high school friends, friends of friends, friends around the globe, all coming together for a mutual love of books.  If you're a reader, please join us.  Even just join the group to follow along with the fun.  Or jump in and rock the challenge!

If you aren't a facebooker, that's okay too.  I have some that participate through their blogs and others through goodreads.  Participation is encouraged as much or as little as you choose.

I attempt to be a stress-free, no-pressure kind of host.  This is about loving books, supporting readers, and encouragement for all who express an interest.

We now have a goodreads group too.  It's in its infancy, and Jenn at Optimization, Actually has been kind enough to join me as a moderator to help organize it.  Just trying to create enough options for those who want to participate can in the easiest medium for them to do so.

Warning:  this may be the longest blog post I've ever published, but it's easy to skim.

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 - General Rules

·         First and foremost, have fun. Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.

·         The challenge will run from JANUARY 1, 2017 to APRIL 30, 2017. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on January 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on April 30 will count.  (We live in different time zones – follow this according to your own time zone.)

·         Each book must be at least 200 pages long.   Audio books are fine too.

·         A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries. 

·         You can read your books in any order you choose.

·         Rereads can be used only once.  If a book you love fits into a category, go ahead and visit it again.  Read it in its entirety.  But, only do this once for the challenge.

·         There will be a photo album for each category with links to books chosen.  Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish reading them.  A comment can include a review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought of your choice.  (if you need help with this, let me know…or there is a file attached to our group explaining what to do.)

·         There will be 10 book categories with a possibility of earning 200 points.   That’s 10 books in four months.  For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge; for others it will be easy peasy.  It’s all for fun, remember!

·         Book categories will be posted December 1st to give you time to gather books in preparation. 

·         After the categories are posted, please post a preliminary list with books of your choice according to their categories on the facebook group page by December 15^th (if possible).  If you need help with a particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading enthusiasts can help each other.  (Late entries will still be accepted.)

·         The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The following will get a small prize from me (1^st to complete 1st round; 1^st to complete both rounds; most points accumulated; and WILD CARD random draw – all who finish the 10 book challenge will qualify as an entry)!  If the same person wins all categories, then I’ll move to the 2^nd finisher, then 3^rd, and so on.  Plus, everyone who completes the challenge will gets all sorts of recognition and support!

·         Lastly, have fun.  Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.  Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!

Now that the rules are outta the way, here's the fun stuff:

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 - Categories

·         5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.

·         10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “W”.

·         10 points:  Read a book with six words in the title.

·         15 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) green cover.

·         20 points:  Read a book with a homonym in the title (inspired by the book Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin that I read last challenge with a character who is obsessed with homonyms.)  Only one word in the title needs to be a homonym.  Helpful link:  https://www.cooper.com/alan/homonym_list.html

·         20 points:  (Submitted by Linda) Read a book by your favorite author.

·         25 points:  (Submitted by Christina) Read a book set in the city/town/state/territory/county/province where you live.  To help with books set in certain U.S. states, this link should help:  https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1152882-where-we-ve-been-master-list  To help with international locations, try with this list:  https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1152745-where-we-ve-been-previous-years-master-list

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Peggy) Read a “Rory Gilmore” book.  The character of Rory from the Gilmore Girls was shown reading over 300 different books throughout the series.  Choose one of them from this helpful link:  https://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/all-339-books-referenced-in-gilmore-girls

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Stef)  Read a book from a genre that you’ve never read (or rarely read.)

·         35 points:  (Submitted by Ferne) Read a book with time travel.  Helpful link:  https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4018.The_Best_Time_Travel_Books_of_All_Time

If you are stuck on any of these categories, ask for help or recommendations!  GOOD LUCK!

Anddddddd..........here's my preliminary list (which can also be found on goodreads):

• 5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages:  The Girl Before by Rena Olsen - Micah sent this to me, so it is waiting on my bookshelf for me.
• 10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “W”:  Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight - I picked this up at a discount bookstore after reading good reviews...still need to read it.
• 10 points:  Read a book with six words in the title:  Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta - I love this author and looking forward to reading her most recent release.
• 15 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) green cover:  Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani - I had a few books with green covers on my tbr, and this is the one that intrigues me the most.
• 20 points:  Read a book with a homonym in the title:  Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (homonym: some=sum) - I bought this book (quite possibly) over a year ago when bloggers were talking about it in Show Us Your Books.  Still haven't read it.
• 20 points:  Read a book by your favorite author:  How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper - I have enjoyed every Tropper book I've read, and I will read everything he publishes.  I'm slowly but surely making my way through his back catalog.
• 25 points:  Read a book set in the city/town/state/territory/county/province where you live:  I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington - I think Sanch (a blogger that participates in the challenge who just moved from Sydney) read this last book challenge, and it interested me enough to pick it this time.
• 30 points:  Read a “Rory Gilmore” book:  The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - it has been on my tbr for years, and I picked it up at a secondhand bookstore.  About time I read it, don't you think?
• 30 points:  Read a book from a genre that you’ve never read (or rarely read):  Pines by Blake Crouch - I looked up a list on goodreads for "science fiction" books because that is definitely a genre that I rarely read.  Other book lovin' blogger have raved about this author, so I'll give it a shot.
• 35 points:  Read a book with time travel:  A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain - this category could double for the one above because I avoid "time travel" books.  I didn't even like The Time Traveler's Wife.  But, I enjoy that these challenges push me out of my comfort zone.  This book was nominated for a Goodreads Readers' Choice Award, plus Olya said she didn't expect to enjoy it as much as she did and rated it 4 stars.  Seems like a good pick for a somewhat challenging category for me.

Are you still with me?  Will you join us for Book Challenge by Erin 6.0?  Have you read any of my choices?