Category: Challenges
20 Books of Summer: My June Reading Wrap-up
I always read a lot in summer, because I like to sit outside and read, even in the heat, and thanks to audiobooks I can read while I garden. This was a really good reading month, mainly because of the diversity of authors and…
Review: The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff
I started reading this book a few months ago, and then decided I needed to wait until I was in the right frame of mind. This is a tough read that will take you right back to September 11, 2001. It’s a vast collection…
20 Books of Summer
I’m so happy it’s finally summer! This year, I’ve been avoiding TBR lists and trying to take some of the pressure off of what and how I read. But I’ll make an exception for the 20 Books of Summer Challenge, hosted by Cathy at…
Review: No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
I’m adding this book to my list of nonfiction books I wish everyone would read. It addresses the many misconceptions about domestic violence, like: It’s a relationship issue, not a crime. It’s not that bad, or she would leave. He doesn’t seem like a…
Review: Know My Name by Chanel Miller
This is a book I think most of us should read, though it’s definitely not an easy read. In 2015, Chanel Miller went to a party at Stanford. Two guys found her unconscious on the ground near a dumpster, with a guy on top…
Review: Popular by Maya Van Wagenen
I’ve been recommending this book a lot lately, especially to my friends with daughters. There aren’t that many books out there that feel fresh and original, and this one did. First, a major disclaimer: I am NOT the target audience for this book. It’s…
Review: Pride by Ibi Zoboi
I have a list of recent Austen adaptations I want to read, like Ayesha at Last, Unmarriageable, and Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors. I’d seen great reviews of Pride by Idi Zoboi and was happy to find the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo. I thought her…
Review: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Regardless of whether you like Star Trek, whether you’re Japanese, or whether you read graphic novels, you should pick up this book. George Takei never fails to impress me with his humor, his knowledge, and his passion for telling a story. He brings all…
Review: Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
I read this for my book club, and it was a difficult read but it turned out to be a fascinating one. I probably wouldn’t have finished it if not for the book club, but this was one of those rare books where it…
Some recommendations for Read Harder 2020
I haven’t made much progress yet on this year’s Read Harder Challenge, but I’ve read quite a few books in other years that meet the categories. If you’re new to Read Harder, Book Riot makes suggestions for each category, and there’s a discussion group on…
Reading Challenges in 2020
I had to think this year about how many challenges to take on. Too many and you make reading too stressful. And yet there are so many I’d like to participate in. My husband “challenged” me to limit myself to three, which I’m not…
Review: Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book at first. I don’t love science fiction that focuses too much on technology at the expense of character development, and this book features a high-tech robot as a main character. I read it because I needed a…
