Many people decided to set themselves reading challenges for the new year. I’ll be honest, it was a little overwhelming seeing all the different ideas. I wasn’t sure which one would work for me; I wanted a challenge that would actually challenge me (not just “read a book outside your traditional genre” because just reading one book technically could have fulfilled that challenge). Well, I finally found one.
The challenge was different because it had steps that I have done before and I knew I would enjoy, so it wouldn’t feel like I was failing a challenge because I knew I could do at least part of it. The Ultimate Reading Challenge allowed for new experiences while also reminding me of some types of books that I used to like. It seemed to cover the most variety of the many challenges I saw. I just started it, but I’ve already been able to cross some of the challenges off the list. Here are some of the ones that I’ve completed (or plan on completing for the challenge):
A nonfiction book:
The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber is a book about Charles Cullen, a nurse who altered medication and wound up killing some people in a variety of hospitals.
This book was actually recommended to me, but if anyone likes non-fiction somewhat murder mystery I would pick it up. I’ve always struggled with non-fiction because to me it feels as though it drags, but this one goes pretty fast.
A book with antonyms in the title:
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty is about three women who need to make major decisions
in their life all while trying to figure out if what has happened is a tragic accident or a murder that needs to be solved.
I have not read this one yet, but I do want to, and my mom wants to as well….and I’m hoping she loves it so that I can check off two books on the challenge while reading just one….that’s not cheating is it?
A banned book:
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a book about a boy who is trying to find his way in a new school. This means struggling with bullying and hazing and still maintaining his grades.
Banned books themselves are another reading challenge for me. I am determined to read each one on the list but I’m not limiting myself to a year to do that. I enjoyed The Chocolate War because I thought it was an interesting take on the struggles that come with being in school. The entire book resonated with me.
Some of the books are more difficult to find, I struggled with coming up with some titles that had antonyms in them, but I hope that the challenge inspires some people to try new books, and if anyone has any recommendations please feel free to leave it in the comments. I look forward to expanding my reading horizons!
-Abbey
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Abbey, antonyms, banned books, big little lies, Charles Graeber, chocolate war, good nurse, Liane Moriarty, nonfiction, reading challenges, Robert Cormier
