All posts by skyebjenner

2020 Goodreads Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 220
Hosted by: Goodreads

January – 20 out of 20 books (3 ahead of schedule)
February – 15 out of 35 books (1 book behind schedule)
March – 29 out of 64 books (11 books ahead of schedule)
April – 16 out of 80 books (7 books ahead of schedule)
May – 24 out of 104 books (13 books ahead of schedule)
June – 30 out of 134 books (26 books ahead of schedule)
July – 24 out of 158 books (31 books ahead of schedule)
August – 15 out of 173 books (28 books ahead of schedule)
September – 13 out of 186 books (22 books ahead of schedule)
October – 30 out of 216 books (33 books ahead of schedule)
November – 14 out of 230 books (10 books over goal)
December – 16 out of 246 books (26 books over goal)

Go Big or Go Home

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 12
Hosted by: Dancing with Books

go big or go home 2020

This reading challenge is completely focused on reading all those bigger and intimidating books. I don’t know about you guys but I tend to put off reading some bigger books, especially as they look daunting on my shelf. Mass Market Paperbacks are so confronting with those big spines.

The Main Goal

The main goal of this reading challenge is to read 1 big book per month so 12 this year. But of course you can set your own goal.

Rules

  • Runs from January 1st to December 31st
  • Only books started in 2020 count. Sorry guys.
  • (E)Book has to be 500 or over pages in your copy.
  • Translated books that hit over 500 pages when the original isn’t, still count.
  • No rereads. Sorry, this is to knock out those books from your tbr.
  • Audiobooks count as long as the print copy is 500 pages or over.
  • Collections of stories or a bind-up counts as long as it is over 500 pages.
  • No Manga or Manga bind-ups. Sorry.

Bingo Card

go big or go home bingo card 2020(1)

For those that enjoy bingo cards I created one. Of course this is completely optional! It isn’t necessary to do it to join this yearly challenge. The bingo card has 8 prompts and one freebie. It does depend on the edition one has for if some of these books go over 500 pages or not. If you know of any big books that fit these prompts you are welcome to leave them in the comments.

January The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (Classics bingo)

February Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (POC author bingo)

March Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (1000+ pages bingo)
– Extras:
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
The Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thornton
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk edited by Sean Wallace
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

April Eldest by Christopher Paolini
– Extras:
Eldest by Christopher Paolini

May – 11/22/63 by Stephen King (Standalone bingo)
– Extras:
The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic edited by Mike Ashley
Human Development: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

June A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (Sequels bingo)
– Extras:
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

July The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce (LGBTQ+ bingo)

August – Didn’t finish any

September The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

October Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Own Voices bingo)
– Extras:
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Stray by Rachel Vincent

NovemberThe Mammoth Book of Westerns edited by Jon E. Lewis (On Your Shelf for Longer Than a Year bingo)
– Extras:
The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women edited by Marie O’Regan

December – Didn’t finish any

2020 Around the Year in 52 Books

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 52
Hosted by: Around the Year in 52 Books

It’s best if you create your own plan (using “create a new topic” and choosing “2020 Plans” for the folder) so you can keep track of your progress and share your choices with the other members. If you need help finding ideas, you can have a look at the weekly topics, which will be posted shortly.

You can read in order or jump around, but keep this order in your plan, since this makes it easier for others to find a prompt.

If you can’t complete the challenge, it’s not a problem. If one topic is too far out of your comfort zone or too difficult to fulfill, you can use a “Wild Card” and read something else for this week (reader’s choice or past suggestions).

This listed is loosely sorted by months.

THE 2020 LIST
Printable Version

1. A book with a title that doesn’t contain the letters A, T or Y – Foundling by D.M. Cornish
2. A book by an author whose last name is one syllable – The Viscount Who Love Me by Julia Quinn
3. A book that you are prompted to read because of something you read in 2019 – To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands (Started the series last year)
4. A book set in a place or time that you wouldn’t want to live – The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
5. The first book in a series that you have not started – The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

6. A book with a mode of transportation on the cover – Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
7. A book set in the southern hemisphere – Terra Nullius by Claire G. Coleman
8. A book with a two-word title where the first word is “The” – The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein
9. A book that can be read in a day – 9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

10. A book that is between 400-600 pages – The Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (587 pp.)
11. A book originally published in a year that is a prime number – Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews (2019)
12. A book that is a collaboration between 2 or more people – Iron & Magic by Ilona Andrews
13. A prompt from a previous Around the Year in 52 Books challenge (Link) (2019 Challenge – A book published in 2019) – The Chosen by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda
14. A book by an author on the Abe List of 100 Essential Female Writers (link)Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

15. A book set in a global city – Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
16. A book set in a rural or sparsely populated area – Billy Thunder and the Night Gate by Isobelle Carmody
17. A book with a neurodiverse character – Reaching One Thousand by Rachel Robertson
18. A book by an author you’ve only read once before – Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

19. A fantasy book – The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
20. The 20th book [on your TBR, in a series, by an author, on a list, etc.] – Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs
21. A book related to Maximilian Hell, the noted astronomer and Jesuit Priest who was born in 1720 – Artemis by Andy Weir
22. A book with the major theme of survival – Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

23. A book featuring an LGBTQIA+ character or by an LGBTQIA+ authorThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
24. A book with an emotion in the title – Misery by Stephen King
25. A book related to the arts – Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
26. A book from the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards – We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
27. A history or historical fiction – The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

28. A book by an Australian, Canadian or New Zealand author – Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
29. An underrated book, a hidden gem or a lesser known book – The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
30. A book from the New York Times ‘100 Notable Books’ list for any year – Becoming by Michelle Obama
31. A book inspired by a leading news story – I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

32. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan – Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn (based in Japan)
33. A book about a non-traditional family – The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
34. A book from a genre or sub genre that starts with a letter in your name (Steampunk) – Ice and Embers by Melanie Karsak
35. A book with a geometric pattern or element on the cover – The Stone Mage and the Sea by Sean Williams

36. A book from your TBR/wishlist that you don’t recognize, recall putting there, or put there on a whim – The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
37. Two books that are related to each other as a pair of binary opposites: Book #1 – Red Winter by Annette Marie
38. Two books that are related to each other as a pair of binary opposites: Book #2 – It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
39. A book by an author whose real name(s) you’re not quite sure how to pronounce

40. A book with a place name in the title
41. A mystery
42. A book that was nominated for one of the ‘10 Most Coveted Literary Prizes in the World’ (link)
43. A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse
44. A book related to witches

45. A book by the same author who wrote one of your best reads in 2019 or 2018
46. A book about an event or era in history taken from the Billy Joel song “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
47. A classic book you’ve always meant to read
48. A book published in 2020

49. A book that fits a prompt from the list of suggestions that didn’t win (link)
50. A book with a silhouette on the cover
51. A book with an “-ing” word in the title
52. A book related to time

2020 A – Z Titles Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 26

AThe Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
BThe Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
CCleaving by Julie Powell
DDeep in the Valley by Robyn Carr
EEmpire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
FFalling for the Highlander by Lynsay Sands
GThe Goblin King by Shona Husk
HHot for the Holidays by Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast & Allyson James
IIt’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn
JJust Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr
KA Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski
LLong Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
MThe Man Within by Lora Leigh
NNever Been Witched by Annette Blair
OAn Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
PPerfect for the Beach by Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, et al.
QA Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands
RRomancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
SStroke of Midnight by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland
TTarnished Knight by Bec McMaster
UUnremembered by Jessica Brody
VVirgin River by Robyn Carr
WWicked Games by Angela Knight
X
Y
Z

2020 A – Z Male Characters Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 26

AThe Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Anthony)
BAn Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Benedict)
CTempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren (Cade)
DFalling for the Highlander by Lynsay Sands (Dougall)
EEldest by Christopher Paolini (Eragon)
FThe Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer (Fitzroy)
GThe Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands (Greer)
HIron & Magic by Ilona Andrews (Hugh)
IA Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr (Ian)
JDead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey (Joe)
KSex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair (King)
LLittle Women by Louisa May Alcott (Laurie)
MMagnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan (Magnus)
NSurrender to the Highlander by Lynsay Sands (Niels)
O
PShelter Mountain by Robyn Carr (Preacher)
QTruly, Madly… Deadly by Delilah Devlin (Quentin)
RIf Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell (Roman)
SA Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell (Soren)
TThe Man Within by Lora Leigh (Taber)
U
V
WBlue Moon by Lori Handeland (Will)
XChristmas in Silver Springs by Brenda Novak (AXel)
Y
Z Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman (Zeke)

2020 A – Z Series Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 26

AThe Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein (Anna Strong Chronicles)
BRomancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (The Bridgertons)
CFirst Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson)
DSourcery by Terry Pratchett (Discworld)
EWeb of Lies by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin)
FMum’s the Word by Kate Collins (A Flower Shop Mystery)
GDeep in the Valley by Robyn Carr (Grace Valley Trilogy)
HTo Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands (Highland Brides)
ISweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles)
JMercy Blade by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock)
KThe Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (The Kiss Quotient)
LObsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Lux)
MFoundling by D.M. Cornish (Monster Blood Tattoo)
NBlue Moon by Lori Handeland (Nightcreature)
O
PWolf Rain by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Trinity)
Q
RRock Addiction by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss)
SThe Duke That I Marry by Cathy Maxwell (Spinster Heiresses)
TGone with the Witch by Annette Blair (Triplet Witch Trilogy)
UUnremembered by Jessica Brody (Unremembered)
VVirgin River by Robyn Carr (Virgin River)
WNaked Dragon by Annette Blair (Works Like Magick)
XHer Secret Agent by Paige Tyler (X-Ops)
Y
Z

2020 A – Z Female Characters Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 26

AThe Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein (Anna)
BThe DUFF by Kody Keplinger (Bianca)
CA Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell (Cass)
DNever Been Witched by Annette Blair (Destiny)
ETarnished Knight by Bec McMaster (Esme)
FWhen He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (Francesca)
GThe Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White (Guinevere)
HSex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair (Harmony)
IThe Ill-Made Mute by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (Imrhien)
JTo Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands (Joan)
KRock Redemption by Nalini Singh (Kit)
LThat’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger (Lee)
MWolf Rain by Nalini Singh (Memory)
NDead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey (Nicki)
OOmens by Kelley Armstrong (Olivia)
PShelter Mountain by Robyn Carr (Paige)
QBedeviled Angel by Annette Blair (Queisha)
RBilly Thunder and the Night Gate by Isobelle Carmody (Rage)
SThe Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (Stella)
TBreak No Bones by Kathy Reichs (Temperance)
U
VLady Pirate by Lynsay Sands (Valoree)
WThe Duke That I Marry by Cathy Maxwell (Willa)
X
Y
Z We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal (Zafira)

2020 A – Z Authors Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 26

AInferno by Dante Alighieri
BGone with the Witch by Annette Blair
CFoundling by D.M. Cornish
DThe Poetry of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
EWeb of Lies by Jennifer Estep
FWe Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
GThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green
HMercy Blade by Faith Hunter
I
JStormwalker by Allyson James
KThe DUFF by Kody Keplinger
LThe Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
MIf Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell
NBiting Bad by Chloe Neill
OBecoming by Michelle Obama
PCleaving by Julie Powell
QThe Viscount Who Love Me by Julia Quinn
RBreak No Bones by Kathy Reichs
SThe Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
TMagnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
UFirst They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
VStray by Rachel Vincent
WTempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren
XThe Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
YI Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Z

Start the Year Confidently

Duration: 1st January – 31st January 2020
Number of books: 3
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

There are 3 tasks, you only need to read three books to finish this challenge. Or pick one task and read 3 books for that one task.

January

1. Overcoming: Read a book that intimidates you. – Foundling by D.M. Cornish (I couldn’t finish it the first time)
2. Pushing boundaries: Read a book in a genre you don’t normally read. – If Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell (My second ever Regency Romance)
3. Confidence Builder: Finish a book you started last year. (I finished them all, so this is what I meant to read) – Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

Rules
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post the date you finished the book.
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~At the end of the challenge, it will be closed for commenting and moved to the archives folder
~Use the add book/author tool to tag your book within your challenge.

1st Quarter Challenge

Duration: 1st January – 31st March 2020
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

Rules:
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post a link to the book, date you finished and rating
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~If you don’t have a book that matches the option on the list, pick any book on your TBR.
~Copy the blank template below and paste into a new comment to start your challenge. Update as necessary.

Completed 7/8

1. Read the highest rated book in your TBR – Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh (4.38 stars)

2. Go to Random.org and type in the amount of books you have on your TBR List. Then read the book that matches the random number it gave you. #234 – Mum’s the Word by Kate Collins

3. Read a book published during your lifetime. – If Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell

4. Read the lowest rated book in your TBR – The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein (3.54 stars)

5. Read a book on your TBR that was recommended to you – Foundling by D.M. Cornish

6. Read a book with the authors surname starting with a J

7. Read the oldest book on your TBR – Inferno by Dante Alighieri

8. Catch up on a Bookworm Bitches selection or read a book you have been meaning to read for a long time – Blue Moon by Lori Handeland