Intro to Reading Challenge

Last December I came upon a blog post suggesting a list of NYPL books for the 2017 "Read Harder Challenge". Interesting enough, the original list of categories were sourced from Book Riot, the NYPL blog simply provided some book ideas to fit those categories. If you finish the challenge, you will have 24 very interesting books from different categories / perspectives to talk about.

While I set reading goals in general (something simple like at least 1 book a month of maybe total of 10-15 books a year) and use goodreads (website and mobile app) to track book recommendations and progress, I don't recall ever consciously trying to vary the types of books I read in any given year. So why not start with this challenge? I've also sent around the challenge to friends who suggested some books they've read. I've included them later in the post.

For 2017, I will work through this list and aim for a monthly or every-2-months update on what's going on. I've also been reviewing my local bookstore's book club suggestions for ideas.

What are some of your reading goals (if any?) Feel free to add more books to the comments.

Follow link to my 2017 Reading Challenge List (separate post so I can update it throughout the year)

https://azuleteats.blogspot.com/2017/01/2017-reading-challenge.html

My favorite books that I read in 2016:

• 'Sixth Watch' by Sergei Lukyanenko (book 6 of ?)
• Tokyo Ghost vol 1 by Rick Remender/Sean Murphy (graphic novel)

Just finished this weekend: 

• Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (Laura's recommendation)

Current reading: 

• Alienist by Caleb Carr
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Laura's recommendations:

• Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (Nonfic)
• Americanah by Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie
• All the Single Ladies:Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation by Rebecca Traister

Tracy's recommendations: 

• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (Asian soap opera book)
• Lies We Tell Ourselves, by Robin Talley (YA, LGBTQ)

Carly's recommendations

• Baseball in Florida by Kevin McCarthy (Sports)

Other resources for reading in general

• Goodreads has a group for read harder challenge where people can share books they are reading for the diff categories and even review them. 
• NYPL blog post with book suggestions for each category for the challenge. If you live or work in NYC get a library card and you'll be able to borrow books via regular branches or even in e-book format!
• Goodreads books 2016 awards 
• My local book store book club .You can look through their calendar for events. If you live in the Jersey City area, you can purpose the books for book clubs at a discount.
• NYPL Staff Recommendations link
• Barnes and Noble Union Square Book Events 
• Your local bookstore / library / community!