This is the final entry in my continuing adventures with Book Riot’s 2016 Read Harder Challenge.
At the beginning of the year, I decided to tackle a proper reading challenge. I wanted to push myself a little and try a few things, particularly genres, that I don’t typically approach when I’m looking for something to read. I’m pretty proud of what I tried and how many of the boxes I was able to check off. Here are a few of the categories I didn’t quite get around to this year, but I’m hoping to carry over into 2017.
Read a horror book
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay: Fifteen years ago, Merry’s older sister’s acute schizophrenia put her family at the center of a popular reality television show. Now in her early 20s, Merry is forced to face the painful memories when a bestselling writer wants to do an interview. I’m a big horror wimp, however this sounds like a solid supernatural and psychological puzzle.
Read a book out loud to someone else
Cat Knit by Jacob Grant: Cat has a great relationship with his friend Yarn. They understand each other. But one day Yarn is taken away and comes back completely different. What’s a cat to do? I can’t wait to read this one to my niece and nephew.
Read a book originally published in the decade you were born
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: This dystopian classic is just two years younger than I am, but the themes of oppression are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago. After a totalitarian theocracy overthrows the government, women are left without any rights — even reading. This is a mainstay of feminist literature, and I know it’s one I need to read.
Book Riot doesn’t have their 2017 challenge up yet, but you can start building a list for yourself with the help of books like Read This Next: 500 of the Best Books You’ll Ever Read, by checking out our Twitter feed for the hashtag #mynextread and of course, by asking a staff member at any CLP location for ideas!
#mynextread is waiting for you!
Check out Read This NextJess is the Clerical Specialist at the Woods Run branch on the North Side. She’s your girl for YA lit, romance novels and knitting.