The 2019 Resist Reading Challenge

Magic Resists is hosting The Resist Reading Challenge - to focus on history, politics and social change. Quite a worthwhile, and in this political climate, a very necessary one.

 I plan to read at least 5 books - but hope to read more.

Here are the guidelines:

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. ~ George Santayana

Read a damn book. ~ Various people

What is The Resist Reading Challenge?

The Resist Reading Challenge is a year long challenge that encourages you to read books about history, politics, activism, and social change.

I started it about a year ago and it ran only about a month or so but because there was very little interest I decided to end the challenge. Recent events made me realize I need to do this reading challenge for myself even if no one else participates. I was made painfully and publicly aware of how little I actually know about history. In all my time on Twitter I had never been more embarrassed. I knew I needed to do something about it.

This reading challenge also serves another purpose. The truth is, like many in The Resistance, I spend far too much time on Twitter, reading the news online, or watching the news on television. I love reading and it gives me a much needed break from tweeting or binging the news. The best part about this reading challenge is it's not about escaping reality but learning about history and the reality that goes beyond the latest headlines. 

I'm also extremely frustrated with just tweeting. This reading challenge is a way to learn different types of activism other than being a keyboard warrior. I want to do more than just tweet and vote. I want to become more involved and hands on in Resist but I honestly know little about how to do that. 

I could do this challenge on my own, and I will if no one else participates, but doing reading challenges with others is always more fun. I also think reading about these different topics would benefit anyone in The Resistance. Or a topic. Even if they just read one book it can make a difference.

Really! This is a low pressure challenge. Even if you only read one book this whole year I still want you to participate in The Resist Reading Challenge! This challenge is about reading however much you want or or feel you can handle. I do hope that you will join me in 2019 for The Resist Reading Challenge.

 How The 2019 Resist Reading Challenge Works: 

• This reading challenge runs from Jan 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2019.

• You do not need to consider yourself part of The Resistance to participate. 

• You may sign up anytime during the challenge.

• I want you to choose your own reading goals. I won't be creating different levels.Read as little or as many books as you want. Even if you just read one book you can still participate! 

• I will be creating an optional Bingo challenge. You do not have to do the Bingo challenge to participate. The link to the Bingo challenge can be found here. 

• Along with the Bingo card I include a suggested reading list on many political topics.

• Books may be fiction or nonfiction but must be on the topics of politics, history, government, human rights, feminism, race issues, LGBTQ issues, political movements, memoirs, autobiographies, climate change, or activism.

• You are also encouraged to read books that challenge your views or are the opposite of your views.

• Books may be adult, young adult, or children's books. 

• You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks.

• You may reread books. 

• Books may count towards other reading challenges.

There is a bingo challenge as well:

VIRTUAL Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2019

This new challenge is just what I need to spur me on to read those books that I keep returning to the library unread as I have too many I want to read and then run out of time. I keep a record of those that have been recommended and then I return.
Bev at "My Reader's Block" is hosting the VirtualMount TBR Reading Chaqllenge - the sister of the Mount TBR Challenge I have already signed up for. These are two good companion challenges - hopefully I will clear a lot of my TBR books. I am aiming for at least 26 each.(so I plan to climb Mt. Crumpit!)

Guidelines:


a Virtual Mount TBR Reading Challenge Books for all those folks with mile-long "wish-list" of TBRs who would like a chance to climb as well. The strategy and general set-up is the same--except you don't have to own the books. Heard about a great book from a friend, took note of the title, and then never got around to reading it? Saw a book online that you thought sounded intriguing but you keep putting off ordering it up from the library? You borrowed a book from somebody and need an extra push to read it and return it? This is the place for you!

Challenges Levels:
Mount Rum Doodle: Read 12 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Crumpit: Read 24 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Munch: Read 36 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
White Plume Mountain: Read 48 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Stormness Head: Read 60 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Mindolluin: Read 75 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Seleya: Read 100 books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library
Mount Olympus: Read 150+ books from your Virtual TBR/Wish List/Library

[In keeping with the virtual nature of the challenge, all mountains are fictional (references in comment below). How many do you recognize? The only one shared by both TBR challenges is Olympus--both fictional and on Mars. However, since I don't know actual heights, I have arbitrarily assigned the levels.]

The Rules:
~Once you choose your challenge level you are locked in for at least that many books. If you find that you are on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a "taller" mountain, then you are welcome to upgrade. All books counted for lower mountains carry over towards the new peak.

~Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2019. You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided you have 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around. I will trust you on that.

~[UPDATE] Just to be clear: this challenge is only for books you do not own. They may be borrowed from the library, a friend, found on a free e-book site (like Project Gutenberg), or anywhere else that allows you to temporarily checkout the book. Also--unlike Mount TBR, there is no date limit on your wish list. If you see a book online that strikes your fancy after January 1 and you just have to go get it from the library, then it absolutely counts. 

~Rereads may count if you have not read it within the last five years [my arbitrary pick for a limit].

~You may count "Did Not Finish" books provided they meet your own standard for such things; you do not plan to ever finish it; and you move it off your mountain. For example, my personal rule (unless it's a very short book) is to give a book at leas 100 pages. If I decide I just can't finish it and won't ever, then off the mountain it goes and I count it as another step on the hike.

~Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

~There will be a year-end check points and prize drawing! [Since I'm adding an extra challenge to my round-up, I'm going to have to reduce the number of check points/prizes on all my challenges. I wish I could afford to give you all prizes!]

~A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post a challenge sign-up and link THAT post (not your home page) into the linky below. Non-bloggers please leave a comment declaring your challenge level--OR, if you are a member of Goodreads, I will offer this challenge there as well. Feel free to sign up HERE if that's where you want to participate.

2019 Review Writing Challenge

I just discovered this challenge at "Feeding Your Addiction" (where you can find the master list of challenges!).
I like the idea of challenging myself to write more reviews. Now I may do 10 or so for WOW! Women on Writing, but I'd like to do more.

So for this challenge, I plan to write a review a week, of books that I read for other challenges.
That means 52 reviews for the year.

Guidelines

Are you like me and sometimes the writing mojo leaves
you when you have to write a review?
Well, last year I challenged myself to write 50 reviews.
This year let’s make it 75!
Now I want to challenge you and me to write those reviews!

What?

Set a goal of how many reviews you want to write in 2019.

Post?

Post them on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your own blog.

When?

January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019

Sign Up   HERE

Middle Grade Reading Challenge

There are 2 reading challenge hosted at "Becky's Book Reviews - that involves reading middle grade and picture books . As I am working on writing a middle grade novel and as well writing picture books,  these challenges will allow me to read mentor texts and improve my writing.
I plan to  read as many MG novels as I can.


Here are the guidelines for the Middle Grade Challenge:

Host: Becky's Book Reviews (signup)

Duration: January - December 2019
# of books: minimum of 6

Option 1: Read six middle grade books of your choice.
Option 2: Choose one author to focus on. Perhaps read through an entire author's work. 
Option 3: Read as few as six, or as many as you like, from their  checklist


Here are the guidelines for the Picture book Challenge:

Host: Becky's Book Reviews (sign up)
Duration: January - December 2019
Goal: To have adults read more picture books. To celebrate the fact that picture books are for everyone! Families are, of course, welcome to join in!
# of books: minimum of 6

Option 1: Read six picture books of your choice.
Option 2: Read at least six books from their checklist(s) .

2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

The 2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge has now been posted at Girl XOXO.
 I am thoroughly enjoying it this year - only one more motif to do!

Here are the motifs for next year:

2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

JANUARY – New to You Author

Read a book by an author whose writing you’ve never read before.

FEBRUARY – Cover Love

Yes. We’re giving you permission to judge a book by its cover and read a book with a cover that really caught your eye.

MARCH – Royalty, Kingdoms, Empires, Governments

Read a book in which the character is involved in a ruling or governing body in some way.

APRIL – Crack the Case

Read a mystery, detective story, true crime, cozy mystery, or book involving a puzzle to solve.

MAY – One Sitting Reads

Read something that is short enough you could get through it in one sitting- try a graphic novel, comic book, short story, essay, or short collection of poetry.

JUNE – Diversify Your Reading

Read a book with a character (or written by an author) of a race, religion, or sexual orientation other than your own or read about a culture you want to learn more about.

JULY – Through The Years

Read a book involving time travel, a book with a ‘time’ setting such as The Great Gatsby (20s), read a historical fiction/nonfiction, or choose a book published in your birth year.

AUGUST – Mode of Transportation

Read a book where the mode of transportation plays a role in the story (ex. Murder on the Orient Express or The Boys in the Boat)

SEPTEMBER – Animal, Number, Color, Name

One of those things needs to be in the title of the book you choose (ex. Water for Elephants, Red Queen, Fahrenheit 451, Rebecca, Harry Potter)

OCTOBER – Tricks and Trades

Read a book set in a theater, an amusement park, a circus, or a book involving magic, illusions, or characters with special powers.

NOVEMBER – Seasons, Elements, and Weather

Embrace a winter wonderland setting, pick a beach read, or read about a natural disaster. As long as a season, element, or the weather plays a key role in the story or is part of the title, it counts. (ex. Little Fires Everywhere, The Snow Child, On The Island)

DECEMBER – Last Chance

Finally read that one book that you’ve been meaning to get to all year long.