One of the things I love about the TJEd philosophy, is the aspect of “you, not them.”  Essentially it’s about making sure I keep focused on my own education as a way of improving myself and following my passions while also being an example of lifelong learning for my kids.

I found a great list of 52 book genres related to a weekly reading challenge.  Since, I’m focused on classics and recently found how wonderful audio books are (thank you, Librivox!), I figured I could do it!  So, I used their list, but created my own after that first year.

This is such a fun challenge!  It got me out of a reading rut of romance and mystery novels only, and gave me a bit of focus for getting to all the classics I wanted to read (but I do still use my romance novels and mystery books to match some of the categories.  I didn’t go cold turkey! 😉  ). You’ll also note that there are a number of kid books, even picture books.  Let’s be realistic here…young children and time to read are  not a mix. 🙂 So, I had to get a little creative!

I made a Facebook page to help keep me accountable, so feel free to join if you’d like to do it with me! Here are the books and genres I’ve done if you need any ideas!

2018

The Give Way Reading Challenge 2018

2017

1. Sign of the Four (book with a number in the title)
2. Charlotte’s Web (children’s novel)
3. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (self help book)
4. U is for Undertow (sequel)
5. The Little Prince (fantasy novel)
6. Sugar Daddy (book about adoption)
7. Fahrenheit 451 (dystopian novel)
8. Pollyanna (inspirational novel)
9. Over the Rainbow (picture book)
10. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (childhood favorite)
11. Sense and Sensibility (an audiobook)
12. Birds in the Bushes: A Story About Margaret Morse Nice (biography)
13. The Celebrated Jumping Frog (short story)
14. Baby Island (book recommended by a stranger)
15. My Antonia (western)
16. The Obsession (New York Times bestseller)
17. All About Sam (book you’ve been wanting to read)
18. A Harmony of the Gospel (book with a blue cover)
19. The Children’s Own Longfellow (book of poetry)
20. The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden (Recommendation from a friend)
21. Farmer Boy (book from a thrift store)
22. Mansfield Park (book set in Europe)
23. Because of Miss Bridgerton (romance)
24. Big Questions, Straight Answers (book about theology)
25. Laddie (child narrator)
26. Strawberry Girl (Newbery Award winner)
27. Stargirl (young adult novel)
28. Northanger Abbey (classic)
29. As Time Goes By (murder mystery)
30. Digital Fortress (thriller)
31. Swiss Family Robinson (book originally written in a foreign language)
32. Your 6-Year Old: Loving and Defiant (coming of age book)
33. The Bernstein Bears’ Trouble with Money (financial advice book)
34. Gospels (book with a one word title)
35. A Momentary Marriage (book published this year)
36. Cora Frear (historical novel)
37. Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark (time travel)
38. Captains Courageous (book about adventure)
39. The Rabbit’s Wedding (banned books)
40. The Search (book based on its cover)
41. The Viscount Who Loved Me (humorous novel)
42.  Murder on the Orient Express (book made into a movie this year)
43. Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture (World War II setting)
44. Lisa and Lottie (book written by a deceased author)
45. The Secret to Saying Thanks (book recommended by a librarian)
46. V is for Vengeance (book set in your state)
47. El Deafo (graphic novel)
48. The Big Wave (book set in Asia)
49. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) (celebrity memoir)
50. Lego Star Wars: A New Hope (book based on a movie — I did not want to read this genre at all! LOL! fortunately, I had a book that was donated to me to sell, so I just grabbed that.)
51. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (historical memoir)
52. Cold, Cold Heart (500 pages or more…it was 462! 😉 )

Book Recommendations

Teen and Adult Book Club

Photo Credit: Jason Parrish “Books!”