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2019 Read Harder Challenge > Completed List

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message 1: by Daniel (new)

Daniel (dbfwnoonan) | 11 comments Below is my completed list with much double-dipping, in which case I read more books in that category. Looking forward to the 2020 Challenge!

1) An epistolary novel or collection of letters:
a) Invitation to a Bonfire by Adrienne Celt https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
b) Among Others by Jo Walton https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2) An alternate history novel:
a) Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
3) A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:
a) The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
b) The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
4) A humor book:
a) The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
5) A book by a journalist or about journalism:
a) The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump by Michiko Kakutani https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
6) A book by an AOC set in or about space:
a) An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
7) An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America:
a) The Transmigration of Bodies by Yuri Herrera https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
8) An #ownvoices book set in Oceania:
a) Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington, Nugi Garimara https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
9) A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads:
a) Mystic Man by Toren Chenault: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
b) PLOX: Hell Is Other Players by Steve Hamaker https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
c) The Theory and Craft of Digital Preservation by Trevor Owens https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
10) A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman:
a) Aya by Marguerite Abouet, Clément Oubrerie (Illustrator), Alisia Grace Chase, Helge Dascher (Translator) (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
b) The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, Caroline Waight (Translator) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
c) Lullaby [aka The Perfect Nanny] by Leïla Slimani, Sam Taylor (Translator) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
d) The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Lucia Grave (translator) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
e) The Taiga Syndrome by Cristina Rivera, Suzanne Jill Levine (Translator), Aviva Kana (Translator) Garzahttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
f) The Transmigration of Bodies by Yuri Herrera, Lisa Dillman (Translator) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
11) A book of manga:
a) 銀の匙 Silver Spoon 1 by Hiromu Arakawa https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
b) Rohan at the Louvre by Hirohiko Araki https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
12) A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character:
a) The Saga of Rex by Michel Gagné https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
b) The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
13) A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse:
a) Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
b) An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
14) A cozy mystery:
a) Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
15) A book of mythology or folklore:
a) A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman (editors) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
16) An historical romance by an AOC:
a) Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...)
17) A business book:
a) The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
b) The Theory and Craft of Digital Preservation by Trevor Owens https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
18) A novel by a trans or nonbinary author:
a) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
19) A book of nonviolent true crime:
a) Disappearing Ink: The Insider, the FBI, and the Looting of the Kenyon College Library by Travis McDade https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
20) A book written in prison:
a) Prison Noir (Akashic noir) by Joyce Carol Oates (Editor) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
21) A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
a) The Woods, Vol. 9: The Way Home by James Tynion IV: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
22) A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009:
a) George by Alex Gino https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
23) A self-published book:
a) Mystic Man by Toren Chenault: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
b) PLOX: Hell Is Other Players by Steve Hamaker https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
24) A collection of poetry published since 2014:
a) Wade in the Water by Tracy K. Smith https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 2: by Mya (new)

Mya R | 279 comments Where feasible I picked titles by people of color &/or by queer folk.

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
A) The Descent of Monsters by nonbinary author J.Y. Yang
B) De Profundis by bisexual author Oscar Wilde

2. An alternate history novel
A) Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
B) American Hippo by Sarah Gailey
C) Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

4. A humor book
A) The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness by Paula Poundstone (Paula Poundstone identifies as asexual.)
B) Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
A) Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. I read this for a different challenge and realized it met this task. Per Wahlöö was a journalist for many years. It's also a work written and translated by a woman.
B) The Columbine Effect: How five teen pastimes got caught in the crossfire and why teens are taking them back by journalist & author Beth Winegarner.
C) A Confidential Source by Jan Brogan

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
A) The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
B) An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
A) Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
C) Parrots Over Puerto Rico
D) What Can You Do with a Paleta?

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
A) Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam by Tanya Taimanglo
B) The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
C) New Poets of Native Nations (includes two poets from tribes indigenous in Oceania - Hawaii & Guam)

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
A) Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam
B) The Sumage Solution by G.L. Carriger

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
A) Like Water for Chocolate, written by Laura Esquivel & translated by Carol Christensen
B) Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall
C) Flowers of Mold by Ha Seong-nan
D) Trick by Domenico Starnone
E) Hotel Bosphorus by Esmahan Aykol (Aykol started her career as a journalist.)

11. A book of manga
A) My Solo Exchange Diary Vol. 1 by Kabi Nagata
B) My Brother's Husband, Volume 1

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
Whittington by Alan Armstrong

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
A) The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
B) The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

14. A cozy mystery
Death by Dumpling and Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien

15. A book of mythology or folklore
A) Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mayan religion/ mythology)
B) Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam
C) The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi (pulls from Yoruba religion & folklore)
D) Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse (Navajo religion/ mythology)
E) A Tale Dark & Grimm (German folklore)
F) Little Wolves by Thomas Maltman (incorporates components of Norse mythology)
G) Unraveling by Karen Lord (Barbadan/ Caribbean folklore)
H) The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee (Chinese mythology)

16. An historical romance by an AOC
A) The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel (I *really* wanted to like this. The subject interests me. But at 50% I was still struggling to care so I abandoned it.)
B) The Turner Series by Courtney Milan
C) A Hope Divided by Alyssa Cole

17. A business book
A) Think Small: The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Reach Big Goals by Owain Service
B) The Art of Preventing Stupid: How to Build a Stronger Business Strategy through Better Risk Management (in progress)

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
A) The Black Tides of Heaven & The Red Threads of Fortune, both by J.Y. Yang
B) Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey
C) An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

19. A book of nonviolent true crime
Bunk: The True Story of Hoaxes, Hucksters, Humbug, Plagiarists, Forgeries, and Phonies)

20. A book written in prison
Prison Noir

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
A) My Solo Exchange Diary Vol. 1 by Kabi Nagata
B) My Brother's Husband, Volume 1

22. A children's or middle-grade book that has won a diversity award since 2009
A) What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla
B) Parrots Over Puerto Rico1982]
C) Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck by Margarita Engle
D) (I also plan on reading Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson. It won the Coretta Scott King author award for 2018.)

23. A self-published book
A) Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam
B) The Sumage Solution by G.L. Carriger
C) Anything I've read by Courtney Milan

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014
A) The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
B) New Poets of Native Nations - strongly recommend this anthology to anyone interested in contemporary poetry &/or native voices.
C) Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur - I read the first half of this, but it's laden with domestic violence & rape & I was not up for reading more.


message 3: by Barbara (new)

Barbara | 33 comments My completed list for 2019:

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

2. An alternative history novel
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a 2018 literary award
The Hate You Give Us by Angie Thomas

4. A humor book
Housekeeping vs The Dirt by Nick Hornby

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
American Prison by Shane Bauer

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

7. An #own voices book set in Mexico or Central America
The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Saramago

8. An #own voices book set in Oceania
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

9. A book published prior to 1/1/19 with fewer than 100 reviews
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce by Ambrose Bierce
A Whale for the Killing by Farley Mowat

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
The Great Passage by Scion Maura

11. A book of manga
Oishinbo-Japanese Cuisine-Vol 1 by Tetsu Kariya
She and Her Cat by Makato Shinkai

12. A book with an animal/inanimate object as point-of-view
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
The Reason I Jump by Naomi
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
The Autistic Brain by Temple Grandin

14. A cozy mystery
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny

15. A book of mythology or folklore
The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller

16. An historical romance by an AOC
An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole

17. A business book
The Great Beanie Baby Bubble by Zac Bissonnette
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis

18, A novel by a trans or non-binary author
Little Fish by Casey Plett

19. A book of nonviolent true crime
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson

20. A book written in prison
De Profundis by Oscar Wilde

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

22. A children’s/middle grade book that won a diversity award
I Dissent: Ruth Badger Ginsburg by Debbie Levy
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

23. A self-published book
Giant’s Well by Scott A. Ford

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014
the sun and her flowers by rupi kaur


message 4: by Mercedes (last edited Nov 30, 2019 07:57AM) (new)

Mercedes (villadinorah) | 0 comments I finished early in September, but I'm still working on a second business book, No Logo by Naomi Klein, which is terrific.
As always, I dedicated my challenge strictly to women writers.

I'm looking forward to 2020's BR, Read Harder challenge.

22 as scheduled +5 alternates=27

(X)1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters: So Long a Letter by Ba. (Boxall's): a wonderful book!

(/X)2. An alternate history novel: The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher By Mantel.. awesome!

(X)3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018: The Friend by Nunez (National Book Award) Disappointing

(X)4. A humor book: Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Chast. I thought it'd be a humor, since Chast is so humorous in her cartoons, but it was a very touching portrayal of her parents...sad actually.

(X)5. A book by a journalist or about journalism: The Journalist and the Murderer by Malcolm (Modern Library 100) EXCELLENT!

(X)6. A book by an AOC set in or about space: Dawn by Butler - ILL- Awesome!!!

(X)7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America: Hasta no verte, Jesús mío by Poniatowska (Boxall's). A touching historical novel focusing on the plight of an indigenous woman... excellent.

(X)8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania: Faces in the Water by Frame (Boxall's) A terrifying look at mental illness from a first person narrative.

(X)9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: Summer Will Show0] by Townsend Warner (Boxall's) FABULOUS!!

(X)10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman: Since I'll be spending time in France this year, I'll be reading Colette, mainly the entire Claudine series of four books. I'll start with Claudine à l'école Hilarious!

(X)11. A book of manga: Time Killers by Kazue Kato.. it's okay. Manga is not for me.

(X/X)12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character: Direction of the Road (from the perspective of a tree) by Le Guin and Beaver Year

(/X)13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse: Nervous Conditions by Dangaremgba (Boxall's) and Ariel by Plath: Gripping, disturbing poems.

(X)14. A cozy mystery: Whose Body? by Sayers. (Guardian) It's the first of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. Wicked fun!

(X)15. A book of mythology or folklore: The King Must Die by Renault (Feminista's). Totally awesome!

(X)16. An historical romance by an AOC: Jubilee by Walker. A wonderful novel, a Gone with the Wind from the perspective of an African American female slave... recommend!

(/X)17. A business book: No Logo by Klein or Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages

(X/X)18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author: Nothing Wrong with Me by Dylan Edwards: not a book, but a publication in a website, quite good or Freshwater by Emezi: I loved this one!

(X)19. A book of nonviolent true crime: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Alexander. Superb and highly recommended!

(X)20. A book written in prison: Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Oufkir (Oprah's). Compelling

(X)21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator: As the Crow Flies by Gillman. Nice drawings. Storyline is okay.

(X)22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009: Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Brown (Coretta Scott King award)

(X)23. A self-published book: Three Lives by Gertrude Stein (Boxall's) I adore Stein's writing

(X)24. A collection of poetry published since 2014: Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets illustrated by Holmes (Coretta Scott King Award.


message 5: by Janell (new)

Janell | 6 comments 1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
Turning Darkness Into Light by Marie Brennan
2. An Alternate history novel
Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
4. A humor book
More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
I'll Mature When I'm Dead: Dave Barry's Amazing Tales of Adulthood by Dave Barry
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
The Whale Riderby Witi Ihimaera

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
Their Promised Land: My Grandparents in Love and War by Ian Buruma
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
11. A book of manga
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 by Natsuke Takaya
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
14. A cozy mystery
Aunt Dimity and the Widow's Curse by Nancy Atherton
15. A book of mythology or folklore
Akata Witchby Nnedi Okorafor
16. An historical romance by an AOC
A Hope Dividedby Alyssa Cole

17. A business book
Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America by Heidi Waleson
18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
Birthday by Meredith Russo
19. A book of nonviolent true crime
Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions by Amy Stewart
20. A book written in prison
The Travels of Marco Polo: The Illustrated Edition by Marco Polo and Rusticello da Pisa

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
My Brother's Husband, Volume 1 by Gengoroh Tagame
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
23. A self-published book
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014
Known by Saltby Tina Mozelle Braziel


message 6: by Melissa (new)

Melissa W | 44 comments This is my first year finishing the challenge! I am giving myself, and everyone who finished the challenge a pat on the back :) I am looking forward to the 2020 Challenge!
1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters The Delicacy and Strength of Lace: Letters Between Leslie Marmon Silko and James Wright

2. An alternate history novel It Can't Happen Here

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 Washington Black

4. A humor book Welcome to Night Vale

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism The Library Book

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space The Three-Body Problem

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America The Hummingbird's Daughter

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania Dark Emu

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads Culdesac (This had fewer than 100 when I read it!)

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman Baghdad, Adieu: Selected Poems of Memory and Exile

11. A book of manga Kitchen Princess, Vol. 01

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character The Old Drift

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

14. A cozy mystery Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter

15. A book of mythology or folklore Circe

16. An historical romance by an AOC Indigo

17. A business book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author Ninefox Gambit

19. A book of nonviolent true crime The Feather Thief

20. A book written in prison Other Lands Have Dreams: Letters From Pekin Prison

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator The Backstagers, Vol. 2: The Show Must Go On

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009 One Crazy Summer

23. A self-published book Five Walks Through Montpelier

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 Baghdad, Adieu: Selected Poems of Memory and Exile


message 7: by Juliet Brown (new)

Juliet Brown | 30 comments My list, some double dipping
epistolary novel or collection of letters Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded

alternate history novel River of Teeth

by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 The Stone Sky

humor book The Colour of Magic

book by a journalist or about journalism The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by an AOC set in or about space An Unkindness of Ghosts

#ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America Summer of the Mariposas

#ownvoices book set in Oceania The Whale Rider

published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads King of the Ching Chong Chinamen: A literary response to Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian

translated book written by and/or translated by a woman The House of the Spirits

book of manga Battle Angel Alita

book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character Redwall

book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

cozy mystery Murder Past Due

book of mythology or folklore The Folklore of Discworld

historical romance by an AOC His at Night

Business book The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

novel by a trans or nonbinary author River of Teeth

book of nonviolent true crime The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed

book written in prison De Profundis

comic by an LGBTQIA creator Lumberjanes: Up All Night

children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009 Hoodoo

self-published book Pryce and Carter’s Deep Space Survival Procedure & Protocol Manual

collection of poetry published since 2014 Opened Ground: Selected Poems, 1966-1996


message 8: by Bobby (last edited Dec 08, 2019 01:30PM) (new)

Bobby | 195 comments Here is my completed list of the books I read for the 2019 challenge. Several books fit multiple categories, but I did not resort to double-dipping to complete the challenge.

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters:
Ovid's Heroines, translated by Clare Pollard

2. An alternate history novel:
The Man in the High Castle, by Philip K. Dick

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nonfiction Award)

4. A humor book:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism:
Fast Copy, by Dan Jenkins

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space:
Find Where The Wind Goes: Moments From My Life, by Mae Jenkins

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America:
Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania:
The Slap, by Christos Tsiolkas

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads:
The Birthday of the World, by Moshe Davis and David Ratner (Shockingly, this beautiful book has no written reviews, and only one rating so far—mine!)

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman:
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Poems, translated by Margaret Sayers Peden

11. A book of manga:
Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom, by Tsugumi Obah (illustrated by Takeshi Obata)

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character:
Watership Down, by Richard Adams

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse:
Just Add Water: A Surfing Savant's Journey with Asperger's, by Clay Marzo and Robert Yehling

14. A cozy mystery:
Murder in G Major, by Alexia Gordon

15. A book of mythology or folklore:
Hesiod: The Works and Days/Theogony/The Shield of Herakles, translated by Richmond Lattimore

16. An historical romance by an AOC:
The Foxes of Harrow, by Frank Yerby

17. A business book:
Ideaspotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea, by Sam Harrison

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author:
Freshwater, by Akwaeke Emezi

19. A book of nonviolent true crime:
The Return of Martin Guerre, by Natalie Zemon Davis

20. A book written in prison:
Footsteps, by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator:
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009:
The Language of Angels: The Reinvention of Hebrew, by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Karla Gudeon (2017 National Jewish Book Award; 2018 Sydney Taylor Book Award)

23. A self-published book:
The Everyday Superman: A Cajun Boy's Quest to Fight Evil from the Inside Out, by Chad Michael Granier

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014:
In This Quiet Church of Night, I Say Amen, by Devin Kelly


message 9: by Karen (new)

Karen Hoehne | 48 comments 2019 Read Harder Challenge – 24/24 tasks completed (on 12/9/2019)

Thank you BookRiot for more great topics this year. I enjoy expanding my reading limits and moving out of my “comfort zone!” In fact, after trying out graphic novels for the 2015 Challenge, I am still addicted to them and also did each of the 2019 topics using a graphic novel. For the books, I have tried as much as possible to use books from the Boxall 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die and Classics (14 out of the 24).

An epistolary novel or collection of letters
Pamela, by Samuel Richardson (Boxall)
The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga (Boxall)
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, by James Hogg (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine, by Anaele Hermans

An alternate history novel
The Plot Against America, by Philip Roth (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1, by Alan Moore

A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a literary award in 2018
Bluebird, Bluebird, by Attica Locke (Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2018)
• Graphic Novel – Black Panther: World of Wakanda, by Gary, Harvey, Coates, and Browne (Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for Best Limited Series in 2018)

A humor book
Gargantua and Pantagruel, by Francoise Rabelais (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Baking With Kafka, by Tom Gauld

A book by a journalist or about journalism
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, by Tom Wolfe (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Journalism, by Joe Sacco

A book by an AOC set in or about space
The Dark Forest, by Liu Cixin
• Graphic Novel – Planetes, Volumes 1 and 2 , by Makoto Yukimura

An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
The Underdogs, by Mariano Azuela (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide, by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Pena

An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
Faces in the Water, by Janet Frame (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – The Dharma PunksThe Dharma Punks, by Ant Sang

A book published prior to Jan 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
Disappearance, by David Dabydeen (9 reviews) (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Niourk, by Stefan Wul (23 reviews)

A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
Kristin Lavransdatter: The Bridal Wreath/The Mistress of Husaby/The Cross, by Sigrid Undset, translated by Charles Archer and J. S. Scott (Boxall)
Forever a Stranger and Other Stories, by Hella S. Haasse, Margaret M. Alibasah (Translator) (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Run For It: Stories Of Slaves Who Fought For Their Freedom, by Marcelo D’Salete, translated by Andrea Rosenberg

A book of manga
A Study In Pink, by Mark Gattes
• Graphic Novel – Usagi Yojimbo, Vols. 1 - 13, by Stan Sakai

A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr, by E. T. A. Hoffmann (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Animal Farm: The Graphic Novel, by George Orwell, and Odyr (adapter/illustrator)

A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
Nervous Conditions, by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank, by Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Bass

A cozy mystery
The Big Four, by Agatha Christie (not on the list but a Boxall author)
• Graphic Novel – Goldie Vance, Vols. 1 - 4, by Hope Larson

A book of mythology or folklore
Metamorphoses, by Ovid (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – American Gods, Volume 1: Shadows, by Neil Gaiman

An historical romance by an AOC
Callirhoe, by Chariton (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Emma, Vols. 1 - 5, by Kaoru Mori

A business book
Trump: The Art of the Deal, by Donald J. Trump
• Graphic Novel – Economix: How and Why Our Economy Works (and Doesn't Work), in Words and Pictures, by Michael Goodwin and Don E. Burr

A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
Stone Butch Blues, by Leslie Feinberg
• Graphic Novel – Jack of Fables, Vols. 1 - 6 by Bill Willingham and Lilah/Matthew Sturges

A book of nonviolent true crime
Breaking van Gogh: Saint-Rémy, Forgery, and the $95 Million Fake at the Met, by James Ottar Grundvig
• Graphic Novel – Second Avenue Caper: When Goodfellas, Divas, and Dealers Plotted Against the Plague, by Joyce Brabner and Mark Zingarelli

A book written in prison
Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – Prison Island: A Graphic Memoir, by Colleen Frakes

A comic by an LGPTQIA creator
The Tea Dragon Society, by Katie O’Neill
• Graphic Novel – Tomb Raider, Vols. 1 - 3), by Mariko Tamaki

A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
Pashmina, by Nidhi Chanani (VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award for Youth 2017)
• Graphic Novel –Dreamers, by Yuyi Morales (Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award 2019)

A self-published book
Swann's Way, by Marcel Proust (Boxall)
• Graphic Novel – The Written Graphic Novel, by Ben Galley

A collection of poetry published since 2014
Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners, by Naomi Shihab Nye (2018)
• Graphic Novel – Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation, by Gareth Hinds (2017)


message 10: by Erin (last edited Dec 13, 2019 02:31PM) (new)

Erin Perry Willis | 6 comments Read Harder Challenge 2019 - 24/24

This was my first year doing a reading challenge, and I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed discovering books and authors I would not have been exposed to otherwise. All in all, this was a great experience.

1. An epistolary Novel or Collection of Letters - Waking Gods (Completed 1/5/19, 3.5 stars)

2. An Alternate History Novel - The Only Harmless Great Thing (Completed 1/12/19, 4.25 stars)

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - All Systems Red (Completed 1/25/19, 4 stars)

4. A humor book - Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t (Completed 9/28/19, 5 stars)

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer (Completed 7/27/19, 4.5 stars)

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - Binti (Completed 1/1/19, 5 stars)

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America - Signs Preceding the End of the World (Completed 1/16/19, 3 stars)

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - Heat and Light (Completed 9/3/19, 4 stars)

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads - The Case of the Little Bloody Slipper, The Price You Pay Is Red, The Long And Silent Ever After (Completed 6/30/19, 5 stars)

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman - The Vegetarian (Completed 1/2/19, 4.5 stars)

11. A book of manga - Neon Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse Volume 1 (Completed 8/30/19, 2.5 stars)

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character - Hollow Kingdom (Completed 8/27/19, 4 stars)

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse - The Kiss Quotient (Completed 1/7/19, 3.5 stars)

14. A cozy mystery - And Then There Were None (Completed 1/13/19, 3 stars)

15. A book of mythology or folklore - The Mere Wife (Completed 9/29/19, 3.5 stars)

16. An historical romance by an AOC - The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo (Completed 11/10/19, 3 stars)

17. A business book - Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (Completed 1/28/19, 3.5 stars)

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author - Dreadnought (Completed 11/5/19, 3.5 stars)

19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (Completed 1/28/19, 3.5 stars)

20. A book written in prison - The Graybar Hotel: Stories (Completed 12/13/19, 3.75 stars)

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act (Completed 1/2/19, 4 stars)

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009 - Fish in a Tree (Completed 11/8/19, 3 stars)

23. A self-published book - Minor Mage (Completed 11/18/19, 4 stars)

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - Good Bones (Completed 1/16/19, 4.5 stars)


message 11: by 〰️Beth〰️ (new)

〰️Beth〰️ (x1f4a0bethx1f4a0) Congratulations Erin📚🌹📚


message 12: by Tammy (new)

Tammy | 198 comments I still need to finish my book written in prison, but will by the 31st! It was another good year of learning about new types of books as well as new individual books and authors. I liked most of the books, but put an asterisk next to my favorites.

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters:
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Paul Torday

2. An alternate history novel:
*The Underground Railroad, Colin Whitehead

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:
There There, Tommy Orange

4. A humor book:
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding, Kristin Newman

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism:
Loving Che, Ana Menendez

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space:
Binti, Nnedi Okorafor

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America:
Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania:
The Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads:
My Heart Can't Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome, Amy Silverman

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman:
Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata

11. A book of manga:
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story, Marie Kondō

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character:
Wishtree, Katherine Applegate

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse:
*Love Anthony, Lisa Genova

14. A cozy mystery:
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, Alexander McCall Smith

15. A book of mythology or folklore:
*Circe, Madeline Miller

16. An historical romance by an AOC:
Her Land, Her Love, Evangeline Parsons Yazzie

17. A business book:
Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit, Barry Estabrook

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author:
Liquor, Poppy Z. Brite

19. A book of nonviolent true crime:
The Library Book, Susan Orlean

20. A book written in prison:
Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance, Leonard Peltier

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator:
My Brother's Husband, Volume 1, Gengoroh Tagame

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009:
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, Debbie Levy

23. A self-published book:
*Still Alice, Lisa Genova

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014:
The Poet XThe Poet X, Elizabeth Acevedo


message 13: by Bonnie G. (new)

Bonnie G. (narshkite) | 1413 comments A year in the books. There are books that appear in more than one slot, but there is as least one original book for each category

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters:
De Profundis 5-stars
Dear Committee Members 5-stars
City of Girls 4-stars
The Flatshare 4-Stars
Red, White & Royal Blue 4-stars


2. An alternate history novel:
The Plot Against America 5-stars


3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018:
Washington Black 4-stars
Normal People 4-stars
Heavy: An American Memoir 5-stars
My Sister, the Serial Killer 5-stars
A Place for Us 3-Stars
Spinning Silver 3-stars
Idaho 4-stars
Conversations with Friends 4-stars
Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat 3 stars

4. A humor book:
How to Be a Woman 2-stars
Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat 3-stars

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism:
The Rules Do Not Apply 4-stars
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup 3-stars
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland 5-stars
Great American Outpost: Dreamers, Mavericks, and the Making of an Oil Frontier 3-stars
Fleishman Is in Trouble 5-stars
Conversations with Friends 4-stars

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space: Binti 2-Stars

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America:
The Story of My Teeth 2-stars
The Line Becomes A River: Dispatches from the Border 5-stars

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania:
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia 5-stars

9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads:
Lace 1-star
Brown: Poems 4-stars
Spell on Wheels 3-stars
Guardians of the Louvre 4-stars
The Vanishing American Corporation: Navigating the Hazards of a New Economy 5-stars
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia 5-stars
A Tranquil Star: Unpublished Short Stories 3-stars
Spiritual Probation 3-stars
Eight Mile High 4-stars
Great American Outpost: Dreamers, Mavericks, and the Making of an Oil Frontier 3-stars

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman:
The Story of My Teeth 2-stars
A Tranquil Star: Unpublished Short Stories 3-stars 3-stars

11. A book of manga:
Guardians of the Louvre 4-stars


12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character:
Fox 8 5-star


13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse:
The Kiss Quotient 5-Stars

The Bride Test 5-stars

14. A cozy mystery:
The Cruelest Month 4-stars
A Rule Against Murder 4-stars

15. A book of mythology or folklore:
Norse Mythology 5-stars
Circe 2-stars
Spinning Silver 3-stars

16. An historical romance by an AOC:
The Governess Affair 4-stars
The Duchess War 4-stars
The Heiress Effect 5-star

17. A business book:
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup 3-stars
The 250 Job Interview Questions: You'll Most Likely Be Asked...and the Answers That Will Get You Hired! 3-stars (I do this for a living, and I don't usually include what I read for work, but I guess it fits. This one is fine)

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author:
If I Was Your Girl 4-star

19. A book of nonviolent true crime:
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup 3-stars


20. A book written in prison:
De Profundis 5-stars

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator:
Spell on Wheels 3-stars

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009:
Trombone Shorty 5-stars

23. A self-published book:

The Governess Affair 4-stars
The Baller 4-stars
The Anatomy of Jane 3-stars
Spiritual Probation 3-stars
The Duchess War 4-stars
The Princess Trap 1- star
The Heiress Effect 5-star

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014: Brown: Poems 5-stars


message 14: by Elise (new)

Elise Taylor | 44 comments 1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters - Letter from the Birmingham Jail, MLK Junior
2. An alternate history novel - The Underground Railroad, Colston Whitehead
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018 - The Stone Sky, NK
4. A humor book - The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump , Rob Sears
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism - The View from Fly-Over Country, Sarah Kendzior
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space - The Ninefox Gambit, Yoon Ha Lee
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America - Certain Dark Things, Silvia Moreno-Garcia
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania - The Things She’s Seen - Abelin Kwaymullina & Ezekiel Kwaymullina
9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads - Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple Perspectives., Dawn Braithwaite & Paul Schroeder
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman - The Travelling Cat Chronicles, Hiro Arikawa
11. A book of manga - One Piece, Eiichiro Oda
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character - The Travelling Cat Chronicles, Hiro Arikawa
13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse - Holding Up the Universe, Jennifer Niven
14. A cozy mystery - An Artificial Night, Seanan McGuire
15. A book of mythology or folklore - Circe, Madeline Miller
16. A historical romance by an AOC - The Wrath and the Dawn, Renée Ahdieh
17. A business book - Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes, Katherine Miller
19. A book of nonviolent true crime - Doing Justice - Preet Bharara
20. A book written in prison - Letter from the Birmingham Jail - MLK Junior
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator - Queer, Meg-John Baker
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009 - I Dissent: Ruth Badger Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, Debbie Levy
23. A self-published book - After the Cure, Deirdre Gould
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014 - The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump, Rob Sears


message 15: by Clay (new)

Clay (claywilliams) | 18 comments Finished! This was my first year doing the challenge and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I discovered that I love cozy mysteries and ended up seeking out many more translated works.

The challenge also got my thinking more about the geographic diversity of the books I read and motivated me to seek out books from more countries. My Latin American reading is low and I want to work on that next year.

All in all, great experience! Already working on my 2020 Challenge plans.

{x} 1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
Between the World and Me read
Dracula read

{x} 2. An alternate history novel
The Underground Railroad read

{x} 3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
Washington Black read

{x} 4. A humor book
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl read

{x} 5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
The Apprentice read
Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History read

{x} 6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
Dawn read

{x} 7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
Gods of Jade and Shadow read

{x} 8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
The Things She's Seen read

{x} 9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
Miss Moorthy Investigates read

{x} 10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good read
Tentacle read
The Cook read
Vintage 1954 read
The Red Notebook read
The Memory Police read
The Murmur of Bees read
La Bastarda read

{x} 11. A book of manga
Barefoot Gen, Volume One: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima read

{x} 12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
The Golem and the Jinni read

{x} 13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time read or
Convenience Store Woman read

{x} 14. A cozy mystery
A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder read
Hope Never Dies read
The Frangipani Tree Mystery read
The Betel Nut Tree Mystery read
Girl Waits with Gun read
Lady Cop Makes Trouble read
Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions read
Whose Body? read
Miss Moorthy Investigates read
A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul read

{x} 15. A book of mythology or folklore
Akata Witch read
Aru Shah and the End of Time read

{x} 16. An historical romance by an AOC
An Extraordinary Union read

{x} 17. A business book
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice read

{x} 18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
The Black Tides of Heaven read

{x} 19. A book of nonviolent true crime
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War read

{x} 20. A book written in prison
Letter from Birmingham Jail read

{x} 21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
They Called Us Enemy read

{x} 22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
Trombone Shorty read

{x} 23. A self-published book
The Martian read

{x} 24. A collection of poetry published since 2014
No Matter the Wreckage read


message 16: by Chris (new)

Chris | 4 comments 2019 Read Harder Challenge Completed List


1. A epistolary novel or collection of letters
Lady Susan by Jane Austen

2. An alternate history novel
My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies #1) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows

3. A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a literary award in 2018
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly – Winner of the 2018 Newberry Medal)

4. A humor book
The Infernals by John Connolly

5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse – Washington Post feature writer

6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
A Massacre in Mexico: The True Story Behind the Missing Forty-Three Students by Anabel Hernandez

8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington/Nugi Garimara

9. A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
An Affair with Africa: Expeditions and Adventures Across a Continent by Alzada Carlisle Kistner – 98 reviews

10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen

11. A book of manga
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya

12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

14. A cozy mystery
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

15. A book of mythology or folklore
Circe by Madeline Miller

16. An historical romance by an AOC
The Luckiest Lady in London (The London Trilogy #1) by Sherry Thomas

17. A business book
Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation of Illicit Money Networks and the Global Elite by Jake Bernstein

18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

19. A book of nonviolent true crime
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson

20. A book written in prison
The Best Short Stories of O. Henry by O. Henry

21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan – 2016 Américas Award

23. A self-published book
Letters from Liberia: The Adventures of an Ebola Medical Volunteer by Joe Spann

24. A collection of poetry published since 2014
Duende by Tracy K Smith


message 17: by 〰️Beth〰️ (new)

〰️Beth〰️ (x1f4a0bethx1f4a0) Chris wrote: "2019 Read Harder Challenge Completed List.."

Congratulations Chris


message 18: by 〰️Beth〰️ (new)

〰️Beth〰️ (x1f4a0bethx1f4a0) Clay wrote: "Finished! This was my first year doing the challenge and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I discovered that I love cozy mysteries and ended up seeking out many more translated works.

The challe..."


Congratulations Clay! Lots of great books on your list


message 19: by Meg (new)

Meg (megatza) | 7 comments Stayed up super late to finish mine on 12/30 !

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters: Dear Rachel MaddowDear Rachel Maddow by Adrienne Kisner
2. An alternate history novel: Dread Nation
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a literary award in 2018: The Poet X
4. A humor book: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (actually read once and listened once this year!)
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism: Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding, Its Apocalyptic Weather, Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space: The Three-Body Problem
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America: Signal to Noise
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania: Saman
9. A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: Master of the Grill: Recipes, Techniques, Tools, and Ingredients that Guarantee Success When You Cook Outdoors
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman: A Winter's Promise
11. A book of manga: Basara, Vol. 1
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character: My Name Is Red
13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse: The Kiss Quotient
14. A cozy mystery: Crocodile on the Sandbank
15. A book of mythology or folklore: The Song of Achilles
16. An historical romance by an AOC: An Extraordinary Union
17. A business book: The Visual MBA: Two Years of Business School Packed into One Priceless Book of Pure Awesomeness
18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author: Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
20. A book written in prison: Letters and Papers from Prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009: The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog
23. A self-published book: Once Upon a Marquess
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014: Livingry


message 20: by Jane (new)

Jane | 13 comments Like many others, I limited myself to women authors. Completed today on December 31. This was my first Read Harder challenge, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly!

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters: Dear Committee Members
2. An alternate history novel: Farthing
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a literary award in 2018: The Stone Sky
4. A humor book: You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism: Those Who Wander: America's Lost Street Kids
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space: Binti (I also read Home and The Night Masquerade)
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America: Like Water for Chocolate
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania: Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence
9. A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: I, Claudia
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
11. A book of manga: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character: The Bees
13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse: The Kiss Quotient
14. A cozy mystery: Her Royal Spyness (and the rest of the books in the same series)
15. A book of mythology or folklore: Mythology
16. An historical romance by an AOC: An Extraordinary Union
17. A business book: Black Edge: Inside Information, Dirty Money, and the Quest to Bring Down the Most Wanted Man on Wall Street
18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author: All the Birds in the Sky
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
20. A book written in prison: Inside This Place, Not of It: Narratives from Women’s Prisons
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009: Front Desk
23. A self-published book: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014: The Princess Saves Herself in This One


message 21: by Nicole (last edited Jan 03, 2020 10:20AM) (new)

Nicole DeJarnette | 7 comments 1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters: Sleeping Giants
2. An alternate history novel: Annelies, Dread Nation
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC that won a literary award in 2018: Home Fire, Milkman
4. A humor book: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared: by Jonas Jonasson Conversation Starters , Kill the Farm Boy
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism: Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, The Girl Puzzle: A Story of Nellie Bly
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, The Three-Body Problem
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America: The Murmur of Bees
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania: The Question of Red
9. A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads: No Dancing, No Dancing: Inside the Global Humanitarian Crisis
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman: Homes: A Refugee Story
11. A book of manga: Fairy Tail, Vol. 01
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character: The Wild Road, The Bees
13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
14. A cozy mystery: The Moonglow Cafe, Tall Tail
15. A book of mythology or folklore: Gods of Jade and Shadow
16. An historical romance by an AOC: Night Hawk
17. A business book: Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction
18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author: Long Black Veil, Nevada
19. A book of nonviolent true crime: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
20. A book written in prison: Orange Is the New Black
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009: Lucky Broken Girl
23. A self-published book: Over Raging Tides
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014: The Poet X


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