Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Reading Challenges Wrap-up for 2020

I think this is the first year that I have actually kept track of the books that I read for challenges for the entire year! So, this is really my first reading challenge wrapup. I don't really follow the challenges to the T, but instead use them as lists for jumping off points. So - Here are my wrap ups! 

 I read a book for every month except December! Yay!  

Snow in Love by de la Cruz,Stone,Freedman,West JANUARY- Winter Wonderland 

Exhalation: Stories by Chiang, Ted MAY- Author Introduction 

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir FEBRUARY- Seeing Red 

The Black God's Drums by P. Djeli Clark MARCH- Sub-Genre Sound Off 

Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia APRIL- Classics or Currents 

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvator JUNE- Name or Number 

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay JULY- Around or Out of this World 

Call your daughter home by Deb Spera MAY- Author Introduction 

A Song Below Water by Bethany Morrow AUGUST- Creature Feature 

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate SEPTEMBER- When Text Just Isn’t Enough 

Bent heavens by Daniel Kraus OCTOBER- Thrills and Chills 

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor NOVEMBER- Dynamic Duos



I didn't do as well here, fulfilling only 11 of the 24 reading prompts.

 1. Read a YA nonfiction book Just Mercy Bryan Stevenson 
2 Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairy tale, or myth by an author of color
 3 Read a mystery with no violence against women
 4 Read a graphic memoir
 5 Read a book about a natural disaster
 6 Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author
 7 Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII The Myth of Perpetual Summer Susan Crandall 
8 Read an audiobook of poetry
  9 Read the LAST book in a series Sever Lauren DeStefano 
10 Read a book that takes place in a rural setting Jackson Emily March 
11 Read a debut novel by a queer author
  12 Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own The Bookshop in Berlin Francoise Frenkel 
13 Read a food book about a cuisine you’ve never tried before
 14 Read a romance starring a single parent
 15 Read a book about climate change
  16 Read a doorstopper (over 500 pages) published after 1950, written by a woman Strange the Dreamer Laini Taylor 
17 Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages) The Black God's Drums P. Djeli Clark 
18 Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens 19 Read a book by or about a refugee
 20 Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the US or the UK
 21 Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non) Sick kids in Love Hannah Moskowitz 22 Read a horror book published by an indie press Horrorstor Grady Hendrix 
23 Read an edition of a literary magazine (digital or physical)
24 Read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author The Round House Louise Erdrich



Come Tumbling DownSeanan McGuire1. A book that's published in 2020
Patron Saints of NothingRandy Ribay6. A bildungsroman
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted7. The first book you touch on a shelf with your eyes closed.
Kingdom of BackMarie Lu8. A book with an upside down image on the cover
Now Entering AddamsvilleFrancesca Zappia9. A book with a map
The CheerleadersKara Thomas13. A book with the same title as a movie or tv show but is unrelated
WitherLauren DeStefano15. A book published the month of your birthday
Lost Children ArchiveValeria Luiselli17. A book that won an award in 2019
FreewillChris Lynch19. A book with only words on the cover, no images or graphics
Inside OutDemi Moore20. A book with a pun in the title
Naked in DeathJ.D. Robb22. A book with a robot, cyborg or AI character
The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvator23. A book with a bird on the cover
I know why the caged bird singsMaya Angelou26. A book by a WOC
Just MercyBryan Stevenson27. A book with at least a four star rating on Goodreads
Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens28. A book you meant to read in 2019
Glory in DeathJ.D. Robb29. A book about or involving social media
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise Frenkel30. A book that has a book on its cover
The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator32. A book with a made-up language
Beyond: A Ghost StoryGraham McNamee33. A book set in a country beginning with a "C"
Bent heavensDaniel Kraus34. A book you picked because the title caught your attention
The Round HouseLouise Erdrich35. A book with a three word title
The Grace YearKim Liggett36. A book with a pink cover
Back of BeyondC.J. Box37. A Western
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa Wingate38. A book by or about a journalist
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuire43. A book with a character with a vision impairment or enhancement (20/20)
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator46. A book by an author who has written more than 20 books
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall47. A book with more than 20 letters in its title.
Immortal in DeathJ.D. Robb48. A book published in the 20th century
Rapture in DeathJ.D.Robb49. A book from a series with more than 20 books
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa Wingate50. A book with a main character in their 20s


I believe I am missing I, N, P, Q, U, X, Y

TITLEAUTHORAlphabet Soup by Author
I know why the caged bird singsMaya AngelouA
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy BarberB
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan CrandallC
WitherLauren DeStefanoD
The Round HouseLouise ErdrichE
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise FrenkelF
Fake I.D.Lamar GilesG
The Beauty in BreakingMichele HarperH
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill SistersBalli Kaur JaswalJ
Maybe One DayMelissa KantorK
Lost Children ArchiveValeria LuiselliL

In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuireM
Where the Crawdads SingDelia OwensO
Naked in DeathJ.D. RobbR
Just MercyBryan StevensonS

On the come upAngie ThomasT
The HauntedDanielle VegaV
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa WingateW
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff ZentnerZ



TITLEAUTHOR20 in 20 Challenge
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel Kwaymullina1. Crime fiction or True crime book
Just MercyBryan Stevenson2. A book set in the country where you are currently residing
The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator3. A book with a (mostly) white color cover
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff Zentner4. A book with day/night in the title
The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark5. LGBTQ related book
Naked in DeathJ.D. Robb6. Book originally published in the 1990s
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall7. Book about mental health/dealing with mental illness
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator9. A book from an author you chose for another category in this challenge
Maybe One DayMelissa Kantor10. Book with 11 letters/characters in the title (excluding spaces and punctuation)
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise Frenkel14. Book translated into English from another language
The CheerleadersKara Thomas16. A book that has something to do with sports



Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens1.) Read a book with a title that starts with a "W"
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff Zentner3.) A book with a blue cover
Chasing StarlightTeri Bailey Black5.) A book with the word "Light" in the title
Immortal in DeathJ.D. Robb6.) A book that is set in the future
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie West8.) Read a book of short stories or a novella
Fake I.D.Lamar Giles9.) Read a book you've had on your "to be read" shelf for more than a year
Beyond: A Ghost StoryGraham McNamee10.) Read a book that takes place in winter
Maybe One DayMelissa Kantor12.) Free Space- Pick any book!
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel Kwaymullina13.) A book under 400 pages
Don't Look For MeWendy Walker17.) Read a suspense or horror book
Call your daughter homeDeb Spera19.) Read a book with a building on the cover
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator23.) Read a book recommended on your local library's website
PanicLauren Oliver24.) Free Space- Pick any book!
The Book of EssieMeghan MacLean Weir25.) A book with the word "book" in the title
A Song Below WaterBethany Morrow26.) Read an urban fantasy novel
Come Tumbling DownSeanan McGuire27.) A book published in 2000
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa Wingate34.) Read a book about a historical figure (fiction or non-fiction)
#murdertrendingGretchen McNeil35.) Read a book about an assassin
The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvator36.) Free Space- Pick any book!
WitherLauren DeStefano37.) Book 1 of a Trilogy
FeverLauren DeStefano38.) Book 2 of a Trilogy
SeverLauren DeStefano39.) Book 3 of a Trilogy
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted40.) Read a book fro NPR's favorite books of 2019 (here)
Glory in DeathJ.D. Robb41.) Read a novel by an author using a pseudonym
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall43.) A book with a season in the title
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuire44.) Read a book with exactly four words in the title
Strange the DreamerLaini Taylor45.) Read a book about a writer (real or fictional)
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy Barber47.) A book by an author named Elizabeth/Beth or a variant
The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator48.) Free Space- Pick any book!
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa Wingate50.) Read a book with two or more authors
The Raven KingMaggie Stiefvator54.) Read a book with an occupation in the title
Lost Children ArchiveValeria Luiselli55.) Read a book about travel or that involves travel
Just MercyBryan Stevenson57.) Read a book that starts with the letter J
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill SistersBalli Kaur Jaswal58.) Read a book that takes place in the Middle East or is inspired by Middle Eastern Culture
The Round HouseLouise Erdrich60.) Free Space- Pick any book!



I don't have Q, V, X, Y, Z

TITLEAUTHORAlphabet Soup by Title
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie StiefvatorA
Beyond: A Ghost StoryGraham McNameeB
Call your daughter homeDeb SperaC
The Dream ThievesMaggie StiefvatorD
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, TedE
Fake I.D.Lamar GilesF
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy BarberG
HeroineMindy McGinnisH
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuireI
Just MercyBryan StevensonJ
Kingdom of BackMarie LuK
Lost Children ArchiveValeria LuiselliL
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan CrandallM
Now Entering AddamsvilleFrancesca ZappiaN
On the come upAngie ThomasO
PanicLauren OliverP
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff ZentnerR
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie WestS
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel KwaymullinaT
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill SistersBalli Kaur JaswalU
Where the Crawdads SingDelia OwensW

I believe I completed 32 categories.

TITLEAUTHOR52 books in 52 weeks       
Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens1. A book with the letter “W”
in the title
Fake I.D.Lamar Giles2. A hardcover
The Round HouseLouise Erdrich3. By an indigenous author
Sick Kids in LoveHannah Moskowitz4. Set in winter
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa Wingate5. A character who is a senior
Bent heavensDaniel Kraus7. An author local to you
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall8. Orange on the cover
Just MercyBryan Stevenson11. A book that leaves
you thinking
Naked in DeathJ.D. Robb12. A “guilty pleasure”
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuire13. Written by a female author
WitherLauren DeStefano14. Book in a series
Glory in DeathJ.D. Robb15. Book with romance
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie West17. Written by more than one author
Come Tumbling DownSeanan McGuire18. Published in 2020
The Beauty in BreakingMichele Harper20. An author whose last
name starts with the
same initial as yours
Back of BeyondC.J. Box21. Written by a blogger or journalist
Devils WithinS.F. Henson22. A character that frustrates you
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator23. Title beginning with A
Beyond: A Ghost StoryGraham McNamee24. Title beginning with B
Chasing StarlightTeri Bailey Black25. Title beginning with C
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff Zentner26. A strong “friendship” theme
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa Wingate28. Literary Fiction
Lost Children ArchiveValeria Luiselli29. An award-winning novel
Kingdom of BackMarie Lu31. A book featuring royalty
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy Barber35. An author’s debut book
Inside OutDemi Moore36. Written in first person
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted38. Set in the future
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel Kwaymullina43. Set in a country you’ve
never visited before
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie Stiefvator46. By an author used in an earlier category
Redhead by the Side of the RoadAnne Tyler50. An author you
previously disliked
The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark51. A genre you don’t
normally care for
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise Frenkel52. A book with a Foreword


I always think this is going to be an easy one to finish - and yet somehow I never do. . . 

TITLEAUTHORColor Coded Reading Challenge
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie Stiefvator1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
Redhead by the Side of the RoadAnne Tyler2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
The Hazel WoodMelissa Albert8. A book with any other color in the title/on the cover (Purple, Orange, Silver, Magenta, Pink, etc.).



Again, I always think this will be easy to finish, but get hung up on reading what I want to read and not necessarily looking for the key words!


TITLEAUTHORMonthly Key Word Challenge
A Song Below WaterBethany MorrowJANUARY – Water, This, Hello, Sun, New, Six
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie WestFEBRUARY – Girl, Any, Love, Red, Note, Throne
Maybe One DayMelissa KantorMARCH – Dream, Day, In, House, Luck, Friend
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie StiefvatorMAY – Sky, Name, Blue, Book, Enchant, Is
Daisy Jones and the SixTaylor Jenkins ReidJUNE – And, Beach, Number, Wish, Down, Word
Chasing StarlightTeri Bailey BlackSEPTEMBER – Star, Cry, She, Window, Forever, Eye
The HauntedDanielle VegaOCTOBER – Haunt, Around, Shadow, Grave, Murder, Deep
Inside OutDemi MooreNOVEMBER – Look, Forest, Out, Color, Lock, Now
Patron Saints of NothingRandy RibayDECEMBER – Sword, Magic, Fly, Of, Silver, Crown



I probably had more areas than what are listed below, but I got a little lazy about noting the settings. . . 

TITLEAUTHORLiterary Escapes Challenge
Just MercyBryan StevensonAlabama
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel KwaymullinaAustralia
#murdertrendingGretchen McNeilCalifornia
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie StiefvatorColorado
Don't Look For MeWendy WalkerConnecticut?
WitherLauren DeStefanoFlorida
The Chosen OnesVeronica RothIllinois
Now Entering AddamsvilleFrancesca ZappiaIndiana
Bent heavensDaniel KrausIowa
All the Bad ApplesMoira Fowley-DoyleIreland
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan CrandallLouisiana
Back of BeyondC.J. BoxMontana
Sick Kids in LoveHannah MoskowitzNew York
Where the Crawdads SingDelia OwensNorth Carolina
The Round HouseLouise ErdrichNorth Dakota
HorrorstorGrady HendrixOhio
Dreamland BurningJennifer LathamOklahoma
A Song Below WaterBethany MorrowOregon
The Beauty in BreakingMichele HarperPennsylvania
Patron Saints of NothingRandy RibayPhilippines
Call your daughter homeDeb SperaSouth Carolina
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying VampiresGrady HendrixSouth Carolina
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa WingateTennessee
JacksonEmily MarchTexas
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie StiefvatorVirginia


There is only one category that I didn't complete and that is a title 4 letters or less.  I had some 5 letters, but none 4 letters. 

TITLEAUTHORWhat's in a Name Challenge
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy BarberA given/first name
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff ZentnerAn ampersand
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa WingateAn antonym
A Song Below WaterBethany MorrowOne of the 4 natural elements - earth, wind, air, fire
Lost Children ArchiveValeria LuiselliReference to children


TITLEAUTHORWhile I was reading challenge
The Chosen OnesVeronica RothA book set in the state you live in
Naked in DeathJ.D. RobbA book that’s been on your shelf for more than a year
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie WestA book that’s centered around a holiday
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise FrenkelA book translated from another language
A Song Below WaterBethany MorrowA book with a non-human narrator
Just MercyBryan StevensonA book with an emotion in the title
With or without youCaroline LeavittA book with song lyrics in the title
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa WingateA novel based on a true story
Sick Kids in LoveHannah MoskowitzA romance novel
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff ZentnerA young adult novel


I actually read more non-fiction books than I thought I would.

TITLEAUTHORNonfiction Challenge
Inside OutDemi Moore1. Memoir
I know why the caged bird singsMaya Angelou1. Memoir
Just MercyBryan Stevenson3. Social Science
The Beauty in BreakingMichele Harper4. Related to an Occupation
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa Wingate5. History


I was not familiar with some of the prompts for this category, so selected books for the ones that I did do as best I could. 

TITLEAUTHORSwords and Stars Reading Challenge
The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark– Read a book whose author is new to you.
The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator– Read a book with dragons in it.
The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvator– Read a book with magic in it.
Kingdom of BackMarie Lu– Read a book with stars on the cover or in the title.
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted– Read a book with time travel or time in the title of it.
The Hazel WoodMelissa Albert– Read a Grimdark or Urban fantasy.
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuire– Read a Sci Fantasy.
WitherLauren DeStefano– Read a sci fi book written by a female author.
Come Tumbling DownSeanan McGuire– Read an SFF new release.

I read 60 books for this challenge - with a mix between the school library were I worked and public library. 

The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark
The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator
The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvator
Kingdom of BackMarie Lu
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted
The Hazel WoodMelissa Albert
In an Absent DreamSeanan McGuire
WitherLauren DeStefano
Come Tumbling DownSeanan McGuire
Inside OutDemi Moore
I know why the caged bird singsMaya Angelou
Just MercyBryan Stevenson
The Beauty in BreakingMichele Harper
Before and after: the incredible real-life stories of orphans who survived the tennessee children's home societyJudy Christie and Lisa Wingate
The Chosen OnesVeronica Roth
Snow in LoveMelissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Freedman, Kasie West
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise Frenkel
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa Wingate
Sick Kids in LoveHannah Moskowitz
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff Zentner
A Girl Named AnnaLizzy Barber
Lost Children ArchiveValeria Luiselli
The Things She's SeenAmbelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel Kwaymullina
#murdertrendingGretchen McNeil
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator
Now Entering AddamsvilleFrancesca Zappia
Bent heavensDaniel Kraus
All the Bad ApplesMoira Fowley-Doyle
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall
Back of BeyondC.J. Box
Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens
The Round HouseLouise Erdrich
HorrorstorGrady Hendrix
Dreamland BurningJennifer Latham
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying VampiresGrady Hendrix
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie Stiefvator
Maybe One DayMelissa Kantor
Fake I.D.Lamar Giles
The Raven KingMaggie Stiefvator
Daisy Jones and the SixTaylor Jenkins Reid
The HauntedDanielle Vega
Redhead by the Side of the RoadAnne Tyler
Glory in DeathJ.D. Robb
Devils WithinS.F. Henson
Beyond: A Ghost StoryGraham McNamee
HeroineMindy McGinnis
On the come upAngie Thomas
PanicLauren Oliver
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill SistersBalli Kaur Jaswal
The Book of EssieMeghan MacLean Weir
FeverLauren DeStefano
SeverLauren DeStefano
Strange the DreamerLaini Taylor
The CheerleadersKara Thomas
FreewillChris Lynch
FeverLauren DeStefano
Fade to BlackFrancis Knight
MurderfundingGretchen McNeil
MalorieJosh Malerman
The LoopBen Oliver


I listened to nine books for this challenge - missing my goal by 1!

The Dream ThievesMaggie Stiefvator
The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvator
Rayne & Delilah's Midnight MatineeJeff Zentner
All the Crooked SaintsMaggie Stiefvator
Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens
Blue Lily, Lily BlueMaggie Stiefvator
The Raven KingMaggie Stiefvator
PanicLauren Oliver
Just MercyBryan Stevenson

My goals was only 4, but I only managed 1.  I tend to watch the movies first and then it is hard for me to go back and read the book!.

Just MercyBryan Stevenson


My goal was 5 but I read 9!

The Grace YearKim LiggettDystopian
WitherLauren DeStefanoDystopian
FeverLauren DeStefanoDystopian
SeverLauren DeStefanoDystopian
FeverLauren DeStefanoDystopian
Fade to BlackFrancis KnightDystopian
MalorieJosh MalermanDystopian
The LoopBen OliverDystopian
The Chosen OnesVeronica Roth


Where the Crawdads SingDelia Owens
Call your daughter homeDeb Spera
Chasing StarlightTeri Bailey Black
A bookshop in BerlinFrancoise Frenkel
The Book of Lost FriendsLisa Wingate
The Myth of Perpetual SummerSusan Crandall
Dreamland BurningJennifer Latham
Daisy Jones and the SixTaylor Jenkins Reid
Kingdom of BackMarie Lu


My goals was 5 and I read 8!

Kingdom of BackMarie Lu
WitherLauren DeStefano
FeverLauren DeStefano
The Raven KingMaggie Stiefvator
The Black God's DrumsP. Djeli Clark
Exhalation: StoriesChiang, Ted
The Chosen OnesVeronica Roth
Bent heavensDaniel Kraus

There were 2 challenges that I didn't read any books for. .. The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenege and the Newbery Medal Reading Challenge. 

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