So, 2019 has dawned, and that means it’s time for another Book Challenge by Erin!

For any of you unfamiliar with Book Challenge by Erin, it’s a reading challenge in which you select books based on categories that change each round, twice a year. You can then go to the Facebook group and chat about what you’re reading. You can find out more and sign up here: https://bit.ly/2GZmDDn. (I can’t hyperlink at the moment; WordPress revamped its format, and now I can’t find a thing. Just like when you clean your desk, right?)

One of the best parts of this challenge for me is the nudge to read authors and books I’d never before considered or even heard of. My reading goal for 2019 (and the book challenge reflects this) is to read a variety of texts, to include award winning books, and to expand my selection of works by writers of color. Without further ado, I give you my selections for Challenge 10.

January 2019 Categories

• 5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages. I chose The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

• 10 points (from BCBE 1.0; selected by Megan Kloustin): Read a book that was made into a movie. I chose: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

• 10 points (from BCBE 2.0; selected by Vinay R): Read a book that is set in Europe. I chose Happiness by Aminatta Forna (Based on the cover, there seems to be a lot of snow just like my other selection The Snow Child.)

• 15 points (from BCBE 3.0; selected by Jamie Ghione): Read a book that was a Newberry Award winner (medal winner or honor book). I chose Animal Family by Randall Jarrell (This is a re-read for me, and I’m really excited because I get to use my old copy printed in 1974. You know me–I love old books!)

• 20 points (from BCBE 4.0; selected by Deborah Dainton): Read a book that is a friend or family member’s favourite…or the favourite book by another participant in this challenge. I chose Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks

• 20 points (from BCBE 5.0; selected by Donna Nevins): Read a book originally published over 100 years ago. I chose Study in Scarlet and Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle

• 25 points (from BCBE 6.0; selected by Beverly-Ann Basque): Read a book with six words (and only six words) in the title. I chose Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan. I’m looking forward to this one as I’m a big sucker for books that take place in libraries or bookstores. I really, really loved The Story of A.J. Fikry, for example.

• 30 points (from BCBE 7.0; selected by Vanessa Loke): Read a book with a compass or cardinal direction in the title. I chose A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly This is a Printz winner, so maybe I will recommend it to my students in the future. That is, if I like it!

• 30 points (from BCBE 8.0; selected by Keli Hearron): Read a book that was originally published in a different language than your own. I chose Midnight Witness by Sara Blaidel

• 35 points: (from BCBE 9.0; selected by Amanda Forsyth): Read a book that begins with the letter “N”. I chose The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

So there you have my choices for Book Challenge by Erin 10.0. Have you ever participated in a book challenge? How was your experience? I hope you consider joining this one. You can join in at any time!