Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge 2019 (Beginner + Expert)

7:30 PM

 
Summer is almost here. If this were a movie, the sun would be shining. Insert clips of sunshine and beaches, laughing and upbeat music. Really, it's nothing more than another gloomy and rainy day here.


The good news is that Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge (sponsored by Lifetime) is here and I might actually participate this year! I'm not the best when it comes to staying focused on challenges and actually finishing them, but one of my goals for 2019 was to at least try to do more of them. As luck would have it, Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge is super appealing to me this year! 

And honestly? The beginner and expert level lists both have some serious intrigue to them for me. So, here's my recommendations for each category that piqued my interest. I'm still thinking about what I'll be reading, though! And will likely mash-up my favourite options from both lists because I'm THAT dumbo.

For Beginners
Good as gold: 
 Read a book that won a Goodreads Choice Award.

Recommendations: 
Yes, yes, yes. This is the topic I'm here for. Most years, I've already read quite a few of the titles that are nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. Unsurprisingly, it's a toss-up when it comes to the titles that have actually won. Some of them I've read, some of them have been on my TBR for so long that I've really got to get it together and read them. 

The book is better: 
Read a book being adapted for TV or film this year.

Recommendations: 
2019 has a lot of page-to-screen moments for us to look forward to. I think that, shockingly, this year has more titles that I haven't read than I have--which is probably one of the only times that will happen. Still, it's incredible to know that so many stories are about to be brought to life in a new form.

Short & sweet: 
Read a book with less than 100 pages (or a book you can finish in one sitting). 

Recommendations: 
It will never not amaze me how few short stories I've read. I think in the last ten years, I've read maybe three short stories on their own and two or three collections. Compared to how many standard length novels I've read through the years, that's really not a lot! So, a lot of my suggestions aren't of the under 100 pages variety--sorry!

On the bandwagon: 
Read one of the most read books right now on Goodreads. 

Recommendations:
Hopping on the bandwagon is a hit or miss experience. For everyone. I don't believe in things being overrated, but not everything is going to be for everyone. Taste is subjective and a lot of the books that are trending now are books that I've never personally been keen on. Then there's the books that I love, that aren't always adored in general by others. Still, it's always worth a shot to read them and see what is, or isn't, your cup of tea.

Actually want to read: 
Read a book that's been on your Want to Read shelf for more than a year.

What's collecting dust on my TBR:
We're all guilty of letting our TBR grow to the size of a fifty-foot lizard person on stilts, right? Just me?!

Not from around here: 
Read a book set in a different culture from your own.

What I'm considering:  

In the friend zone: 
Read a book that a friend has recommended.

Recommendations:

The good news is that a lot of my friends enjoy reading and embrace different tastes. I don't always get to the books they recommend (when will there ever be enough time in a day and money in the wallet?) but I trust their judgment. Mostly!

It takes two: 

Recommendations: 
For some reason, this one was tough on me! I thought of Krista & Becca Ritchie first, of course, and then Christina Lauren, but then it took me (and I'm not joking) two hours to remember all the other duos I've read. Once they started popping into my mind, I had to narrow it down. Don't you hate it when that happens? 

Wheel of format: 
Read a book in a format that you don’t normally read in (­a graphic novel, poetry, a play, an audiobook*, etc.)

What I might listen to: 
So far I've not really made much headway in my READ MORE AUDIOBOOKS goal of 2019. I've accumulated a ton and have dozens saved to my TBR via my library account but it's taking a while. Audiobooks are something I struggle with attention wise. Hopefully I'll get to these this summer! I am thinking about listening to them more on my morning/night jogs.

New voices: 
Read a debut novel

Recommendations: 
I love reading an author's debut. Either when they're brand spanking new or from the start of their career, it's always a treat. You see their origins in publishing and it's just... I don't know? Fantastic. I love seeing people's dreams come true and stepping into said dreams.
Past love: 
Reread a book you loved when you were younger

What I'm considering:
All right, so, the likeliness of me rereading Harry Potter this year for approximately the seven millionth time is really high. So, that might not be the book that I choose for this particular challenge. Still, with Five and Five I've been rereading old favourites and these are all titles I've debated on revisiting this year.
Armchair traveler: 
Read a book set in a destination you want to visit

Recommendations:
 I decided on one destination: London. For some reason, this year I've been all about visiting London. That's really all I'll say! It's just been the mood this year.

 For Experts 

Stay awhile: 
Read a book with more than 500 pages. 

Recommendations: 
 Long books are a huge commitment. If you find one that's engaging, however, time flies by!
  
Stranger than fiction: 

What I'm considering:
  

Tongue-tied: 

Recommendations:
Sometimes it's difficult to recall what books have been translated into English. There are some big hits. And then there's some with a smaller audience. Mostly, they don't receive enough exposure (although some do get the attention they deserve) or just fail to connect with new readers. Still, I love reading translated works and hope to be able to read them in the original language in the future.

No place like home: 
Read a book that appears in your Goodreads newsfeed

What frequents my feeds: 
I think I was a little confused on this question so I'm just recommending some of the more popular books that are always popping around on Goodreads. And, obviously, the ones that I love. Or liked.

Reading roulette: 
Read the third book you see on your Want to Read shelf

Primary reading: 
Read a book with a number or color in the title

Skipping: Continental Drift, Genre Explorer & Back to School.


Are you participating in this years Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge? 
Any other challenge capture your attention?

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