I’ve not been the most consistent of readers. In fact, I’ve probably finished only 4 books in the last two years. I’ve read others but left them halfway because… life!

I figured if I post this reading challenge, maybe… just maybe I’ll redeem myself and finally be able to look my books in their spines and they won’t be so disappointed in me.

I scrounged the internet and found a number of interesting reading challenges. I’ve combined some of the ones I found interesting and created a reading challenge of my own.

If you’d like to participate, be my guest.

Do post your progress on your blog/social media and tag me using #IReadiumChallenge.

The purpose of this challenge is not to read 52 books in 52 weeks or anything. It’s to make sure you (and I) read books. You can read as many or as few books as possible but make sure reading becomes a part of your daily routine.

So, here goes.

1. A book, the name of whose author begins with the same letter as your name. For example, if your name is Anya, you can read a book by Agatha Christie or Andy Weir. Even better if the first letters of the author’s first and last names are the same as yours. So, if you’re Anya Wattanapanich, read a book by Andy Weir.
2. A classic that you’ve always wanted to read. Because you know you need to brag about having read Jane Austen.
3. A book that has been termed or reviewed as “boring”. Maybe you’ll have a different perspective on it.
4. A book from a country other than yours. Make it a challenge by choosing a book from a non-English speaking country. For a list, you can refer author Ann Morgan’s list of books from across the world. For inspiration, you can also watch her amazing TED Talk.
5. A book you saw a random person read on the bus/train/metro/plane or in any public place. Side note: I love seeing people read on the commute. I’ll discuss this in another blog post.
6. A book you bought solely because you loved its cover art.
7. A book with unattractive cover art. Don’t judge a book by its cover, remember?
8. An autobiography. I know they are kind of boring but it’s interesting to read about someone’s life.
9. At least two books in a series. Example, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, A Song of Ice and Fire, Lord of the Rings, etc. I suggest Harry Potter.
10. A book based on a historical event or set in the time of a historical event such as the World War, Holocaust, Plague, etc.
11. A book of short stories.
12. A book with an LGBT main character.
13. A book with a non-conventional protagonist. Maybe they are bad, maybe they are not drop-dead gorgeous, or maybe they just are unlikeable. Not all protagonists are created equal, you see!
14. Comic book(s)/graphic novel(s). Who says only novels are worth reading?
15. A book that was given to you as a present.
16. An audiobook. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but the right book can change your opinion.
17. A book that’s been on your TBR for more than a year. Give it some love, please!
18. A book with less than 250 pages. Something to finish in a day so that you can move on to another delicious book.
19. A book on whose author you have a serious crush on. I know this sounds lame, but there are those of us who fall hard for authors’ looks just as much as their books. I’m going with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah. She is someone I aspire to be like. So eloquent, graceful, and intelligent. You should watch her TED talk on The Danger of a Single Story.
20. A book that contradicts your way of thinking. For example, if you are left-leaning politically, read a book by a right-wing supporter. It’s always good to see, hear, and read what the other side has to say.
21. A book by a politician. We need some laughs, don’t we?
22. A book by a comedian or comedienne. We need some laughs, don’t we?
23. A book that has ‘LOVE’ in the title. Extra points if LOVE is the first word in the title. This is probably the easiest of all the challenges. Double points if the author has ‘LOVE’ in their name. For example, Courtney Love.
24. A book whose author is from your hometown.
25. A second-hand book you bought at a flea market or got as a hand-me-down from a friend who was cleaning out their closet.
26. A book that has a curse word in its title. Yes! I know you all are thinking of the same book I am. The one with the orange cover. Make it challenging and read a book other than that one.
27. A book recommended by an author that is not one of their books. John Green has some pretty good recommendations.
28. A re-read. Because some books really are so good that you want to read them, again and again, *cough* Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban *cough*.
29. A book about the environment or animals. It’s not all about humans, you see!

Now, there is no rule that you have to finish all of them or finish it within 12 months. I’m posting this almost at the end of January, so the 12-month period extends beyond 2020. My point with this challenge is to get back to reading and I believe, if we have targets, we work better and harder to achieve them. And for me, there’s nothing better than a book challenge.

I’ll be posting my progress and I would like you to do the same.

If you’re up for it, do let me know in the comments. Also, don’t forget to tag me in your social media posts using #IReadiumChallenge. I look forward to seeing all your posts and the awesome books you’re reading.