The 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge is even more interesting than it was last year so I expect to do even better. For one thing, the challenge is shorter this year than last – 40 books instead of 50 (I am not sure why. Maybe there were too many others like me who didn’t finish.)

While skimming through the list, I saw a few categories I can’t wait to read, like #1 – book based on a fairy tale – and #31 – a book of poetry. I love poems but I don’t often read entire anthologies these days. There are also a few categories that I am not particularly excited about, like #7 and #27 on the list – I often avoid murder mysteries. But, it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was easy, right?

1. A book based on a fairy tale Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi (Based on Snow White) 4 stars 302 pages completed 8/15/16
2. A National Book Award winner: Between the World and Me Ta-nehisi Coates 5 stars 152 pages completed 8/26/16
3. A YA Bestseller: Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway Completed 7/11/16 344 pages 3 stars
4. A book you haven’t read since high school – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 253 pages completed 1/14/16 4 stars
5. A book set in your home state – Ally Hughes by Jules Moulin Completed 1/18/16 3.5 stars set in New York
6. A book translated to English – The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger 4 stars 262 pages completed 4/6/16 – translated from German
7. A romance set in the future
8. A book set in Europe – Me Before You by JoJo Moyes 4.5 stars 369 pages completed 2/9/16 – set in England
9. A book that’s under 150 pages – 24 Keys That Bring Complete Success 143 pages 4.5 stars Completed 1/29/16
10. A New York Times bestseller – The Smartest Kids In The World by Amanda Ripley 306 pages 4.5 stars completed 2/5/16
11. A book that’s becoming a movie this year
12. A book recommended by someone you just met – Exposure To A Billionaire by Ann Menke 300 pages 3.5 stars Completed 6/8/16
13. A self-improvement book Rethink It by Michael Cohen NetGalley ARC Completed 1/18/16 or 24 Keys That Bring Complete Success 143 pages 4.5 stars Complete
14. A book you can finish in a day – The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason 
15. A book written by a celebrity – Wildflower by Drew Barrymore 3.5 stars completed 1/20/16 273 pages
16. A political memoir – Son Of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef 4 stars 283 pages Completed 5/20/16 
17. A book that’s at least 100 years older than you – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Completed 10/31/16
18. A book that’s more than 600 pages
19. A book from Oprah’s Book Club – choosing The Road by Cormac mcCarthy Tale of Two Cities also qualifies
20. A science-fiction novel – Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid 4 stars 333 pages completed 1/26/16
21. A book recommended by a family member – Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber 4 stars 296 pages completed 7/19/16 – recommended by Mummy
22. A graphic novel
23. A book that is published in 2016 – Wellth by Jason Wachob 4 stars 227 pages completed 3/18/16
24. A book with a protagonist who has your occupation – The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes 5 stars 369 pages completed 2/26/16 – Liv is a freelance copywriter 
25. A book that takes place during Summer – Summer Brides by Beth Wiseman, Debra Clopton and Marybeth Whalen – collection of 3 novellas 4 stars 323 pages completed 4/30/16
26. A book and its prequel (To Kill A Mockingbird and Go Tell A Watchman?) The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
27. A murder mystery – Remember Mia by Alexandra Burt 5 stars 344 pages completed 7/7/16 (includes kidnapping and murder)
28. A book written by a comedian Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut
29. A dystopian novel (unhappy place where people are treated unfairly) – The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes 5 stars 369 pages completed 2/26/16 – set in World War I
30. A book with a blue cover – Manmade by Chris Salgardo 235 pages 4 stars completed 1/20/16
31. A book of poetry – Black Girl Dreaming
32. The first book you see in a bookstore – Originals by Adam Grant 326 pages 4 stars completed 6/25/16
33. A classic from the 20th century Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut 5 stars completed 7/19/16 (used for another category)
34. A book from the library – A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion 4 stars 255 pages completed 3/2/16
35. An autobiography – Find Your Extraordinary by Jessica DiLullo Herrin 262 pages 4 stars Completed 6/25/16
36. A book about a road trip – One Plus One by JoJo Moyes 4.5 stars 368 pages Completed 2/11/16
37. A book about a culture you’re unfamiliar with – Sheltering Rain by JoJo Moyes 3/5 stars 437 pages Completed 4/5/16
38. A satirical book – This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper 4 stars 339 pages completed 2/21/16
39. A book that takes place on an island – Lord of the Flies by William Golding completed 1/16
40. A book that’s guaranteed to bring you joy – Intentional Living by John Maxwell 5 stars 268 pages completed 2/13/16

How I plan to achieve it:

• Read a book from each category each week. Simple!