(Links to all challenges with full details, and to sign-up, can be found in this post.)
I'm hosting this one at Castle Macabre since it is horror. Here are the prompts and levels:
- Winter theme, or winter appearance on the cover (snow, ice, etc.)
The Ascent, Ronald Malfi - Ghosts or spirits
- Psychological
- Monster or monsters
- A body of water (featured in story, on cover, or in title)
Cradle Lake, Ronald Malfi - Really scary book cover
- Woman on cover
Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia currently reading - Written by a woman
- Written by a best-selling horror author
- Written by an indie author
- Historical horror (must be an historical novel written by a contemporary author. Example: The Historian, Mexican Gothic, Interview with the Vampire)
The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova - Folk horror (Ideas: https://tinyurl.com/yy8jj56a)
Chilling: Read 12 Books from all 12 categories
Frightful: Read 2 books from each category for a total of 24 books
Horrifying: Read 3 books from each category for a total of 36 books
I'm doing the Chilling level. I've listed some of my planned reads above.
The Enthusiast: Read 1-3 books with movies/shows releasing in 2021
My tentative list - The Woman in the Window, A.J. Finn, Wicked, Gregory Maguire, The Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan (first book in the series), Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams, or Dune, Frank Herbert
To be determined
Living in the Past: read at least one (1) book made into a movie in previous years
To be determined
The Movie Was Better (What!?): watch the movie(s) for the book(s) you read.
To be determined
The basic concept of this challenge is...
- Go to your bookshelves, or stack on the floor, or on your nightstand, etc. Pick out a book that you've been wanting to read on a particular shelf.
- Now continue down that line of books on the shelf (in order) until you have 12 books. (See my shelf for the 2021 challenge below as an example.) There are a total of 19 books in my chosen shelf. I have already read three of the books by Ronald Malfi so that brings my total to 16 books. That gives me four alternates.
Here's the picture of my chosen shelf
List form:
More Than a Skeleton, Paul L. Maier
Ancient Evenings, Norman Mailer
The Witch's Trinity, Erika Mailman currently reading
Fallen, David Maine
The Infinite, Nicholas Mainieri
The Owl Killers, Karen Maitland
Infinite Days, Rebecca Maizel
The Rock: A Tale of Seventh-Century Jerusalem, Kanan MakiyaHeart of Deception, M.L. Malcolm
The Ascent, Ronald Malfi
December Park, Ronald Malfi
Cradle Lake, Ronald Malfi
Henry and Clara, Thomas Mallon
Le Morte D'Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory
Nobody's Girl, Hector Malot
Little Wolves, Thomas Maltman
5 points... Freebie, read any book of your choice with 200+ pages
The Ascent by Ronald Malfi
10 points... Read a book you have been meaning to re-read
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
10 points... Read the first book of a series you have never read before
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
15 points... Read a book with a mostly green and/or pink colour cover art
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
20 points... Read a book with a male relationship word in the title, i.e. Father, Grandfather, Husband, Uncle, Brother, Son or Nephew.
Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu
20 points... Read a book set in a place that's on your bucket list of places to visit - Suggested by Carly
The Witch’s Trinity by Erika Mailman
25 points... Read a book that reminds you of 2020, for eg (but not limited to - home, lock, down, president, mask, etc.) You can be creative with it, but please let us know how it relates to 2020 if it isn't obvious) - Suggested by Deborah
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
30 points... Read a book written by an LGBTQIA+ author. This can be an autobiography, memoir, or even a fiction...edit: or have an LGBTQIA+ theme.
The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice
30 points... Read a book with the name of a bird in the title, or the word bird/birds in the title.
The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland
35 points... Read a book where the protagonist has a questionable profession, for example, mafia don, assassin, govt agent gone rogue, etc...or edit: questionable way of life (an addict, a computer hacker, a vigilante, for example) - Suggested by Debdatta
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Ascent by Ronald Malfi
10 points... Read a book you have been meaning to re-read
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
10 points... Read the first book of a series you have never read before
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
15 points... Read a book with a mostly green and/or pink colour cover art
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
20 points... Read a book with a male relationship word in the title, i.e. Father, Grandfather, Husband, Uncle, Brother, Son or Nephew.
Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu
20 points... Read a book set in a place that's on your bucket list of places to visit - Suggested by Carly
The Witch’s Trinity by Erika Mailman
25 points... Read a book that reminds you of 2020, for eg (but not limited to - home, lock, down, president, mask, etc.) You can be creative with it, but please let us know how it relates to 2020 if it isn't obvious) - Suggested by Deborah
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
30 points... Read a book written by an LGBTQIA+ author. This can be an autobiography, memoir, or even a fiction...edit: or have an LGBTQIA+ theme.
The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice
30 points... Read a book with the name of a bird in the title, or the word bird/birds in the title.
The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland
35 points... Read a book where the protagonist has a questionable profession, for example, mafia don, assassin, govt agent gone rogue, etc...or edit: questionable way of life (an addict, a computer hacker, a vigilante, for example) - Suggested by Debdatta
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
My list (I may change some of these):
1. A 19th century classic: any book first published from 1800 to 1899
Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu
2. A 20th century classic: any book first published from 1900 to 1971. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books which were written by 1971 and posthumously published.
Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande
3. A classic by a woman author.
If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland
4. A classic in translation, meaning any book first published in a language that is not your primary language. You may read it in translation or in its original language, if you prefer.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
5. A classic by BIPOC author; that is, a non-white author.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
6. A classic by a new-to-you author, i.e., an author whose work you have never read.
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
7. New-to-you classic by a favorite author -- a new book by an author whose works you have already read.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
8. A classic about an animal, or with an animal in the title. The animal can be real or metaphorical. (i.e., To Kill a Mockingbird).
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
9. A children's classic.
The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson (Published March 12th 1963 by Random House Books for Young Readers)
10. A humorous or satirical classic.
Emma by Jane Austen
11. A travel or adventure classic (fiction or non-fiction). It can be a travelogue or a classic in which the main character travels or has an adventure.
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
12. A classic play. Plays will only count in this category.
Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot
11. A travel or adventure classic (fiction or non-fiction). It can be a travelogue or a classic in which the main character travels or has an adventure.
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
12. A classic play. Plays will only count in this category.
Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot
Books to be determined.
A book about an empire
A book about a social movement
A book about being a first time parent
A book about a cat
Make 'em Laugh
A funny comic or graphic novel
A book about a comedian
A book with a pun in the title
A book with someone laughing on the cover
Where You Sleep At Night
A book about a hotel
A book with the word "house" in the title
A book with a cabin on the cover
A book about a haunted house
Ways To Die
A book with "poison" in the title
A book with a knife on the cover
A true crime murder story
A book about dealing with suicide
A book about a farmer
A book about a librarian or bookseller
A book written by a college professor
A book about a scientist
Generations
A book about millenials
A book about hippies
A book about baby boomers
A book about flappers
Plaids
A book with a kilt on the cover
A book written by someone from Scotland
A book with a plaid cover
A book with a flannel shirt on the cover
Those Bodies
A book by a celebrity known for body positivity
A book with a picture of an ocean on the cover
A book with a dead body on the cover
A children's book about body parts
The Tools of Writing
A paperback book
A book with a typewriter on the cover
A book with "words" in the title
A book with "deadline" in the title
That Creepy Feeling
A horror story or thriller
A book with an insect on the cover
A book about something that scares you
A book with a monster on the cover
Favorites
A book by your favorite author
A book in your favorite genre
A book with your favorite color on the cover
A book from a celebrity favorite list
A book with "poison" in the title
A book with a knife on the cover
A true crime murder story
A book about dealing with suicide
A book about a farmer
A book about a librarian or bookseller
A book written by a college professor
A book about a scientist
Generations
A book about millenials
A book about hippies
A book about baby boomers
A book about flappers
Plaids
A book with a kilt on the cover
A book written by someone from Scotland
A book with a plaid cover
A book with a flannel shirt on the cover
Those Bodies
A book by a celebrity known for body positivity
A book with a picture of an ocean on the cover
A book with a dead body on the cover
A children's book about body parts
The Tools of Writing
A paperback book
A book with a typewriter on the cover
A book with "words" in the title
A book with "deadline" in the title
That Creepy Feeling
A horror story or thriller
A book with an insect on the cover
A book about something that scares you
A book with a monster on the cover
Favorites
A book by your favorite author
A book in your favorite genre
A book with your favorite color on the cover
A book from a celebrity favorite list
Crossing Boundaries
A book about an interracial romance
A book about the immigrant experience
A book about reconciliation
A book about cross dressing
Bringing the World into Your Home
A book about hygge, feng shui, or home harmony
A book about taking in a stranger
A book about a culture other than your own
A book about how radio, television, or the internet has changed us
Things We Don't Talk About
A book with the word "naked" in the title
A book by a politician
A book about oppression
A book about terminal illness
Reflections
A book with a mirror on the cover
A memoir
A fiction book about reminiscing
A self help book
Swashbuckling
A book with a sword on the cover
A book about pirates
A rollicking adventure story
A book with a map on the cover
Shapes and Colors
A book with a primarily black cover
A book with a shape-shifting character
A book with a shape on the cover that reminds you of a Roschach test
A book by an author whose name is a color
Picture This
A book with the word "picture" in the title
A book with a photograph on the cover
A book by a journalist or news photographer
An illustrated book
Shh…
A book about secret societies/clubs
A children's book about bedtime
A book with the word "secret" in the title
A book with a peaceful cover
Challenges
A book over 500 pages
A book about overcoming obstacles
A book you've set aside in the past because it was hard to get into
A book with the word "hard" in the title
A book about an interracial romance
A book about the immigrant experience
A book about reconciliation
A book about cross dressing
Bringing the World into Your Home
A book about hygge, feng shui, or home harmony
A book about taking in a stranger
A book about a culture other than your own
A book about how radio, television, or the internet has changed us
Things We Don't Talk About
A book with the word "naked" in the title
A book by a politician
A book about oppression
A book about terminal illness
Reflections
A book with a mirror on the cover
A memoir
A fiction book about reminiscing
A self help book
Swashbuckling
A book with a sword on the cover
A book about pirates
A rollicking adventure story
A book with a map on the cover
Shapes and Colors
A book with a primarily black cover
A book with a shape-shifting character
A book with a shape on the cover that reminds you of a Roschach test
A book by an author whose name is a color
Picture This
A book with the word "picture" in the title
A book with a photograph on the cover
A book by a journalist or news photographer
An illustrated book
Shh…
A book about secret societies/clubs
A children's book about bedtime
A book with the word "secret" in the title
A book with a peaceful cover
Challenges
A book over 500 pages
A book about overcoming obstacles
A book you've set aside in the past because it was hard to get into
A book with the word "hard" in the title
Drinking Game
A cozy mystery with a beverage in the title
A book with a picture of an alcoholic beverage on the cover
A book title that could be a drinking game
A nonfiction book about alcohol
It's All Relative
A book set in your grandparents' era
A book with the word "father" in the title
A book you'd share with your child
A book about an estranged family
Weather
A book with the word "snow" in the title
A nonfiction book about a weather related disaster
A book with a picture of clear blue sky on the cover
A book that comforts you on a rainy day
TBR Burners
A book that had been on your TBR list more than a year
A book someone gave to you that you haven't read yet
Anything you want
A book you're excited to read
Borrowing
A book with a character from a different book
A fairytale or myth retelling in a modern setting
A book written by an author with a pseudonym
A book borrowed from the library
Putting 2020 Behind Us
A book with a crowded cover
A book about self care or recovery
A book set after a major world event (war, weather disaster, etc.)
A book with the word "better" in the title
+++ Wildcards +++
A book by an author under 30
A 2021 release
A comic book
A book by two or more authors
A collection of essays
A cozy mystery with a beverage in the title
A book with a picture of an alcoholic beverage on the cover
A book title that could be a drinking game
A nonfiction book about alcohol
It's All Relative
A book set in your grandparents' era
A book with the word "father" in the title
A book you'd share with your child
A book about an estranged family
Weather
A book with the word "snow" in the title
A nonfiction book about a weather related disaster
A book with a picture of clear blue sky on the cover
A book that comforts you on a rainy day
TBR Burners
A book that had been on your TBR list more than a year
A book someone gave to you that you haven't read yet
Anything you want
A book you're excited to read
Borrowing
A book with a character from a different book
A fairytale or myth retelling in a modern setting
A book written by an author with a pseudonym
A book borrowed from the library
Putting 2020 Behind Us
A book with a crowded cover
A book about self care or recovery
A book set after a major world event (war, weather disaster, etc.)
A book with the word "better" in the title
+++ Wildcards +++
A book by an author under 30
A 2021 release
A comic book
A book by two or more authors
A collection of essays