Bit About Books Winter 2021 Reading Challenge

I’ve mentioned this winter reading challenge a couple of times over the past few days and I finally have time to talk more in-depth about it. I’m excited about a reading challenge that is both flexible and exciting! I’m also biased because I’m good friends with one of the creators, Kathie on social media! And I’m getting to know Laurie as well, which is pretty awesome. I really love how social media can bring people together from all around the globe!

The Bit About Books Winter 2021 Reading Challenge runs from January 1 – March 30 with just 12 titles, this is a very doable challenge. I took a lot of the titles I already want to read and fit them into these categories which shows you how flexible this challenge can be.

I don’t participate in the Goodreads yearly challenge, but I like when things like this pop-up. Reading shouldn’t be stressful, I want to read for fun. I want to find ways that I can participate in a challenge that actually challenges me, but also works in my schedule and how I want to live my reading life.

Bit About Books Winter 2021 Reading Challenge

Book of My Choice (5 pts)

The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling
I just finished this book yesterday and wow! It was so intense on so many levels and the verse format really worked at keeping the story moving very quickly! If you’ve got a kid who loves adventure or survival stories or is looking for a short read – this is a page-turner!

Book with 100-200 Pages (10 pts)

What Lane? By Torrey Maldonado
Torrey Maldonado is able to say so much in very few words. Not in verse, but in prose, this book looks at how young black and brown boys are viewed in society compared to their white counterparts in an accessible way for kids to really understand. I just finished this one this week as well and really enjoyed it!

One Word Title Book (10 pts)

Coo by Kaela Noel
I’m intrigued by this story and have heard great things about it, so it’s been added to my TBR and works perfectly for this category.

Author Debut Book (10 pts)

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy
A story about searching for a missing piece only to find that you’re stronger than you ever believed. This debut slowly unveils the characters and gives them room to make mistakes and grow while on an unexpected adventure.

Animal Main Character Book (15 pts)

One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
I’m not a huge fan of animal books, typically, but it’s Katherine Applegate. Plus, I’d like to see the movie version of The One and Only Ivan, so this fits right in!

Book with Direction in the Title (15 pts)

Wrong Way Summer by Heidi Lang
Probably the hardest category for me to fill, I found this book in my search and I’m really interested in where it goes!

Book Published in 2021 (15 pts)

Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed
This is a book on my TBR list and is already on my shelf, so I can’t wait to read it! It looks right up my alley and I can’t wait to jump in!

Book Set in a Different Country from Where I Live (15 pts)

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook
Set on an island of ancient Sri Lanka, I’m excited to read this story as it’s an area of the world I know little about!

Award Winning Book (20 pts)

TBD
I’m waiting on this title – the ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced later this month and I love checking in to see what books I’ve missed over the past year!

Book With Person’s First or Last Name in Title (20 pts)

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
I’m in the middle of this right now and it’s so intense and heart-breaking. I can’t imagine families who live in fear that they may be deported any day. This is a powerful novel that I won’t soon forget.

Two Books By the Same Author (30 pts)

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
I somehow missed Blackbird Fly published a few years ago and We Dream of Space was already on my TBR list, so these work perfectly for this category!