Well, readers, we’re a month into year 2018. A month!?!
It seems like a good time to take the pulse of our 2018 reading challenge efforts. Humming along nicely? Haven’t started yet? Started, but already stalled out?
Redeemed Reader Resources
Throughout this year, we’ll be posting booklists that target various categories from the challenge to help you diversify your reading (in addition to our regular reviews). Just last week, we published “Here Be Dragons“–our mega fantasy and sci-fi list (don’t miss the comments which include even more suggestions!).
The ALA will announce the 2018 Newbery and Caldecott awards in early February, and we’ll update our site accordingly so you can choose a recent award winner if you’d like. Perhaps one of the books we’ve discussed in our Newbery Buzz series will even earn a mention!
In the coming months, you can expect to see lists of biographies, award winners, love stories, and more!
One Family’s Progress To Date
In the meantime, though, here is a more personal check-in. My kids and I are doing the challenge together, and we’re making good progress so far! One of my New Year’s Goals was to read instead of checking my phone so much (all those “wait times” for doctors, family members, etc.). It’s amazing how much more reading I’ve been able to do! Remember, though, I’m a “professional reader.” I’ve always read a lot, and my numbers shouldn’t be indicative of a normal adult’s expected reading pace.
You might enjoy looking at our lists to see how flexible the reading challenge is: you’ll notice cartoon books, nonfiction about StarWars, fantasy, mysteries, picture books, poetry, and more!
We may move some titles around to different categories as the year progresses; all links are to RR reviews, so any of those that I didn’t personally review can also count as a book recommended here on RR! I’m also noting some “in progress” books.
***Please do not take these reading lists as a “recommended” list. My kids and I read many books that I don’t review (wrong audience, offensive, not interesting enough, not enough time, etc.). Just because we’ve read something doesn’t mean it’s recommended; nor does the fact that I never review it automatically mean it’s “bad.” I try to pick the books that will benefit RR’s readers the most when I choose the ones to review!
Without further ado, here’s how we’re lining up at the end of January (we’re all ahead so far–good way to start off!).
Betsy – Grand Slam Challenge (100 books/year)
Total at end of January: 16 books completed
I read a lot of different kinds of books!
The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung (year-long/in progress; Christian Beliefs; adult)
Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Bober (biography still in progress; young adult)
Revolutionary Rogues by Castrovilla (Biography of someone more than 200 years ago; picture book)
I’m Just No Good at Rhyming by Chris Harris and illustrated by Lane Smith (popular book in our family; children’s poetry)
*the brief story behind Jane Eyre: I’ve never read it (knew the story, had too many other books on my To Be Read (TBR) pile). Asked my mom for a “parent recommendation” for our reading challenge, and that’s what she said! Good excuse to finally read it; I’m listening to it read by Thandie Newton and she is a fabulous narrator. Look for it on Audible if you’re interested!
E-Age 12 – Grand Slam Challenge (100 books a year)
Total at end of January: 12 books completed with 2 in process
She’s an avid reader and especially loves fantasy. In fact, she’s a textbook “Adventurer.” The reading challenge will be good for her: she will have to diversify as the year progresses!
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Betsy is the Managing Editor at Redeemed Reader. When she reads ahead for you, she uses sticky notes instead of book darts and willfully dog ears pages even in library books. Betsy is a fan of George MacDonald, robust book discussions, and the Oxford comma. She lives with her husband and their three children in the beautiful Southeast.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!