As a reader, I find that sometimes I get comfortable in a genre, and then realize that I haven’t read anything different in ages. I have my little comfort zone, and quite honestly, somebody may have to drag me out of it kicking and screaming. But, if you’re always comfortable, then you aren’t actually growing, and you might just miss the beauty of the unknown.
So Rebecca and I decided that this year we will broaden our horizons, but we both accept that it won’t be an easy task – I may need more than a small push to get started. In order to challenge ourselves and keep focused, we crafted our goals into a challenge…
Jill and Rebecca’s 2017 Bookish Challenge
1. A book written by an author from the state in which we live
I am a firm believer in supporting local artists. During our travels, we always strive to find something from a local artisan to bring back into our home. We should seek to nurture the art-form of local authors as well. Rebecca will be looking at local authors in Utah – Rebecca Ethington (I’m going to exert my influence here!) – while I will be on the search for a fellow Alabamian.
2. A classic
High school and College Lit covered many of these, but there are still many waiting to be discovered.
3. A book recommended by a librarian or book seller
Librarians and book sellers have a veritable fountain of information that is often overlooked. It’s also a good way to meet new people with common interests – because I excel at introverting!
4. A book that has been made into a movie
Ok, I will admit it…I am a book snob. My husband loathes watching movies with me if I have read the book. Apparently, I like to point out exactly where the movie-maker totally screwed it all up. So usually, I either avoid the movie or don’t read the book. I guess it’s time for me to open my heart to all forms of artistic interpretation. *insert heavy sigh of resignation here*
5. A biography or autobiography
I am a lover of fiction so this is a genre that doesn’t come up (in my comfort zone) much. I can see where this genre could be very interesting, and quite possibly as entertaining as fiction.
6. A book recommended by a friend that we wouldn’t have chosen ourselves
While I do have my beloved book comfort zone, there are also some genres that I consciously avoid. My overactive imagination tends to shy away from True Crime, Horror, and Criminal Suspense, but this year we will embrace our book fears!
7. A book written by an author that we haven’t read before
As we step out into the world of the unknown, this challenge will probably take care of itself easily. To a book junkie, finding a new author to love is kind of like finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
8. A book recommended by one of our favorite authors
I stalk my favorite authors on social media like any good fan-girl should, and occasionally they mention other books that have impressed them. I’ll be grabbing one of those up.
9. A book that has been on our Kindle for over a year
This challenge should be cake because my TBR is OUT OF CONTROL…
10. A book chosen without reading the blurb and based on cover appeal alone
I am guilty…I judge books by their covers. I understand this isn’t reasonable, but I can’t really help myself. Covers are IMPORTANT! However, I always read the blurb to see if it sounds intriguing. This challenge might actually be more interesting to go in the other direction entirely. Maybe I should choose a book with a cover that is unappealing to me – because most times I don’t even give them the fair shot of reading the blurb. I just move right along. Hmm…maybe I’ll do this challenge both ways and test my “cover appeal” theory!
LOL – I have already met your challenge 😉 But it is a really good idea
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Sometimes it’s great to leave the comfort zone, I hope to break the mold of my readings with something new this year XD Great post 😉
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Thanks Angel! Best of luck busting out of your comfort zone and finding your next great read!
~Jill
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This is brilliant! Is it OK if I share this on my blog (Next Book Review: http://www.nextbookreview@blogspot.com) next week? I’d love to share this brilliant idea with my readers. I’ve never shared another blogger post so I’m not sure of the ethics or acceptance on this. Feel free to message me on Facebook or my blog has my email.
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I sent you a message on fb. -Rebecca
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I’ve already met 1, 7, and 10 😊
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That’s a great start to the year! Which book did you choose based on the cover alone? Covers really do sell books!
~Jill
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Dreamthief by Tamara Grantham. I originally downloaded it in August based off the cover and just read it. It’s a great Fantasy story.
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I just went to check it out. Dreamthief does have a great cover!
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