Wednesday, December 28, 2016

The Redolent Mermaid 2017 Reading Challenge


Welcome to the Redolent Mermaid 2017 Reading Challenge!

My goal was to create a reading challenge that would stretch me a little, yet still contain genres that I crave, have flexibility and an amount I would not feel overwhelmed trying to complete. Feel free to change or omit as it fits you, but do please join me!

1. Re-read a beloved book (or series!- give yourself credit for each one you read).

2. Art and literature. Graphic novels, art history, comics, even a doodle or two on a Wreck This Journal, as long as art is involved, count it. 

3. Magic. Witches and wizards, fairy courts or simply a story that enchants you.

4. A book gifted or loaned to you.

5. A book that has been in your TBR pile but overlooked time and again. Read it!

6. A library find.

7. A book to learn something from. 

8. Cool book cover art that lures you in like bait. (Yes, it is fun to judge a book or wine by its cover).

9. A story that takes you to another place and time, real or imagined.

10. A book from a favorite author that you haven't gotten around to reading yet.

11. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title.

12. A memoir.

13. A fluff read. (Easy, fast, or cheesy).

14. A Steinbeck, Hemingway or John D. MacDonald creation or book about one of them or inspired by one of them.

15. A scarlet hued tome.

16. The next in a series you have read.

17. A tale that takes place during a war.

18. Female heroine triumphant. 

19. A European setting.

20. Female authored.

21. Paranormal or supernatural phenomenon.

22. A book to make you belly laugh, guffaw or snort and chuckle along the way.

23. A book that will be a movie, you read, then watch. Preferably with friends then you can chat about how much better then book was (unless it was Maze Runner, then the movie was better).

24. A book with words in it. That should cover it.


I figure two books per month is attainable. I have so many exciting books to dive into. I will probably update a couple times a year with what I have completed. Please join me! And anytime you post a photo of what your current read is use the hashtag #redolentmermaidreading so I can follow along please. 

What do you think your first read of 2017 will be? I am thinking of wading into Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon. It has been ages since I have entered the world of Claire and Jamie Fraser. <3 Swoooooon.

14 comments:

  1. I'm not joining the challenge but it's very cool that you've created one. My reading is too slow and spotty to commit to anything like this. I did get several books for birthday/Christmas though, and have already started one, which will count as my first read of 2017...and that is The Novice, by Taran Matharu.

    ~Deb

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    1. I understand! You don't have to commit but if you want to join in here or there I would love it. Ya know. So I am not totally alone. <3

      Excellent! Have you blogged your Christmas haul yet? I need to pop over and check. Your first book sounds promising. Is it about magic?

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    2. Yep, it's posted. The book has demon summoners and battlemages, so I guess that's magic. There are elves and orcs too. I'm only about 20 pages into it.

      ~Deb

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    3. Just read it! I always look forward to your Christmas goodies. Looks like it was a nice one! Elves and orcs are definitely magic. Cool. I hope it is a kick butt as it sounds. Great Expectations is wonderful but takes me longer to read and process. Deep matter I suppose.

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  2. This sounds like fun! I will try to join but my procrastinator heart will probably get the best of me lol. Great book choices! I have read and loved Gap Creek. It's been awhile since I've read it though. I had a grand scheme to read all of the books on Oprah's reading list but failed miserably lol. I love the Outlander series too. I've read all of them but the latest ones. Her writing really takes me in to that world. I love it! I'll certainly try to do this challenge and also try to remember to post on insta with the hashtag. Good luck and happy reading!

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    1. Join and come and go as you please. You can check out but you can never leave. ;-) I picked up Gap Creek because the cover looked cool. I am looking forward to reading it. Wasn't Outlander fabulous?! It has been a long time since I have read it though. Looking forward to seeing what you are reading. Sounds like we like a lot of similar styles. Hope you had a wonderful holiday Renee!

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  3. Well, hey now, this may just need to be something I participate in. I *was* just saying that I've barely read any books in the last couple of years, something I really need to rectify. Just don't ask me to read any James Joyce - I dodged the boring bugger across four different classes in university, and I'm not about to let him into my world now! Wonderful idea and great choice of themes, though - should be fun!

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    1. Wheeeee!!! Yes please! Join me. James Joyce. I will have to Google him. Boring is never cool. I have a few DNF books in my life and I don't plan on going back to them any time soon. Catch-22 was one of those books. Just couldn't get into it. I can't wait to see what books you get into next year. Hope your Christmas was wonderful and you have a Happy New Year! <3

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  4. Joining and will link to it on my blog, as soon as I can:)
    -Jaybird

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    1. Thanks, J! I am excited to get started on it. But I have a feeling my current read will take me a few more days to finish yet.

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    2. Certainly, if its Gabaldon, you are occupied for awhile. I haven't read Outlander but I like the TV show. It's one of those series I feel I've read bc I read all of the abridged reviews on Goodreads, they're hilarious. Also its my boss's favorite series and she's retold the plotlines!
      I posted that I'm starting the challenge and linked back here. I'm excited:)

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  5. what a great challenge! I love the selections. Especially the last one!!!!! how do you think of these things. I'd like to try. But what happens if one gets stuck in a massive series? I just stepped into book two of the outlanders series. Well, I am so willy nilly I won't force myself to commit. But I'm gonna see what happens...

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    1. Hey. If you get stuck in a massive series.... ENJOY IT!!! LOL! I love getting lost in a massive series. And just check them all off on the list somehow. 7, 9, 16, 21, and the last one should all fit a series and are pretty easy to fill in with anything you are reading. Especially anything in the Outlander series. I have read them all but the very last one, which I think I will start on tonight. <3 You have inspired me!!!

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  6. Oooo exciting! I loved the first one... Enjoy!

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