2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Update to message 54
4/50

Update to 55 - 19/20

Updated to here! Great job so far to everyone - already rika and Chrissie have raised their goals!

A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.
~ Sundar Pichai

Updated message 18

4/20 books read

Updated message 42:
1 - Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu ( male author and from 18th century ) january
2 - Le papillon by Andrus Kivirähk ( male author and from an little known country; Estonia ) january
Progress: 2/15

Update on message #22: completed 12/20 reads.

Updated message 10-- 3/15

Updated message 10-- 4/15

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an African American author - A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Morrow. The beginning of this book was a bit irritating. I’m not a fan of petulant teen. But the author used that to start character progression that became very satisfying. I really appreciate the message she was conveying. Really good ending. Worth reading! 4 stars

5/50

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an African American author - Night Song by Beverly Jenkins. Given that this was her first published novel, it is impressive that she managed to combine little-known history with compelling characters and a good story. It’s a bit long and includes a lot, something that she’s mastered in her current work. Very open door. I would happily never read or hear the descriptor virginal used to describe a woman or her physical attributes ever again. Worth reading! 4 stars

6/50

Please sign up for 5 books, please.


2/5

GENDER
✔️1. The River Between (male)


GEOGRAPHY
✔️2. The Golden Hour (American)


LANGUAGE
3. Half Girlfriend

Update to message 32, 6/20 books

1. Forever Ends on Friday
2. Anxious People
3. Knife Edge
4. Coming Up for Air: What I Learned from Sport, Fame and Fatherhood
5. Jade City
6. These Violent Delights

Update message #22: completed 15/20 reads.

Updated Message #9: 13/65

Updated msg 14

Just completed a short story by an Indian author - The Wedding Setup: A Short Story by Sonali Dev. This was a perfect gem of a short story! To introduce the characters, plot, conflict, and resolve all with the required hea is difficult to do well in a novel. To do that with such emotional effect in the confines of a short story is the mark of a true master. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

7/50

Updated msg #27: 4/35

Updated to here!

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.
~ Maya Angelou

Update to message #5

PROGRESS: 30/100

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a Jewish author - The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker. Beautiful writing and lush descriptions are this author’s signature. Her characters are complex. However, there were parts of the story that were too long, and at points, I wanted to yell at them to grow up and use their words. But it was an interesting sequel to the first book. Worth reading. 4 stars

8/50

Update to message 6:

7 / 24 completed

message 40 updated: 2/18 books read

1. Where the Crawdads Sing (United States)
2. The Shadow Sister (United Kingdom)

Updated message 50
Progress: 8/50

@Megan
Can we count multiple books by the same author?

Lynn wrote: "@Megan
Can we count multiple books by the same author?"

Yes

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an African-American author - The Cowboy's Claim by Nina Crespo. This was light and enjoyable. I liked the setting and the characters. Action and dialogue got a bit muddled at times, but overall entertaining. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

9/50

Update message #22: completed 20 reads and raising my goal to 30.

Updated message 10-- 5/15

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an author who is an orphan, grew up in foster care and in poverty - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Robinson. At the end, I loved this story. I appreciated the author’s note and the info she shared about her history and connection to the story. I’m not a huge fan of the writing - it was a bit stilted for me and obtuse at times regarding plot points. But the history and story win me over. Worth reading! 4 stars

10/50

Updated msg 14

Just finished a book by an Latinx-American author, born in Argentina, who is an immigrant - Lobizona by Romina Garber. “Go forth and shatter every convention.” Loved everything about this book! The Argentinian fairytale take on Hogwarts, honoring HP while also pointing out ALL the flaws, the diversity and inclusivity, all excellent! This is some great world building, and I cannot wait for the next chapter! I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

11/50

Update: MSG #20 1/15

Updated to here! Great progress, everyone!

The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.
~ Thomas Berry

Update to Message #9: 22/65

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a Polish author written in Polish - Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski, translated by David French. Another good installment in the Witcher chronicles, and it’s left me wanting to immediately head into the next book. I enjoy the band of comrades that formed. Also grateful for Witcher wiki which helped me keep the series and book stories and characters separated out. Worth reading! 4 stars

12/50

Update : MSG #20 2/15

Update to message 6:

10/24

I would love to join this challenge!

My goal for 2022 is 36 books.

Progress: 50/36
(updated 12/18/2022)

1 - Chosen By God: A Brother's Journey by Joshua Hammer - 01/14/2022
2 - The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi - 01/15/2022
3 - Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang - 01/25/2022
4 - The Progeny by Tosca Lee - 01/30/2022
5 - Firstborn by Tosca Lee - 02/02/2022
6 - The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama XIV - 02/02/2022
7 - While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams - 02/11/2022
8 - Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj - 02/12/2022
9 - Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi - 02/23/2022
10 - The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker - 02/28/2022
11 - Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford - 03/09/2022
12 - The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker - 03/09/2022
13 - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - 03/18/2022
14 - A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper - 03/20/2022
15 - Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park - 03/24/2022
16 - The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - 04/03/2022
17 - Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson - 04/05/2022
18 - Dear Martin by Nic Stone - 04/05/2022
19 - Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala - 04/06/2022
20 - Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family by Condoleezza Rice - 04/10/2022
21 - Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li - 04/17/2022
22 - When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - 04/27/2022
23 - The River of Silver: Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty - 04/30/2022
24 - Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong - 05/14/2022
25 - Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux by John G. Neihardt - 05/15/2022
26 - Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang - 05/21/2022
27 - From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks - 05/23/2022
28 - Conversations with People Who Hate Me: 12 Things I Learned from Talking to Internet Strangers byDylan Marron - 05/24/2022
29 - Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune - 05/29/2022
30 - The Story of My Life by Helen Keller - 06/02/2022
31 - Easy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things by Kelly Williams Brown - 06/05/2022
32 - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - 06/09/2022
33 - If at Birth You Don't Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny by Zach Anner - 06/16/2022
34 - The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin - 06/27/2022
35 - The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea - 07/01/2022
36 - Twins by Varian Johnson - 07/22/2022
37 - House of Sticks by Ly Tran - 07/31/2022
38 - Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup - 08/16/2022
39 - The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See - 08/20/2022
40 - Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis - 08/23/2022
41 - How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith - 09/02/2022
42 - Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - 09/06/2022
43 - Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by María Hinojosa - 09/14/2022
44 - Less by Andrew Sean Greer - 09/19/2022
45 - Becoming by Michelle Obama - 09/30/2022
46 - Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley - 10/05/2022
47 - Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros - 10/20/2022
48 - Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God by Kaitlin B. Curtice - 10/28/2022
49 - Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - 11/18/2022
50 - Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith - 12/02/2022

Update to Message 136: 3/24

Update to Message 136: 8/36

I increased my goal. The original goal was based on books for another bookclub. However, I realized I am reading books that fit this goal that are not for that book club and should count them as well.

Updated to here! Welcome to the challenge, Shelley!

Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

2022 Reading Challenge
Diversity in Reading - 2022
Duration: January 1, 2022-December 31, 2022

Moved to Make Room

Update to Message 136: 9/36

Updated message 10-- 6/15
LGBTQ -- The Paying Guests

Update to Message #29:

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo - Afro-LatinX

5/25

Updated msg 14

Just completed an audiobook by an African-American author - Survival of the Thickest: Essays by Michelle Buteau. Michelle Buteau is one of my fav comedians, so I was excited to learn more about her. She reads the audio, and I cannot imagine absorbing this any other way - fab! The essays were a touch disjointed in how they were laid out, so there were times I got confused as to what her topic was during the chapter. But I loved her very honest approach to her truth. Worth reading! 4 stars

14/50

Welcome to our new challenge participant, Suzanne! Updated to here!

The path to diversity begins with supporting, mentoring, and sponsoring diverse women and men to become leaders and entrepreneurs.
~ Denise Morrison

Update to Message #9: 28/65
Thanks, Megan!

Message 8 update: 4/5

Update to message 32, 10/20 books.

7. The Pharmacist
8. Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas
9. The Lost Colony
10. Cemetery Boys

Updates msg 27: 11/35

Thank you, Megan!

Update to message #5

PROGRESS: 42/100