Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

Good morning! This is my first time trying out this challenge. I love the different categories, but am lost on how to find books that fit such specific areas. How do you find your books? Thanks!

Tricia wrote: "Good morning! This is my first time trying out this challenge. I love the different categories, but am lost on how to find books that fit such specific areas. How do you find your books? Thanks!"

Happy reading! This challenge really helps me diversify my reading, which I love. People will start recommending things on the challenge page soon, and some are great. I use Google a lot, and also I have so many books on my TBR that a quick run-through answers a lot of questions. You may also want to look through challenge plans people (me included) have already posted here. I haven't finished, but I have several options for most of the categories and others do as well. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

In prior years we have had a specific thread for each topic where people share what they might read for the topic, ask questions, etc. I am eagerly waiting for those to show up. Also, the New Year Public Library usually posts suggestions and so does Book Riot on its Read Harder page.

I echo the above!! When making my to-read list at the beginning of the year, I usually have a few blank slots and wait to see what others recommend/post about. I also find it helpful to search keywords at the library based on the challenge and what I'm interested in. For example, for the challenges where its [genre] by BIPOC authors, I might search for "India" in the relevant genre (usually they tag settings, and makes more likely to come up with POC author if it's a POC majority country), or if it's asking for something in translation, I might search for "Arabic".

Book Riot will post recommendations for each prompt! They will add the links to the original page when they post them, or I'm sure their newsletter will include them. https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2022/
Keep an eye out here for the prompt threads when they show up, people will post recommendations for each prompt under its own thread.

I filled up almost the whole list, just by going through my GoodReads "want to read" list. I love the challenge because I add stuff to that list all the time then balk at actually reading it if it's too far outside my usual rut. This challenge spurs me to read stuff that would otherwise languish on my list undread, and some of those have actually been my favourites.

Tricia wrote: "Good morning! This is my first time trying out this challenge. I love the different categories, but am lost on how to find books that fit such specific areas. How do you find your books? Thanks!"

I do topic searches on Book Riot, my local library system, Goodreads, and Google. There will also be forthcoming posts here where people will list what they're reading and/or ask questions. I've found some excellent book recommendations based on what other Book Rioters are reading.

Welcome and good luck!