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For 2019, I decided to do a Reading Challenge. And as these things typically go, I couldn't find one that suited me. So I pulled some categories from one challenge, then another, and another, then added a few of my own categories, and I ended up with twelve categories to help me get a little out of my regular box and read some things I wouldn't automatically pick up, or read some things that have been on my TBR (to be read) pile for ages. Without further ado, here are the books I have selected for my personal challenge:
1. A Classic I Didn't Know Existed -- Villette by Charlotte Bronte. It's possible I've been living under a rock, but I had no idea this book existed until I came across it in a display of classics at Books A Million.
2. Historical Romance -- Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins. I read a ton of contemporary romance, but not much historical. Then I came across this book. Hello, pirates.
3. Memoir -- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. This girl's courage. Can't wait to read this one.
4. Fictionalized True Story -- The Far End of Happy by Kathryn Craft. True story of being held hostage during a 12-hour standoff by her own husband.
5. Historical Novel -- The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. Another one I can't wait to sit down with.
6. Fairytale -- The Mermaid's Sister by Carrie Anne Noble. Because I'm Carrie Anne, she's Carrie Anne, there are mermaids and angst, it's *got* to be good!
7. Book Recommended to Me -- The Barrowfields by Phillip Lewis. On vacation in Charlotte, NC, I visited Park Road Books, where I asked for a local author recommendation. Without hesitation, the employee pointed me to this book.
8. Book I Started But Never Finished -- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Also on vacation in Charlotte, the hotel we stayed at had a small library in the lobby. While waiting for my husband to stop chatting with a group of guys, I picked this book up and got sucked in. Alas, I had to put it back when we set out for the day, and I didn't get back to it.
9. Book By A Celebrity -- Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks. Because Tom Hanks, right?
10. Epistolary Novel -- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. Her book covers are too cute, and I might share her obsession with Jane Austen.
11. Novel By A Debut Author -- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. *sigh* As repugnant as I found Ms. Adeyemi's absurd accusation of Nora Roberts of title theft (and subsequent mishandling of the situation and her absolute wrongness), I decided to keep this one on the list because it does look like a fantastic book.
12. Book That Was Loaned To Me -- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. My friend Tammy loaned me this book, and I literally squealed with delight because I've wanted to read it since it came out.