Reading Challenge for 2016

Do you love reading? I do.

There is something magic about books. Something that allows you to transport to another place, or even to another universe, or galaxy. Something that lets you to live someone else’s life, or lives.

What could be more magical?

I have always read a lot. I haven’t read books that people recommend me. I actually don’t like very much being recommended a book. Because I want to be like an archeologist, or adventurer, or a character in the books, who finds something special, a rare treasure, a book. But not just any book, a special book, a magical book, a book that nobody else has read, the best book in the world.

Of course it’s not that probably I’ll find a magical book, or even an amazing book nobody else has read before. But not discussing the books I read with others, at least before I read them, makes me feel like I have found a treasure, all by myself.

But we are called to step out of our comfort zone, and also to be less selfish (I know, I’m a selfish reader). So, this year I have decided to do something different. I’m participating in a reading challenge. It’s a challenge I found on Tim Challies’ website. You can find the challenge HERE.

I hope you take the challenge too and discuss your books with me. And even suggest a book or two to me. And I might even read them (or maybe I’ve already read them, lol). But I promise to be open about your books and any suggestions you have for me.

Here we go!

The Light Reader

_ 1. A book about Christian living
_ 2. A biography
_ 3. A classic novel
_ 4. A book someone tells you "changed my life"
_ 5. A commentary on a book of the Bible
_ 6. A book about theology
_ 7. A book with the word "gospel" in the title or subtitle
_ 8. A book your pastor recommends
_ 9. A book more than 100 years old
_ 10. A book for children
_ 11. A mystery or detective novel
_ 12. A book published in 2016
_ 13. A book about a current issue

The Avid Reader

_ 14. A book written by a Puritan
_ 15. A book recommended by a family member
_ 16. A book by or about a missionary
_ 17. A novel that won the Pulitzer Prize
_ 18. A book written by an Anglican
_ 19. A book with at least 400 pages
_ 20. A book by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien
_ 21. A book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title
_ 22. A book with a great cover
_ 23. A book on the current New York Times list of bestsellers
_ 24. A book about church history
_ 25. A graphic novel
_ 26. A book of poetry

The Committed Reader

_ 27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with
_ 28. A book written by an author with initials in their name
_ 29. A book that won a ECPA Christian Book Award
_ 30. A book about worldview
_ 31. A play by William Shakespeare
_ 32. A humorous book
_ 33. A book based on a true story
_ 34. A book written by Jane Austen
_ 35. A book by or about Martin Luther
_ 36. A book with 100 pages or less
_ 37. A book with a one-word title
_ 38. A book about money or finance
_ 39. A novel set in a country that is not your own
_ 40. A book about music
_ 41. A memoir
_ 42. A book about joy or happiness
_ 43. A book by a female author
_ 44. A book whose title comes from a Bible verse
_ 45. A book you have started but never finished
_ 46. A self-improvement book
_ 47. A book by David McCullough
_ 48. A book you own but have never read
_ 49. A book about abortion
_ 50. A book targeted at the other gender
_ 51. A book by a speaker at a conference you have attended
_ 52. A book written by someone of a different ethnicity than you

The Obsessed Reader

_ 53. A book published by The Banner of Truth
_ 54. A book about the Reformation
_ 55. A book written by a first-time author
_ 56. A biography of a world leader
_ 57. A book used as a seminary textbook
_ 58. A book about food
_ 59. A book about productivity
_ 60. A book about or relationships or friendship
_ 61. A book about parenting
_ 62. A book about philosophy
_ 63. A book about art
_ 64. A book with magic
_ 65. A book about prayer
_ 66. A book about marriage
_ 67. A book about a hobby
_ 68. A book of comics
_ 69. A book about the Second World War
_ 70. A book about sports
_ 71. A book by or about a pastor’s wife
_ 72. A book about suffering
_ 73. A book by your favorite author
_ 74. A book you have read before
_ 75. A book about homosexuality
_ 76. A Christian novel
_ 77. A book about psychology
_ 78. A book about the natural world
_ 79. A book by or about Charles Dickens
_ 80. A novel longer than 400 pages
_ 81. A historical book
_ 82. A book about the Bible
_ 83. A book about a country or city
_ 84. A book about astronomy
_ 85. A book with an ugly cover
_ 86. A book by or about a martyr
_ 87. A book by a woman conference speaker
_ 88. A book by or about the church fathers
_ 89. A book about language
_ 90. A book by or about a Russian
_ 91. A book about leadership
_ 92. A book about public speaking
_ 93. A book by Francis Schaeffer
_ 94. A book by a Presbyterian
_ 95. A book about science
_ 96. A book about revival
_ 97. A book about writing
_ 98. A book about evangelism
_ 99. A book about ancient history
_ 100. A book about preaching
_ 101. A book about the church
_ 102. A book about adoption
_ 103. A photo essay book
_ 104. A book written in the twentieth century

Extra Credit

_ 105. A book from a library
_ 106. A book about business
_ 107. A book by an author less than 30
_ 108. A book published by a UK-based publisher
_ 109. A book you borrow

It’s a long list but the rules are quite flexible. You can choose any category, or all of them. Or you can choose books from different categories.

My challenge is to read all the books from each category. And I mean all of them. Some of them might be a bit more difficult but I’m up for a challenge J Hope you are too!

I’ll be posting about the books I’m choosing and reading throughout the year. The first book will be announced the next week!