Hi everyone! Well we are officially one week away from the start of our Fifth Annual Reading Challenge Month! Woo hoo! Hopefully you guys have seen our lead up posts, but in just in case, let me catch you up. Reading Challenge Month starts in September and we will have four, week-long reading challenges. Each week, the folks at Joyfully Jay will be reading books that fit the weekly challenge. As readers, you guys can get involved two ways and not only have some fun, but win some fabulous prizes! First, you can earn a contest entry every time you leave a comment on a challenge review. You can also earn TEN additional entries each week by reading along with your own challenge book and writing a mini review at the end of the week. If you need more information, you can check out our Coming Soon post for overall information, and our Prize Preview for more specifics on the prizes.
So, today we are going to talk about what we are reading, and help provide some direction for those of you still choosing your own books to read. Just to be clear, you can read one of the books we are reading, or you can pick your own challenge book. Either is totally fine. We just encourage you to play along by taking on the challenges along with us. Every year I find some great books I may never have tried, so it can be a lot of fun (P.S. This is our reading list as of now, but it is possible things may change slightly)
Week 1: New-to-Me Author Week (read a book by an author you have never read)
- The Arrangement by Alex Jane (Jay)
- Something Human by A.J. Demas (Sammy)
- Mason’s Heart by Mellanie Rourke (Veronica)
- Gearheart by Maia Strong (Sue)
- Witcheskin by Nem Rowan (Kris)
- The Art of Death by Bob Appavu (Elizabeth)
- Death’s Angel by Michael Mandrake (Jovan)
- Deviate by Mia Monroe (Michelle)
- In Case You Forgot by Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar (Camille)
If you are looking for your own New-to-Me Author book, check out our monthly Favorite Books posts! You’ll see the things we loved and maybe find a book you want to try! You can also look at our Favorites lists with some of our top picks in a variety of tropes, like rock stars, road trips, pirate stories, and more!
Week 2: Diverse Books Week (read a book featuring characters from diverse races, religions, cultures, physical abilities, gender/sexual identities, etc)
- How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters (Jovan)
- Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee (Jay)
- Golden Like Summer by Gene Gant (Sammy)
- Hidden in Darkness by Alice Winters (Sue)
- Would It Be Okay to Love You 3 by Amy Tasukada (Camille)
- Puzzle Me This by Eli Eason (Jay)
- Power Play by J.M. Snyder (Kris)
- Birthday by Meredith Russo (Michelle)
- Coffee by Matthew J. Metzger (Kenna)
- In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue (Veronica)
If you are looking for diverse books, here are links to some of our reviews that may give you ideas: POC/interracial romance (we used to use the latter tag so we have reviews that use both), physical disability, transgender/trans (again, we used to use the latter tag), FF (lesbian), Muslim, Jewish, Pagan.
Week 3: Judge a Book By Its Cover (choose a book because you LIKE the cover)
- The Wanderer by Dahlia Donovan (Sammy)
- Creature Comfort by Rob Rosen (Veronica)
- Hurricane by Laura Taylor (Sue)
- Today by R.J. Scott (Kenna)
- Blood and Bones by B.A. Stretke (Kris)
- The Beach House by Angelique Jurd (Michelle)
- Now You See Me by Lynn Van Dorn (Jay)
- Musician and the Monster by Jenya Keefe (Elizabeth)
- Masquerade by Joel Abernathy (Jovan)
Check out our Favorite Covers posts if you want some ideas for what to read this week!
Week 4: Older/Younger Hero Week (pick a book that features a hero under 21 OR over 40 — it doesn’t have to be both)
- Arctic Heat by Annabeth Albert (Jay)
- The Killing Spell by Shane Ullerin (Kris)
- The Freshman by Louse Collins (Sammy)
- Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews (Elizabeth)
- Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer (Michelle)
- Boy Shattered by Eli Easton (Elizabeth)
- Shipping the Captain by Nora Phoenix (Jay)
- Cranberry Boys by Scudder James, Jr (Veronica)
- The Secrets We Keep by Rick R. Reed (Jovan)
You can check out our reviews of books featuring older heroes (and yes, we know 40 isn’t really old, lol) and younger heroes
Hope you find some great books to read and will join us in having fun this month! If you know what you are reading and want to share, feel free to let us know in the comments!
What a great list!
FYI: Mason’s Heart is by Mellanie Rourke (two ls in Mellanie).
Thank you for catching that!
I made a list. Hopefully I manage to stay on track. The goal is at least 2 books/week. I also have to make room for Heartsong by T.J.Klune. No way I’m missing it. 🙂
Here are my pickings. I choose more then 2, in case I have to dnf, or read faster than planned. 🙂
Week 1 – New to me author
1. Somebody killed his Editor by Josh Lanyon
2. Beneath the Stain by Amy Lane
+1 The Mentor of Lostwood Hall by Jackson Marsh
+2 The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
Week 2 – Diverse read
1. Fem by Seth King
2. The Queen and the Homo Jock King by T.J. Klune
+1 Aftercare by Tanya Chris
+2 Paint the Stars by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn
Week 3 – Judge a book by it’s cover
1. Change of Heart by Mary Calmes
2. Adam Only by Roe Horvat
+1 Daniel and Ryan series (remaining books I own) by Tamryn Eradani
+2 Shrewd Angel by Anyta Sunday
Week 4 – Older/younger hero
1. Love Can’t Conquer by Kim Fielding
2. Falling by Suki Fleet
+1 A Tiny Piece of Something Greater by Jude Sierra
+2 Fourteen Summers by Quinn Anderson
Oh, those are all such good choices! I am a huge fan of The Wolf at the Door, fwiw. Oh and I agree on the covers for Daniel and Ryan, so nice!
Here’s what I have so far.
Challenge week 1:
Something Human
by A.J. Demas
Machine Metal Magic
by Hanna Dare
Make room for TJ Klune Heart song ??
Week 2:
In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue
Junk Shop Blues
by Cole McCade
Week 3:
Ashore by Isabelle Adler
A Crown of Iron & Silver by Hailey Turner
Anhaga by Lisa Henry
Week 4:
Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer
??
Oh awesome choices!
I’m really excited to participate this year! I’ve finally chosen all of my books:
NEW-TO-ME AUTHOR
A Wolf at the Door – Charlie Adhara
(I’ve already finished it and LOVED it.)
DIVERSE BOOK
Life Underwater – Matthew J. Metzger
JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
the bones beneath my skin – TJ Klune
OLDER OR YOUNGER HERO
Trailer Trash – Marie Sexton
Oh, all good choices! And so glad you are joining us this year!