Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime
2. in which no one gets ill or dies
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)
4. that includes a crowd or gathering
5. that includes travel 
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)
7. involving a country that no longer exists
8. that is a fantasy
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing
12. published in 2021

Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term,system of government or reign: Rule of Wolves by Bardugo (4/22/21) 4 stars 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury: Eight Perfect Murders by Swanson (03/29/21) 4.5 stars
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement: Thief's Cunning by Ahiers (05/14/21) 4 stars
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story: A Deadly Education by Novik (1/31/21) 5 stars  
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster: Pompeii by Harris
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Anappara (2/14/21) 3 stars
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty: The Merciful Crow by Owen (6/21) 4 stars
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game: Ask Again, Yes by Kearne (6/2/21) 4.5 stars
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story: This is How You Lose the Time War by El-Mohtar and Gladstone (1/22/21) 4.5 stars
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field: Nevernight by Kristoff (6/21) 4.5 stars
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job: Broken Harbor by French (6/21) 3.5 stars
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news:The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Nix (4/1/21) 4 stars

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime: The Fathless Hawk by Owen (6/21) 3.5 stars
2. in which no one gets ill or dies: The House in the Cerulean Sea by Klune (3/23/21) 2.5 stars
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house): The Raven Cycle (4 books) (9/21) by Stiefvater 5 stars  
4. that includes a crowd or gathering: The Likeness by French (1/7/21) 4 stars
5. that includes travel: Igniting Darkness by Lefevers (6/6/21) 3 stars  
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other): Trapped by Hearne (3/5/21) 3 stars
7. involving a country that no longer exists: Grave Mercy by LeFevers (5/16/21) 3.5 stars
8. that is a fantasy: Godsgrave by Kristoff (6/27/21) 4 stars
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted: Assassin's Heart by Ahiers (5/12/21) 4 stars
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending: The Dark Artifices (3-book series) by Clare (9/21) 3.5 stars
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing: The Glass Hotel by Mandel (10/21) 3.5 stars
12. published in 2021: Spellmaker by Holmberg (4/13/21) 3.5 stars

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime
2. in which no one gets ill or dies
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)
4. that includes a crowd or gathering
5. that includes travel 
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)
7. involving a country that no longer exists
8. that is a fantasy
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing
12. published in 2021

I'm joining in!

Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category I

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign Cauldron of Ghosts (Crown of Slaves) Author: David Weber, Eric Flint
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury Disillusioned: Cape Thomas Author: Christy Barritt
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement Distorted Author: Christy Barritt
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story Pax Demonica (Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, Bk 6) Author: Julie Kenner
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster Shadow of Victory (Honor Harrington) Author: David Weber
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict Children of Kings: A Darkover Novel Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley, Deborah J. Ross
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty A Rising Thunder (Honor Harrington, Bk 13) Author: David Weber 
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game Two Weeks (Baxter Family, Bk 5) Author: Karen Kingsbury 
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story Mission of Honor (Honor Harrington, Bk 12) Author: David Weber  
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxter Family) Author: Karen Kingsbury
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job Traitor's Sun (Darkover) Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley, Adrienne Martine-Barnes
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off). Someone Like You Author: Karen Kingsbury 

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime Uncompromising Honor (Honor Harrington, Bk 14) Author: David Weber
2. in which no one gets ill or dies  Finding Home (A Baxter Family Children Story) Author: Karen Kingsbury
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)  Shadow of Freedom (Honor Harrington Series) Author: David Weber 
4. that includes a crowd or gathering 1636: The Devil's Opera (The Ring of Fire) Author: Eric Flint, David Carrico
5. that includes travel Storm From the Shadows (Honorverse: Saganami, Bk 2) Author: David Weber 
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other) Miss Billy--Married Author: Eleanor Hodgman Porter
7. involving a country that no longer exists 1636: The Ottoman Onslaught (Ring of Fire) Author: Eric Flint 
8. that is a fantasy The Vampire's Fake Fiancee (Nocturne Falls, Bk 5) Author: Kristen Painter
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted A Call to Arms (Honorverse: Manticore Ascendant, Bk 2) Author: David Weber, Timothy Zahn, Thomas Pope
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending A Season to Wed: Three Winter Love Stories (A Year of Weddings Novella)
    Author: Cindy Kirk, Rachel Hauck, Cheryl Wyatt
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing The Catch Colt Author: Mary O'Hara
12. published in 2021 Never Grow Up (A Baxter Family Children Story) Author: Karen Kingsbury, Tyler Russell

This looks interesting. I'll give it a try.

Thanks, Kristin!

Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 
   The Most Evil Dictators in History by Shelley Klein
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury
   Later Author: Stephen King
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement
   Monster, 1959 Author: David Maine
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story
   The Hollow Places Author: T. Kingfisher
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster
   Ashfall (Ashfall, Bk 1) Author: Mike Mullin
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
   Ring Shout Author: P. Djeli Clark
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
   Lost In Las Vegas (Frost & Crowe, Bk 1) Author: Kristen Painter
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game
   Causing Havoc (SBC Fighters, Bk 1) Author: Lori Foster
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story
   The Beast Author: A. E. van Vogt
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field
    The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work and Writings of Dr. Spencer Black Author: E. B. Hudspeth
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job
    Wardenclyffe Author: F Paul Wilson
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  
    New York - Hunting Season (Gathering, Bk 1) Author: Shelly Laurenston

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime
   A Promised Land Author: Barack Obama
2. in which no one gets ill or dies
   Stolen Kisses (Harlequin Temptation, No 969) Author: Julie Kenner
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)
   Piranesi Author: Susanna Clarke
4. that includes a crowd or gathering
   Spoiler Alert Author: Olivia Dade
5. that includes travel 
   Firefly: Generations Author: Tim Lebbon
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)
   Arsenic and Old Books (Cat in the Stacks, Bk 6) Author: Miranda James
7. involving a country that no longer exists
   The Library at Night Author: Alberto Manguel
8. that is a fantasy
   For a Unicorn's Happiness (Legendary Shifters) Author: Catherine Lievens
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
   What Lies Beneath (Lancaster Falls, Bk 1) Author: R. J. Scott
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending
    The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw Author: Patrick F. McManus
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing
    Out of the Picture (Shepherd Sisters, Bk 1) Author: Tracy Gardner
12. published in 2021
    Half a Cowboy Author: Andrew Grey

Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 

COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury

Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement

Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 

Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster

#BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
  The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas

Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
  Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuistion

In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game

Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story

Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field

Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job

Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off). 
  Virgin River - Robyn Carr (N. California) 
  Shelter Mountain - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Whispering Rock - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  A Virgin River Christmas - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Second Chance Pass - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Temptation Ridge - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Paradise Valley - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Forbidden Falls - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Angel's Peak - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Moonlight Road - Robyn Carr (N. California)
  Promise Canyon - Robyn Carr (N. California)

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

that includes a new political leader, government or regime

in which no one gets ill or dies

set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)

that includes a crowd or gathering 
  Second Chance Pass - Robyn Carr (wedding)

that includes travel 

in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)

involving a country that no longer exists

that is a fantasy

involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted

that is a comedy or that has a happy ending

with cover art you find peaceful and soothing

published in 2021

Will probably skip around.  2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury  The Burning Girl: A Novel by Claire Messud (Cassie is bitten by a dog while volunteering at an animal shelter), 3/31/2021 4 stars
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster A Long Time Gone by Karen White, 2/15/2021, 3 stars (Flood)
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty  The Tudor Vendetta (Spymaster Chronicles, Bk 3) by C. W. Gortner, 8/5/2021, 4 stars
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game
9. Read a science-fiction story  That Hideous Strength - Space Trilogy, Bk 3 by C. S. Lewis, 1/23/2021, 4 stars
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  Miss Chopsticks by Xinran, 2/13/2021, 4 stars

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime  
2. in which no one gets ill or dies  
3. set in an alternate world/universe  The Memory Police: A Novel by Yoko Ogawa, 8/16/2021, 4 stars
4. that includes a crowd or gathering  Murdering Mr. Monti by Judith Viorst, 4/20/2021 (Thanksgiving dinner gathering)
5. that includes travel  The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, Simon Pare (Translator), 8/20/2021, 4.5 stars
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)  The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst, 12/23/2021, 3.5 stars
7. involving a country that no longer exists
8. that is a fantasy  The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True (Knights' Tales, #3) by Gerald Morris, 8/4/2021, 3 stars
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending  The Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs, 9/2/2021, 4 stars
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing  The Overstory by Richard Powers, 8/21/2021, 5 stars
12. published in 2021

Joining 

Standard challenge: read books from any 12 categories

Deluxe challenge: Read a book from every category

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime
2. in which no one gets ill or dies
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)
4. that includes a crowd or gathering
5. that includes travel 
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)
7. involving a country that no longer exists
8. that is a fantasy
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing
12. published in 2021

2020: The Rearview Mirror:

1. US Election: read a book that includes the end of political term, system of government or reign The White House Mess by Christopher Buckley 
2. COVID-19: read a book that includes a plague, illness or injury
3. Shelter-in-Place: read a book involving confinement The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
4. Murder hornets: read a book that includes dangerous creatures, or read a horror story 
5. Wildfires: read a book involving a natural or manmade disaster
6. #BLM: read a book that includes racial/ethnic conflict The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
7. Prince Harry & Meghan: read a book that includes royalty
8. In honor of Kobe Bryant: read a book that includes an athlete, sport or game  Fragile Beasts by Tawni O'Dell
9. Meteor heading toward Earth: read a science-fiction story
10. Health care workers: read a book that includes the medical field  Shroud For A Nightingale by PD James
11. Economic recession/financial struggles: read a book involving poverty or where someone loses a job  The Book Of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
12. Read a book set in/written by an author from any of these places featured repeatedly in 2020 news: Australia, China, Pacific Northwest, California, England (feel free to add any that I left off).  The Fourth Durango by Ross Thomas

2021: Forging Ahead: Read a book... 

1. that includes a new political leader, government or regime
2. in which no one gets ill or dies  
3. set in an alternate world/universe (or anywhere you’d rather be than your house)
4. that includes a crowd or gathering
5. that includes travel 
6. in which animal(s) and people are friends (or at least help each other)
7. involving a country that no longer exists
8. that is a fantasy
9. involving great wealth or in which someone loves their job or gets promoted
10. that is a comedy or that has a happy ending
11. with cover art you find peaceful and soothing
12. published in 2021