Author: hippieadmin

So we are back where we started again, with this blog! I created this space to keep track of coffee and books and so far I have been pretty good at updating the books side of the blog (not so much with the coffee, but I’ll do that soon, I promise).

Now that 2019 is here, we have a new Book Riot Read Harder Challenge to contend with. I didn’t do great on the 2018 version of this, but I’m hoping to do better this year. My goal for books, in general, is to read 24 titles in 2019. The genres are varied and we will see if I can fit my reading habits into the book challenge list. So, without further ado, here is the 2019 Read Harder Challenge list!

1. An epistolary novel or collection of letters
2. An alternate history novel
3. A book by a woman and/or AOC (Author of Color) that won a literary award in 2018
4. A humor book
5. A book by a journalist or about journalism
6. A book by an AOC set in or about space
7. An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America
8. An #ownvoices book set in Oceania
9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
10. A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman
11. A book of manga
12. A book in which an animal or inanimate object is a point-of-view character
13. A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse
14. A cozy mystery
15. A book of mythology or folklore
16. An historical romance by an AOC
17. A business book
18. A novel by a trans or nonbinary author
19. A book of nonviolent true crime
20. A book written in prison
21. A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
22. A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009
23. A self-published book
24. A collection of poetry published since 2014

I will keep you updated on my ability to work through this list, but also any books I read outside of these categories (I’m already done with 2 books for 2019 and neither fit in these categories, so yeah, good start!)

Peace and happy reading,Chantale

Many things have happened over the past month. We picked up our whole lives and moved from Buffalo, NY to Huntsville, AL. Yes, Alabama. In the heat of August, during the most oppressive season when even northerners hate to be outside for long periods of time, we decided to move  to the deep south. Well, it isn’t exactly the deep south, but it is definitely the south. In the whirlwind of having to move our lives in 3 weeks (School starts earlier in Alabama) I haven’t had a chance to pick up a book. Partially because I am busy and partially because I am thrown by the whole move, but mainly because I am tired.

Even so, I still wanted to post an update of my TBR.

So – here it is…

Difficult Women by Roxanne Gay ****

The Awesome by Eva Darrows ****

Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper ****

With those 3 books added, I am 2 books beyond the half way point for my 12 book challenge this year. That isn’t horrible considering I’m only 1 month behind. Now that I am working part time (that is a story for another blog) I will have more time to read as we settle in to our new apartment in Huntsville. I’m hoping that I can actually blow that 12 book challenge away and maybe work on more of the book riot challenge books as well. We shall see.

Now let me know how you are doing on your 2018 book challenge lists – comment below!

Peace,Chantale

So I realize that we are already more than half-way through the second month of 2018, but I am finally ready to update you on my TBR (to be read) list. A couple weeks back, I installed some new shelves in my office to dedicate to my TBR pile.

As you can see – I have varied interests when it comes to reading, but one of my favourite genres is social science. The shelves do not include books that I am borrowing from the library or any books that I currently have in digital format (obviously.) 

Below are my reading lists, which will show the full range of books that I am going to attempt to read in 2018. So far I have only completed one book, but I have 5 more books that should be wrapping up in the next 2 months to get me back on track. Some of those are carry overs from 2017, but I’m going to count them in my challenges for 2018.

The first list is for the Book Riot Read Harder Challange, which you can check out here! I still have a few gaps in my selections, but I’m hoping to fill them in as the year progresses.

As you can see above – I have yet to fill in all the blanks.

The next TBR list is the Social Science books I plan to read. I have set a goal of 12 Social Science books this year and I will not be counting the two that I’ve included above in this additional list.

1. The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge by Peter Berger
2. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason by Michel Foucault
3. Slim’s Table: Race, Respectability, and Masculinity by Mitchell Duneier
4. Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America by Melissa Harris-Perry
5. We Were Feminists Once: From Riot Grrl to CoverGirl, the Buying and Selling of a Political Movement by Andi Zeisler
6. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
7. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
8. Playing on the Edge: Sadomasochism, Risk, and Intimacy by Staci Newmahr
9. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler
10. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman
11. Dreamworlds of Alabama by Allen Shelton
12. Walter Benjamin’s Grave by Michael Taussig

So – that sets me up to read about 30 or so books. I have set my GoodReads challenge at 12 books, but I’m hoping to well exceed that this year. Now – it’s time to read! Let me know what you are reading this year, in the comments!

Peace, Chantale