Popsugar Reading Challenge Ideas

When I first posted my 2019 challenge sign-ups, I included some TBR ideas for a few of the challenges. I love having that kind of post to look on when I’m failing to remember what I planned. The one challenge I didn’t do that for, however, was the Popsugar Reading Challenge. The main reason is that it’s such a loooong list and my goal is to hit at least 40 out of the 50 prompt ideas. I wasn’t going to put 50 book ideas on there when I know it’s unlikely I hit that many. However, I keep finding myself looking and wondering what books fit some of those categories. I thought I’d share some of my ideas because so many people are participating this year and may also find it helpful! Some categories will have multiple ideas, some will have one, some will have zero. I’m also only putting books that I haven’t read… so there are some obvious ones that will not appear! I’ll link up some lists if they help too.

Other resources: Popsugar Reading Challenge post and Popsugar Goodreads Group

Already completed

Published in 2019: Famous in a Small Town – Mills
Meant to read in 2018: Nine Perfect Strangers – Moriarty
Featuring an amateur detective: 34.5 Predicaments – Swank
Item of clothing/accessory on cover: Pretty in Punxsutawney – Crompton
Told from multiple POVs: This Lie Will Kill You – Pitcher
About someone with a superpower: Archenemies – Meyer

Still to attempt

 

Becoming a movie in 2019 | Plenty of options HERE and HERE (for YA)

I’m probably going to go with BERNADETTE because it’s been on my TBR forever, but I’m also thinking of WOMAN because it seems more in line with my thriller vibe lately. I’m glad that the internet is hip to the times and can let me know which movies are coming out since I never know.

  

Set in space | Check Goodreads listopia; HERE for teens in space

I’ve been hoping to continue with the STARBOUND series for a number of years now and that was the first idea that popped into my head. However, I’ve been thinking about reading ALIENATED or STARFLIGHT depending on what mood strikes me.

 

Makes you nostalgic | Likely a book from this reread list of mine

I think the best kind of nostalgic read are ones you’re reading for a second time. GG and SWEET 16 were favorites of mine that I’ve been looking to reread. I guess it could also be a book that makes you nostalgic for a certain period of life, like childhood or high school. Maybe a book where the MC reminds you of yourself in high school?

   

By two female authors | Check the GR group or Google

I have a few books on my TBR that are written by two female authors – sometimes they are both listed and sometimes they have one pen name that includes both. Anything by Christina Lauren (that I will definitely read) can fall into this category. Otherwise, there are some more duos on my TBR: WIFE BETWEEN, BURN FOR BURN, or anything by by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke.

 

Written by a musician | Ideas HERE (be sure it was written by them first) plus Google has plenty

This could definitely include some memoirs as well as fiction books, if you happen to know the author is in a band or something! I’m leaning toward the nonfiction side just because it’ll open my reading up a little bit. My top ideas are LIFE and JOURNALS because they feature two of my favorite bands/artists.

 

SALTY SWEET BITTER SPICY in title | Check through your GR for the keywords!

This is an easy one to find books already on your TBR because of the search function. I’ve been meaning to keep up with this series, so SWEET LAUREL FALLS is my most likely pick. I kind of wanted to try SWEETBITTER again but I’m not sure. SUMMER is a cheat-y one because it should be saltY but whatever.

 

Set in Scandinavia | Sweden, Denmark, Norway lists

Using the place tags on Goodreads made this quite easy for me. I’ve been meaning to read a Fredrik Backman book so that seems likely here. I’m also including THE WITCHES because that’s a common recommendation for taking place in Norway.

  

One million Goodreads ratings | Go to your TBR shelf, sort by number of ratings high to low

There actually are only four books on my “want to read” list that have more than one million ratings… and two of them are just illustrated versions of Harry Potter! Otherwise, these two will be great potential selections for me: PERCY JACKSON and GIRL ON THE TRAIN.

 

Takes place in one day | Try Groundhog Day-ish fiction or HERE (YA) or HERE

I love books where the MC repeats the same day over and over again, so I think that would count here. Otherwise, there are a number of books that take place in one day! MONDAYS is a Groundhog Day repeat book and NEVERWORLD takes place in one day apparently.

  

Debut novel | Lots on Google for this or HERE on GR for YA

All of mine are some highly anticipated YA debuts, including THESE WITCHES, ENCHANTEE, and SMALL TOWN. I hope to get to all of them in 2019! I also think you can check out various links on Google if you want something non-YA.

  

Plant in title or on cover | Plenty of options but can start HERE for flowers on covers

The good thing about this is that floral covers are my favorite. I have so many books that will fall under this category. You can look at books with houses on the cover or seaside areas, because there’s bound to be some foliage too. (Clearly you can go with other plants but flowers are the most obvious choice.)

 

Extinct/magical creature | HERE for dragons, HERE for mythical creatures

Like the category above, I think the most obvious extinct or magical creature in books would be DRAGONS. Many fantasy books have them, of course. If you go out on a limb, I guess a faerie would be a magical creature… or anything paranormal. I really hope to read UPROOTED this year but I’m also including CROWN OF FEATHERS (I think this is about phoenixes?).

 

About a hobby | Could be nonfiction or fiction

I love books about reading or readers (BOOKISH LIFE) or bloggers, so that is a logical direction for me. There are some “geek” books involving cons or other things (GEEK’S GUIDE) that would work. I do actually have some Lego and WWE-related books on my TBR that would be good nonfiction options. To be completely honest though, it seems most likely that I’d just be reading a book, find that the MC has a hobby featured heavily, and put that down!

  

Recommended by celebrity | Celebrity book club list HERE

Many celebrity picks are a bit more literary than I generally read, but some are on my TBR already. IMMORTALISTS (Reese Witherspoon), BECOMING (Oprah), and ELEANOR (Emma Roberts) are top picks. Some books with the Oprah seal of approval may pop up when I browse a store too…

  

LOVE in title | Check through your GR for the keywords!

This should be one of the easiest categories based on the kinds of books I tend to read – contemporary fiction/romance! FIRST KIND, FIELD NOTES, and HOW TO are all top options for me (honestly listed in order of preference, because I know I’ll be reading the first one for sure!).

 

POP SUGAR CHALLENGE in title | Check through your GR for the keywords!

“Sugar” has been in a lot of titles I’ve already read, plus a few more still on my TBR. SUGAR QUEEN is the most likely pick, but I was able to find a nonfiction title (FEMINISM & POP CULTURE) to fall under the “pop” category.

  

About a family | Search by keyword or look HERE

I think a lot of books can be about a family or involve some kind of strong familial theme, but these ones are specifically about a family. THE NEST, FAMILY TRUST, and THE WANGS are all on my TBR and will fit the bill perfectly. Funny that these are all adult fiction…

   

Inspired by myth, legend, or folklore | Anything I’m using for the retellings challenge

I have plenty of books for my retellings challenge that will probably count here, but here are some highlights. PERCY JACKSON is based on Greek myths, GOOSE GIRL is from Brothers Grimm, FOREST is based on Asian myths, and ENTWINED is also Brothers Grimm.

 

Asian, African, S. American author | Check out #ownvoices lists or Goodreads lists

This one will be great because it focuses on authors that are from those countries; I feel like most that I read are Asian American or African American etc. instead. I think the audiobook for BORN A CRIME would be wonderful and funny. I’ve been meaning to read more Garbriel Garcia Marquez since high school so maybe I’ll try ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

 

Published posthumously | List HERE

This is a bit tougher for me for some reason but there are a couple of good options. I’ve owned OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS for a loooong time but I’ve been putting it off because it’s sad. I didn’t realize GEURNSEY would count for this but thank you internet; I’ve been considering this one for a while.

 

Zodiac term or astrology in title | Check ideas HERE and HERE

I’ve had ZODIAC on my TBR for the longest time! The best thing about this one is you can definitely include basic words like “star” or “sun” too. STAR-CROSSED counts and is also about zodiac things. (You could technically also do SCORPIO RACES, which I have listed under a different category, so I’m not including it here.)

  

Someone reading it on TV/in movie | Lost HERE, Gossip Girl HERE, Rory Gilmore HERE

The best thing about this category is that Rory Gilmore reads so many books on the show and people do a great job of documenting them! Many are classic and literary, but I still found some good ideas from browsing her list. I found some other resources online too. My top options are THE RAVEN (Gilmore Girls), WIZARD OF OZ (Lost), and WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Gossip Girl).

   

Includes a wedding | Many lists: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE

I love books involving weddings! Maybe I’ll give WEDDING DATE a try because I liked her other book in the companion series… but I’m not sure yet. I’ve owned WEDDING NIGHT forever too. Other options from my TBR include SEATING ARRANGEMENTS and THE PEOPLE WE HATE.

 

Retelling of a classic | My retelling TBR HERE

I’m taking this to mean more of classic literature retellings instead of the fairytale/folklore ones. I’m going with the possible P&P&M (retelling of P&P obviously) or ALWAYS NEVER YOURS (retelling of Shakespeare). I love when challenge prompts overlap with each other.

  

Author: same letter for first/last name | Look through your TBR or think of fave authors

There are some obvious ones for this but I found a quick list for inspiration on Goodreads too. I’m looking at books by Megan Miranda, Sara Strohymeyer, Elizabeth Eulberg, and Adi Alsaid. Most likely books will be ALL THE MISSING GIRLS, LONELY HEARTS CLUB, or HOW ZOE MADE.

   

Question in the title | Popsugar group has good suggestions, search “?” in your TBR

I’m taking this to mean it just has to be a question, but not need a question mark. WHAT IF ITS US is a good question title without the punctuation. Mindy Kaling’s memoirs both do have the question mark and are on my TBR too just in case. Other reads from my TBR include WHO’S THAT GIRL and DON’T YOU TRUST ME?

   

Ghost story | Try HERE on Goodreads, use the keyword too

I’m thinking of GRAVEYARD BOOK for another challenge I think so that’s a no-brainer. I need to read more Gaiman in general! I also absolutely must read DIVINERS this year before Madalyn decides not to be my friend anymore. Other options include NAME OF THE STAR and MEDIATOR.

Set on college/university campus | New Adult books often have this setting

There are a lot of options for this (but still not enough!!)… however, I know which one mine will be. I’m so excited that this spin-off series is underway from Kennedy and THE RISK is coming out this year. I’m not likely to read another college-setting-book before this comes out in February, so that’s that.

  

Based on true story | List HERE

This is tough! The first one I’m thinking about is IVAN, because it’s based on a true story about a gorilla that was captured. It would be a quick MG read too. There are plenty of historical fiction novels for this too, like SALT TO THE SEA and COTTINGLY SECRET (I love this faerie story and have always sought out movies/books about it!)

  

Revolving around puzzle or game | Lists HERE (gaming), HERE (puzzles), HERE (scavenger)

It’s odd that there’s a LitRPG category in the same year there’s one about a puzzle/game, since they’re similar, but oh well! Could this be the year I finally try SCORPIO RACES? I’m not sure dude I still don’t like horses but everyone else loves this so much. BOOKSHOP is about a literary scavenger hunt of sorts and 39 CLUES series is an adventure game thing?

  

Climate fiction | Idea lists HERE and HERE

This is definitely an advanced prompt for me – something I really wouldn’t consider on my own! I think it can be fairly flexible though, as there are plenty of things happening to our environment (including weather phenomenon) that books could be written about. I browsed through my TBR and found a few from those lists, including NEW YORK 2140, DRY, and NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

 

Choose your own adventure | Book ideas HERE and HERE

I’m mad at myself for reading MY LADY’S CHOOSING last year because that’s the most relevant CYOA book for me! It’s definitely a back-up option here in case I decide to reread it. I did a bit of investigating to find some other “adult” versions so I don’t read one from my childhood. I noticed a few books in the CHOOSEABLE-PATH ADVENTURE series, which end up being retellings of Shakespeare books. There is also LOST IN AUSTEN for creating your own Austen-inspired adventure.

   

2 books that share same title 1 & 2 | Twitter ideas HERE, another list HERE

I asked people for some suggestions on Twitter and got some good suggestions! I’ve been wanting to casually read more historical fiction so IN ANOTHER TIME by Leech and Cantor could be good options for that. Just for adding another example, I’m thinking of LIFE AFTER LIFE by McCorkle and Atkinson.

  

Own voices | Countless lists if you’re on book twitter or HERE on GR, HERE on B&N

This topic should be easy for book bloggers because “own voices” books are becoming increasingly more popular to read, review, and list on blogs. My most anticipated book under this category is ON THE COME UP, but I have also been really looking forward to TELL ME. Otherwise, THE WAY has been on my list since last year.

 

Inspired a common phrase/idiom | Try this list HERE

This is a fascinating one! I couldn’t think of any off the top of my head except the term “big brother” from 1984. I read it back in HS and don’t necessarily want to revisit it. A lot of “classics” will be under this list, which is moderately unfortunate for me. However, I was able to pull a few out. I’ve been wanting to read CHRISTMAS CAROL, which inspired “bah humbug,” and possibly reread GATSBY, which inspired “old sport.” There are also countless options from Shakespeare, which is someone I hope to read something by this year.

 

Set in abbey, montastery, convent | Some ideas HERE

This is definitely one of the tougher ones for me, particularly because I have zero interest in reading a book in one of those settings. I will admit that these two have been on my TBR for a while and both feature that setting (I guess OTHER PEOPLE’S HOUSES is for a little bit but not the whole book). Could this be the year I finally read GRAVE MERCY?

 

LitRPG book | “literary role playing” list HERE

This is an odd category for me but the most obvious option is READY PLAYER ONE. I enjoyed the movie actually and don’t have plans to read the book now, but we’ll see. The other recent example that fits more with my general TBR and reading preferences would be WARCROSS.

To be determined (need to read first!)

There are some prompts that you don’t necessarily know ahead of time if the book will fall into that category. This could be because its based around a feeling while you read, or something else you uncover within the pages that wasn’t apparent at first. Some of them are a little more subjective or personal too. Here are those and my tips/ideas.

• Should be a movie: any book you think would make a great film
• Fave prompt from past PS challenge: check out a past challenge and browse the prompts
• Reread of a favorite: I’m putting this down here because I included some reread options above and don’t need to be repetitive – plus, you can pick you own!
• No chapters, unusual chapter headings, etc: you may know this before starting a book, but I think you’re more likely to find out about this once you start reading
• Read during the season it takes place in: this is something you could plan yourself ahead of time, but it’ll depend on which season – I read a lot of summertime books in the actual summer, so that’s likely how I’ll handle this one when the time comes
• A book with a two word title: I could put examples for this but I do think it’s easy enough to just come across one in your regular reading life instead of planning it out!

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