Author:Thomas McRae Release Date: March 9, 2024 Series: Genre: Poetry Collection Format: E-book Pages: 22 pages Publisher: Blurb: Join Thomas on a profound journey through the pages of his poetry book, where he eloquently explores themes of love, civil rights, religion, and more. Each poem is intentional, diving deep into the depths of the human heart and societal issues with poignant insight and heartfelt expression. From the tender verses about love to the powerful reflections on civil rights struggles, Thomas’s words will captivate your soul and inspire reflection on the complexities of life. This poetry collection is a testament to the enduring power of words to illuminate the human experience and provoke thought on the world around us.
Review
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Lyrical Revelations by Thomas McRae offers readers a diverse array of poetry that delves into themes of love, civil rights, religion, and other societal issues. McRae’s intentionality in each poem is evident, as he guides us through the complexities of the human heart and the world around us with both insight and expression. From tender verses about love to powerful reflections on civil rights struggles, McRae’s words have the potential to resonate deeply with readers and provoke thoughtful reflection.
However, while the collection certainly has its moments of brilliance, there are also aspects that may leave readers wanting more. At times, the poems may feel overly familiar. Additionally, the structure and flow of some poems could benefit from further refinement, as they occasionally feel disjointed or lacking in cohesion.
Despite these minor shortcomings, Lyrical Revelations remains a commendable effort that showcases McRae’s talent and passion for poetry. For readers seeking a heartfelt exploration of love, social justice, and the human experience, this collection offers moments of genuine insight and emotional resonance. While it may not always reach the heights of literary excellence, there is still much to appreciate and contemplate within its pages.
Author:Lauren Martin Release Date: May 14, 2024 Series: Genre: Poetry Collection Format: E-book Pages: 99 pages Publisher:She Writes Press Blurb: When I have wandered long enough what am I still beholden to? Ifá. Nature. Illness. Love. Loss. Misogyny. Aging. Africa. Our wounded planet. In this sweeping yet intensely personal collection, Lauren Martin tells the untold stories of the marginalized, the abused, the ill, the disabled—the different. Inspired by her life’s experiences, including the isolation she has suffered as a result both of living with chronic illness and having devoted herself to a religion outside the mainstream, these poems explore with raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty what it is to live apart—even as one yearns for connection.
But Night of the Hawk is no lament; it is powerful, reverential, sometimes humorous, often defiant—“ Oh heat me and fill me / I rise above lines ”—and full of wisdom. Visceral and stirring, the poems in this collection touch on vastly disparate subjects but are ultimately unified in a singular to inspire those who read them toward kindness, compassion, and questioning.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Night of the Hawk by Lauren Martin is a deeply resonant collection that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience with raw honesty and unapologetic vulnerability. Author Martin’s poetic voice is both haunting and empowering as she delves into the untold stories of the marginalised and the misunderstood, inviting readers to confront the realities of illness, loss, and societal injustice.
Throughout the collection, the author grapples with themes of isolation and yearning for connection, drawing inspiration from her own experiences living with chronic illness and navigating a path outside the mainstream. Her words are infused with a sense of urgency, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths and embrace the power of empathy and compassion.
What sets Night of the Hawk apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and self-discovery. The author fearlessly confronts the challenges of living apart from societal norms, weaving together personal narratives with universal themes of resilience and hope. From the evocative imagery of nature to the poignant exploration of love and loss, each poem in this collection is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of storytelling.
I would recommend this book to all poetry enthusiasts, as I feel author Martin’s poetic style and words resonate with a timeless wisdom that speaks to the universal human experience.
Author:Eric Kay Release Date: October 20,2023 Series: Genre: Science-Fiction, Dystopia, Suspense, Thriller Format: E-book Pages: 259 pages Publisher: – Blurb: You have been called upon to serve. Artificial therapy so great, you’ll never log off! (And won’t notice the ads). A near-future sci-fi about brain privacy in the age of unfettered surveillance capitalism. What will companies do when they can read your actual mind? How far will they go to get your click? How much engagement? This is how cyberpunk starts. Ed’s in a bind. He’s tried everything to keep the North Pacific Seastead afloat financially. Losses mount, except for the datacenter cooled by the Pacific. But the seastead needs an infusion of cash to keep it solvent. He needs it quickly, and the only one who can do it is his well-to-do partner, Keight.
Keight Stanford is doing great. Life’s good on her residential condominium complex offshore of San Francisco. Her secretive mental-health startup, WellSpring, has passed all hurdles with the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat PTSD using a brain-machine interface. Adding to that success, she just received an infusion of funds from the Department of Defense. Though she does not need the money, she needs the computing power for an artificial therapist, and has entertained Ed’s offer. But all is not as it seems with Keight’s startup. A rogue programmer stumbles upon ways to boost his output to unnatural levels. Is this artificially intelligent co-coder an extension of his mind, or is he merely a tool of its growing intelligence? Meanwhile the CEO is secretly selling the data to ad companies to finance a free tier. Because who could argue against free therapy? Now, Ed must decide if Keight really is going to save the world, or doom it to a boring dystopia of personalized addictive ads.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Above Dark Waters by Eric Kay is a science-fiction novel in which the author immerses readers in a near-future world where the boundaries between technology, privacy, and corporate greed blur into a chilling dystopian reality. Author Kay’s deft storytelling and keen insight into the ethical implications of advanced AI and surveillance capitalism make this sci-fi thriller a compelling and thought-provoking read.
The novel’s strength lies in its ability to blend gripping suspense with thought-provoking social commentary. Moreover, the exploration of themes such as the commodification of personal data and the erosion of privacy in the digital age feels both timely and prescient, resonating with readers long after the final page.
While this book delivers a riveting narrative and thought-provoking themes, I did feel that the pacing was occasionally uneven, with certain plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. However, the author’s richly imagined world and compelling characters more than make up for any minor shortcomings, making this book a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and speculative thrillers.
Author: Massimo Fantini Release Date: June 21, 2023 Series: Human Condition Trilogy, Book #2 Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Societal and Cultural Commentary, Political Fiction, Environmental Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 272 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Intellectual suicide corresponds to the more or less conscious decision to switch off the brain and renounce rational thought in favor of attitudes dictated by superstitions, by established habits, by prejudices, by common places. The effects of irrational choices – made with the brain switched off – can be devastating for oneself and for the others. Examples range from conformism, to religious superstitions, to ideological fundamentalism, just to name a few possibilities.
Tommaso, the protagonist of this debate, is the victim of his parents’ intellectual suicide, perpetrated through procreation. Procreation – the unilateral act by which a couple throws innocent individuals into the stillicidium of life, without weighing the consequences that the hell of existence will have on them – is the most heinous form of intellectual suicide in the human race, not least because of the scale of its consequences.
The author’s intention is to shine the spotlight on the one reality that unites us all, that accompanies our lives from birth until death, but which is casted to our periphery: the human condition.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Concerning Intellectual Suicide in The Human Race by Massimo Fantini is the second instalment of the Human Condition Trilogy. In this book, author Fantini explores the complex web of human consciousness, exploring the inescapable consequences of intellectual complacency and irrationality. Through the lens of protagonist Tommaso’s journey, the author exposes the pervasive influence of superstition, prejudice, and conformism in shaping our individual and collective destinies.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching examination of procreation as the ultimate act of intellectual suicide. The author confronts the taboo surrounding this topic head-on, challenging readers to consider the ethical implications of bringing new life into a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. By weaving together philosophical insights and real-life examples, he provokes thought-provoking questions about the nature of existence and the responsibilities we bear as conscious beings.
The writing is both incisive and eloquent, guiding readers through complex philosophical concepts with clarity and precision. His keen observations and rigorous analysis illuminate the intricacies of the human condition, inviting readers to engage in a deeper exploration of their own beliefs and values. While the subject matter may be weighty, the author’s approach is refreshingly accessible, making this book an enlightening and thought-provoking read for both seasoned intellectual readers and curious minds alike.
Author: Massimo Fantini Release Date: June 21, 2023 Series: Human Condition Trilogy, Book #1 Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Societal and Cultural Commentary, Political Fiction, Environmental Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 465 pages Publisher: – Blurb: The small village of the Island of the Iguanas experiences the succession of different communities – sometimes forced to live together, sometimes taking over from a former generation. Each community possesses a culture and an assortment of certainties which it does not intend to give up, judging a priori the customs of those who preceded it as uncivilized or unreasonable. Over the years, the community consolidates and grows, together with their prejudices, social injustices, and religious superstitions. The structural transformations of the village have repercussions on the ecosystem of the island which – starting as a protected nature reserve – becomes a hunting place, a tourist destination, and a favorable terrain for smugglers to exploit.
Thus, faced with the opportunity to adopt a new lifestyle – concerning principles of equality, safeguarding personal freedoms, and restoring the ancient harmony between man and nature – there are those who choose to follow the tested path of the government of man over man, which makes discrimination its founding principle, and those who choose to defy it. Social contrasts – delineated by origin, by social background, by acquired privileges – begin to arise within these communities, which are made up of heterogeneous families and members of different ages and ambitions. Given the possibility to make a clean sweep of the past and rebuild the social fabric from scratch, will those who position themselves as leaders avoid the mistakes made by their predecessors or will they end up mechanically following the same steps laid out by human history? The editing and translation of this book was done by Ian Zwaschka.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Concerning Decay of The Human Race by Massimo Fantini, the first instalment of the Human Condition Trilogy, is a greatly engrossing read. Fantini presents readers with a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, set against the backdrop of the small village of the Island of the Iguanas. Through a succession of different communities, each with its own culture and certainties, Fantini delves deep into the complexities of societal evolution and the impact it has on both individuals and the environment.
One aspect of the book that struck me was Fantini’s nuanced portrayal of social dynamics and cultural evolution within the village. As different communities come and go, they bring with them their own prejudices, injustices, and superstitions, ultimately shaping the course of the village’s development. Fantini expertly navigates themes of discrimination, social inequality, and environmental degradation, prompting readers to reflect on the parallels between the fictional village and the world we inhabit today.
What sets Concerning Decay of The Human Race apart is its profound philosophical underpinnings and its ability to spark meaningful debate on pressing issues facing humanity. Through richly drawn characters and intricate plotlines, Fantini challenges readers to consider the consequences of our actions and the choices we make as individuals and societies. As the characters grapple with the opportunity to rebuild their social fabric from scratch, readers are left pondering whether history is doomed to repeat itself or if true change is possible.
Overall, Concerning Decay of The Human Race is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and society. With its captivating narrative and insightful commentary, Fantini’s novel sets the stage for a gripping trilogy that promises to delve even deeper into the fundamental questions of existence. I eagerly await the next instalment in this captivating series.
Author:Andrew Dulay Release Date: February 15, 2024 Series: Genre: Fiction, Action & Adventure, Espionage, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 242 pages Publisher: – Blurb: You have been called upon to serve. It is 1975. Clay is among a dozen orphaned children, selected by the British Government, for a clandestine program to craft the best spies in the world. This is the secret “Sea Dogs” program, inspired by the historic Elizabethan Sea Dogs, who were the Queen’s pirates that waged unconventional war against Her Majesty’s enemies. All the children have been orphaned at the hands of Britain’s global enemies of Communism and terrorism. The children are brought to train and live on the self-sufficient land of Castle Omega in the Scottish Highlands. They are tutored by WWII hero, Commander James Hammond, of British Naval Intelligence. And by his wife, Evie, who investigated murders, crimes, and espionage for Scotland Yard.
Physics, wilderness survival, war games, and underwater demolition-are among the many skills the children learn at Castle Omega. But above all, they are taught to kill the enemy. The children discover their purpose of exacting revenge against Britain’s enemies to avenge their parents. In their years of sequestered training, the orphaned children come to see their adult tutors as their new parents, and together they form the family they all wish they still had. The Sea Dogs is just the beginning of Clay’s lifelong mission for Queen, God, & Country. Welcome to Castle Omega. By joining the Sea Dogs program, you hereby swear your life to secrecy. If you are ever compromised or risk the secrecy of the mission-then you shall be sent to Davey Jones’ Locker. And be buried at sea. “I shall die a happy death-knowing my secrets die with me.”
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Sea Dogs by Andrew Dulay is an exemplary read. What sets it apart is its unique blend of historical inspiration and thrilling espionage. Dulay expertly weaves together elements of adventure, suspense, and coming-of-age drama, creating a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. As Clay and his fellow orphans navigate the complexities of their training and grapple with their newfound purpose of seeking revenge against Britain’s enemies, they form bonds that transcend their shared tragedies, forging a family out of necessity.
One aspect of the book that particularly stood out to me is the vividly depicted setting of Castle Omega. From its remote location in the Scottish Highlands to its self-sufficient infrastructure, Dulay brings this clandestine training facility to life with rich detail and atmospheric prose. As Clay and his comrades undergo their intense training regimen under the watchful eye of Commander James Hammond and his wife Evie, readers are transported into a world where secrecy is paramount and danger lurks around every corner.
Overall, The Sea Dogs is a captivating read that seamlessly blends history, action, and emotion. With its well-developed characters, immersive setting, and pulse-pounding plot, this novel is sure to appeal to fans of espionage thrillers and coming-of-age tales alike.
Author:Maria Liviero Release Date: March 19, 2023 Series: Genre: Spirituality-Religion, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 244 pages Publisher: Blurb: This book explores our sense of self and the source of the unhealthy behaviours and thinking patterns that cause us to make bad choices through the symbolic themes and characters of Genesis 1–3. The journey towards understanding ourselves is undertaken by a character called Eve, who enters a parallel universe between Genesis and the present day only to discover the dark side of human nature that stems from God, and where she learns how to deal with the resulting false self. This is a self-help book for anyone interested in investigating the depths of the human self and exploring how a false self can manifest itself causing us to make unhealthy choices. It will take you on a journey where you will encounter both the good and evil that exists within all of us, a journey first introduced in the creation story of Genesis.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
In “Why We Make Bad Choices,” Maria Liviero delves deep into the labyrinth of the human psyche, exploring the intricate relationship between our sense of self and our propensity for unhealthy choices. This thought-provoking journey, inspired by the symbolic themes of Genesis 1–3, offers a unique and profound perspective on understanding and confronting our inner selves.
The narrative is skillfully woven around a character named Eve, who embarks on a journey through a parallel universe that bridges the biblical past with the modern day. Liviero’s use of Eve as a conduit to explore the darker aspects of human nature is both innovative and insightful. As Eve encounters various facets of the human condition, the reader is invited to reflect on the duality of good and evil within themselves. This exploration is not only enlightening but also deeply relatable, making the book a compelling read for anyone on a quest for self-understanding.
One of the most striking aspects of Liviero’s work is her ability to seamlessly blend complex theological concepts with practical self-help guidance. The book doesn’t shy away from challenging the reader to confront their ‘false self’ – the source of many unhealthy decisions. The journey is an intricate blend of self-discovery and introspection, providing readers with valuable insights into how they can identify and alter destructive thinking patterns.
Liviero’s writing style is engaging, making complex concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Her approach to the creation story of Genesis as a metaphor for the human experience of grappling with good and evil is both innovative and enlightening.
In conclusion, “Why We Make Bad Choices” is a powerful and insightful read. It offers a unique lens through which to view the age-old struggle between good and evil within ourselves and equips the reader with the tools to navigate this terrain. Liviero’s book is an essential read for anyone interested in personal growth and understanding the deeper motivations behind their choices.
Author: Neal Cassidy Release Date: 25th July 2019 Genre: New Adult Fiction Series: Format: E-book Pages: 294 Publisher: M&S Publishing Blurb: In the last days before the real world, six college friends prepare to take a bow in epic fashion.
After Sunday there’s just Harry, the future business owner; Justin, the medical intern; Trent, the hapless wanderer; and Clarence, soon to don the badge and blues. But now they have years of memories to honor, all packed into one weekend. Will they grow into their new adult roles? Will they go out in style with the girls? Will the four of them even survive the sheer level of debauchery?
Living in an apartment paid for by the Grandma, an ex-hooker turned millionaire, Courtney and Ling-Ling couldn’t be more opposite, yet are completely inseparable. Courtney and Harry have been hooking up for years, neither able to commit, but their imminent separation is about to test that arrangement, and Ling-Ling’s never-ending reciprocated crush on Justin just might become more than that.
Their lives intersect with that of Professor Goodkat, their idolized instructor who never quite “left” college himself. In Goodkat, we find the consequence of getting to live out a hedonist fantasy, and the possibility for change in anyone.
Hilarious, raunchy and uninhibited, “The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale,” captures contemporary society while chronicling the dreams, regrets, perspectives, and future after youth in an unbroken sequence of shockingly touching exploits. No longer armed with the excuse of college stupidity, these friends will go on a journey with higher stakes than a night out has ever had. Because there are things about themselves that blacking out can’t erase.
REVIEW
★★+1/2
The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale by Neal Cassidy is a very unique novel with an abstract theme and seemingly vague plotline. I think I might have liked it better if the book had been a bit shorter as the abstractness of the book started to feel somewhat overwhelming after a certain point and I think that it could have been easily avoided by reducing the length of the book. Nonetheless, it’s not that I regret reading the book; it was a new kind of coming-of-age story which, I’m certain, would be more appreciated by the younger crowd. The one thing that I really liked about the entire book as the writing. The author showed some exceptional writing skills and had the plot been more refined, the book might have made it in the 3-star category.
If you’re looking for a. very unique experience and don’t mind reading an abstract story without stern plotting then you might actually like this book.
You can also read this review on Goodreads and Amazon
Reading is loved by many but practised only by a few. Ever wonder why?
More often than not daily life, responsibilities and “important” things come in between you and your love for the written (or the printed) word. Oft times we get too involved or busy in other things that we have no time for something as “time-consuming” or as “frivolous” as reading. Right? WRONG. All these are nothing more than excuses that we tell ourselves because if you really want to read, you will read – simple as that.
If you love books then they should be important enough for you to make some space for in your everyday life. Reading is my first love and I manage to read anywhere from 2 to 10 books a month. I am a novelist, editor and critic by profession, so sometimes work comes in the way (like it always does), but so far, in the last 7 years, I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t reading anything.
This article is for those book lovers who haven’t been able to cultivate a reading habit for some reason and need a direction to follow or have, for whatever reason, fallen out of the reading habit and looking for a way back in. This article is also for those parents who want to incorporate the habit of reading in their child’s routine.
How To Develop A Reading Habit
1) Sketch out a TBR list
Cultivating a reading habit, or any habit for that matter takes a bit of planning. TBR list is short for a To-Be-Read list – a list of books you want to read. Preparing a list of books ahead would not only help you in knowing what exactly to get but will also set the mood for a great start. Search the internet for top ten new releases, go through the first 10-12 lists you find and note down the books that are common in all or most of the lists. Then go through the blurbs of these books (the summaries at the back cover) and check out some reviews. You’ll know which ones you want to read.
Another thing you can do is rake the corners of your mind and try to remember what books (classics or otherwise) you’ve always wanted to read? Throw some of these names in your new TBR too. This way your TBR-list would have a mix of new and old books which will make the experience more exciting!
2) Get the books on your TBR pile
Check the pricing of the books online, if you like what you see then buy the books in your preferred format. If you don’t like what you see, then check your local bookstore or get the book from a library. If the prices of paperbacks or hardbacks are too much, then try going for e-books; they are generally cheaper and can be read on any device including the most basic smartphones. Lastly, try and get at least 1 audiobook. You can get the audio versions for free for almost all the classics, so you can try those instead of buying new ones.
Living in this amazing digital age provides so many options when it comes to book formats, so go crazy and try them all! You might love the snazzy new Electronic or Audiobook versions that you might have been sceptical about.
My latest books (January 2018)
3) Create goals
Now that you have the books, chalk out your goals because without goals you won’t get far. Set a monthly goal and a yearly goal (once you get into the habit of reading, you can set weekly goals too!) For monthly goals, set the number of books you want to complete in a month. To be on a safe side, start with one. Then gradually go up from there.
If you want to stick to one book a month only, then your yearly goal would be 12 books in a year, but that’s rarely the case because you’ll find books you simply can’t read fast enough and will end up finishing them earlier. Also, with each passing month, your speed will increase and so will your capacity, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be reading more than 12 books. I’d suggest setting 15 books a year at the least if you are serious about developing and sustaining a reading habit. Bookworms read 100, 200 and some even 500 books a year, so don’t underestimate yourself.
Read wherever you can!
4) Create a routine
If you want to really get into the habit of reading, set aside anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour daily as reading time. It can be while you have you are morning coffee or breakfast, or in the afternoon just before your power nap or with evening tea or, my favourite, just before sleeping in the night (bed-time reading.) Do note that this is the time you will be consciously putting into reading – you will deliberately sit in a comfortable chair or sofa or bed in the cosiest place in the house and put an effort and read the book you’ve picked up. Your reading time should not be affected by other times you might decide to read the book during the day.
A beautifully illustrated book of less than a 100 pages
5) Utilize weekends or holidays
Read twice (or thrice) the number of pages or chapters you generally read on the weekends. If you have a book that is not too long (under 150 pages) then try and finish it over the weekend. It’ll be a great boost to your confidence in your reading abilities.
Same way, try and use at least 2-3 days when you get some time off of work or household activities.
6) Always carry a book
No matter if you’re going to work or just taking a walk to the local park, or going to school or college, always (and I mean always!) carry a book. You should always have a book at hand in case if you have to wait for someone or if you get some free time on your commute from one place to another or maybe if the queue you’re waiting in, takes a really long time to move? These and many more opportunities always knock on your doors when you have a book to indulge in at hand. It can be the book you’re already reading or some other book entirely.
Always carry a book with you
7) Check off the books and add new ones
A couple of books I got while visiting a bookstore
Check off the books you’ve finished. Strike them through and I bet you’ll feel ecstatic doing it. Don’t forget to add new books that you find along the way or that someone recommends you, but keep in mind not to add 10 new books for every 1 book you read. It’ll be an overkill. Cut off 1 and add another. Stick to this as much as you can. But again, don’t limit yourself entirely.
Once in a while, ditch your TBR and pick up a random some good book that you come across or maybe a book whose adaptation is going to be released int he coming weeks. Or maybe ask a friend for some recommendation or their favourite book in general and give it a go – there are so many possibilities!
8) Explore
Something different from what I usually read
Now that you have developed or at least started with a reading habit, try to go for different genres. Explore new genres and revisit the old ones from your past. It’ll add another layer of self-indulgence to your reading experience.
Also, try and connect with other readers amongst your friends or join online or local book clubs to be in the know-how of new releases and to discuss books you’re reading or want to read. I myself run an online book club on Goodreads, RMFAO, and it has helped me tremendously in reading more and better books. I am also a member of a couple of Facebook reading pages and they all are amazing and the interacting makes reading more fun as we share our progress, book hauls and random reading related thoughts there with other like-minded people.
In a couple of months, before you even know it, you’d be reading more than you ever imagined you would and that too without even trying too hard.
Reading is a beautiful adventure and it should be enjoyed thoroughly in order to fully experience it.
Want to read more classics? Re-read an old favourite? A book you missed by a favourite author? Or just browse and discover a forgotten author? This year we are moving the general guideline up to pre-1950, but there are quite a few later books (mainly from the 1960s) that are also acceptable.
A wonderful bonus advantage for this Challenge is that it is easy on the budget since so many are available free in numerous formats (including audio!) from such sites as Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks and LibriVox. You do not need to choose your books ahead of time, you’ve got all year. Late-comers are welcome.
Please note that Classics Catchup was created and is run by RMFAO’s first moderator, Dagny. You can find here on Goodreads here or at her amazingly bookish blog, Vauquer Boarding House
We have different yearly levels for which you can go for. These are listed below.
Levels:
Level 1: Casual Reader: 2 books
Level 2: Frequent Reader: 3 – 5 books
Level 3: Bookworm: 6 – 8 books
Level 4: Scholar: 9 – 11 books
Level 5: Professor: 12 or more books
Who’s joining? All you have to do is post here saying you plan to participate. You can choose the Level you hope to achieve now, or wait and see how it goes. Don’t know what to read and need suggestions? Just ask!
If you’re as crazy about reading and books as we are then go wild combining all or any challenges to spice up your reading lists!
One of the coolest things about this challenge is that the mods are so awesome that they even tell you the sources and links to obtain free books available online legally. What else can a bookworm ask for!?
In order to participate, simply announce your participation on the main board of RMFAO 2018 Genre Challenge. Or if you have a blog just do a simple post announcing your participation and sharing details of the challenge (you can freely copy and paste from here with a due credit or reblog this post.) Don’t forget to leave a link back here.
We are here with the 4th instalment of the most amazing reading challenge on this planet *drumroll* – RMFAO 2018 Genre Challenge.
For those who are new to this challenge, for Genre Challenge, we read one genre (sometimes even two when we have the alternate-genre month) every month. We post the genre list in advance (for this year’s genre list see below) so that we can plan our reads in advance. The focus of this challenge is not only to read more books in the genre you love but also to give you a chance to explore new, unfamiliar or lesser known genres. Not to mention the joy of reading with other book lovers and exploring new titles that they love and adore.
We don’t want to burden or restrict the participants by specifying sub-genres because that creates a set of problems that comes in between the actual reading. You can pick the sub-genres as per your convenience.
Another perk of this challenge is that don’t have to buy new books to participate in this challenge; all you have to do is go through your own books and organise your TBR-list as per the genres for this challenge. Simple!
One of the coolest things about this challenge is that the mods are so awesome that they even tell you the sources and links to obtain free books available online legally. What else can a bookworm ask for!?
In order to participate, simply announce your participation on the main board of RMFAO 2018 Genre Challenge. Or if you have a blog just do a simple post announcing your participation and sharing details of the challenge (you can freely copy and paste from here with a due credit or reblog this post.) Don’t forget to leave a link back here.
‣ January – Science-Fiction
‣ February – Mystery-Thriller
‣ March* – Women’s Fiction or Westerns
‣ April* – YA or Graphic Novels
‣ May – Classics/Literary
‣ June – Non-Fiction
‣ July – Dystopian/Apocalyptic
‣ August – Contemporary Fiction
‣ September – Humour
‣ October – Horror
‣ November* – Historical or Steampunk
‣ December – Adventure/Fantasy
*Alternate-Genre Month - For these months, we have 2 genre options. You can pick and do either of the two or both!
Monthly Levels:
Level 1: Casual Reader: 1 book (easy)
Level 2: Frequent Reader: 2 books (moderate)
Level 3: Bookworm: 3 books (mildly strenuous)
Level 4: Bibliophile: 4 books (strenuous)
Level 5: Bookiopath: 5 books or more (challenging)
You can announce the level you’d be going for each month on the respective discussion threads.
Also, don’t forget to mention what type of books you’d be reading:
HB: Hardbacks
PB: Paperbacks
EB: E-Books
AB: Audio Books
PLEASE READ (especially for new members):
You can read any number of books for the respective genre each month in one particular month.
Take your time and go through your entire TBR-list before deciding the books to read.
You can join the challenge at any stage (in any month.)
You can drop out of the challenge any time you like.
You can select different levels every month.
Use this discussion board to share your reads with other members of the group.
Please be active and don’t hesitate to ask questions or recommend books.
We encourage social shares, so if you’d be sharing or mentioning this challenge on your social media, don’t forget to tag – #RMFAO and @thereadingbud
Hello dear readers,
I’m very excited to announce that I’ve created a reading-challenge: 2015 RMFAO Genre Challenge.
Every year we all think of reading atleast one book from all the genres but as the year progresses everything changes. This challenge will help you make sure that you read all the major genres in 2015.
Author: 
Cultivating a reading habit, or any habit for that matter takes a bit of planning. TBR list is short for a To-Be-Read list – a list of books you want to read. Preparing a list of books ahead would not only help you in knowing what exactly to get but will also set the mood for a great start. Search the internet for top ten new releases, go through the first 10-12 lists you find and note down the books that are common in all or most of the lists. Then go through the blurbs of these books (the summaries at the back cover) and check out some reviews. You’ll know which ones you want to read.
For those who are new to this challenge, for Genre Challenge, we read one genre (sometimes even two when we have the alternate-genre month) every month. We post the genre list in advance (for this year’s genre list see below) so that we can plan our reads in advance. The focus of this challenge is not only to read more books in the genre you love but also to give you a chance to explore new, unfamiliar or lesser known genres. Not to mention the joy of reading with other book lovers and exploring new titles that they love and adore.
The Reading Bud 