6 book reading challenge

Cover photo by Kadarius Seegars on Unsplash

This is a six book reading challenge that uses simple prompts to help build a flexible to-be-read (tbr) pile. It’s especially good if you’re trying to get (back) into reading by aiming for one book every two months. I’ve added recommendations based on books I’ve read (the great and the meh). Many of the titles could fit multiple prompts including those in other challenges, but I tried to avoid repeats to give you more range and options. This list is just a guide. Feel free to swap in your own choices, and read in whatever way makes sense works for you.

If you are looking for longer annual prompts check out my 12 book challenge and by 24 book challenge.

1. A book you own.

If you don’t own a book, go to a book seller and buy one. If you live in Malawi, here are two WhatsApp groups to join:

• Vic Books
• Readers’ Haven

2. A book with less than 200 pages

• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Othello by Julius Lester

If you’re looking for something a little more challenging:

• Beloved by Toni Morrison – (I adore this book)

3. A memoir

• Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso
• Ugly by Constance Briscoe
• Ake: Years of Childhood by Wole Soyinka – (I did not finish this but I truly want to return to it one day.)

4. A short story collection

• Difficult women by Roxanne Gay
• Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Machado
• A Broken People’s Playlist by Chimeka Garris

5. A book about books

• The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennet – (Disclaimer, I gave this like two stars)
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

6. A Poetry Collection

• Fruition by Monica Machado
• Helium by Rudy Francisco
• Questions for Ada by Ijeoma Umebinyuo