Since I found out about them, I’ve been so excited about the wonderful world of reading challenges. I don’t want to overburden myself with too many and turn reading into a chore, but I definitely want to do a few. I’ve decided I’m going to be participating in the 2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge. I’m excited about this because it’ll encourage me to step a little outside of my comfort zone and read some different things I might not normally choose in order to meet the theme each month. I’ve already been planning in my head what books I’m going to read for some of these. Challenge details follow.

Welcome to the 2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge! This challenge runs from JANUARY 1, 2019 – DECEMBER 31, 2019 ~ For this challenge, each month of the year is assigned a motif or theme. Your task is to read one book per month that fits in with the assigned motifs…

2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

JANUARY – New to You Author

Read a book by an author whose writing you’ve never read before.

FEBRUARY – Cover Love

Yes. We’re giving you permission to judge a book by its cover and read a book with a cover that really caught your eye.

MARCH – Royalty, Kingdoms, Empires, Governments

Read a book in which the character is involved in a ruling or governing body in some way.

APRIL – Crack the Case

Read a mystery, detective story, true crime, cozy mystery, or book involving a puzzle to solve.

MAY – One Sitting Reads

Read something that is short enough you could get through it in one sitting- try a graphic novel, comic book, short story, essay, or short collection of poetry.

JUNE – Diversify Your Reading

Read a book with a character (or written by an author) of a race, religion, or sexual orientation other than your own or read about a culture you want to learn more about.

JULY – Through The Years

Read a book involving time travel, a book with a ‘time’ setting such as The Great Gatsby (20s), read a historical fiction/nonfiction, or choose a book published in your birth year.

AUGUST – Mode of Transportation

Read a book where the mode of transportation plays a role in the story (ex. Murder on the Orient Express or The Boys in the Boat)

SEPTEMBER – Animal, Number, Color, Name

One of those things needs to be in the title of the book you choose (ex. Water for Elephants, Red Queen, Fahrenheit 451, Rebecca, Harry Potter)

OCTOBER – Tricks and Trades

Read a book set in a theater, an amusement park, a circus, or a book involving magic, illusions, or characters with special powers.

NOVEMBER – Seasons, Elements, and Weather

Embrace a winter wonderland setting, pick a beach read, or read about a natural disaster. As long as a season, element, or the weather plays a key role in the story or is part of the title, it counts. (ex. Little Fires Everywhere, The Snow Child, On The Island)

DECEMBER – Last Chance

Finally read that one book that you’ve been meaning to get to all year long.