Now that we’re officially halfway through 2020 (AKA the longest year in the history of humankind), we thought it was time to check in on the 2020 KWL Reading Challenge! So far, the KWL Team has achieved two lines and a “T” on the Reading Challenge Bingo card, making great headway toward the ultimate goal: a full card. How is your 2020 reading challenge going? If you need some inspiration for books to read for certain squares, we’ve listed some of the books we’ve read below. Make sure to post an updated bingo card and tag us on socials!
A Memoir By Someone You Know Nothing About
All We Knew But Couldn’t Say – Joanne Vannicola (Read by Rachel)
“This heart wrenching memoir is a testament to survival, love, and the belief that it is possible to love the broken, and to love fully, even with a broken heart.”
This is Going to Hurt – Adam Kay (Read by Joni)
“Scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights and missed weekends, comedian and former medical resident Adam Kay’s This Is Going to Hurt provides a no-holds-barred account of his time on the front lines of medicine.”
A Book Written By A Person of Colour
The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennet (Read by Joni)
“An engrossing page-turner about family and relationships that is immersive and provocative, compassionate and wise.”
Such a Fun Age – Kiley Reid (Read by Laura)
“Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.”
A Book That Takes Place in the 1920s
King of Crows – Libba Bray (Read by Rachel)
“The final book in this fantastic series about ghosts and paranormal powers in 1920’s New York.”
A Book By an Indie Author
Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny – Rebekah Weatherspoon (Read by Steph)
“All Dr. Sloan Copeland needed was someone to watch her kids. What she found was the man of her dreams…”
Bountiful – Sarina Bown (Read by Laura)
“It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on. Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life. Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave From Brooklyn will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.”
A Book by an LGBTQ+ Author
Vengeful – V.E. Schwab (Read by Steph)
“A tale of betrayal, self-hatred, survival, and super heroes (or super villains…)”
In at the Deep End – Kate Davies (Read by Rachel)
“A coming out and coming of age story that explores sexuality, polyamory, power imbalances, and swing dancing”
A Debut Novel
The Black Kids – Christina Hammonds Reed (Read by Joni)
“An unforgettable coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots”
My Dark Vanessa – Kate Elizabeth Russell (Read by Laura)
“Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.”
A Retelling of a Myth, Legend, or Fairy Tale
A Blade so Black – L.L. McKinney (Read by Rachel)
“Alice in Wonderland meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this incredible action-packed, romance-filled urban fantasy”
Bookish and the Beast – Ashley Poston (Read by Laura)
“A tale as old as time is made new in Ashley Poston’s fresh, geeky retelling of Beauty and the Beast.”
A 2019 Award Winner
The Testaments – Margaret Atwood (Read by Joni)
“In the gripping sequel to A Handmaid’s Tale, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.”
A Book That Intimidates You
Exposure – Robert Bilott (Read by Tara)
“An Erin Brokovich-like tale from a lawyer who spent 20 years taking on a giant company for knowingly contaminating water. David vs Goliath tale.”
Your Choice!
Night Boat to Tangier – Kevin Barry (Read by Tara)
“An Irish author I’ve been meaning to read forever. I finally dove in for his latest novel and it lived up to all expectations. Mysterious and interesting stories, intertwined with old Irish humour. Would recommend.”
A Book by a Journalist
Catch and Kill – Ronan Farrow (Read by Rachel)
“The harrowing retelling of Farrow’s investigation into the serial abusers in Hollywood and Washington, and the lengths these men will go to in an attempt to keep the truth covered up”
I Feel Bad About My Neck – Nora Ephron (Read by Joni)
” A candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life itself.”
A Book By a Trans or Nonbinary Author
The Subtweet – Vivek Shraya (Read by Marina)
“A stirring examination of making art in the modern era, a love letter to brown women, an authentic glimpse into the music industry, and a nuanced exploration of the promise and peril of being seen.”
A Book with a Five Word Title
To Be Taught, If Fortunate – Becky Chambers (Read by Rachel)
“Four astronauts set out to find a new, habitable planet in this stunning novella”
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed – Jon Ronson (Read by Joni)
“A captivating and brilliant exploration of one of our world’s most underappreciated forces: shame.”
A Book About a Road Trip
South Away – Meaghan Marie Hackinen (Read by Tara)
“Amazing story of a huge bike ride from Canada to Mexico, done with very little and for very little money. Will make you want to jump on a bike and just start cycling.”
A Book By a Disabled Author
Take a Hint, Dani Brown – Talia Hibbert (Read by Steph)
“Talia Hibbert returns with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him “rescuing” her from their office building goes viral…”
A Book About Social Media
Followers – Megan Angelo (Read by Joni)
“An electrifying story of two ambitious friends and the dark choices they make to become internet famous.”
Tweet Cute – Emma Lord (Read by Laura)
“A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.”
