2017: A Literary Challenge

As 2017 begins, I’d like to challenge everyone to make this the year that you explore literature in all of its forms! I’ve put together a set of challenges for several types of literature—books, films, TV shows, podcasts, and video games. I hope you’ll all accept this challenge and take it as an opportunity to grow and learn about yourselves and literature!

Books

1. Set a goal of a specific number of books to read by the end of the year! (The Goodreads Reading Challenge is a good way to track this.)
2. A book you’ve had for a while but haven’t read
3. A favorite book you’ve read a million times
4. A book you’ve heard a lot about but haven’t read
5. A book in a genre you don’t typically read
6. A book by a person of color
7. A book by a person in the LGBT+ community
8. A book by an author from your city or state
9. A children’s book
10. An award-winning novel
11. A best-seller
12. A book with a yellow cover
13. A self-help book
14. An autobiography
15. A non-fiction book
16. A book recommended by a librarian or bookstore clerk
17. The favorite book of a friend or family member
18. A book that was written before you were born
19. A book that was written the year you were born

Films

1. Set a goal of a specific number of films to watch or new genres to try out before the end of the year!
2. A film that was adapted from a book you’ve read
3. A film that was adapted from a book you haven’t read
4. A film in a genre you don’t usually watch
5. An LGBT+ film
6. An award-winning film
7. An indie film
8. A family-friendly/animated film
9. A favorite film
10. A film you’ve heard a lot about but haven’t watched
11. A film that was made before you were born
12. A film that was made the year you were born
13. A film set or produced in your city or state
14. The favorite film of a friend or family member

TV Shows

1. A TV show based on a film or book
2. A TV show set in or produced in your city or state
3. A new TV show
4. An old TV show
5. A streaming-exclusive TV show
6. A cable-exclusive TV show
7. A documentary series
8. A cooking show
9. A show you’ve never watched
10. A show you’ve watched a lot

Podcasts: The challenge for this one is simply to explore the world of podcasts! I don’t necessarily have a list of challenges for podcasts, but I do have a few that I’d like to recommend.

1. Welcome to Night Vale
2. The Hilarious World of Depression
3. TED Radio Hour and TEDTalks
4. Stuff You Should Know
5. Stuff You Missed in History Class
6. Hidden Brain and Invisibilia on NPR
7. Good Life Project
8. Lore
9. The Nerdist
10. Terrible, Thanks For Asking
11. The Dark Tome
12. Imaginary Worlds

Video Games

1. Set a goal to play a specific number of or different genres of games!
2. A retro game
3. A new game
4. An indie game
5. A casual game
6. A PC game
7. A game on a platform you don’t usually play
8. A story-rich game
9. A co-op/multiplayer game to play with friends or family
10. A game you’ve heard a lot about but haven’t played
11. A game based on a movie, TV show, or book
12. A game recommended by a YouTuber or video game store clerk
13. The favorite game of a friend or family member
14. A game you played a lot as a child (or the favorite game of your child or a child in your family)
15. A game known for its soundtrack

Let me know which challenges you’ll be taking part in, and feel free to add to this list or share your own challenge! I look forward to hearing about your progress! Happy adventuring!