Rated YA-MA discussion

Quarter 1 2019: Start Something New (January - March)
Explanation:
Keeping with YA-MA tradition, this challenge asks you to try new books. January remains the traditional time for new beginnings. As always, the challenge is intended to be FUN and not stressful, so choose wisely and happy reading!


Categories:
1. Start a New Series.
Read the first book of a series you’ve never read before.

2. Take a chance on a New Author.
Choose an author that is new to you, an author you’ve never read before.

3. Sample a New Genre.
Read a book that is in a genre or sub-genre you’ve never read before or that is outside your comfort zone.

4. Enjoy a New Release.
Read a book released in the past 6 months (July 2018 - March 2019).

5. Consume a Newly Owned book.
This is your chance to get credit for reading books gifted to you. (“Gifts” you bought yourself definitely count.) Any book you’ve been gifted in the past 6 months will fit this challenge (July 2018 - March 2019).

6. Read a New Take on an old classic.
Harken back to last year’s Everything-Old-Is-New-Again challenge. It was so fun; we should do it again. Read a book that would be considered a re-telling.


Standard Rules:
♦ Audio Books: 1.5+ hours
♦ Paper Books: 150+ pages
♦ Ebooks (without a page number equivalent): 37,500 words
♦ 5 out of 6 of your books for this challenge must be YA


Bonus Challenges:
♦ Diversified Portfolio:
Read 1 book from each category.

♦ Stalwart Bibliophile:
Read all 6 books from the SAME category.

♦ Dauntless Bookworm:
Complete TWO (or more) rounds of this challenge. Round(s) 2+ have no MA/ MG limit.


Tracking Progress:
I'll be keeping track of participant’s progress (as much as possible) in post #2. Participants will be listed alphabetically by their name and the number of their original post in the challenge.

Posting Suggestions:
1. When posting your progress, use the number attached to your original post as well. (This is useful to save from mixing up folks with similar names).

2. When posting, let us know what category/categories your book falls in.

3. It is also nice, but not necessary, to tell us what you thought of the book just in case it grabs the interest of another member.

Tracking Progress
♦ Anna (post #12)

♦ Ashley *Hufflepuffkitten (post #11) 2 / 6
new series, new author

♦ Diane (post #6) 1 / 6
new author, new series

♦ Heather (post #42)

♦ Jennifer (post#13) 6 / 6
6/6 round 1: new series, new author, new genre, new release, new take, newly owned
6/6 round 2: all new series

♦ Kbrand (post #10) 6 / 6
new author, new series, new take, new release, newly owned, new genre

♦ Laurel [suspected bibliophile] (post #7)
6/6 round 1: new release, new series, new author, newly owned, new genre, new take
6 /6 round 2: all new releases

♦ Melanie (post #3)
6/6 round 1: new release, new series, new author, newly owned, new genre, new take
3 /6 round 2: new genre, new release, new series

♦ Sara (post #14)

* * * * *
Completed Challenges:
♦Jennifer X2
♦Laurel X2
♦Melanie
♦ Kbrand

Bonus Challenges:
Diversified Portfolio: Read 1 book from each category.
♦Jennifer
♦Laurel
♦Melanie
♦ Kbrand

Stalwart Bibliophile: Read all 6 books from the SAME category.
♦Laurel
♦Jennifer

Dauntless Bookworm: Complete TWO (or more) rounds of this challenge. Round(s) 2+ have no MA/ MG limit.
♦Laurel
♦Jennifer

I tried to design the challenge to follow YA-MA tradition, but also be a little different; so that, we don't all get bored by doing "the same old thing".

Challenge Completed!
[1-YA] (new author) Dear Martin
[2-MA] (new release) How Long 'til Black Future Month?
[3-YA] (new take) The Lightning Thief
[4-YA] (new series) Wolf by Wolf
[5-YA] (new genre) A Hobbit Devotional: Bilbo Baggins and the Bible
[6-YA] (newly owned) A Question of Holmes

ROUND 2
[1-YA] (new genre) The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom
[2-YA] (new series) The Maze Runner
[3-MA] (new release) Reset


Newly Owned - book gifts from Christmas:

(I still have $10 Amazon card to spend too.)

New Release:


New Series:


New Series & New Author:



New Author:


New Genre:


New Take:

YA-MA Reminders:
If you’re new to YA-MA, introduce yourself here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Don’t forget to post all of your books in this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

...And share awesome book deals you stumble across here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

...Or check out old group reads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Melanie wrote: "YA-MA Reminders:
If you’re new to YA-MA, introduce yourself here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Don’t forget to post all of your books in this thread: https://www..."

Regarding the old group reads- if anyone would like to start a new group read that would be nice. Maybe if we do a new release group read we could all do the group read and discussion and use it for this challenge.

I'm in for this Quarter 1 challenge!

Finished 1/7/2019 New Author to me - First book in the series.

The pool:



Round 1, The Diversified Portfolio
1. New Release The Girl King
2. New Series The Gilded Wolves
3. New Author An Unkindness of Ghosts (adult)
4. Newly Owned The Weight of Our Sky
5. New Genre Truly Devious
6. New Take Sherwood

Round 1 Books:


Round 2, The Stalwart Bibliophile (New Releases)
1. Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster
2. For a Muse of Fire
3. The Last 8
4. The Everlasting Rose
5. Squad
6. The Bird King

Round 2 Books

Diane wrote: "Maybe if we do a new release group read we could all do the group read and discussion and use it for this challenge."

That is a great idea! Can I suggest On the Come Up even though it doesn't come out until February?

Melanie wrote: "Diane wrote: "Maybe if we do a new release group read we could all do the group read and discussion and use it for this challenge."

That is a great idea! Can I suggest [book:On the Come Up|3506861..."

I second this! I want to read it so badly :)

Looking forward to the challenge! Count me in!

Progress: 6/6
New Author-
New Series-
New Take-
New Release-
Newly Owned-
New Genre-

Gonna try it! It may be difficult for me to stick to YA but I'll do my best! Listing ideas to start, will narrow it down as I go.

1. Start a New Series.
- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
19 Feb 2019

2. Take a chance on a New Author.
- The Black Tides of Heaven
5 Jan 2019

3. Sample a New Genre.


4. Enjoy a New Release.


5. Consume a Newly Owned book.
- Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons
- And I Darken

6. Read a New Take on an old classic.
- Briar Rose

I haven't done a challenge of any kind in so long, figure I'll give it a shot! COMPLETED: 3/6

Possibles:

1. Start A New Series


2. Take a chance on a New Author
(Completed 03/12/19)


3. Sample a new genre
(Completed 02/22/19)


4. Enjoy a New Release


5. Consume a newly owned book


6. Read a new take on an old classic
(Complete 01/14/19)

I'm in!
1. Start a New Series.


2. Take a chance on a New Author.


3. Sample a New Genre.


4. Enjoy a New Release.


5. Consume a Newly Owned book.
This is your chance to get credit for reading books gifted to you.


6. Read a New Take on an old classic.


Diversified Portfolio Completed:


Stalwart Bibliophile Completed:

I’m in! I’m always looking for new series. Quick question, if we start a new series only the first book in that series would count right?

Sara that is correct. Welcome!

@Anna, I hope you find the challenge fun. I always enjoy them, even when I don’t quite finish.

@Ashley *Hufflepuffkitten, I had the problem of sticking with YA with the last two challenges, so that is why I made round 2 (if you get that far) not have the same YA limit.

I finished the first book 1/7/2019 New Author to me - First book in the series.

It was OK - Historical fiction set in Egypt with a strong YA feel (some feel more YA than others) I will probably read the next one but I am not in a hurry to do so. (which in all honesty means other books will probably keep me from getting to it before I forget about it)

Book 1 completed!

(new release)

I'm planning on doing two rounds—which should keep me motivated to finish all of these ARCs on time!

Post #7 updated

laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Book 1 completed!

(new release)

I'm planning on doing two rounds—which should keep me motivated to finish all of these ARCs on time!

Post #7 updated"

How was The Girl King?

Jennifer wrote: "laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Book 1 completed!"

I was disappointed in it, honestly. It had all the makings of something epic and fantastic and fresh, and then dissolved into a bunch of tropes and a lack of character development and some major plot holes in the world building.

Book #2 completed!

(New Series)

3 stars. While the world building was fantastic and the themes of colonialism, imperialism and stealing of culture was important, I felt that the cast (as wonderfully diverse as they were) was lackluster and boring. I got tired of exceptionally brilliant and clever people doing exceptionally brilliant and clever things very quickly.

Post #7 is updated.

Books 1 and 2

YA

3.5 stars (new author)
It was definitely good, but not as good as the Hate U Give.

MA

3.5 stars (new series)
I group of short stories by N.K. Jemisin. Some were great and some just okay, but it’s an eclectic collection for fans of scifi and fantasy readers.

Updated!

Diane postulated that we try a group read for this challenge. Who is interested? And what book would you be interested in?

I would be interested in a group read. Any book that isn't fantasy. I need to broaden my horizons, but I love fantasy so much!!!

Finished book 3!

(adult) (new author)

5/5 stars. This was a brutal look at neoslavery aboard a generation ship. It featured a Black, queer, intersex and autistic woman as its main character, along with a host of other diverse characters. It's afrofuturistic dystopia at its most intense.

Post #7 updated

Finished book #1 which is a New Series


I enjoyed this book immensely, and happily I received book 1 and 2 for Christmas, so I can just keep reading :)

*Updated post #13

Tallies updated.
Great start everyone!

laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Finished book 3!

(adult) (new author)

5/5 stars. This was a brutal look at neoslavery aboard a generation ship. It featured a Black, queer, intersex a..."


I bought this book on audio a while back, but I've been avoiding it because I'm afraid it'll be too dark. I know I'll love it, but I need to be in the right mood to make myself start it.

Melanie wrote: "laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Finished book 3."

It's dark but the audiobook is really, really well done. But yeah, definitely psych yourself up for it and get into the right mood/headspace.

I've been avoiding Kindred for the same reasons but if I can do Unkindness I think I can manage Kindred. Maybe. Possibly.

laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Melanie wrote: "laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Finished book 3."

It's dark but the audiobook is really, really well done. But yeah, definitely psych yourself up for it and get into the rig..."

You can do it. But maybe read something light and fluffy in between.

Melanie wrote: "laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Melanie wrote: "laurel [suspected bibliophile] wrote: "Finished book 3."

It's dark but the audiobook is really, really well done. But yeah, definitely psych ..."

Good plan.

Completed #2, Read a new author - I really enjoyed this book. I give it 4 stars. It was a really fun retelling of Guy Fawkes from his son's point of view with a fantastical side. And who doesn't love fantasy/historical fiction?? No one I want to know ;)

*Updated post #13

Tallies updated! We are only 1/3 of the way through the challenge, so keep reading!

Finished with book #3 - New genre. I rarely read realistic fiction and this is the first one I've read about the effects of 9/11 and it's aftermath on Muslims living in the U.S.A. I did not like it at first. It had a lot of swearing and I really, really dislike profanity. Also it was slow at first and the character was so angry at everyone (although understandable). But about halfway through you really got sucked in, you really started to learn about the character and where she stood and why she was so angry but also that she was letting her anger rule her. Also it's an important story because it shows how bigoted and mean people can be. Normal people. The last half was worth it.

*Updated post #3

Progress so far:

New author- a book about cousins who are kidnapped. Quick read, but not the best I've read on the topic.--4 stars


New series- Such a guilty pleasure kind of book--3 stars


New take- a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting concept, but lacking a bit in character development.--3 stars

Updated post #10

Tallies updates! Have a great week all.

Finished book 4!

(newly owned)

4/5 stars. It's a very well-written and incredibly graphic YA historical fiction about a girl with anxiety and OCD who gets separated from her mother during the 1969 Malaysian race riots. It's intense and doesn't let up, and I really enjoyed viewing the world from Melati's point of view. Trigger warnings for graphic violence, racism and mental health triggers.

Whew this challenge is harder than I thought it would be. So many things I've been reading lately have been middle grade or sequels.

Finished book #4 - - New Release

Updated post #13

Finished book 5 - - New take on an old classic/retelling. I enjoyed this book. I give it 3.5 stars

*Updated post #13

Finished #4-- a new release by Angie Thomas. Such a good book!

Updated post #10

Can I still join this challenge?

You can always join at any time :)

Yeppers. The challenge runs through the end of March. The group hosts 4 seasonal challenges each year.

[3-YA] 02/15 (new take) The Lightning Thief
This is a reread that falls into the new take category. I am teaching a 7th grade reading class for the first time this year, and this timeless gem is part of the curriculum. It was delightful to read it again and pretty much like everything Rick Riordan writes.


[4-YA] 02/15 (new series) Wolf by Wolf
I listened to this alternate history tale on audio. I think the audio made the story even better. It postulates that Hitler never died. Also Germany and Japan won the war. The MC is a jewess that survived scientific experiments in the concentration camps...the results of the experiments are that she can shape shift into any human. Now all grown up, she joins the resistance and agrees to take the form of a girl who has entered an Olympic style motorcycle race. The prize? A chance to dance with and kill Hitler. The premise sounds predictable, but the story was well created and quite enjoyable.

Melanie wrote: "[3-YA] 02/15 (new take) The Lightning Thief
This is a reread that falls into the new take category. I am teaching a 7th grade reading class for the first time this year, and this timel..."

Wolf by Wolf is a fantastic book! The sequel was excellent as well.

Finished the Diversified Portfolio challenge. Last book to complete it was - was gifted to me for Christmas from my father. I really enjoyed this book. It was like a western with Native American folklore such as skinwalkers in it.

Updated post #13

Finished book 5

(New Genre)

3.5 conflicted stars. It was good, but I wanted more to be resolved by the end and the romance felt very misplaced.

Full Review Here

Updated post #7

Congrats Jennifer! Are you going to attempt a round 2?

Yes, I think I'm going to try the Stalwart Bibliophile one now. I have a lot of books that are beginning of a series just sitting on my shelves. So many books!