Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Post your suggestions for future Reading Challenge categories here! In the past Popsugar has used suggestions from this group, so this thread is open for when that spark of inspiration hits you! This is an ongoing list of suggestions, not exclusive to next year. Add suggestions for categories at any time.

A book by a trans or non-binary author from a country where you haven't lived before.

I'd just like to ask that any prompts with a very limited pool of titles that fit be kept to the advanced prompts. I get that things like 1 million+ ratings and 2019 movie might seem like fun/easy prompts but not so much if you've read all the ones that you want to already because they've been around a long time. :D

- A book written by a scholar
- A book about something you want to learn

I don't know whether any of those overlap with past challenges, but at least they are what I'm interested in :)

"A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

This could include sci fi/fantasy novels or books related to places like Prussian, Zaire, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Ceylon, Zanzibar etc.

A book that has a book on the cover

A book from the year that you were born
A book from the country/state that you were born in
A book about books
An anthology

A book with a kitchen object on title or cover;
A book about travels, voyages, discoveries;
A book with an insect on title or cover;
A book about construction;
A book that take place at a hospital.

A book with a title starting with Q, J, X or Z

A book that features ice or snow

A book set in a part of the planet you've never been to (last year there was some talk of whether 'country you've never been to' was too restrictive for people who travel a lot, and this would open it up to places like under the sea, polar ice caps, or very specific regions)

A book set in a place you'd like to visit

A book featuring royalty

An obscure book by a famous author

A book about someone with an illness or other health condition

A classic and a modern bestseller from your favorite genre (I suggested this one for this year's prompts and I still really like the idea)

A book about a hobby or profession that scares you

A book about someone with amnesia or other memory problems

A book about personalities

A book with a jewel on the cover or in the title

A book featuring a historical figure you dislike

An autobiography (fiction or nonfiction)

A book about a revolution

I keep a running idea list all year! Here is what I have so far - I try to make them as age and nationality inclusive as possible:

Features a family tree
Travel essay or travel memoir
A western
Geometric shape in title
Has a map
About survival
Plot involves or revolves around finanace
Set during a revolution or civil war
Coming of age
Childhood classic, best seller, or Newberry Award winner or nominee after you turned 16 yo.
Word 'book' in title
Author from Golden Age of detective fiction
Mystery written originally in a different language from your native language
Book by an auther you first read for PS challenge
Whodunit
About forgery or counterfeiting or includes a forgey or counterfeiting in plot
Book set in federal or national government
Reread a book read at too young an age
Read another book by an author whose first book you read you did not like
Adventure story
Locked room or isolated manor genre
Collection of essays
Book set in desert or jungle/rainforest
Set in ancient civilization
Contains a trial
Set during Napoleonic Era
About or involving art
Set on a farm
Cover has a house on it
Story includes moving from country/small town to city or from city to country/small town
A flower in title or on cover
Set in a castle

A book with a 3 word title. We've already done 1 and 2, so it just seems logical.

A book with a rhyming title.

A book with a shape in the title.

A book that takes place over a year

A biography of somebody you've never heard of, or at least don't know much about.

A book that includes a map.

Two books written by different authors who have the same surname.

A book with north, south, east or west in the title.

A book published by a small or indie press.

How about the graphic novel of a favourite book or series
A book of poetry
Author is of a different generation than you
Connects to a TV series from 2020
a novella and or collection of short stories
a book with less than 100 ratings
a book by your favourite author

A book you find in a "Little Free Library".
I looked at their website and found they have the Little Free Libraries mapped.
I actually found some in my little home town and visited 3 this morning. I left a book and took a book. Fun.

Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

This could include sci fi/fantasy novels or books related to places like Prussian, Zaire, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Ceylon, Z..."

Zanzibar exists!

Seconding all of these suggestions:

A book set in a place that doesn't exist
A book with a map
A book with a weapon on the cover
A book set during a revolution or civil war
A collection of short stories

Great suggestions.

The Little Free Library one would have to have a broader definition, since not all countries/ places have that concept.

A book whose title is a wordplay on another book title.
As an example I just came across Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas :) (this series also have Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties and Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild)

A book about a natural or man-made disaster.
A book with animals on the cover.
A book about a hobby/vocation that you've never tried.
A book recommended to you by someone at least 10 years younger and/or older than you.
A book with twins as characters.
A book that takes place in the Caribbean.
A book with a book on the cover.

Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists or existed. I think she meant that it would incude sci-fi/fantasy places that don't actually exist, but are based on those places. At least I hope that's what she meatn.

I'm really liking some of these suggestions, so I'll boost them by seconding these prompts:

-trans/non-binary author
-about something you want to learn
-water body on the cover
-published in June
-seven deadly sins
-book on the cover
-about travels, voyages, discoveries
-features ice/snow
-part of the planet you've never been to
-historical figure you dislike
-about a revolution
-travel essay/memoir
-has a map
-about survival
-set on a farm
-cover has a house
-cover/title has a flower
-north, south, east, or west in the title
-published by small or indie press

Katy wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists or existed. I think she meant that it would..."

Sorry for the confusion! I meant fantasy novels or other books about places that no longer exist as they once did (they have new names now, the borders have changes, etc.).

Zanzibar is a tricky one... I wanted to learn more about its history after seeing the movie about Freddie Mercury and learning that his family was from there. I meant the original place before it merged with Tanzania.

This site explains some of the places I mentioned: https://www.thetravel.com/15-places-t...

Raquel wrote: "A book with a title starting with Q, J, X or Z

A book that features ice or snow

A book set in a part of the planet you've never been to (last year there was some talk of whether 'country you've n..."

I really love the suggestion of a classic and a modern bestseller from your favorite genre. This gives me soooo many ideas.

Lauren wrote: "Katy wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists or existed. I think she meant ..."

I understood what you meant in the first place. :-) I just read a book set in Czechoslovakia but shelved it as 'Czech Republic' because that's the current country of the area it's set in, so this idea makes a lot of sense to me.

I love the idea of a book that includes a map! So many options!

A book you think you’ll hate
A book chosen for you by someone else
Two books by the same author
A novel with a rhyming title
A novel with a repetitive title
A book about a book
A book with electronics on the cover
A book of poems

I loved this years prompt of a book with an astrological sign in the title. Using that same idea but with different themes. A book with a music term in the title. A book with a light term in the title, etc.

Johanne wrote: "Great suggestions.

The Little Free Library one would have to have a broader definition, since not all countries/ places have that concept.

A book whose title is a wordplay on another book title. ..."

I love this idea. There are so many options.

I like a lot of these suggestions! I second these prompts.

- a book with a map
- body of water on the cover/in the title
- about travel, voyage, or discovery
- classic and modern bestseller from your favorite genre
- small/indie press

I also second Ellie's comment. My favorite prompts are flexible with a lot of options. I don't like when a prompt has a really limited selection of books.

Here are my additions.

- a book about a friendship
- a book without a romance
- a book with a long title
- an alternate history novel
- the book on your TBR the longest
- a book with less than 1,000 ratings on Goodreads
- a Nebula award winner

Lauren wrote: "Katy wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists or existed. I think she meant ..."

Good explanation. Zanzibar is indeed a tricky one unlike say, Tanganyika or your other examples, because Zanzibar is still there where it always was, and is still referred to by that name. But I get what your saying in that it is no longer its own country.
It is by the way, a beautiful and interesting part of the world. One of my favorite places!

A few more suggestions:

A book with a robot/cyborg/AI main character
A book where the main character is under 10 years old
A book set underground or underwater
A tale of revenge

Heather wrote: "My favorite prompts are flexible with a lot of options. I don't like when a prompt has a really limited selection of books."

I agree! On this note, I really dislike the movie/TV related prompts (a book becoming a movie, a book that you see on TV or in a movie) because they're so restrictive. Also I rarely watch movies/TV so I just have to rely on others' lists which is not fun.

Drakeryn wrote: "A few more suggestions:

A book with a robot/cyborg/AI main character
A book where the main character is under 10 years old
A book set underground or underwater
A tale of revenge

Heather wrote: "M..."

I agree about TV/movie prompts, and yet, it does encourage to read outside my normal selections... I haven't had TV in 20 years. Don't miss it.

I agree! On this note, I really dislike the movie/TV related prompts (a book becoming a movie, a book that you see on TV or in a movie) because they're so restrictive. Also I rarely watch movies/TV so I just have to rely on others' lists which is not fun.


It's also become a bit repetitive over the years, if you've been doing the challenge for a while. It would be nice to retire this for a bit in favor of something fresh.

Raquel wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Katy wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists or existed. I t..."

And that country has actually changed its name once again. It is now Czechia I didn't even know until I was looking at Google Maps recently.

Jess wrote: "Raquel wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Katy wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lauren wrote: ""A book about (or that takes place in) a place that doesn't exist."

Zanzibar exists!..."

All the places she listed exists ..."

According to wikipedia Czech Repuplic is the formal name and Czechia is the short version of the name. Could be something more recent that hasn't been updated there yet though...

A Newbury or Caldecott Award winner
A book with a bird on the cover
A book with food on the cover
A poetry collection
A book with a title beginning with a determiner ("a/an," "the," "every," "this/that/those," or "many")
A book with a title beginning with a conjunction ("and," "because," "but," "if," "when," "for," or "of")
A movie novelization
A book with footnotes
A book (fiction or non-fiction) about your favorite animal
A travelogue
A book that's the only book written by its author

I want to try my ideas for ATY... so in the meantime I'll second these great ideas:

-body of water on the cover
-travel memoir
-with a map
-set on a farm
-published by a small or indie press
-book whose title is a wordplay on another book title
-about a natural or man-made disaster
-book on the cover
-a classic and a modern bestseller from your favorite genre
-a robot/cyborg/AI main character
-title beginning with a conjunction

The Little Free Library one would be a big no for me unless re-worded. I am the only person who ever puts out free books in my vicinity! Could be a book you got for free or a second-hand book to make it more open.

Ellie wrote: "The Little Free Library one would be a big no for me unless re-worded. I am the only person who ever puts out free books in my vicinity! Could be a book you got for free or a second-hand book to make it more open. "

I like the 'book you got for free' wording, because that would work for little free library, free kindle books, books from NetGalley or giveaways, and books passed on from friends. And in a pinch, most people could read something on Tor. com or count a book they got as a gift.

Raquel wrote: "I like the 'book you got for free' wording, because that would work for little free library, free kindle books, books from NetGalley or giveaways, and books passed on from friends. And in a pinch, most people could read something on Tor. com or count a book they got as a gift."

I like that idea too.

A book recommended by someone you look up to (parent, boss, spiritual guidance, etc.)
A book turned into a movie from your childhood or adolescence
A book with a beautiful cover (judging a book by its cover)

A book about the arts
A book about medicine
A book that makes you happy
A book related to a job you have had
A book with a despicable character
A book about an unlikely friendship
One book set in a cold climate and one book set in a warm climate

I also like the 'book you got for free' suggestion.

Milena wrote: "A book that makes you happy

One book set in a..."

I don't like categories where you have to read the book before you know if it fits the category.

I don't like categories where you have to read the book before you know if it fits the category."

Mm same
but can easily be changed with a
"book you think will make you happy" - this type of prompt I love, because it's nice to try and guess at your feelings before reading a book and seeing if you were right, or wrong, and why that might be.

Similarly:

A book you think will be a 5 star read
A book you think will be a 1 star read

Josie wrote: "I also like the 'book you got for free' suggestion."
I concur.

Caroline wrote: "
I don't like categories where you have to read the book before you know if it fits the category."

Mm same
but can easily be changed with a
"book you think will make you happy" - this type of pro..."

Personally I don't care for prompts to read books I don't/won't like. In the past I think we had re-read a book you hated, or something along those lines, and I just thought 'if I hated this book, why would I re-read it when there are so many others'. I like a book you think might get 5 stars but not the 1 star. Just my personal opinion.

Katy wrote: "I don't like categories where you have to read the book before you know if it fits the category."

This is fair, but "a book that makes you happy" is a really easy/convenient wildcard - if you loved a book, and it doesn't fit anywhere else, you can put it in that slot.


Taylor wrote: "Personally I don't care for prompts to read books I don't/won't like."

Yeah, I don't like those prompts either. I read for fun; I don't want to read things I don't want to read.

I think we previously had "read a book with bad reviews," which I DID like because you can read bad reviews and still think the book fits your own tastes.

Taylor wrote: Personally I don't care for prompts to read books I don't/won't like. In the past I think we had re-read a book you hated, or something along those lines, and I just thought 'if I hated this book, why would I re-read it when there are so many others'. I like a book you think might get 5 stars but not the 1 star. Just my personal opinion. -..."

I agree. It's one thing to read out of your comfort zone, and have categories that you really have to search for a book you like, but to specifically read a book that you did hate, or think you will hate, is crazy. Life's too short for that. That said, I couldnt' find a Cli-fi book I didn't think I would hate, but at least it wasn't worded that way up front.

my reading group came up with the following list of ideas:

* a book about a historical event (fiction or non-fiction)
* A book about Sherlock Holmes NOT written by A.C.Doyle
* a book about/involving religion/faith/spirituality
* A book borrowed from the local library
* A book borrowed thru ILL
* A book bought at a garage sale or second hand store or used book store
* a book by, about or read by a famous actor
* A book dealing with a religion other than your own
* A book from a "Take a Book, Leave a Book" shelf/ Little Free Library.
* A book from the BBC Big Read list (200 Novels)
* A book from the BBC's Top 100 Books You Need to Read Before You Die list
* A book from the PBS Great American Read list
* a book from your Goodreads or Amazon recommended list
* A book on audio file
* A book on CD
* A book or classic you read in school but don't remember well
* a book originally published in a language that is not yours
* A book picked solely because of the cover art
* a book published the year you were born
* A book recommendation from a perfect stranger
* a book recommended by a friend
* A Book that's 100 years old or more
* a book that's usually on a required reading list but you never read
* A book title that's a pun
* A Book Title that's a Shakespeare Quote
* a book with a bird on the cover
* A book with a character created by a different author
* a book with a city name in the title
* a book with a compass point in the title (NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, or WEST)
* a book with a date in the title
* a book with a dog on the cover
* a book with a musical instrument on the cover
* A Book with a Number in the Title
* A Book with a one word title
* a book with a paranormal or supernatural element
* A book with a title in the form "The X of Y and Z"
* A book with a title in the form of: "The [occupation]'s [relation]"
* a book with food in the title
* a book with GOOD or BAD in the title
* a book with LIFE or DEATH in the title
* a book with only words on the cover (no graphics/art)
* a book with YES, NO or MAYBE in the title
* A book you borrowed from a friend
* A book you feel like you "should have" read
* A book you got as a gift
* A book you own
* A book you own but haven't read
* a booked picked solely because the title caught your attention
* a Bram Stoker Award Winner
* a collection of short stories
* a cozy mystery
* A hard cover book
* a high fantasy book
* a hugo award winner
* A Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner
* A Mystery novel with recipes (Not as hard as you would think!)
* a nebula award winner
* a newbery award winner
* a non-fiction book
* A paperback book
* A Pulitzer Prize winner
* A speculative fiction book/alternate history
* A Thurber Prize or Leacock Award Nominee (both are awards for humor)
* A zombie story
* An audiobook you choose because of the narrator
* An Autobiography of a non-celebrity
* An e-book
* An Epistolary novel
* An example of Ergodic literature

A book about somebody with vision issues (blindness, nearsightedness, farsightedness... other) in honor of 2020.

Brandy wrote: "A book about somebody with vision issues (blindness, nearsightedness, farsightedness... other) in honor of 2020."

Ha! Clever.