Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) discussion

Your task this month is to read at least 1 book that WON a book award in January - any year.

Awards that have been announced in January include:
* Costa Book Awards
* The American Library Association Awards (ALA) including the Youth Media Awards - like the Alex Awards and the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction ... but these awards are sometimes presented in early February - so be careful which year you choose.
* The AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Children and Young Adults)

--- Comment below with ---
(1) the name book you're reading for the challenge,
(2) the name and year of the award it won
(3) CHALLENGE COMPLETE if you've finished reading the book.

I read Red, White & Royal Blue which won an Alex Award in 2020. I loved it so much. Some of the criticism I've seen: 1. A bit unrealistic at times- I mean, we're talking about the son of the President of the United States and the grandson of the Queen of England. But honestly that didn't bother me. 2. Insta-love: Eh, kind of. But again, I don't care. I loved the story and felt all gushy about it throughout. Will definitely read more from this author.

I will be reading Middle England by Jonathan Coe, which won the Costa Novel Award in 2019. It will probably be next week before I start on it, as I'm currently catching up on the January titles for the three book groups I run. I've never read Coe before, but I've wanted to, so I'm glad to get this chance.

*** Edited to add: ***
January 18, 2021
CHALLENGE COMPLETE

This was an excellent read, and I barrelled through it in two days. A window into the pre- and post-Brexit zeitgeist, through the eyes of an assortment of entertaining English people. Deliciously witty, and takes a light touch with some heavy topics. I learned from the author's note that some of the characters appeared in two previous books, so although this was my first Jonathan Coe, it will definitely not be my last.

Kimberly wrote: "I read Red, White & Royal Blue which won an Alex Award in 2020. I loved it so much. "

I really loved that book, and I am usually not a fan of romance AT ALL. The author's next book doesn't sound as interesting to me personally, but we'll see.

Sarah wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I read Red, White & Royal Blue which won an Alex Award in 2020. I loved it so much. "

I really loved that book, and I am usually not a fan of romance AT ALL. The a..."

Same! I hardly read any romance.

I read The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell

It won the Costa Award in 2010

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!
It was an interesting read, something I wouldn’t have chosen myself. I loved it!

I read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2010 Alex Awards). I liked the book and thought it told an important story about growing up on an Indian reservation but looking at it through the eyes of a teenage boy. I love the inclusions of drawings too since the main character loves to draw

... and then I read about the sexual misconduct accusations levied against the author. So I do wish I'd chosen something else to read. I'm on the side of - if I find out about an author's "bad behavior" - then I'm not going to support them by buying their books. There's too many authors out there that would love more readers!

I read The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
It won Costa award for first novel 2018

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

I did struggle somewhat with it, though, even it's based on a novel idea, has plenty of intrigue and mystery, and some really well-spun language. I was just never really grabbed, probably because it was hard for me to connect with a character that didn't have a stable personality, and being able to connect to characters is quite important for me.

Challenge Complete! I read Midnight in Chernobyl which won the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it's account of the nuclear disaster. I recommend it to anyone especially those who have an interest in recent history

I read a book that won the Costa Books Award: Orphan Monster Spy

Aretha sang for the 2020 ALA Awards with R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul.