If you've read my "reading challenge newbie" post you'll know that this year I am once again taking inspiration from the Modern Mrs Darcy reading challenges. 

This year, MMD has two reading challenges. One for fun and one for growth. I fancy a bit of both so have picked a few from each list and will add in some more of my own as I go. You can see the original challenges at modernmrsdarcy.com

Below is the list of the books I've chosen for the various reading prompts taken from the challenges as well as other books I'm reading this year. 

Oh and if you have any recommendations, other reading challenges or prompts you think of, I'd love to read your suggestions in the comments below.

Happy reading, folks!

Love, Barnet x  

ps you can also follow my progress over on

pps I've recently signed up to the Big Green Bookshop's Book Club and all books marked with an * below were selected by them for me.

☺(nah, not for me) ..........☺☺☺☺☺ (braw!)

Reading Challenge Prompts - 2017

• A book about books or reading | On Writing | Stephen King | Read ☺☺☺☺☺

• A book recommended by someone with great taste | Paula Spencer | Roddy Doyle | Read ☺☺☺☺☺

• A book by an #ownvoices or #diversebooks author | The Color Purple | Alice Walker | Read ☺☺☺☺☺

• A book of poetry, a play or an essay collection | The Steamie | Tony Roper ☺☺☺☺☺

• A book you were excited to buy but haven't read yet | A Life Discarded: 148 Diaries Found in a Skip | Alexander Masters | Read ☺☺☺☺☺

• A book in the backlist of a new favourite author | Skinny Dip | Carl Hiaasen | Read ☺☺☺☺

• A book in a genre you usually avoid | Yellow, Blue, Tibia | Adam Roberts | Read ☺☺☺☺*

• A book about a topic or subject you already love | The Mating Season | PJ Wodehouse | Read ☺☺☺

• Three books by the same author The Mystery of the Blue Train ☺☺, And Then There Were None☺☺☺☺, The Hollow ☺☺☺☺ | Agatha Christie | 3 out of 3 read

• A book nominated for an award in 2017 | Autumn | Ali Smith | Read ☺☺*

• An immigrant story | The Life of Pi | Yann Martel | Did not read :(

Other books read this year:

• Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body | Sara Pascoe ☺☺☺☺☺

• The Bees | Laline Paull ☺☺☺☺☺

• The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden | Jonas Jonason ☺☺☺☺☺

• Misery | Stephen King | Read ☺☺☺☺☺

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo | Sting Largson ☺☺☺☺☺

• Skink - No Surrender | Carl Haissan ☺☺☺☺☺

• The Girl on the Train | Paula Hawkins ☺☺☺☺☺

• The Threat Level Remains Severe | Rowena MacDonald ☺☺☺☺*

• A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil | Christopher Brookmyre ☺☺☺☺

• The Genius in My Basement | Alexander Masters ☺☺☺☺

• Yes, Please | Amy Poehler ☺☺☺☺

• The Swedish Girl | Alex Gray ☺☺☺

• The Travelling Companion | Ian Rankin ☺☺☺

• Haywire | James Edward Mills ☺☺

• The Lost Years | Mary Higgins Clark ☺

Other books currently on my "to read" list 

• Kolymsky Heights | Lionel Davidson

• The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy | Douglas Adams

• Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void | Mary Roach

• Rosemary's Baby | Ira Levin

• Out of the Doll's House | Angela Holdsworth

• The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well | Meik Wiking

• Hot Milk | Deborah Levy (librarian recommendation)

• Postcards from the Edge | Carrie Fisher

• Orgy Planner Wanted | Odd Jobs and Curious Careers in the Ancient World | Vicki Leon

• F**k it Therapy | John C Parkin

• Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous and Anonymity, and Rotten Luck | Paul Collins