2023 BTB Reading Challenge
An annual reading challenge hosted by Robin (they/them) and Nicole (any/all), hosts of the podcast Books That Burn and the blog Reviews That Burn.
The reading challenge for 2023 is hosted via TheStoryGraph and runs from January 1st to December 31st.
You can join the challenge community by following us on Twitter and/or joining the Discord server. For questions and comments send us an email. If you like to know more about us you can go to the Carrd for Books That Burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reading challenge?
A list with prompts to guide you in reading more or different books than you normally would.
How do I join this challenge?
Go to TheStoryGraph, make an account or log in to your existing account, make sure you're on the reading challenge page for the 2023 BTB Reading Challenge, then click "Join Challenge".
You can also join the challenge on Twitter with the hashtag #BTB2022RC, by following us on Twitter, or by joining the Discord Server.
We won't be monitoring other platforms, but when you post about it please use the official hashtag so others can find it.
What is TheStoryGraph?
TheStoryGraph is a site to help you track your reading and find new books.
What is Discord?
Discord is an app (computer and mobile) where you can talk to people via text or audio. It’s frequently used by gamers for livestreaming, or by physically disparate communities to talk about whatever is the focus of the server. You can join our Discord Server here.
How many books do I have to read?
There are 12 required* prompts and 4 bonus* prompts.
To complete every single prompt in the official challenge you'll need to read 16 books, but if you set your own goal please tell us about it on Twitter!
*For more details, refer to our answer for "What's the difference between bonus and required prompts".
What if I can't find a book for a prompt
We recommend using TheStoryGraph to see what other people are using for that prompt, to give you ideas.
When will prompts be posted?
All the prompts are available now, you can find them on the reading challenge page on TheStoryGraph and on the Prompts page.
What's the difference between bonus and required prompts?
The required prompts are for one identity at a time, and the bonus prompts are for intersections of identities.
Required prompts have to be completed in order to finish the challenge on TheStoryGraph, while bonus prompts are not required, but are tracked separately.
We're happy about every book you read for the challenge, but we don't control TheStoryGraph's challenge tracking metrics.
What if I read them out of order?
The order is loosely themed based on Gregorian calendar months and Northern hemisphere weather.
There are no repercussions for reading out of order, do what you want!
Does [this medium] count?
Audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels, poetry, fiction, nonfiction... it all counts. The point is for this to prompt you to read widely from authors across a variety of backgrounds, especially authors with intersecting marginalizations.
How can I help my friend join the challenge?
Send them the link to this Carrd or to the challenge on TheStoryGraph.
What happens if I can't/don't read all the prompts?
You will have read more books than if you didn't join us in the challenge!
Can I submit challenge ideas?
We're happy with this year's prompts, but please email us with suggestions for 2024's author list and/or theme at [email protected]
How can I start my own challenge?
Go to this page on TheStoryGraph and select "Create a New Challenge".
Prompts
There's one prompt per month, plus a bonus prompt in the first month of each quarter. If you're trying to complete prompts in order this will give you an idea of whether you're on track to complete the challenge by the end of the year.
January
New beginnings!
Read a book where the main characters have never met before (or with a multicolor cover)Bonus Prompt
Read a book where the main character has memory issues
February
Deep winter
Read a book with snow as a theme (or with a white cover)
March
Spring fling
Read a stand-alone book, unconnected to any ongoing series (or with a black cover)
April
April showers...
Read a book with resource scarcity as a theme (or with a blue cover)Bonus Prompt
Read a book where a main character travels over water
May
...bring May flowers
Read a book with flowers and/or plants as a central element (or with a green cover)
June
Friendship never ends
Read a book with found family (or with a silver cover)
July
Fun near the sun
Read a book set in space (or with a yellow cover)Bonus Prompt
Read a book with a dragon
August
Why so serious?
Read a book you had to reserve from the library (or with a purple cover)
September
Thirty days hath...
Read a book with a main character in their thirties or older (or with a brown cover)
October
Spooky scary skeletons
Read a book with undeath as a theme (or with an orange cover)Bonus Prompt
Read a book with a mountain journey
November
Fear of falling
Read a book with a main character who has a phobia or aversion (or with a gold cover)
December
The dark night of the sole survivor
Read a book with a character who was the survivor of a disaster (or with a red cover)