Follow me on Goodreads: Travis J. Croken
Readers and Writers Unite!
As a writer, you have three primary jobs; write, read, and keep yourself alive (so you can continue to do the first two). If you are not writing, you should be reading - a lot. If you are a reader, here is a place of magic and inspiration. Read books from brilliant authors and from terrible. Read genres you are not inclined to. In essence, read everything you can, good, bad, and foreign. When you read, try to enjoy the book, but also think about why you did or did not like it, how it made you feel, and why. How was it structured? What genre is it? Is there a sub-genre? What was the plot arc like? Why did it work or not work? Did the characters have strong and complete arcs? These questions will help you grow in reading and writing. Below is some of what I have been devouring as of late.
As a writer, you have three primary jobs; write, read, and keep yourself alive (so you can continue to do the first two). If you are not writing, you should be reading - a lot. If you are a reader, here is a place of magic and inspiration. Read books from brilliant authors and from terrible. Read genres you are not inclined to. In essence, read everything you can, good, bad, and foreign. When you read, try to enjoy the book, but also think about why you did or did not like it, how it made you feel, and why. How was it structured? What genre is it? Is there a sub-genre? What was the plot arc like? Why did it work or not work? Did the characters have strong and complete arcs? These questions will help you grow in reading and writing. Below is some of what I have been devouring as of late.
2024 Reading Challenge
Welcome to year 7 of the Calm Scribe Reading Challenge, for adults and children. Each December, I sit down with my wife and we design a challenge of 26 books read throughout the coming year for adults and 12 for children. Some prompts are repeated year over year, while many are changed. If you have any suggestions for prompts for next year, be sure to visit the Contact Us section of this website and let us know! The list does not dictate what book to read, but gives guidance as to what type of book to look for. When searching for books to read, remember to use inexpensive options as well such as your library, curbside free little libraries, buy nothing sites, and friends or family. When you are done with a book, consider passing it along to someone else who may enjoy it. Below you will find my progress updates and link to download your own copy! Click on the book titles to be brought to Goodreads for more information. Be sure to tag @thecalmscribe to let us know how you are tackling the challenge. Happy reading!
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Download a copy of the challenge(s) and join in today! It's a great way to find inspiration.
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2024 Reading Challenge Results:
Read a book...
1 of 26 - published in 2023/24. Prophet Song, Paul Lynch
2 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. New Erotica for Feminists, Caitlin Kunkel
3 of 26 - of poetry. Handwriting, Michael Ondaatje
4 of 26 - that will expand your world view. On Palestine, Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé
5 of 26 - that won an award. Study for Obedience, Sarah Bernstein
6 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or manga. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller
7 of 26 - that is just for fun. The White Man's Guide to Male Writers of the Western Canon, Dana Schwartz
8 of 26 - about a major historical event. Rosa, Nikki Giovanni
9 of 26 - written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. Yellowface, R.F. Kuang
10 of 26 - written by an Indigenous author. Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology, Shane Hawk (Editor, Contributor)
11 of 26 - chosen because of the cover. At Night All Blood is Black, David Diop
12 of 26 - that is a debut novel. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, Judy Blume
13 of 26 - of short stories or essays. Gaza Writes Back, Refaat Alareer (Editor, Contributor)
14 of 26 - by a famous author you have not yet read. Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro
15 of 26 - that is an audio book. The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
16 of 26 - that is an Epic. Celtic Mythology: Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes, Philip Freeman
17 of 26 - by a Middle Eastern Author. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine, Rashid Khalidi
18 of 26 - with under 200 pages. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 -
Read a book...
1 of 26 - published in 2023/24. Prophet Song, Paul Lynch
2 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. New Erotica for Feminists, Caitlin Kunkel
3 of 26 - of poetry. Handwriting, Michael Ondaatje
4 of 26 - that will expand your world view. On Palestine, Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé
5 of 26 - that won an award. Study for Obedience, Sarah Bernstein
6 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or manga. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller
7 of 26 - that is just for fun. The White Man's Guide to Male Writers of the Western Canon, Dana Schwartz
8 of 26 - about a major historical event. Rosa, Nikki Giovanni
9 of 26 - written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. Yellowface, R.F. Kuang
10 of 26 - written by an Indigenous author. Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology, Shane Hawk (Editor, Contributor)
11 of 26 - chosen because of the cover. At Night All Blood is Black, David Diop
12 of 26 - that is a debut novel. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, Judy Blume
13 of 26 - of short stories or essays. Gaza Writes Back, Refaat Alareer (Editor, Contributor)
14 of 26 - by a famous author you have not yet read. Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro
15 of 26 - that is an audio book. The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
16 of 26 - that is an Epic. Celtic Mythology: Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes, Philip Freeman
17 of 26 - by a Middle Eastern Author. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine, Rashid Khalidi
18 of 26 - with under 200 pages. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 -
2023 Reading Challenge Results:
Read a book...
1 of 26 - that was received as a gift. Putting the Fact in Fantasy, Dan Koboldt
2 of 26 - published or set in the 1800s. The Turn of the Screw, Henry James
3 of 26 - for young adults. Ready Player One, Ernest Cline
4 of 26 - with under 200 pages. Nine from Nine Worlds: Magnus Chase & The Gods of Asgard, Rick Riordan
5 of 26 - with over 500 pages. Fairy Tale, Stephen King
6 of 26 - that will make you more cultured. The Universe in a Nutshell, Stephen Hawking
7 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. The Legend of Vox Machina 1, Critical Role
8 of 26 - of short stories. Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman
9 of 26 - that is just for fun. Kith and Kin, Critical Role, Marieke Nijkamp
10 of 26 - that you own but have not yet read. A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking
11 of 26 - that was written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. Rudy, Terry Poole
12 of 26 - published in 2022/2023. The Little Book of World Mythology, Hanna Bowstead
13 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. Fortunately the Milk, Neil Gaiman
14 of 26 - of poetry. milk and honey, Rupi Kaur
15 of 26 - that has been translated. Daylight, Rumi
16 of 26 - that you should have read by now. Tequila Mockingbird, Tim Federle
17 of 26 - by an indie/self-published author. (Bonus Book) Tales of the Cosmari Vol. 2, C.D. Clark
Other Book 1: Graphic novel - The Legend of Vox Machina 2, Critical Role
Other Book 2: Graphic novel - The Legend of Vox Machina 3, Critical Role
Other Book 3: An anthology - Connections, Ottawa Independent Writers
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 - that everyone else is reading. I like Myself!, Karen Beaumont & David Catrow (Illustrator)
2 of 12 - considered a children's classic. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
3 of 12 - about dinosaurs. Mamasaurus, Stephan Lomp
4 of 12 - with a green cover. Peep Inside the Forest, Anna Milbourne
5 of 12 - about space. Peep Inside How a Rocket Works, Lara Bryan
6 of 12 - set in an imaginary world. If I had a Gryphon, Vikki VanSickle
7 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?, Junauda Peturs
8 of 12 - about your favorite topic. Trash Truck, Max Keane
9 of 12 - about emotions. How I Feel, Lovevery
10 of 12 - about a great adventure. The Snail and The Whale, Julia DOnaldson
11 of 12 - written by a Canadian. May We Have Enough to Share, Richard Van Camp
12 of 12 - that won an award. Little Blue Box of Bright an Early Books, Dr. Seuss
13 of 12 - from a library. Flora and Friends, Molly Idle (Bonus Book)
14 of 12 - chosen based on the illustrations. Kind Crocodile, Leo Timmers (Bonus Book)
Other Book 1: In My Heart, A Book of Feelings, Jo Witek
Other Book 2: Inside Cat, Brendan Wenzel
Other Book 3: Super Mom, Cindy Jin
Other Book 4: I Am!: Affirmations of Resilience, Bela Barbosa
Other Book 5: Fonchito and the Moon, Mario Vargas Llosa
Other Book 6: I'll be a Chicken Too, Lana Vanderlee
Other Book 7: Hello World! Gardentime, Jill MacDonald
Other Book 8: Mommy's Khimar, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Other Book 9: The Family Book, Todd Parr
Other Book 10: The Pronoun Book, Chris Ayala-Kronos
Other Book 11: What's My Super Power, Aviaq Johnston
Plus many, many, more...
Read a book...
1 of 26 - that was received as a gift. Putting the Fact in Fantasy, Dan Koboldt
2 of 26 - published or set in the 1800s. The Turn of the Screw, Henry James
3 of 26 - for young adults. Ready Player One, Ernest Cline
4 of 26 - with under 200 pages. Nine from Nine Worlds: Magnus Chase & The Gods of Asgard, Rick Riordan
5 of 26 - with over 500 pages. Fairy Tale, Stephen King
6 of 26 - that will make you more cultured. The Universe in a Nutshell, Stephen Hawking
7 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. The Legend of Vox Machina 1, Critical Role
8 of 26 - of short stories. Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman
9 of 26 - that is just for fun. Kith and Kin, Critical Role, Marieke Nijkamp
10 of 26 - that you own but have not yet read. A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking
11 of 26 - that was written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. Rudy, Terry Poole
12 of 26 - published in 2022/2023. The Little Book of World Mythology, Hanna Bowstead
13 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. Fortunately the Milk, Neil Gaiman
14 of 26 - of poetry. milk and honey, Rupi Kaur
15 of 26 - that has been translated. Daylight, Rumi
16 of 26 - that you should have read by now. Tequila Mockingbird, Tim Federle
17 of 26 - by an indie/self-published author. (Bonus Book) Tales of the Cosmari Vol. 2, C.D. Clark
Other Book 1: Graphic novel - The Legend of Vox Machina 2, Critical Role
Other Book 2: Graphic novel - The Legend of Vox Machina 3, Critical Role
Other Book 3: An anthology - Connections, Ottawa Independent Writers
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 - that everyone else is reading. I like Myself!, Karen Beaumont & David Catrow (Illustrator)
2 of 12 - considered a children's classic. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
3 of 12 - about dinosaurs. Mamasaurus, Stephan Lomp
4 of 12 - with a green cover. Peep Inside the Forest, Anna Milbourne
5 of 12 - about space. Peep Inside How a Rocket Works, Lara Bryan
6 of 12 - set in an imaginary world. If I had a Gryphon, Vikki VanSickle
7 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?, Junauda Peturs
8 of 12 - about your favorite topic. Trash Truck, Max Keane
9 of 12 - about emotions. How I Feel, Lovevery
10 of 12 - about a great adventure. The Snail and The Whale, Julia DOnaldson
11 of 12 - written by a Canadian. May We Have Enough to Share, Richard Van Camp
12 of 12 - that won an award. Little Blue Box of Bright an Early Books, Dr. Seuss
13 of 12 - from a library. Flora and Friends, Molly Idle (Bonus Book)
14 of 12 - chosen based on the illustrations. Kind Crocodile, Leo Timmers (Bonus Book)
Other Book 1: In My Heart, A Book of Feelings, Jo Witek
Other Book 2: Inside Cat, Brendan Wenzel
Other Book 3: Super Mom, Cindy Jin
Other Book 4: I Am!: Affirmations of Resilience, Bela Barbosa
Other Book 5: Fonchito and the Moon, Mario Vargas Llosa
Other Book 6: I'll be a Chicken Too, Lana Vanderlee
Other Book 7: Hello World! Gardentime, Jill MacDonald
Other Book 8: Mommy's Khimar, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Other Book 9: The Family Book, Todd Parr
Other Book 10: The Pronoun Book, Chris Ayala-Kronos
Other Book 11: What's My Super Power, Aviaq Johnston
Plus many, many, more...
Books Currently Being Read
The Dying Sun, by L.J. Stanton
Putting the Science in Fiction, Edited by Dan Koboldt
Plays: The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, The Seagull, & Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekov
An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments, by Ali Almossawi
Putting the Science in Fiction, Edited by Dan Koboldt
Plays: The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, The Seagull, & Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekov
An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments, by Ali Almossawi
Recommended Reading
The Elements of Style, by E.B. White and William Strunk
A Pocket Guide to Correct Punctuation, by Robert Brittain
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, by David Olsen, Michelle Bevilacqua, Justin Cord Hayes, & Robert Bly
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Browne & King
Damn Good Advice for Creative People, by George Lois
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
A Pocket Guide to Correct Punctuation, by Robert Brittain
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, by David Olsen, Michelle Bevilacqua, Justin Cord Hayes, & Robert Bly
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Browne & King
Damn Good Advice for Creative People, by George Lois
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
Recommened Reading for Children
The Very Noisy Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Super Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Sleepy Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Cranky Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, by Hena Khan
One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers, by Hena Khan
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, by Hena Khan
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh, by A. A. Milne
Gossie, by Olivier Dunrea
Gus, by Olivier Dunrea
Jungle Night, by Sandra Boynton
We Sang You Home, by Richard Van Camp
Little You, by Richard Van Camp
Hug Machine, by Scott Campbell
Black White, by Tana Hoban
Sleep, My Baby, by Lena Allen-Shore
The Very Super Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Sleepy Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Cranky Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, by Hena Khan
One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers, by Hena Khan
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, by Hena Khan
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh, by A. A. Milne
Gossie, by Olivier Dunrea
Gus, by Olivier Dunrea
Jungle Night, by Sandra Boynton
We Sang You Home, by Richard Van Camp
Little You, by Richard Van Camp
Hug Machine, by Scott Campbell
Black White, by Tana Hoban
Sleep, My Baby, by Lena Allen-Shore