Follow me on Goodreads: Travis J. Croken
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. 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. Below is some of what I have been devouring as of late.
2022 Reading Challenge
Welcome to year 5 of the Calm Scribe Reading Challenge, this year with a special addition, the Calm Scribe Children's Reading Challenge! Each year, I sit down with my wife and we design a challenge of 26 books read throughout the year. 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! Be sure to tag @thecalmscribe to let us know how you are tackling the challenge.
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2022 Reading Challenge
Read a book...
1 of 26 - that is a children's book. If Animals Kissed Goodnight, Ann Whitford Paul
2 of 26 - that you can read in a day. On Bullshit, Harry G. Frankfurt
3 of 26 - written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. We Should All Be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. The Harlem Hellfighters, Max Brooks
5 of 26 - of short stories or essays. Sauntering: Writers Walk Europe, Compiled and Edited by Duncan Minshull
6 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. Bared to You, Sylvia Day (Erotica)
7 of 26 - that is a debut novel. Codex of the Cosmari, Vol. 1 From the Depths of the Stars, CD Clark
8 of 26 - that has been translated. Tata's Earrings, Desirée Calderón de Fawaz
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 - with a blue cover. If Animals Kissed Goodnight, Ann Whitford Paul
2 of 12 - written by a Canadian. My Heart Fills With Happiness, Monique Gray Smith
3 of 12 - about your favorite topic. If I Were a Penguin, Anne Wilkinson
4 of 12 - about nature. Who Can?, Charles Ghigna
5 of 12 - set in an imaginary world. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
6 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, Hena Khan
7 of 12 - everyone else is reading. Yoga Baby, Amy Hovey
8 of 12 - about an animal. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, Beatrix Potter
9 of 12 - that is critically acclaimed. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter
10 of 12 - that is a great adventure. The Great Outdoor Adventure of Tiny Teddy, Travis J. Croken
11 of 12 - considered a children's classic. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (Illustrator)
12 of 12 - suggested by someone. The Run, Barroux
Bonus Book 1 - from a library. Devant ma maison, Marianne Dubuc
Bonus Book 2 - Say Hello, Rachel Isadora
Bonus Book 3 - Lowly Worm's ABC's, Richard Scarry
Bonus Book 4 - Papasaurus, Stephan Lomp
Bonus Book 5 - The Very Bear Series, Nick Bland (x 6)
Bonus Book 6 - Jungle Night, Sandra Boyton
Bonus Book 7 - The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)
Bonus Book 8 - Elmo's Monster Mash, Sesame Street, Christopher Moroney, Naomi Kleinberg
Bonus Book 9 - Give Me a Snickle, Asisha Sevigny
Bonus Book 10 - Ours, Ruth Forman and Talia Skyles (Illustrator)
Bonus Book 11 - Coucou Ours, Camilla Reid
Bonus Book 12 - Curious About Mammals, Cathryn Sill
Read a book...
1 of 26 - that is a children's book. If Animals Kissed Goodnight, Ann Whitford Paul
2 of 26 - that you can read in a day. On Bullshit, Harry G. Frankfurt
3 of 26 - written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author. We Should All Be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. The Harlem Hellfighters, Max Brooks
5 of 26 - of short stories or essays. Sauntering: Writers Walk Europe, Compiled and Edited by Duncan Minshull
6 of 26 - in a genre you don't usually read. Bared to You, Sylvia Day (Erotica)
7 of 26 - that is a debut novel. Codex of the Cosmari, Vol. 1 From the Depths of the Stars, CD Clark
8 of 26 - that has been translated. Tata's Earrings, Desirée Calderón de Fawaz
Children's Challenge (with Maya)
Read a book...
1 of 12 - with a blue cover. If Animals Kissed Goodnight, Ann Whitford Paul
2 of 12 - written by a Canadian. My Heart Fills With Happiness, Monique Gray Smith
3 of 12 - about your favorite topic. If I Were a Penguin, Anne Wilkinson
4 of 12 - about nature. Who Can?, Charles Ghigna
5 of 12 - set in an imaginary world. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
6 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, Hena Khan
7 of 12 - everyone else is reading. Yoga Baby, Amy Hovey
8 of 12 - about an animal. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, Beatrix Potter
9 of 12 - that is critically acclaimed. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter
10 of 12 - that is a great adventure. The Great Outdoor Adventure of Tiny Teddy, Travis J. Croken
11 of 12 - considered a children's classic. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (Illustrator)
12 of 12 - suggested by someone. The Run, Barroux
Bonus Book 1 - from a library. Devant ma maison, Marianne Dubuc
Bonus Book 2 - Say Hello, Rachel Isadora
Bonus Book 3 - Lowly Worm's ABC's, Richard Scarry
Bonus Book 4 - Papasaurus, Stephan Lomp
Bonus Book 5 - The Very Bear Series, Nick Bland (x 6)
Bonus Book 6 - Jungle Night, Sandra Boyton
Bonus Book 7 - The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)
Bonus Book 8 - Elmo's Monster Mash, Sesame Street, Christopher Moroney, Naomi Kleinberg
Bonus Book 9 - Give Me a Snickle, Asisha Sevigny
Bonus Book 10 - Ours, Ruth Forman and Talia Skyles (Illustrator)
Bonus Book 11 - Coucou Ours, Camilla Reid
Bonus Book 12 - Curious About Mammals, Cathryn Sill
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