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 ones. 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 subgenre? 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 ones. 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 subgenre? 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.
2026 Reading Challenge Is NOW LIVE!
Keep Scrolling Past the Challenge to See Last Year's Results.
Welcome to the 9th annual Calm Scribe Reading Challenge, for adults and children. Each December, I sit down with my wife and we design a challenge of 26 books to read throughout the coming year for adults and 12 for children. Some prompts are repeated year after 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 a link to download your own copy of the challenge! 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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2026 Reading Challenge Quick View:
Read a book…
Read a book…
- … from the 1800s.
- … by a Latin American author.
- … that has been banned.
- … that was found on social media.
- … that was suggested by a friend.
- … for nostalgia.
- … by a PEN International Writers in Prison Author.
- … won a literary award in 2026.
- … that has been translated.
- … you own but have not read.
- … with under 150 pages.
- … from a perspective contrary to yours.
- … that is a satire or funny.
- … that is a graphic novel or Manga.
- … that is from 1926. (100 years old!)
- … written by an Indigenous author.
- … that is a non-fiction.
- … that is a debut novel.
- … written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author.
- … of poetry.
- … in a genre you don’t usually read.
- … with over 500 pages.
- … of short stories or essays.
- … by an author who died in 2026.
- … that is an audio book.
- … that you stumbled across.
- … found in an independent or second-hand bookstore. (Bonus Book)
- … by an indie/self-published author. (Bonus Book)
- … recommended by a book club. (Bonus Book)
- …
- …
- …
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2026 Children's Reading Challenge Quick View:
Read a book…
Read a book…
- … that you picked out.
- … set under water.
- … recommended by a friend or someone you know.
- … that won an award.
- … with a pink, yellow, and black on the cover.
- … with fairy tale creatures.
- … that is a non-fiction.
- … written by a BIPOC author.
- … about overcoming a problem.
- … that has been banned.
- … about your favorite topic.
- … that makes you laugh out loud.
- … from a library. (BONUS BOOK)
- … about your favorite hero. (BONUS BOOK)
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
- …
2025 Reading Challenge Results:
This was a challenging year, where I suffered the loss of my mother early in the year and faced many other difficulties. As a result, I ended up sliding into comfort reading and focused less on the challenge. While I met some challenge requirements, I focused on comfort and nostalgia. Remember, the challenge is a guideline, if you need to seek comfort and nostalgia, read what you need to.
Read a book…
... that won a literary award in 2025.
1 of 26 - written by an Indigenous author. Native Voting Rights and Sovereignty, Cayla Bellanger DeGroat
... written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author.
... that has been banned.
... that is a non-fiction.
... that is a play.
2 of 26 - by a Middle Eastern author. Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine, Mohammad Sabaaneh
... in a genre you don’t usually read.
... of poetry.
... with under 200 pages.
... with over 500 pages.
… that will challenge your worldview.
… of philosophy.
3 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. Death of Superman, Dan Jurgens
4 of 26 - that is just for fun. Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Margaret Weis
… by a PEN International Writers in Prison Author.
… that is a debut novel.
… you own but have not read.
… of short stories or essays.
5 of 26 - that you read a long time ago to see how your perception has changed. Dragons of Winter Night, Margaret Weis
… by an author who died in 2025.
… that has been translated.
… that is being turned into a film or series.
6 of 26 - that is an audio book. Dragons of Spring Dawning, Margaret Weis
7 of 26 - that is about your favorite topic. Dragons of Summer Flame, Margaret Weis
… that you saw someone reading in public.
… found in an independent or second-hand bookstore. (Bonus Book)
… by an indie/self-published author. (Bonus Book)
8 of 26 - (Other Book) Time of the Twins, Margaret Weis
9 of 26 - (Other Book) War of the Twins, Margaret Weis
10 of 26 - (Other Book) Test of the Twins, Margaret Weis
11 of 26 - (Other Book) The Soulforge, Margaret Weis
12 of 26 - (Other Book) Brothers in Arms, Margaret Weis
13 of 26 - (Other Book) The Second Generation, Margaret Weis
14 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Margaret Weis
15 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Lost Star, Margaret Weis
16 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Vanished Moon, Margaret Weis
This was a challenging year, where I suffered the loss of my mother early in the year and faced many other difficulties. As a result, I ended up sliding into comfort reading and focused less on the challenge. While I met some challenge requirements, I focused on comfort and nostalgia. Remember, the challenge is a guideline, if you need to seek comfort and nostalgia, read what you need to.
Read a book…
... that won a literary award in 2025.
1 of 26 - written by an Indigenous author. Native Voting Rights and Sovereignty, Cayla Bellanger DeGroat
... written by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ author.
... that has been banned.
... that is a non-fiction.
... that is a play.
2 of 26 - by a Middle Eastern author. Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine, Mohammad Sabaaneh
... in a genre you don’t usually read.
... of poetry.
... with under 200 pages.
... with over 500 pages.
… that will challenge your worldview.
… of philosophy.
3 of 26 - that is a graphic novel or Manga. Death of Superman, Dan Jurgens
4 of 26 - that is just for fun. Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Margaret Weis
… by a PEN International Writers in Prison Author.
… that is a debut novel.
… you own but have not read.
… of short stories or essays.
5 of 26 - that you read a long time ago to see how your perception has changed. Dragons of Winter Night, Margaret Weis
… by an author who died in 2025.
… that has been translated.
… that is being turned into a film or series.
6 of 26 - that is an audio book. Dragons of Spring Dawning, Margaret Weis
7 of 26 - that is about your favorite topic. Dragons of Summer Flame, Margaret Weis
… that you saw someone reading in public.
… found in an independent or second-hand bookstore. (Bonus Book)
… by an indie/self-published author. (Bonus Book)
8 of 26 - (Other Book) Time of the Twins, Margaret Weis
9 of 26 - (Other Book) War of the Twins, Margaret Weis
10 of 26 - (Other Book) Test of the Twins, Margaret Weis
11 of 26 - (Other Book) The Soulforge, Margaret Weis
12 of 26 - (Other Book) Brothers in Arms, Margaret Weis
13 of 26 - (Other Book) The Second Generation, Margaret Weis
14 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Margaret Weis
15 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Lost Star, Margaret Weis
16 of 26 - (Other Book) Dragons of a Vanished Moon, Margaret Weis
2025 Children's Reading Challenge Results (With Maya):
Read a book…
1 of 12 - considered a NEW children’s classic. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals, Deborah Underwood
2 of 12 - about monsters. Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs, John Loren
3 of 12 - with a purple cover. Please Don't Torment Tootsie, Margaret Chamberlain
4 of 12 - that is a non-fiction. We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition, Reem Kassis
5 of 12 - that is a fairy tale. Zog and the Flying Doctors, Julia Donaldson
6 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. ᐅᓕᒍᖅ/Alego, Ningeokuluk Teevee
7 of 12 - about your favorite topic. Minecraft Blocks Guide, Mojang AB
8 of 12 - that has been banned. And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street, Dr. Seuss
9 of 12 - recommended by a friend or someone you know. Willbee the Bumble Bee, Craig Smith
10 of 12 - about kindness. Bird Hugs, Ged Adamson
11 of 12 - about big emotions. The Stompysaurus, Rachel Bright
12 of 12 - that won an award. Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers
13 of 12 - from a library. (Bonus Book) Unicorns are the Worst, Alex Willan
14 of 12 - about your favorite character. (Bonus Book) Grumpy Monkey, Suzanne Lang
15 of 12 - (Other Book) One More Cuddle, Ronnie Randall
16 of 12 - (Other Book) How Baby Animals Learn, Bobbie Kalman
17 of 12 - (Other Book) Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, Shannon Hale
18 of 12 - (Other Book) Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep, Mo Willems
19 of 12 - (Other Book) Part-Time Princess, Deborah Underwood
20 of 12 - (Other Book) Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt, Rukhsana Khan
21 of 12 - (Other Book) Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, Sherri Duskey Rinker
22 of 12 - (Other Book) Steam Train, Dream Train, Sherri Ruskey Rinker
23 of 12 - (Other Book) Plankton is Pushy, Jonathan Fenske
24 of 12 - (Other Book) Frank's Red Hat, Sean E. Avery
25 of 12 - (Other Book) Grand Gorille: Un livre des contraires, Anthony Brown
Plus many, many, many more...
Read a book…
1 of 12 - considered a NEW children’s classic. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals, Deborah Underwood
2 of 12 - about monsters. Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs, John Loren
3 of 12 - with a purple cover. Please Don't Torment Tootsie, Margaret Chamberlain
4 of 12 - that is a non-fiction. We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition, Reem Kassis
5 of 12 - that is a fairy tale. Zog and the Flying Doctors, Julia Donaldson
6 of 12 - written by a BIPOC author. ᐅᓕᒍᖅ/Alego, Ningeokuluk Teevee
7 of 12 - about your favorite topic. Minecraft Blocks Guide, Mojang AB
8 of 12 - that has been banned. And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street, Dr. Seuss
9 of 12 - recommended by a friend or someone you know. Willbee the Bumble Bee, Craig Smith
10 of 12 - about kindness. Bird Hugs, Ged Adamson
11 of 12 - about big emotions. The Stompysaurus, Rachel Bright
12 of 12 - that won an award. Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers
13 of 12 - from a library. (Bonus Book) Unicorns are the Worst, Alex Willan
14 of 12 - about your favorite character. (Bonus Book) Grumpy Monkey, Suzanne Lang
15 of 12 - (Other Book) One More Cuddle, Ronnie Randall
16 of 12 - (Other Book) How Baby Animals Learn, Bobbie Kalman
17 of 12 - (Other Book) Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, Shannon Hale
18 of 12 - (Other Book) Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep, Mo Willems
19 of 12 - (Other Book) Part-Time Princess, Deborah Underwood
20 of 12 - (Other Book) Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt, Rukhsana Khan
21 of 12 - (Other Book) Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, Sherri Duskey Rinker
22 of 12 - (Other Book) Steam Train, Dream Train, Sherri Ruskey Rinker
23 of 12 - (Other Book) Plankton is Pushy, Jonathan Fenske
24 of 12 - (Other Book) Frank's Red Hat, Sean E. Avery
25 of 12 - (Other Book) Grand Gorille: Un livre des contraires, Anthony Brown
Plus many, many, many more...
Books Currently Being Read
Amber and Ashes, by Margaret Weis
The Book of Cocktail Ratios, by Michael Ruhlman
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad
The Oxherd Boy, by Regina Linke
The Book of Cocktail Ratios, by Michael Ruhlman
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad
The Oxherd Boy, by Regina Linke
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