After two years of researching, posting, and reading books from different genres, it’s time for the Colour Me Read Challenge to come to a close. This is a hard post to write because this challenge has been so dear to me. Without it, I wouldn’t have discovered certain genres I’ve come to enjoy. I’ve also talked to people who participated in the challenges and hearing about their reading experience was the most rewarding thing.

As fun as it was to plan and pick genres for each month, it also came with challenges. Life would often catch up with me and I’d find myself posting late or last minute. I didn’t want to give it up, but I also felt like it didn’t get as much time as it deserved. This happened month after month halfway through 2017 and I almost stopped the challenge altogether after December.

The more I thought about it, the more I leaned towards ending the challenge at some point in the future. While it still had participants on and off, it also lost traction without spiking new interests from other readers. I thought about pushing the challenge until the end of 2018, but I think this is the best time to close it.

Readers who still want to continue with the challenge can ‘start over’ by using prompts from June 2016 to May 2018 and I’ll be sure to keep all the links updated for past challenges here. You can do it in order or jump in between, it’s entirely up to you! The most important thing is to have fun and discover books which is all I hoped for from this challenge.

From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank each and every person who has joined, shared, or posted about the Colour Me Read Challenge. It’s been a fulfilling two years and I hope you continue reading and discovering books with me as we close this chapter and move forward. ❤️

Love always,

Shari

Is it just me or is 2018 going by quickly? I had 3 books I wanted to read for April’s challenge but only managed to finish one 🙈 Did you like the book(s) you picked?

This month, our genres are:

Matron Lit
I was so intrigued by this genre when I first heard of it and I just knew we had to try it for one of our challenges. Books in this genre typically focus on female protagonists between their late 30s to mid 60s. I don’t know about you, but I think these books could be pretty awesome. When was the last time you read a book with a protagonist in this age group?

Matron lit is a very underrated genre, so finding lists and recommendations for this was quite challenging. It’s also sometimes referred to as hen lit (as opposed to chick lit 🐥) or hag lit (rude!) and I’m really looking forward to seeing the books that will be read for this.

Here’s a list I found if you’re looking for ideas: Popular Hen Lit Books on Goodreads. I know it’s not much, but hopefully some of us have read a book that falls under this genre and can recommend it to others! 🤞🏼

Flintlock Fantasy
I know what you’re thinking. From Matron Lit to this? Yes, my randomness amazes me too. This genre is one I’ve wanted to feature for a looooong time so this month is as good an excuse as any. 😜 The term ‘flintlock’ comes from the fact that it’s the typical level of firearms technology the setting has reached. Authors who are well known in this genre include Brian McClellan, Django Wexler, and Brent Weeks. Here’s a handy list of books from Goodreads.

I would love to hear what you’re planning to read for this challenge! I don’t have one for Matron Lit yet but I’m going to tackle the first book in Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage Trilogy for my Flintlock fantasy pick. 😎

Does anyone else feel cheated every time February ends? Like hello, I needed those extra days to finish my current reads. Rude.

But with a new month comes a new challenge so I guess that makes up for it. 😉

For March, our genres are:

Memoir
A non-fiction literary genre focusing on memoirs – collections of memories an individual writes about moments or events that took place in the author’s life.

Since started the CMR Challenge I’ve developed a soft spot for memoirs. This is such an underrated genre and I feel like it deserves more love and attention.

Metafiction
Goodreads defines this genre as ‘self-conscious fiction’ and it’s so on point that I’m using it. Books in this genre are known for stories that examine the elements of fiction itself.

Here’s a quote from Schmoop that might help make it clearer, “…if the story you’re reading is about, well, writing stories, that’s metafiction. If the book you’re reading acknowledges itself as a book, that’s metafiction. If the author jumps into the action and says, ‘Look at me! I’m the author! Watch me write!’ that’s metafiction.”

As always, Goodreads comes through. Here’s their handy lists for these genres:

Memoirs

Metafiction Books

I’d love to know which books you pick for this challenge! Please feel free to share this post/graphic to spread the word <3

This month’s challenge celebrates Children’s Literature and Romance.

I was looking into literary holidays and February seems to be the perfect month to read some kid lit. I’m a huge fan of this genre myself and I’m stoked for this month’s challenge.

Have any middle grade books? Been wanting to read Harry Potter? Now’s the time!

Feb 1: Harry Potter Book Night
Feb 1-7: Children’s Authors and Illustrator Week

February is known as the month of love and it felt wrong not to pick Romance. I have to admit, this is the most challenging genre for me because I’m so picky about my Romance. If it’s too much I cringe, if it’s unconvincing I roll my eyes. Sooo yeah. Wish me luck!

If you need some inspiration for your picks, here are helpful lists from Goodreads:

Best Children’s Books
Popular Romance Books

I’m probably going to read Beauty by Robin McKinley and continue my Anne of Green Gables journey with Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery.

Which book(s) be reading for this challenge?

July brings two genres I myself am not very familiar with! I tend to stick to my fantasy books so this challenge is a great way for me (and you!) to discover different genres and authors.

This month, our genres are:

Alternate History
This genre of fiction focuses on stories in which one or more historical events happen differently. These books deal with a lot of “what if” scenarios related to crucial points in history and present outcomes that aren’t part of the history we know. What if Hitler didn’t succeed? What if JFK wasn’t assassinated? What would our present be like today? Goodreads has list of books under this genre and some that come to mind include 11/22/63 by Stephen King, the Temaraire series by Naomi Novik, and Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin.

For this genre, I’m planning to read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. I’ve been meaning to read this book for months so this is the perfect time to do it!

Slipstream Fiction
I didn’t even know this genre existed before I started doing research for this challenge but this genre is well-known for crossing boundaries between sci-fi/fantasy and mainstream literary fiction. Say whaaaat? I know! According to Wikipedia, Slipstream “falls between speculative fiction and mainstream fiction” and not all novels use elements of sci-fi/fantasy.

Not knowing anything about this genre, I consulted good ol’ Goodreads for some recommendations. Here’s a list of popular slipstream books if you’re as lost as I am. A number of Haruki Murakami’s books are on the list, along with Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughter-house Five. As for me, I’m thinking of picking up Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis.

Do any books come to mind when you think of these genres? I’d love to know if you’re planning to participate!