24 Book Reading Challenge

I've been working at the public library in my town for almost two months now and I've really been loving it. What's more is that I've been doing more reading: both because I don't have to buy books, but instead rent them, and having a full time job with actual days off leaves more time and energy to read than having two part-time jobs and no days off (one of which was emotionally draining because I hated it so much). 

I've read a few books already, but today, August 1st, marks the beginning of our "Adult Summer Reading Program." It's the first year the library is trying this and we are hoping it goes well. One of the main "challenges" in this program is trying to get people to read books they might not usual read, which is where a little reading bingo sheet comes in. 

This is basically going to be used for giving out prizes, as well. Every time you get a "bingo" you get another entry into a drawing for a KindleFire, along with other smaller prizes that are going to be raffled off. 

I thought this would be a good way to get me reading both books I've owned and haven't opened, as well as opening myself up to books I've either never heard of or heard of but never read. 

At the same time, I've been neglecting this blog. I really want to get into blogs more so I'm going to first post this list of what books I'm reading for each "category" or "square" and then post a book review every time I finish a few books. This will show my progress as I go on. My goal: to finish the 24 books by the end of the year. 

Here are my selections:

1. Read a book that became a movie: Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky
2. A Forgotten Classic: Exercises in Style by Queneau or Nothing, Doting, Blindness by Henry Green
3. Read About Someone You Admire:
4. Any Novel NOT by James Patterson: We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach
5. A Book with a Foreign Detective: A Cuckoo Calling by Robert Galbraith or Down Among the Dead Men by Lovesey
6. Read an eBook: The Selection by Kiera Cass
7. Read a Historical Fiction: The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrow
8. A Funny Book: Bream Gives me Hiccups by Jesse Eisenberg (This is actually an advanced reader's copy from the library!)
9. A Book inspired by a True Story: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
10. Learn How to be More Wealthy: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
11. Read a book by a Foreign Author: Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin
12. Any Non Fiction: Dog Years by Mark Doty
13. Read a Mystery: Then There was None by Agatha Christie
14. Read a Science Fiction Novel: Seveneves: A Novel by Neal Stephenson
15. Read a True Adventure: In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
16. Read a Scary Novel: Christine by Stephen King
17. A book set in another Country: Zac and Mia by A. J. Betts
18. Read a Short Story or Essay Collection: The collected stories of Lydia Davis
19. Any Book Published in the Last Year: Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway
20. Read a Political book (written by the other side): If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans by Ann Coulter
21. Read a Book of your Choice: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
22. Read About Crime and Punishment: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
23. Read a Western: Stagecoach Station 37: Shawnee by Hank Mitchum
24. Read a Romance: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

As you can see, I have a few blanks. I'm not sure to read about for #3. I was thinking J.K. Rowling, but I'm not sure what book there would be. If you have suggestions - or other biographies of people you admire to suggest - let me know!

As for a Western, I was thinking about just going into our Western paperback section at work and picking a book at random, since I haven't found any online to raise interest.  Edited 9/14, added title.

And yes. Number #20 is probably going to happen. My mom also suggested John McCain's book. But I thought: might as well read something completely crazy just to make me real angry, right? 

And number 24...I decided to make one of my own categories instead of reading a "southwest non-fiction." Plus I've owned Girl Online for ages and hadn't read it, so here's my chance!

A few have two choices. Both sounded so good that it will probably have to do with which I can get my hands on from the library (if I don't already own it). 

I am really excited about this. I believe I can do it if I just stay on task. I challenge anyone here to do this as well! Or if you don't want to read all 24 categories, pick a row to read and complete a "bingo!" 

I'll be back with my first book review and status update soon! I'm almost done with one book (I started a bit early).