2018 was an okay reading year for me- I alternated between 8 book months and 3 book months, but they were filled with great books at least! I took a break from any challenges aside from my Goodreads challenge, but as usual there are too many good reading challenges to pass up this year and I really need to start scaling that TBR mountain of mine. I’m going to participate in 4 challenges this year (lofty goals) and see how I do after not participating in any last year.

First, Beat the Backlist hosted by NovelKnight. The books have to be published in 2018 or earlier but other than that any genre, any format, any length is fair game! There aren’t any levels to choose from so I’m going to set myself a goal of 15 books.

Potential TBR:
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Golden by Jessi Kirby
Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Jackaby by William Ritter
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Invictus by Ryan Graudin
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Baker

Second, the Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Andi ABC’s, which I loved participating in in 2017! I’ve learned over the past couple years that I read a lot more contemporary than I ever thought I did. I’m going to shoot for the Grand Slam level, which is 21+ books.

Potential TBR:
The Risk by Elle Kennedy
Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Save the Date by Morgan Matson
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
You Asked For Perfect by Laura Silverman
Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale
The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Fake It Til You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen
Maybe This Time by Kasie West
Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud

Third, the 2019 Retellings Reading Challenge hosted by Tracy @ Cornerfolds. Retellings are my favorite and can encompass so many different genres! I’m going to aim for the Warrior Princess level, which is 6-10 retellings.

Potential TBR:
Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince by Megan Morrison (The Frog Prince)
Wild Magic by Cat Weatherill (Pied Piper)
Hunted by Meagan Spooner (Beauty and the Beast)
Ash by Malinda Lo (Cinderella)
Longbourn by Jo Baker (Pride & Prejudice)
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth (Rapunzel)
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine (Snow White)
The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury (Aladdin)
Blanca y Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (Snow White & Rose Red)
Sherwood by Meagan Spooner (Robin Hood)

Finally, the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Passages to the Past. I’ve been neglecting my poor hist fic reading list for too long and need to read more in 2019. I love history so much! I’m going to choose the Renaissance Reader level, which is 10 books.

Potential TBR:
Elizabeth I by Margaret George
A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Stephanie Thornton
Written In My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Price of Blood by Patricia Bracewell
The Virgin’s Spy by Laura Andersen
Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman
The Shadow Queen by Anne O’Brien

As usual, I’m going to set a Goodreads goal, keep participating in the quarterly Bookish Bingo challenges at Pretty Deadly Reviews (which I love!!), and try to fit in some rereads as well. They’re a great way to get through reading slumps 🙂 Luckily a lot of these reading goals will overlap, or so I hope!

All potential reading lists are subject to change 😉 Are you participating in any reading challenges this year? Do you find that they help or hinder your reading? Let me know!