2018 Delicious Reading Challenge

I have concocted a new type of reading challenge for myself this year that combines two of my favorite hobbies: reading and cooking!! For each title I read on the list, I will make a food inspired by the story. There are 16 slots on this Reading challenge; 15 of them are preselected titles and one is a wildcard spot. You have to leave some room for some spontaneity! I put 30 titles from my to read (or reread) list and drew 15 of them out. Iron Gold luckily was selected or I would have cheated to get it on the list!!!!

I want to write more this year, and this format will force my hand to do that. For each selected title I want to read, I will review each title on the list and also let you know how the recipes turned out and why I selected each dish.

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown complimented with Iced Blueberries and Sweet Cream

2. East of Eden by John Steinbeck complimented with Bean and Bacon Soup

3. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown complimented with Pan Roasted Duck

4. Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien complimented with Mini Pork Pies and Honey Biscuits

5. River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey complimented with New Orleans Bourbon Chicken

6. The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka complimented with Buckeyes

7. The Outsider by Stephen King complimented with Maine Corn Chowder

8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black complimented with Honeyed Chicken

9. Windwitch by Susan Dennard complimented with Butter Garlic Herb Steak Foil Packets

10. The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens complimented with Beef Jerky

11. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky complimented with Russian Apricot Chicken

12. Into the Bright Unknown by Rae Carson complimented with Potato Cakes

13. Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt complimented with Beef on Weck

14. Death Sworn by Leah Cypress complimented with BBQ Chicken Kebobs

15. The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst complimented by Ribs with Garlic and Herb Crust

16. W I L D C A R D   S L O T

The rules are simple, I have until December 31st to read these books, make these recipes, and write my reviews. No order needs to be followed, and I can make the recipe before, during, or after reading the book as long as I’m not reading something else. I am really excited for this challenge that is going to grow me on multiple levels.

What is your reading challenge this year?? Tell me or link me in the comments!

Singing In the Shower Book Tag

This is my original book tag. Yes, I cringed too. So let’s waste no time and get ready to learn a few new songs, and stretch those creative muscles!! I tried to make this as surprising for myself as anyone else. So please enjoy, and if you decide to do it too please tag me or send me the link. I was surprised how many songs I could find that hit the mark so well.

1. Select a theme song for #girlboss character that you’ve recently discovered.
   Serena from Serena is most certainly a #girlboss. I think she’d appreciate Little Red Wagon by Miranda Lambert, a sort of guilty pleasure.
   

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2. Your all time favorite character just pulled up in your driveway. What song is most likely playing when you climb in?
   All time favorite character? Seriously? Who wrote this?
   I’m going with Darrow from Red Rising because climbing in a car with him is going to result in some sort of epic adventure. He’s got Back In Black by AC/DC. And Sevro is in the back seat singing it and playing air guitar.

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3. Go to last book on your shelf (or stack no judgement!) A character of your choice from the first chapter is singing karaoke. What song do the pick?
   Mark Watney from The Martian belting out Destiny Child’s Survivor  You know it.

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4. Pick an anthem for a beloved rascal.
   Jesper from Six of Crows would definitely identify is with Florida-Georgia Line’s This is How We Roll. It’s just the kind of song that would mark him subtly different from the citizens of Kitterdam.

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5. You know that one couple that just wasn’t meant to be? What’s their love song?
   It personally wounded me that Dagny Taggart didn’t end up with Francisco D’Anconia in Atlas Shrugged. Their love song would be Night Train by Jason Aldean. *Dreamy Sigh*

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6. Randomly select a book with from an author with the last name starting with C. Flip open to a random page, and the first character you see is singing in the shower. What song are they singing?
   YEssss. It’s Dr. Alan Grant from Jurassic Park!!!! He is belting out Africa by Toto.

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7. What’s song would be your favorite OTP’s first dance?
   My OTP’s are often not cannon, but Gale and Katniss from the Hunger Games should get a dreamy first dance in some secret, sweet wood. How about the acoustic Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban.

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8. The villain from the last book you read is looking for a theme song. What do you suggest?
   Pekka Rollins was a villain from the last book I read, Crooked Kingdom, and I guess he’d probably like the song All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled + friends.

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9. Think of a tragic couple, they are dancing their last dance, what song is it?
   Ruby and Liam from the Darkest Minds trilogy are my token tragic couple. Their last dance song: Rewind by Rascal Flatts.

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10. Your favorite stand alone book just got made into a movie. What song is playing in the opening credits?
    Alas, Babylon getting made into a movie would be beautiful! Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift & the Civil Wars would be playing for sure.

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11. Pick up the 5th book on your shelf. The main character is standing in an elevator with you- what song comes on that annoys them the most?
    Well, Darrow from the Red Rising trilogy is going up and Lorde’s Royals comes on. His eye rolling is constant.

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12. What’s the last series that you started? The kindest character from that series is sitting next to moonlight pond. What song do you serenade to cheer them up?
    Strange the Dreamer….and the kindest character was definitely Lazlo Strange. If he were sad, a moonlight serenade would actually cheer him up. I’d get someone that isn’t me to sing Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Suede.

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Extra Credit: Do any songs come to mind that remind you a setting in a book you love?
The Red Mine that Darrow in Red Rising comes from, their song would have to be Drinking Class by Lee Brice.

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So I hope you enjoyed Singing in the Shower Book Tag. And all you fellow book review bloggers, copy and paste. Let’s see what you come up with!!