Women in Translation Month is here!

 

August brings one of my favourite reading celebrations of the year -- Women in Translation Month. All the info on how this project started & the stats behind it can be found on the Women in Translation website. But this year, most of what's happening can be found on Instagram, under the @readwit account.

For readers, though, the essential joy of this month is reading more books by women that have been translated from any language that isn't English. And of course sharing your encounters with said books. It's a wonderful summertime reading project.

Some years I read a lot, and review something every day but it is absolutely fine to read just one book this month, you are still participating. I will have more to share on both my plans and the last year's readings this week.  Happy Women in Translation Month!

Canadian Book Challenge at 20

The Canadian Book Challenge is chugging along into its 20th year -- I still read along, to keep myself aware of reading and reviewing Canadian fiction here, alongside everything else. Anyone can join in - you just have to read and review 13 Canadian books between July 1 and July 1! So easy.

Over the last year I read quite a number of mysteries but also some general fiction -- aiming to repeat that for this year's reading. I want to catch up on my Margaret Millar mysteries, and there are some new releases tempting me also. Lots to pick from :) 

2026 Challenges Ahead

And now, looking ahead into 2026! What reading challenges will I take up in the new year? 

I'll start with the continuous ones that run over the calendar year ends. There is the Canadian Book Challenge, which runs July 1 - July 1 every year, with the aim to read and review 13 Canadian books. I'm halfway through, and have 5 books to read and review by the end of this round. 

Then there's my ongoing Century of Books challenge. I wanted to start this one in 2025 because I really liked the symmetry of reading books between the dates of 1925 and 2025. Although this is supposed to be done in one year, I didn't finish it in 2025, so I'm keeping at it until I'm finished. Hopefully by the end of 2026 but we will see if I can read and review 73 books by then! 

Of course I will also continue with the Women in Translation readalong in August, and have two rounds of the Literary Sewing Circle planned for 2026 (the first one starting around March). 

And the fresh 2026 Challenges are as follows! 

I want to try the TBR 26 in '26 hosted by the Rose City Reader this year - I didn't do too well on the 2025 iteration but am going to try again ;) The goal is to read 26 books from your shelves that have been there prior to Jan 1, 2026. I have LOTS to choose from! 

Rose City Reader is also hosting the European Reading Challenge  - it runs the whole year too, and you can sign up at various levels. I'm signing up for:

• FIVE STAR (DELUXE ENTOURAGE): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.
  
  

And I am jumping on the Japanese Literature Challenge once more. This one is hosted by Dolce Belezza, and this is the 19th year it is running. The goal is to read and review at least one Japanese book during January and February. 

And there's one more that will be easy for me, but I still want to sign up and share this one! The Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI), together with the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) and with support from the HUCUS Foundation, announced a new long-term campaign: the Ukrainian Book Challenge. The campaign makes a simple ask: to buy at least one book in English about Ukraine or by a Ukrainian author – at least once a year. Participants are encouraged to take a selfie or record a short video with their chosen book, post it on their social media, and challenge five friends to do the same using the hashtag #UkrainianBookChallenge. So consider this my challenge to you, as well -- I have tons of suggestions and reviews here on my blog for you to consider -- try the Ukraine tag if you aren't on mobile and can see them at the bottom of my posts! 

Do you enjoy reading challenges? Are you doing any great ones this year that you want to share? Let me know! 

2025: Challenges Past

In 2025 I signed up for a few reading challenges. How'd I do? Some good, some partly good! I participated in some ongoing challenges that run over into next year, more about those in another post. 

The challenges specific to 2025 were are follows: 

More of a reading event than a challenge, Women in Translation Month in August was another great time. I read a bunch of titles, found some great books, and shared some reading lists and favourites from previous years. Definitely sticking with this one. 

Then there's the Literary Sewing Circle, a challenge I run, with two discrete rounds a year. There were two fun reads in 2025, and it will be returning in 2026. 

I signed up for a few challenges that I haven't participated in for a while. The first was the Japanese Literature Challenge hosted by Dolce Bellezza. It's been running for a long time and it is always fun to see what everyone else is reading. You only have to read one thing to participate, but in January I read and reviewed 2 titles, Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, and There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura.

Next was the TBR 25 in '25, hosted by Rose City Reader. I definitely have a giant TBR of my own books on my shelves, which is what this one is focused on. I had hoped to get to 25 but I got sidetracked by all the library books! I read only 7 books that had been on my shelves prior to January 1, 2025. A few others of my own that I bought in 2025 but those don't count toward this one either :) 

And the final challenge I signed up for in 2025 was the What's in a Name challenge, hosted by Carolina Book Nook. This is an old-school one but I haven't done it for years! My results were only halfway there though - I read 4/6 in the categories for this one. 

I had a lot of fun with these even if I didn't meet them all. If you're interested you can find all the titles read for all the challenges in my planning post from the end of 2024. 

I'll be sharing what I'm planning on joining in on for next year, in my next post. 

Happy New Reading Year!

 And just like that it is 2025! I have so many plans for the year, at least for my reading. I shared some of the challenges I want to do this year in a recent post, but since then I've discovered another. It's an oldie that I did a few times back when book blogging was in its heyday. And I've discovered that it's still being hosted! So I'll jump in again for fun and nostalgia. 

The idea of this challenge is that you read something with a totally arbitrary category in its title. It can be rather entertaining to see what people choose! The host for this challenge, Carolina Book Nook, says:

In 2025, choose 6 books that have titles that contain:

Cardinal direction

Wanderlust

Crafting a Getaway / Barbara Emodi

First & last name

Dorothy Grant: An Endless Thread

Alliteration

Mina's Matchbox 

Deity

Crime

Murder While You Work 

There are examples for each category on her signup page if you're interested, too! 

**********************************

I'll also be sharing a lot of reviews for my final reads in the Century of Books project, over the next few weeks. I am trying to finish up this round as quick as I can so that I can go ahead and start another round for 1925-2025 -- even if the official challenge isn't running this year. Check out Simon at Stuck in a Book, the creator of this challenge, who has just completed his 2024 Century. And who does a lot of other very cool bookish things like his great podcast, Tea or Books. 

Challenges Past & Challenges Ahead

Last year I participated in a few yearlong reading projects, many of which are long term ongoing ones. I'm still going on with most of them for 2025. I haven't been joining many new ones lately, but there are two I'm going to add to my plans for 2025! Let's see if I can successfully incorporate some new challenges to the mix once more ;) 

Canadian Book Challenge 

It's the 18th year of the challenge & of my reading along. The goal is to read and review 13 Canadian books from July 1 - July 1. I've just finished review #14! How did that happen - I never finish ahead of time! But I'm going to keep reading Canadian and I'll restart again next July 1 as well. 

Century of Books

This challenge was first begun by Simon at Stuck in a Book; as I finish it every few years I just start it up again on my own. I began a new Century in 2023 & hoped to finish it in 2024 - I am just a handful of books away from completion so hope to get my final reviews in during January so I can start anew! 

Women in Translation 

This is more a readalong/celebration than a challenge, but I love to focus on #WIT during August especially, and will continue to join to fun in 2025. 

Literary Sewing Circle

And there's my own challenge, of sorts, the Literary Sewing Circle. This is a readalong I host on my sewing blog, Following the Thread, twice a year. We read a book together and then sew something inspired by our reading, usually one in the spring and one in the fall. We read a couple of fabulous books together in 2024, and have two more to explore in 2025. All welcome to join in!

And then there are the new ones I'm going to try to read along with! 

The first is Dolce Bellezza's Japanese Literature Challenge - it's in its 18th year in 2025. The goal is to read and review at least one work of Japanese literature during January and February. I sometimes participate by chance, but I'm making it a goal this year. 

READ: 

 Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa

There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura

The next new one is Rose City Reader's The TBR 25 in '25 Challenge. This is aimed at getting you to read 25 of the books from your own shelves in 25. Considering that I have many books but usually read more library books than my own, this is a perfect prompt for me in 2025. You can make a list ahead or read by mood - I am a mood reader so will not make a full list ahead of time but have ideas already! 

READ: 

There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job / Kikuko Tsumura 

The Bookshop / Penelope Fitzgerald

The Goldberg Variations / Nancy Huston 

The Door / Magda Szabo 

A Stranger in my Grave / Margaret Millar 

Den of Thieves / Katharine Stall 

The Joy Luck Club / Amy Tan 

And that's it for me. I hope that 2025 brings you both new reading adventures and all the literary challenges you could wish for!

Japanese Literature Challenge

The Japanese Literature Challenge is running for the 17th year, created and hosted by Dolce Bellezza. The goal is to read and review Japanese books in translation throughout January and February. 

I've participated in the past -- only one review is 'required' to participate. I have a few that I will be sharing! I do enjoy Japanese literature; in fact, it was the most frequent language in the translated books I read over 2023.  I wasn't planning on taking on any more challenges but this one is such a fun one, and I know I have books to share that fit right in :) 

If you want to join as well, go on over to her blog and grab the button. The review linkup page is a sticky post at the top of her blog so you can add your contribution whenever it's up. Have fun! 

Challenges Past & Challenges Ahead

Last year I participated in a few yearlong reading projects, many of which are long term ongoing ones. I'm still going on with most of them for 2024. I tried to rejoin the TBR pile challenge in 2023 but didn't get too far with that one! I'm not joining any new challenges in the new year, but will just try to keep up with the current ones. 

Canadian Book Challenge 

It's the 17th year of the challenge & of my reading along. The goal is to read and review 13 Canadian books from July 1 - July 1. I've only reviewed 2 so far! 

Century of Books

This challenge was first begun by Simon at Stuck in a Book; as I finish it every few years I just start it up again on my own. I began a new Century in 2023 & hope to finish it in 2024! 

Women in Translation 

This is more a readalong/celebration than a challenge, but I love to focus on #WIT during August especially, and will continue to join to fun in 2024. 

TBR Challenge update

I signed up to the 10th year of the TBR Challenge hosted by Adam of Roof Beam Reader -- but didn't get very far. Of the 12 books on the list, I only read and reviewed 2! I did finish another one but haven't reviewed it yet. Sheesh! New books seem to move to the top of the pile...

Literary Sewing Circle

And finally there's my own challenge, of sorts, the Literary Sewing Circle. This is a readalong I host on my sewing blog, Following the Thread, twice a year. We read a book together and then sew something inspired by our reading. We read a couple of fabulous Canadian books together in 2023, and have two more to explore in 2024. All welcome to join in!

I hope that 2024 brings you both new reading adventures and all the literary challenges you could wish for!

17th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge

 July is flying and I still haven't posted my Canadian Reading Challenge yet! This is the 17th year of the challenge, and of course I'll still have a go. It's hosted by Shonna at Canadian Bookworm, and you can find the info and signup here. 

The challenge is to read and review 13 Canadian books between July 1 & July 1 -- I just made it this year -- it's the reviewing that gets me :)

But I am planning to read and review along again this year, so 13 CanLit reads coming up...

Challenges Past and Challenges Ahead

Last year I participated in yearlong reading projects, many of which are long term ongoing ones. I'm still going on with most of them for 2023, but am also adding in another year-long project that I found - one that I've done in the past but forgotten about, the TBR pile challenge! I started out this year trying to read more from my own shelves so this will be a good reminder to keep at it.

I always read along with the Canadian Book Challenge, which runs from July 1 - July 1. I finished my 13 reads for the 15th Challenge, and now we're working along on the 16th Challenge, hosted by Shonna of Canadian Bookworm. I started a bit slowly, but I do have 7 books read so far, so only 6 more to go before July 1, 2023!

I've embarked on a new ACOB Challenge -- A Century of Books was created by Simon at Stuck in a Book some years ago. My first go took 4 years, not one, and my second go looked like it was going to take 4 years too. So I started a new run even though I hadn't quite finished the last one! My new project has changed a little, I am now reading the century from 1920 - 2020. The turn of our century feels a long way away now so I've bumped up the century. My plan is to read women writers and have got a few filled in already!

As always, I enjoyed reading for August's Women in Translation Month, which is more of a readalong than a challenge per se, but it helps me to focus in on my reading and reviews. I'll keep participating as long as it goes on as well. This year I really went all in and posted every day in August. So many great works in translation out there. Founder Meytal Radzinzki of Biblio.com also launched a new WIT website last year, so it's a great resource to check out if you are also intrigued by this readalong project (I recommend it!)

This year I've also decided to join up with a challenge that is a classic in the blog world, now celebrating its 10th year, the TBR Pile Challenge hosted by RoofBeam Reader. Essentially you commit to reading 12 books that have been on your personal shelves for at least one year. My problem was narrowing down my vast book holdings to only 12 choices ;) My list is here, & that's where I'll be tracking my progress on this one.

 

And finally there's my own challenge, of sorts, the Literary Sewing Circle. This is a readalong I host on my sewing blog, Following the Thread, twice a year. We read a book together and then sew something inspired by our reading. We took a break this fall but are planning to return with a new title in Spring 2023! 

I hope that 2023 brings you both new reading adventures and all the literary challenges you could wish for!

The TBR Pile Challenge turns 10

 

The Goal

To finally read twelve books that have been sitting on your “TBR Pile” list or shelves for a year or more.

Adam of RoofBeamReader has been running this challenge now for 10 years, and I have participated in the past. I haven't been doing a lot of challenges in the last few years, though, aside from the long-term regular ones. So when I saw this announcement I thought I'd jump in once more! I have so many unread books on my shelves and have been trying to read more of them. This challenge should help with that! 

So without further ado, here is my list of 12 books (and 2 alternates) that I am planning on reading in 2023:

This stack is actually in reverse order -- my two alternates are perched on top! So in order from bottom to top, these are my 2023 picks from the multitude on my bookshelves. I will use this post to keep track of them and link the reviews as they go up.

1. The Door / Magda Szabo 

2. The House of Spirits / Isabel Allende

3. Kiss the Joy As It Flies / Sheree Fitch

4. Father / Elizabeth von Arnim

5. Breakfast with the Nikolides / Rumer Godden

6. The 27th Kingdom / Alice Thomas Ellis

7. A Note in Music / Rosamond Lehmann

8. In a Summer Season / Elizabeth Taylor

9. The Paris-Napoli Express / Janice Kulyk Keefer

10. Mr. Wrong / Elizabeth Jane Howard 

11. Green Water, Green Sky / Mavis Gallant

12. Crusoe's Daughter / Jane Gardam 

Alternates: 

1. Brat Farrar / Josephine Tey

2. He, She & It / Marge Piercy 

16th Annual Canadian Book Challenge

 

I just realized that I forgot to "officially" sign up for the Canadian Book Challenge in July! Here is my sign-up post :) I have been participating in this challenge for years and didn't want to miss it -- it's never too late to sign up, you can find the sign up post with all details of this challenge here. 

#WITMonth plans & stacks

This #WITMonth is a little more circumscribed for me than previous years. I have many books on my own shelves to read and have made a stack of the ones I am actively reading and/or intending to read this month. It's smaller than previous years but some great titles there.

I have an entire bookshelf to choose from if I read more quickly than I expect & of course there are many other choices in my local library. 

But I am just going to read what I can & enjoy adding titles to my TBR as others share their reading.  It is always a great month for discovering new authors! 

Challenges Past and Challenges Ahead

Last year I set myself a few long term challenges that weren't new to me -- I didn't have the mental space to go all in with really challenging and novel projects in 2021, like many people, I imagine. So here are the few that I participated in during 2021, some now done and some ongoing.

I always read along with the Canadian Book Challenge, which runs from July 1 - July 1. I finished my list for the 14th Challenge, and now we're working along on the 15th Challenge, hosted by Shonna of Canadian Bookworm.  I'm doing pretty well, at 10/13 right now thanks to some Women In Translation reading and some very entertaining middle grade fiction. But still more to go. This is a low pressure readalong that I enjoy, so I'll keep participating as long as it's running.

I'm still reading along for my ACOB Challenge -- A Century of Books was created by Simon at Stuck in a Book some years ago. The first time I did it I took 4 years to read a whole century; last year I said I wanted to finish it in 3 years, by the end of 2021, but I'm not *quite* there. I hope to be able to get all my reviews for this challenge up by the end of January/February so I can start another list again ;)

I finished reading my Classics Club list in 2020 and was planning to start another. I created a list in earlyish 2021, but have only read a couple of titles, and have not officially rejoined the challenge. Planning to do so in 2022!

As always, I enjoyed reading for August's Women in Translation Month, which is more of a readalong than a challenge per se, but it helps me to focus in on my reading and reviews. I'll keep participating as long as it goes on as well. This year I really went all in and posted every day in August. So many great works in translation out there. Founder Meytal Radzinzki of Biblio.com also launched a new WIT website this year which is simply wonderful, if you are all interested in this project be sure to check out that site.

And finally there's my own challenge, of sorts, the Literary Sewing Circle. This is a readalong I host on my sewing blog, Following the Thread, twice a year. We read a book together and then sew something inspired by our reading. This year we read Karen Tidbeck's Amatka in the spring, and Simone St. James' The Sun Down Motel in the fall. Two more to come in 2022. 

I hope you also have reading plans that make you excited about a whole new year of reading choices. I know that I enjoy seeing other people's lists and plans to get me back into a reading groove.

#WIT Month 2021 is Underway!

 

August is Women in Translation Month! For me, August always means it's time for reading #WIT. This is a great initiative started by Meytal Radzinski at Biblibio in 2014, to highlight the fact that only about 30% of the small number of books translated into English are by women. This year she has created a dedicated website for the project, WomenInTranslation.org. Go there to find all the details, reviews, booklists, stats and everything else you've ever wanted to know about this project. It's really fantastic! 

And if you like this kind of thing, there is also a reading bingo card for WIT 2021! 

I absolutely love this month. It's the most reading fun I have all year. I've been participating since 2015 when I first found about this challenge, and you can find all my reviews of the Women in Translation I've read by clicking on the #WIT tag on any post. 

I also try to keep reading more women in translation throughout the year, but since the end of August 2020 I've only managed a few - not a great reading year overall, and especially not in this area, all down to my concentration. Here's what I've read and reviewed in the last year.

Territory of Light / Yuko Tsushima; trans. from the Japanese by Geraldine Harcourt

The Cat Who Came In Off the Roof / Annie M.G. Schmidt; trans. from the Dutch by David Colmer

Maresi / Maria Turtschaninoff; trans. from the Finnish by Annie Prime

Naondel / Maria Turtschaninoff; trans. from the Finnish by Annie Prime