2024 Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge
Welcome to my ongoing list for the Beat the Backlist 2024 Reading Challenge, hosted by Austine Decker. This is my second year participating in this challenge. Last year, my first year, it helped me read a lot more backlist titles than I thought I could, so I’m excited to see how this year goes. I found the prompts helped inspire me to read some of the books I really wanted to and wasn’t successful getting to on my own.
I’ll list the books I’ve read and a teeny bit about them here. You’ll also see the prompt the book satisfies posted with it. At the bottom of the post, you’ll find all 52 prompts, with the ones I’ve completed listed in bold. I hope you enjoy this journey through Beat the Backlist 2023 as much as I do.
So far, I’ve completed 34 out of 52 prompts.
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Beat the Backlist 2024
1. Fae or Aliens
3. Four word title.
Rise of the Shadowfire (City of Dragons #2) by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong
What you need to know: It picks up soon after the first book ends and takes Grace and her friends on a wild race through the Paris catacombs. Grace and her dragon’s relationship is one of the sweet highlights of this quick-to-read graphic novel.
Published October 17, 2023 | Review to Come
6. A retelling of a classic.
7. Small town or big city.
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
What you need to know: This one has been on my reading list for a while, so I was excited to finally pick it up. I love the big city (Washington DC) to small town (Bardell, GA) vibes and the layers of mystery perfectly folded together in this book. It’s also an incredible intergenerational story about trauma, grief, and the way that we connect to our history.
Published November 29, 2022 | Review to Come
8. Queer AF.
10. These woods hold secrets.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
What you need to know: I can’t believe this came out in 2018! Have I really been saying I’m going to read it for six years?! Wowza. Anyway. It took me until probably the halfway mark of this book for me to decide that I really liked it. I think at the beginning, I kept waiting for the story to start? I expected Alice to spend 75% of the book in the Hazel Wood or Hinterland itself instead of the pace the actual story takes.
Published January 30, 2018 | Review to Come
11. Anything but a monarchy.
Nimona by ND Stevenson
My thoughts: I’ve been seeing this book everywhere, never more than now that there’s a Netflix movie. I decided it was definitely time to read it, and I’m so glad I did. This is like Dr. Horrible’s cooler, more sophisticated older sibling, and yet it’s charming and fun all in its own right. Definitely a must-read for fantasy fans.
Published May 12, 2015 | Review to Come
12. Written at least 100 years ago.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
My thoughts: This is technically a reread, since I read this in high school. All I remembered about it is that I did not like it, but since I’m planning to read What Souls Are Made Of, which is a remix of the story, I wanted the original to be fresher in my brain. I still did not like this book. I don’t know. What am I missing? This seems like a tale of people treating each other miserably (if not abusively) and suffering for it?
Published February 7, 2023 (Orig 1847) | Review to Come
13. Walk through history. (Alternate history or historical.)
Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock
My thoughts: This takes place in Oklahoma after World War I, but also contains magic. I love the way the illustrator uses color palettes to set moods and show tension. I really enjoyed the story– it’s a quick read.
Published October 12, 2021 | Review to Come
18. Writing about writing.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehesi Coates
My thoughts: This is a letter to the author’s son about bodily autonomy and the experience of being Black in America. Thoughtful, rich, and honest. I’ll be revisiting this book in the future, I’m sure.
Published July 14, 2015 | Review to Come
22. First in an unfinished series.
This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom #1) by Tahereh Mafi
My thoughts: I recently discovered that a friend reads a lot and she highly recommended this series, so I figured I better check it out. So far, I am entranced by the powerful writing and slow-burn forbidden love. I finished the first book and started the second on the same day.
Published February 1, 2022 | Review to Come
23. On your TBR 5+ years.
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
My thoughts: This is an absolute must-read. I loved the way the book is structured. Slater knows exactly when to zoom into the details and when to zoom out to show the system surrounding the people in the book. I’m still reeling from the book and can’t stop recommending it to everyone I can think of.
Published October 17, 2017 | Review to Come
24. Co-Authored or Illustrated.
Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
What you need to know: A conversational, graphic novel-style book exploring topics related to sex, dating, identity, and relationships. The format makes the information very accessible, and the authors do a great job presenting basic information about a variety of topics. This is also among the top ten most challenged books of 2023.
Published March 9, 2021 | Review to Come
25. Share the love.
Teach the Torches to Burn by Caleb Roehrig
My thoughts: This remix of Romeo and Juliet features a romance between Romeo and the younger brother of one of his friends. I loved the historical setting and the way the author used elements from the original story in this reimagining of the tale of star-crossed love.
Published August 22, 2023 | Review to Come
30. Between 300 and 400 pages.
Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit (Theo Tan #1)
My thoughts: I enjoyed the second book in this series, and I had the first one already (from a publisher), so I’d been meaning to circle back and read it. I think I actually enjoyed this one more than the second one. I really enjoyed Kai’s asides and footnotes, and Theo’s devotion to his brother melts my heart.
Published May 31 2022 | Review
31. An unexpected inheritance.
How to Make a Movie in 12 Days by Fiona Hardy
Kane Miller Website | Bookshop | Goodreads
What you need to know: Hayley receives an unexpected gift from her grandmother who passed away which begins her quest to make the movie she planned with her grandmother. A sweet story with a focus on filmmaking.
Published September 1, 2019 | My Review
32. Neon-colored cover.
Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska by Helen Moss
My thoughts: The weirdest part of reading this book is, as a kid who grew up watching the movie Balto, how many times I would read facts about what actually happened and have to process my split-second denial. I’d kind of rear back and immediately think, that’s not what happened in the movie! Which…. well, duh? It was a cartoon? Anyway, I loved getting a chance to learn the real story of these brave mushers and their dogs who helped stop a diphtheria outbreak.
Published November 28, 2023 | Review to Come
33. Hotel, mansion, or castle.
These Infinite Threads (This Woven Kingdom #2) by Tahereh Mafi
My thoughts: I started this sequel within hours of finishing the first book in the series, and I’m so hooked. I love that one of my favorite minor characters from the first book has a bigger role in this one.
Published February 7, 2023 | Review to Come
34. Author and character share an initial.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins
My thoughts: Oof. I am glad I read this one, but I struggled. It’s kind of President Snow’s origin story. Taking a character that people so despised and writing a story in which he appears sympathetic has to be a huge writing challenge. There were parts that I thought were great and characters I liked. Overall, I’m glad I read it, but not sure it is something I’d ever revisit. (Though I did reread WUTHERING HEIGHTS this year, so who knows!)
Published May 19, 2020 | Review to Come
35. Character name is a color.
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
What you need to know: Five teenagers spread across the US who become involved in human trafficking. This one is pretty dark with fairly straightforward characters. It’s one of the most frequently banned books in the US.
Published August 25, 2009 | My Review to Come
36. Let’s circle back to this.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
What you need to know: One of the most challenged books of 2023. Tells the story of Pecola, an eleven-year-old Black girl who prays for her eyes to turn blue so she will be beautiful. A powerful read.
Published June 24, 2007 (Orig. 1970) | My Review to Come
37. Name that tune.
How to Write a Soundtrack to Your Life by Fiona Hardy
Kane Miller Website | Bookshop | Goodreads
What you need to know: A shy, young composer must figure out who stole the music from her original song. This is an anthem for all shy, musically gifted kids. I loved this one.
Published August 25, 2020 | My Review
38. Popular throwback.
The Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
What you need to know: I read Milne’s classic stories about Winnie-the-Pooh for the first time this year. They’re sweet and insightful tales about friendship and exploration.
Published August 6, 2024 | My Review
39. Sweet or spicy.
Dragon Flight (Dragon Slippers #2) by Jessica Day George
What you need to know: A whole new adventure in a far away kingdom for Creel and her friends– both human and dragon. The first in the series is my favorite of the three, but this one was good, too.
Published April 29, 2008 | My Review to Come
40. 3+ points of view.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
What you need to know: The story follows three orphans who need to find a guardian at the time that children were evacuated from London because of the bombing during WWII. This story was everything I wanted it to be. I have to read more by Kate Albus.
Published February 2, 2021 | My Review to Come
41. Coffeehouse reads.
Legends and Lattes (Legends and Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree
What you need to know: This was a really fun book to read. The cozy elements really worked, but I never felt like the story dragged or wasn’t interesting. The characters are fabulous. Definitely glad I read this!
Published February 22, 2022
42. We all scream for (ice cream).
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
What you need to know: This was a reread for me, and it only made me realize how much I love this story. The insights into family bonds and celebration of imagination are fabulous. I’m so glad I got to revisit this one.
Published August 28, 2014 (Orig. 1908) | My Review to Come
43. That’s not my name.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
What you need to know: Really rich storytelling in this graphic novel in which three storylines merge into one. This has some (purposely) uncomfortable moments that confront readers with the impact of racism, especially racist “jokes.” A powerful book.
Published September 6, 2006 | My Review to Come
44. Dance the night away.
45. Second chances.
Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
My thoughts: As someone who loves sister books, I can’t believe it took me so long to read Jane Austen’s most sister-focused book! Of course the relationship between Elinor and Marianne captivated me in this sweet story. In the beginning, Marianne doesn’t believe in second love, but that belief gets thoroughly put to the test. Pride and Prejudice may always be my favorite Jane Austen book, but this one is pretty great, too.
Published February 13, 2024 (Orig. 1811) | Review to Come
47. I was framed!
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
My thoughts: It’s been a long time since I’ve read Caraval by Stephanie Garber, but I enjoyed it so much that I knew I wanted to check out this series. Now that all the books in the series have been released, I think this is one I could seriously binge my way through. It’s got the same dangerous magical feel that Caraval had for me, and I think I like the forbidden love angle the story has going on. I’ll definitely read on for book two.
Published September 28, 2021 | Review to Come
49. Released the 13th of Any Month
50. Written by or about a (fictional) celebrity.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
My thoughts: Some depictions of abuse in this book made it tough to read at times, but wow. Beyond those moments (and maybe also in spite of them?) it’s such a beautiful story about sisterhood and the strength women draw from relationships with one another. It’s about the power of community and the value of holding space for one another. Helping each other. I really enjoyed this book, and it’ll stay with me for a long time.
Published December 10, 2019 (Orig. 1982) | Review to Come
51. Creature feature.
2024 Beat the Backlist Prompts
I’ve completed the prompts in bold.
- Fae or aliens.
- The title contains a body of water.
- 4-word title.
- Travel by ship.
- Prominently features a desert.
- A retelling of a classic.
- Small town versus big city.
- Queer AF.
- Good vibes only.
- Those woods hold secrets.
- Anything but a monarchy.
- Published 100+ years ago.
- Walk through history. (Historical/alternate history, etc.)
- Door on the cover.
- 2023 Debut novel.
- Bird is the word.
- Live in infamy. (Inspired by famous history.)
- Writing about writing.
- Blurbed by a favorite author.
- Recommended via a newsletter or podcast.
- Tickles your funny bone.
- First in an unfinished series.
- On your TBR 5+ years.
- Co-authored or illustrated.
- Share the love.
- The author’s last name starts with a V.
- It’s the end of the world as we know it.
- STEM stan.
- We have so much in common.
- Between 300 and 400 pages.
- An unexpected inheritance.
- Neon-colored cover.
- Hotel, mansion, or castle.
- The author and character share an initial.
- The character’s name is a color.
- Let’s circle back to this. (Circle on the cover or in the plot.)
- Name that tune.
- Popular throwback.
- Sweet or spicy.
- 3+ points of view.
- Coffeehouse reads.
- We all scream for (ice cream?)
- That’s not my name. (Character mistaken for someone else.)
- Dance the night away.
- Second chances.
- Sibling showdown.
- I was framed!
- Anthology or omnibus edition.
- Released on the 13th of any month.
- Written by or about a fictional celebrity.
- Creature feature.
- Space: the final frontier.
