I’m four months into my current reading challenge, so I wanted to take the time to evaluate how I’m doing. The Popsugar Reading Challenge has 40 regular prompts and 10 advanced prompts. However, it’s fairly common for readers to turn the 40th prompt–read a book from a past Popsugar Challenge–into a prompt that includes a favorite prompt from each of the past year’s challenges (currently five, 2015-2019). So that brings my goal up to 54 books. Currently, I’ve read 20 of 54. If you’d like to take a look back at my original post and what I had planned to read, it’s here. Now, let’s take a look at the ones I’ve crossed off:

1 – A book that’s published in 2020

While Wild at Heart was not the book I had planned for this spot, it’s one I couldn’t resist picking up after I’d finally read The Simple Wild, the first in the series. My Review

Original choice: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

2 – A book by a trans or nonbinary author

Good Boy was an unsolicited ARC that showed up on my doorstep at just the right time. I wasn’t sure what I was going to use to fill this prompt and this fit perfectly.

My Review

5 – A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics

The Little Bookshop on the Seine was an ARC I received through Netgalley. It’s set in Paris, and while it was light on romance, the atmosphere made up for it. My Review

Original choice: Things in Jars by Jess Kidd

17 – A medical thriller

I think this may have been my hardest prompt to fill when I was planning my challenge out. I’m not a big fan of medical-themed books, but while I was reading Things in Jars, I realized it would fit here and I was very happy.

My Review

19 – A book set in a country beginning with “C”

The Blue Castle has been on my backlist for a long time. I was happy to finally pick this one up. It’s set in beautiful Canada.

21 – A book published the month of your birthday

Not only was Saint X published during the month of my birthday, it was published on my birthday. This was more literary novel than thriller, but I was hooked.

My Review

22 – A book about or by a woman in STEM

The Kiss Quotient has been on my backlist for a while, and it was the perfect fit for this prompt. I discovered the hype was real for this one.

24 – A book on a subject you know nothing about

I originally planned to put A Good Neighborhood on prompt #1, but after reading it, I realized it would fit here. This book focused a lot on ecology. My Review

Original choice: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

26 – A book with a pun in the title

I’m not even sure if The Honey-Don’t List constitutes a pun, but we’re gonna pretend it does, okay?? I was having a hard time finding somewhere to put this book. Sometimes you just gotta make it work. 😉

My Review

27 – A book featuring one of the deadly sins

Big Lies in a Small Town was an ARC I was invited to read through Netgalley and it fit perfectly in this prompt. I’m always a fan of Chamberlain’s historical fiction.

My Review

30 – A fiction or nonfiction book about a world leader

I was pretty happy when I realized A Curse so Dark and Lonely would fit this prompt. Otherwise, I would have been rereading Cinder.

My Review

31 – A book with “gold,” “silver,” or “bronze” in the title

Chain of Gold was my only choice for this prompt. I couldn’t wait to read it, and it was so much fun.

My Review

32 – A book by a WOC (Woman of Color)

I knew I wanted to read P.S. I Still Love You before the Netflix adaptation came out, so I penciled this one in here. I will forever be a fan of Lara Jean.

35 – A book with a three-word title

I was a fan of Rebecca Serle’s The Dinner List, so I was excited when I was approved for In Five Years through Netgalley. If you enjoy magical realism, you should give this one a chance! My Review

Original choice: The Bride’s Test

40b – Your favorite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge – 2016 Set in Europe

The Light After the War is historical fiction primarily about friendship. I enjoyed it but it wasn’t my favorite from the genre.

My Review

40c – A book published in 2017

I finally finished this series with Always and Forever, Lara Jean, which may have been my favorite of them all.

My Review

40d – 2018 Book by a local author

I’ll probably be using this prompt every year since I’m fortunate enough to live in the same state as Katherine Center. Her books always leave me smiling, and What You Wish For was no exception.

My Review

40e – 2019 A reread of your favorite book

My fourth time to reread one of my favorite series. I never grow tired of Clockwork Angel.

Advanced Prompts

6 – A book by an author who has written more than 20 books

I finished Winter Solstice in early January, so I was able to use it here. I really enjoyed the Winter series!

My Review

10 – A book with a main character in their 20s

The Simple Wild was a book I picked up because I’d seen so many fellow bloggers rave about it. I’m so happy I did. One of my favorite reads of the year so far. My Review

Original choice: The Light After the War

I’m currently two books ahead of schedule, so I feel like I’m doing well. I’ve read a few books that could have fit in other prompts, but I didn’t include them in hopes that I’ll read the original books I have planned–books that have sat on my shelves for far too long. Are you participating in the Popsugar Reading Challenge? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!