Starts: Friday, 01 January 2021
Ends: Friday, 31 December 2021
I am not the creator of this challenge, I have quoted extensively from Jae's original post.
The goal is to read sapphic books that fit as many of the 50 categories listed below as possible. You can read ebooks, paperbacks, or audiobooks; and they can be new-to-you books or re-reads. Depending on how many sapphic books you manage to read in 2021, you can earn different badges and book prizes. Jae will post book recommendations for a new category once a week, and I will try to keep the list up to date. Of course, you could also just read whatever books you want and then, afterwards, see what categories they fit into.
Each book may be used only once, even if it fits several categories. (You may add books to multiple categories to help others find suitable reads, but if you are looking to win a prize, be aware of this!)
For the longer version of the rules, a bonus level you could go for, and an explanation of the prizes you can win, please see Jae's original post for the challenge. She also has a handy FAQ for your reference.
If I ever fall behind with adding Jae's recommendations, you can reference the linked index of her posts here.
If I ever fall behind with adding Jae's recommendations, you can reference the linked index of her posts here.
The levels and badges of the Sapphic Reading Challenge
The Sapphic Reading Challenge offers five different levels plus a bonus level, so you can pick whatever suits you best, depending on how much reading time you have. You can move up or down to a different level at any time.
I have omitted the badges in this post, but you may find them in Jae's original post for the challenge.
Book Penguin: The goal is to read 10 sapphic books in 2021. Each book has to fit one category listed below. Completing 20% of this challenge would award you the Book Penguin Badge.
Book Squirrel: The goal is to read 20 sapphic books in 2021. Each book has to fit one category listed below.
Completing 40% of this challenge would award you the Book Squirrel Badge.
Book Bear: The goal is to read 30 sapphic books in 2021. Each book has to fit one category listed below.
Completing 60% of this challenge would award you the Book Bear Badge.
Book Dragon (level 1): The goal is to read 50 sapphic books in 2021, one book for each of the 50 categories.
Completing 100% of this challenge would award you the Book Dragon (lvl 1) Badge.
Book Dragon (level 2): This is the level for our hardcore readers. The goal is to read 100 sapphic books in 2021, two books for each of the 50 categories.
Completing 200% of this challenge would award you the Book Dragon (lvl 2) Badge, but it must be two from each category.
Book Unicorn: The Book Unicorn is a bonus level that you can pick either by itself or as an additional goal. The goal is to read 10 sapphic books from a list of 12 harder-to-find genres and themes. Jae will post book suggestions for one Book Unicorn category each month. I have listed them as bonus prompts.
Book Squirrel: The goal is to read 20 sapphic books in 2021. Each book has to fit one category listed below.
Completing 40% of this challenge would award you the Book Squirrel Badge.
Book Bear: The goal is to read 30 sapphic books in 2021. Each book has to fit one category listed below.
Completing 60% of this challenge would award you the Book Bear Badge.
Book Dragon (level 1): The goal is to read 50 sapphic books in 2021, one book for each of the 50 categories.
Completing 100% of this challenge would award you the Book Dragon (lvl 1) Badge.
Book Dragon (level 2): This is the level for our hardcore readers. The goal is to read 100 sapphic books in 2021, two books for each of the 50 categories.
Completing 200% of this challenge would award you the Book Dragon (lvl 2) Badge, but it must be two from each category.
Book Unicorn: The Book Unicorn is a bonus level that you can pick either by itself or as an additional goal. The goal is to read 10 sapphic books from a list of 12 harder-to-find genres and themes. Jae will post book suggestions for one Book Unicorn category each month. I have listed them as bonus prompts.
The rules
- The reading challenge will run from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. You can join at any time.
- Each book needs to have at least one main character who is a woman who loves women or a nonbinary character who identifies as sapphic.
- Each book needs to fit one of the 50 categories (for the Book Penguin, the Book Squirrel, the Book Bear, or the Book Dragon) or one of the 12 extra categories (for the Book Unicorn). You’ll find the list of categories below.
- Each book may be used only once, even if it fits several categories.
- Pick the level that you think will work best for you. If you later change your mind and realize you’ll be reading fewer or more books than you initially thought, you can switch to a different level any time.
- Every week, Jae will post a new category with a list of book recommendations. For the Book Unicorn, she’ll post reading suggestions for one category each month. You can either pick a book from those recommended reading lists or choose any other book that fits the category. (Here is the index of posts, kept updated with links.)
- Only books you started and finished in 2021 count.
- Books can be any format—ebook, paperback, or audiobook.
- It doesn’t necessarily have to be a novel. Novellas (usually around 17,500-40,000 words) count too, as do anthologies, short story collections, and graphic novels.
- Re-reads of books you’ve read before count.
Challenge prompts
1. Enemies-to-lovers romance (37 books added)
The two main characters start out being enemies or rivals before falling in love. Check out the list of recommended books here.
2. Character with an everyday job (32 books added)
The protagonist doesn’t have a glamorous job such as famous actress but an everyday job such as waitress, cashier, mechanic, etc. Check out the recommended books list here.
3. Return to hometown (28 books added)
A book in which the protagonist returns to her hometown after years away. Check out the recommended books list here.
5. Character is a journalist or reporter (23 books added)
The protagonist currently works as a journalist, reporter, or newsperson. Check out Jae's recommendations here.
5. From TLR’s “Best of the Best” list (142 books added)
Read a book from The Lesbian Review’s “best of the best” list.
6. Only one bed (23 books added)
There’s only one bed, so the two main characters have to share it (although they’re not a couple).
7. Character with a disability or mental illness (31 books added)
A book with protagonist who has a physical disability, a chronic illness, or a mental disorder.
8. Character is a book lover (31 books added)
The protagonist is a writer, librarian, book editor, or an avid reader.
9. One-night stand to forever (22 books added)
The romance starts with a one-night stand, a fling, or a friends-with-benefits arrangement.
10. Speculative fiction (44 books added)
A book with strong fantastical, supernatural, or futuristic elements, e.g., science fiction, fantasy, or paranormal fiction.