Happy New Year, everyone!

It's time for the start of the 2017 Read & Watch Challenge. Yay! If you missed the initial post that explained how this works, check it out here. (There's also a free checklist and reading journal you can download.) But the basic premise is that each month there will be a theme word. You can choose how to interpret the theme word, but the challenge is to read a book and watch a movie/TV show each month that match the theme.

Also, each month, I'll be posting recommendations here if you're having trouble deciding what to pick. I'll offer my own recommendations and what I plan to read/watch for the challenge BUT I'll also be featuring tastemakers (authors, bloggers, editors) who offer recommendations AND a Reader of the Month who will offer her choices. So lots of reasons to stop by! :)

So, this month's word is BEGIN. I think this one is perfect for January and I hope you'll have fun with it.

Possible interpretations of the theme (but interpret how you like):

Begin a series
A story about beginnings
A book or movie that has the word BEGIN in the title
A non-fiction book about a habit you want to start
A YA story because teens are beginning their adult lives
A prequel
A story about the beginning of an era

TASTEMAKER OF THE MONTH: Julie Cross

This month's tastemaker is my friend and NYT Bestselling YA/NA author, Julie Cross. She's got some great suggestions for us. But be sure to also check out her latest book, Chasing Truth, which also fits the theme of BEGIN. Kirkus reviews calls it, "An enjoyably twisty, romantic, and thoughtful prep-school mystery."

Now, on to Julie's picks!

Novel: Sex and Violence by Carrie Mesrobian

Julie's Thoughts: Open your mind a bit and let this very real, very BEGIN story inside you and I promise you will feel all kinds of things. After Seventeen year old, Evan is severely assaulted by the ex-boyfriend of a girl he hooks up, his father pulls him out of boarding school and the two escape to a family cabin in Minnesota. Evan must begin to mend--inside and out--begin to trust, and begin to love himself while learning to let others in. Lovers of romance, there is a love story here, but be aware, it doesn’t follow the traditional patterns however if you come prepared for a real and emotional journey, you’ll find that love story right alongside the hero.

Recommended for lovers of realistic teen stories, male narrator's, family drama, small-town quirks, friendships, and characters who make dozens of mistakes but grow tremendously throughout the story.

TV Show: Veronica Mars

Julie's Thoughts: I watched this entire series just last winter (free via my Amazon Prime membership) so don’t feel intimidated by the “Marshmellows” who were devoted to the series since it’s birth. Unlike the hero in my YA book recommendation, Veronica doesn’t have the luxery of moving to a new place despite the BEGIN she is forced embrace. Her best friend was murdered, her father was booted from his job as town sheriff, her mother has run off to God knows where, and Veronica has gone from popular cheerleader to daughter of the town outcast. She may be stuck in Neptune until graduation, but that doesn’t mean Veronica has to sit quietly and accept her new fate. She’s fierce, witty, hilarious, and very loyal to her father. The two of them have a great relationship and run a damn good P.I. business too. Veronica’s drive and constant curiosity will make you want to get up and BEGIN something of your own. After you binge watch all three seasons plus the follow-up movie, which is also fantastic.

READER OF THE MONTH: Dawn Alexander

Next up, we have recommendations from my friend, fellow writer, and avid suspense reader, Dawn Alexander. Dawn likes things with a mystery and a bad guy/gal, so she'll have some different picks for us. Also, be sure to check out her blog! :)

On to Dawn's picks...

Novels:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

The first of the Stephanie Plum series, an all time favorite.

Naked in Death by JD Robb

First of the In Death series, also an all time favorite.

Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

For a little bit of a twist on a theme. It's a women's fiction about the beginning of summer as well as the beginning of everyone's secrets unraveling.

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

My choice for my challenge is. I'm cheating a little here. It is the beginning of a series. A is the beginning of the alphabet AND it's the beginning of my Follow the Clues reading Challenge.

Movies:

Rogue One

It's the beginning of the Star Wars Trilogy I grew up with. Not the prequels.

Hope Floats

The beginning of a new life.

Stand By Me

The beginning of adulthood.

Roni's Recommendations

Books:

Because January is all about beginnings, I find myself reaching for a lot of non-fiction, self-improvement type books. So if you’re looking for a fresh start, here are a few options:

The Happiness Project or Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

These are great books to reboot at the beginning of the year if you're looking to start new habits or to find some joy this year. I find myself picking these up for rereads in January.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is all about beginning a full, rich creative life without all the “artistic suffering”.

Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD by Susan Pinsky

Not just for those with ADHD. Super helpful organizing solutions that really resonated with me and I still use years after reading the book. So if one of your goals this year is to get yourself organized, this is a great place to begin.

Shameless Self-Promotion:

You know what would also make excellent choices for BEGIN? Beginning one of my series. :) Here are my two series starters:

Crash Into You

First in the Loving on the Edge series (kinky Texas men, BDSM, angst, romance)

Off the Clock

First in the Pleasure Principle series (smart and sexy therapists and doctors, Grey's Anatomy of mental heath meets erotic romance)

TV Show:

My So-Called Life

This one is an easy one to start because there is only one season—one perfect, ended-too-soon season--and you can get it streaming. This is about the beginning of high school, adulthood, and contains ALL THE ANGST and super hot Jared Leto. If you grew up in the 90s, you’ve probably already seen it, but there’s a reason that it was picked as one of the top 100 shows of all time by the authors of TV (The Book.)

Movie:

When Harry Met Sally

This is the perfect movie for New Year’s but is also about the beginning of a very long relationship. Plus, you get to see Carrie Fisher in a great role (she plays Meg Ryan’s sassy best friend.)

What I'll be Reading/Watching

Books:

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

A YA about the start of a relationship that only lasts one day (at least that’s what I think it’s about.) This was a Book of the Month Club pick, so I’m looking forward to it.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The is about beginning love again after a woman loses her true love in a helicopter disappearance. But after she finds a new love years later, her husband is found. Hello, conflict.

TV:

OJ: Made in America

I’ve already started this one after hearing so many rave reviews about it. It goes with the BEGIN theme because it’s not just about how OJ ended up but where he started, bringing in the history of America and the influences that shaped him and what was to come. My husband and I watched The People vs. OJ, which was fantastic, and I didn’t think we needed to watch something else on the same topic, but so far this is a different angle on it and compelling.

So that's what I've got for you this month. Any of these suggestions spark your interest? I'd love to hear what you'll be reading and watching for this month's challenge! Leave a comment or use hashtag #readwatch17 to join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. :)

Thank you to our monthly tastemaker!

At Holden Prep, the rich and powerful rule the school—and they’ll do just about anything to keep their dirty little secrets hidden.

When former con artist Eleanor Ames’ homecoming date commits suicide, she’s positive there’s something more going on. The more questions she asks, though, the more she crosses paths with Miles Beckett. He’s sexy, mysterious, arrogant…and he’s asking all the same questions.

Eleanor might not trust him—she doesn’t even like him—but they can’t keep their hands off of each other. Fighting the infuriating attraction is almost as hard as ignoring the fact that Miles isn’t telling her the truth…and that there’s a good chance he thinks she’s the killer. Grab a copy!

It's that time of the year again--reading challenge time! Each year, I like to choose (or create) some sort of reading challenge to do in the upcoming year. Beyond keeping me focused on reading, it's also just fun to have a list or chart to check off (yes, I'm a nerd.) But based on the volume of reading challenges that pop up each year, I know I'm not the only one. :)

For the past few years, I've done the Push Your Boundaries reading challenge, which was a challenge I created to expand my reading selections beyond my comfort zone reads. I've really enjoyed that challenge and it's still one you can use for 2017. All the info and downloads are here for that challenge. But this year, I'm looking for something a little lighter and with more flexibility since I know it's going to be an exceptionally busy year. I also wanted to incorporate movies and TV because I've found that I've stopped watching TV (because of that pesky distraction of the smartphone at night).

Therefore, inspired by the exercise I did where you choose a one-word theme for the year, I've created the...

2017 Read & Watch Challenge

Here's how it works:

1. Each month will have a one-word theme.

2. You will read a book and watch a movie or TV show that match the theme.

3. You can use the theme word however you see fit. I'll give some ideas about how to play with a theme below.

4. Each month here on the blog and in my newsletter, I will feature the word, tell you what I plan to read and watch, give a few suggestions, and I will also invite "tastemakers" (writers, book bloggers, editors) to share some suggestions on what to read. I also plan to have a Reader of the Month offer a recommendation. So you'll get a number of different perspectives and options if you're having trouble picking something out or if you just want a great new recommendation. :)

5. Track Your Progress. A few options:

Sign up for my newsletter and get the printable Fearless Romantics Reading Journal to track all your reading this year and this handy dandy checklist for the challenge.
Keep a Pinterest board to pin your book covers and movies.
Keep a page in your journal or planner.
Post on Instagram

6. Chat about it online using the hashtag #ReadWatch17

How the theme words work

I purposely chose words that could be up for interpretation. I don't like to be told what to read, lol, so this allows for maximum flexibility while still being a fun challenge. I can't wait to see how you guys interpret them. But each month I'll brainstorm ideas to give your creativity a nudge if it needs it. For instance, here are ideas for January's theme word

January: BEGIN

The start of a book series or film franchise or TV series
A book you started and put down but still want to read
A book or movie about beginnings
A non-fiction book or documentary about some habit or activity you want to begin in the new year
A book or movie with the word Begin or Beginning in the title
A book or film that follows a character from birth.

See what I mean? The possibilities are endless. :)

Want to join the fun?

Sign up for my newsletter and get your checklist and free reading journal. Every two weeks, you'll get an email from me with book challenge info and recommendations along with my other blog content (posts about books, productivity, life, contests, etc.) I try to make my newsletter useful and fun. Promo is rare.

Or, you can also do this solo and not officially sign up. Just be sure to check out the blog once a month if you'd like book and movie recommendations or want to chat with other readers in the challenge.

Stay tuned for the January Read & Watch Challenge post. But until then, who's with me? :)