For whatever you like to read, haven’t read, want to read or need to read, there is a “challenge” out there. There is a 1% Well-Read Challenge (read 1% of the books listed in 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die), the New York Times Notable Book Challenge, the Classics Challenge, the Anything Agatha Challenge (yes, that Agatha; check it out, it’s just starting) and plenty more if you know where to look. If you don’t, try Joy’s blog or, of course, just google/yahoo/ask.

The NONFICTION FIVE started a couple of months ago and ends on the 30th of September. The “rules” are self-explanatory: five nonfiction books in five months. Incidentally, they are also flexible (seriously, you can read whatever you want, whenever you want). I think the ultimate goal is to make a concentrated effort to expose yourself to as much nonfiction as you can for five months. I typically read a good deal of nonfiction by choice, but have just finished a couple of novels and this is a good time to switch over to the other side for awhile.

There are a number of readers [allegedly] participating in this challenge who write fine reviews and are willing to actually talk about the book – something that often gets missed at book club (sad, but true). I like Rebecca Reid, Francesca Scribacchina, and our official challenge hostess, Joy.

The nonfiction books I plan to finish by the end of September are among these:

1. Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design, by Suzi Moore McGregor and Nora Burba Trulsson – my review here
2. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
3. Taking on the Trust, by Steve Weinberg
4. Among the Cannibals, by Paul Raffaele – my review here
5. Here if you Need Me, by Kate Braestrup

Barring force majeure, I will read five of these, and post reviews and/or recommendations. More important, I extend the invitation to you: Take the Nonfiction Five Challenge and, if you are so inclined, let me know how it goes.

Happy reading…