Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

Use this space to discuss books you're reading or that might fit the 7th Read Harder task.

I think my pick for this one is going to be One to Watch

I read One to Watch and Big Summer this year.

I'm leaning towards Knit One, Girl Two.

One to Watch was great! I’ll probably go with Spoiler Alert.

The Queen of Ieflaria was a delightful read last year. I might continue the series for this prompt.

I think I will go with Get a Life, Chloe Brown!

Anyone have an LGBTQ+ book recommendation for this prompt?

I have two on my TBR for 2021!

Kari wrote: "Anyone have an LGBTQ+ book recommendation for this prompt?"

Yes! Skye Kilaen has a new F/F novella out, Get It Right.

Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins is a YA M/M Romance. The author is Brazilian and the book is translated, so it also fits Task 3.

Would Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid work here? The synopsis says:

Sienna Diaz is everyone’s favorite “fat” funny lady. The movie studio executives can’t explain it, but her films are out-grossing all the fit and trim headliners and Hollywood’s most beautiful elite. The simple truth is, everyone loves plus-sized Sienna.

Has anybody here read it? I'm hoping to read the first in the series soon.

- I'm not normally a romance reader, but this sounds pretty fun.

Sue wrote: "Kari wrote: "Anyone have an LGBTQ+ book recommendation for this prompt?"

Yes! Skye Kilaen has a new F/F novella out, Get It Right.

Here the Whole Time by Vitor Mar..."

You're wonderful! Thank you so much!

I caught the romance bug when reading Sophie Kinsella last year and am keen to read another!

Alli wrote: "I have two on my TBR for 2021!
"

Spoiler Alert sounds right up my alley (since I, too, am a plus sized woman who writes fic and cosplays)!

I'm doing Love Is A Revolution

I loved Get a Life, Chloe Brown, so will use the last of the series coming out in March: Act Your Age, Eve Brown.

I hate romantic novels, but Spoiler Alert was fantastic!! It made me laugh and cry all in the same book!!

I love romance as a genre, and I'll probably end up reading a fat positive one in 2021 without actually trying, but I'm eager to check out some of the recommendations here too.

Leslie Ann wrote: "I loved Get a Life, Chloe Brown, so will use the last of the series coming out in March: Act Your Age, Eve Brown."

I loved Chloe Brown and she was definitely fat but I don't remember Eve being a fat character. Is it specified somewhere or are you using Chloe who will likely be a side character?

Simone wrote: "I hate romantic novels, but Spoiler Alert was fantastic!! It made me laugh and cry all in the same book!!"

I love reading romance and hated Spoiler Alert, could not even get through it, so maybe that is a good rec for those readers that don't like romance!

Bonnie G. wrote: "Simone wrote: "I hate romantic novels, but Spoiler Alert was fantastic!! It made me laugh and cry all in the same book!!"

I love reading romance and hated Spoiler Alert, could not even get through..."
Yeah, it is definitely not your typical romance novel.

knit one, girl two by shira glassman

I've already got Get a Life, Chloe Brown on hold at the library so that will likely be the winner! But Spoiler Alert (like everyone!) and The Wedding Date also both apparently fit the description and are on my TBR.

I'd also recommend Pleasure for Pleasure, one of my favourite historical romances ever (it's book 4 of a series that's also really good, but I'd say you can read it alone)

What about I'll Be the One?

Another LGBTQ+ novel:
The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding Abby Ives is a plus size, fashion blogger. F/F

The follow up to When Dimple Met Rishi, There's Something About Sweetie fits this prompt and it's completely delightful!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown - I may go with this book after reading Chloe Brown last summer and enjoying it!

The description for Knit One, Girl Two sounds absolutely adorable so this will be my choice!

Katie wrote: "The description for Knit One, Girl Two sounds absolutely adorable so this will be my choice!
"
I'm also reading this one! I'm excited that it's a Jewish f/f!

I think I'm going with Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed. f/f romance with both protagonists having different relationships with their bodies.

I'm sure I'll have recs when I'm not half asleep but I just want to say seeing this prompt made me so happy

This one is about a fat woman appearing on a Bachelorette-type dating show. If anyone is also doing the PopSugar challenge it might count for the "fresh start" cue or the body positivity cue

Liza wrote: "If anyone is also doing the PopSugar challenge ..."

Uh oh, another challenge for me to look into

So many great possibilities for this!
Bet Me
If the Dress Fits
On the Plus Side
Suddenly You
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
The King of Bourbon Street
Dangerous Curves Ahead
Blame It on the Billionaire
The Heiress Effect
How to Marry a Duke
Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Brazen and the Beast
Glutton for Pleasure

I KNEW I should have bought Take a Hint, Dani Brown when it was on sale as an epub for $3.99!

I was thinking of re-reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for this. Also, Alisha Rai's Hurts to Love You has a wonderful curvy heroine (it's the third book of a triology, and the ending will probably be even more satisfying if you read the first two books).

Earthly Delights is technically a cozy mystery but the romance is a strong element. The heroine's body size is discussed openly and positively by herself and the hero.

Kari wrote: "Anyone have an LGBTQ+ book recommendation for this prompt?" Hello, here are some for your consideration:

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (YA)
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee (YA)
Learning Curves by Ceillie Simkiss
Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed

any recommendation for fat heroes?

Try Xeni for a big hero.

Hi everyone! Our rec post for this task is now live: https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2021...

Rachel wrote: "Would Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid work here? The synopsis says:

Sienna Diaz is everyone’s favorite “fat” funny lady. The movie studio executives can’t explain..."

Yes, it would work, Rachel. Also, the whole Beard series is a great series IMO. Enjoy!

Am I the only person that thinks Book Riot could have phrased this challenge better? Either using body conscious or body positive?

No, that means something else and has watered down the fat positive message.

Chrissy wrote: "No, that means something else and has watered down the fat positive message."

Thanks Chrissy. I will have to research the difference.

If anyone still needs an option for this, I found The Big, Not-So-Small, Curvy Girls Dating Agency by Ava Catori for free on the Kobo store. The other books in the series (titled "Plush Daisies: BBW Romance") are $3.99 a piece, and the entire series is $4.99.

I read “Get a life Chloe Brown” where she was in the chunkier side, but comfortable in her skin. Her later to be husband didn’t mind this aspect of hers. This book was a bit over the top with the graphic sexual content. I enjoyed it for the most part, however, there were a few caveats in Chloe’s life. I gave it a 4 star.

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Am I the only person that thinks Book Riot could have phrased this challenge better? Either using body conscious or body positive?"

As an obese woman, it's phrased fine. Not everything is offensive.