Semi-Charmed Winter 2016 Book Challenge!

This challenge looked too much fun not to try, and it will help me narrow down my TBR!

• The challenge will run from November 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017. No books started before 12 a.m. on November 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on January 31 will count.
• Each book must be at least 150 pages long. Audiobooks and large-print books are fine, as long as the regular print version meets the length requirement.
• A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once.
• The highest possible total is 200 points, and the first five people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the summer 2017 challenge.
• Have fun! Read some books you might not have read otherwise. Discover new authors and make new bookworm friends. (Yes, these are the most important rules!)

Challenge Categories:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 150 pages long: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro-DONE

10 points: Read a 2016 finalist (longlist or shortlist) for one of the following literary prizes: National Book Award, Man Booker or Man Booker International.: His Bloody Project by Graeme MaCrae Burnet-DONE

10 points: Read a brand-new release (something published between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017).: Hi, Anxiety by Kat Kinsman-DONE

15 points: Read a book by an author of a different race or religion than you. : Jazz by Toni Morrison-DONE

15 points: Read a book featuring a main character who is of a different race or religion than you.: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini-DONE

20 points: Read a modern retelling of a classic (e.g. an Austen Project novel, Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, etc.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kaity.: Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid-DONE

25 points: Read a book with an alcoholic beverage (neat or cocktail) in the title. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Kerry. (And she was nice enough to come up with a long list of suggestions for you!) : Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier-DONE

30 points: Read a book with a character that shares your first or last name. (Alternate spellings are okay, e.g. Megan and Meghan or Smith and Smyth.) — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Ericka. : Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman-DONE

30 points: Read two books: a nonfiction book and a fiction book with which it connects. For example: A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie and one of Christie's mystery novels that features poison, or The Monuments Men and All the Light We Cannot See. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with this one! — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Bev. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 30 points! No partial points will be awarded.) : The Science of Sherlock Holmes by E.J. Wagner, and The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz-DONE

40 points: Read two books: one by an author whose first name is the same as the last name of the author of the other book. For example: You may read a book by Martin Cruz Smith and a book by George R.R. Martin, or a book by James Joyce and a book by Joyce Carol Oates. The shared name must be spelled exactly the same, no variations. — Submitted by SCSBC16 winner Jamie. (And remember you must finish both books to get the 40 points! No partial points will be awarded.) : The Children of Men by P.D. James, and In With the Devil by James Keene-DONE