Reading Challenge
If you’re looking for a bit more structure for your Sirens reading, or you simply love a challenge, you’re in the right place. Each year, our staff reads a wide selection of fantasy works written by women, some within our theme and some more broadly. This year, we invite you to take our challenge!

To take the challenge, simply read 25 books, in accordance with the rules below, by September 17, 2016. Once you’ve finished, send an email to (help at sirensconference.org) with Reading List Challenge as the subject line, and let us know that you’ve finished the challenge and the books that you read to do so. We’ll give all timely finishers a special button at Sirens, suitable for gloating. Game on.

To purchase these books, please consider using the links below, which will take you to the website of the Tattered Cover, Denver’s renowned independent bookstore. If you use those links and then purchase books or other items, Sirens will receive a referral fee from the Tattered Cover.


Sirens 2016 Reading Challenge

In each required category, you must read—or have previously read—each work listed. In each category of selections, you must select books by authors who are new to you. If you cannot reach the required number of selections without selecting authors you have already read, you may select works you haven’t read by authors you have read before. If you cannot reach the required number of selections without selecting books you’ve read, bravo, and please read as many new-to-you books as you can to complete the challenge.


Guests of Honor: Required

Renée Ahdieh

Laurie J. Marks

Kiini Ibura Salaam

 



Required Theme

Kendare Blake

Jennifer Marie Brissett

Emma Donoghue

Andrea Hairston



Additional Theme Books: Select Five

Daína Chaviano

Zen Cho

Roshani Chokshi

Rosemary Clement-Moore

Sarah & Jennifer Diemer
Project Unicorn Vol. 1

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Rosamund Hodge

Charlie N. Holmberg

Nalo Hopkinson

Mary Robinette Kowal

R. L. LaFevers

Laura Lam

Nnedi Okorafor

L. Penelope

Sarah Pinborough

Amy Raby

Laura Ruby

Laini Taylor

Barbara Ann Wright

Krassi Zourkova



Middle Grade/Young Adult: Select Five

Tracey Baptiste

Leigh Bardugo

Livia Blackburne

Erin Bow

Rae Carson

Rin Chupeco

Betsy Cornwell

Maria Dahvana Headley

Susan Ee

Cat Hellisen

Faith Harkey

Justina Ireland

A. S. King

Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Cherie Priest

Jewell Parker Rhodes

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Kristen Simmons

Noelle Stevenson

G. Willow Wilson



Adult: Select Five

Celeste Rita Baker
Back, Belly, and Side

Aimee Bender

Marie Brennan

Jacqueline Carey

C. S. E. Cooney
Bone Swans: Stories

Aliette de Bodard

Tananarive Due

Eugie Foster

Moïra Fowley-Doyle

N. K. Jemisin

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Ilana C. Myer

Naomi Novik

Helen Oyeyemi

V. E. Schwab

Delia Sherman

Rachel Swirsky

Molly Tanzer

Fran Wilde

Tiphanie Yanique