The George Green’s 20 in 2020 Challenge

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Dr Seuss

There’s no better way to find comfort, inspiration and solace during these times than with a good book. By exploring free audiobooks currently online or through using our virtual library VLeBooks, seek to discover different genres and join staff and students in ticking these off the George Green’s 20 in 2020 Challenge!  Whilst there is nothing wrong with having a favourite genre, by taking even the tiniest step outside of your comfort zone (which we all have), you might find that you can like more than one genre at once. Here are a few reasons why it’s good to take that step. We’d love to hear your recommendations too.

You are missing out on great books

We won’t promise that you’re going to love every sci-fi novel ever written, but we will promise that there is at least one sci-fi novel out there that you will love. The same goes for thrillers, non-fiction, horror, poetry, adventure, the list goes on. A great book is a great book, no matter where it is shelved.

You will have a broader world view

Reading is the cheapest way to travel. Reading a book can take you to other countries, times, and dimensions. Reading makes you think about other people and you put yourself in their shoes. Picking up a new genre means you are giving yourself thousands of brand new worlds to explore.

You will understand your favourite genre better

Books are not terribly good at staying in one genre. Fantasy books borrow from thrillers, horror stories steal from fairy tales, autobiographies occasionally veer into fiction. Read widely, and you might get more of the references in your own favourite books. Plus, you will start to notice the ways in which genres differ and (more likely) the ways in which they blend.

You will discover new favourites

Do not judge a book by its cover (or its genre, or its film adaptation). You might discover that a new genre is actually your new favourite. Just because a book has vampires in it (or no vampires, depending on your taste), it does not mean that it cannot resonate with you on a personal level. And who doesn’t want more favourite books?

You will get out of that rut you are in

We all get stuck in a reading rut every once in a while. Your mind needs a varied diet of books to stay sharp.

Your own reading and writing will improve

Whether you are doing your homelearning, posting on Teams or sending an email to your teacher, reading a new genre will expand your vocabulary. Reading graphic novels may help your visual storytelling abilities, or that dystopian novel will help build your own characters.  For whatever reason, your writing will improve.