Literary Merit Badges

Literary Merit Badges is a reading challenge for story lovers. Collect and display badges as you read through various genres, types of books, and even some unconventional categories.

When I first started I Believe in Story, my main focus was to celebrate all forms of storytelling. I'd like to invite all the readers of IBiS to do the same in 2014. The following merit badges are to encourage a year filled with great books and new literary adventures. You can save and upload the individual badges to your blog's sidebar or reading list page - and make sure you share the literary gems you discover throughout the year.

For the above badges, read a book in each of the categories.

Literary Fiction: Fiction that doesn't belong to a particular genre. These books can be found in the general "fiction" section of your local bookstore. The label of 'literary fiction' is often given to literary award winners (in case you need a starting point to search for a title).

Young Adult: Fiction written for the young adult age range (13 to 18 years of age). This category is specifically for those of you who still avoid anything with a "teen" label because you think it isn't "real" fiction. You're wrong. 

Picture Book: Fiction for the youngest of readers. I recommended something with beautiful illustrations that add even more to the story. You don't need to have children to appreciate picture books.

Middle Grade: Fiction for readers age 8 to 12. These books will be in their own section of your local bookstore. I particularly like fantasy titles for this age range, but you can choose any genre you'd like.

Educational: Teach yourself something. This category is intentionally vague. Choose a book that will help you with one of your goals for 2014. Some suggestions: a book about starting your own business, a book to help improve your writing, or a cookbook filled with vegan recipes.

Biography: Learn someone's real story, whether that someone is long gone from this earth or you're interested in the newest behind-the-scenes look of the members of One Direction. Memoirs are also acceptable for this badge.

For the above badges, read a book in each of the genres for any age level. Romance can be interpreted however you'd like (it doesn't have to be from the romance section of your bookstore). Classic includes anything written before the late 20th century.

For the above badges, read each of the alternative literary mediums. The short story and poetry collections can be a compilation of various writers or specific to only one. A novella is typically 30k to 50k words. The anthology can be themed around whatever you'd like.

For the above badges, watch/read/listen to the unconventional mediums. This set of badges is to promote the appreciation of writing outside of printed books. In order to claim the badge, you must have "read" a new-to-you item.

TV Series: This should be a new series you started in 2014. It can be a brand new show or a show that has previously aired.

Original Screenplay: A screenplay written specifically for film. (You can watch the movie - you don't have to read the actual screenplay.)

Music Album: A complete listen (no skipping tracks!) with careful attention to the lyrics.

Lifestyle Magazine: Any magazine that isn't traditionally "literary" in nature. It must be comprised of lifestyle articles rather than fictional entries.

Blog: This should be a new blog that you discover this year. Take some time to read through the archives and share some of your favourite posts on social media.

Adapted Screenplay: A previously published book that has been adapted for film. (You can watch the movie - you don't have to read the actual screenplay.)

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If you do happen to fulfill the requirements for all 24 merit badges, contact me and I will send you a customized achievement badge for your blog. I'll be posting my progress throughout the year and I hope you will as well! Leave a comment below if you have any questions or need recommendations for any of the badges.