Books

What’s Yours Is Mine:

Theft, piracy, fraud, or espionage is a major topic or plot point. HARD MODE: No MacGuffins.

ALT - A Change in Perspective

Written in third-person perspective. HARD MODE: Second-person perspective.

Eazy, Breazy, Read-zie:

A light, popcorn-worthy read that’s not real deep (see also “beach read” and “airport novel”). HARD MODE: You actually read it while on a vacation/staycation.

Award Winner:

Has won a significant literature award. HARD MODE: More than one award.

Questions, Complaints, Whines, General Commentary, Shitposting

It’s About Time:

The passage or manipulation of time is a major theme or plot driver. HARD MODE: Backward in time, not forward.

LGBTQIA+ Lead:

A main character identifies as LGBTQIA+. HARD MODE: Includes a significant romance between characters that identify as LGBTQIA+.

Disability Representation:

A main character has or gains a disability to which they must adapt. This disability must be grounded in reality: if a 4,000 year old Prince of the Shokan lost an arm, that would count; if he became a werewolf, it would not. HARD MODE: The piece is at least partially from their perspective.

One Less:

A book that’s been on your TBR list for a long time. HARD MODE: Overlaps with at least one other bingo square theme.

Among the Stars:

Features space, astronomy, or stardom. HARD MODE: The title references the theme, too.

ALT - She Blinded Me With Science

The author has a background and degree in a hard science. HARD MODE: More than one post graduate degree.

ALT - Pseudonymous Work

Published under a pen name. HARD MODE: The author generally never writes under their own name.

Mashup:

A combination of two or more genres or non-fiction topics. HARD MODE: Unusual combo, like fantasy thriller.

ALT - Translated

Not originally in your native tongue. HARD MODE: Has been translated into at least ten other languages. This Wikipedia page is a good place to start for widely translated works.

Family Drama:

Family is important, but sometimes it's also the cause of problems. Family dynamics are fundamental to the narrative. HARD MODE: Involves three or more generations of family members.

Minority Author:

Minority or LGBTQIA+ author. A minority can be any member of a generally underrepresented population where you live. HARD MODE: Minority and LGBTQIA+.

Older Than You Are

Published before your birthdate. HARD MODE: Published before 1924.

Independent Author:

Self-published by the author. Works later published though a conventional publishing house don't count unless you are reading it before the switch, and it's republished before April 30th, 2025. HARD MODE: Not published via Amazon Kindle Direct.

Water, Water Everywhere

The title refers to some form or body of water. HARD MODE: Not liquid water.

Bookception:

Features a book-related aspect. HARD MODE: Something other than a book, like an author or library.

Local to You:

The author lives in or writes about a location local to you (city, state, province, territory, etc.). HARD MODE: The author has spent a significant amount of time there, but wasn't born there.