2025 Reading Challenge discussion

SilverRaindrops wrote: "Hi Elizabeth! I'll think about you tomorrow then, and I hope you don't receive combined presents all the time ;). Have you ever written a story as a present for yourself?

Hi Sandra, I had the same..."

Thanks!! Merry Christmas!! I have never thought of that before...

Hi everyone. Merry Christmas! My name is Janet and I read mostly classics and books that are on best of lists such as Modern Library and Radcliffe's list. I enjoy participating in challenges and read 50 - 70 books a year.

Hi everyone!! My name is Maria from Texas. I hope everyone is having a great Christmas so far. I got a new kindle so I am getting ready for the 2014 challenge. I love to read everything and thanks Jaclyn for getting me into this challenge.

Hi everyone. I am Colleen I am 30 years old and love to read. I like all sorts of things from the classics to nonfiction and modern fiction. I am not sure what a realistic reading goal is for me. I go through spurts where I knock a bunch out and other times where it's slower. How do you all set your goals?

Hi Colleen I average my reading out to set a goal this year it's 80 as like yrself I can real off books so fast it's unreal but then I go slow on others

Hi everyone!! I'm Francisca and I love, love to read. I prefer fiction and YA. This year I was not able to finish my goal hovewer I would like to change that for 2014!!

Happy readings everyone :)

Welcome to all our new members and good luck with your reading goals this year! One of the many great things about our "little" group here is that we do not judge anyone based on the size of their goal or how many books they read. We just love sharing our reading experiences, sharing book recommendations, and encouraging each other in our respective goals and challenges. Wishing everyone good reading in the new year!!!

Hi everyone! I'm Crystal. My favorite genres are science fiction, fantasy, and mystery.

Hi,
I'm Casey. My love for reading grows and I hope 2014 is a good year for reading. I only read 7 (according to Goodreads) in 2013, but that pitiful mark will be erased. :) I am 24 and my favorite genres are fantasy and horror as well as a good psychological thriller. I am ready to set my goal.

Hi all, I'm Adrian, and I'm looking to read 30 books next year. My favourite authors being Vonnegut & Murakami, and I've joined this group to get some fresh ideas on what to read.

Welcome everyone! Great to see so many new members.

@Francisca: There's no rule against adjusting challenge goals ;).

@Casey: Don't forget to enter a date read. I did that once and wondered why I wasn't making any progress.

Greetings from Finland! My name is Merja and I'm 30. Been reading books my whole life. Favorite genres are fantasy, horror and mystery but I read books from other genres too. Mostly I read books in English but also in my mother tongue.

This year I managed to read 24 books which actually was my goal in 2013 challenge. In 2014 I think that I try to read 30 books.

SilverRaindrops wrote: "Welcome everyone! Great to see so many new members.

@Francisca: There's no rule against adjusting challenge goals ;).

@Casey: Don't forget to enter a date read. I did that once and wondered why I..."

@raindrops: Thanks for the tip

Welcome, all! It's so exciting to see so many new faces. I hope you all enjoy the group. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Can't wait to see everyone's reading goals for 2014!

Hi, My name is Bobbie and I am new to the group. I like paranormal (mainly shifter and vampires), regular romance occasionally, as well as Mystery, romantic suspense and thriller. I try different challenges. Unlike my daughter, Robin, I don't always finish them but I try.

Hi! I am a senior and own my own business. As well, my son is going through a horrible custody base through no fault of his own. Although I really do not have time for reading, it is amazing in its power to transform. I need it and hope to pass on my love reading to my grandchildren. Not a great sleeper,I read many of my books on my iPod. I enjoy slumbering with them, reading mainly history. Love Whispersync too. Hearing and reading is great fun. Have not sorted my resolutions out yet but I will. Great motivation here. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group and hope to stay on track with my reading goals this year. I love a good book but sometimes life can become a bit hectic and books get out aside.
I'm open to any genre but if I want a quick read I normally reach for chick lit!
Currently reading a nonfiction novel 'Running Like a Girl' and this week finally got around to finishing the Sookie Stackhouse series.
I have a 6 week old daughter so I'm sure she will decide just how much reading time I'm allowed!
Sascha

Hi all!

I love the idea of a reading group that sets challenges. Plus, this group isn't too big. :)

Looking forward to reading with you all.

ann

Hey!
I'm Lucy, I'm 26 and I just heard about Good Reads through YouTube. I love reading so much and probably have more books than is normal for one person!

I'm Penny and am looking forward to reading 50 books in 2014. I read leadership/business, Christian historical romance, and books on art (painting). I'm also focused on Vietnam books because of the writing I'm doing in my new retirement mode.

Thank you so much! I think I have roughly 250 but I think that may change over the next few weeks...I love finding new books!
How many do you have?

Martha wrote: "Hello! I'm Martha. I'm a wife, mother & grandmother who retired at the end of June. I have enjoyed the extra time with family and books more than I can say. Unfortunately, it hasn't been as much as..."

Dear Martha
I am recently retired and read a lot. I spend a lot of time in hospitals, too, given my husband's disability. As well, right after I retired, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer. I'm in remission now and plan to keep it that way. What do you like to read? Penny

Craig wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Thank you so much! I think I have roughly 250 but I think that may change over the next few weeks...I love finding new books!
How many do you have?"

I have 300-something, not sure of ..."

You two are cute. I have 700, and rising. (And someone here contributed actively, unless I'm much mistaken^^.)

I feel so much better about buying more books if you both have that many more than me!
Thanks people!
Lucy :)

Hi, I'm Claire, I'm 61 and from New Jersey. I was introduced to Goodreads by my son's girlfriend about 6 months ago, and I've been thinking about joining a group for a while. This one looks like fun, and what I've been looking for!

My reading interests are pretty varied, I like just about anything other than vampire/zombie/paranormal stuff. I've been reading a lot of contemporary fiction and sci-fi lately, but I also enjoy non-fiction and historical novels as well.

I'm looking forward to getting to making some friends here!

Hello, everyone. I'm Patrick. I've been a Goodreads member for a little over two years now. I read 70 books for the 2012 challenge and I am at 65 for 2013. I read just about everything including fiction, scifi / fantasy, mystery, nonfiction, horror, poetry, etc. A bit of a hodgepodge, really. I also write quite a bit and have had poetry and short fiction published in some smaller markets. Working on a novel at the moment (my third attempt, which I will try to publish once completed) that is an urban fantasy set in the 1950s. I tend to post short and sweet reviews versus write ups of the longer variety--mainly due to spending time completing other kinds of writing. Looking forward to being a part of the group.

Hello, I'm Cynthia. I've been on Goodreads since 2010, have finished 104/100 books for 2013 and should have two more finished by New Years. I have a degree in English Literature and enjoy a wide variety of books, including graphic novels and cookbooks. Not so much Sci Fi or romance. I've always been resistant to the confines of book groups as I usually want to read what I want to read when I want to read it. :) And while I might read 10 books in one week, I might then take a month to read my next one. I do love obsessively creating lists and spreadsheets of "Best of" lists and then checking the books off one by one.

My 104+ books this year came from moving and making some relaxing changes to my life - 2013 has been good for my soul!! Also, realizing I could check out library books for my Nook has saved me HUNDREDS of dollars! My 2014 goal will be 150 and I'm fairly sure I can get this done.

I suppose I'm hoping to find some good suggestions for more great books here!

Hi everyone. I'm marie and I've been on goodreads for awhile but it would be nice to be part of a group like this. I hope to get more reading in this new year. I have a 3yr old and 1yr old so it can be very difficult to get reading time. I am a reading teacher, 6th grade, so I enjoy YA books to recommend to them, but I also enjoy many other kinds...historical fiction, women's fiction, sci if, fantasy, mysteries...basically all if it's a well written entertaining book

Hello, My name is Terrie and I have been on Goodreads since the fall of 2011. I read 34 books in 2013 and I have set the same goal for myself in 2014. I love to read and would love to read more but I have a full time job and I am also addicted to karate.

Every year I read at least:
The book picked by our city's literary center for the "If All Rochester Read the Same Book" campaign.

Also I read books by the authors coming to town as part of the Rochester Arts and Lecture series.

I am looking forward to some of the interesting challenges this group is doing.

Terrie wrote: "Hello, My name is Terrie and I have been on Goodreads since the fall of 2011. I read 34 books in 2013 and I have set the same goal for myself in 2014. I love to read and would love to read more but..."

Terrie, your town sounds great. I might move :).

Also, welcome everyone! I hope you all reach your goals! :)

Terri, Rochester sounds amazing!

I'm new to Goodreads and love to hang out with other bookworms! I love Christian fiction and nonfiction, romance, romantic suspense and thrillers.

Hi, I'm Andrea. I am new to good reads and just finding my way around the site. I enjoy books by authors such as, Martina Cole, Jacqui Rose, Karin Slaughter, Jessie Keane. Would love some recommendations on similar authors.

I believe I already did this, but this year , I have quite a book lust and book club lust, I try to get to each. However, I didn't see my photo, after two pages, I'll just go ahead and introduce myself!

My name is Lisa and I am into reading to the point where my mother thinks I'm weird to throw our Sony tv out on the curb. It was gone in seconds as you can imagine and use Internet , radio , good old fashion newspaper The New York Times at my breakfast tray, along with the radios or current events. I'd rather exercise my imagination and for a quick enjoyment , New Yorker is my favorite magazine, because they feature authors, like Jonathan Franzen , who I'm familiar with and enjoy.
As far as genre, I'm interested primarily literary fiction , anything historical non-fiction and fiction and like every true bibliophile have grown to mature from starting out only reading Grisham to NY times best sellers. I did the chic fic and have hung on to a few authors depending on my mood, but generally stick to the genre mentioned. and all my , gosh, have, four e-readers as of today. Anyways, in
only

Sorry, on iPhone and its small and sensitive but to continue , I enjoy my e-readers, and just threw out a slew of books , I have a closet, I don't like the different covers, but need to see my selections , and it was too embarrassing to donate, libraries don't want donations and it is city property so I can't leave it at the door when closed, I don't want a fine, and they only take donations certain times thus practicality kicked in and the post office is too expensive to use.

So, this year I'm excited to introduce my reading goal of historical reads. College doesn't cover everything. Usually, the love to skip and cover main topics and give you 150 page reading assignment for the night, quiz the next day. But I do enjoy all forms of books and my purpose for tablet gluttony is I like gadgets and practicality. It's easy to look up a word, email a friend a passage and with my new kindle fire HD , the book reads to me saving me the cost of audio books. Now if they can get a e-reader that says the word without running to my dictionary app for pronunciation, I'd be a happy camper. That, and a samsonite - like case for my Ipad2.

SilverRaindrops wrote: "Terrie wrote: "Hello, My name is Terrie and I have been on Goodreads since the fall of 2011. I read 34 books in 2013 and I have set the same goal for myself in 2014. I love to read and would love t..."

This is Rochester, New York so be ready for cold and snow this time year!

Lucy wrote: "Terri, Rochester sounds amazing!"

Thanks. I have lived here since 1984 and I love it.

Terrie, please let us know what book Rochester is reading this year!

Hi I am Jackie and I'm new to goodreads this year. My favorite types of books are ya and romance. I'm currently reading all the arrangements and my tbr list keeps growing everyday :)

Hi I'm Kristen! I love to discover new books and thought joining a Goodreads group would be a good way to find even more. I do a casual book challenge with a Facebook friend every year and it's really helped me to find some great books that I love. I'll read just about anything except horror. Some of my favorite books that I read in 2013 include Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender, The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer and Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. I'm looking forward to a new challenge for 2014!

Claire wrote: "Terrie, please let us know what book Rochester is reading this year!"

Writers and Books (our non-profit literary center) has picked "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey.

They have discussions starting in January and then in mid to late March, the author comes to Rochester and gives free talks and book signings (as well as some paid event fundraisers for Writer and Books summer writing camps.

I'm Kim and books are my best friend! I LOVE the Goodreads app as it has introduced me to many wonderful books that I would probably not have known about otherwise. I am always reading 3 books at once ... this is to satisfy my mood of the day. One book is light reading, another is medium reading and lastly, one that is heavy reading.

Terrie wrote:

Writers and Books (our non-profit literary center) has picked "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey.


Maybe we could do this as a buddy read?

I think my mom just gave me Snow Child this summer and I haven't picked it up yet. Maybe I will after I finish the YA series I'm reading

Claire wrote: "Terrie wrote:

Writers and Books (our non-profit literary center) has picked "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey.


Maybe we could do this as a buddy read?"

The Snow Child is a great book. If you do the buddy read, I might join you for a re-read :).

And hi to Jackie, Kristen and Kim! Welcome to our group! And have a lot of fun with your challenges!

My name is Jackie from upstate New York. I am new to this group, invited by a friend. I am very busy and active, and thus get my reading in via audiobooks. I 'read' when I'm in the car, loading the dishwasher, walking on the treadmill. I enjoy most book types except horror, with a good mystery being my favorite. I read a Thousand Splendid Suns and rated it a 5, therefore I look forward to reading January's book for this group.

Jackie wrote: "My name is Jackie from upstate New York. I am new to this group, invited by a friend. I am very busy and active, and thus get my reading in via audiobooks. I 'read' when I'm in the car, loading th..."

Hi welcome to the group i love horror and mystery books to. if you want a friend you can add me i am new to

Hello All! I'm Carrie and I live in Connecticut. I love to read almost anything and just wish I had more time!!! I currently work in an Elementary School library so I end up reading those books. Somewhere along the way I seem to have lost touch with "Adult" books ;) Maybe this group can help guide me back!

Hello All! I'm Jackie. I'm from Georgia by way of Virginia and before that, Ohio. I've been on Goodreads for awhile but haven't been very active. In 2014 I would like to change that :)

I am a book addict and author. I spend so much time writing that I feel like I haven't been reading enough and I miss it. I read everything and I'm looking forward to connecting with this group. My reading goal for 2014 is 5o books.

¡Hola everyone! I'm deciding what my number will be for 2014. I missed my goal for 2013 and I'm a little peeved about it. I did read more books than my goal but my goal was for novels and non-fiction stories, not the how-tos, diet books, quiz books, etc. I also read this year.

Do you all count every single book or do you have some benchmarks too? Nevertheless, good luck to all in 2014!