2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Welcome, new members! Please stop in and introduce yourselves. We're looking forward to getting to know you.

If you don't know where to start, feel free to answer these questions:
- Where are you from?
- What kinds of books do you like to read?
- How did you find our group?
- What's your reading goal?

And after you have answered these questions, come visit our Where in the World Thread, and see where the other Challengers are from. We will add you to the world map!

Welcome Michaela! Good luck in your reading challenge.

Welcome to the group Michaela and Lauren! Wishing you good luck with your goals and happy reading!

Hello! I'm Jill and live in San Francisco. I am an avid reader who was totally against audiobooks - once I found audiobooks the world of books opened even wider! I drive a lot for work (and life) and get through about 2 or 3 audiobooks a week. As a teacher I tend to read/listen to a lot of YA, but also kid books. I like romance, some scifi, dystopian, historical fiction, My reading goal for last year was 175, but I kept upping it. I should be at 215 for the year this year, so I'm hoping to get to 225 next year. :) I'd like to branch out to read more non-fiction and memoirs. I'm looking forward to challenges.

Welcome everyone to 2018! It's so excited to get going!

Hi! I'm Patti, and I live in the Orlando Florida area. I have always been a reader, and joined Goodreads a couple of years ago. My 2017 challenge was to read 100 books, which I have done. I would like to read 100 again in 2018. I like romance and literary fiction.

I'm Rachael. I saw that a couple of my Goodreads friends are in this group and was curious. It sounds interesting. I enjoy reading so many kinds of books it's easier to say what I don't like than what I do. I don't like books that are graphic in terms of sex or violence, that have loads of vulgarity or profanity, though I can deal with some. I don't particularly enjoy books that are predominantly about the setting or books set in the Old West and I'm not a huge sci-fi reader, though I do like those more often than Westerns. My reading goal this year is to read the right amount, which I think is around 100 books. Last year, I read 151, which was too much and this year I'm only reading 52 new (with a bunch of rereads), which has been a nice breather and gave me more time to write, but I miss new books. I live in Washington State.

Hi all

I'm new to the Goodreads Universe here. But I start fall in love with reading since I was 12 and record what I read in Excel on and off. So, a little about me:

- I am from Malaysia. It's raining season here so it's conducive enough to read :-)
- For the time being, I read nonfiction most of the time. But I think I wanna try fiction, still I am not so sure where to start.
- Well, I am thinking about to make 2018 is the year where I read and fill the gap in my brain hahaha
- I look around in community and I found this group getting ready for 2018. Take me in! Take me in!
- Reading goal? Perhaps I just wanna keep my brain sharp by reading without picking side (nonfiction or fiction)

That's all for now. Have a great day ahead!

Welcome to the group, everyone!

To you those of you who love audio books, and some books are better on audio (Yes Please was amazing!), they are wonderful to listen to when you have to do chores too, like folding laundry!

Hello my name is JB. I’ve been on GR for a while. This year my goal was 52 books which I completed. I’ve been trying to incorporate children’s books and poetry too. Next year I’ve set my goal at 60 books - including two series I’d like to finish, plus Anna Karenina, and a few others I started, but never finished. I’ve also been toying with the idea of making a spreadsheet of all my (read) books.

Hi! I’m Carolyn from Philadelphia. I am happy to discover this group as I need motivation to finish my goodreads challenge every year. Right now, I’m only half way through the 20 reads I set as a goal for 2017. Graduate school and changing jobs made it hard to keep up. I’m hoping to finish strong and get close to the 20 book goal.

I enjoy reading non-fiction, biographies, mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal books. I’m currently reading Prince Lestat, which brought back memories of reading The Vampire Chronicles during teenage years, and Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics by Richard Thaler. He won the Nobel Prize in Economics this year.

Looking forward to discussing and progressing with all of you!

Hi Everyone, my name is Carlos Delfino, but you can call me Delfino (it's a compound name, it's not my family name)

Well, I discovered reading late, did not take much pleasure in reading as a young man, it was not for want of insensitive, but because I was hyperactive, and had not discovered how much reading made me important to my dreams.

So when I became a professional in the IT field I saw that I needed to read, I learned to read in English alone, but I'm not good at writing. I use a translator to help me, but I read well and when the vocabulary is lacking, Oxford dictionary for Advanced Learners, so every time I widen my vocabulary.

In my 46 years of life I still have some difficulty in reading books that are not technical in English, as I mentioned by the vocabulary. But I intend to recover this gap in 2018. And dedicate myself to some books I already have.

After 40 years, I became very interested in politics, biographies and philosophy, which makes me want books related to the fields mentioned and social sciences. But maybe some novels and fictions but these in Portuguese.

I'm a systematic, low-talking guy, but if I realize that I'm talking a lot, it's because I feel very comfortable with you, so I'm having you as a friend, which happens little.

Carolyn wrote: "Hi! I’m Carolyn from Philadelphia. I am happy to discover this group as I need motivation to finish my goodreads challenge every year. Right now, I’m only half way through the 20 reads I set as a g..."

Welcome Carolyn! I think you’ve come to the right place! I joined this group almost a year ago, searching for a motivation to read more after being in a reading slump for years. I set out a careful goal of 12 and have read 38 books so far! With all our demanding jobs and schools sometimes it’s hard to keep the pace but our fellow Challenge Group members are very encouraging and the challenges are great as are the group and buddy reads. I’ve enjoyed this group immensely and I hope you’ll have the same experience. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck with your goal and happy reading!

Hi, I’m Heather. I joined Goodreads a couple years ago but only really started navigating my way around and using it in the summer and now I love it! I love seeing what other people are reading or have read. I also discovered the world of Bookstagram and follow tons of readers on there and love it too! I can’t believe I never really discovered Goodreads before! The only problem is that now I have so many more books that I want to read! I’ve never set a reading challenge for myself before so thought it would be fun. 😁

Carlos wrote: "Hi Everyone, my name is Carlos Delfino, but you can call me Delfino (it's a compound name, it's not my family name)

Well, I discovered reading late, did not take much pleasure in reading as a youn..."

Welcome to the group Delfino! I hope you’ll enjoy everything this group has to offer. Joining some of the challenges and group/buddy reads can help you widen your horizon and explore new genres. I’ve found that reading in English, not only for study/work but also novels/fiction, has helped me expand my English vocabulary. It gets easier with time although I’ll probably always find it easier to read in Dutch.
I hope you’ll enjoy the group as much as I have. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. Everybody is super friendly and always ready to help you out. I wish you very happy reading!

Heather wrote: "Hi, I’m Heather. I joined Goodreads a couple years ago but only really started navigating my way around and using it in the summer and now I love it! I love seeing what other people are reading or have read. ... The only problem is that now I have so many more books that I want to read! I’ve never set a reading challenge for myself before so thought it would be fun. ..."

I recognize your story Heather. I joined GR in 2012 myself but only started using it for real in 2017. That was my first time of setting a reading goal, mainly because I’d fallen into a reading slump for years and couldn’t get out. The wonderful members of this group really have helped and encouraged me to read more (but especially to enjoy what I read) as have all the awesome challenges and group/buddy reads. Are you planning on joining any?
I wish you good luck with your goal and happy reading! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

Hi! I joined this group about half a year ago but never actually participated, just sat on the sidelines. As I've now decided to join some challenges for 2018, it only seems appropriate that I should introduce myself properly.

I'm Kim, a 42 year old woman from Antwerp, Belgium. As a child I was a real bookwurm, probably because it was my parents' decision not to have a television in the house because they felt too many people waste too much time staring at 'the idiot box'...
I've loved reading ever since, but having more time consuming responsabilities (work, housekeeping) and getting distracted by other passtimes (TV and social media) growing up, the amount of books read grew less and less. I also got a bit bored by the fantasy books I used to read. After reading so many, they all started to feel similar, which leads to comparing, and after reading A Song of Ice and Fire not many books fare well in that comparison...
That is when I fell into a reading slump for years.

A few years ago I discovered Goodreads, and I thought it would be a good way to find good books for me to read. But I had a hard time getting started. There's just so much to choose from and the sites recommendations are not really reliable for me. One of them took me almost a year to struggle through.
In 2017 I joined a few groups hoping to get better inspiration and that seems to have worked. I reached my goal for 2017 (well not yet, but I'm sure I will in a few days).

I also started writing more elaborate reviews and found I really enjoy that more than I thought. It is good to think about a book for a while before starting the next one, to let them sink in more by analyzing them a bit. It also gave me the desire to actually discuss books, so I decided that in 2018, I will join some group readings.

Kristin wrote: "Welcome Kamarul and JB!

Kamarul, I think your plan to read both fiction and non-fiction is great. I find it can be nice to switch it up between both. Hope you find some great new books in 2018. Pa..."

Hi Kristin!

I’m working on the Dark Tower series by SK. I’m on book 4, and I’d like to finish the series next year. I also read a Charlaine Harris trilogy, and then she went and threw in book 4 so I need to read that. Then there is the Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell. My stepdaughter wants us to read the Dexter series too, but I’m not sure if I’ll get around to that next year. I might try.

Kim wrote: "Hi! I joined this group about half a year ago but never actually participated, just sat on the sidelines. As I've now decided to join some challenges for 2018, it only seems appropriate that I shou..."

Welcome Kim,
If you want to read something that lives up to ASOIAF, you should have a look at The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. First book is The Eye of the World.
Looking forward to see you joining the group reads! :)
Please also have a look at the buddy reads, where you can suggest any book to read together with other members.

Ilona wrote: "Welcome Kim,
If you want to read something that lives up to ASOIAF, you should have a look at The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. First book is The Eye of the World."

Thanks!
I did read The Wheel of Time a loooong time ago (before I read ASOIAF) and it is great indeed. Actually, seeing the last one was published in 2012, I'm not entirely sure anymore if I ever finished, could be I had to wait for a next installment and then forgot... Worth investigating, thanks for the suggestion!

Hi everyone! I'm Violeta from Belgrade, Serbia which is in south-eastern Europe.
I like to read crime, romance, historical,thriller novels, drama novels...and so many more!

I've been reading since I was little, and I wrote in my notebook every book that I've read.
I was searching for some active groups and with different content.

I don't know for next year what is my goal for reading challenge, but for sure it would be more books than for this year!

Also, I love music, art, fashion, different cultures, travel, photography. Feel free to add me if you like!

I'm over 40 and I have been reading all my life. I am usually a mood reader, just reading whatever feels good for the moment. I have been making an effort to read a little more out of my comfort zone, but not much...LoL!!!
- Where are you from?
Lubbock, Texas, USA
- What kinds of books do you like to read?
Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Sci-fi, Contemporary, etc...
- How did you find our group?
Just browsing though good reads groups
- What's your reading goal?
Read, Read, Read!!!! LoL!!!

Hey everyone! My name is Libby and I'm from Toronto, Ontario. When I was younger I loved reading YA and fantasy novels. As an adult, I enjoy mystery/thrillers, manga (Japanese graphic novels), drama, historical fiction. I'd like to get back into fantasy since I've noticed a lot of great books from the genre coming out in the past couple years. I've also become more interested in reading non-fiction (mainly topics on social issues, Christianity/theology/religion, biographies/memoirs).

I can't really remember how I found this group. I may have been browsing and looking for another one to join.

Reading goal next year is 30-50 (or possibly more). I will still be in school so I'm hoping I'll have enough free time to reach this goal. I really want to read ALL the books I own (I actually made a spreadsheet to catalogue all the novels I have in my apartment---about 90, the rest are at my parents' home) but it's hard when you have a book-buying problem lol.

Violeta wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Violeta from Belgrade, Serbia which is in south-eastern Europe.
I like to read crime, romance, historical,thriller novels, drama novels...and so many more!

I've been reading since..."

I love photography and music too. Going to add you :)

Hi All! My name is Janine and I am from Ronkonkoma, NY (try saying that 3 times fast!). I have loved reading since childhood. I feel away from for a while, but my love for reading has been reignited. I am a big fan of historical fiction, as well as Christian fiction, cozy mysteries, and contemporary fiction. I also like some nonfiction, mostly history...especially that of ancient civilizations. I also like YA fiction and classic literature. I’m not sure what my reading goal for next year will be, but I do know that I want to try some next genres. I have been tossing around 100 as my overall goal, but not sure yet. I found the group on FB and hope to learn about this goal setting thing from y’all. 😊

Hello, my name is Erica and I am from Florida. I like to read all sorts of books but I prefer classics and nonfiction - nature, history, and science. I found this group a few weeks ago while browsing. I am always looking for new reads. Lately, I've been trying to read more science fiction, fantasy, poetry and literary fiction. I had a reading goal of 50 books this year which I already completed. That will probably be my goal for next year as well.

Hello everyone! I love to read but sometimes I get too busy with work that I don't take the time to read. Even though it is a great stress reliever. But, I'm hoping to change that in 2018. My favorite genres are mystery, thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy. For my Goodreads 2017 challenge, I listed 10 books and I'm on the last book. For 2018, I hope to double it.

Just want to add that I'm pretty excited being here and I think it's only been an hour or so. I've been looking for a while now for a group that doesn't say you have to read this particular book since I may want to read something else but still have the group dynamics. If that makes sense. :) Plus, I'm thinking about the challenges which will be new for me. I just need to figure out which ones.

Libby wrote: "Hey everyone! My name is Libby and I'm from Toronto, Ontario. When I was younger I loved reading YA and fantasy novels. As an adult, I enjoy mystery/thrillers, manga (Japanese graphic novels), dram..."

Hi Libby, welcome to the group! I think everybody in this group has a book buying problem lol
Wishing you good luck with your goal and happy reading!

Janine wrote: "Hi All! My name is Janine and I am from Ronkonkoma, NY (try saying that 3 times fast!). I have loved reading since childhood. I feel away from for a while, but my love for reading has been reignite..."

hi Janine, welcome! Do you have any specific questions? Just let us know. In my experience all group members are always willing to help out whenever they can and to give encouragement.

Erica wrote: "Hello, my name is Erica and I am from Florida. I like to read all sorts of books but I prefer classics and nonfiction - nature, history, and science. I found this group a few weeks ago while browsi..."

Hi Erica, welcome to the group! I've found that joining particular challenges but also the group and buddy reads can help you read books/genres which you wouldn't have tried otherwise. So that may be something to try out?
Good luck with your goal and happy reading!

Sahira wrote: "Just want to add that I'm pretty excited being here and I think it's only been an hour or so. I've been looking for a while now for a group that doesn't say you have to read this particular book si..."

Welcome Sahira! Yes, this is a great group. I joined last year and found a lot of friendly fellow readers who are always willing to discuss any book (or reading related topic) and to give encouragement. They may give you advice on something but it's always up to you what you choose and don't choose to read.
If you have any questions just let us know.
Good luck with your goal and happy reading!

Hello, everyone, it so great to join this group, l'm a chinese and my name is Dina, also I'm a kazakh, just so you know if anyone is curious about my name.
I have to admit that I just started reading English novels like "Flipped", "The perks of being a wallflower", but somehow i cannot stop myself, so i came here and want to read more!
In 2018 i'd like to finish 50 books, yes, I know it maybe a little unrealisitic, but still, like to push myself a little.

Welcome everyone! We really hope you all will join our yearly challenge that you can find here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Hi I'm Lynn and I'm from Kent (the Garden of England). I'm going to try and set my challenge to 35 books. I've just started working for a company that sells books and it's so hard to stop myself bringing a lot of them home!!!! I read all sorts of books but I do love a physiological thriller. I'd love to have some recommendations. I lost myself in reading last year when my brother passed away with cancer. It let me shut off from the world. Reading is a wonderful way to have some time to yourself. Xxxx

lynn whatman wrote: "Hi I'm Lynn and I'm from Kent (the Garden of England). I'm going to try and set my challenge to 35 books. I've just started working for a company that sells books and it's so hard to stop myself br..."

Hi Lynn, welcome to the group! I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s such a horrible disease. I’ve lost a lot of loved ones because of it too. Reading is a great way to have some time for yourself indeed. How wonderful it must be to work in an environment with so many books. I don’t think I would be able to keep myself from bringing a lot of books home either!
Once again welcome to the group and happy reading! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

Dina wrote: "Hello, everyone, it so great to join this group...but somehow i cannot stop myself, so i came here and want to read more!
In 2018 i'd like to finish 50 books, yes, I know it maybe a little unrealisitic, but still, like to push myself a little. "

Hi Dina, welcome to the group! Reading can be very addictive indeed. I think you have come to the right place! 2017 was the first year I participated and I’ve found it to have awesome group members who are always willing to help you and give encouragement and support. Also it has some great challenges and the group and buddy reads are a great way too to read more and perhaps books that you wouldn’t have read otherwise.
Good luck with your goal and happy reading!

Hey guys! I'm Lisa and I'm from the Netherlands

I don't really have a favourite genre. But I mostly like contemporary fantasy and basically just any story with an interesting plot/story. I used to read a lot of YA but now I'm trying to read more adult fiction

My reading goals is to read 52 books, with this I hope to cut down my physical TBR pile. I'm doing this for the first time, but I hope itś doable.

Lisa wrote: "Hey guys! I'm Lisa and I'm from the Netherlands

I don't really have a favourite genre. But I mostly like contemporary fantasy and basically just any story with an interesting plot/story. I used to..."

Hey Lisa, welcome to the group. I'm from the Netherlands too :)

Cutting down one's TBR pile, anyone's greatest wish lol

I don't know how much you read normally. Goals in this group range from 10 to 300+ books! So anything is possible.
I've found that joining this group, it's challenges and especially it's buddy reads and monthly group reads, helped me read more than I normally would (and also to get out of my reading slump). Main thing though is that you're enjoying yourself and the books you read.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Good luck and happy reading!

Hello,
My name is Raj.
I am from Nagpur, India.

I have been in love with books since childhood but never got much time and so now I'm trying to make up for lost time and read as much as I can.

I mostly read epic fantasies and graphic novels and to have a more diverse collection, I wanted to read along some set categories this year and wanted to keep track properly.
And that led me to search for this group. I hope we have fun together.

My target is around 100 books, but I'm setting milestones. So, 52 for now.

Libby wrote: "Violeta wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Violeta from Belgrade, Serbia which is in south-eastern Europe.
I like to read crime, romance, historical,thriller novels, drama novels...and so many more!

I've be..."

Libby wrote: "Violeta wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Violeta from Belgrade, Serbia which is in south-eastern Europe.
I like to read crime, romance, historical,thriller novels, drama novels...and so many more!

I've be..."

Hi LIbby! I will be glad to have you as a friend because we have similar taste!

Rajkumar wrote: "Hello,
My name is Raj.
I am from Nagpur, India.

I have been in love with books since childhood but never got much time and so now I'm trying to make up for lost time and read as much as I can.

I ..."

Welcome to the group Raj! I hope you'll enjoy all the challenges, group/buddy reads, chats and great fellow readers this group has to offer. The welcome message you've received explains a lot about all the stuff in this group but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome to the group, Eva
The challenges are a great way to stay motivated and reach your goal!
Good luck :)

Hello everybody at 'goodreads'.
My name is Ricardo, or Richard now that I live in the UK. I was born in Venezuela but came to study to the UK and have now made the UK my home country.
My reading has normally been science / technical related with very few inbetweeners.
When I make time I tend to read self-improvement books or books about some particular skill or area of knowledge... I like to read with learning as an aim... on the main.
Like TV, I find it difficult 'to get involved' in fictitious subjects... although I fully appreciate, understand and support the such for the young... important to inspire imagination and support language mastery.
Talking about language mastery, that is the main reason I would read fiction as it normally is expressed in a more 'every day' kind of way and hence more appropriate to normal, everyday interaction with fellow humans... but then again 'learning' as the driving force.
Regarding 'reading for pleasure', I find learning a pleasure hence reading for learning is truly a great pleasure to me.
My challenge for 2018 is not to read 'so many' books but more like, what do I want to learn? what do I want to improve?
One of my targets is to improve my vocabulary, however not knowing exactly how extensive my vocabulary currently is, it is difficult to put a figure to it, however, I know that I am absolutely pathetic with crosswords and many a time I find it difficult to convey exactly what I want to say or to dress it in the beauty of poetry without loosing its essence.
One thing that I have started learning is Microsoft Excel... need it as part of my job... and what I have created is a little application which will help me keep track of my vocabulary.
Yesterday I started reading 'The Power of Meaning: The true route to happiness' and just with the introduction this clocked 1,579 words, with 58 which I did not know, about 4%, but I am sure that as I get more into the book, this percentage will increase... btw, I am quite happy to share this little Excel app with anybody who might be interested... really simple, really basic, but it has great potential, imho.
Anyway, enough ranting, I look forward to what promises to be an exciting experience here at 'goodreads'... thank you 'goodreads'

Hi! I'm MaryJane and they/them pronouns are preferred!

I'm trying to read more, as the past few years have been extremely busy for me with work, school, and extracurricular activities. I'm graduating in January, so I'm hoping to be able to use some of my time to get back on track! I'll give almost any book a shot and tend to stick to adult fiction. The Book Thief is my latest and favorite read, and I'm currently working on a few of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's works.

I hope to fit in with this group and to get to know some of you guys!

Richard wrote: "Hello everybody at 'goodreads'.
My name is Ricardo, or Richard now that I live in the UK. I was born in Venezuela but came to study to the UK and have now made the UK my home country.
My reading ha..."

Welcome to the group Richard! I hope you’ll have a great reading year. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

MaryJane wrote: "Hi! I'm MaryJane and they/them pronouns are preferred!

I'm trying to read more, as the past few years have been extremely busy for me with work, school, and extracurricular activities. I'm graduat..."

Welcome to the group MaryJane! I’m sure you’ll fit in perfectly with this group. Everybody is super nice and everything is possible while there are no obligations. So just feel free to participate in whatever way fits you. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

Greetings from The Hague in the Netherlands. I have recently retired as a lawyer in London and I am now semi-retired and teach at The University of The Hague. As a lawyer I was forced to read so much case material and law that I fell out of the habit of reading for pleasure. This year begins my renewed acquaintance with literature and I look forward to hearing from you all about your suggestions for a good read. My very best wishes, Paul

Welcome to the group, Paula and Elena!
We're glad to have you here. Just take a look around and jump into any of the group activities when you feel like it! :)