2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2018
>
Gilraen's reading space
date
newest »
newest »
1. A book made into a movie you’ve already seen Most likely Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir
Seriously hoping for a Bjork release for this one
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
Nachtblauw would be fitting (nacht is night)
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow Was a gift from a friend ex-coworker when I left my previous job
18. A book by two authors
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
Need something red there then
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
26. A book with an animal in the title
27. A book set on a different planet
Most SF I like falls into this category
28. A book with song lyrics in the titles
29. A book about or set in Halloween
30. A book with characters who are twins
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you’ve never read
Most interesting and I think I have an idea there
34. A book that’s published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn’t get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or a library
40. You favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenges
Advanced
41. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
That would be 1988 Will have a look
42. A cyberpunk book
43. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
44. A book tied to your ancestry
Maybe Call the Midwife My great great grandmother was a midwife Obviously much earlier than this book was set in but still
Another option is Afke's Tiental but that can be youth classic as well
45. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
46. An allegory
47. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
48. A microhistory
49. A book about a problem facing society today
There will be one or two there that I will read Most likely related to crisis management or climate change
50. A book recommended by someone else taking the PopSugar Reading Challenge
I also joined as < https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ">2018 Tasks with my tasks My task: I lived in three different countries (Netherlands, UK and New Zealand)
My task is to read a novel (total of three therefore) by either an author from one of those three countries or set in it.
So that is
NL: Again Nachtblauw By reading this book I ticking off multiple challenges and you know what? It was a gift and I would never ever have bought it myself so at least this way it serves a purpose. Both a Dutch author and set in the Netherlands
NZ: The Bone People This book is a NZ classic and to be honest it is a book that I have wanted to read it ever since I heard about it Just never got round to it. Both a NZ author and set in NZ
UK: May well be Call the Midwife
Both a UK author and set in the UK, but this one may change
Effectively doubling my task :-)
Just before the start of the year 2018 I have started reading a new book. Again electronically I so prefer it to a paper book. I guess this has to do with the fact that I read in bed with limited light and in the bath where a light weight (waterproof) ebook is just perfect.I have chosen to get started on my Popsugar challenge and read a book of which I have already seen the movie Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
The movie was one that I really wanted to see and loved so when I saw this idea in the challenge this one was at the forefront of my mind.
Plus it fits in with my current loose aim to broaden my view in books away from the standard white American male that has been dominating my book reading due to my love of SF. Last year the
Remembrance of Earth's Past Series was a real eye opener as was The Power
So not an official part of my year I will try to broaden my reading a bit, because apart from just loving reading I also love learning about other cultures and though books I can have many journey's without travelling
Finally I have finished Hidden Figures So loved the movie, so did not like the book.
Looking forward to Atwood now
A real story instead of a dissertation
As expected Love reading a book properly set and readable Even the introduction is well written.After two Meh books it feels like a warm bath
Loved the Atwood's Handmaid Tale Not for nothing I gave it five stars.Fills the number two in my personal challenge and the new author considering reading Alias Grace later this year but wel'll see
Next up Nachtblauw A book that was a gift to me (and my SIL got a copy too) from my MIL as she loved it.
Now while I do appreciate the sentiment, honestly I do, I do have to point out that our reading styles are very very different as in not quite compatible.
I started the book and I find the writing wooden and staccato. Thankfully it has a large typeface so it should be finished soon. *Sigh* I just sing: "The things we do for love"
As I see my line up developing (the next four books are lined up I see an interesting pattern The two I read are by female authors, the one I am reading now is too and when I look at my line up, so are the next 4. Interesting and not intended development.
So glad I finished that book! Really not a book I would have picked myself. I decided to go for some Nordic Noir Next to support my Popsugar challenge. As Samuael Bjork has not published an new book yet I felt Had to keep the female writer line going a bit longer.
I have decided on
Ice princess by Camilla Lackberg. Of course in translation, hence in Dutch.I'd seen in it my local bookstore and liked the idea and now is as the best time to read it. It is still cold (freezing) outside which perfectly matches the title
Update on my challenges Popsugar firstHidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Book is better.
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
Ijsprinces (Iceprincess) Camila Lackberg
6. A novel based on a real person
The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times
by Jennifer Worth
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
Nachtblauw (nacht is night) was read
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
Considering Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
Margaret At took A Handmaids Tale
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow Was a gift from a friend ex-coworker when I left my previous job
18. A book by two authors
Considering Nicci French
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
Need something red there then
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
Bone People By Keri Hulme - its on order
26. A book with an animal in the title
27. A book set on a different planet
Most SF I like falls into this category
28. A book with song lyrics in the titles
29. A book about or set in Halloween
30. A book with characters who are twins
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you’ve never read
Could well be Afke’s Tiental. It was a favourite of my grandmother . She grew up not far from where the story is set as one of 10 children.
The writer was a feminist (married/divorced one of our earliest socialist politicians).
I always have waned to read it and even gave it to my nieces but somehow never got round to it. This challenge is a good start
34. A book that’s published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn’t get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or a library
40. You favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenges
Advanced
41. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
That would be 1988 Will have a look
42. A cyberpunk book
43. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
44. A book tied to your ancestry
Maybe Call the Midwife My great great grandmother was a midwife Obviously much earlier than this book was set in but still it was this link that got me to watch the series and read this book. My midwife ancestor was the reason why my female line were educated from early on.
My great grandmother ran the farming business as well as being a mother of 10. My grandmother was a trained nurse (another connection there to this book). My mother got a college degree and I a master ‘sa nd post grad.
So you see that link is very much there
45. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
46. An allegory
47. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
48. A microhistory
49. A book about a problem facing society today
There will be one or two there that I will read Most likely related to crisis management or climate change
50. A book recommended by someone else taking the PopSugar Reading Challenge
The Task challenge is fully planned Read Nachtblauw - Simone vd Vlugt Dutch author and setting
Started reading: The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth UK author and setting
On order: Bone people Keri Hulme NZ author and setting
My personal challenge:
1 15 books - ahead of schedule
3. Re-read a much loved book or books) Currently considering the LOTR but not sure yet
5. At least one trilogy (could have LOTR qualify for this as well
6. At least non-novel/story book Considering Homo Deus Homo Deus A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari
8. One NZ writer (fits one with task) - The Bone People by Keri Hulme - on order
This is 2 for the price of 1.
I am allowed to tick 2 for the price of one if I feel like it twice.
Just finished the shadows of the workout by Jennifer Worth. Whilst it reads well I decided not to immediately read part three in the trilogy (Farewell to the East end)
but to change to Radium girls.
Two reasons; The charm is going a little after reading birth after birth after birth. To avoid feeling fatigued and not happy abut book three I need a change of pace.
Secondly Radium girls is a story that fascinates me. I know the general story and science behind it (I have a background in health physics) But I want to know the story behind the story. The human interest I guess.
But also see if I am right; We learned nothing. I mean we still embrace things that pop up and make them into more than science really says there is. We take a bit of science, add a lot of hot air, ignorance and illogic, season it with prejudice, pretty faces and woo and then we top it off with a sauce of "how to maximise profit". When it goes wrong or is not what we thought we blame science.
The latter is totally my prejudice and I am well aware of that, but so far just about every miracle cure/food/diet/get rich scheme seems to fit that description. It does not take away at all that there are real victims in these hypes/schemes. People that really suffer because of them. The people that suffer, because of wanting to trust, believe and do their best. Those people are for instance the radium girls and that is the sad story I want to learn about and from.
Sometimesthing do not goes planned Was in the middle
when I misplaced my e-reader. Or rather forgot to take it out of the plane with me.It took a few days to arrive back home (it was found) and by that stage I had picked up the waiting
As it was enthralling I decided to finish that one first and then return to Radium Girls. That point is now so back to Radium girls it is.
Still on my very much not intended but fun extra challenge of reason only female authors. Fun to se how far I will get with that one this year
Radium Girls has been finished A review writtenBoth The Bone People and Radium Girls were given 4 stars but if I compare the two I would say The Bone People gave me more reading pleasure, it as more captivating, but Radium Girls got me thinking more about social inequality and injustice. It is apt they both got the same stars despite bing so different. Combine the effect both books had on me and you have a massive winner for 5 stars with me.
I added Radium Girls to my PopSugar Challenge as True Crime as that is what it is A crime against workers, they poisoned their workers.
I decided after that heartbreaking and infuriating story I needed something lighter.
Digging into the PopSuger challenge I came across
33. A childhood classic you’ve never read
I decided to go for that.
Afke'sTiental is a Dutch childhood classis. Written by Diderika Troelstra-Bokma de Boer (Alias used was Nienke van Hichtum) a woman once independently earning. She was divorced in a time when this was still very much uncommon (1907) Mind you her husband was unfaithful to her.Anyway I know it was my grandmother's favourite childhood 's book. Another reason to read it. So far I love it. It is a simple read, and it is a joy to see parts of my grandmother's stories and her youth in it. She grew up roughly in the area where the book supposedly is set, and she too was one of 10 children. Though she always said;we were not poor!
The last couple of weeks have been intense in my life and reading has been a welcome distraction at times, though I admit I did not read as much as I often felt myself falling asleep after just 1 or 2 pages. Never due to the books, but just because I was so tired.After the quick enjoyable Afke's Tiental
l (review written), I decided on a book about a real person; A heroine of mine; Rosalind Franklin
. that too was a quick nice read and . the review has been writtenTwo more books on my list that I already have ready to go. Decided first to finish the Jennifer Worth trilogy on her time as a midwife
before reading Hartschade by Hella de Jonge
which was published this year and has a focus on her personal story, but also a focus on heart conditions in when and the fact that stye are presenting themselves so differently to heart problems in men. Both these books are not massive but good readsAs we are due to go on a holiday next month I need to start thinking which books to take with me.I am finding that the both Goodreads and the Popsugar challenge are helping me in decision making in that area.
I have decided i want to pick three books of which one I would like to be a little bit more challenging. As I am managing quite well with my accidental string of female authors only I decide to see if I could keep it up for the whole of 2018. Currently I am thinking Isabelle Allende's latest but have not made-up my mind yet. If anybody has a suggestion I an openminded so welcome a good idea
I decided to go shopping for my holidayMy next read list is as follows
Hartschade - Hella de Jonge
I mentioned before I wanted to read this book and it will be the first on my next read list to be readFascism - Madelein Albright
I loved her memoir Madam Secretary and with her background I want to know her feelings on the subject - very much current affairsDe winter voorbij - Isabel Allende
Translated from Spanish - so reading it in Dutch Allende is a mesmerising writer that to be honest I haven't read enough from (house of the spirits onlY) S never waste a good opportunity thereEen zachte hand - Leïla Slimani
Apparently a thriller that is quite a book The author is a French/Moroccan feminist and to therefore for me a very interesting new find. The book got rave reviews in the Dutch papers so I am giving it a tryInk - Sabrina Vourvoulias
Hets great reviews and fits my current hang towards the more noir type books Plus the popsugar challenge for ugly cover
For some odd reason I am already thinking up a challenge for 2019.It will include reading a book in my third language - German .Hven't read anything major on over 30 years in the language butler work I have been adding some german texts and am finding it OK tot do So after my recent holiday in the Eifel and seeing a crimi (crime) series written around that read I thought well that sounds like a plan
Then I decided to add some French books My French is not very good but then agin unless you try you won't improve So I decided to start simple with
and add a book that I know well in Dutch translation
These books should be part of my2019 challenge.
For now I am reading though my holiday shopping list and read more than usual and I am loving it But I am home again and reading is reduced bit again but still it has been great streak with the books and reading lately.
I am encountering way too many interesting books at present - So many interesting books so little time
Reading at present is not going fast for some reason. Not sure why.I think my work schedule may be to blame.On the positive side I met my 15 books this year and I finished my persona challenge with reading Jane Eyre
On the non official challenge - 2018 Only female authors I am succeeding though it does mean that a book I really want to read (Health related) will need to wait until 2019
I have to admit I really like the popsugar challenge though It really helps me to pick new books and writers. Nice bonus and next year I will participate again I think
Overview personal challenge
Done -1. 15 books- - Jane Eyre was number 15
Done -2. Read a feminist book- Margaret Atwood A Handmaids Tale
Done -3. Re-read a much loved book or books)- Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Done -4. 4. Read a book by a (for me) new author:- Done a fair few with thanks to the Popsugar challenge. I’ll go with Camila Lackberg
Done -5. At least one trilogy- Jennifer Worth Call the Midwife trilogy
Done -6. At least non-novel/story book- : Fascism by Madeline Albright
Done -7. One Dutch writer:- Hella de Jonge Hartschade
Done -8. One NZ writer - Keri Hulme
Done-9. One book given to me that I would have never picked out myself- Nachtblauw by Simone van der Vlugt
Gilraens wrote: "Reading at present is not going fast for some reason. Not sure why.I think my work schedule may be to blame...."
Same here Gilraens. I must admit I'm getting a bit frustrated because of that....
Updated my Popsugar challenge. I really like that challenge as it gets me into reading new things and trying to fit the challenge I'll probably participate again next yearUpdate on message #1228
18/15 done and number 19 (space travel started)
Additional challenge: 2019 read only female authors So far 100% score and given the bookshelf on my reader I’ll get there
1. **A book made into a movie you’ve already seen**
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Book is better.
2. **True crime**
I am going to say Radum Girls.Effectively the crimes committed are of labour laws and occupational safety and those too are crimes. They got enough victims and the court cases are harrowing
4. **The next book in a series you started**
Farewell to the East End: The Last Days of the East End Midwives The trilogy by Jennifer Worth - So I did start the trilogy this year but it still counts
6. **Nordic noir**
Ijsprinces (Iceprincess) Camila Lackberg
7. .**A novel based on a real person**
My sister Rosalind. A book about Scientist Rosalind Franklin.
8. *A book set in a country that fascinates you*
The Story of a New Zealand River by Jane Mander With of course New Zealand being the country that I love and still fascinates me
9. **A book with a time of day in the title**
Nachtblauw (nacht is night) was read
15. **A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you**
De winter voorbij - Isabel Allende -She is hispanic I am not
16. **A book about feminism**
Margaret At took A Handmaids Tale
17. *A book about mental health*
Met zachte hand - Leila Sleimani - though it is a novel it is also about what drive the nanny and her spiral into depression
23. A book about time travel*
The Psychology of Time Travel - Kate Mascarenhas
25. **A book set at sea**
The Bone People By Keri Hulme
31. *A book mentioned in another book*
Jane Eyre: Mentioned in Eyre affair by Jasper Forde die ik vorig jaar las - en een reread van een much loved book
34. **A childhood classic you’ve never read**
Nienke van Hichtum Afke’s Tiental.
34. **A book that’s published in 2018**
Hella de jonge Hartschade
38. *A book with an ugly cover*
Ink - Sabrina Vourvoulias Really dislike to cover but love the inside
39. **A book that involves a bookstore or a library**
De boekhandelaar van Kaboel: Åsne Seierstad
The owner of a bookstore and family. It is clear that to the owner his bookstore is the centre of his being.
45. **A book tied to your ancestry**
Call the Midwife My great great grandmother was a midwife Obviously much earlier than this book was set in but still it was this link that got me to watch the series and read this book. My midwife ancestor was the reason why my female line were educated from early on. So you see that link is very much there
50. **A book about a problem facing society today**
Fasiscm:A warning Madeline K. Albright
I also finished my personal challenge ahead of schedule. It has in the end been a good year o reading despite the sort of slow turn in September and October. It is picking up again. Seriously don't know why things change sometimes.My personal challenge:
-1. 15 books- - Jane Eyre was number 15
-2. Read a feminist book- Margaret Atwood A Handmaids Tale
-3. Re-read a much loved book or books)- Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
-4. 4. Read a book by a (for me) new author:- Done a fair few with thanks to the Popsugar challenge. I’ll go with Camila Lackberg
-5. At least one trilogy- Jennifer Worth Call the Midwife trilogy
-6. At least non-novel/story book- : Fascism by Madeline Albright
-7. One Dutch writer:- Hella de Jonge Hartschade
-8. One NZ write- r - Keri Hulme
-9. One book given to me that I would have never picked out myself- Nachtblauw
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Les Trois Mousquetaires 1 (other topics)Eifel-Blues (other topics)
Le Petit Prince (other topics)
De winter voorbij (other topics)
Ink (other topics)
More...
Participating in the Popsugar challenge for 10 books (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...)
The Member's Task list for 3 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
and will use both in my personal challenge for a total of 15.
My personal challenge:
1 15 books
2. Read a feminist book Current idea is Margaret Atwood
3. Re-read a much loved book or books) Currently considering the LOTR but not sure yet
4. Read a book by a (for me) new author
5. At least one trilogy (could have LOTR qualify for this as well
6. At least non-novel/story book Considering Homo Deus
7. One Dutch writer (fits with the tasks(some considerations as in 9.
8. One NZ writer (fits one with task) - Considering Keri Hulme
9. One book given to me that I would have never picked out myself Considering
I am allowed to tick 2 for the price of one if I feel like it twice.