2025 Reading Challenge discussion

You know that's an interesting idea. I guess it would depend on how OCD people are for me I think I would forget to change the dates.

I have done a similar thing - I created a folder called “next” and added the books planned for next year. As I finish reading them, I just take it off that folder-list and the number goes down :-)

I have also made it sortable, so I can put them in expected reading-order, if I want...

1) How do you track your reading? For example, do you use a journal or spreadsheet outside of Goodreads? Do you use the Personal Challenge thread in this group? Do you use the Goodreads tracker? Something else?

I have a basic spreadsheet that has a tentative reading list. I replace books there if I change my mind and tick them off as I finish.

2) What types of stats do you track? For example, number of books and pages? Sex/Gender, nationality, race, etc of the author or main characters? Genre?

I only track number of books read and sometimes pages read. I read pretty diversely, but I don’t like proscribing numbers or percentages of different demographics.

3) How do you retain what you read? Or, do you read for the moment and not worry about remembering what you read?

Some books I definitely read just for the moment, like mysteries and thrillers. For me, the best way to retain information is to slow down. I could read more books per year than I currently do, but I have no desire to read faster. In fact, I sometimes feel like I read too fast! I also never speed up audiobooks.

The very best way to retain is to reread. For a few years, I only read new-to-me books. In 2018 I did some rereading and I plan to do even more in 2019. Over 2017 and 2018, I reread all of Jane Austen’s novels via audiobook (read by Juliet Stevenson). In 2019, I plan to reread Mrs. Dalloway, Midnight’s Children, and The Remains of the Day via audiobook. Respectively, it will be my fourth, second, and third reading of those books.

4) What other bookish goals do you have?

2019 will be the year I read primarily from books I already own. Most of everything else will come from the library. I haven’t been on a strict buying ban, but I’ve bought a lot fewer books in 2018 and I plan to be even stricter and more selective with what I buy in 2019.

Also, I’m planning to read The Unconsoled and Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro. Those are the last of his major works that I have not read. I also need to get to The Longest Journey, the only novel by EM Forster that I haven’t read.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Hello!
Does anyone have some suggestions for good, clean, YA Sci-fi or Fantasy?
What I mean by 'clean' is no sex or severe cursing. Kissing is ok and mild cursing
now and then is fine, and I'm not bothered by violence...

Josephine, try Christopher Priest’s The Prestige. It’s 404 pages — maybe a drawback — but it’s spellbinding. For a smaller bite of Priest’s work, try The Glamour or The Inverted World.

Phillip wrote: "Josephine, try Christopher Priest’s The Prestige. It’s 404 pages — maybe a drawback — but it’s spellbinding. For a smaller bite of Priest’s work, try The Glamour or The Inverted World."

Thank You!

Michelle wrote: "Josephine wrote: "Hello!
Does anyone have some suggestions for good, clean, YA Sci-fi or Fantasy?
What I mean by 'clean' is no sex or severe cursing. Kissing is ok and mild cursing know and then is..."

Thanks!

Correction: The Inverted World.

Sean wrote: "You are doing it wrong:

https://boingboing.net/2018/01/03/you...

:D"

Wow, that looks so boring. Why wouldn't I want all the pretty spines of my books showing? It's so much more inspiring. Plus, I like to lay on my bed and stare at them all, my mind drifting into imaginary worlds. I can't really do that if I'm staring at a bunch of cream pages. XD

Whats a good way to get more members in the new group I made?

Kristin wrote: "Since it's a new year, I've been reading a lot of articles about preparing for the year, being a better reader, and similar topics. I'm curious:

1) How do you track your reading? For example, do y..."

I previously only tracked what I read by putting a tally mark at the front of the book that I read and the date that I finished. Now I use Goodreads as a source of tracking as well. I only use the Goodreads tracker when I have a goal for the year of how many books I want to read.

I mostly read for the moment. However, I seem to retain what I read by seeing the books on my bookshelf and remembering the story when I see the spine of the book. Sometimes when reading a book if I find it difficult to distinguish between characters or something else important I will keep a post-it note in the book as a bookmark with their names and a snippet of how to remember them and their stories. If I don't remember something and would like to I might flip through the book to figure it out, or if I really liked the book I may re-read it. If I didn't like the book much I may look up a question on-line about it.

My book goals: read the books I own, read classic books that are referenced often, to read a book in another language besides English, to have a room dedicated as a library in the house/apartment I live in, to have a book exchange box outside of my house, and to use my books as the source of starting a library or book store in the community.

Josephine wrote: "Whats a good way to get more members in the new group I made?"

Josephine, this is not the right place to discuss this. You can find similar questions and the answers in the Moderator Support Group

Keri wrote: "Sean wrote: "You are doing it wrong:

https://boingboing.net/2018/01/03/you...

:D"

Wow, that looks so boring. Why wouldn't I want all the pretty spines of my books showing? I..."

"Book Hulk: HULK SAY YOU SHELVE BOOKS SPINE OUT OR YOU IGNORAMUS. HULK SMASH, THEN RESHELVE." Hahaha. That's just hilarious.

Melissa wrote: "Keri wrote: "Sean wrote: "You are doing it wrong:

https://boingboing.net/2018/01/03/you...

:D"

Wow, that looks so boring. Why wouldn't I want all the pretty spines of my boo..."

LOL, yes, I laughed at that too. XD

While I find the

https://boingboing.net/2018/01/03/you...

interesting, I'm going to suggest we stop it now. I know that no one is meaning to be insulting, but because of language barriers, some might not understand.

On a lighter note, if any of you would love to share pictures of your bookshelves, I would love to see them. I just finished my reorganization and should get some pictures for you all soon!

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE!

good morning

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!

I’m not dead...yet. Guess I better start reading again.

I am updating like crazy, joining a few of the reads, and stuff. Please check out my Member's Corner (eppic redneck) and stop in for some sweet tea now and again! I want to make some new friends, visit and chat about books, and motivate each other to keep reading. I will be in and out of the hospital a few times again this year, so I could use some good old fashion friendly smiles!

Dee ~ Proudest Nanna Of Newborn Millie ~ wrote: "Happy February! I hope that you are all keeping extra warm there. If I could give you some of New Zealand's heatwave to warm you up, I would.



"
We must have gotten some of it here in Pennsylvania. We had a few days in 20 c. which is odd because usually it is around 0 c here during February.

I write a review on Goodreads for all the books I read. I just started doing this a coule of years ago. I also list my years reading n my iphone! Just for my own pleasure, then I add to my yearly challenge started this year. Reading 50 I hope I made it to 58 last year. I read purely for pleasure, its not a race, its not to show off, its for my own satisfaction! I love books on history and I retain some of it, but not all of course. Mine are mostly kindle books so take up next to no room, but I love y collection of books, my library if you will! I was brought up with loads of books., still think loads of books is heaven

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Thank you!! Im Irish so appreciate that! Happy St.Patricks day to all of you!

Your welcome and I never knew that

Aww thanks Dee and your profile picture of that baby is so cute

Your welcome Dee and she’s a very cute baby and I like that name and I love babies

It's hard to believe tomorrow is April already!

Where is the year going?

In less than 6 weeks, I will graduate from college!

Congratulations Dee...hello all! Im in Ireland where are you based? What types of books do you like? I read all kinds but loving hearing views!

Kadijah Michelle wrote: "It's hard to believe tomorrow is April already!

Where is the year going?

In less than 6 weeks, I will graduate from college!"

That's amazing! Congratulations! What are you studying?

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!

Greetings to everyone :)

I am new to Goodreads and don't know much about "text formatting" here. How to write Italic or Bold?

Also how can we add a photo in comments? For instance if I want to add the cover photo of a book here how do I do it?

Really appreciated..

Awais wrote: "Greetings to everyone :)

I am new to Goodreads and don't know much about "text formatting" here. How to write Italic or Bold?

Also how can we add a photo in comments? For instance if I want to ..."

Hi Awais, you can use html formatting for those things. If you are visiting this website from a browser on phone or desktop you'll see (some html is ok) above the top right corner of the comment box. If you click it you'll see a little box with the formatting options that can be used on Goodreads. Hope this helps!

Thanks very much Ilona!

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!

Good morning

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Dee ~ Proudest Nanna Of Newborn Millie ~ wrote: "I can't believe that May is nearly here!"

I can't believe it's 2019

1) How do you track your reading?
I use Goodreads but I also have a MSWord document which has my favorite series/authors titles that are upcoming plus those series that I am trying to finish. Since I get 90% of my books from the library, I use my MSWord document the most. I like to see books crossed off and the list getting smaller. I am very visual.

2) What types of stats do you track?
I track # of books as whole but also like to compare the # of actual books vs the # of audiobooks that I finish. (Right now, I listen to more than I actually read.)

3) How do you retain what you read?
I usually just read for the moment but if the girls at the office are reading the same books (Michelle Obama's new book was a hot topic), I can remember what I've read to join in the conversation. Most of the time, no one is reading the same things I'm reading. (Or my mother and grandmother have but it was sooooo long ago they cannot remember the "who done it" parts.)

4) What other bookish goals do you have?
Nothing other than to take time to read every chance that I get. I always have a book in my purse or one available on my phone to read. Maybe, I will add some new series to my lists (as I am getting VERY close to the end of my current lists) but I still have 150 TBR so I'm trying NOT to add too many, just yet.

HAPPY WORLD WISH DAY!

I’m so happy that May is here

Hi Christine! Hi Sarah!
I keep a list of all books I read on my hone. Just the title and author. Im hopeless at remembering so I can pull it out and remember! Funny how some books live with you for years and others vanish as soon as youve read them. That always interests me Sometimes the ones that linger and not the ones you expected to! What are you guys reading now? ive just read a couple of really good thrillers.

Fiona I’m reading a book called Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Christine wrote: "Fiona I’m reading a book called Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf"

That sounds like a good book. I just finished a book called the Sea sisters by Lucy Clarke, I gave it 4 stars. She writes well and its very emotional!
Ive now read 27 of 50 books for this year.

Is there a place we can go to get ideas for each challenge. I am struggling with a quarterly challenge and could use some ideas. I could've sworn I saw a folder or post somewhere.

Fiona I really liked that book and I never read that book called The Sea Sisters by Lucy Clarke

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!