2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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First Quarter Challenges:LOOKING BACK AT THE BEST
Duration: January 1, 2019 - March 31, 2019
I'll be utilizing Goodreads Choice Awards nominees for this one.
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20/20 - COMPLETED!
Second Quarter Challenges:GLOBETROTTER
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2019
For this quarterly challenge, fill your passport by traveling around the world via the pages of your books. Tasks may be repeated but books can only be used once. Please let us know the total number of books you will read for this challenge.
1. Wanderlust: Read a travelogue.
2. Diaspora: Read a book where the protagonist is living away from their homeland. -
3. Exophony: Read a book by an author writing in a language other than their native language.
4. See The World Through Another's Eyes: Read a book that features interracial relations.
5. Walk in Another's Shoes: Read a memoir by an author whose ethnicity differs from your own.
6. Global Capitalism: Read a book about a multinational business enterprise or the effects of globalization.
7. Other Worlds in Other Words: Read a translated world of literary or genre fiction.
8. Fictionalized History: Read a historical fiction about a culture you're unfamiliar with.
9. Borderlines: Read a book about social, cultural, geopolitical, or other boundaries. -
10. Flaneuse: Read a book about strolling or exploring a place on foot.
11. Transnational or Transcultural Adoption: Read a story about an adoption that occurred across national or cultural lines.
12. Transcontinental Cruising: Read a book that takes place in more than one continent.
13. Multi-linguist: Read a book that that includes text written in two or more languages (not translated).
14. World Traveler: Read a book that takes place in a country that you have not lived in or traveled to before.
15. Global Reader: Choose a book written by an author from a country other than your own. -
16. Home Away From Home: Read a book that takes place in an area you have visited more than once.
17. Minority Voices: Read a story by an author who is an ethnic minority in the country where they reside.
18. Traversing the Terrains: Read a story that takes place on a terrain that is different than ones you are most familiar with.
19 & 20. Our Little Corner of the World: Read 2 or more books that take place in countries that border each other (one book per country).
21. I Am Here: Read a story that takes place in a state with limited recognition.
3/3 - COMPLETED!
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2019
Our second quarter theme is Books to Stage and we have a "play-ful" challenge for you to celebrate! Whether you complete each task or just a few, we look forward to adding you to our troupe of readers and seeing which books you "cast" for each role. Please let us know the total number of books/tasks you would like to read for this challenge.
1. Read a classic play. -
2. Read a play that has been written in your lifetime.
3. Read a book that has been adapted into a stage play.
4. Read a book that has been adapted into a musical, ballet, or opera.
5. Read a book that has been inspired by a theatrical production.
6. "Upstage" refers to the back of a theatrical stage but it can also be used as a verb (as in "upstaging the bride"). Read a book where one character upstages another.
7. "Backstage" refers the area of theater which the audience doesn't see. Read a book that features some "backstage" action.
8. The "house" is where the audience sits to view a show. Read a book with the word "House" in the title.
9. Choose a book that includes scenes in any type of theater (dramatic, cinematic, operating, etc.)
10. Choose a book whose protagonist is a performer of any kind. -
11. Read a book with a melodramatic plot.
12. Read a tragedy or a story featuring a tragic event.
13. Read a comedy or a story featuring a comedic event. -
14. Ritual is one of the earliest forms of performance. Read a book inspired by ritual or the features ritual as an important element of the story.
15. Read a book about a playwright, stagehand, costume designer, or another "behind-the-scenes" theater person.
16. Choose a book about a magician, circus performer, or spoken word artist.
17. Read a book featuring a con artist or a person who acts deceptively as someone they are not. -
18. Read a book about a person playing a part or who "fakes it 'til they make it."
19. Read a book about a person removing their literal or figurative masks and revealing or accepting their true identity.
20. Read a book that isn't a musical but should be!
4/5
RESERVED FOR THIRD QUARTER CHALLENGES
RESERVED FOR FOURTH QUARTER CHALLENGES
MARATHON CHALLENGEDuration: January 1 - January 31, 2019
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16/15 - COMPLETED!
SHADES OF BLUEDuration: February 1 - 28, 2018
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3/3 - COMPLETED!
CELEBRATING THE BLUES
Duration: 1 February - 28 February 2018
The color blue is often associated with sadness, but for this challenge we want you to celebrate it in its many forms. Whether reading one book for this challenge or eight to complete all of the prompts, we hope reading for this challenge will help you to shake the blues away.
1. Blue ribbon winner! Read an award-winning book or a book that centers around a contest. -
2. "The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea." Read a book about an activity that makes you sweat, brings about tears (happy or sad), or takes place at or on the sea. -
(This book made me ugly cry so much.)3. "Everyday I have the blues." The Blues genre of music has been influential around the globe since its origins. Read a book about music or written by a musician. -
4. Fly a Blue Flag. Read a book that takes place primarily in a country that has blue in its flag.
5. "Roses are red, violets are blue..." Read a book of love poems or a book with flowers on the cover.
6. Japanese Indigo plants create a beautiful blue dye and are used in a process called "blueing." Read a book by a Japanese author or a book about fashion.
7. "Keep Calm and Carry Read On." Blue has been associated with serenity. Read a book with a cover or subject matter that relaxes you.
8. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Read a book about a wedding or that relates to any of these "somethings." -
4/4 - COMPLETED!
MYSTERIOUS MARCHDuration: March 1 - 31, 2019
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3/3 - COMPLETED!
LOOK TO THE STARS
Duration: March 1 - 31, 2019
This month we are looking to the stars for reading inspiration. Stars of the night sky, movie stars, and more will be lighting our way as we navigate through our stacks.
You may read a book for each task, repeat tasks, or skip tasks, but each book may be used only once.
1. Shining Stars: Read a biography or fictionalized story about or by a star in any field (e.g., acting, sports, music, etc.). -
2. What's Your Sign?: Read a story inspired by the astrology or that relates to one of the signs of the zodiac in some way (feel free to get creative!). -
3. Star's Selection: Choose a book that has been selected by a celebrity for their book club.
4. Stars of the Night Sky: Read a book that takes place in space or is about astronomy.
5. Starry-Eyed: Read a story about a person who is infatuated or awestruck with another person. -
6. Wish Upon a Star: Read a story about a dreamer or a wish-come-true.
7. Follow the North Star: Read a story of a person navigating their way to freedom or journeying through the wilderness. -
8. Seeing Stars: Read a story about a person overcoming a serious injury or illness.
4/4 - COMPLETED!
FEELING FRATERNALDuration: April 1 - 30, 2019
National Siblings Day is on April 10 and we are celebrating brotherly (and sisterly) love with a challenge all about siblings. Join our family of readers by completing one or more of the prompts.
1. & 2. The Family That Writes Together: Read two or more books by authors who are siblings (one book per author-sibling).
3. Middle Child: Read a book that is neither the first nor the last book in a series or a book about a peacemaker (middle children are often seen as the peacemakers of the family).
4. In-Laws: Read a story whose protagonist is involved with the legal system or is a criminal or both. -
5. Blood is Thicker than Water: Read a book with a predominately red cover or a has a medical component to it -
6. Sisters Not Just Cisters: Read a book about transgender rights or by a transgender author.
7. Twinning is Winning: Read a story featuring twins.
8. Brah, Brotha, Bro: Read a story of a close male friendship written by an author who writes heavily in pidgin, creole, slang, or another culture-specific dialect.
9. Sibling Rivalry: Read a book about family discord or competition among siblings. -
10. Cinematic Siblings: Read a book that inspired or was inspired by a cinematic or theatrical production in which sibling relationships play a prominent role.
3/3 - COMPLETED!
OPTED OUT OF MAY CHALLENGES
OPTED OUT OF JUNE CHALLENGES
READ & GO CHALLENGEDuration: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
1. A novel set in the woods -
2. A novel involving a creative outlet -
3. A novel featuring food you have not tried -
4. A novel involving a train ride
5. A graphic novel
6. A novel involving ghosts -
7. A novel featuring a zoo, animal shelter or sanctuary
8. A novel set on a bus
9. A novel where a main character seeks self-improvement -
10. A novel featuring a bike ride
11. A novel set in or involving something industrial (factory, etc.)
12. A novel involving a plane ride -
13. A novel set in a snow land
14. A novel set in a country other than your own -
15. A novel featuring a garden
16. A novel set in a museum
17. A novel set in a hotel
18. A novel featuring an instrument you wish you could play
19. A novel involving an escape -
20. A novel set underground or underwater
21. A novel involving a road trip
22. A novel depicting a sci-fi technology that now exists
23. A novel set in a city within 100 km of your own
24. Bonus: A novel set in your home town
8/15
COLOR CHALLENGEDuration: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019
1. Read a book with "White" or any shade of white in the cover (ivory, cream, bone, etc...). -
2. Read a book with "Pink" or any shade of pink in the cover (rose, magenta, salmon, etc...). -
3. Read a book with "Red" or any shade of red in the cover (maroon, brick, scarlet, etc...). -
4. Read a book with "Orange" or any shade of orange in the cover (apricot, ginger, carrot, etc...). -
5. Read a book with "Yellow" or any shade of yellow in the cover (blond, chartreuse, canary, etc...). -
6. Read a book with "Green" or any shade of green in the cover (sage, lime, jade, etc...). -
7. Read a book with "Light Blue" or any shade of light blue in the cover (teal, sky, cerulean, etc...). -
8. Read a book with "Dark Blue" or any shade of dark blue in the cover (indigo, denim, navy, etc...). -
9. Read a book with "Purple" or any shade of purple in the cover (lavender, plum, orchid, etc...).
10. Read a book with "Brown" or any shade of brown in the cover (tan, mahogany, coffee, etc...).
11. Read a book with "Black" or any shade of black in the cover (grey, slate, coal, etc...). -
12. Read a book with a Metallic color in the cover (gold, silver, bronze, etc...). -
13. Read a book with at least 5 colors on the cover. -
14. Read a book with a geometric pattern on the cover (rainbows, stripes, polka dots, floral pattern, mosiac, etc...).
15. Read a book with an ugly (to you) cover.
16. Read a book with two or more color words in the title (yellow gold, black & white, etc...)
17. Read a book with the word “Color” in the title.
18. Read a book with a word describing color in the title (rainbow, stripes, polka dots, shiny, mosiac, etc...)
11/15
POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2019Duration: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
1. A book becoming a movie in 2019
2. A book that makes you nostalgic
3. A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction) -
4. A book you think should be turned into a movie -
5. A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads
6. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover -
7. A reread of a favorite book
8. A book about a hobby
9. A book you meant to read in 2018 -
10. A book with POP, SUGAR, or CHALLENGE in the title
11. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover
12. A book inspired by myth/legend/folklore -
13. A book published posthumously
14. A book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie
15. A retelling of a classic
16. A book with a question in the title -
17. A book set on college or university campus
18. A book about someone with a superpower
19. A book told from multiple POVs -
20. A book set in space -
21. A book by two female authors -
22. A book with SALTY, SWEET, BITTER, or SPICY in the title
23. A book set in Scandinavia
24. A book that takes place in a single day -
25. A debut novel -
26. A book that's published in 2019 -
27. A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature -
28. A book recommended by a celebrity you admire
29. A book with LOVE in the title
30. A book featuring an amateur detective
31. A book about a family -
32. A book author from Asia, Africa, or South America
33. A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in title
34. A book that includes a wedding -
35. A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter -
36. A ghost story -
37. A book with a two-word title -
38. A novel based on a true story
39. A book revolving around a puzzle or game
40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading challenge
Advanced
41. A "cli-fi" (climate fiction) book
42. A "choose-your-own-adventure" book
43. An "own voices" book -
44. Read a book during the season it is set in
45. A LitRPG book
46. A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters -
47. Two books that share the same title
48. Two books that share the same title
49. A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom
50. A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent
20/30
LET’S TURN PAGESDuration: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
19,303/30,000 pages
#OwnVoicesDuration January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
1. African (e.g, Ghanian, Nigerian) -
2. Agnostic, Athiest, or Humanist -
3. Asexual or Aromantic
4. Asian (e.g., Hmong, Japanese) -
5. Bisexual or Pansexual -
6. Black (e.g. African-American, Black British) -
7. Buddhist
8. Christian-minority (i.e., Christian in a country in which it is not the most common religion)
9. Differently-Abled -
10. Gay Male or Lesbian Female -
11. Hindu
12. Immigrant
13. Incarcerated or Institutionalized
14. Indigenous (e.g., Aboriginal, Inuit, Mojave)
15. Jewish -
16. Latin American (e.g., Mexican, Colombian-descent)
17. Living with a Mental Health or Cognitive Disability
18. Low-Income or Financially Insecure
19. Middle Eastern
20. Mixed Race or Multi-racial -
21. Muslim
22. Non-binary or Transgender
23. Oceanic (e.g., Papuan, Samoan)
24. Practitioner of a minor religion or another form of spirituality
25. Refugee, Migrant, or Asylum-Seeker
26. Survivor of Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence -
10/10 - COMPLETED
THE NONFICTION GROWTH CHALLENGE Duration: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 20191. Read a book that teaches you how to problem solve.
2. Read a book that teaches you how to think critically.
3. Read a book that teaches you how to become more creative.
4. Read a book that teaches you how to make better decisions.
5. Read a book on emotional intelligence.
6. Read a book to improve your communication skills. -
7. Read a book about how to learn.
8. Read a book that teaches you leadership skills.
9. Read a book about extroversion or introversion.
10. Read a book about psychology. -
11. Read a book about an ideology that is not your own. -
12. Read a book to help you master social media.
13. Read a book about your favorite hobby to become better at it.
14. Read a collection of essays -
15. Read an autobiography/biography of a woman written by a woman. -
16. Read an autobiography/biography of a man written by a man. -
17. Read a book about someone’s journey; inner or outer. -
18. Read a book about science or technology.
19. Read a book about a religion or philosophy
20. Read a book about a topic you have always wanted to learn more about.
7/7 - COMPLETED!
THE LISTOPIA CHALLENGEDuration: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Best Books of 2018
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Best Page Turners with Redeeming Social Value
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What People Born in the 1980s Have Read in 2018
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You Read a Book About What?
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Books to Read Under the Trump Administration
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Total: 15/35
AN AUTHOR'S WORKS CHALLENGE - 2019Duration: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019
Author 1: Christopher Moore (to read some of his older works that I haven't read)
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Author 2: Kate Morton (to complete the three books by her that I haven't read)
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Author 3: Alison Weir
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Personal Challenge: Author's Birthday ChallengeFebruary 1st: Abbi Jacobson
March 21st: Oyinkan Braithwaite
April 22nd: Erin Gibson
May 10th: Jon Ronson
May 20th: Ottessa Moshfegh
May 26th: Peter Swanson
June 11th: Jimmy O. Yang
June 27th: Ashton Applewhite
July 8th: Alison Weir
July 16th: Laurie Kilmartin
July 19th: Lisa Jewell
July 25th: Mur Lafferty
August 15th: Kiese Laymon
August 16th: Kelly Corrigan
August 21st: Megan Abbott
September 1st: Frank Tallis
September 18th: Aisha Tyler
September 19th: N. K. Jemisin
September 27th: Ernest Becker
September 28th: Phoebe Robinson
September 29th: Chrissy Metz
October 15th: Roxane Gay
October 17th: Ariel Levy
November 5th: Sam Shepard
November 12th: Guy Branum
November 29th: Sarah Pekkanen
November 30th: Tayari Jones
December 11th: Colleen Hoover
December 30th: Ijeoma Oluo
28/50 Unique Days
Personal Challenge: Great Courses Challenge1.
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2/10
January Marathon Challenge completed.
Completed Non-Fiction Growth Challenge.
February Shades of Blue Challenge completed.
February Celebrating the Blues Challenge completed.
March Look to the Stars Challenge completed.
March Mysterious March Challenge completed.
Q1 Looking Back at the Best Challenge completed.
I reached my goal -- up to 142 books this year; will undoubtedly finish the year at 150. BUT, I've been terrible about logging. Next year I will get back on track with that.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
An American Marriage (other topics)An American Marriage (other topics)
An American Marriage (other topics)
Thinking About Religion and Violence (other topics)
Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings (other topics)
More...
Books Read per Month:
January: 16
February: 13
March: 20
April: 12
May: 1
Ratings
* - 0
** - 4
*** - 8
**** - 23
***** - 27
General Rating Key:
* (Terribly Written and Unoriginal)
** (Weak Writing and/or Plot)
*** (Average Book with Both Average Writing and Plot)
**** (Strong, Well-Written and Original)
***** (Outstanding Writing and Plot)
Gender of Author (each author counted only once if I read multiple books by them per year):
Male: 20
Female: 44
Non-Binary: 0
Source of Book:
Personally Owned: 8
Overdrive/Library: 54
Fiction v. Non-Fiction:
Fiction: 33
Non-Fiction: 29
Great Courses Completed:
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