2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Readathon Wrap-up

And just like that, the readathon is over! Congratulations to all of you for your stellar performances! We are interested in hearing about your experience so please answer the questions below and we will take your comments into consideration when planning the next readathon.

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
Working together with new friends/teammates.

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
Absolutely! I knocked lots off my TBR.

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
I most enjoyed Red Leaves and The Red House Mystery. The latter was written by A.A. Milne of Winnie the Pooh fame!

4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
Nightbitch

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
Unreachable no-shows are a disadvantage to a team. I'd like to see team-friendly privacy settings as a requirement and would be willing to help check settings before team assignments are made.

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
I posted some theme suggestions in the General Readathon thread already. As for activities, I like more specific prompts like in the World Mysteries readathon.

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?
This was my first time as a leader. Should I lead again, I would like to provide better spreadsheet instructions up front, rather than folks having to reconcile their page counts afterward.

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon? It was good getting to know a few different group members who were part of Team Yellow. I also had fun trying to find books that would fit
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals? I was planning to read 4 books and even though I had a bit of a reading slump towards the end, my total was 5 so I did surpass my goal
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon? The Rule of One was such a good choice for a Readathon because I had to keep reading to find out what happened next
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon? The Mystery of the Yellow Room was okay but there are better locked room mysteries about
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons? Like TerryJane and her team, we had a no-show too. I did send a message and check if she was active on Goodreads over the past few weeks but no contact. It would have been nice if that person let us know if they could no longer take part.
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons? Maybe there could be bonus points available if more than one person reads the same book during the Readathon like mini team buddy reads?
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again? I was co-leader. It was my first time and I would like to do it again because I know how I can improve e.g. introduce myself properly earlier

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
I liked connecting with fellow readers and yoinking books from my shelves that I hadn't thought to pick up in a while!
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
Yep! I knocked a few extra out that I wouldn't have normally gotten to.
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
The Blue Bar- admittedly I didn't finish it before the readathon ended, might end up DNFing it altogether.
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
While I appreciate the hard work put into the spreadsheet template, I found it confusing to use- some stats felt like I was doubling things up, and I found the separate tabs to be a bit cumbersome. I think this could all be one sheet!
I also think the primary prompt should be worth more points than the bonus prompt.
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
I think a continent theme could be fun, whether the book is set in a continent or if an author is from a specific continent.
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?
N/A

PS: Thank you to Bailey and the team leaders for making this readathon such a great experience. Really appreciate the hard work that goes into this!

This was my first Readathon and I loved it. Team Purple was fun, encouraging, and supportive. I'm definitely planning on participating in the fall Readathon.

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
Doing a fun challenge along with other readers

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
Yes, it helped me achieve my personal reading goals - because doing challenges is my main reading goal - and I needed to participate in a Readathon for Bibliopoly.

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?


4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
It wasn't bad - just my least favorite of the purple books I read

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
Nothing different.

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
No ideas right now

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?
N/A

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
I have two favorites. First, the theme. I haven't partaken in the Colors Challenge in the past, because I read e-books and covers are not really something I pay attention to. However, I had lots of fun scouring Libby and my Kindle to find appropriate books that would fit the prompts, in this team setting.
Second, I also enjoyed meeting, getting to know, and working together with new members of the group :)

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
Absolutely! I signed up for 2-3 books, because I wasn't sure how much reading I would be in the mood for, but ultimately ended up surpassing that goal by reading 9 books.
My main purpose with joining this readathon was actually to motivate me to read anything at all, since I had been feeling a bit slumpish. In that regards, it definitely helped since it pushed me to read something, both for my teams sake and also for my own (hello, competitive spirit)

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
I enjoyed all the books I read for this readathon, but nothing stood out in particular that I would name it a favorite.

4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
Exit Wounds was unfortunately a letdown but I went the audio route, which luckily didn't take much of my time.

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
I can't think of anything specific at this moment.

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
I posted a theme in the General Readathon thread a few days ago before I realized that there's yearly that's basically a I spy. I stena dby it though. I still think a treasure hunt in team mode would be lots of fun.
Also, I think it could be really fun ( and more work for the mods, sorry bailey ;)) to do seasonal readathons. I specifically like the idea of Winter in Summer (or S*Winter as Phineas and Ferb would say - (Yes, I have a child if it's not obvious by the reference :D)) - where the participants would have to read books set in Winter, or in cold areas or something like that. But also something for Spring, and Summer, and Fall.
Maybe a couple of extras, like something relating to Halloween in Fall, and something Yuletide before Christmas.

I also liked all the ideas TerryJane posted in the General Readathon thread . And the one Jackie posted on continents. As someone who's always working to read more from around the world, I think it would be a great idea.

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?
This was my first time as a team leader, and I rather enjoyed it. I also had a really great team which of course made it very easy, too. But yeah, I like the aspect of motivating or helping out whenever I'm needed, so yes I would surely volunteer again in future readathons I participate in :)


Thank you so much for putting this together, bailey! It was a great event :) Looking forward to seeing what's next.

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?

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1 - Nothing specific. I liked the idea of team coolours - which I gather were done for PRIDE month.

2 - I purposely gave myself a low goal which I actually managed to surpass so this readathon was good in that I actually managed to finish my FIRST Challenge. I never completed any challenges last year in 2022 at all.

3 - My favourite book read was Battle of Brothers which is basically the story of Prince William and Prince Harry and why they are no longer as close as they once were. Most of the reason goes back to Harry's being the spare.
He is still expected to stay with the family, do royal duties and yet have no specific purpose for his life - and also is not allowed to do his own thing. I actually have to think Harry is right and I do support his stance in that he wants his privacy and should be entitled to have it. But no the paparazzi keeps chasing him. Harry firmly believes that it was the paparazzi that killed his mother. My thinking is that it was a combination of the paparazzi and a drunk driver who should NOT have been driving!!)

William does have a purpose in life. William is going to have keep tabs on his 2 sons George and Louis to ensure that the same troubles dont occur between those 2 youngster as well.

I have not read SPARE yet, but I do want to read that book, hopefully by the end of this year.

4 - Probably Word Perfect which I DNF'd. I usually love books about language, but this one was rather dry and boring.

5 - Nothing more that I can think of. I think it was well run, other than those team members who were No shows.

6 - I'm thinking the 3 C's - countries or cities or continents

7 - No I was not a leader, and I'm not sure I want to be one. That spread sheet was hard to manage.

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
Looking for books that fit the prompts, would be one. I believe only one of the books I read was already on my TBR.

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
Yes, it definitely helped with my yearly goal. I reached my readathon goal.

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon? Predator

4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon? Miss Plum and Miss Penny

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
I enjoyed this readathon. With that being said, I also enjoyed past readathons that included more prompts, even if only a few more. 😊

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons? If I come up with any ideas, I will share them.

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again?
Did not lead for this one. I may offer to volunteer another time.

First off, thanks so much for hosting this event, I had a lot of fun! :) (Also thanks to everyone who signed up to lead!)

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon?
I agree with what the others said: I really enjoyed the team aspect and getting to know people a bit better!
I also liked the color prompts / looking for books with color shades in the title - it made me read some books that I would not normally have known existed (and some genres that I do not usually read much of)... and I did enjoy many of them!

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?
I originally said I would read at least 4 books, but ended up finishing 21. So yes, I would say it definitely did.

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
Very hard to say, I think Yellowface, the Murderbot Diaries and It Only Happens in the Movies (but that was a re-read for me).

4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
Between Here and the Yellow Sea - most of these short stories just didn't really work for me. Even though it was in parts very well written.

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons?
I think TerryJane's sign-up suggestion sounds very good.
Aside for that I can not really think of anything now. (Thanks again for all the work you put into it bailey!)

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons?
I think many of the theme/ activity suggestions sound very good. Very much looking forward to the next readathon!

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again
N/A, but I would be up for leading next time :) .

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon? Reading with the group and seeing what different types of books other team members read.

2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals? I am already almost at my goal for # of books read this year but it helped me keep my momentum going.

3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon?
The Summer Wives and if I would have finished it during the readathon, The Vanishing Half

4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon?
Mint Julep Murder

5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons? I agree with others that the spreadsheet was a bit cumbersome. I'm glad that I had a co-leader that could jump in and fix the discrepancies since I couldn't due to my work schedule. Maybe if the team leaders could have been identified before the readathon was active and could give suggestions on the spreadsheet.

6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons? I really liked the variety of books we could read with last years Readathon. Reading by color was a bit challenging for some groups.

7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again? Yes, especially since I had an awesome co-leader.

Good morning! Hope all is well with everyone and you are still reading away!

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon? Making time to read more than I normally do.
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals?I reached my annual reading goal. Ooops may have set that too low!
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon? The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon? Orange Sky by Aly Tatum
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons? I'm sure a ton of work went into the spreadsheet and as a lifelong secretary I can appreciate that but I found it cumbersome with too much redundant info. I think it could be simplified and if you'd like me to give a go at it, please feel free to ask. Being retired I kinda miss my office work at times (but not the 9 - 5!).
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons? Books with Man/Woman/Girl/Boy/Baby/Cat (additional animals if needed) on the cover. Broad availability of books/genres. Maybe a bonus being reading a non-fiction book.
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again? NA

Thanks so much Baily for putting this all together! I'm sure it's a bit of a challenge!

1) What was your favorite aspect of the Readathon? Reading as a team sport. :)
2) Did this Readathon help you achieve or surpass your personal reading goals? Definitely surpassed my goal.
3) What was your favorite book read for the Readathon? {book:The Chartreuse Clue (Bishop Regan and Davey Goldman Mystery #1)]; I was happy to find a new, fun crime fiction series. I will definitely read the rest of the series!
4) What was your least favorite book read for the Readathon? {book:Key Lime Kitten]; just poorly written and completely stupid premise
5) What would you like to see done differently in future Readathons? As others have said, the spreadsheet was problematic. As is, it's a good base; it just needs a few tweaks to be easier to use. I'm happy to work with whomever to brainstorm and implement improvements.
6) What themes and/or activities would you like to see for future Readathons? Lots of great ideas already suggested; I don't have anything new to offer.
7) If you had a leader or assistant role, how was your experience and would you volunteer to do it again? I enjoyed being an assistant leader, especially doing the final stats at the end. Would do again!