2025 Reading Challenge discussion

2024 I Spy Readathon - Introduction and Sign-up Thread!

Welcome to 2024 Reading Challenge’s Summer Readathon! We are once again holding a 10-day long team readathon that we hope you will all enjoy just as much as last time! Didn’t participate in the last readathon? That’s totally cool! We will work to create teams with an even mix of seasoned and first-time “readathon-ers” as well as folks who read at different paces.

General Information
This 10-day readathon runs from August 2 to August 11, beginning and ending at midnight in your personal time zone. Participants will be divided fairly into teams of up to 11 based on the amount of books pledged when signing up.

There are 27 prompts including singles, doubles, and triples

The teams will be announced around the 26th of July after sign-ups conclude. You MUST check in with your teammates prior to the start of the readathon.

How to sign up:
Sign up in this thread by answering these questions:

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
Note: Please only include books that are at least 100 pages long, or you have 100 pages left in at the start of the Readathon.
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings.

You have until July 26th to sign up here! At that point, the mods will put the teams together and notify everyone on the 27th of July which teams you are on in the comment below. Discussion threads for each team to discuss and a spreadsheet to track progress will be posted at that time as well.

*Team Leader roles:
Making sure everything is running smoothly. Note that there is nothing in this role that other team members cannot help with.

Making sure the spreadsheet your team will be using is updated. All members will be able to update but the leader just needs to double check, making sure it's filled out correctly. This will come into play especially if there are group members who cannot for whatever reason access the spreadsheet easily.

Here are our teams for the 2024 I Spy Readathon! You must check in with your team’s thread before the start of the readathon on the 2nd. This is to ensure that everyone will be there to participate and move people around if teams become uneven due to missing teammates.
Please reach out if you cannot find your name on this list or are unsure about which team you are on. Some participants have similar names and I have tried to distinguish between them.

Team ONE
Leader: Lisa Marie
bailey, Lulo, Rachael, Desiré, Laura, Emily, Sunny❄️

Team TWO
Leaders: TerryJane & Mansi V
L Y N N, Carrie, Billie-Jade, Lina, Norine, Alina

Team THREE
Leader: Lisa
Lorraine, Dr. Rashimi, Shari, Blagica, Theresa, Carmen

Team FOUR
Leader: Betty
JennH, Ciara, Nichole, Jaida, D.L, Denise


Team FIVE
Leaders: groovyzee & Meg
Ziggy, Kat, KSMary, Jennifer, Janine, saravzee

Woohoo! I'm in.

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 12
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? Yes, I can lead or co-lead if needed.
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes. Team readathons are my favorite!
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

I AM IN!!! I am so exciting about participating!!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? ~ 10
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? ~ YES
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? YES
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? ~ NO
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? ~ YES

Hola! Count me in.
I'm looking forward to knowing the prompts and the teams 😃

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 10
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? Yes, if needed.
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes, so far so good.
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

As Borat would say: "I'm very excite!" 🥳
Can't wait to see the teams and prompts! August 2nd is sooooo far away though 😅

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
I'm going with a safe bet here, and aiming for (at least) 4 books .

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
Absolutely. I'm rarely not on Goodreads as it is anyways 😊 .

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team?
It has been lots of fun to do so in the past, so sure, I can definitely lead, if needed .

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Yes. This will be my 3rd (maybe 4th) .

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
Of course .

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? At least 4 books
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes. I will probably check in every day
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? No thank you
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes, I've done most of them I think
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 3 or 4

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* Not at this time

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

I'm in!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? Let's say 8.
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes.
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? I'd rather not, but I can if needed.
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes.
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes.

I'll throw my sign up in before I forget 😅 Super excited to see so many faces in here already!!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 6+
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? Nope
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

Count me in.
1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 8-10
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes.
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? No
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes.
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes.

1. How many books do you think you’ll be able to read over the 10-day event?
- 5 books
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
- Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team?
- Maybe co-leader
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
- Yes
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
- Yes

I'm in!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
* Will be on "relaxing" vacation during this time, so hoping to get in some quality reading time, I would say 4+
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
* Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team?
*No
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
*Yes, Reading Rainbow
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
*Yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
7-10

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team?
Not for my first readathon here

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Yes, but not with this group

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
Yes

I'm in!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
3/5

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon
yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
I'd rather not

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Yes, last year

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see f this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings.
Yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
5+

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon
yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
probably not a good idea for my first time

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
no

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
yes

1. 3-4 books
2. Yes
3. No
4 Yes
5.Yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 3-4

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.) No

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Yes. I just checked to be sure.

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 2-4
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes!
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? Yes, if needed!
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes!
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes!

Updated: I'm still going to participate, but with a smaller goal, since I'll be recovering from eye surgery during this time. NEW goal: 2 books

7/12 Updated to Withdraw from the readathon, I'm now having eye surgery on the 6th and won't be able to read for several weeks :( :( :(

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 2

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes!

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* Not this time around

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes, but its been years, so excited to do one again!

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? just updated my settings and should be good now :)

I'm in!
1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? I will try for 5
Note: Please only include books that are at least 100 pages long, or you have 100 pages left in at the start of the Readathon.
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* No
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?No
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see f this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings. yes! New friends welcome! Even now!

I always enjoy these team readathons

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? ~5
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? yep
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* i'd prefer not to, but if needed i don't mind
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? yes several times
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? yes

So excited for another team readathon!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 5, give or take.
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* Prefer not too, but am up for it if need be.
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? yes several times
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

I'll try this:

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 2, I'll be just getting back to work from summer vacation so I doubt I can read more

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* sorry no, not when just returning to work as indicated above, plus it's my first read-a-thon
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? no
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings. yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? I will aim for 3

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* Not this time.

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? No

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

I am busy the first weekend of the readathon which is why I've estimated only three books and that I don't wish to be team leader, but I'm looking forward to joining in :)

I’m signing up to participate :)

1. 7 books
2. YES
3. NO
4. YES
5. YES

I would like to join! I'm a little scared I won't live up to my team's needs but I'll do my best!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 3

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
no thanks :)

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
nope

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings.
yes

Post 20 is updated, unfortunately I have to withdraw from the readathon, I'm now scheduled to have eye surgery on the 6th and my doctor said it won't be til the end of September before I'll be able to read again :( :(

Updated again, lol. I'm still going to join in the readathon, with an adjusted goal for audio books :)

I'm in!
1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
3 books
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* no
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes, but not through goodreads
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings. Yes

Saravzee wrote: "Post 20 is updated, unfortunately I have to withdraw from the readathon, I'm now scheduled to have eye surgery on the 6th and my doctor said it won't be til the end of September before I'll be able..."

Saravzee, could audiobooks not be an alternative to withdrawing?

I hope your eye surgery goes well, and that you have a speedy recovery subsequently.

Lisa wrote: "Saravzee wrote: "Post 20 is updated, unfortunately I have to withdraw from the readathon, I'm now scheduled to have eye surgery on the 6th and my doctor said it won't be til the end of September be..."

I actually didn't think about that, I was super frazzled yesterday after coming out of my doctor appointment :p I listen to audio books at a lot slower pace than I read print. But, I could just adjust my reading goal down so I can at least still participate :) Thanks for the idea! I've updated post 20 to reflect my new reading goal for the readathon.

Saravzee wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Saravzee wrote: "Post 20 is updated, unfortunately I have to withdraw from the readathon, I'm now scheduled to have eye surgery on the 6th and my doctor said it won't be til the end of..."

You're very welcome! 😊

Everyone who's signed up so far has been added to my list!

I hope your surgery goes well, Saravzee, that is so frustrating and I'm sure anyone in your position would feel frazzled coming out of that appointment! Glad to hear you're still up for reading audiobooks and I've updated your sign up accordingly :)

I’m excited to join
1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 6-8

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)* probably next year

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? No


5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings. Yes

Yay it's readathon time

1. I'll say 7 and hope for more
2. I usually check in every day
3. I'd rather not this time
4. Yes, definitely last year I can't remember before that
5. Yep

I'd like to sign up!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? Depends on the prompts but realistically probably around 3
2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes
3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? No I'd rather not
4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? I did once last year (two years ago maybe?)
5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? I can!

Fun, fun!

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 3-4, perhaps more depending on the prompts

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? No, thank you.

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes. The color one.

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes.

Yay, I´m so excited!

1. How many books? I´d like to read 2 or 3 - as I´ll be going back to work after my summer break that week I doubt that I´ll be able to read more.

2. Yes, I can check in every two to three days!

3. leader or co-leader: No, thank you

4. participated before? - not in this group but I have participated in other readathons before

5. able to accept messages? - yes.

I'll give this a try.

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? 2 to 3

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Absolutely

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? Since this is my first time participating, I'd rather not but let me know if you have a team without a leader.

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? No

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
I have been busier this summer, but should be able to read at least 5-6.

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
Yes!

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
Not this time, please...

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Oh, yeah... I love these events!

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads?
Yes!

I would like to join.

1. 5-6, maybe more depending on the prompts
2. Yes
3. No thanks, I have trouble adding my own books! LOL!
4. Yes
5. Yes

Finally able to sign up - I was on vacation and my internet wasn't working properly - so here goes (really looking forward to this!):

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
I am gonna say 3 for now, as I will be on night shifts and am not sure how much time I will have - but these events always motivate me, so possibly more...

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
yes, definitely

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
I can if needed, I usually enjoy it, but work has been stressful lately - so if there are enough people, I might sit this one out ...

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Yes, this will be my third in this group after joining last year

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event?
I will say 2. It may end up being more but I'll stick with 2 to be safe.

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon?
Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*
No thank you

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before?
Yes, I have

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? You MUST be able to accept messages or you will not be sorted into a team for the readathon. Please see this thread or more information about how to check your privacy settings.
Yes

Hola!
For reasons beyond my control I will not be able to participate in the readathon as I would like, since I will not be able to read any book except for the occasional audiobook that I am able to listen to from time to time, which is why my initial goal of 10 books is going to be very hard to accomplish, I would settle for three if possible. For the same reason my availability as a leader is also out of the question.
I'm very, very sorry, I really wanted to participate at full capacity but this time it's going to be an almost impossible mission.
So sorry 😔

Carmen wrote: "Hola!
For reasons beyond my control I will not be able to participate in the readathon as I would like, since I will not be able to read any book except for the occasional audiobook that I am able ..."

I also had to change my readathon plans and reduce my goal, glad you can still join us though :)

No worries, Carmen! I will get your entry updated in my spreadsheet. Glad you’ll still be participating even if it’s not at 100%!

Can’t believe I almost missed signing up for this! So excited to participate.

1. How many books do you think you'll be able to read over the 10-day event? I’ll say 4

2. Can you commit to checking in with your team approximately every 2-3 days throughout the 10 days of the readathon? Yes

3. Are you willing to assume the role of leader or co-leader for your team? (See below for what these roles entail.)*. Yes, if you need me to

4. Have you participated in a team readathon before? Yes - Reading Rainbow and We Are Family

5. Are you able to accept messages on Goodreads? Yes