2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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Introduce Yourself to the Group - 2025


Hi Kim! Welcome to the group! I'm so glad you found us! That's how I found this group, too. It's wonderful that you've rediscovered reading. There's no feeling like getting lost in a good story! 25 books is an excellent goal. I'm rooting for you! Fantasy and dark romance are always a good choice but that's great that you're open to new genres. You may find yourself with a problem that seems to occur to many members here, including myself.... You may find your TBR growing exponentially. 😊
Take a look around and jump in wherever you see something that might interest you. We have challenges of different types and lengths, group reads, and opportunities to read in smaller groups, like TBR Twins and Buddy Reads. Something for everyone!
Happy reading!

Favourite books I’ve read in the past few years: The Bee Sting, The Secret History, Demon Copperhead, Down and out in Paris and London, anything Agatha Christie.
Currently reading: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Hi Kate! Welcome! If you love reading, you've come to the right place. 😁 30 books is a fantastic goal! Mystery, dark academia, human psyche/condition, comedy, and beach reads with a sprinkle of non fiction - a great mix!
I adore Agatha Christie. For the last number of years, I've been working my way through all her books, more or less sequentially. I'm finishing up the Hercule Poirot. I was an avid Miss Marple fan but I appreciate him so much more this time around.
Looking forward to seeing what you read next! Happy reading!

I found out about his group through a comment that some I follow liked, I'm always finding new ways to motivate me to read more bc even when i loved to my responsibilities and distractions make me forget my goal so or the things I love; and I wanted to read the book of Emily Henry the is for the next month, so here I am.
I already accomplished my reading goal, it was 25 this year bc last year I just read like 5-10 books i think so. Maybe I'll extended to 40 or 50 idk
But it's a pleasure being here! Feel free to add me I sometimes write my reviews in spanish or english and like to comment in other people reviews

Welcome to the group, Dai! It's fantastic to have you join us from Venezuela. I love your open-minded approach to reading – "whatever comes in front of me" sounds like a wonderful adventure through all genres, from poetry to historical fiction! It's great that you're finding new ways to motivate your reading, especially with life's distractions.
And huge congrats on already smashing your 25-book goal for the year! That's awesome, and whether you aim for 40 or 50, you're doing great. I'm excited to see your reviews, whether they're in Spanish or English, and I'm sure you'll find plenty of fellow readers to connect with here. I'll also be trying that Emily Henry book since I've heard it's a mixed bag! Happy reading!

I’m Maddie from South Australia, and I joined to talk about bookish things and find cool recommendations! I’m just getting back into reading so I have a small goal of 20 books but hoping to surpass it

I don't have an specific genre, usually mixing fantasy/HF with non-fiction or classic readings.
Looking foward to chatting with any of you!

Hi Dai! Welcome! So glad you found us in a roundabout way! With the wide range of genres that interest you, you'll fit right in!
So awesome that you've already hit your goal this year! Feel free to set your goal, whether you change it or not, in the Personal Challenge Folder.
Please take a look around. We have so much to choose from to help motivate you to read more. besides the Group Read that you’ve already found, we also offer TBR Twins and Buddy Reads. And we have various challenges -- monthly, quarterly, and yearly, which are always great motivators for me. Join what looks fun.
Looking forward to seeing what else you read! Happy reading!

I’m Maddie from South Australia, and I joined to talk about bookish things and find cool recommendations! I’m just getting back into reading so I have a small goal of 20 books but hoping..."
Hi Maddie! Welcome to the group! If you like to talk about bookish things, you've come to the right place! We have opportunities to read together for discussion with TBR Twins, Buddy Reads, or Group Reads. Please take a look around and join what looks like fun.
I'm so glad that you're getting back into reading. 20 is a great goal. We hope you smash it and then some. I'll be rooting for you! Happy reading!

Hi Otto! Welcome to our group, fellow bookworm! It's great you're getting back into reading. I hope you find a nice balance with work and study.
30 books is an excellent goal! We'll be cheering you on as you reach it. We have various challenges — monthly, quarterly, and yearly — to help motivate you. We also have TBR Twins, Buddy Reads, and Group Reads for discussions and interacting with other people, so you'll definitely have opportunities to connect with others.
Fantasy, high fantasy, non-fiction, and classics are a great mix. Looking forward to chatting with you and seeing what you read! Happy reading!

I am a 67 yr old lifetime reader. I retired from a 30 yr. teaching career in 2017. I live in Biloxi, Mississippi. I started tracking my reading using goodreads in 2013. I know I am late in joining for this year, but I read a lot!
Connie

I am a 67 yr old lifetime reader. I retired from a 30 yr. teaching career in 2017. I live in Biloxi, Mississippi. I started tracking my reading using goodreads in 2013. I kn..."
Welcome to the group, Connie! I'm excited to have you be a part of our community. I hope since your retirement, you've been able to have lots of time for doing things you enjoy - like reading!
It's never too late to join! Please take a look around and sign up in whichever challenges and activities that catch your interest. We have challenges of different types and lengths, group reads, and opportunities to read in smaller groups. For the longer challenges, like the year long ones, feel free include the books you've already read in the first half of 2025.
Have fun and happy reading!

Right now my reading goal is to read 48 books by the end of the year. I'm likely to read more in the summer as I work for a public school and have summers off.
I like to read fantasy and romance mostly, and prefer things that are more light hearted than serious. Walking into a bookstore feels overwhelming so I stick to getting my books at the library, particularly in the new reads section or staff picks. I sometimes will listen to cozy mysteries on YouTube as well as I play Animal Crossing or work on art journals.

Hi Kate! Welcome to the group! So glad to have you here. It's great to see you getting back into reading. Fantasy and romance are always a good choice! Aiming for 48 books this year is fantastic and we're here to cheer you on as you reach it! Besides our various long term and short term challenges, and group reads and buddy reads, we also have a readathon coming up that could help with keeping your reading going. I find that readathons often boost my reading.
I am a library lover as well. It's one of my favorite place to be. I also am a cozy mystery fan but I never thought to listen to them through YouTube. I mostly borrow the audiobooks through Libby or Hoopla through the library.
Looking forward to seeing what you read! Happy reading!

Welcome! I used to play Animal Crossing...haven't in played in a couple years though. Have they made any updates to it?

I am Eman, from Egypt.
I have a lot of plans, planned to study cinema, architecture, speed reading and I am taking a course for taking delf a1 junior exam. I have already put actual pla..."
Hello Eman! Welcome! It's great to have you here. Sounds like you have some awesome and impressive plans — cinema and speed reading in particular catch my eye. 7 books is a solid goal. We're here to root for and support you as you achieve your goals.
Please take a look around. We have so much to do - challenges, group reads, buddy reads, and even team readathons. Join what looks fun and meets your needs!


Hi Stevie! Welcome to the group! We're so happy you found us! Thrillers are always a good choice! 52 books a year is a fantastic goal — sounds like you're smashing it already at 42 books.
If it weren't for Goodreads, I'm not sure I would remember all that I've read. 😊
Feel free to take a look around. We have challenges of various lengths — monthly, quarterly, and yearly — as well as opportunities for discussion with TBR Twins, Buddy Reads, and Group Reads. And a team Readathon coming up that's always fun! Join whatever activities and challenges that catch your interest.
Looking forward to connecting with you! Happy reading!


Hi Cristen! Welcome, welcome! I love that you want to get into reading because it will help with your writing. I think that's an excellent idea!
Five books is a great goal to start with. I'll be cheering you on as you achieve it! Young adult, romance books and anything kinda realistic is a great mix! I love that you are reading The Summer I Turned Pretty after watching the series. That's a wonderful way of getting into reading. I love finding out about books that have been turned into films and television shows. Okay, I'll admit I'm one to complain about the differences, but it's always fun to compare.
And yes, if you love challenges, you've come to the right place! We have challenges of various lengths and themes -- monthly, quarterly, and yearly. Take a look around and join in on what looks like fun. Happy reading!

My taste in books is all over the map from thriller/mysteries to biography/memoirs to adventure to science to chick-lit to highbrow & historical (esp. Victorian England), to name a few...
Speaking of maps, my reading challenge is that I'm trying to read a book from or that takes place in every country. There are 195 countries. So it's doable. If I didn't keep getting distracted by other books! I have one of those scratch-off world maps. So far, I've read 35.
I've always been interested in almost everything and have loved libraries since I was a child. I fondly remember my love affair with Go Dog Go!. I've moved on and have ended up working in libraries, as an adult. I'm also a regular at my local one. E-books and hardcopy.
Nice to meet you all!
For those who didn't recognize him, that's Andre the Giant in my profile pic.

My taste in books is all over the map from thriller/mysteries to biogra..."
Hi Jayne! So glad you've found us after having been with Goodreads for so long! I'm certain you'll fit right in in our group, with the wide range of genres that interest you — from thrillers and mysteries to biographies and memoirs, to adventure, science, chick-lit, and high-brow and Victorian England historical fiction.
It's so awesome that you plan to read a book from or that takes place in every country. I'm excited to see you achieve it. It must be so fun to be able to check off another country on the scratch off world map. On a similar note, few years ago, after borrowing the idea, I started a Book Map on Google Maps. It's been fun mapping the places I've "visited." I haven't counted the countries, though. But I think it can't be too many as my reading seems to be primarily set in the US and parts of Europe. I definitely need to work on diversifying my reading.
No, I didn't recognize Andre the Giant, but I do know him and have fond memories of him in The Princess Bride. 😀
Please look around and join what looks like fun. Let us know if you have questions. Happy reading!


Hi Jane! Welcome to the group! So glad to have you join us! Mystery, suspense, historical fiction and literary fiction - what a great mix! It's awesome that you enjoy challenges – you've come to the right place!
Since mysteries and suspense are your favorites, you might like to check out one of our yearly challenges, Magical Mystery Tour. It is a challenge based on reading crime fiction including mystery, suspense and thriller. It's never too late to join. And if you do, you can count crime books you've read since January 1, as long as they fit the prompts.
I'd love to help with suggestions for your challenges. About your alphabet challenge, is it a title or author challenge? I ask because another one of our yearly challenges is based on Women Authors, and I am going by last names. The letter X has been a tough one for me. If it is a title you're looking for, then Valerie's suggestion of Velvet Was the Night is an excellent one, as it could work for both title challenge and the around the world challenge. And for Malaysia, may I suggest A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint, or The Ghost Bride or The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo?
Happy reading!

JennH, I chose Xue Xinran for our A-Z this year. Hope this helps!

JennH, I chose Xue Xinran for our A-Z this year. Hope this helps!"
Thanks, TerryJane! I did see this author when perusing other challenge participants' lists for ideas. I just don't love non fiction even if they are important reads. 😳 I will keep Xinran in mind.


Hi Marion! Welcome to our group! It's great that you're getting back into reading. Fiction, mystery, horror, thriller, crime, witty humour with classics mixed in sound like wonderful mix! 5 books is a solid goal to start with. We're here to cheer you on as you reconnect with your love of reading!
We have different types of reading activities to offer, so take a look around and see which ones you like most!
Happy reading!


We have so much to do from, group reads, buddy reads to challenges of various lengths. Look around and join what looks fun. We're excited to have you connect with new friends through our members and new books! Happy reading!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Jenn. ;-)


Hi Mara! Welcome! We're so glad to have you join us. Your taste in fantasy, science fiction, horror, thriller, and classics sound awesome!
Ugh, the dreaded reading slump! They are so frustrating, aren't they! We have a variety of activities that can help make reading even more fun and engaging -- monthly, quarterly, and yearly challenges, Group Reads, and opportunities to read together in smaller groups with TBR Twins and Buddy Reads. Take a look around and see what you like. I hope you'll find an activity that can help you keep up with your reading!
Happy reading!


Welcome to the group, Izzy, and congratulations on the publication of your book. As we have a strict no soliciting policy in this group, I have deleted your comment. Please refrain from any promotion in the future. We hope that you will enjoy our group as a reader.
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From our group rules:
5. Authors and Promoters: We have a blanket no-promotions policy in this group so please refrain from promoting your book here.
From Goodreads Community Guidelines:
You should communicate openly with other members, but spam and self-promotional content are prohibited. Abusing Goodreads features to promote yourself or your product detracts from the experience of others and breaks our rules. (Authors can check out Author Guidelines for specific information on how to interact with readers and use Goodreads.)

Hello Cindy! Welcome to our group. It's never too late! We're thrilled to have you join us. It's fantastic that you're joining the reading community online to keep track of books and get new ideas — and chose our group! Being part of a community definitely makes reading even more enjoyable! We love a diverse reader here, and it sounds like you enjoy many different genres, with a love for historical fiction. We applaud your efforts to branch out into cozy mysteries. They are a favorite of mine!
We have so much to do. Please look around and join what looks like fun. Let us know if you have questions.

Introducing myself to get started here. Now to figure out how to do all the rest...

Welcome to the group, Kayelle! We're so glad to have another avid reader join us. It's fantastic that your friend lead you to Goodreads, and you found your way to us. It is impressive that you've already read over 30 books this year. We'll be cheering you on as you read towards whatever goal you decide!
It might take a bit of time to get adjusted and find the things in the group, but take your time and don't hesitate to reach out if you need help with anything.
Happy reading!


Hi Mare! Welcome to the group! I'm thrilled to have you join us. It's great to hear you're crushing your reading goal of 25. I'm so glad that you're repairing so nicely after earning your master's degree, that you need to change your reading goal. Way to go! And congrats on earning your masters! Quite an accomplishment! You deserve all the books!
Literary fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, horror, and classics are a great mix! Happy reading! We look forward to hearing about your latest reads. And thank you for letting us be a part of your reading journey!


Hi Christina! Welcome to Goodreads, and welcome to our group! We are so sorry for your loss. It must be so difficult to have lost your grandma who was also your best friend. I hope it has been helpful to be immersed in a good book like The Nightingale.
We're so glad to have you join us. We hope you smash your reading goal of 40 books. Don't forget to include any books you may have read earlier in the year.
Since mysteries, thriller, suspense are your favorites (mine too!), you might like to check out one of our yearly challenges, Magical Mystery Tour. It is a challenge based on reading crime fiction including mystery, and other crime genres. It's never too late to join. And if you do, you can count crime books you've read since January 1, as long as they fit the prompts.
Feel free to look around, and reach out if you have any questions. Enjoy your reading!

I’ve al..."
Hi Chandrakala! Welcome to the group! I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with binging anime and K-dramas — I've been known to do that myself! - but we're thrilled to be alongside you as you embark on your proper reading journey. We support your goal of finally getting serious about reading! It's wonderful to have someone who is a colleague, a good friend and an avid reader that can give you recommendations and books.
10 books is an admirable goal. It's all about building a sustainable reading habit, and finding books you enjoy. With your focus on memoirs, biographies, global order and geopolitics, with some fiction, we're sure you'll smash it and become the avid reader you aspire to be!
Take a look around and jump in wherever you see something that appeals to you. We have challenges of different types and lengths, group reads, and opportunities to read in smaller groups. Something for everyone! Reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing what you read and connecting with you. Happy reading!

I read anything but probably mystery thrillers are my favourite
Historical and Fantasy are also good.
I just browsed groups to get here. I like substantial challenges so I am hoping you can feed my need to read
My 2025 goals is 300 books but I am ahead of target.

I read anything but..."
Hello Marie! Welcome to our group! We're thrilled that you have browsed your way to us! I do hope your mention of regularly undergoing the Wars of the Roses in your home was meant facetiously... If not, I can see how your nurse training would come in handy. 😉
If you like challenges, we are indeed the place to be. We have 15 year long challenges to choose from, as well as monthly and quarterly ones. And in particular, since mystery thrillers are your favorite, you might like to check out our yearly challenge, Magical Mystery Tour. It's one of my favorite challenges. It is a challenge based on reading crime fiction including mystery, suspense, and thriller. And if you do join, you can count mystery thriller books you've read since January 1, as long as they fit the prompts.
It's great to hear you're crushing your reading goal - 300 books is impressive! Looking forward to seeing what challenges you'll be joining to feed your need to read. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help with anything. Happy reading!

I love YA books, romance and diary style books.
I found your group because I have always wanted to join a book club and this one just looked really fun and inviting.
My goal for 2025 is 50 books and I am ahead of schedule.

I love YA books, romance and diary style books.
I found your group because I have always wanted to join a book club and this one jus..."
I just wanted to say "welcome" and that I am jealous that you live in a city that I have always wanted to visit. I work at Kansas State University and I know several people that are headed your way for the football game this weekend. Sadly, I won't get to Ireland until 2027.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Nightingale (other topics)A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder (other topics)
The Night Tiger (other topics)
The Ghost Bride (other topics)
Velvet Was the Night (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Xinran (other topics)Xinran (other topics)
Shamini Flint (other topics)
Yangsze Choo (other topics)
Danielle Paige (other topics)
I have been reading si..."
Right?!? I was more or less a mystery/thriller reader, sticking to a few authors. Then book clubs and Goodreads really opened up my world of reading! It's wonderful that your reading is fitting in with your part time job and volunteer job. Go you!
And of course, all forms of books, whether physical, digital or audio counts! I will argue with anyone who says otherwise! 😊