Take On the Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge!

Posted by Marie on May 20, 2019
For book lovers who want to stretch their reading goals this season, our exclusive summer reading challenge is here to help. Below you'll find prompts for beginners who want to get their feet wet and additional prompts for experts who want a deeper dive. You can also download a PDF version here. Happy reading!

For Beginners


  • Good as gold: Read a book that won a Goodreads Choice Award.

  • The book is better: Read a book being adapted for TV or film this year.

  • Short & sweet: Read a book with less than 100 pages (or a book you can finish in one sitting).

  • On the bandwagon: Read one of the most read books right now on Goodreads.


  • Actually want to read: Read a book that's been on your Want to Read shelf for more than a year.

  • Not from around here: Read a book set in a different culture from your own.

  • In the friend zone: Read a book that a friend has recommended.

  • It takes two: Read a coauthored book.


  • Wheel of format: Read a book in a format that you don’t normally read in (­a graphic novel, poetry, a play, an audiobook, etc.).

  • New voices: Read a debut novel.

  • Past love: Reread a book you loved when you were younger.

  • Armchair traveler: Read a book set in a destination you want to visit.


  • Expert-Level Additions

  • Stay awhile: Read a book with more than 500 pages.

  • Stranger than fiction: Read a nonfiction book published this year.


  • Tongue-tied: Read a translated book.

  • No place like home: Read a book that appears in your Goodreads newsfeed.

  • Continental drift: Read a book set on every continent.

  • Genre explorer: Read a book from a genre you've never read before.

  • Reading roulette: Read the third book you see on your Want to Read shelf.

  • Primary reading: Read a book with a number or color in the title.

  • Back to school: Read a book about a subject you don't know much about.




  • Check out the complete guide to Summer Reading, including:
    Summer Reading Recommendations from Favorite Authors
    Goodreads Staffers Share Their Summer Reading Picks
    The Hottest Books of Summer

    Comments Showing 101-150 of 155 (155 new)


    message 101: by read it twice (new)

    read it twice Catarina wrote: "When it starts and finish?"

    I started it on 1st June, also I slowly tredge my way through it, I finish it by December, tbh.


    message 102: by Valerie (new)

    Valerie I'm confused, why doesn't this reading challenge show up in the communities or my groups.

    And, how do I find the most read books on Goodreads?


    message 103: by TraceyL (new)

    TraceyL Valerie wrote: "I'm confused, why doesn't this reading challenge show up in the communities or my groups.

    And, how do I find the most read books on Goodreads?"


    The challenge doesn't show up in the communities or groups because it's a casual challenge and Goodreads said they won't be setting it up anywhere official.

    To find the most read books on Goodreads, click the link next to that challenge question, or go through the news and interviews link at the top of this page and check the monthly "most read books" blog posts.


    Alex (Gadget Girl 71) Wow I’ve so got to do this Summer Reading challenge I love 💕 it.


    message 105: by Suzi (new)

    Suzi King Be great if you could have a little profile sticker to say you’re doing this challenge, or a little list to tick off which sections of the challenge you completed 🙂


    message 106: by K3in (new)

    K3in The challenge looks amazing! Looking forward to reading books per the challenge 😄


    message 107: by Jessica (new)

    Jessica Sounds like a fun challenge! I'm game! :)


    message 108: by Nancy (new)

    Nancy Great List, but The Diary of Frida Kahlo would go in the North America section. For South America I would suggest something by Isabel Allende, maybe?


    message 109: by Nancy (new)

    Nancy Where do I update my progress?


    message 110: by Tricia (new)

    Tricia Oleson Ellina, I love your book choices! You've helped me make fill in some gaps the reading challenge. Thanks for sharing.


    message 111: by read it twice (new)

    read it twice Nancy wrote: "Great List, but The Diary of Frida Kahlo would go in the North America section. For South America I would suggest something by Isabel Allende, maybe?"
    thanks, will check that


    message 112: by Jia ♥ (new)

     Jia ♥ I want to do this challenge.
    I am doing a goal of 100 books this year. Last year i went for a goal of 500 books and got to 350. Do you think 100 books is not enough? I am already 1/2 way there so...... I need so feedback. :)


    message 113: by Sara (new)

    Sara Thompson Aya wrote: "What does "Read a book set on every continent" mean?"

    That is my question as well. I am struggling with finding something that fits (that I haven't read). If you haven't read Zoo by James Patterson, I believe there is a scene on every continent but it's all I could come up with.


    message 114: by Jeff (new)

    Jeff Well it is nice to know now that we are already two weeks into the summer challenge. This is the first time I have seen anything about this.


    message 115: by Erin (new)

    Erin Nancy wrote: "Where do I update my progress?"

    There's a whole post thread where you can update as you go.


    message 116: by Michelle (new)

    Michelle Any recs for a book set on every continent? I'm coming up totally blank!


    message 117: by Janice (new)

    Janice 😎 Fun challenge.


    message 118: by Tara (new)

    Tara Carpenter C’mon Goodreads! If you can track our yearly reading you can track our progress for the summer reading program. Super fun idea but work on the coding to add this to the app.


    message 119: by Vima (new)

    Vima Yacoob wrote: "Are there any suggestions for books that cover "Read a book set on every continent"?"

    I liked The Birth of the People's Republic of Antarctica
    by John Calvin Batchelor Covers 2 or 3 continents... But I read it years ago when it first came out... when I was much younger..


    message 120: by Elyse (new)

    Elyse Cordula wrote: "Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett
    What if a books fits to more than one categorie?
    Like “Good Omens”, for instance.
    It’s coauthored, it’s adapt..."


    There are no rules. Whatever you're comfortable with. You can always start that way and then if you have time, start knocking off double-ups, etc.


    message 121: by TraceyL (new)

    TraceyL Elyse wrote: "Swati wrote: "Hi everyone,
    Books that I put on my goodreads summer reading challenge TBR might help others.
    So I picked
    Asia - The astonishing colour of after
    Africa - My sister, the serial Killer
    ..."


    Antarctica is in the first sentence of the synopsis of Where'd You Go, Bernadette


    message 122: by Victoria (new)

    Victoria Jennifer wrote: "Aneta wrote: "Shaun wrote: "Victoria wrote in message 77: "could you please make something to track it like with the general reading challenge :("

    The best way to track the Summer Reading Challeng..."


    Omg I'm so late but when I had first read this I had no idea what you were talking about but I didn't want to seem dumb so I said nothing, only now that I saw the link you posted afterwards I understand you were talking about a group. After all, I don't think the summer challenge is very realistic for me right now but this group in general might just be what I need so thank you so much, groups are really something I've completely ignored during all my years here.


    message 123: by Elyse (new)

    Elyse Rubi2727 wrote: "This is the best summer reading challenge I've seen so far. I can't wait to get started. Any recommendations for "book that is set on every continent.""

    Go through the previous comments.


    message 124: by Jia ♥ (new)

     Jia ♥ Elyse wrote: "Rubi2727 wrote: "This is the best summer reading challenge I've seen so far. I can't wait to get started. Any recommendations for "book that is set on every continent.""

    Go through the previous co..."


    I totally agree!!!!!!!!!


    message 125: by Audrey (new)

    Audrey For Past Love: I read Madicken by Astrid Lindgren.

    I have not finished reading I Rosens Mitt by Martin Widmark and Ola Skogäng yet, which is for "It takes two"

    Here is the rest of it, which I have not read yet.

    Actually want to read: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

    Not from around here: Heidi by Johanna Spyri (I will probably change my mind later)

    Wheel of format: I have decided an audiobook, but not sure which audiobook.

    New voices: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

    Armchair traveler: Et Dukkehjem by Henrik Ibsen

    Good as gold: And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.

    The book is better: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

    Short & sweet: The Pearl by John Steinbeck

    On the bandwagon: Becoming by Michelle Obama.


    message 126: by Jade (new)

    Jade Violet God, I don't know if I can bite this off but I'm totally down for this. It'll be good to get out of my regular genre and comfort zone for awhile.

    Wish there was somewhere Goodreads kept track of this like the yearly challenge...


    message 127: by Jade (new)

    Jade Violet Tracey wrote: "Is there a specific place to post about our progress, or just download the PDF and check it off for ourselves? It would be nice to have an easy way to share it on my feed."

    Tracey wrote: "Is there a specific place to post about our progress, or just download the PDF and check it off for ourselves? It would be nice to have an easy way to share it on my feed."

    I was thinking the same thing. it would be nice if they'd set it up like the Yearly Reading Challenge - much easier to keep track.


    message 128: by Jade (new)

    Jade Violet Aya wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Antarctica, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia/South Pacific.

    I know that depending on where you live in the world, you consider different places to b..."


    I think either way as long as the characters and story are on that continent. ex: Around the World in Eighty Days - I think that would take up three continents. I think it's open to interpretation.


    message 129: by Ami (new)

    Ami Morrison Hey! For anyone that was struggling to find a book for Contintal Drift... try A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain. It covers just about every continent! It’s the closet I’ve seen so far for a book set on every continent. 😎


    ☕️Hélène⚜️ I’m in but will do The begging since it’s my first time to do this challenge


    message 131: by Bob (new)

    Bob Yacoob wrote: "Are there any suggestions for books that cover "Read a book set on every continent"?"
    I'm wondering that too, is it one book set on all the continents or 7 books set on one continent each?


    message 132: by Jade (new)

    Jade Violet Bob wrote: "Yacoob wrote: "Are there any suggestions for books that cover "Read a book set on every continent"?"
    I'm wondering that too, is it one book set on all the continents or 7 books set on one continen..."


    Have you read the whole thread or sifted through some of the others? Because someone did mention a book that got you through all but Antarctica and a couple of people found books that filled the Antarctica spot.


    message 133: by Jasmine (new)

    Jasmine I'm in Vancouver, BC, and our public library is having a "Book Bingo" challenge: http://www.vpl.ca/bookbingo

    That sounds like a lot of fun! I am going to try that challenge.


    message 134: by Lindsay (new)

    Lindsay Michele Here's my list too just in case it helps someone!

    Good as gold: The Tattooist of Auschwitz
    The book is better: Read a book being adapted for TV or film this year.
    Short & sweet: Read a book with less than 100 pages (or a book you can finish in one sitting).
    On the bandwagon: Where the Crawdads Sing
    Actually want to read: When Dimple Met Rishi
    Not from around here: The Gold Letter
    In the friend zone: Read a book that a friend recommended
    It takes two: The Unhoneymooners
    Wheel of format: Becoming (audiobook)
    New voices: Dead Inside
    Past love: Reread a book you loved when you were younger. Armchair traveler: Read a book set in a destination you want to visit.

    Stay awhile: Read a book >500 paged.
    Stranger than fiction: Read a nonfiction book published this year.
    Tongue-tied: The Murmur of Bees
    No place like home: Read a book that appears on your GR newsfeed
    Continental drift: Read a book set on every continent.
    Asia:
    Europe: Me Before You
    North America: The Simple Wild
    Africa:
    Antartica:
    Genre explorer: Read a book from a genre you've never read before
    Reading roulette: Read the third book you see on your Want to Read shelf.
    Primary reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
    Back to school: Read a book about a subject you don’t know much about.


    message 135: by Khushbu (new)

    Khushbu Mathur How to join this summer reading challenge. I do not see a link


    message 136: by Elyse (new)

    Elyse Khushbu wrote: "How to join this summer reading challenge. I do not see a link"

    It's more of a self-guided challenge. If you search through the comments, there are several groups that are "hosting" it.


    Luca the Jellyfish Queen Wouldn't it be a good idea to create a "book" on the Summer Reading Challenge (like 2019 on Goodreads and its previous companions), so people can easily and visibly keep track of their challenge?


    message 138: by JacintoCC (new)

    JacintoCC Primary reading: Life of Pi


    message 139: by Stephanie (new)

    Stephanie Rose Would love to do this challenge


    message 140: by Mary Ann (new)

    Mary Ann Laura wrote: "Can one book count for multiple categories?"

    I'm starting late, so I'm counting one book for multiple categories. For example, "The Yellow Wallpaper fits both less than 100 pages and has a color in the title. I'm checking off both for that book.

    I'd never been able to complete the challenge if I had to read 21 books over 2 months time. I don't have time to read 2-3 books a day. (I wish I did!)


    message 141: by Christine (new)

    Christine How do you remove a book from your want to read list that you no longer want to read?


    message 142: by Mary Ann (new)

    Mary Ann Christine wrote: "How do you remove a book from your want to read list that you no longer want to read?"

    Hi Christine, I just delete the book in my list of "My Books." There may be another solution, but that works for me.


    message 143: by Christine (new)

    Christine HI Mary Ann thanks for replying. When you find the book you want to delete in the list of My Books what do you actually do? I can't seem to highlight it, pressing delete does nothing, right click doesn't give an option to delete either


    message 144: by Mary Ann (new)

    Mary Ann Christine wrote: "HI Mary Ann thanks for replying. When you find the book you want to delete in the list of My Books what do you actually do? I can't seem to highlight it, pressing delete does nothing, right click d..."

    I only click the grey "X" and then I get a goodreads message asking for confirmation. Once I confirm, it takes a second or two and the book is gone.


    message 145: by Jennifer (new)

    Jennifer Pluff I just noticed this challenge last week. The good news is that I have been a reading machine all summer and many of my books fit in the list. How long do we have to finish the challenge? I apologize if I missed this piece of info and it's already there somewhere.


    message 146: by Elyse (new)

    Elyse Jennifer wrote: "I just noticed this challenge last week. The good news is that I have been a reading machine all summer and many of my books fit in the list. How long do we have to finish the challenge? I apologiz..."

    It's not really a monitored challenge. Some are going until Sept 1, some are going until the first day of autumn. Whatever you like!


    message 147: by Jennifer (new)

    Jennifer Pluff Thanks Elyse!


    message 148: by Amber (new)

    Amber Campbell I'm about to finish the challenge and I want a fall one. Who's with me?


    message 149: by Vanessa (new)

    Vanessa Dargain I'm about 3 weeks away from finishing mine too . A fall challenge would be nice .


    message 150: by Jennifer (new)

    Jennifer Pluff Since I didn't see this challenge until the middle of August, I'm going to let myself work on this until September 22, the last official day of summer.

    For Beginners
    • Good as gold: Then She Was Gone
    • The book is better:
    • Short & sweet: Talking as Fast as I can (read in one day at the beach)
    • On the bandwagon: Where the Crawdads Sing
    • Actually want to read:We Were the Lucky Ones
    • Not from around here: Read a book set in a different culture from your own. ~ Unmarriagable
    • In the friend zone:
    • It takes two:
    • Wheel of format: The Girls in the Pictures - Audiobook version.
    • New voices: Read a debut novel. ~ The Silent Patient
    • Past love:
    • Armchair traveler: The Summer Country

    Expert-Level Additions
    • Stay awhile:
    • Stranger than fiction: Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses
    • Tongue-tied:
    • No place like home: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
    • Continental drift: Read a book set on every continent. Asia – Elsey Come Home; Europe – Mistress of the Ritz;
    • Genre explorer: The Guest Book (Christian fiction)
    • Reading roulette:
    • Primary reading:
    • Back to school: Overcoming Dyslexia


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