2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2016
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~Cole's Corner::The Moon Will Guide Me~
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BOOK RIOT'S READ HARDER CHALLENGEDuration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
Goal: 8
1. Read a horror book=
(I think this counts)7. Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel=
8. Read a book originally published in the decade you were born=
(Published in 1990; Born in 1996)10. Read a book over 500 pages long=
11. Read a book under 100 pages=
13. Read a book that is set in the Middle East=
14. Read a book by an author from Southeast Asia=
15. Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900=
(9th Century.)16. Read the first book in a series by a person of color=
20. Read a book about religion (fiction or nonfiction)=
(It primarily focuses on the practices of Catholics & Protestants concerning the treatment, veneration, and displaying of the dead in the past. [Other cultures & religions are mentioned, as well.]) 21. Read a book about politics in your country or another (fiction or nonfiction)=
(I think this counts.)23. Read a play=
24. Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness=
Goal Met So Far: 13/8
POPSUGAR 2016 READING CHALLENGEDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
Goal: 20
1. A book based on a fairy tale=
(I think this counts? It doesn't have a happy ending, but it has a fairy tale vibe and is an interpretation of a tale based on an old story.)4. A book you haven't read since high school=
6. A book translated to English=
7. A romance set in the future=
8. A book set in Europe=
(Not completely, but mostly.)9. A book that's under 150 pages=
10. A New York Times bestseller=
13. A self-improvement book=
14. A book you can finish in a day=
15. A book written by a celebrity
=
18. A book that's more than 600 pages=
20. A science-fiction novel=
22. A graphic novel=
23. A book that is published in 2016=
25. A book that takes place during Summer=
27. A murder mystery=
28. A book written by a comedian=
29. A dystopian novel=
30. A book with a blue cover=
31. A book of poetry=
33. A classic from the 20th century=
(Originally published in the 1970s.)34. A book from the library=
37. A book about a culture you're unfamiliar with=
(Does the culture of.....makeover people (make-up artists, hair stylists, fashion consultants), count?) 39. A book that takes place on an island=
(Primarily set in Japan, but there's a bit in Hawai'i, too. [And Paris, but that's obviously not an Island, lol.])Goal Met So Far: 24/20
A TO Z CHALLENGE -- CHARACTER EDITIONDuration: January 1, through December 31, 2016.
Goal: 26
A- Ageha Mizuki from Papillon 1
B- Buguet from Memento Mori. Death in Nineteenth Century Photography
C- The Crow from The Crow
D- Dexiu from Memento Mori: The Dead Among Us
E- Elizabeth Wöhler from All My Young Years
F- Prince Fancylodge from Tale Of The Shining Princess
G- Gail from "By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain" from Shadow Show: Stories In Celebration of Ray Bradbury
H- Horyu Kitahara from Our Everlasting, Volume 02
I- Izumi Shikibu from The Ink Dark Moon
J- Juli Bauernfeind from The Heart of Thomas
K- Kiyo Nishidai from The Knockout Makers, Volume 1
L- Leh from The Divine
M- [Emperor] Ming-huang from Ink on Paper: Poems on Chinese & Japanese Paintings
N- Fujiwara Nakahira no Ason from Kokin Wakashu: The First Imperial Anthology of Japanese Poetry: With ‘Tosa Nikki’ and ‘Shinsen Waka’
O- Owly from Owly, Vol. 2: Just a Little Blue
P- Princess Penny from Spit and Passion
Q-
R- Raijin from I Am Tama, Lucky Cat
S- Simba from "Kamen" by Gunya Mihara from Gen #2
T- Tom Freeman= Depresso, Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace Being Bonkers
U- Umegae from "Of A Mirror And A Bell" from Lafcadio Hearn's "The Faceless Ghost" and Other Macabre Tales from Japan: A Graphic Novel
V- Vladimir from Waiting for Godot: A Tragicomedy in Two Acts
W- Wright Moonsault from "X + Y" from A, A'
X- Xavi Inocencio from Attack on Titan: Before the Fall, Vol. 6
Y- Yuuto from From Up Above
Z- Zen-san from "Red Snow" from Red Snow
Goal Met So Far: 25/26
MARATHON CHALLENGEDuration: January 1 - January 31, 2016
Goal: 4
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6.
Goal Met So Far: 6/4
February Challenge: Your Reading History! Re-read Your FavoritesDuration: February 1 - February 29, 2016
Goal: 3
Goal Met So Far: 0/3
Modern Mrs. Darcy ChallengeDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
Goal: 6
1. A Book Published this Year=
2. A Book You Can Finish in One Day=
3. A Book You Have Been Meaning to Read=
7. A Book Published Before You Were Born=
(Published in 1988)9. A Book You Previously Abandoned=
(For a short time, b/c it was not the right time.)10. A Book You Own but Have Never Read=
11. A Book the Intimidates You=
Goal Met So Far: 7/6
March #readwomen Challenge:Duration: March 1, 2016 to March 31. 2016
Goal: 2
2. Read a book new to you by an author you have previously read.
=
5. Read a book by an author that is not White=
(At least I'm going to assume that she's not white.)11. Read a book sci-fi/ fantasy book=
Goal Met So Far: 3/2
March's theme is courage:Duration: March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016
Goal: 1
1.
= I'd consider space exploration to take a lot of courage, especially when many of the missions that the characters take place in have a chance of over 50% death from accidents. There are also instances of bravery when characters try to save other characters or stand against authority figures.2.
= I think it takes a great deal of courage to confront your past, your feelings, to admit your feelings, your insecurities, and open up about it to others. Goal Met So Far: 2/1
Spring Cleaning for the SoulDuration: April 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016
Goal: 2
Read a book that inspires you, spiritually or emotionally:
(Spiritually- encouraged me to look deeper at my surroundings, to be mindful, observant, and reflective, as well as creative.)A book about makeovers & coming to accept yourself:
(I didn't necessarily agree with parts of it, but it was amusing to me and brightened my spirits. It's also encouraging me to discover my inner beauty and my true potential.)Musings on Love:
(Made me feel complete while I was reading it. [Although, I was filled with longing, after.]) (Finished this right at 11:59 p.m. lol. I am one to cut it close. ;) )Goal Met So Far: 3/2
SECOND QUARTER CHALLENGE: CLEAR THE SHELVESDuration: April 1 - June 30, 2016
Goal: 12
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5.
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10.
11,
Goal Met So Far: 11/12
Marathon May Style:Duration: May 1 - May 31, 2016
Goal: 10 Books
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4.
Goal Met So Far: 4/10
Celebrate Goodreads: The SoundtrackDuration: May 1 - May 31, 2016
Goal: 5
1.
=Tie between: "Cosmic Love" by Florence & the Machine, "Trapdoor" by Twenty One Pilots, & "Memento Mori" by Crywank.
(CL b/c it depicts the cruelness of life & the darkness that comes with it, that consumes you with time, and it has a sort of.....empty, despairing feel. It also mentions blindness and one of the characters goes blind in the book. There's a line, too, in the song that goes,"I'm always in this twilight." In the book, the day drones on and on, you seem stuck- then suddenly it is night, but that is gone too soon and is equally as dull. Both the song and book, I feel touch on distance, on abandonment, on perishing. Plus the whole line, "You were in the darkness, too. So I stayed in the darkness with you," fits Vladimir & Estragon's relationship well.
TD b/c it's nightmarish and speaks of anguish. The song speaks of a man suffering terrible anxiety in bed- Estragon tends to suffer from nightmares when he tries to sleep. The song muses that "nothing kills a man faster than his own head," and I believe that holds true in the play, as well. There's also that feeling of not knowing other people's identities or, perhaps, not even fully knowing your own or why you're here. There's the sense of pointless, unpleasant routine. The song pleads for an end to "this waste of a life"- similarly, since there is no true purpose and nothing to be done, the 2 main characters seek to end their lives several times. There's also the sense that we're constantly falling into our own traps, that we're just actors playing parts- for own entertainment, for others- who knows? It's something to pass the time. Then the final line of the song states that, "Nobody knows he's alive." In the play, there are instances where they lose track of time, they don't quite remember what occurred, what's real or not, if one is dead or alive- for what is life? Nothing.
MM b/c life in this book feels fairly pointless & it's pointed out in the book that one of the worst things is to be able to think. The song questions if the person has made a difference in life, if they'll be missed in death, in there's an afterlife "or [if they'll] just cease to exist." It also mentions a redundancy of thoughts, as well as forgetfulness- both heavily present in the play. And then the lines in the song state," I want to find peace of mind; maybe no mind is the answer to that conundrum. And, oh, I want to be a baby again. Oh, I want pure thoughts in my head.")
2.
= "Just the Two of Us" by Bill Withers, "Radha Kaise Na Jale" by Asha Bhosle & Udit Narayan (from the movie "Lagaan"), "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" by Rod Stewart, "Reason to Believe" by Rod Stewart, "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman (from "Toy Story"), & "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor3.
= "Butterfly" by SMiLE.dk & "Witch Doctor" by ?4.
= "The Mighty Fall" by Fall Out Boy, "Soldier" by Fleurie, "Oh Glory" by Panic! at the Disco, "Good For You" by Selena Gomez, & "The Heart Wants What It Wants" by Selena Gomez.Goal Met So Far: 4/5
Special 10,000 ChallengeDuration: May 1 - June 30, 2016
Goal: 3
1. Home, 10,000 members...read a book that has more than 10,000 ratings on Goodreads:
(At the time of writing this, this play has 95,044 Ratings [and 3,091 Reviews] on Goodreads.)3. Some more Math: A myriagon is a polygon with 10,000 sides. Sci-fi and fantasy novels often also have a lot of sides. So for this one, read a book that falls into the science fiction or fantasy genres.:
(Fantasy.)4. U.S. History: Salmon P. Chase was the face of the $10,000 greenback, and he was the Secretary of the Treasury under Abraham Lincoln. So for this one, read a fictional or non-fictional book about U.S. history before 1900.:
(Could also fall under #6, too. Primarily focuses on the history of customs, movements, & beliefs concerning death in Victorian American society. European society is also mentioned, as well as some psychological & sociological analysis.) 5. World Geography: There is no €10,000 note, but if there was, it would have some beautiful European architecture on it. So for this one, read a book that takes place in Europe or is about an amazing piece of architecture.:
(Many beautiful, but morbid ossuaries; mainly set in Europe.)6. Psychology: It is assumed that each neuron in the human brain is connected to 10,000 others. Read a book about human behavior or a book about someone’s mental health:
7. Biology: There are about 10,000 species of birds. Read a book with bird (or a type of bird) in the title or a book with a bird on the cover.:
10. Extra Curricular: It takes approximately 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. Read a book, fiction or nonfiction, that has to do with the activity you would love to become an expert at:
(Psychoanalysis. [This counts, right?])Goal Met So Far: 7/3
SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOESDuration: June 1 - June 30, 2016
Goal: 2
1.
(Victorian Era; Focus on Postmortem Photographers, as well as some focus on Spirit Photographers.)2.
(Long ago in Japan; [Spoilers:] A poor bamboo-cutter & his wife adopt a mysterious girl who has been temporarily exiled from the Land of Eternal Youth; Also features rich suitors, including 2 Princes.)3.
(Spanning many centuries; primarily set in Europe, but explores communities across the globe, including in Bolivia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Also touched upon Catholic monastic orders & confraternities. I found the parts on mummies in Tana Toraja, ñatitas in Bolivia, & the mummified Buddhist monks in Asia to be particularly interesting.)4.
(20th Century Male Polish-born Yiddish Poet)5.
(Various Japanese Poets; most poems from the 800s & 900s, I believe.)6.
(Explosives Technician, Child Soldiers, Soldiers; setting is fantasy SE Asian country.)7.
(Gang Members.)8.
(Gay Cuban-American Teenager)9.
(U.K.; Diet Instructor, Make-up Saleswoman, Freelance Retoucher, Guy w/ really weird disease/health fetishes, Woman who has orgies w/ lots of food involved, elderly woman)10.
(2 Teenagers w/ Schizophrenia.)11.
(Early 1900s; French Pediatrician & Psychoanalyst*)*= I plan on entering the field of Psych. & I'm currently majoring in Psych. w/ specialization in Clinical Psych., so I don't completely see the Psychoanalyst part as being a diff. background.
Goal Met So Far: 11/2
The Villains Challenge bwahaha!Duration June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016
Goal: 2
5. Read a book where the villain is so greedy that people do not matter=
(Prince Fancylodge forces 6 men to toil for 3 years to create a golden bejeweled branch to impress the Princess and steal her away from the other suitors. Meanwhile, he didn't pay his workers. Lord Richaway gets conned by a merchant & loses both a lot of money & his chance w/ the Princess.)
7. Read a book where the villain is an abusive parent/spouse/other loved one (either dead or alive)=
(I don't know if this counts, but I'd consider Jason to be an abusive friend. He constantly dismisses his friend's concerns, thoughts, and feelings, nearly gets him killed, chokes him, and threatens to kill him.)8. Read a book where the villain is a murderer=
(Various gang members are shown or mentioned to have killed people, including the main villain, T-Bird.)Goal Met So Far: 3/2
The Leadership ChallengeDuration July 1, 2016 to July 31, 2016
Goal: 2
8. Great leaders have an intuition and are willing to take risks. Read a book where the characters take a large risk.=
(Some of them do, at least.)9. They inspire those around them to do the same. Read a book that is inspiring.=
Goal Met So Far: 2/2
FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGDuration: July 1 - July 31, 2016
Goal: 2
Peregrin "Pippin" Took is from one of the most powerful hobbit families and his name means "traveler in strange countries." Read a book where the main character is part of a famous or noble family, or read a book where traveling is a major focus. =
(The main character seems to travel a lot. In most of the episodes it's believed that the unnamed main character is (or is at least based off on) Arihara no Narihara, who was the 5th son of Prince Abo & son of Princess Ito, and who was the grandson of 2 emperors.)Frodo Baggins is the ringbearer. Read a book where the main character carries on a family tradition or where the main character struggles against a great evil.=
(In "Yamanba Lullaby," Kintarō fights against the Great Maō/Demon King Maō & his Henchmen to save his love.)Legolas Greenleaf is an elf and a very sharp-sighted archer. His name "Legolas" literally means Greenleaf. Read a book where the main character is very skilled or where the main character has a name with a literal meaning.=
(Eduardo "Ed" Velasquez- one of the main characters. Is a cartoonist. Eduardo means "Wealthy Guardian, rich, or happy.")Boromir of Gondor is a mighty warrior intent on protecting his people. Read a book where protection is a major motivation of the main character.=
Goal Met So Far: 4/2
CHLOE'S 10 CHALLENGEDuration: July 1 - September 30, 2016
Goal: 5
In ascending order:
1. Sort by Title and read the 10th book down on your list.=
2. Sort by Author and read the 10th book down on your list.=
3. Sort by Number of pages and read the 10th book down on your list.=
4. Sort by Date Added and read the 10th book down on your list.=
5. Sort by Random and read the 10th book down on your list.=
In descending order:
6. Sort by Title and read the 10th book down on your list=
Goal Met So Far: 4/5
Signs You’ve Found Your New Book Friend:Duration: August 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016
Goal: 2
1. Good friends speak a special dialect that is only understood between themselves...so do book lovers! We all have that special genre that creates that special speech pattern that only other lovers of that genre can understand. Choose a book from your favorite genre and see who else in the group loves that genre too.=
(Poetry- one of my favourite genres.)4. Good friends share the same guilty pleasures...just like there are some books you can't help reading. Find a book you are reading just for the fun of it, and not because it is a great literary masterpiece, and see who shares your guilty pleasure.
=
Goal Met So Far: 2/2
Your Book Reflection ChallengeDuration September 1. 2016 to September 30, 2016
Goal: 2
8. Read a book with a character that has the same hobbies that you have.=
(Love likes to read Manga.)10. Read a book with a character that has the same number of children that you have.=
(Most Characters; 0 Children.)Goal Met So Far: 2/2
Mirror, MirrorDuration September 1, 2016 - September 30, 2016
Goal: 1
2. The mirror is not always a reflective surface. Sometimes two characters share several qualities that are used to complement and highlight each other’s traits. Read a book where one character mirrors another character in the story.=
(Ichigo & Hichigo [and also some other pairs tbh, but we'll just leave it at that.)4. Sometimes the events in the story itself reflect back on past experiences or incidents. Read a book where the story reflects back on a similar event or events in the past.= [bookcover:Attack on Titan: Before the Fall, Vol. 7|25893815]
5. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Have you seen yourself in a book? Read a book where you see part of yourself in one of the main characters or their experiences.=
(Armin [except I'm way less rational, strategic, quick-thinking, & intelligent; I just relate to how he's a bookworm, he has an impressive dream, he has a lot of anxiety, he had bullies & for a long time was considered weaker than others- and in some ways, still is, though he has grown a lot and he truly is an asset]. Also, after the revelations of this volume- I think I relate to Shadis.)Goal Met So Far: 3/1
Outside Your Comfort ZoneDuration: October 1 - October 31, 2016
Goal: 2
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(Ghosts)2.
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/
(Sci-Fi Fantasy)Goal Met So Far: 2/2
The 10 Candy ChallengeDuration October 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016
Goal: 2
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - creamy chocolate and salty peanut butter makes the perfect combination. Read a book where two very different characters work together to make the perfect plot.=
2. M&M’s - chocolate covered in yummy candy coating probably filled with wonderful nuts. Read a book where a character goes a little bit nuts but things work out well.=
5. Kit Kat - a chocolate covered wafer biscuit bar that is know for giving you a break. Read a book that is a quick and snappy read that is great for to read when you have a few minutes break in your day. =
8. Hershey’s Cookies and Cream - the name of the candy bar says it all and while the candy bar is less than 25 years old, it’s already a top 10 hit! Read a book was written in the last few years and is on the New York Times Best Sellers List.=
9. Milky Way - chocolate malt nougat topped with caramel makes this candy bar out of this world. Read a book that is about outer space and traveling through the stars.=
Goal Met So Far: 5/2
Race to the FinishDuration October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016
Goal: 11
The Let's Turn Pages Challenge- (4,442 Pages needed. Unknown # of Books needed; lets just say 10.) 25/10
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7. “Last Regrets” by Angelique Voisen
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A to Z Challenge (Character Edition)- 0/1
Goal Met So Far: 25/11
(Already surpassed my book goal & I'm also doing some extras [that I'm not counting here] for some of the Yearly Challenges that I've technically already completed.)
Wedding Day "Something Borrowed, Something Blue"Duration: November 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016
Goal: 3
2. “Something New” Read a book recently published or a book you just added to your bookshelf=
4. “Something Blue” Read a book with a blue cover or the word blue in the title.=
"Live every moment" Read a book where someone goes on a great life changing adventure.=
Goal Met So Far: 3/3
MARATHON CHALLENGE - RACE TO THE ENDDuration: November 1 to November 30
Goal: 5
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Goal Met So Far: 9/5
ADVENT CALENDAR CHALLENGEDuration: December 1 - December 31, 2016
Goal: 31
Category A:
1. "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind" by William Shakespeare
2. "An Old Man's Winter Night" by Robert Frost
3. " Winter Memories" by Henry David Thoreau
4. "The Curtain" by Hayden Carruth
5. "Moment" by Ralph Mason
6. "Frost" by Ijm seven
7. "White Tears" by Seren Roberts
8. "The Darkling Thrush" by Thomas Hardy
9. "Wynter Wakeneth Al My Care" by Anonymous
10. "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti
11. "Snow" by Louis MacNeice
12. "It sifts from leaden sieves" by Emily Dickinson
13. "First Sight" by Philip Larkin
14. "Journey of the Magi" by T.S. Eliot
15. "Sonnet 97" by William Shakespeare
16. "Desert Places" by Robert Frost
17. "Waking in Winter" by Sylvia Plath
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Goal Met So Far: 17/31
Holiday Movie ClassicsDuration December 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Goal: 3
4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place.
=
9. Miracle on 34th Street - Read a book where a department store plays a major role. Or read a book where a parade plays a major role. Or read a book where a character learns to believe.
Goal Met So Far: 2/3
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
A Christmas Outing (other topics)A Christmas Outing (other topics)
Overwatch #10: Reflections (other topics)
Overwatch #10: Reflections (other topics)
Overwatch #10: Reflections (other topics)
More...
Duration: January 1 – December 31, 2016
Goal: 16,000 Pages!
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As of 2/28/16 I have surpassed 1,000 Pages!
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As of 3/26/16 I have surpassed 2,000 Pages!
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As of 4/9/16 I have surpassed 3,000 Pages!
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As of 4/30/16 I have surpassed 4,000 Pages!
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As of 6/22/16 I have surpassed 5,000 Pages!
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As of 6/26/16 I have surpassed 6,000 Pages!
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As of 6/30/16 I have surpassed 7,000 Pages!
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As of 7/23/16 I have surpassed 8,000 Pages!
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As of 8/5/16 I have surpassed 9,000 Pages!
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As of 9/22/16 I have surpassed 10,000 Pages!
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As of 9/30/16 I have surpassed 11,000 Pages!
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As of 10/02/16 I have surpassed 12,000 Pages!
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As of 10/16/16 I have surpassed 13,000 Pages!
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71. “Last Regrets” by Angelique Voisen= 26 Pages
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As of 10/22/16 I have surpassed 14,000 Pages!
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Goal Met So Far: 14,720/16,000 Pages.