2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2020
>
The Quest of Rachael Readsalot continues (101+ in 2020)
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 59/90
Let's Turn Pages: 16,110/30,000 pages
Serial Reader: 26/40
Mount TBR: 26/36
Clear the Shelves: 13/30
TBR Jar: 6/10
Kind of a Big Deal: 29/40+
Genre Jammin': 39/50
Book Club: 6/7
Pinspiration 8/12
Shiver Me Timbers: 2/2
Longest Book: Winter (833 pages)
Shortest Book: A Study in Emerald (9 pages)
Best Book: The Starless Sea
Worst Book: The Beast Within
60. Hamlet by William Shakespeare221 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (27/36)
Why I read this: part of my personal lifetime challenge
KEEP
Books TBR = 386
61. Aesop's Fables by Aesop276 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (28/36)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin' to clear my TBR pile
KEEP (ish. I'd like to read this in a different format because the audiobook was not good)
Books TBR = 385
62. The Alchemist's Secret by Scott Mariani486 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (27/40)
Why I read this: it was recommended by my dad
PASS
____________________
63. COVID-128 by Marissa Meyer
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Kind of a Big Deal (30/40+), Genre Jammin' (40/50)
Why I read this: I just found out Marissa Meyer wrote a new Lunar Chronicles short story
PASS
_________
Books TBR = 385
64. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel354 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (29/36), TBR Jar (7/10), Book Club (7/7), buddy read
Why I read this: I've heard a lot about it
KEEP
Books TBR = 384
65. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien322 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review previously written
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Jammin' (41/50), Pinspiration (9/12), Singing in the Rain (1/4)
Why I read this: I was in the mood to reread. Plus I was audiobookin' as I'm workin' (I'm going to miss that when/if we can go back to the office)
PASS
Books TBR = 385
Books TBR = 379I moved a few books that were on the wrong shelf
66. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien535 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (28/40), Kind of a Big Deal (31/40+), Genre Jammin' (42/50), Pinspiration (10/12), Singing in the Rain (2/4)
Why I read this: part of my Hobbit/Lord of the Rings reread
PASS
Books TBR = 380
Books TBR = 413!!!I never wanted to get my want-to-read shelf over 400 but I've tried to categorise some of my books differently. I've bought a couple of new books today. I added some Tor shorts which even though I don't actually own them, they are easily accessible online. I also had one anthology which contained 15 full length novels and decided to add each one of those separately (I had previously downloaded a couple of them separately too). So technically, if you exclude those 15 because I did already own them, my tbr pile contains 398 unread books which is still a large increase of 18 but is below my maximum target of 400. Hopefully by the end of 2020, my TBR pile will actually be below 400.
67. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien464 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (29/40), Genre Jammin' (43/50), Pinspiration (11/12), Singing in the Rain (3/4)
Why I read this: part of my Hobbit/Lord of the Rings reread
PASS
Books TBR = 415
68. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien554 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review previously written
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (30/40), Kind of a Big Deal (32/40+), Genre Jammin' (44/50), Pinspiration (12/12), Singing in the Rain (4/4)
Why I read this: part of my Hobbit/Lord of the Rings reread
PASS
Books TBR = 416
69. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson272 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Jammin' (45/50)
Why I read this: I fancied a quick read after the denseness of the Lord of the Rings
KEEP
-----------
70. Bilbo's Last Song by J.R.R. Tolkien
32 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Kind of a Big Deal (33/40+), Genre Jammin' (46/50)
Why I read this: it's an epilogue to the Lord of the Rings
PASS
Books TBR = 414
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 70/90
Let's Turn Pages: 19,626/30,000 pages
Serial Reader: 30/40
Mount TBR: 29/36
Clear the Shelves: 13/30
TBR Jar: 7/10
Kind of a Big Deal: 33/40+
Genre Jammin': 46/50
Book Club: 7/10*
Pinspiration: 12/12
Singing in the Rain: 4/4
Longest Book: Winter (833 pages)
Shortest Book: A Study in Emerald (9 pages)
Best Book: The Starless Sea
Worst Book: The Beast Within
(*=goal increased)
71. The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien (edited by Christopher Tolkien)304 pages
Rating= 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Jammin' (47/50)
Why I read this: I was still in a Middle Earth mood
PASS
Books TBR = 413
Rachael wrote: "PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 70/90
Let's Turn Pages: 19,626/30,000 pages
Serial Reader: 30/40
Mount TBR: 29/36
Clear the Shelves: 13/30
TBR Jar: 7/10
Kind of a Big Deal: 33/40+
Genre Ja..."
Lookin' Good!😎
72. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab469 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (31/40), Mount TBR (30/36), TBR Jar (8/10), Genre Jammin' (48/60, goal increased), The Solar System (1/4)
Why I read this: I've read and enjoyed other books by this author
KEEP
Books TBR = 412
73. A Mystery for Ninepence by Phyllis Gegan156 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (31/36), Clear the Shelves (14/30), TBR Jar (9/10), Kind of a Big Deal (34/40+), Women of the World (1/10)
Why I read this: it belonged to my mom who passed it on to me years ago
KEEP
Books TBR = 412
74. The Ickabog by JK RowlingRating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Genre Jammin' (49/60)
Why I read this: I was intrigued by it
PASS
Books TBR = 413
Rachael wrote: "73. A Mystery for Ninepence by Phyllis Gegan156 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (31/36), Clear the Shelves (14/30), TBR Jar (9/10), Kind of a Big Dea..."
What a nifty looking book!
75. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine410 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (32/40), Genre Jammin' (50/60), Women of the World (2/10)
Why I read this: part of the Great Library series
KEEP
Books TBR = 413
76. Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis CarrollRating = 3 stars
Challenges: Serial Reader (33/40), Genre Jammin' (51/60)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin'
PASS
Books TBR =413
Overall reading challenge goal increased again! I am hoping to read 101 books in 2020! 📚 (oshizu, your guess was right - I have time warped to a new folder 😁🐱🚀.)
Howdy there and welcome!I thought of bringing you a housewarming gift, but I guess we don't actually change homes as much as relocate our bookmobiles. 😊
Your presence greatly enhances the ambiance of our hood!
Which is great, since I know I'll stay here for the rest of the year!
No more upward mobility for me, haha.
Oh dear, I see what you mean by your "Books TBR" count on generally rising trend. But knowing there are books out there that you want to read can only be a good thing, right?
Those aren't books you own, are they? o.O
77. Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine411 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (34/40), Genre Jammin' (52/60), Women of the World (3/10), The Solar System (2/4)
Why I read this: part of the Great Library series
KEEP
Books TBR = 413
Books TBR = 416 a book disappeared from my shelves so I had to re-add it and I bought a couple more
78. The Faceless Body by Malka Ann Older50 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Kind of a Big Deal (35/40+), Women of the World (4/10)
Why I read this: to count towards a group quarterly challenge
PASS
Books TBR = 415
Catherine wrote: "Congratulations on increasing your goal yet again! That's super exciting!!"Thank you. Hope your challenge is going well
79. Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine373 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (35/40), Mount TBR (32/36), Clear the Shelves (15/30), Genre Jammin' (53/60), Women of the World (5/10), The Solar System (3/4)
Why I read this: part of the Great Library series
KEEP
Books TBR = 414
80. Moby Dick by Herman Melville654 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (33/36), Kind of a Big Deal (36/40+)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin' to clear my shelves
PASS
Books TBR = 413
81. Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine413 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (36/40), Mount TBR (34/36), Clear the Shelves (16/30), Genre Jammin' (54/60)
Why I read this: part of the Great Library series
KEEP
Books TBR = 413 (bought another book)
82. Grimm's Fairy Stories by the Brothers GrimmRating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Mount TBR (35/36), Genre Jammin' (55/60)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin' to clear my shelves
PASS
Books TBR = 412
83. Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine411 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (37/50*), Genre Jammin' (56/70*), The Solar System (4/4)
Why I read this: part of the Great Library series
KEEP
Books TBR = 411
[* goal increased]
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 83/101
Let's Turn Pages: 23,495/30,000 pages
Serial Reader: 37/50
Mount TBR: 35/36
Clear the Shelves: 16/30
TBR Jar: 9/10
Kind of a Big Deal: 36/40+
Genre Jammin': 56/70
Book Club: 7/10
Women of the World: 5/10
The Solar System: 4/4
Longest Book: Winter (833 pages)
Shortest Book: A Study in Emerald (9 pages)
Best Book: The Starless Sea
Worst Book: The Beast Within
Books TBR = 412I read an excerpt of something which I enjoyed so decided to preorder the book
84. The Secret of Sinbad's Cave by Brydie Walker Bain249 pages
Rating = 2 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Women of the World (6/10)
Why I read this: to count towards a group challenge
PASS
Books TBR = 411
85. Landline by Rainbow Rowell319 pages
Rating = 3 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Mount TBR (36/48, goal increased), Women of the World (7/10)
Why I read this: my reading has been very fantasy heavy recently and I fancied a change of genre
PASS
Books TBR = 410
86. The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard PyleRating = 4 stars
Challenges: Genre Jammin' (57/70)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin'
PASS
Books TBR = 410
87. The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso438 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (38/50), Mount TBR (37/48), Clear the Shelves (17/30), TBR Jar (10/10), Genre Jammin' (58/70)
Why I read this: it sounded interesting
PASS
Books TBR = 409
Rachael, I have a question for you regarding a book I finished yesterday, Closure.In the story, there's a young boy who has memories of his previous reincarnation, living with a different family in a different place. He and his mother are of thoroughly English ancestry and live somewhere in England.
The boy has been having nighmares where he cries out in Welsh but his mother only recognizes that he's speaking "a foreign language," without identifying it as Welsh.
That is what surprised me. Do residents of England have little or no exposure to the Welsh language? Are Welsh TV programs watched in other parts of the UK? I guess I should visit Wikipedia to learn whether Welsh children are schooled in both Welsh and English.
sorry to bother you. I had always naively assumed that, even if the English couldn't always understand what people in Wales, Scotland, and N. Ireland were saying, that they would recognize the language.
oshizu wrote: "Rachael, I have a question for you regarding a book I finished yesterday, Closure.In the story, there's a young boy who has memories of his previous reincarnation, living with a d..."
Bore da (that's Good Day in Welsh)!
If an English person went on holiday to Wales, they would be exposed to the language because Wales is officially bilingual so the road signs are in English and Welsh and they learn both languages at school. As for spoken Welsh, I think the character should have been able to recognise it as Welsh because even though Welsh TV programmes are just shown in Wales, English TV programmes do sometimes expose you to a bit of the language. Even if you don't know the meaning of the words, you may also recognise the accent. I live about 50 miles away from the Welsh border and I studied linguistics (including a lecture or two on Welsh bilingualism) so maybe I'm more aware of the language. I do know how to say some Welsh words too. It could have been a plot device in the book to add a bit of mystery or the author has had little exposure to the language herself. Hope this helps :)
Thank you, Rachael.You are, it seems, the perfect person to address my questions!
I am also fascinated by languages but also managed to take two course in the subject in uni. My intro to Linguistics prof used to off extra-credit in the form of high-school linguistic puzzles--I was so there for that! (Decipering ancient tablets based on limited alphabet clues and such, haha)
I like your idea that the author might have used the unfamiliarity of the Welsh language as a plot device. On further "research," I've learned that most of this author's novels are set in North Wales (like the book I just read: Closure), so I'm thinking now that the author might also be Welsh.
Besides being a plot device, I wonder if it's also an ironic jab at an English protagonist who can't even recognize the language of her "UK neighbors."
I appreciate your sharing your thoughts. I can now put that book behind me for now, but would like to read more books set in Wales. Diolch yn fawr iawn! (haha, I googled...)
88. InterWorld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves263 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader (39/50), Mount TBR (38/48)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin' to clear my shelves
PASS
Books TBR = 408
Books TBR = 413There's some good deals in the UK Kindle store, loads of books are only £0.99. And whoops, my finger slipped 🤣
Catherine wrote: "That was quite the slip, haha. Hopefully you found some treasures!"I did! I could have bought even more but I didn't (today!)
Some finger slips are good, good, goooooooood! 😄
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Stories on the Go: 101 Very Short Stories by 101 Authors (other topics)Now You See Them (other topics)
The House of Silk (other topics)
Serpentine (other topics)
Monsters of Men (other topics)
More...
333 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Jammin' (39/50), Pinspiration (8/12)
Why I read this: I've heard a lot about it
PASS
Books TBR = 387