2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
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Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge - 2015
I'm in!6/24
1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people) - Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
4. A book published by an indie press
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
7. A book that takes place in Asia
8. A book by an author from Africa
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. A microhistory
12. A sci-fi novel
13. A romance novel
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
17. A collection of poetry
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
22. A book published before 1850
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
two more tasks completed! new total: 8/244. A book published by an indie press -
Summer of My Amazing Luck - Miriam Toews
Read 1/20/2015
16. An audiobook -
Marmee and Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother - Eve LaPlante
Read 1/20/2015
6/24 So far!2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65 Mr. Mercedes
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people) Different Seasons
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own Dexter Is Delicious, Jeff Lindsay
11. A YA novel We Were Liars
12. A sci-fi novel The Book of Strange New Things
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over) Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage
Interesting list. I've got to try...(Thanks to Brianna for the formatting!)
total read→ 1 | 24
☐ [1] a book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
☐ [2] a book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
☐ [3] a collection of short stories
☐ [4] A book published by an indie press
☐ [5] a book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
☐ [6] A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
☐ [7] a book that takes place in Asia
☐ [8] a book by an author from Africa
☐ [9] book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
☐ [10] a microhistory
☐ [11] A YA novel
☑ [12] A sci-fi novel: Swarm by B.V. Larson
☐ [13] a romance novel
☐ [14] a National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
☐ [15] a book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
☐ [16] an audiobook
☐ [17] a collection of poetry
☐ [18] a book that someone else has recommended to you
☐ [19] a book that was originally published in another language
☐ [20] graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind
☐ [21] a book that you would consider a guilty pleasure
☐ [22] a book published before 1850
☐ [23] a book published this year
☐ [24] a self-improvement book
2/1022. A book published before 1850 Lettres Persanes
Published in 1721
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65 Point de lendemain 65 years old
I've updated msg 92 with15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
The Child Thief, which is a retelling of Peter Pan 22-01-2015
3/24
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people): Tre donne cinesi8/24
Will/have started this one...BOOK RIOT'S READ HARDER CHALLENGE
Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2015
Book Riot published a challenge for 2015, and we thought it'd be fun to participate! We've replicated the challenge for you below (complete with links), but you can check out the original Book Riot post here. The goal is to do all 24 tasks, but if that's a stretch for you, please feel free to set your own goal.
1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
4. A book published by an indie press
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
7. A book that takes place in Asia
8. A book by an author from Africa
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. A microhistory
11. A YA novel
12. A sci-fi novel
13. A romance novel
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
16. An audiobook
17. A collection of poetry
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
19. A book that was originally published in another language
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you met Panels?)
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
22. A book published before 1850
23. A book published this year
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
Please update. Thanks![14] a National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
8. A book by an author from Africa: The 2 1/2 Pillars of Wisdom (Alexander McCall Smith is originally from Zimbabwe)9/24
Sorry everybody for not being on here earlier. GRs doesn't seem to want to send me updates on this thread.Anyway, I have added all the new people. Welcome to the challenge.
Also congratulations to all those who've read a book or books already. You're doing a great job.
I'm in for 24. Complete1. Everything Is Illuminated read 3/3
2. The Angel Court Affair read 8/3
3. Einstein's Beach House: Stories read 2/19
4. The Wonder of All Things read 2/6
5. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography read 2/7
6. Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness Are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe read 1/7
7. Cinder read 1/15
8. The Smell of Apples read 5/18
9. Island of the Sequined Love Nun read 2/21
10. The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story read 2/13
11. Pretty Little Liars read 1/13
12. The Martian read 2/3
13. The Silver Linings Playbook read 2/4
14. All the Light We Cannot See read 8/18
15. Dorothy Must Die read 1/13
16. Q & A read 2/3
17. A Mother's String read 9/19
18. The Ghosts of Nagasaki read 2/23
19. Ashes of Izalco read 8/9
20. Orphan Black #1 read 4/2
21. Vampire Academy read 1/17
22. The Best of Edgar Allan Poe read 8/24
23. Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation read 1/23
24. Conquering Cultural Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging and Happiness read 2/27
Virginia wrote: "Hi Zara, Im new in the group so i'm not sure how it works. can i still join to this challenge?"Hi Virginia. You certainly can still join in this challenge.
Im not sure how many books i'll be able to read this year but i'll do my best to finish this.READ: 5/24
1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people). Other chritsmas stories, Charles Dickens. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7....
4. A book published by an indie press
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own. La Tregua, Mario Benedetti. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... January 04
7. A book that takes place in Asia
8. A book by an author from Africa
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. A microhistory
11. A YA novel
12. A sci-fi novel
13. A romance novel
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
16. An audiobook
17. A collection of poetry
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
19. A book that was originally published in another language. Seeing, José Saramago. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind. Guía Romántica de la Vega. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... January 02
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
22. A book published before 1850. The Prince, Machiavelli https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... January 10
23. A book published this year
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
Oh my, this challenge is interesting... :)2/24
☐1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
☐2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
☐3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
☐4. A book published by an indie press
☐5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
☐6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
☑7. A book that takes place in Asia Värittömän miehen vaellusvuodet
☐8. A book by an author from Africa
☐9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
☐10. A microhistory
☐11. A YA novel
☐12. A sci-fi novel
☐13. A romance novel
☐14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
☐15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
☐16. An audiobook
☐17. A collection of poetry
☐18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
☑19. A book that was originally published in another language - Jää Originally published in Swedish.
☐20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you met Panels?)
☐21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
☐22. A book published before 1850
☐23. A book published this year
☐24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
I'd like to be added too, please! :) Tasks completed: 5/24
1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
Interpreter of Maladies
4. A book published by an indie press
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
7. A book that takes place in Asia
8. A book by an author from Africa
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. A microhistory
11. A YA novel
Red Rising
12. A sci-fi novel
13. A romance:
Lila
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
16. An audiobook
17. A collection of poetry
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
The Green Mile
19. A book that was originally published in another language
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you met Panels?)
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
22. A book published before 1850
23. A book published this year
24. A self-improvement book: Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
6/24 Please update.[21] a book that you would consider a guilty pleasure Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) by Sylvia Day
I'm in :)3/24
☐ 1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
☐ 2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
☐ 3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
☑ 4. A book published by an indie press
☑ 5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
☑ 6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
☐ 7. A book that takes place in Asia
☐ 8. A book by an author from Africa
☐ 9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
☐ 10. A microhistory
☐ 11. A YA novel
☐ 12. A sci-fi novel
☐ 13. A romance novel
☐ 14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
☐ 15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
☐ 16. An audiobook
☐ 17. A collection of poetry
☐ 18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
☐ 19. A book that was originally published in another language
☐ 20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you met Panels?)
☐ 21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
☐ 22. A book published before 1850
☐ 23. A book published this year
☐ 24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
Two more tasks completed! new total: 10/2421. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure - Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly - read 1/29/2015
22. A book published before 1850 - Mansfield Park - read 1/29/2015
I'd like to do the Read Harder challenge as a mash-up of my 75 booklist that includes 25 books from the Rory Gilmore reading challenge, and 25 books from the BBC list. This is what I have so far, including as many of the 50 titles I've already selected:1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
The Naked and the Dead (Rory)
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
The Lord of the Rings would also count
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
Flappers and Philosophers
4. A book published by an indie press
SwitchFlipped
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
7. A book that takes place in Asia
Memoirs of a Geisha (BBC)
Midnight's Children would also count
8. A book by an author from Africa
A Guest of Honour
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
Midnight's Children
10. A microhistory
Empire of Cotton: A Global History
11. A YA novel
The Fault in Our Stars
12. A sci-fi novel
Fahrenheit 451 (Rory)
13. A romance novel
The Princess Bride
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
The Goldfinch
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
Macbeth
16. An audiobook
17. A collection of poetry
Lays of Ancient Rome
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
Imperial Spain, 1469-1716
19. A book that was originally published in another language
Anna Karenina (BBC)
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure
Go Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary
22. A book published before 1850
23. A book published this year
All the Light We Cannot See
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence
Rachel wrote: "Two more tasks completed! new total: 10/2421. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure - Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly - read 1/29/2015
22. A ..."
10 books in a month?! Congrats Rachel :)
Virginia wrote: "10 books in a month?! Congrats Rachel :)"Thanks, Virginia and Zara! This was a great start for me, but I got a lot of the easy to fit in/faster to read tasks out of the way (graphic novels, YA, etc). What's left will be more of a challenge :)
Updated message 406/24 complete
a book that takes place in Asia - Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
a book published this year (2014) Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
3/241. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)
4. A book published by an indie press
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own: The Martian DONE
7. A book that takes place in Asia: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
8. A book by an author from Africa: Half of a Yellow Sun
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.): All Our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life
10. A microhistory: Into the Wild
11. A YA novel: When God Was a Rabbit DONE
12. A sci-fi novel: Slaughterhouse-Five DONE
13. A romance novel: The Notebook
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
16. An audiobook
17. A collection of poetry
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you: Dark Lover
19. A book that was originally published in another language: Smilla's Sense of Snow
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you met Panels?)
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)
22. A book published before 1850: Pride and Prejudice
23. A book published this year
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
Update: i completed 6/24 14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade. The Road
Virginia wrote: "Update: i completed 6/24 14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade. The Road"
Great work Virginia
I want to try this challenge but I'm not sure if I can do all 24. So I'll sign up for 12 but will try to do more.Total Read: 0/12
1. a book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
2. a book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
3. a collection of short stories
4. a book published by an indie press
5. a book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
6. a book by a person whose gender is different from your own
7. a book that takes place in Asia
8. a book by an author from Africa
9. book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. a microhistory
11. a YA novel
12. a sci-fi novel
13. a romance novel
14. a National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
15. a book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
16. an audiobook
17. a collection of poetry
18. a book that someone else has recommended to you
19. a book that was originally published in another language
20. graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind
21. a book that you would consider a guilty pleasure
22. a book published before 1850
23. a book published this year
24. a self-improvement book
Updating Msg 110I'm not sure if I was added. I have 3/24 finished.
4. Book published by an indie press- The Inhabited Woman
8. Book by an author from Africa- Climbié
9. Book by someone of an indigenous culture- I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala
24. A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”): My Alien Self: My Journey Back to Me10/24
4/1022. A book published before 1850 Lettres Persanes
Published in 1721
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65 Point de lendemain 65 years old
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own The Book of Strange New Things
13. A romance novel Atala / René
Books mentioned in this topic
The Gap of Time (other topics)The Bangkok Asset (other topics)
The History Of Rassalas Prince Of Abyssinia (other topics)
Follow the Crow (other topics)
The Princess Bride (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
G. Willow Wilson (other topics)Renni Browne (other topics)
Michael Connelly (other topics)
J.D. Robb (other topics)
Kamel Daoud (other topics)
More...







19/24 tasks completed
1. A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25 White Teeth √ 1/16
2. A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65 Home √ 1/4
3. A collection of short stories Almost Famous Women: Stories √ 1/18
4. A book published by an indie press Pissing in a River √ 1/2
5. A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography √ 1/18
6. A book by a person whose gender is different from your own No Land's Man √ 2/19
7. A book that takes place in Asia The Twentieth Wife √ 3/2
8. A book by an author from Africa We Need New Names √
3/25
9. A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
10. A microhistory Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal √ 1/18
11. A YA novel Jackaby √ 1/20
12. A sci-fi novel Parable of the Sower √ 3/10
13. A romance novel The Siren √ 1/6
14. A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade Brown Girl Dreaming √ 2/23
15. A book that is a retelling of a classic story
16. An audiobook: Marvel Comics: The Untold Story √ 1/14
17. A collection of poetry Dragonfly Dance √ 1/9
18. A book that someone else has recommended to you
19. A book that was originally published in another language La reina descalza √ 2/21
20. A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind Sunstone √ 2/17
21. A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure
22. A book published before 1850
23. A book published this year The Buried Giant √ 3/24
24. A self-improvement book Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar √ 1/11