2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2021
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Rachael Readsalot's Quest to Read 101+ books in 2021
ChallengesYearly
✔️ A Better World: completed 2 August; 4/4
✔️ Book Club: completed 11 June; 12/10
✔️ Clear the Shelves: completed 13 December; 64/60
✔️ Give Us A Clue: completed 2 August; 15/15
✔️ Let's Turn Pages: 30,000 pages read by mid September
✔️ Listopia: completed 16 October; 10/10
✔️ Magical Mystery Tour: completed 21 August; 14/10
✔️ Modern Mrs Darcy: completed 22 October; 12/12
✔️ Mount TBR: completed 13 December; 64/60
✔️ Popsugar: completed 11 November; 10/10
✔️ Serial Reader: completed 20 November; 59/50
✔️ Spell a Better World: completed 17 July; 15/15
✔️ TBR Jar: completed 22 September; 15/15
Quarterly
✔️ Bonus - Celebrating 25,000 Members: completed 30 May; 10/10
✔️ Q2 - A Diverse Education: completed 27 June; 10/10
✔️ Q3 - Book Recycling: completed 11 September; 10/10
Monthly
✔️ January - Marathon: completed 27 January; 9/8
✔️ January - New Year's Resolutions: completed 24 January; 3/3
✔️ February - There's No Business Like Snow Business: completed 18 February; 1/1
✔️ February - You Know Nothing, Jon Snow!: completed 18 February; 2/2
✔️ March - One Word Wonder: completed 29 March; 4/4
✔️ April - Shades of Yellow: completed 29 April; 1/1
✔️ April - We All Live in a Yellow Submarine: completed 18 April; 3/3
✔️ May - The Secret Language of Flowers: completed 23 May; 4/4
✔️ June - Brain Power: completed 19 June; 4/4
✔️ August - Soulmates - Opposites Attract: completed 28 August; 6/6
✔️ September - Book Evolution: completed 15 September; 3/3
✔️ November - A Novel Celebration: completed 25 November; 3/3
✔️ Bonus - Rock the Vote: completed 20 November; 3/3
✔️ December - All the Jingle Ladies...: completed 18 December; 4/3
Other
✔️ Personal Lifetime Challenge (continued): the complete works of William Shakespeare - 6 read in 2021, 35 overall
✔️ Read 12 books from my TBR pile that link in with this group's monthly themes
❌ Complete a book I previously did not finish
✔️ Read at least 25 Netgalley ARCs: 28/25
✔️ DO NOT OWN MORE THAN 500 UNREAD BOOKS
Good luck Rachael! Every year I love your organization and the books you choose. Did you "take part" in the Shakespeare Project this year? I found it helped me keep on track with reading more Shakespeare throughout the year.
Lisa wrote: "Good luck Rachael! Every year I love your organization and the books you choose. Did you "take part" in the Shakespeare Project this year? I found it helped me keep on track with reading more Sha..."
Thanks and good luck to you too :)
No, I didn't take part in the Shakespeare Project; I just decided to pick up a work when I fancied it. In 2021, I'm going to do the Listopia challenge and one of my lists will be Shakespeare to help me complete a few more
Looking forward to reading with you this year! And to seeing what all you'll be reading ... and to adding to my TBR list from your stuff.Good luck with your goals!
I put a bit too much pressure on myself in 2020 trying to hit some targets which in hindsight were a bit ridiculous. So I decided that this year, I would do less challenges. But... I've made plans to sign up for at least 10 yearly challenges. Whoops! They all sound so good and I want to do them all though so I'm setting smaller goals for some of them and have also worked it so that a lot of my planned reading can count towards several challenges.
Rachael wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Good luck Rachael! Every year I love your organization and the books you choose. Did you "take part" in the Shakespeare Project this year? I found it helped me keep on track with rea..."
Ah, that's a great idea :) Looking forward to seeing what you'll be reading :)
Good luck and happy readings Rachael! 🍀🐞📚
Carmen wrote: "Good luck and happy readings Rachael! 🍀🐞📚"Thank you and good luck to you too :)
Zeejane (Sara) wrote: "Rachael wrote: "I put a bit too much pressure on myself in 2020 trying to hit some targets which in hindsight were a bit ridiculous. So I decided that this year, I would do less challenges. But... ..."Good luck with your reading challenge too
1. The Sin Eater by Megan Campisi368 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (1/36), Mount TBR (1/36), Give Us a Clue (1/15), Spell a Better World (1/15), Marathon (1/6)
Why I read this: it had a pretty cover and an interesting premise set in a quasi alternative Elizabethan world
KEEP
Books TBR = 454
I hope you go beyond your 80 book resolution! Best of Luck!
Books TBR = 455Another Netgalley approval
Just dropping in to wish you the best for 2021 and to say that I love your new avatar!
oshizu wrote: "Just dropping in to wish you the best for 2021 and to say that I love your new avatar!"Thank you. Best of luck to you too :)
2. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski288 pages
Rating = 3 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (2/36), Mount TBR (2/36), Serial Reader (1/30), Marathon (2/6), New Year's Resolutions (1/3), Personal Challenge (Themed Reads) (1/12)
Why I read this: I've heard a lot about the Witcher series
PASS
Books TBR = 456
3. Midnight Sun by Stephenie MeyerRating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Serial Reader (2/30), Spell a Better World (2/15), Marathon (3/6), New Year's Resolutions (2/3)
Why I read this: I kinda wanted to see what the hype was about and I was also looking for an audiobook to listen to as I worked from home.
PASS
Books TBR = 455
4. Practical Magic by Alice HoffmanRating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Clear the Shelves (3/36), Mount TBR (3/36), Give Us a Clue (2/15), Marathon (4/6)
Why I read this: audiobookin' as I'm workin'
PASS
Books TBR = 454
5. Forest 404 by Timothy X. AtackRating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: A Better World (1/4), Popsugar (1/10), Marathon (5/8, goal increased), Netgalley Reads (1/25)
Why I read this: it sounded really interesting when I was browsing on Netgalley
PASS
Books TBR = 453
6. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab560 pages
Rating = 5 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, A Better World (2/4), Book Club (1/10), Clear the Shelves (4/36), Mount TBR (4/36), Popsugar (2/10), Spell a Better World (3/15), TBR Jar (1/15), Marathon (6/8)
Why I read this: I've heard a lot about it
KEEP
Books TBR = 452
Good luck with your challenge! You're off to a great start!
Carolyn wrote: "Good luck with your challenge! You're off to a great start!"thanks. Good luck to you too
Books TBR = 459Happy bookday to me!
Books TBR = 460Another Netgalley approval
7. Magician by Raymond E. Feist681 pages
Rating = 5 stars with review previously written
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Modern Mrs Darcy (1/12), Serial Reader (3/30), Marathon (7/8), New Year's Resolutions (3/3)
Why I read this: was in the mood to reread
KEEP
Books TBR = 463 (got a gift card to spend)
8. Blood, Metal, Bone by Lindsay Cummings384 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenge: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (5/36), Mount TBR (5/36), Give Us a Clue (3/15), Popsugar (3/10), Marathon (8/8), Netgalley Reads (2/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley ARC
PASS
Books TBR = 462
Books TBR = 464 more Netgalley approvals
9. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths368 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (6/36), Mount TBR (6/36), Give Us a Clue (4/15), Magical Mystery Tour (1/5), Serial Reader (4/30), TBR Jar (2/15), Marathon (9/8)
Why I read this: I've read a lot by Elly Griffiths
PASS
Books TBR = 463
PROGRESS REPORTJanuary: 9 books read | 3,311 pages turned
Total = 9 books read | 3,311 pages turned
A Better World: 2/4
Book Club: 1/10
Clear the Shelves: 6/36
Give Us A Clue: 4/15
Listopia: 0/10
Magical Mystery Tour: 1/5
Modern Mrs Darcy: 1/12
Mount TBR: 6/36
Popsugar: 3/10
Serial Reader: 4/30
Spell a Better World: 3/15
TBR Jar: 2/15
Marathon: 9/8
New Year's Resolutions: 3/3
Personal Challenge (Themed Reads): 1/12
Personal Challenge (Shakespeare): 0
Personal Challenge (Read a DNF): 0/1
Netgalley Reads: 2/25
Longest Book: Magician (681 pages)
Shortest Book: Practical Magic (286 pages)
Best Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Worst Book: Blood, Metal, Bone
10. April Lady by Georgette HeyerRating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Spell a Better World (4/15), Netgalley Reads (3/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley approval
PASS
Books TBR = 462
Books TBR = 467 found a complete series on Kindle for a really good price
11. Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya HafizaRating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Give Us A Clue (5/15), Netgalley Reads (4/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley ARC
KEEP
Books TBR = 467
12. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake384 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (7/36), Mount TBR (7/36), Serial Reader (5/30), Spell a Better World (5/15)
Why I read this: it sounded interesting
PASS
Books TBR = 466
Books TBR = 468Netgalley approvals
13. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo346 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Book Club (2/10), Clear the Shelves (8/36), Mount TBR (8/36), You Know Nothing, Jon Snow! (1/2)
Why I read this: it is inspired by the Little Mermaid
PASS
Books TBR = 469 (I can't stop downloading cheap Kindle books)
14. The Absolute Book by Elizabeth KnoxRating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Spell a Better World (6/15), Netgalley Reads (5/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley ARC
PASS
Books TBR = 469
Books TBR = 470Oh, hi, Netgalley ARC
15. Malice by Heather Walter400 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, TBR Jar (3/15), Netgalley Reads (6/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley ARC
KEEP
Books TBR = 469
16. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger234 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Book Club (3/10), Clear the Shelves (9/36), Mount TBR (9/36), Listopia (1/10), Modern Mrs Darcy (2/12), Popsugar (4/10), TBR Jar (4/15)
Why I read this: it's a classic I felt I should read
PASS
Books TBR = 469 (yet another Netgalley ARC)
Books TBR = 470 Another Netgalley approval. I'm going to try to not request any more ARCs for a bit as I have plenty to read and plenty pending.
17. Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige380 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (10/36), Mount TBR (10/36), Give Us a Clue (6/15), Serial Reader (6/30), There's No Business Like Snow Business (1/1), You Know Nothing, Jon Snow! (2/2), Personal Challenge (Themed Reads) (2/12)
Why I read this: it's a Snow Queen retelling
PASS
Books TBR = 470 (another Netgalley approval)
18. The Runaway Girls by Jacqueline Wilson320 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Netgalley Reads (7/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley approval
PASS
Books TBR = 470
Books TBR = 473Grocery shopping and some books ended up in my trolley, oops.🙈
19. Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw300 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Give Us a Clue (7/15), Netgalley Reads (8/25)
Why I read this: Netgalley approval
PASS
Books TBR = 473
PROGRESS REPORTJanuary: 9 books read | 3,311 pages turned
February: 10 books read | 3,265 pages turned
Total = 19 books read | 6,576 pages turned
A Better World: 2/4
Book Club: 3/10
Clear the Shelves: 10/36
Give Us A Clue: 7/15
Listopia: 1/10
Magical Mystery Tour: 1/5
Modern Mrs Darcy: 2/12
Mount TBR: 10/36
Popsugar: 4/10
Serial Reader: 6/30
Spell a Better World: 6/15
TBR Jar: 4/15
There's No Business Like Snow Business: 1/1
You Know Nothing Jon Snow!: 2/2
Personal Challenge (Themed Reads): 2/12
Personal Challenge (Shakespeare): 0
Personal Challenge (Read a DNF): 0/1
Netgalley Reads: 8/25
Longest Book: Magician (681 pages)
Shortest Book: The Catcher in the Rye (234 pages)
Best Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Worst Book: Stealing Snow
20. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy512 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves (11/36), Mount TBR (11/36), Listopia (2/10)
Why I read this: I've heard a lot about this classic
PASS
Books TBR = 472
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Betrayals (other topics)Venus and Adonis (other topics)
Memory Man (other topics)
Hogfather (other topics)
Ninth House (other topics)
More...
In 2021, I hope to read at least 80 books this year but knowing me, I'll more than likely end up reading more.
9 May update: as I suspected, I'm reading a lot so I've increased my goal to 101 books plus
My Corner
Number of books on TBR pile as at 1 January = 455