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2016-2025 Chat > End Strong/Start Strong Year-End Readathon

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message 1: by Elyse, Moderator (last edited Dec 26, 2020 01:24PM) (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
As bizarre as this year was, we made it through. Now let's make sure we meet our Goodreads goals! Or just finish up those last books you wanted to read in 2020.

This is a 2-week readathon starting tomorrow Sunday, December 27 and going until Saturday, January 9, so the last full week of 2020 through the first full week of 2021!

Let's end 2020 and start 2021 with a GOOD bang! We're raffling off a $20 Amazon gift card! If you use it on books, great! If you use is on something you need (wait, I need books!), even better! For you to use as you see fit. The only rule is you must post at least TWICE during the readathon timeframe. Any posts today don't count because the readathon hasn't started yet. But you can still come here and post your TBR goals for the readathon! And make sure you check off 'Notify me when people reply' so you can stay in the loop on the chatter and remember to come back to the thread! :)

What are you end of year/beginning of year reading goals?


message 2: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments I'm planning to start A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir today, and that's probably gonna be my last read of 2020, but at the start of 2021 I need to read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and start The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon as my first book toward my 2021 reading goals.


message 3: by Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space (last edited Dec 27, 2020 02:32PM) (new)

Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space  (readingreindeerproximacentauri) | 325 comments Despite the cold, I hope/plan to read a lot! January 1 I will read Persephone Station, chosen in a Book Riot questionnaire for 2021's first book.
I also plan to tackle The Priory of the Orange Tree right after that.

Tomorrow, Red Hail for review, Haunted: Purgatory , Ergonia, Land of the Giant Ants for review, finish Serpentine ARC, Hawk Hallow (Virtual), Secret Santa Murder (Virtual) for Christmas Spirit Readathon


message 4: by Amanda (new)

Amanda Witt I started the big tome of James Joyce's Ulysses back in June when my library colleague was running a Bloomsday online event. I got about half way through - then just stopped. Now with a week to go to the end of the year, I'm determined to finish this one.


message 5: by Elyse, Moderator (last edited Dec 26, 2020 01:27PM) (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Shelby wrote: "I'm planning to start A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir today, and that's probably gonna be my last read of 2020, but at the start of 2021 I need to read [bookcover:The Phantom Tollbooth..."

I'm game for buddy reading both of those at the beginning of the year, Shelby! I chose TPT when I won a Seasons of Reading raffle and I got PotOT as a deeply discounted e-book. Both will work for Read Your Shelves challenge!


message 6: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Amanda wrote: "I started the big tome of James Joyce's Ulysses back in June when my library colleague was running a Bloomsday online event. I got about half way through - then just stopped. Now with a week to go ..."

That is quite the book! But you can do it!


message 7: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Reading Reindeer Emigrates To Pluto wrote: "Despite the cold, I hope/plan to read a lot! January 1 I will read Persephone Station, chosen in a Book Riot questionnaire for 2021's first book.
Tomorrow, Red Hail ..."


BECAUSE of the cold, I hope/plan to read a lot! ;) Your reading always amazes me, Mallory!


message 8: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "I'm planning to start A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir today, and that's probably gonna be my last read of 2020, but at the start of 2021 I need to read [bookcover:The Ph..."

Works for me! I'm planning to read Phantom Tollbooth fairly quickly once the new year starts, just waiting for my hold to come in. (It's the next book/movie This Film is Lit is covering at the start of 2021, so I need to get on that). And I'm probably gonna read Priory along with another couple of books over the first few months of the year.


message 9: by Elyse, Moderator (last edited Dec 26, 2020 03:44PM) (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
2020 TBR
Finish reading Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare Christmas Carols and Lipstick Perils (Sunshine Cove Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Ava Zuma
Read Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Listen The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose Living with the Monks What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus by Jesse Itzler

2021 TBR
Read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Gideon Falls, Vol. 5 Wicked Words by Jeff Lemire
Listen Can't Hurt Me Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins Can You Ever Forgive Me? Memoirs of a Literary Forger by Lee Israel Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World, #2) by Rebecca Roanhorse


message 10: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Shelby wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "I'm planning to start A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir today, and that's probably gonna be my last read of 2020, but at the start of 2021 I need to read [bo..."

I made threads:
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Priory of the Orange Tree


message 11: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "I'm planning to start A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir today, and that's probably gonna be my last read of 2020, but at the start of 2021 I n..."

I just saw that! Thanks!


message 12: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Hi guys! This seems super cool. I've finished my goal but I still have a few books I want to round off the year with. I have a few books I'm currently reading and would love to round (most of) them off before 2021 begins!

Specifically: Lore by Alexandra Bracken The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky, #1) by Amie Kaufman Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur One Day in December by Josie Silver

As for starting the year, who knows! We'll see in a few days


message 13: by Dawn Michelle (new)

Dawn Michelle | 3485 comments I need to finish my last BIG read for this year and then I have a bunch of "little books" that I want to get off my shelf. 2021 will start another year of BIG READS [even if they aren't big in numbers] and I have three planned for January. The really big ones planned are Roots, Emma, The Pickwick Papers, An American Tragedy, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers and Ivanhoe.

To finish:
Les Miserables
Cat Me If You Can
The Art of Dying
The Ardent Swarm: A Novel

I need to start this and I need to have 4 hours of uninterrupted quiet time. Sigh. Maybe I can hope for partially uninterrupted?? ;-)
Night

To read [since they are all short, probably on the 30th]
The Noonday Friends
Rappaccini's Daughter
The Magician's Elephant


message 14: by Andrea, Moderator (new)

Andrea | 4456 comments Mod
My goal for this week is to finish Home Before Dark and the Vanishing Half. I’m also doing a big push to finish the office before they take it off Netflix 12/31. I started it on Christmas Eve so not sure it’s possible, but I’m going to try...lol


message 15: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Andrea wrote: "My goal for this week is to finish Home Before Dark and the Vanishing Half. I’m also doing a big push to finish the office before they take it off Netflix 12/31. I started it on Christmas Eve so no..."

Good luck with the office! And Home Before Dark, I read that earlier this year!


message 16: by Charleen (new)

Charleen (charleenlynette) | 1688 comments I just started Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? today, and that will likely be my last book of 2020.

To start the new year, I'm planning the following:
Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia (novel)
A People's Future of the United States Speculative Fiction from 25 Extraordinary Writers by Victor LaValle (collection)
What Unites Us Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather (nonfiction)


message 17: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments I don't really have "plans" beyond spending a lot of time in my new fuzzy robe and slippers snuggled down with tea and a book and/or video games. I did finish up Hadrian's Wall by Adrian Goldsworthy while taking care of the dog this morning. I've got a couple of things in progress, but I also scored a couple of new things for Christmas... so I don't know. Just feeling very mellow :)

I hope everyone had as good a holiday as possible, and is in a place where they can just enjoy things (whether they are bookish things or not). We all deserve a little bit of simple enjoyment after this year!


message 18: by Rusty (last edited Dec 27, 2020 05:33AM) (new)

Rusty | 50 comments It's been a year to remember. Reading is always a pleasure for me but I fell and bumped my head near my right eye in November and it has been difficult to read for any length of time. I am struggling to meet my goals for 2020 but reading has become easier in the last few days.

I do plan to read a couple biography/memoirs about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2021. Plan to continue my other challenges. Since I am caught up in finishing the year I haven't planned beyond that goal for 2020. The two books I read were titled Joe Biden by Michael V. Uschan and The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris, I read Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics by Joe Biden in 2019.


message 19: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Meaghan wrote: "Hi guys! This seems super cool. I've finished my goal but I still have a few books I want to round off the year with. I have a few books I'm currently reading and would love to round (most of) them..."

I'm jealous that you have an ARC of Lore! I didn't get approved through NG. Which is just as well because I want to own that cover!! It's amazing!


message 20: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Rusty wrote: "It's been a year to remember. Reading is always a pleasure for me but I fell and bumped my head near my right eye in November and it has been difficult to read for any length of time. I am struggli..."

Oh no I'm sorry you hurt yourself, Rusty! Hope you continue to mend. Not being able to read is just awful.


message 21: by Elyse, Moderator (last edited Dec 27, 2020 06:26AM) (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
I have some work to do that I brought home so I'm starting my audio ARC of The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose .


message 22: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments I started A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir yesterday and made it nearly a quarter of the way through.


message 23: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments Rusty wrote: "It's been a year to remember. Reading is always a pleasure for me but I fell and bumped my head near my right eye in November and it has been difficult to read for any length of time. I am struggli..."

I wish you a speedy recovery Rusty! I had a lot of trouble physically reading anything for a while last year due to health reasons, so I know a bit how that feels.


message 24: by Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space (last edited Dec 27, 2020 03:25PM) (new)

Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space  (readingreindeerproximacentauri) | 325 comments Thanks for the compliment, Elyse! For me it is "despite the cold, " because I can't warm up and too often go to sleep early because of it. :[

I read [book:Haunted:Purgatory|55749733] yesterday evening, so marked it off. I totally hope the author carries on with the remaining characters. I love the series (Horror, pretty extreme, Supernatural/Paranormal [very]).

Today it'll be Red Hail for review, then Secret Santa Murder for Christmas Spirit Readathon and Virtual. Then I think, Hawk Hallow (Scribd, Virtual). I haven't even fixed my 2021 Shelves yet:(.


message 25: by Rusty (last edited Dec 30, 2020 04:09PM) (new)

Rusty | 50 comments Beginning The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg 12/27. Completed it but was disappointed. Felt that the author couldn't decide whether to write a mystery or a romance. Liked the mystery part a good deal.


message 26: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Shelby wrote: "I started A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir yesterday and made it nearly a quarter of the way through."

Ahhh I loved it, Shelby!


message 27: by writer... (last edited Dec 28, 2020 06:46PM) (new)

writer... (goodreadscomwriter) | 155 comments Elyse wrote "As bizarre as this year was, we made it through.">

Here's to Great Endings!

Currently: Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay Death in a Mood Indigo (A Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery #3) by Francine Mathews Death of a Dentist (Hamish Macbeth, #13) by M.C. Beaton Minding Molly (The Courtships of Lancaster County, #3) by Leslie Gould


message 28: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Kayla wrote: "I did really crappy with my reading challenge this year. Right now, I'm 39 books behind, and I know there's no way I'm going to catch up. :( I think it's just been the stress of the year, and a lot..."

The Starless Sea! That's my favorite book


message 29: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Elyse wrote: "Meaghan wrote: "Hi guys! This seems super cool. I've finished my goal but I still have a few books I want to round off the year with. I have a few books I'm currently reading and would love to roun..."

Right!! I'm almost done but got distracted by the holidays haha. I have fairyloot so I'm super excited for their special edition!


message 30: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments I'm about a quarter of the way through The History of Rum by John Donoghue . I'm having a great lazy Sunday (it is Sunday, right? What even is time, anymore?) curled up with a snoring dog, fluffy robe and thermos of tea, while listening to stories and building Sims houses (Guess who got the last pack she was missing for Christmas? This girl!). I hope that y'all are able to carve out some time for yourselves today to just enjoy.


message 31: by Shelby (new)

Shelby Suderman | 2180 comments Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "I started A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4) by Sabaa Tahir yesterday and made it nearly a quarter of the way through."

Ahhh I loved it, Shelby!"


Sigh. I don't think I'm in the right headspace for this one right now. Not sure if I'll start another before the end of the year.


message 32: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments Shelby wrote: "Sigh. I don't think I'm in the right headspace for this one right now. Not sure if I'll start another before the end of the year...."

That's ok. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it! Reading isn't a chore; if you aren't feeling it, don't do it :)

Or, if you want to read, but not this one book (at the moment) and don't want to start another, then pick up an old favorite and revisit your favorite chapter or scene.


message 33: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments Kayla wrote: "I did really crappy with my reading challenge this year. Right now, I'm 39 books behind, and I know there's no way I'm going to catch up. :( I think it's just been the stress of the year, and a lot..."


Just a quick reminder: you have read more in a year when everything was on fire than most people do when things are going fine. You survived a rough year and stayed sane; you wouldn't be a failure even if you hadn't read anything but titles! When we set our reading goals, they are like compass readings... they give you a direction to walk towards but you have to adjust for real world terrain ;) There really isn't any need to read things you don't want to just "for the numbers".

(Side note: I love comics, and really like it when I run into other 'grown-ups' who read them without feeling the need to be Fandom Gatekeepers(tm), so I hope you enjoy them)


message 34: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
Stacie wrote: "Kayla wrote: "I did really crappy with my reading challenge this year. Right now, I'm 39 books behind, and I know there's no way I'm going to catch up. :( I think it's just been the stress of the y..."

Brilliant way of putting it, Stacie!


message 35: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments @Kayla I really enjoyed the audio of Starless sea! and imo this one picks up a bit faster than Night Circus, though I love both


message 36: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Also I started Wink Poppy Midnight as a quick read instead of reading any of my other books hahaha


message 37: by Dawn Michelle (new)

Dawn Michelle | 3485 comments Just finished The Art of Dying and BOY HOWDY was that a ride of a book. So glad I took a chance on that series. Great narration as well.

As far as the other ones, I am behind, but am not going to hold myself to finishing it all. Just going to do the best I can and be happy with the number that is left.


message 38: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments Kayla wrote: "I read a lot of them every year, but try not to count it towards my Goodreads challenge most years unless they're thicker comics because I know a lot of people consider it "cheating" towards the Goodreads challenge. After you put it that way though, I don't feel nearly as bad about it!"

I do tend to wait to read comics until they are collected in volumes (because it's too expensive and frustrating to shell out for individual issues) but that's more for convenience than anything else. Goodreads challenges are only for our personal benefit anyway, and nobody else's opinion of your reading material should matter as much as your own does. It's not some kind of Olympic sport or paid competition ;) Read what you like; count what you read.

(I used to worry much more about what "other people" might think about what I read, and then some zealous GR Librarians decided that they were the experts on what did and didn't count... and that did not sit particularly well with me, lol. Viva el lector!)


message 39: by Charleen (new)

Charleen (charleenlynette) | 1688 comments Stacie wrote: "When we set our reading goals, they are like compass readings... they give you a direction to walk towards but you have to adjust for real world terrain ;) "

I love this!


message 40: by Charleen (new)

Charleen (charleenlynette) | 1688 comments First day, and I'm up to page 90 of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner #1) by Philip K. Dick .


message 41: by Meaghan (new)

Meaghan (ectophine) | 48 comments Just finished Wink Poppy Midnight! Technically not part of my plan but, an extra book is am extra book!


message 42: by ❤Marie (new)

❤Marie Gentilcore (rachelx) | 99 comments I've met my Goodreads goal of 100 books but before the year ends, I'd like to finish Closer Than You Know by Brad Parks and Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi. I try to read at least one Scalzi a year and nearly missed doing so this year. This one is audio and narrated by Wil Wheaton. I'm also going to squeeze in a print picture book called Fry Bread A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillord that I got for Christmas. 🙂

For 2021, I'd like to read more books from my library.


message 43: by Dawn Michelle (new)

Dawn Michelle | 3485 comments Just finished In Love & Pajamas: A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together which is delightful, even for those of us who are cynical and don't believe in anymore. ;-)


message 44: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 2253 comments Andrea wrote: "My goal for this week is to finish Home Before Dark and the Vanishing Half. I’m also doing a big push to finish the office before they take it off Netflix 12/31. I started it on Christmas Eve so no..."

I read the Vanishing Half and found it an incredible book.


message 45: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 2253 comments Charleen wrote: "Stacie wrote: "When we set our reading goals, they are like compass readings... they give you a direction to walk towards but you have to adjust for real world terrain ;) "

I love this!"


I do too! I would love to use that quote Stacie it is a poetic reminder.


message 46: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 2253 comments This year has been CRAZY! I was feeling awful about my reading. I think that there was just so much on my mind that it was harder to get into some books.

I love reading and like some other habits that I love ( walking the beach) I found that I needed to put effort into doing them or my day would be consumed by work ( I am a speech and language pathologist working in the schools).

I LOVE Stacie idea about the reading goals "When we set our reading goals, they are like compass readings... they give you a direction to walk towards but you have to adjust for real world terrain ;) "

It has made me feel better. I am in for this challenge!

Sunday:
Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again

The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy

I also learned something new! I did not know that there was an add book/author button!


message 47: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8826 comments Mod
I ended up listening to all of The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose yesterday while working. It was pretty meh. I'm 30% through Christmas Carols and Lipstick Perils (Sunshine Cove Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Ava Zuma and 55% through Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare . I really want to buckle down and finish Clockwork Prince tonight because Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare is not short! I have a feeling I will be cramming it in on NYE!


message 48: by Annie (new)

Annie | 424 comments Patricia wrote: "Charleen wrote: "Stacie wrote: "When we set our reading goals, they are like compass readings... they give you a direction to walk towards but you have to adjust for real world terrain ;) "

I love..."


Wow! Love this!


message 49: by Annie (new)

Annie | 424 comments I'm in but haven't decided where to start yet. This year has been very hard on my reading goals but I'm looking forward to wrapping up by finishing a good book or two!

I'll post my readathon plans later today...


message 50: by Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space (last edited Dec 28, 2020 12:47PM) (new)

Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space  (readingreindeerproximacentauri) | 325 comments Yesterday I read Red Hail,for review. Oh wow! Super fantastic, so good I bought it.
Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


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