2025 Reading Challenge [How it Works]

[Ann-Marie]

Also pirates are never a bad thing :)

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Tammie wrote: "I like the stand-alones category and May the 4th be with you. I don't care about award winners but I know a lot of other people like that one so I'm fine with just adding what I have that happens t..."

I think you're one of the most (if not the most) active members of this challenge, so your opinion was actually the one I was hoping for. :)

I'll keep May the 4th and stand-alones and maybe wait for Nirkatze's input on the award one.

Any of the new categories you prefer, Tammie?

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Ann-Marie wrote: "I didn't actively participate in the challenges for most of last year, when I took my hiatus for my mom I never got back into it but I wanted to try again this year. Personally I am wary about read..."

Thanks for this! I also like the idea of a pride month theme - I'll add that to the list of potential categories.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Also pirates are never a bad thing :)"

Ann-Marie wrote: "Also pirates are never a bad thing :)"

Haha true, pirates are never a bad thing. ;)

Though slightly problematic now that I have more ideas for categories than months in the year...

[Virginie]

I agree with the 4 categories you're thinking of cutting. I personally like the March and June ones, but already have challenges for them so I'd welcome new categories :)

I like the standalones and sci-fi months. I'm neutral on the awards one; it's nice but I wouldn't be too upset if you decided to cut it.

I really like the new categories you came up with. I'm more partial to pre-2000s than pre-90s, and would like if the YA month would also include Middle-Grade so I can unleash my inner child (but without teenage angst).

If you're looking for more ideas, I've noticed I'm reading more and more books with a non-human protagonist (or important character/love interest), but maybe it's too specific and I just have weird tastes x)

[Tammie]

Jenna wrote: "Any of the new categories you prefer, Tammie?..."

Pre-90s (or Pre-2000s) Fantasy- I like the idea of reading older fantasy that I haven't discovered yet.

Here Be Dragons!- It would be fun to have a month to pick out some dragon books to read.

I also like the one we did where we read things that were on our to-read list for 10 plus years (I can't remember which month that used to be). It helped me get to books I have been putting off for a long time. It doesn't have to be 10 years specifically though. Just things that have been on the list for 5 plus years would be good.

Also, if there are any categories that don't work for some of us, would it be ok to go rogue and customize our own list for those months? I could switch the award winning books to something else that worked better for me personally that month.

[Virginie]

Ah, catching up on comments. Hell yes to pride month, and now that I think about it, I agree with Ann-Marie about older fantasy (which is mainly why I prefered pre-2000s to pre-90s to be honest). Casual sexism is one thing that really puts me off a book, and unfortunately, older books tend to have it a lot.

[Chris]

pre-2000s is a good one, I'd just like to include SF and horror - basically any Spec Fiction genre.

I agree on the series one being redundant. The ebook & audio are okay but just about everything is one or the other (or owned physical) so there's not a lot of thought to dumping them in categories.

Love Dragons of course. Pirates are good too but might be a challenge to get 12 books for that.

Neutral on the Awards since most of those are popularity contests.

Love the SelfPub idea, might include Indy pub with that.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Tammie wrote: "Also, if there are any categories that don't work for some of us, would it be ok to go rogue and customize our own list for those months? I could switch the award winning books to something else that worked better for me personally that month."

Yes, this is definitely okay!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

5+ years is also a good idea. I also can't remember where this was..

Non-human protagonist sounds fun, but now I'm running into pirate problem territory with too many categories. :P

May have to rework the bingo challenge after this with all the new ideas.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

So based on comments, sci-fi month and stand-alones will definitely stay, and I might cut awards, since Nirkatze has always posted a thread in the book clubs folder anyway.

On my draft paper, I've added BIPOC Authors to March and Pride to June. That leaves me with three open slots for either:

-Pre-2000s spec fic (hopefully this date instead of 90s will give some more flexibility and a few more options of non-problematic authors
-middle grade/YA/NA
-self-pub/indy pub
-dragons

(options cut because there are not 18 months in the year sadly)
-pirates
-non-human protagonist
-5+ years on TBR (decided against this since it could be part of the TBR or Incomplete Series challenges if people want to do it, but love the idea)

Anything not chosen can be switched out on personal challenges, though, and there's always the December Choose Your Own Adventure category.

[Chris]

I guess we do have the SciFi month so we wouldn't need Pre-2000s to include SF.....(response to my own thought/comment)

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Chris wrote: "I guess we do have the SciFi month so we wouldn't need Pre-2000s to include SF.....(response to my own thought/comment)"

I changed it to spec fic to keep it open, but between sci-fi month and Spooktober, you're right, it's probably not necessary..

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

At this point, I'm pretty set on including the pre-2000 category and the self-pub category, but mostly because they fit my personal reading goals for the year.

I don't read a lot of YA and I'm happy when dragons show up (because who doesn't love dragons!?), but I don't usually actively seek them out when choosing a new series.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

So if anyone has a preference between YA (which will include middle grade and NA) and dragons, speak now or I will choose at random :D

[Chris]

Dragons almost feel more like a bingo category than a monthly challenge...

[Tammie]

I don't read much YA any more so I would rather dragons.

[Chris]

Tammie wrote: "I don't read much YA any more so I would rather dragons."

I actually prefer dragons too despite my last comment...

Currently I'm reading a YA and a dragon book, so personal shelf isn't factored in ;)

[Ann-Marie]

Is it a YA/dragon book?

[Chris]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Is it a YA/dragon book?"

Hahaha, no...one of each. Also reading an audio series book where I own the hardcover.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Chris wrote: "Dragons almost feel more like a bingo category than a monthly challenge..."

Yeah, this is why I didn't immediately choose it..

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Seems like dragons are the preference of those who are online right now, so dragons it is!

Whoever wants to switch out that category for YA is welcome to do so :)

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

2025 Monthly Challenges:
JAN - New Year, New Books (New Releases)
FEB - Short Month, Short Books (Novellas & Short Stories)
MAR - BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Authors
APR - Here Be Dragons!
MAY - May the 4th be with You (Scifi Month)
JUN - Pride Month (LGBTQIA+ Authors and Characters)
JUL - Self-Published and Indy-Published
AUG - Pre-2000s Fantasy
SEP - Stand-Alones
OCT - Spooktober (Spooky Halloween Reads)
NOV - Cozy November
DEC - Choose Your Own Adventure (Make Your Own Category)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I can’t read all these comments on multiple pages right now, but August or September could be Award/nominee month… around the time of the Hugos but open to Nebulas, previous GRCA, etc as well… double duty since people try to do that anyway…

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

It could serve double duty with standalone september, since people try to avoid voting for mid/late series nominees in these awards anyway, around here

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I can’t read all these comments on multiple pages right now, but August or September could be Award/nominee month… around the time of the Hugos but open to Nebulas, previous GRCA, etc as well… doub..."

I ended up cutting awards since there's usually a separate book club thread for the Hugos and the Goodreads Choice Awards, and most people seemed to feel indifferent towards having it in this challenge. But for this year, if people want to keep it, they can add it to December, and then in 2026, we can always swap it back in for a category that doesn't get a lot of love in 2025.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Timelord Iain wrote: "It could serve double duty with standalone september, since people try to avoid voting for mid/late series nominees in these awards anyway, around here"

This also works for those who prefer awards over standalones.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I don’t know why I chine in much anyway… I’m generally tok overbooked with BRs for challenges anyway… I just see what I’m already reading that meets criteria…

[Tammie]

Chris wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Is it a YA/dragon book?"

Hahaha, no...one of each. Also reading an audio series book where I own the hardcover."

I thought you meant a YA dragon book. Lol.

[RachelG.]

I tend to not read dragon books so I will probably switch that one out for YA. I recently read one of the Ranger Apprentice books and really enjoyed it. I would love to read more during the year.

[Chris]

Tammie wrote: "Chris wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Is it a YA/dragon book?"

Hahaha, no...one of each. Also reading an audio series book where I own the hardcover."

I thought you meant a YA dragon book. Lol."

It's a Dragonlance, so the argument could probably be made that it is ;)

[Tammie]

Yes, you could definitely make that argument, haha.

[Nirkatze]

I totally was reading everyone's Challenge trackers for this and thinking "whoa, these are some cool categories everyone thought up all on their own"--went back and deleted the comments I made, but bummed I missed out on this conversation!

I feel like the "Here There Be Dragons" category can be interpreted more openly. The phrase sounds like pirate speech, "Dragons" could be a metaphor for something--even Awards. They are the Dragons of their genre. So maybe as long as you pick something on theme and can support it? While not as flexible as the "choose-your-own"

As for pre-2000--now that that's a quarter century ago (!!) it could almost be "Classics", though that word is a bit charged with meaning.

Anyway, I super love the new categories! They have me excited for the new year. And now that I'm actually getting notifications for everything in FBR instead of just threads I've clicked, I'll actually notice when new month conversations threads are made...

[Tonari no Emily]

Ohhh I like the new categories!

[Virginie]

Nirkatze wrote: "I totally was reading everyone's Challenge trackers for this and thinking "whoa, these are some cool categories everyone thought up all on their own"--went back and deleted the comments I made, but..."

I like your interpretation of the dragon category. A friend of mine has taken to calling obstacles "dragons" because "thinking I'm fighting to slay a dragon is cooler than thinking that I need to manage my anxiety" (her words). With that mindset, Dragons could be books one find daunting for some reason (looking at you, re-read of the Cosmere with all the door-stoppers...)

[Marie]

Given the title it could also work for books where the main characters travel to some uncharted lands or places no one came back from before.

Now I feel like reading a book for each interpretation I can come up with.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Jenna wrote: "2025 Monthly Challenges:
JAN - New Year, New Books (New Releases)
FEB - Short Month, Short Books (Novellas & Short Stories)
MAR - BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Authors
APR - Here Be D..."

this is kinda funny... the Q1 theme in my other group is dragons, which should end March 31st...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Marie wrote: "Given the title it could also work for books where the main characters travel to some uncharted lands or places no one came back from before.

Now I feel like reading a book for each interpretation..."

Make this an interpretation, somehow...

https://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/...

Kingdom of Loathing, all the rage 15 years ago when I was in college, still around today... heavy on puns... this zone was a crypt with lots of typos... so Bone Dragon = Boner Dagon instead... and that image seems very suggestive with where the tail bone is places in the image...

Ofc, Bone Dragon then just reminds me of World of Warcraft, which had alot of necromantic dragon stuff in Northrend leading up to the final zone/dungeon/raid with the Lich King... Sindragosa

https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Sind...

[Nirkatze]

Oooh, I like how folks are coming up with all sorts of different ideas!

[Nirkatze]

Hm... I'm looking at Sept & July and thinking of combining them--something like "I Stand Alone in September"--standalone books & Indy Pub Authors... that would let July be used for one of those other fun ideas.... Was thinking that July is the hottest month of the hear, so maybe Hot Month, Hot Books? Spicy Romances & Bestsellers.

[Virginie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Was thinking that July is the hottest month of the hear, so maybe Hot Month, Hot Books? Spicy Romances & Bestsellers."

You know what else is hot...? Fire-breathing dragons! You can also read your spicy romances in April :) (yes, I will continue to try and make everything fit the dragon category)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Virginie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Was thinking that July is the hottest month of the hear, so maybe Hot Month, Hot Books? Spicy Romances & Bestsellers."

You know what else is hot...? Fire-breathing dragons! You ca..."

Now that's what I want to hear...

2025 Monthly Challenges:
JAN - New Year, New Dragon Books like A Language of Dragons...
FEB - Short Month, Short Books (Novellas & Short Stories)
MAR - BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Authors
APR - Here Be Dragons! -- easy
MAY - May the 4th be with You (Scifi Month) -- SPACE DRAGONS
JUN - Pride Month (LGBTQIA+ Authors and Characters) -- Gay Dragons -- The Lightning-Struck Heart
JUL - Self-Published and Indy-Published -- Indie Dragons
AUG - Pre-2000s Fantasy -- Old-School Dragons -- Dragonflight
SEP - Stand-Alones -- Dragon Heist
OCT - Spooktober (Spooky Halloween Reads) -- Scary Dragons
NOV - Cozy November -- Cozy Dragons -- Cinnamon Bun 2
DEC - Choose Your Own Adventure (Make Your Own Category) -- MOAR DRAGONS!!!

[Tammie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Virginie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Was thinking that July is the hottest month of the hear, so maybe Hot Month, Hot Books? Spicy Romances & Bestsellers."

You know what else is hot...? Fire-breathin..."

Lol

[Virginie]

Dragon anthology for Feb: The Book of Dragons

The Baby Dragon Café fits 2025 release, BIPOC author AND cozy. Can also fit February if you modify it to Short Month, Tiny Dragons xD

[Nirkatze]

Lots of Indie Dragons:
... that's just a fraction of what I read this year...

BIPOC Dragons:


SPACE DRAGONS--Dragonflight fits this category too.

Cozy Dragons--Beafort Scales!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Maybe we should make a new challenge -> what percentage of your 2025 books can be classified as part of the "dragon" category by stretching the definition as far as it can go ;)

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

I love how everyone has made it their own, though. So many good ideas!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Speaking of ideas... Anyone know what they are going to do for their December Choose Your Own Adventure category yet?

Last year I did recommendations from IRL friends and I don't think I'm going to repeat this one. There were a couple of good books that came out of it, but I realized most of the people I know enjoy mysteries and thrillers a lot more than I do.

[Tammie]

I just end up taking a break in December because it's so busy.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Or be literal: Escape from the Carnival of Horrors

Old-school choose your own adventure books, where you made decisions and there were multiple endings :D