Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

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Wheeling Around the World > Baggage Claim (Pre Challenge Chat)

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message 51: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments If you like reading M/M romance, every year the M/M Romance Group runs a scavenger hunt where you have to find books that fit multiple categories and you are trying to get points so you want to find the book with the best fit. It's done once a year starting in April usually and goes for 6 months. We're just finishing for this year, but keep it in mind for next year.


message 52: by Elisabeth (last edited Sep 26, 2025 06:12PM) (new)

Elisabeth Rose (elisabethrose) | 821 comments Lisa, do you do the Aussie Readers individual challenges? They have some really fun ones. The Aussie author quota makes me read much more widely.


Lisa - (Aussie Girl) | 6412 comments I’m in the group but a bit maxed out with individual challenges after 10+ years on Goodreads. I much prefer the camaraderie of group challenges these days. 😀


message 54: by Jhmingos (new)

Jhmingos | 708 comments Same here, those individual reading challenges get so lonely. I like to feel I'm contributing to something in group challenges and seeing what everyone is reading.


message 55: by Elisabeth (new)

Elisabeth Rose (elisabethrose) | 821 comments I like having something going between the team challenges 😀


message 56: by Preeti (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments Is there anywhere we can check if our sign up went through correctly? My internet connection has been acting up recently and I couldn't make out if my entry went through.


message 57: by Judith (new)

Judith (brownie72011) | 7447 comments Mod
Preeti wrote: "Is there anywhere we can check if our sign up went through correctly? My internet connection has been acting up recently and I couldn't make out if my entry went through."

You are on the sign up list!


message 58: by Shelby (new)

Shelby (stang_lee) | 1982 comments Jhmingos wrote: "Same here, those individual reading challenges get so lonely. I like to feel I'm contributing to something in group challenges and seeing what everyone is reading."

I used to have a million individual challenges going for years and then I just got burnt out, and yes you're right it got lonely. Now the only individual challenge I do is the Seasonal Reading Challenge. I like SRC because most tasks have a wide variety of options, but when they do get more specific and challenging it pushes me to read something different I wouldn't normally pick up. :)


message 59: by Catherine (new)

Catherine (royaltiescmb) | 676 comments Um this one sounds like we may have to search high and low for some off letters, but game on...😍


message 60: by Preeti (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments Judith wrote: "Preeti wrote: "Is there anywhere we can check if our sign up went through correctly? My internet connection has been acting up recently and I couldn't make out if my entry went through."

You are o..."


Thanks, Judith!


message 61: by Maritza (new)

Maritza (spanishwhispers) | 2243 comments I use this challenge to clear out my kindle ;)))


message 62: by Eldarwen (new)

Eldarwen | 13653 comments Mod
Maritza wrote: "I use this challenge to clear out my kindle ;)))"

Good luck with that! ;-)

This year's TT made me add almost as many books as I read haha.


kat (wanderfulbooks) (wanderfulbooks) | 2331 comments I have to start clearing up my currently reading shelf now before the 11th!


message 64: by Preeti (last edited Sep 30, 2025 07:14AM) (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments kat (wanderfulbooks) wrote: "I have to start clearing up my currently reading shelf now before the 11th!"

Me, too ☺️!


message 65: by Claire (new)

Claire  | 4253 comments Joining in the fun :) I love a wheel challenge !


message 66: by Shelby (last edited Sep 30, 2025 02:28PM) (new)

Shelby (stang_lee) | 1982 comments I figure between now and the 11th is definitely the time to focus on any .5's or under 100pg books I have dangling around. :D


message 67: by Jhmingos (new)

Jhmingos | 708 comments Eldarwen wrote: "Maritza wrote: "I use this challenge to clear out my kindle ;)))"

Good luck with that! ;-)

This year's TT made me add almost as many books as I read haha."


Same here, I don't do a good job paring down my TBR because I keep adding books that would fit the reading challenge


message 68: by Keely (new)

Keely (kiwifruit192) | 1819 comments I seem to read enough books that are on my TBR to balance out adding new ones at the moment because my TBR number doesn't seem to change much. Hopefully it will go down a bit by the end of the year.


message 69: by Eldarwen (new)

Eldarwen | 13653 comments Mod
Wishful thinking there, Keely, I'm telling you ;-))


message 70: by Melindam (new)

Melindam | 8362 comments Eldarwen wrote: "Wishful thinking there, Keely, I'm telling you ;-))"

🤭


message 71: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments Earlier this year I pared it down 1500 books but now it just stays the same, probably same as Keely.


message 72: by Keely (new)

Keely (kiwifruit192) | 1819 comments Maybe I'll have to make a deal with myself that for every book I add, I have to read/delete two from my TBR.

I also have the problem of having some short books on there that are generally too short for challenges so they just sit there 😐


message 73: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 13006 comments My tbr has been going down slowly, despite reading so many audible+ freebies, as I've been on a book-buying ban this year, so haven't been increasing it 😆


message 74: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments Good for you! I get most of my books from the library so I can't guilt myself into slowing down.


message 75: by Carrie (new)

Carrie (carriele1216) | 1318 comments Mt tbr is huge. I get books from the library but when I get the slip that shows how much I’ve saved borrowing from there, I reward myself by buying a book at the store 😜


message 76: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 13006 comments My library is awful! they have very few books (unless you want very old reference books), and audio-wise there is virtually nothing too.

Besides, I don't count a book as being on my TBR until I own a copy. Otherwise my TBR would consist of all the books I haven't read yet 😆

So I generally have to buy a book if I want to read it. I have close to 3000 print books, but have read the majority of them at least!
I've also got over 1000 audio books and have read all but about 70 or so.


message 77: by Denise (last edited Oct 01, 2025 10:36AM) (new)

Denise (drams5) | 410 comments Sammy wrote: "My library is awful! they have very few books (unless you want very old reference books), and audio-wise there is virtually nothing too.

Besides, I don't count a book as being on my TBR until I ow..."


Are the audiobooks mostly electronic (like Audible) or do you have physical copies? Audiobooks have become really challenging for libraries. Some people really want the audio CDs, but most cars can't play them. So we'd kind of switched to the Playaway mp3 players, but the newest cars don't have the aux port either. But relying solely on streaming can be hard for some people, too. I'm always curious about how people listen to audio, especially "on the go."


message 78: by Jhmingos (last edited Oct 01, 2025 10:36AM) (new)

Jhmingos | 708 comments Sammy wrote: "My library is awful! they have very few books (unless you want very old reference books), and audio-wise there is virtually nothing too.

Besides, I don't count a book as being on my TBR until I ow..."


How's the Libby selection? For such a big city, my local library isn't the best either, but the Libby system isn't bad. That's how I get most of my books.


message 79: by Shelby (new)

Shelby (stang_lee) | 1982 comments Jhmingos wrote: "Sammy wrote: "My library is awful! they have very few books (unless you want very old reference books), and audio-wise there is virtually nothing too.

Besides, I don't count a book as being on my ..."


I have 3 different library cards linked in my Libby. I'm in LA so I have both the LA County library (which is massive), my smaller Burbank library, and then I have my mom's library card for her library back in WA. It's nice because it will always find which library has the shortest wait list for popular books, but also expands the number of books I can pick from as not all the libraries carry everything. If you have a family member in a bigger market or close friend, sharing that library card number in Libby can be really helpful.


message 80: by Sammy (last edited Oct 01, 2025 11:44AM) (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 13006 comments Denise wrote: "Are the audiobooks mostly electronic (like Audible) or do you have physical copies?"

they don't have any CDs, and only a dozen or so e-audiobooks.

Apparently I'm pretty much the only one that wants to listen to them (most of the members are quite elderly and technology-shy!), so it's not worth it for them to buy any in.


We don't have Libby. We do have Borrowbox, which is where the dozen audiobooks live.


message 81: by Charlotte (new)

Charlotte | 330 comments My local library is also quite terrible, and so is their Libby selection.
A friend of mine gave me access to her Libby account (she's in Houston), so now I have a huge selection of books hehe, but it was really annoying to get books before that because I had to buy every book I wanted (and that isn't good for the wallet!)


message 82: by Vicki (new)

Vicki (goodreadscomboobooper49) | 2330 comments I was on vacay in Florida for a month and barely saw this today! Thank goodness I was still able to sign up. I'd be SO disappointed if I had to miss this one! I'm "competitive" too; however, I don't feel bad if my team on any challenge doesn't take 1st, mainly because it's rare we do. lol I know that some people read far less than others and some (like Richard) read so much they surpass your own annual total. That being said, we all have a love of reading and these challenges are for the FUN! IF you happen to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, great! If not, it's just a game/challenge and there's no loss!!! I'm 101% so excited for this one even though I am also playing TW's and the page counts kind of conflict. I still do my best to fit each challenge as well as possible. I just try to be the best participant I can be and have fun. Being with all of you makes me smile, laugh, roll my eyes at times, sympathize with you at times for RL heartaches, and so forth. Goodreads friends are now a part of my world, so I'm playing come hell or high water! lol


message 83: by Jenny (new)

Jenny | 8057 comments How was Florida? Did you wrestle a gator? I don't know how to get my computer to spell "rass-ll a gayter" which is, of course, the correct pronunciation.

Glad you are going to play!!!!


message 84: by Elisabeth (new)

Elisabeth Rose (elisabethrose) | 821 comments Sammy wrote:

Besides, I don't count a book as being on my TBR until I ow..."


I add books to my TBR shelf when I read about or remember a book I want to read. It’s my way of remembering all those interesting books that if they aren’t written down go out of my brain when I’m at the library or the secondhand bookshop.


message 85: by Vicki (new)

Vicki (goodreadscomboobooper49) | 2330 comments Jenny, absolutely — wrestled him right behind the Publix for my debut. Named him Earl. We’re pen pals now.” 🐊✍️ AND I’m holding off on my second gayter-rassllin’ until Wheel-a-thon kicks off. Gotta leave the crowd wanting more and keep the drama high for October 11. 🐊🔥🎡


message 86: by Jenny (new)

Jenny | 8057 comments "Earl the Defeated Gayter" (I assume you won of course.)

What a great name!!


message 87: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments Unfortunately what's in Libby is just what the library pays for. Some people have mentioned that their library uses Hoopla but I don't know anything about that.

I, too, have access to three libraries which helps a lot. I don't even look in the regular library catalog, just online, so I stream or download all my audiobooks. I also have an audible subscription for the stuff my library doesn't have. That gets pricey though.


message 88: by Denise (new)

Denise (drams5) | 410 comments Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "Unfortunately what's in Libby is just what the library pays for. Some people have mentioned that their library uses Hoopla but I don't know anything about that.

I, too, have access to three libra..."


hoopla is great, but it's very expensive for libraries. Around here, a lot of the medium-sized libraries used to have it, but have recently cut it due to budget constraints. I miss having it, but completely understand that budget cuts mean tough decisions.


message 89: by Melindam (last edited 14 hours, 15 min ago) (new)

Melindam | 8362 comments I have been super envious learning of all these library systems.

In Hungary, e-book lending is just a dream and e-audiobook availability is very rare even if you try to buy them.
Also, as a small country, the book market is limited, most translations are of dubious quality and most books I'm interested in are unavailable, so 95% of my reading is in English.


message 90: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments We're so spoiled here in the US, although with the huge uptick in books being banned by our own administration, we're losing ground. I'm still very appreciative of all the stuff I have access to. I'm very lucky.


message 91: by Preeti (last edited 10 hours, 9 min ago) (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments My British Library subscription gives me access to many e-books and audiobooks. I have a Storytel subscription with unlimited access to a pretty decent collection of audiobooks and ebooks. I also have an Audible subscription but I use my credits only on Audible Exclusive books. In India, we don't get the option to buy extra credits which I can understand as the rate is much cheaper than other countries.
Sadly, we don't have a decent free library, but at least the city where I live has a good number of awesome book shops that specialise in secondhand books. One very helpful thing they do is they will buy back books and give store credit in exchange. I just treat the amount I lose in the exchange as a "library" fee.


message 92: by Melindam (new)

Melindam | 8362 comments Preeti wrote: "One very helpful thing they do is they will buy back books and give store credit in exchange. I just treat the amount I lose in the exchange as a "library" fee.."

That is sooo cool!


message 93: by Preeti (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments Melindam wrote: "Preeti wrote: "One very helpful thing they do is they will buy back books and give store credit in exchange. I just treat the amount I lose in the exchange as a "library" fee.."

That is sooo cool!"


Then you will find this way cooler... There is a group of people who have started a book exchange in the city of Chennai. They have set up bookshelves in many public areas like restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. It is called the TOLO exchange which stands for Take One Leave One. All you have to do is look through the books on the shelves, take whichever book catches your fancy and leave a book in its place. I discovered this when I stayed in a hotel a while back. It was so useful as I had finished the book I had carried with me and was out of reading material.


message 94: by Charlotte (last edited 7 hours, 55 min ago) (new)

Charlotte | 330 comments Preeti wrote: "Melindam wrote: "Preeti wrote: "One very helpful thing they do is they will buy back books and give store credit in exchange. I just treat the amount I lose in the exchange as a "library" fee.."

T..."


We have that where we live as well. There are small bookshelves all around the city, where we do exactly that. I think that the government made then here though. I love them, they are super cool!


message 95: by Melindam (new)

Melindam | 8362 comments Lovely! 😍


message 96: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments It's really cool to hear about what's happening in various countries. Here in the US (at least in Seattle and the Bay Area in California) they have what they call "little libraries" all around town. It's run by a nonprofit. They're just small shelves in small cases on stands around the city. You can leave or take books. There's no commitment to leave one because there are enough people who get rid of their books that way. My friend is constantly sending me ones in like new condition that I read and then put in one of ours.

We also have some used bookstores but not nearly as many now that there are so many online and most sell through Amazon or Better World Books. The brick and mortar ones, though, also buy books and generally you can get book credit or half as much in cash. You don't get much, though. I just love perusing used bookstores. The two big ones nearby sell both new and used books so they do better.

I think it's amazing that a government would get involved in that kind of literacy program!


message 97: by Preeti (new)

Preeti (preetisunaina) | 993 comments Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "It's really cool to hear about what's happening in various countries..."

I agree... I was in Koh Samui in the beginning of the year and discovered a little library at the airport. I was very tempted to leave my book and pick up this absolute whopper of a book that somebody had left there but the very thought of having to lug it all around had me changing my mind. If it had been towards the end of the trip, I wouldn't have thought twice but we were travelling to 2 other cities so...


message 98: by Jenny (new)

Jenny | 8057 comments Something I started doing is to use the "little libraries" as a way to cull my bookshelves. There are a bunch of them set up in or near my neighborhood, so, when the Christmas lights go up, I load up my car with books I likely won't read again, and drop them off at the libraries while enjoying the pretty (or over the top garish) x-mas lights.


message 99: by Kelly (Maybedog) (new)

Kelly (Maybedog) (maybedog) | 295 comments Great idea!

I wish I'd had an e-reader when I used to take month-long trips. Although charging them would be hard in some of the out of the way places I got to go. But the books on the hostels "free" shelves were mostly bodice-ripper romances which are not my thing. So I bought books and carried them with me. I think they weighed almost as much as my clothes! :)


message 100: by Vicki (new)

Vicki (goodreadscomboobooper49) | 2330 comments Reading how limited some of you are in your country makes me realize how super blessed I am in California, USA. Sometimes I grumble when I can’t find a book on Libby, Hoopla, my local Library, or Scribd. I also. I also pay for Audible and I have access to used bookstores as well as the little libraries, but I rarely use either one of those because I have so many books already. I have left books in the little libraries before, but what I usually do is take a load of books to the high school that I used to teach at before I retired. The librarian appreciates the donation! I had started taking some of my used books to a used bookstore for basically Credit. She would look up the value of the book and keep a list of the running amount I had available to me. So let’s say that I took in five books and they were worth $17 total that I could spend that $17 on books but I did not get cash back. But I had just started doing that prior to the pandemic and I have not gone back since.


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