Introductions: Who are you and what about this challenge caught you eye?

[Ellen]

Hi. My name is Ellen and I love to read, discuss and recommend books. I read a little bit of everything so this challenge spoke to me. I recently discovered Book Riot and I really love it and look forward to it.

[Pat]

Hi, I'm Pat.
I follow Book Riot on Twitter, and I'm participating in the Goodreads Seasonal Reading Challenge. I heard about the Read Harder challenge in both of those places.
I love a good challenge and I love to read! The SRC is daunting because of the number of tasks involved, so I thought I'd join another challenge I think I have some hope of finishing. Book Riot and Goodreads have brought me so many wonderful genres and books I would have never read otherwise.

[Melanie]

Hello, I decided to join the challenge when it was first released. I have always been an avid reader and thought my tastes were eclectic. At this point in the year, I've read 22 books but only 9 that fulfill the list. Now I am trying to clean up my next book selections to finish the whole list. Some categories are definitely easier than others.

[Stephanie]

I'm Stephanie, I listen to the BookRiot podcast every week and love it! I write and read a lot of young adult fiction, but I also dabble in romance, women's fiction, historical, book club books, and the occasional non-fiction.

[Kate]

OK-I'm Kate- joined the challenge this week and thought I might be covered in more categories than I am- so this is really a challenge! I love to read so adding some "to read" books will be fun. Love book riot and the podcast and all the articles! Will join this challenge earlier next year!

[Christine]

Hi! My book club recently disbanded after 20 years. We were a very eclectic group of woman, which meant I was often reading books that were not my usual picks. It was awesome! I follow Book Riot on Twitter and Pinterest and wanted to do this challenge so now is my chance! Hopefully, this challenge will keep pushing me and help me to discover new books and authors!

[Patty]

Christine wrote: "Hi! My book club recently disbanded after 20 years. We were a very eclectic group of woman, which meant I was often reading books that were not my usual picks. It was awesome! I follow Book Riot..."

I am so sorry your book group disbanded. I'm not sure what I would do if that happened to mine. Hope you find lots do new reading.

[Sam F]

Hi I'm Sam F. I'm interested in the idea of challenges as it will help me select which books to read off of my growing bookshelves! I love discovering new authors and reading new genres, especially now that I have more time to read.

[Pia]

Hi! I'm Pia.
I've always been a big reader, and I love discovering new books and authors.
I'm in a reading group that meets once a month and also in the Seasonal reading Challenge, here in Goodreads.

[Warren]

See I already do self-imposed requirements. A biography, history, psychology, health, a few for fun fiction, also I try to read a few classics or books written before 1950. I am always searching for good reads and hope to find a few in this group.

[Tiffany]

I saw this challenge through Book Riot on Facebook and thought it would be fun. I have been struggling with The Bourne Identity on audiobook (can't stand the narrator; prefer it as a paperback) so I probably will have to find something else for that task. I don't know if I will be able to complete the whole challenge but I want to try!!! I work in healthcare and live in the USA. I love dance and still dance ballet and jazz as an adult.

[[deleted user]]

I recently became aware of this challenge through a post in another Goodreads group, so I looked it up on Book Riot's webpage. Unlike some other annual challenges, the 24 tasks in the Book Riot challenge seems to be personally achievable. Even though I am late to the challenge, it shouldn't be too difficult to go through my GR read shelf and fill in some of the tasks.

[Warren]

Tiffany wrote: "I saw this challenge through Book Riot on Facebook and thought it would be fun. I have been struggling with The Bourne Identity on audiobook (can't stand the narrator; prefer it as a paperback) so ..."

I also did the Bourne Audiobooks. Took me forever because Scott Brick put so much emotion into them that I had to take breaks and listen to something else.

[Heidi]

As many have already stated, I say this challenge on Facebook. My name is Heidi and I am 50 ( I don't know how that snuck up on me) and I work in the Non profit sector. I wanted to read outside my comfort zone as well as test myself to see if I would stick with this challenge. As of 9/1, I'm on my last two books and will finish both within the month. I have truly enjoyed this reading adventure and I hope Book Riot publishes a new challenge in 2016.

[[deleted user]]

Heidi wrote: "I wanted to read outside my comfort zone as well as test myself to see if I would stick with this challenge. As of 9/1, I'm on my last two books and will finish both within the month. I have truly enjoyed this reading adventure and I hope Book Riot publishes a new challenge in 2016."

I do hope they publish another 24 task challenge for 2016 too!

[Karena]

I'm Karena. I am a big fan of BR's and have been for awhile. I love how they don't cover the same old books, but get diverse and feminist books in the world. I'm trying to broaden my horizons and this challenge was spot on perfect for that.

[Amy]

I heard about this from Facebook around July so I'm a latecomer but had tracked my books for the first half of the year and was able to count a few (I'm over half way there now). Fun to see what people are reading and to come across a few I would otherwise not have cracked.

[Brandy]

My name is Brandy and I am from Silicon Valley. I found this group because I am a new fan of BookRiot. What got my attention was that I love a challenge, especially one that takes me new places in my reading journey. I am trying to be more open to books other than Sci-fi. With the books I have already read this year, I have managed to complete 13 of the challenges! I'll try and hit a couple more before the end of the year.

Looking forward to having another challenge next year. My personal challenge will be to read books for the banned/challenged lists. It'll be fun to see if I can make them collide.

[CallMeSensei]

Hi! I'm Jordan. I'm a recent college grad that's successfully fallen into her pre-college reading habits (basically devouring everything I can get my hands on!). I've been following Book Riot for a little while now. I love some of their lists, they give me excellent ideas and recs for other book lovers. I've been really into YA lately, but I'm hoping this challenge can get me back into other genres I love :)

[Astrid]

So I am late to the challenge, but I'm doing it because I miss reading and have fallen behind on my TBR. Also, I want to explore outside of my comfort zone.

[Victoria]

Hi, I'm Vicki. I just discovered Book Riot over the summer and am absolutely in love. I decided to give the Read Harder challenge a try when I realized I already had covered a fair number of the categories, and have plans for a few more.

I'm also trying to get more diversity in my reading, since most of the books I've read this year have been written by white women, so basically I've been getting my own experience reflected back at me.

[Michele]

I'm really late to the party, I hope everyone hasn't gone home already. I'm Michele, and I'm a book challenge addict. I'm also doing a book bingo or two.

[Sheila R]

Hi I'm a teacher and I love reading. Although a lot of what I read is middle grade and YA, I also enjoy a variety of genres for my own enjoyment. This group caught my attention in that I don't have to keep up with a certain book, I can share what I am currently reading or have already read. Hearing about books that I might not look at normally was a draw as well. I look forward to possible meet-ups to meet other readers too.

[Patty]

We have heard from some new readers lately. Welcome to the challenge. I have found that everyone is very helpful and that a wide variety of books are being read for this challenge.

Good to meet all of you.

[Katherine]

Hi! I'm Katherine. I stumbled on the All the Books podcast by chance around the time it debuted, and started exploring the Book Riot site as a result. I love the idea of challenging myself in terms of what and how much I read (I think this might actually be the year I make it to 100 books for the Goodreads challenge!), but the specific and unusual tasks for this challenge were especially intriguing to me. It's been a lot of fun so far!

[Jody]

Hi! I'm Jody, an Australian photographer living in Switzerland. I've just finished the Popsugar reading challenge & decided to do this one to fill out the rest of my reading year - although I can already fill in a few topics with some of my side reads. I've really enjoyed reading to a challenge (the first time I've done one), and I loved the look of this one too - apart from the Audiobook. But maybe I'll love that too!

[Erica]

Hi, I'm Erica, a Canadian teacher in China. I'm working through the Popsugar reading challenge, but have read a ton of side reads so I think I can maybe manage this challenge too. I've already checked off 6 tasks with side reads. The audiobook is the only one that doesn't appeal to me too. I have trouble focusing on them. I guess I'll just have to find a really good one!

[Bonny]

Hi Erica,

I have never cared for audiobooks, but when I was recovering from retinal surgeries last fall, I discovered that I enjoyed well-read audiobooks with a voice I really connected to. One was for Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie series (only if you love dogs!) and the other was Philip Craig's Vineyard Mysteries. I started to listen to several others, but could not relate. It's a matter of finding the voice that fits the text.

[Catherine]

Hi all! I saw this challenge on the Book Riot site, from a post that my library put on FB. I'm a complete Goodreads addict; I follow local libraries on FB. I am finally able to enjoy books again as my kids are getting older (early elementary now).

I was attracted to this group because I wondered how many other genres and styles I could read. I almost always read mystery/thriller. It's nice to get exposed to new things, expand my horizons, and to remember other genres I like as well.

I joined really late, but some of the books I've read this year count for some of the tasks. Looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish. I love learning about new things, based on other readers comments, recommendations and ratings!

[Emma]

Hi, I'm Emma from Ireland, living in Austria. Currently a stay at home mum [ two years maternity leave] with a ten month old- want to use my time more productively while the child sleeps. Have had Book Riot in my facebook feed for quite some time, and though I am really quite late to this challenge for this year, I'm taking a more holistic view to use this as a way to broaden my reading scope, and start getting through the huge TBR piles on my various bookshelves [ paperbacks, Kindle, Audible] Looking forward to getting stuck in!

[Catherine]

Apologies - forgot some bio. I'm a stay-at-home mom, working part-time from home as well. I'm in the U.S., on the East coast, but I'm a transplant from the Midwest U.S.

[Robin P]

Bonny wrote: "Hi Erica,

I have never cared for audiobooks, but when I was recovering from retinal surgeries last fall, I discovered that I enjoyed well-read audiobooks with a voice I really connected to. One w..."

I'm not a dog person but I still love Chet and Bernie. I won't ever consider reading them on paper because the narration by Jim Frangione is such a huge part of my enjoyment.

[Patty]

I'm not a dog person but I still love Chet and Bernie. I won't ever consider reading them on paper because the narration by Jim Frangione is such a huge part of my enjoyment.

I know exactly how you feel.

[Deborah]

Hi I'm Deborah. New-ish to Book Riot (loving) and new to ANY sort of online group but thought it would be a good way to interact with other bookish sorts because even though I have awesome friends...no one is as interested in reading as I have always been. Was already on my way to busting out of my comfort zone with a dalliance into international authors and books in translation so the Read Harder challenge was a good way to organize my reading efforts. Recently completed Daniel Jose Older's Resurrection Blues and it was so different than anything I normally read and it was so AWESOME-have now started Salsa Nocturna. I also include audio books in my rotation and currently listening to Annihilation by Jeff Vanderneer. Attended first Read Harder book group in Boston last month and looking forward to this month's get together.

[Cheryl]

Hi all, I'm Cheryl. I joined now in hopes that once the new year starts, I'll be able to start the 2016 challenge on time. For now, I'll just lurk and get familiar with this groups offerings. As Sk888888 said, I've also joined and quit book clubs because of the required reading. I already do the GR Reading Challenge (100+), and I'll be working on my local library's reading challenge (52), so what's one more.

[Ahtims]

Hi, I am Smitha, a Dermatologist, who loves to read, as well as connect with other readers, read about books and book lists in my spare time.
Saw this challenge in some bookpage I had joined in Facebook, later came to know that there is a GoodReads group too. So was one of the earliest persons to join. I completed this 2 months ago, and am eagerly awaiting the 2016 challenge. :-)

[Rachiel]

I'm Rachiel. I've Ben doing this challenge, but have never posted here, so here I am. I wanted to do this challenge to expand what I normally read and get out of my comfort zone.

[Neptunalia]

Hi, my name is Adria and I'm an earth scientist born, raised, and living in California. I discovered Book Riot a few days ago and decided to do the 2016 challenge. I will also be doing the PopSugar 2016 challenge after having completed their 2015 Ultimate challenge.

What I like about both sites' challenges is that I don't have to read a specific list of books, but can choose the books I want to read to satisfy the various prompts.

I aim to finish at least 50% of the Read Harder challenge. Some tasks, like reading a book to someone else, probably aren't going to happen unless a stuffed animal counts as a "someone."

[Trudie]

Hi I am Trudie from New Zealand. I somehow only recently discovered both Book Riot and this concept of challenges....I think it has really fired up my need to read towards requirements and extend the range of genres I read. It is nice not to be constricted by specific titles (as in a traditional book club) but yet given interesting and challenging topics to select titles from. I look forward to discussing the different books everybody decides to select.

[Patty]

Bonny wrote: "Hi Erica,

I have never cared for audiobooks, but when I was recovering from retinal surgeries last fall, I discovered that I enjoyed well-read audiobooks with a voice I really connected to. One wa..."

I love Chet and Bernie.

[Allie]

I'm Allie, and I am a Texpat currently living in Virginia. :) I'm an avid reader and am in a couple of book clubs, but I haven't done any kind of reading challenge since 2012, and I wanted to do something to expand my reading horizons after kind of a "meh" year of reading. I'm looking forward to tackling some of these topics, and starting to plow harder through my TBR.

[Caitlin]

I'm Caitlin, from Texas. I do a lot of reading, but I don't always go outside my comfort zone. So, when I saw this challenge on Facebook, I thought I'd give it a try.

[Jessica]

I'm Jessica. I am an ex-special education teacher and left the field to stay at home with my 2 (almost 3) kids. I used to read all the time up until my first was born. After a period of extremely limited reading, I decided to make a goal and push myself to start reading more. I went from 15 books to 24 books a year and am looking to increase my reading even more in 2016.
I joined a local book club this year and it was through one of those members that I was reminded about the challenge. I had seen the challenge last year but felt I had not read enough to join in. This year I am more practiced, prepared, and ready! At least, as long as the new baby doesn't drastically change that to much. I'm excited that this year is a perfect year to get me into a challenge as most of these topics are a norm for me. Just the right amount of a challenge to push my reading, reach, and even exceed, my goal for 2016.

[May]

Hi all, I'm May, I work as a bookseller in a worker-owned collectively run bookstore - one of my coworkers introduced me to Book Riot when I joined the collective. I end up constantly picking up new books at work so my TBR backlog was getting pretty intense. When I saw the post about the reading challenge, it seemed like a great way to get myself to read some of the books I've collected. I'm also trying to figure out how to get friends and local patrons involved in the challenge!

I've already compiled most of my list using books I own, and I'm super excited to get started.

[Katy]

Hello! I'm Katy, and after discovering Book Riot this past summer, I've built up a frighteningly large TBR list, so I'm hoping this challenge will help me make a dent in that. It also tickles the part of me that was obsessed with summer reading challenges in grade school - I always demolished those in the first month of summer.

[Tammi]

Hi! I'm Tammi and I have become heavily addicted to Book Riot's output in the last few months: the website, the podcasts, the videos, everything. So I'm jumping at the chance to take an active part in the community in 2016. The Read Harder Challenge - with a couple of exceptions - shouldn't be that hard for me, because I'm completely on the same wavelength as Book Riot when it comes to wanting to read diversely and my TBR mostly consists of their recs, anyway. I'm looking forward to being part of something fun and having a place I can gab about the books I'm reading with people who are reading the same or similar books. I can't wait to get started!

[Luce]

Hi :) my name is Lucia. I study English and comparative studies at the University of Augsburg, Germany. I've always been an avid reader, but this past year, my depression has made it hard for me to find the motivation to read much at all - I did read, but mostly short-ish, not particularly engaging stuff, and just as a means to make time pass just a little faster. Now, I'm trying to get my life back on track, and that includes reading - lots and lots of it! I've also turned into a bit of a picky reader - or rather, I've started paying too much attention to reviews. I'm very passionate about books, usually, either loving or hating whatever I'm reading, and while I don't quit reading a book once I've started, reading just one negative review a among hundreds of positive ones can keep me from buying a book. It's ridiculous, I know, but I can't seem to stop that habit. I hope the challenge will help me read books that I wouldn't usually pick up (because they're not my genre, because I'm not sure I'll like them, because they seem to challenging or too big a task to start getting into, if that makes sense) and finally read the books I already own but haven't found time or motivation to read (which are stacked on every surface in my room because I can't seem to visit a bookstore without picking up at least one book, and my favorite bookstore just started carrying those leather-bound editions of literary classics...).

I wish I could start right now - happy reading, everyone :D

[Bianca]

Hi, I'm Bianca. I notice the 2015 Book Riot challenge late last year but didn't want to start when the year was almost over. And it caught my eye, and wanted to try it this year. Love getting different ideas and recommendations on what to read next.

[[deleted user]]

Hi, I'm Jody. I joined the challenge hoping to rediscover the love of reading I had as a child/teenager. As an adult, I get my books from second-hand stores with limited selection. I choose by the description and hope for the best, and I have not been lucky with this method. I want to explore new genres, discover new authors and old authors, and I want to read for enjoyment during the day instead of reading to fall asleep at night.

[[deleted user]]

I'm an English graduate teaching Maths to 11-16 year-olds in the UK (don't ask how that happened!). I've missed feeling part of a bookish community since finishing my degree in 2011, and discovered Book Riot over the summer, which led me to discover Goodreads (which was more of a revelation!). I've caught up with the main podcast and Dear Book Nerd and am currently working through the backlog of Reading Lives before I get to the others (Get Booked and All the Books... and maybe more?).

So I was fairly late to the 2015 Challenge, but had already managed to tick quite a few of the boxes through the reading that I'd done, and now I'm on track to finish by the end of the year, with only the audiobook and collection of poetry to go. The Read Harder Challenge and Book Riot generally have been great for diversifying my reading and exposing me to all the wonderful wonders I wasn't aware of before: I tended to go by critical acclaim and "classic" status. I still pay attention to those things, but it's great to have other sources which turn up different sorts of reading.