2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Home is Where the Books Are
December 1, 2020-December 31, 2020

To celebrate the end of 2020 and a year where so many of us were in our homes WAY more than we expected to be, this is a challenge to find the books in your home. The number 1 rule is you can only read books that are IN YOUR HOME. No going out to buy new ones, no borrowing from the library. You don't have to own them, they just have to be in your house somewhere (or wherever you live). The books can either be physically in your dwelling or electronically on your e-reader or your audiobook app.

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read

Ashleigh created this challenge and will be leading it as well

Participants

Connie (msg. 81): 7/10
Debra (msg. 13): 0/10
Delaney (msg. 58): 2/5
Kimberly (msg. 12): 0/3
Lucian (msg. 27): 0/5
Nicole (msg. 19): 1/4
Raven Morris (msg. 16): 0/4
Shaelyn (msg. 35): 2/4
Sunshine (msg. 3): 2/4
Suzanne (msg. 30): 2/10

Completed

Sue (msg. 17): 1/1
Ziggy (msg.5): 5/5
Sunny (msg. 18): 1/1
Rebecca (msg. 8): 10/10
Ashleigh (msg. 11): 1/1
Janine (msg. 51): 5/5
Agnieszka (msg. 21): 10/5
Lynn (msg. 7): 5/5
Carmen (msg. 6): 9/9
TerryJane (,sg. 15): 10/10
Carol (msg. 10): 10/10
Sara (msg. 20): 6/6
Asma (msg. 32): 4/4
Rachael (msg. 4): 4/4
Sarah (msg. 21): 10/10
Library (msg. 14): 5/5

Please sign me up for four books.

COMPLETED: 4/4

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
✔️ Read a book that was given to you by someone else: Now You See Them finished 30 December, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✔️ Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading): The One finished 4 December, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ with review
✔️ Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind: The House of Silk finished 27 December, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ with review
✔️ Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty: The Heir finished 7 December, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ with review
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) ???
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read

Hola!
Count me in 😉

PROGRESS: 9/9 🏠

HOME IS WHERE THE BOOKS ARE
(Books from my DECEMBER 2020 LIST shelf)


❎1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
Ella Enchanted
❎2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
Troubled Blood
❎3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
Postmortem
❎4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
The Flatshare
❎5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine
❎6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
My Brilliant Friend
❎7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
Ryan's Christmas (One of my favourite series)
❎8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
From The Land Of Sheba: Yemeni Folk Tales
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
❎10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read
Ruthless People

Home is Where the Books Are
December 1, 2020-December 31, 2020

The number 1 rule is you can only read books that are IN YOUR HOME. No going out to buy new ones, no borrowing from the library. You don't have to own them, they just have to be in your house somewhere (or wherever you live).

5/5 as of December 19!
DONE!

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
Gold

2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1) by Sherry Thomas
December 4--5/5 stars

3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
The Giver (The Giver #1) by Lois Lowry
December 5--5/5 stars

4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
December 8--5/5 stars

5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
December 19--5/5 stars

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley #1) by Patricia Highsmith
December 13--4/5 stars

7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
The next installment in one of my favorite series.

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
We Should All Be Feminists

9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read
Eva Luna
I don't read much written by LatinX authors.

HI, Ashleigh! I'm going to try for ten this month!

Progress: 10/10
1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time A Christmas Carol
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else The Hating Game
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading) The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind A Deadly Education
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty Gift from the Sea
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both In a Holidaze
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf The Interlopers
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Hello Ashleigh -- I'm in for ten!

10/10 completed

X 1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time - since 12/19/11 - Real Ghost Stories by William T. Stead - finished 12/13/20
X 2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else - Rolling Stone the Beatles the Ultimate Album By Album Guide 2015 by Various editor & publisher Jann S. Wenner - finished 12/6/20
X 3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading) - Aunt Dimity and the Duke by Nancy Atherton - finished 12/26/20
X 4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind - A House Of Haunted People by Alan Combes - finished 12/5/20
X 5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty - The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting - finished 12/16/20
X 6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both - The Sand Castle by Rita Mae Brown - finished 12/15/20
X 7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) - Christmas Bedtime Stories by Claudia Vurnakes - finished 12/23/20
X 8. Read the shortest book on your shelf - 98 pages - A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen - finished 12/2/20
X 9. Read a self-help book to make yourself more at home in your body - not about my body at first glance, but it has information about how conquering the problem reduces anxiety and depression and the connection between hoarding and overweight - although I'm not the one with the problem, I'm the one who suffers for living with it - Hoarding Disorder Help: 15 Minimalist Steps to Help You Declutter by Milton Harrison - finished 12/1/20
X 10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read - feminism - In Her Day by Rita Mae Brown - finished 12/14/20

Updated!

I'm going to sign up for 1.

I'd like to sign up for 3, please.

sign me up for 10

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time Close12/5/20
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else The Helios Disaster 12/3
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)Dominic 12/31/20
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kindThe Ghost of Old Coal House 1/1/21
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both Message In A Bottle12/12/20
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) Lassie Come-Home 12/24/20
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body Clear Body, Clear Mind 12/26/20
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you readThe 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle 12/7/20

I think I'm gonna do 5! 5/5

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading) Easy to Kill
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both By the Book
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 1

HOME IS WHERE THE BOOKS ARE - Monthly Challenge
Duration: December 1-31, 2020
Progress: 10/10 -- COMPLETE



🏡 1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I
🏡 2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
Suzanne and Gertrude: A Novel
🏡 3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
The Whispers of War
🏡 4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
Seven Days of Us
🏡 5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
A Lot Like Christmas: Stories
🏡 6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
The Gift
🏡 7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
A Christmas Story
🏡 8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
The Magic Shop
🏡 9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter & Organize to Make More Room for Happiness
🏡 10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read
Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker

Sign me up for 4!
Progress: 0/4

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read

I'm in for 1

COMPLETED

√9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body Tony Evans Speaks Out On Being Single and Satisfied by Tony Evans (12/2/20)

Put me down for 1 please:

Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home):

Little Women

1/1 Completed

Thanks!

I'm in for 4!

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf= Beware of Older Men

Total: 1/4

I'll sign up for 6!

6/6 COMPLETED

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time


2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else


3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (Rating ★★★★)

4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind


5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake (Rating ★★★)

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both

If We Were Us (Rating ★★★★)

7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher (Rating ★★★★★)

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh (Rating ★★★★★)

9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body


10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel (Rating ★★)

I'll start with 5 but hope to find books for all of the 10 tasks. (view spoiler)[
For #5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty - would you accept also books picked because of the title? Reading mostly ebooks and because Amazon changes the covers so often I stopped caring about covers but have several books on my shelves I picked because of the title. I had one on my library watch list for that reason, I downloaded it last week and read today. Would this work for you? (hide spoiler)]

Home is Where the Books Are
Duration: December 2020
Completed: 10/5+
no page minimum, re-reads are ok,

✔ 1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time Jeder Tag ist eine Chance: Christ-Sein in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft by Martin L. Landmesser & Johannes Sczepan 3* 12/19 lit. transl: Each Day Is A Chance: Being Christ in Business & Society - pre-GR, bought most likely 2002
✔ 2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else The Twelve Days of Christmas by Rick Yuzzi 5* 12/6 - as freebie it was indirectly given to me by the author
✔ 3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma 3* 12/20 - borrowed quite a while ago from a friend and will go back to her
✔ 4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell 5* 12/14 - about Penton Abbey (home of the Earl of Channing) and how it becomes home to a man of the sea (who grew up without a real home)
✔ 5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty Dürfen Vegetarier Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben? by Arno Backhaus 3* 12/1 lit. transl: Are Vegetarians Allowed to Have Butterflies in Their Stomach?
Here's a second variation of this task: Wishes on Mistletoe Mountain by Dora Hiers 3* 12/18 - I read this book because I like this authors and loved the cover (though I didn't like the previous cover very much when I got it )
✔ 6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle 4* 12/3 - two of the short stories are about friendship and one about family
✔ 7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) Błękitny Zamek=The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery 6* 12/29
✔ 8. Read the shortest book on your shelf A Time to Dance by Megan Payne 4* 12/18 - 3 pages (a drabble, which is a story in exactly 100 words)
✔ 9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body When God Breaks Your Heart: Choosing Hope in the Midst of Faith-Shattering Circumstances by Ed Underwood 5* 12/25
✔ 10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read Stormbreaker=Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz 3* 12/14 - Childrens > Middle Grade; Young Adult > Teen
*

Sign me up for 10 books

10/10-COMPLETED

✅1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time-Jughead: The Hunger #2(14/12/20)
✅2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else-A Court of Mist and Fury(27/12/20)
✅3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)-One Perfect Lie(19/12/20)
✅4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind-Home: The Story of Everyone Who Ever Lived in Our House(26/12/20)
✅5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty-The Hidden Blade (24/12/20)
✅6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both-The Other Family(29/12/20)
✅7.Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)-Once Upon a Tyne: Our Story Celebrating 30 Years Together on Telly(30/12/20)
✅8. Read the shortest book on your shelf-Josie & the Pussycats (2016-) #4(14/12/20)
✅9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body-The Art of Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill(21/12/20)
✅10. Read a book on your are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read-The Alchemist’s Daughter(20/12/20)

Updated!

Agnieszka, I'm really not particular so sure :D

Ashleigh wrote: "Updated!

Agnieszka, I'm really not particular so sure :D"

Thank you!

update to msg. #21: 1/5+

5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty Dürfen Vegetarier Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben? by Arno Backhaus 3* 12/1 lit. transl: Are Vegetarians Allowed to Have Butterflies in Their Stomach? - I picked this book because of the title

Update message #8: 2/10

3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading) The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany I'm giving this one to my sister-in-law. I think she'd love it!

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf The Interlopers A short story I had on my Kindle that was 6 pages long.

Update 9th of December - 1/5 completed

Aight, haven't done a monthly reading challenge for what feels like ages now. So, as this year comes to a close, why not give this one a go and see if I'm able to put in more reading than I was able to do otherwise.

Sign me up for 5. Listing here what I'm aiming for, but might switch books/prompts around as I'm also a mood reader. For now, this is what it looks like:

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time - Sarah's Key
2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else - Ninth House
3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
Completed! 6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both - American Dirt
7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body - The Infinite Game
10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read - The Girl on the Train

update to msg. #21: 2/5+

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle 4* 12/3 - two of the short stories are about friendship and one about family

Carol wrote: "...9. Read a self-help book to make yourself more at home in your body - not about my body at first glance, but it has information about how conquering the problem reduces anxiety and depression and the connection between hoarding and overweight - although I'm not the one with the problem, I'm the one who suffers for living with it - Hoarding Disorder Help: 15 Minimalist Steps to Help You Declutter by Milton Harrison - finished 12/1/20..."

I'm so glad I've seen this book in your challenge and read your review. It looks like a very helpful book plus it's part of KU so the next time I join I'll read it.

2020 & 2021 Reading Challenge
December - Home Is Where the Books Are
Duration: December 1, 2020-December 31, 2020

Progress: 5 out of 10

To celebrate the end of 2020 and a year where so many of us were in our homes WAY more than we expected to be, this is a challenge to find the books in your home. The number 1 rule is you can only read books that are IN YOUR HOME. No going out to buy new ones, no borrowing from the library. You don't have to own them, they just have to be in your house somewhere (or wherever you live). The books can either be physically in your dwelling or electronically on your e-reader or your audiobook app.

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
- Neuromancer (Sprawl, #1) by William Gibson

2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
- The Library Book by Susan Orlean

3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
Mistress Christmas by Lorelei James - *** - 12/4/2020 - 126 Pages

4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan - ***** - 12/3/2020 - 336 Pages

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews - ***** - 12/9/2020 - 404 Pages

7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon - ***** - 12/11/2020 - 870 Pages

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland - ***** - 12/3/2020 - 3 Pages

9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body
- Deep Work by Cal Newport

10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Update message #17

1/1

COMPLETED

Hello Megan and Ashleigh,
please sign me up for 4 books for now.
Thank you and happy holidays everyone :)

Update to message #8: 3/10

9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching

This was self-help in the realm of professional development, and was really helpful.

Updated message 4: 1/4

Please sign me up for four books!

✔️ 1. (4.) Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind- The Green Glass House

2. (7.) Read your favorite book- My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

3. (8.) Read the shortest book on your shelf- And Then There Were None

✔️ 4. (10.) Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read- Why Fish Don't Exist

Updated!

Update #32
I'm bad at updating my reading progress when I start these challenges, so I do apologise about that.
I've read 1/4 books so far.

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf = For Everyone by Jason Raynolds ✓
5*
As always it was beautiful and just what I needed at the moment.

Update to message #6

PROGRESS: 1/9 🏠

❎3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 'rehome' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)
Postmortem

Update to Message #8:

2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else The Hating Game

Updated message 4: 2/4

Update to message #6

PROGRESS: 2/9 🏠

❎6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both
My Brilliant Friend

Update to message #6

PROGRESS: 3/9 🏠

❎10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read
Ruthless People

UPDATED!

Update Message #8: 7/10

7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home) Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays (Essay collections are one of my favorite genres, so this collection made me feel at home)

10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (I don't often read fantasy that intersects with historical fiction, but this was wonderful)

I'm a bit late, but please sign me up for five.

update #5:

5/10 finished

5 down & 5 to go!

update to message 35:

progress: 2/4

✔️ 1. (4.) Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind- The Green Glass House
✔️ 4. (10.) Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read- Why Fish Don't Exist

Update to message #6

PROGRESS: 4/9 🏠

❎1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
Ella Enchanted

Updated to Message #8: 9/10

4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind A Deadly Education (This book is about a magical boarding school. . . that's trying to kill them. Thought is was appropriate because the school is their home for four years)

5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty Gift from the Sea (I really love the soothing pastel colors on this one!)

Updated #18

1/1

Completed!

Thanks Ashleigh!

This looks fun! I'm going to try for all 10 but that might be a bit of a stretch

Edit: 10 was definitely a stretch. I'm now shooting for five, but even that might not work out :(

Progress 3/5

1. Read the book that has been on your shelf for the longest time
The Paris Wife

2. Read a book that was given to you by someone else
Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold

3. Read a book that you'd one day like to 're-home' (eg. give to someone else once you're finished reading)

4. Read a book on your shelf that is about a home or a house of any kind

5. Read a book you got because the cover looked pretty

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both

7. Read your favorite book (one that makes you feel at home)

8. Read the shortest book on your shelf
The Diaries of Adam and Eve (95 pages)

9. Read a self-help or personal development book to make yourself more at home in your body

10. Read a book on your shelf that you are wary of because it isn't generally a genre you read

Updated message #8: 10/10

6. Read a book about friendship OR family OR both In a Holidaze

So much family and friends like family in this book