2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Statistics

🌟 - 0
🌟🌟 - 0
🌟🌟🌟- 0
🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 3
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 7

January: 6

February: 4

Female authors: 5
Olivia Dade
Roxane Gay
Mallory Marlowe
Erika Engelhaupt
Alison Weir

Male authors: 3
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Anthony DeMello
Adam Jortner

Non-Binary authors: 1
Tara Tai

Non-Fiction: 5

Fiction: 4

Challenges completed: 3

List of Books:

Genre Specific Statistics

Non-Fiction Subtype and Subject Matters

Politics:

Location:
Middle East

Humor:
Subject:

LGBTQ:
Topic:

Religion
Type:

Biography
Occupation of subject:

Autobiography
Occupation of author/subject:

Essays:
Opinions: 1

Self-Help:
Philosophical: 1

History:
Time Period:

Medical:

Feminism
Intersectional:

Anti-Racism

Fiction

Horror:
Type of Monster:

Humor:

Historical Fiction:
Tudor period: 1

Thriller:
Location:

Science Fiction
Subject:

Fantasy
Location:

Romance:
Size representation: 2
LGBTQ: 1

Mystery:
Cozy:

Yearly Challenges - Popsugar Challenge - 2025

1. A book about a POC experiencing joy and not trauma
2. A book you want to read based on the last sentence
3. A book about space tourism
4. A book with two or more books on the cover or "book" in the title
5. A book with a snake on the cover or in the title
6. A book that fills your favorite prompt from the 2015 PS Reading Challenge
7. A book about a cult
8. A book under 250 pages:
9. A book that features a character going through menopause:
10. A book you got for free:
11. A book mentioned in another book
12. A book about a road trip
13. A book rated less than three stars on Goodreads
14. A book about a nontraditional education
15. A book that an AI chatbot recommends based on your favorite book
16. A book set in or around a body of water
17. A book about a run club
18. A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons
19. A highly anticipated read of 2025
20. A book that fills a 2024 prompt you'd like to do over (or try out)
21. A book where the main character is a politician
22. A book about soccer
23. A book that is considered healing fiction
24. A book with a happily single woman protagonist
25. A book where the main character is an immigrant or refugee
26. A book where an adult character changes careers:
27. A book set at a luxury resort
28. A book that features an unlikely friendship:
29. A book about a food truck
30. A book that reminds you of your childhood
31. A book where music plays an integral part of the storyline
32. A book about an overlooked woman in history
33. A book featuring an activity on your bucket list
34. A book written by an author who is neurodivergent
35. A book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out:
36. A book with silver on the cover or in the title
37. Two books with the same title (1)
38. Two books with the same title (2)
39. A classic you've never read
40. A book about chosen family

Advanced Prompts

Easy
41. A book by the oldest author in your TBR pile
42. A book with a title that starts with the letter Y
43. A book that includes a nonverbal character
44. A book you have always avoided reading

Medium
45. A book with a left-handed character
46. A book where nature is the antagonist
47. A book of interconnected short stories

Hard
48. A book that features a married couple who don't live together
49. A dystopian book with a happy ending
50. A book that features a character with chronic pain

6/15

Yearly Challenges - Genre Bingo



1. Non-Fiction: Political


2. Romance


3. Non-Fiction: History


4. Historical Fiction


4/24

Yearly Challenge: Bibliopoly

Corners
🗺️ 1. Go: Read a book set on two or more continents.
🔒 11. In Jail: Read a banned or challenged book.
🚘 21. Free Parking: Read a book of your choice. Anything goes!
👮‍♂️ 31. Go to Jail: Read a crime fiction or true crime book.

Utilities
💡 13. Electric Company: Read a book with a light source on the cover:
🚿 29. Water Works: Read a book with any form of water on the cover:

Taxes
💲 5. Tax: Read a book with money on the cover or in the title.
💍 39. Luxury Tax: Read a book with a gemstone or precious metal on the cover or in the title.

Community Chest
🎁 3. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Group Reads. (Which month and book?)
🎁 18. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Readathons. (Which readathon? List one book you read for it.)
🎁 34. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Buddy Reads or TBR Twins. (Which activity? What book did you and your twin/buddies read?)

Chance
❓ 8. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf within the ten highest or lowest number of ratings.
❓ 23. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf among the ten oldest or newest additions.
❓ 37. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf within the ten highest or lowest average star rating.

Railroads
🚂 6. Reading Railroad: Read a book from a celebrity book club list, such as Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, etc.
🚂 16. Pennsylvania Railroad: Read a book published under an author’s pen name.
🚂 26. B&O Railroad: Read a book with an author or title beginning with B or O. (Author’s first or last name; title’s first main word. Omit the, and, of, etc.):
🚂 36. Shortline Railroad: Read a book under 200 pages long.

Purple Properties
🟪 2. Purple: Read a book with a wheelbarrow, garden tool or plant on the cover or in the title.
🟪 4. Purple: Read a translated book originally written in a language other than your native tongue.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Blue Properties
🟦 7. Blue: Read a book with any type of hat or head wear on the cover or in the title.
🟦 9. Blue: Read a book with an author or character whose sexual orientation is different from your own:
🟦 10. Blue: Read a book with any shade of blue on the cover or in the title.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Pink Properties
🌸 12. Pink: Read a book with any type of dog on the cover or in the title:
🌸 14. Pink: Read a book with an author or character whose nationality or birth country is different from your own.
🌸 15. Pink: Read a book with any shade of pink on the cover or in the title.:
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Orange Properties
🟠 17. Orange: Read a book with a ship or boat on the cover, or involving water travel.
🟠 19. Orange: Read a book with an author or character whose religious or spiritual beliefs are different from your own:
🟠 20. Orange: Read a book with any shade of orange on the cover or in the title.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Red Properties
🟥 22. Red: Read a book with a car, truck or bus on the cover, or involving a road trip.
🟥 24. Red: Read a book with an author or character whose race or ethnicity is different from your own:
🟥 25. Red: Read a book with any shade of red on the cover or in the title.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Yellow Properties
🟨 27. Yellow: Read a book with a boot or shoe on the cover, or involving foot travel.
🟨 28. Yellow: Read a book with an author or character who has a physical disability or impairment, an emotional or mental disorder, or a neurodivergent condition:
🟨 30. Yellow: Read a book with any shade of yellow on the cover or in the title.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Green Properties
🟩 32. Green: Read a book with a thimble, sewing or craft implement on the cover or in the title.
🟩 33. Green: Read a book with an author or character whose gender is different from your own.
🟩 35. Green: Read a book with any shade of green on the cover or in the title.
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

Dark Blue Properties
🧿 38. Dark Blue: Read a book with any type of cat on the cover or in the title.
🧿 40. Dark Blue: Read a book that won an award. (Which one?)
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏠
🏨

0/71 points

Yearly Challenge - Wheel of Feels



❤️
Annoyance:
Anger:
Rage:

📙
Interest:
Anticipation:
Vigilance:

🟡
Serenity:
Joy:
Ecstacy:

📗
Acceptance:
Trust:
Admiration:

🟩
Apprehension:
Terror:
Fear:

📘
Distraction:
Surprise:
Amazement:

🟦
Pensiveness:
Sadness:
Grief:

🟪
Boredom:
Disgust:
Loathing:

4/24

A-Z: Women/Non-Binary Authors - 2025:

A:
B:
C:
D: Olivia Dade
E: Erika Engelhaupt
F:
G: Roxane Gay
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M: Mallory Marlowe
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T: Tara Tai
U:
V:
W: Alison Weir
X:
Y:
Z:

6/20

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Our Unsolved Cases

Who: 0/7
Solve cases featuring a main character (sleuth, perp, victim, or suspect) in one of the below fields.
1. Music (singer, drummer, etc.)
2. Driving (courier, taxi driver, etc.)
3. Food service (chef, barista, etc.)
4. Healthcare (psychiatrist, midwife, etc.)
5. Games (athlete, game programmer, etc.)
6. Books (editor, librarian, etc.)
7. Events (wedding planner, photographer, etc.)

What: 0/7
What makes your case distinctive?
1. A middle grade or young adult sleuth
2. An emotion in the title
3. A time in the title
4. A color in the title
5. An animal companion or narrator
6. A food on the cover
7. A mostly white cover

When: 0/7
When did the dastardly deed take place or get reported (published)?
1. In the 1920s
2. In the last 25 years
3. Around a holiday
4. During a vacation
5. In your birth month
6. Between dusk and dawn
7. In summer

Where: 0/7
Where did the dastardly deed take place?
1. At an orchard or farm
2. On an island
3. In a capital city
4. At a restaurant or bar
5. At a hotel or lodge
6. At a park or campground
7. In someone’s home

How: 0/7
For this category, each means of murder must be distinctly different.
For example, pistols and rifles are both firearms; knives and daggers are too similar.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Why: 0/7
What motivated you to choose a particular case?
1. A favorite mystery author or series
2. A favorite mystery subgenre
3. On a Goodreads listopia (Which one?)
4. Won a literary prize for crime fiction (Which one?)
5. A challenged or banned crime book
6. A cold case (among your TBRs for over a year)
7. Average Goodreads rating of 4 stars or above

Bonus Cases: 0/8
After completing all 42 standard cases, you may become an Interpol Fugitive Investigator by solving a crime in each of the eight inhabited regions of the world.
1. Africa
2. Asia
3. Europe
4. Oceania
5. Caribbean
6. North America
7. Central America
8. South America

* * *

Ranks
When posting updates, include your case counts so that your rank will be calculated. (See post #2 for instructions.)

👀 Neighborhood Snoop: Less than 1 case per category
👞 Gumshoe: 1 case per category
🔎 Crime Scene Investigator: 2 cases per category
🕶️ Undercover Operative: 3 cases per category
👩🏻‍🔬 Forensic Analyst: 4 cases per category
👨🏽‍💼 Special Agent in Charge: 5 cases per category
👮‍♂️ Assistant Chief of Detectives: 6 cases per category
🕵🏽‍♀️ Chief of Detectives: 7 cases per category
🌐 Bonus - Interpol Fugitive Investigator: 7 cases per category PLUS 8 bonus cases

0/15

I SPY CHALLENGE

1. In your heart - happy, love, shame
2. In the color wheel - crimson, green, sunshine
3. In the living room - sofa, television, laptop
4. In autumn - leaf, pumpkin, Halloween
5. In a cave - crystal, bat, spider
6. Of the body - arm, heart, eye
7. At the amusement park - rollercoaster, balloons, clown
8. On the table - napkin, hamburger, lamp
9. On the farm - hay, tractor, sheep
10. In the church - angel, pew, candle
11. In communication - newspaper
12. In the toy box - jacks, blocks, stuffed animal
13. On the beach - sea
14. In the library - book, video game, record
15. In celebration - balloons, fireworks, cake
16. At the zoo - bear, snake, elephant
17. In the garden - vine, rose, tree
18. In a glass - wine, milk, water
19. At the ballpark - ball, hot dog, hat
20. In the castle - throne, princess, crown
21. In the hospital - doctor, needle, patient
22. In fiction - dragon, satyr, fairy
23. In your free time - puzzle, sewing machine, stamps
24. In school - book, locker, pencil
25. At the museum - skull
26. In the closet - jacket, scarf, vacuum
27. At the police station - detective, case, cell
28. In the family - brother, dad, aunt
29. In the city - people, street light, school
30. In time - hour, year, later
31. Under the sea - fish, seaweed, coral
32. In the sky - airplane 10 Great What-Ifs of American History
33. In the armory - gun, sword, helmet
34. In space - star, asteroid, alien
35. In the world - Canada, Asia, Atlanta
36. In music - cello, notes, melody

4/15

Yearly Challenges - TBR Jar:

1. Read the book that has been on your TBR list the longest. -
2. Read a book you added to your TBR within the last year -
3. Read the book with the most pages on your TBR or one that is over 500 pages. -
4. Read the book with the least number of pages on your TBR or one that is under 100 pages.
5. Read the earliest published book on your TBR
6. Read the most recently published book that’s available on your TBR -
7. Read a book with the highest average rating on your TBR, or over 3.8 -
8. Read a book with the lowest average rating on your TBR, or under 3.0 -
9. Read the book with the most number of ratings (i.e., not the actual average rating, but the number of people who have rated it).
10. Read the book with the least number of ratings. -
11. Sort your TBR by title. Read a book from the first page
12. Sort your TBR by title. Read a book from the last page
13. Sort your TBR by cover. Read the first or last book.
14. Sort your TBR by author. Read a book from the first page. -
15. Sort your TBR by author. Read a book from the last page. -
16. Randomize your TBR and read the first book. -

0/16

Yearly Challenges - Bookworms Take Shelfies - 2025:

Authors

Alison Weir - I want to finish reading her six queens series.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Kate Morton - I want to read the books of hers that I haven't gotten around to yet
1.
2.

Book Genre

Horror
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Great Courses
1. 10 Great What-Ifs of American History
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Books-to-Screen/Stage

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Listopia

Best Books of 2020
1.
2.
3.

Best Books of 2021
1.
2.
3.

Best Books of 2022
1.
2.
3.

Best Books of 2023
1.
2.
3.
Best Books of 2024
1.
2.
3.

3/45

RESERVED

RESERVED

RESERVED

Q1 Challenges

SAD SONGS
Duration: January 1 - March 31, 2025

The first quarterly theme of 2025's Emotional Rollercoaster is Sadness. For those in the northern hemisphere, this is often the time of winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This challenge includes prompts related to songs with "sad" in their titles, where the artists sing about heartache and loneliness. You, however, may read any books that fit the prompts, even if they aren't gloomy.

To join, post a message telling the challenge leader how many books you plan to read. If you are new to our group and/or our group challenges, take a moment to check out the Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly Challenges - Start Here thread for more information on how our challenges are run.

1. “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?” — Derek & the Dominos
Read a book with "love" in the title, or a game piece on the cover (domino, playing card, etc.):

2. “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)” — Billy Ocean
Read a book with "cry" in the title, or with an ocean scene on the cover.

3. “Sad Lookin’ Moon” — Alabama
Read a book set in the south, or with a moon on the cover.

4. “The Sad Café” — The Eagles
Read a book with a restaurant setting, or with a bird on the cover:

5. “Too Young for Sad Memories” — Alvin Stardust (Shane Fenton)
Read a young adult novel, or a book with a night sky on the cover.

6. “So Why So Sad” — Manic Street Preachers
Read a book with a map in it, or with a religious leader (Rabbi, Swami, Priest, etc.).

7. “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” — Bob Dylan
Read a book with a lady's eyes on the cover, or involving a festival.

8. “Sad Girlz Luv Money” — Amaarae and Moliy
Read a book with currency on the cover, or with a made-up word or spelling in the title.

9. “No More Sad Songs” — Little Mix featuring Machine Gun Kelly
Read a book with mixed genres, or with a firearm on the cover.

10. “Sad Caper” — Hootie and the Blowfish
Read a book involving a heist or caper, or a book with sea life on the cover,

11. “Sad Beautiful Tragic” — Taylor Swift
Read a book with something beautiful on the cover, or with "swift" or a synonym in the title (quick, fast, etc.):

12. “Sad” — Pearl Jam
Read a book with jewelry on the cover, or involving any sweet food (jam, pie, honey, etc.).

13. “Mr. Dieingly Sad” — The Critters
Read a book that includes a death, or a book with animals on the cover.

14. “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)” — The Everly Brothers
Read a book with "good" or "bad" in the title, or a book that includes siblings.


15. “Sad Day” — The Rolling Stones
Read a book with a daytime scene on the cover, or with a verb in the title.

16. “Sad Memory” — Buffalo Springfield
Read a historical book (fiction or nonfiction), or a book with a mammal on the cover:

17. “Sad Sun” — Deer Tick
Read a book with "sun" in the title, or with an arachnid on the cover.

18. “Sad Mood” — Sam Cooke
Read a book with a mood in the title, or a book about a royal figure.

19. “Don’t Be Sad” — Scotty Sire
Read a book with a negative in the title (no, can't, etc.), or a book that explores fatherhood.

20. “Why Do I Feel So Sad” — Alicia Keys
Read a book with a question word in the title (who, where, etc.), or with a musical instrument on the cover.

5/15

Q2 Challenges

Q3 Challenges

Q4 Challenges

January Challenges

COZY ESCAPES
Duration: January 1 - January 31, 2025

Feel like escaping into the coziest corners of your imagination? This open-ended challenge is all about embracing what cozy means to you! There are no set prompts—just pick books that give you that warm and comforting feeling. Whether it’s curling up with a classic, diving into a heartwarming romance, or exploring magical lands filled with wonder, the choice is yours.

1.
2.
3.

3/3 - COMPLETED!

LET'S GET COZY
Duration: January 1 - January 31, 2025

Snuggle up beside the fire with a hot beverage, a comfy blanket, and some new books as we start the year together with this cozy prompt-based challenge.

1. Cozy Books: These sub-genres embody a sense of warmth, comfort and relaxation.
Read a book from the Cozy Mystery, Cozy Fantasy, or Cozy Horror bookshelf.

2. Cozy Arrangement: A secret or informal agreement, often implying a sense of mutual benefit.
Read a book involving a secret arrangement, or with the word "secret" in the title.

3. Tea Cozy: A knit or cloth covering for a teapot used to keep the water inside warm.
Read a book with a tea cup or tea pot on the cover, or where characters serve or consume tea.

4. Cozy Fireplace: A crackling fire provides warmth and comfort, and is associated with relaxation and intimacy.
Read a book with fire on the cover or in the title, or a self-help book:

5. Cozy Up: To snuggle up to someone, implying physical comfort and closeness.
Read a book where people are physically close to one another, including, but not limited to, a romance:

6. Cozy Winter Scene: A depiction of a serene winter environment, often featuring snow-covered landscapes.
Read a featuring a snowy image on the cover, or set in a cold place.

7. Cozy Cabin: A rustic and intimate space, often featuring natural materials and warm lighting.
Read a book set at a cabin or lodge in the wilderness, or with natural materials (pine cones, feathers, etc.) in the cover art:

8. Cozy Evening: A enjoyable evening spent in a comfortable setting, often featuring activities like reading or chatting.
Read a book where one or more people enjoy leisure time at home with books, games, movies, etc., or a book with leisure activity items on the cover:

4/4 - COMPLETED

February Challenges

TIME WARP
Duration: February 1 - February 28, 2025

1.
It's astounding
Time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely
Not for very much longer
I've got to keep control
Read a book that involves aging, madness, or control.



2.
I remember doing the Time Warp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me
And the void would be calling
Read a book with a black cover, dark subject matter, or involving addiction.



3.
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
Read a book featuring sports or dance, or with a body part on its cover.

4.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
Read a romance or erotica book, or a book that changes your perspective.



5.
It's so dreamy
Oh, fantasy free me
So you can't see me
No, not at all
Read a fantasy, a book featuring a dream, or with a visually impaired author or character.



6.
In another dimension
With voyeuristic intention
Well-secluded
I see all
Read a science fiction or spy book, or one with an introverted main character.

7.
With a bit of a mind flip
You're into the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation
Like you're under sedation
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
Read a time travel book, one with an unpredictable character, or including an abduction.

8.
Well, I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
Read a horror book, or one that includes animals, a villain, or the devil.

9.
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
Read a book that contains the letters T-I-M-E-W-A-R-P in the title and/or author's name.

4/4 - COMPLETED