Do You Want To Do A Challenge?

In this video I share my own reading challenge and also the challenges of others too. I wanted to share all the inspiration I’ve been impacted by so you too can decide if you would like to join in (or not). The main focus of this video is on two reading challenges that use monthly prompts namely my own ….
The Candy Reading Challenge 2025
And also Ben’s challenge called the Read Good Challenge 2025
However also mentioned in this video is Jane Austen July
The history reading challenge called Historithon
And the amazing Gothic Literature tag GothLitNovember
So let’s give you all those links to everything….
The Candy Reading Challenge 2025
My reading challenge is found here on storygraph app.thestorygr...
If you don’t have storygraph then don’t worry you can join in here and all the prompts are given in this video
The Read Good Challenge 2025
Ben’s read good challenge is here also on storygraph app.thestorygr...
His KZbin channel is here ‪@benreadsgood‬ and his video introducing the challenge is here • Read Good Challenge 20...
Jane Austen July is hosted by three different channels
Katie over at Books And Things ‪@katiejlumsden‬ here is a video by Katie about the challenge • Jane Austen July 2024 ...
Claudia over at Spinster’s Library ‪@SpinstersLibrary‬ here is a video by Claudia about the challenge • Jane Austen July 2024 ...
Marissa over at Blatantly Bookish ‪@BlatantlyBookish‬ here is a video by Marissa about the challenge • Jane Austen July Annou...
GothLitNovember is hosted by two channels
Bailey over at Bailey Jean ‪@thebaileygrind‬ here is Baileys video explaining the challenge • Gothic Literature Book...
Rachel over at Second Thoughts About The Mission
‪@SecondThoughtsAboutTheMission‬ here is Rachel’s video explaining the challenge • #GothLitNovember 🦇 A f...
Historathon is hosted by a number of channels
‪@revenantreads‬
‪@BookTimewithElvis‬
‪@bookssongsandothermagic‬
‪@billruttenberg‬
‪@RaynorReadsStuff‬
‪@NicholasOfAutrecourt‬
‪@TheHistoryShelf‬
‪@TriumphalReads‬
Here is Vin’s video introducing this challenge • HISTORATHON 2025 | “Pi...
One last challenge i want to share is Savidge Reading prompts who have just released their prompts video here • Savidge Reading Prompt...
This is hosted by ‪@louisesavidgemuses4135‬
And ‪@SavidgeReads‬
I hope you are inspired and happy reading ❤️
#readingchallenge #books #booktube #yearlyreading #booktags #myreadingplans #storygraph #historithon2025 #readgoodchallenge2025 #candyreadingchallenge2025
#gothlitnovember #janeaustenjuly #savidgereadingprompts2025

[@tortoiseshellmoon5952]

Also, yay you’ll be reading Hamnet! I loved that book with my full heart ♥️ Im almost envious that you get to read it for the first time, id love to experience that again

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@tortoiseshellmoon5952 I’m super excited. ❤️❤️

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@tortoiseshellmoon5952 I feel like that if somebody tells me they are about to read six of crows and crooked kingdom

[@ShaunaBearDrums]

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is one of my favourite books of all time! 💚

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Shauna that’s so exciting to hear ❤️❤️

[@emlawrence8521]

I love the sound of these challenges and I am sure I have many books which would fit! However, I kind of set my own reading challenge for the coming year back at the Winter Solstice. My challenge ties in with other spiritual goals this year, namely specific studies and decluttering. Firstly, I set myself a couple of books to read throughout the year ... Walking the Tides (Nigel G Pearson) and an Arthurian Book of Days. For passing on, I have a quarterly commitment to reading a novel over 500 pages long, and a monthly commitment to reading two Ellis Peters Cadfael novels and one spiritual book. For study, I intend to raid my library for the various works of Dion Fortune and also anything on the Western Mystery Tradition. The rest of the time is for free-reading whatever I fancy in the moment ... novels, Tarot or whatever! Good luck with Jonathan Strange. That is one of the few books I never finished. I will be following to see how your challenge goes as I love your reviews and insights.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Those reading goals sound awesome and I love how you have set them around different measures of time. I’ve never seen a book divide people like Johnathon strange. I’ve only ever seen people really dislike and dnf it or love it and it’s a favourite all time book. It’s so unusual so of course I’m Super intrigued by that. ❤️

[@MeadowlarkMystic]

I love how lit up and inspired by reading books you are! And from the looks of these comments you have many people who are excited as well. And wow that lip stick color looks dreamy on you. 🤩 📚

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@MeadowlarkMystic I really am and isn’t this comment section full of the best people ever! ❤️❤️❤️

[@tortoiseshellmoon5952]

I use Storygraph and Fable too, great for reading groups and challenges! I also love Bens channel and had signed up to his reading challenge, Im reading Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë for Annuary . Ive just signed up for your challenge too which sounds amazing and im excited to start, I’ll be reading Midnight in Everwood by M.A Kuzniar, which is a retelling of The Nutcracker and is hopefully very wintery 🥰 Thank you so much for sharing this Candy, such a great and fun idea ❤️❤️

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@tortoiseshellmoon5952 oh I’m so pleased you are joining in ❤️

[@donnareadler]

I’m so excited about this challenge! I think it’s just what I needed to give my reading goals some direction this year. I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew when it comes to my reading goals, so I’m only going to join your challenge for now, but Ben’s challenge looks super cool as well. 💕

[@donnareadler]

PS: I lived in Poland for a year, so here is an approximate pronunciation of Tokarczuk: tow-CAR-chook

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

I’m so excited you like the challenges that’s so awesome ❤️❤️

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Thank you so much for the help with the pronunciation.

[@TarotMagpie]

I haven't done any reading challenges in a few years but this has me very excited! I also LOVE the sound of your DIY literature degree, that's so cool. This was a gem of a video, thanks for sharing 💖

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Oooo how fabulous I hope you love it ❤️

[@trishawartooth]

I’m definitely in. I tried storygram, but I can’t get it to work properly, so I’ll just do it through here if that’s okay. For the first prompt I’m reading The Song of Achilles, which is a Trojan war retelling

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@trishawartooth I’m so glad you are in and yes absolutely join in here that’s so awesome. Ooo song of Achilles is a Great One, one I’d like to read eventually so can’t wait to hear what you think ❤️❤️

[@cheZZa1512]

I’m in. Thank you for this wonderful challenge 📚

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Yay 🥳

[@benreadsgood]

Love this! Thank you so much for sharing your picks for the challenge, and especially exciting when you have found ones to fit both sets of prompts 🎉 Also think your DIY Lit Degree thing is so cool!

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Aww hi Ben how lovely to see your face pop up here. I’m glad you enjoyed the video I had so much fun making it and finding books. Thank you for the challenge and looking forward to making some progress videos as we go. Happy new year to you 🥳

[@SecondThoughtsAboutTheMission]

Loved this Candy! What fun prompts! These books all sound great, and the art books are gorgeous. I’m glad to hear you love November! You should, as it’s your birth month. These past 2 Novembers have been good to me, and I think it’s due to the excitement of #GothLitNovember, which is why we decided to place it in November in the first place! I’m going to try and join in on some of the prompts for the year. Thank you so much for sharing 😊❤

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Rachel it’s such a great thing to have to look forward to in November. I loved it so much so thank you for hosting. I’ll be so interested to see what you read if you get to any prompts ❤️

[@lizzieh5284]

🎉Some great selections Candy. 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' is one of my all-time favourites. It is so moving. You will need your tissues. ❤😊 Love Agnes Grey and Hamnett. I love November as it is my birthday month too, on Bonfire Night. Also love Hans Fallada's books. Alone in Berlin has been made into a film.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Ooo so great to read this. Ok tissues ready! Always thought you were a bit of a firecracker now I know why Lizzie ❤️

[@lizzieh5284]

@CandySoulAndSoil 😄 When I was little I thought the fireworks were for my birthday. Lol.🙂❤l

[@heathermattern]

I am SO EXCITED about this challenge!! I just signed up and am starting with a Hungarian folktale collection. Thank you for hosting!

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Heather this is fabulous ❤️❤️

[@thebaileygrind]

Ok, this is absolutely amazing. I get the warm fuzzies hearing you get so enthusiastic about reading and watching you come home to yourself within literature. I can't wait to follow along and take part in months here and there. Sharing with my people now 🖤

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@thebaileygrind you are such a gift Bailey thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@HazelJaneTarot]

I love your reading challenge prompts! And your project of a DIY literature degree. Dracula is such a weird book - in a good way... all the different ways the story is told and how it's put together. I hope you enjoy Babel. Brilliant concepts but I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd expected. I like how you've been getting good Shakespeare editions with notes. So helpful. PS. I can't believe you're doing uni open days with your daughter. Time flies! The Pre-Raphaelite gallery in the museum was a highlight of my trip to Burmingham for the Tarot Conference.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Oh my!!!! I squealed when I saw you pop up and immediatly raced to your channel to see if you are back (which I’ve done on the regular) So lovely to see you! You’ve been really missed! How are you doing?

[@HazelJaneTarot]

@@CandySoulAndSoil Aww thank you! I haven't posted any videos but I am watching a few more videos cause I've missed you too!

[@LarimarTide]

Ooh I’m loving this Candy, I have signed up! Made a lovely mess going through my tbr bookcase to find books that fit & loading to StoryGraph 😂 I wanted to read more & buy less this year, so this is perfect. The only month I’m struggling to find is February, so my choice may be a bit of a stretch!

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Ooo i love that you are joining in holly and books that are a wild stretch are my favourites ❤️❤️

[@Cardenio2012]

I love your idea of DIY degree in literature! I have a list of books I’d like to read this year but it’s not thematic. It’s look forward to your videos on your reading! And tarot and art and all. Happy new year!

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@NicoleACottageWitch]

Well, this was delightful! This might be the push I need to finally try storygraph! I looove your diy degree adventure.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@NicoleACottageWitch Nicole how fabulous. If you don’t get on with storygraph you can still join in here ❤️❤️

[@singingmoon9022]

I’m joining in😀 Have managed to set up an account on the app yay

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Oh that’s fantastic ❤️

[@balconybaroness9156]

I've never done a reading challenge before, but count me in. I'm in! Registered on StoryGraph, and added my books as well. So exciting! Ah, my swap will be February, I think I'll do Witch-uary iso Fang-uary. 😇 Wishing us all the best of luck and lots of cosy moments with the books we choose. 📖 ❤️

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@@balconybaroness9156 this is wonderful. So happy you are in and yes swap February for sure ❤️❤️

[@LaurikaBretherton]

Oh my gosh! Somebody else that uses StoryGraph. I really love this app. hihi. I've signed up to your challenge Candy and I am super excited. I have a printed list up in my kitchen of books I want to read this year but your reading challenge is so fun that I am going to adapt my list to your prompts. THANK YOU for this. I will add my choices to to your reading challenge on StoryGraph. Wishing you a beautiful 2025. See you between the pages! hugs. Laurika

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Laurika this is so exciting thank you ❤️

[@jodevonshirenz]

Ooooh. Candy I'm in! My 2024 was very slow in the reading sphere.... it was a year that felt scattered with little direction and nothing held my attention long term. This will be so much fun to help me reignite my 1st enduring love.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Oh this makes me really happy that you are joining and feel it will focus you in. Thank you so much for watching and joining. Hopefully it will feel super fun too ❤❤❤❤

[@downbythewillowtreessarah]

Thank you, Candy. Perfect timing. I've been neglecting my reading, so it's spot on to get me motivated and back into it. Have signed up, I'm sarahbee26. Look forward to searching for some books and joining in 🎉

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Wonderful! So pleased Sarah you are joining in ❤️

[@aspasiarising4732]

Even though I don't have a channel, I'm going to do this -- thank you so much, Candy, for creating this. I have been in book clubs off and on (mostly on) for decades but ever since I moved here I haven't been able to find one. January books for me are "The Bear and the Nightingale," which you introduced me to and "My ANtonia" by Willa Cather. I have a book suggestion for you for April -- "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman. Fantastic book and what could be more about weather than a lighthouse?!

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Beth I’m so pleased the timing is right and you are joining in too. Oooo I’ve read the light between oceans Isabel and Tom ❤️a fabulous book and you are so right the lighthouse is so weather full also liminal so could be for the liminal prompt that’s amazing 🌊

[@whalesong813]

HI Candy, these prompts sound very interesting. I am planning to do the Jan. and Feb. so far, beyond that I have to wait and see lol. For my fairy tale retelling (Jan.) I'm am reading Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey or maybe Fairy Godmother by the same author. For fang Feb, I'm reading a Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. A witch and vampire are the main characters in this book. Both of these books are part of a series by their respective authors. So I might get hooked on them and continue the series lol. Not sure how I can take part in any discussions as I'm not on any social media outlets other then youtube. I'll be with you in spirit. :)

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

I think we can discuss in comments here so I’ll try and set something up here and so excited you are joining in ❤️

[@jinxminx55]

I have my own challenge of reading my TBR shelf and I have a system for working through the books that have been on there the longest, however, I left january open to read books I got for christmas and sort of just free reading and I do have lucy cavendish's magickal faerytales: an enchanted collection of retold tales (illustrated by jasmine beckett-griffith) in the newish section of my TBR shelf so I'll read that for your january challenge. my daughter's girlfriend and I both wanted to read dracula so we'll do that with you in fang february as well - I just bought a used copy on new year's day. and I have pisces witch on my TBR shelf for moonlit march - it has moon phases and the moon tarot card on the cover and that's my birthday month so that will be perfect.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

That’s fantastic so glad you’ve got ways to join in ❤️

[@foxwithabook445]

I’m in❤ I don’t understand the app so well but I try😂

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

@foxwithabook445 that’s fantastic ❤️

[@Ejcfarley]

Oooh I have that faery shaman book - I really enjoyed it when I read it but was a long time ago. I remember thinking it was short but in depth for the size❤

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Morning Emily. I know you do because it’s you sharing your bookshelves that made me buy it. Many of my books are Emily made me do it books ❤️❤️❤️

[@Ejcfarley]

@@CandySoulAndSoil❤❤❤❤ awwwww 😂

[@Tina-wi7we]

Hi Candy. Jotting all these prompts down! I have to mention the KZbin channel Dr Octavia Cox. I love listening to her different snippets on Jane Austen and other classic literature. Fun fun! ♥️

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

I just followed her so thank you ❤️

[@LouValcourt]

Enjoyed hearing about your reading plans for the year. This year I’m getting back into reading fiction and am focused on romantasy, romantic fantasy. I wanted to read some things just for fun this year.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Lou it sounds fabulous happy new year 🥳

[@aquamarine18]

I think it's great that you made a reading challenge! 🎉📚 I made it through 75% with Historathon in 2024 and failed on the last prompt.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Laura thank you so much. Are you doing Historathon again?

[@mariafrancescademaddis2560]

Will you accept a partial? I’m definitely not a quick reader, I won’t be able to read one book a month 😅 but I’d love to get on board ❤

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Maria absolutely yes!!!! If you read one prompt you have succeeded and I would love that! I think slow reading is magical. You get to soak in and love the book and that’s priceless. Can’t wait to hear all about it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kathykerr1202]

I can't find your challenge. Is there more than 1 story graph? Would I have to use the app?

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

No there’s only 1 storygraph I think and Kathy you don’t have to do it over there it can be joined in on here too . If you ho to the description box there’s a link direct to it there that may help? ❤️

[@kathykerr1202]

@@CandySoulAndSoil Thank you! I'll do it here. I did find it through the link which I hadn't scrolled down enough to see, so thank you. I had a hard time even creating an account so I'm out. I'll just play here.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Yes absolutely just play here that’s amazing. I’ll do regular catch ups and the comments section can be an awesome catch-up too ❤️

[@kathykerr1202]

@CandySoulAndSoil excellent. It's the connection and fun I'm here for, as well as the reading discipline.

[@Ejcfarley]

I’m in ❤

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Ooo that makes me super happy ❤️❤️❤️

[@Ejcfarley]

❤ 💃🏼 🥳 🙏 thank u for all of these prompts - so exciting to think I will probably read things I wouldn’t normally doing this 🎉❤

[@tortoiseshellmoon5952]

I use Storygraph and Fable too, great for reading groups and challenges! I also love Bens channel and had signed up to his reading challenge, Im reading Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë for Annuary . Ive just signed up for your challenge too which sounds amazing and im excited to start, I’ll be reading Midnight in Everwood by M.A Kuzniar, which is a retelling of The Nutcracker and is hopefully very wintery 🥰 Thank you so much for sharing this Candy, such a great and fun idea ❤️❤️