The 500 Book Challenge: 2 Years and 200 Books So Far

[@secretfirebooks7894]

The inevitable book haul 3 years from now is going to be EPIC.

[@lx4]

Reading 500 books is hard, buying 500 books is easy.

[@jack_yo]

Averaging a book every 3.5 days for two years is admirable. It's also way more believable than the numerous youtube channels that claim to "read" a book daily.

[@VHS_138]

100 books in a year is massive to me! My goal for this year is 25.

[@davlang3783]

I just finished Untouched By Human Hands, it was great. Enjoyed every Story. My first Sheckley read. I love his style.

[@lindseyreads5450]

I think the number of books you read a year makes it all the more incredible that you’ve set yourself the 500 book challenge. I’m participating in the read what you own challenge for the second time, and it’s made me realize how quick you can purchase a book vs how long it takes to read it!

[@jf8559]

Congratulations Michael! 200 books in two years with the attendant restraint in buying books is a great accomplishment. “Unfortunately I’m stuck being me.” 😂

[@sueloguejohnson8929]

I read about 300 books a year. That said they are romances and cozy mysteries. Not the epic books you read. You are doing a great job!!!

[@still-reading]

Congratulations! You've read a lot so far! 🎉 🎉 🎉 I think Varney should count as two books because it's two physical books on you shelf, which is the point of the challenge to me. The Scarlet Pimpernel is fun, I reread it last year. Once it gets going it flies pretty quickly. I haven't read Robert Sheckley in ages. I used to drive my husband crazy guessing the twist endings, but I grew up on O Henry, so that helped. I have fewer than 60 on my physical tbr, so my FWYO goal is at least 30. Nothing compared to yours. I've read five so far. I sympathize with the big book problem. I'm reading Our Mutual Friend at 800 pages and The Plantagenets which is over 600. Ah well, I'm enjoying both of them. Thanks for the video and happy reading.

[@DavidWiley7]

What a massive accomplishment, Michael! You're doing fantastic work, and I'll always be cheering you on from the sidelines!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@DavidWiley7 thanks David!

[@szaggasd]

Mike is the one not wavering when the going gets tough

[@douglasreynolds7903]

You still sprint by me in the number of books you read annually. Not only the number (500) but the time period (5 years) are great milestones. You are reading books that you would have lived and died without ever reading. Every day, a new book with new reviews and raves will always draw us to purchase while the encouragement to read 1970's and 1980's SF is left to to the cover blurb. Which normally wins out? And I'll wager that your future book haul will be more calculated and thought out than ever before. A steady period of self-discipline and living with intent will seem overindulgent to just randomly buy books just to be buying them. You will be a different reader.

[@DDB168]

Congratulations on the 200, only 300 Spartans to go. 🛡 I weep though at the thought of you reading It, when you could be reading something great 🤭

[@AlansReads]

Man, I admire you for doing 500 books. I'm not sure that I would have the willpower required. In the meantime I'm sticking with doing 25 books for the Read What You Own Challenge because I am not you.

[@troytradup]

Two hundred books in two years is an astonishing achievement -- despite how some overachieving BookTubers might make it seem. Congrats! Keep fighting the good fight, Michael!

[@redwawst3258]

Glad you’re sticking to the challenge . I could never do it. ⚔️🏹🔥

[@Yesica1993]

Indy Vaughan is back! Yay, congratulations on 200!

[@CriminOllyBlog]

That’s an amazing achievement!

[@GardnerGoldsmith]

Another grrreat post! Thank you, Michael, from NH! BTW, Ramsey is a really nice guy. We got to know each other from various horror-fantasy writer cons, esp the FantasyCon gathering in England. He's incredibly friendly and sincere, and it's always striking to read his tales, then consider his warm personality! Love your videos and thoughts about books, good man!! Take care!

[@yuleham]

Congrats on the 200 books so far michael!!! That’s a lot

[@lovenature7823]

Michael, congratulations on achieving the 200 book milestone! I admire you for taking a 500 book challenge, thing is you're reading so having a challenge makes it fun. You're an inspiration. I must add that You have a life, a wife, a job, not to mention Roger, and you DO READ. Love that. You have relationships with others, and when you have time, with your books. So, congrats for the 200 and for taking care of your relationships, your life. I'm not a fast reader because I also have relationships, a profession, and I love reading slowly, savoring the novels, stories. Presently, reading What You Own challenge, 75 books and I've finished two so far. But, I will read and enjoy the books, and enjoy saving the money I'm not using to buy new books. Ok, that's enough of me. You're terrific.👍

[@glockensig]

This is Epic Michael!!!! Keep on keeping on!!

[@Gitjadas]

Keep up the good work MKV! The 500 book challenge is inspiring!

[@PeculiarNotions]

Congratulations on keeping up with your challenge.

[@patriciafay-f9l]

Congratulations on reaching the 200 book milestone. You are an inspiration

[@tonette6592]

Congrats at this milestone! Seriously, that is great. Doesn't Roger keep track of the bodies now? Hey, my time is limited.I can watch Criminolly occasionally, I only subscribed for a short time, but I NEVER miss you. I hope to see you through the challenge.

[@waltera13]

CONGRATULATIONS!!🎉 100 books a year is genuinely a good showing, (unless you're Steve Donoghue.) You are getting a lot more red than I am! . . . And so charming about the affair. . . Goodreads is evil, agreed have you tried library thing?

[@ABT212]

Reading is one of life's clean addictions. At one point I worked in a mall and I would buy at least one book 5 days of the week at the mall's bookstore. Couldn't help myself. "I walked all the way here, I can't go back empty handed."

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Congratulations on reaching the milestone Michael! Of course graphic novels count. 😀IT is awesome, I flew through it in no time. Good luck finishing your challenge, you have amazing willpower. I admire your stamina, I have to buy books to remain sane. I would love to see a tour of your library, perhaps I should check your backlog.

[@TheDukeofMadness]

One of those "it seemed like a good idea at the time", like the Trojans taking in that gift horse from the Greeks, Operation Marker/Garden....watching anything directed by Baz Luhrmann.

[@glockensig]

A Market/Garden reference! How awesome! It's not a bridge too far for me!!!

[@TheDukeofMadness]

@@glockensig I'm distantly related to Colonel John Frost so I've always had a fascination with that military cockup. I got to meet him a few months before he died in 1992. He said nobody blamed Bernard Montgomery for the failure. It was caused by too many chiefs putting their two cents/tuppence in. Back on the book topic, Michael is a mensch for sticking to the task at hand. But I am glad he's not forgoing comic related trades. That would be foolish.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

You’re going awesome. Olly is the fast reader. I’m slow, but retired. I checked my database of books read. I would be at 508 if I had stuck to my guns.

[@Unpotted]

No one likes a braggart, Greg. 😂 😺✌️

[@tiffanyvantine3322]

Huzzah! Congrats. Loved the Star Trek joke. I have found with Goodreads, if you are using the app with your phone, updating it when the updates come out helps. But it did try to tell me I was done reading one particular book about 20 times before I had actually finished it. Cleaning that up was fun…🤣

[@Unpotted]

Pretty sure I would have unhauled 300 books and called myself finished by now, lol. (They’d be in storage.😉) Good for you! 😺✌️

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

I'm in book buying pre-rehab currently, till the end of the year funnily enough!

[@sgriffin9960]

I look forward to your first great haul after conquering your challenge! 😀

[@ellesse3862]

Woohoo 200! (feel free to add imaginary party poppers if you like, or not, applause optional) Book 200, nice choice... whoa.. was IT always that big? blimey. Wouldn't be surprised if after the 500 Challenge, the first book shop you go into is pants, a trip to the Brattle, Boston's shop of awesome would be much better.

[@sandyokey7728]

Although this challenge gives me tremendous angst, I applaud your dedication to it. Congratulations on 200, hope I live long enough to see the end of it😊

[@nonautomaton6230]

This is such excellent progress, one day you will look back and be so very proud of completing the challenge!

[@capturedbyannamarie]

Congratulations 🎊 What a great goal! Think about all the books you did not accumulate during this time. That is a lot of money saved.

[@dennisjohnson8967]

I can’t believe it’s been two years.I remember when you started I also remember you couldn’t get through the 50 book challenge😂. Congratulations on hanging in there😊

[@axis2320]

I know how it feels, I've bought and accumulated comics over the past 3-4 years and many I have not read.

[@jeffmanjarrez1087]

I bought Swords of the North a few months back and read a bit from it. If you start reading it, I will be compelled to get back to it. Well done on 200 books!

[@thomasr7292]

Amazing work on the 200 books, Michael! Keep it up, you're a big inspiration!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@DamnableReverend]

I feel like you'll make it through. YOu knew you were in for the long game when you started this and you're almost halfway there. That's pretty awesome! I frankly don't miss book hauls on your channel. I know not everyone thinks this way and that's fine; there should be room for all sorts, but book haul videos on booktube I usually skip. Not that interested in knowing what books someone has, I just want to know their opinions. That's why i end up following booktubers -- because I like their personalities and I want to know what they think about the books they read, after they've read them.

[@Yesica1993]

"Not that interested in knowing what books someone has, I just want to know their opinions." Yep! I really don't even watch those anymore. I want to know what people think of this or that book, not just the titles of them.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Congrats! Only 300 to go!

[@LiminalSpaces03]

Looking forward to your sci-fi reviews and IT!

[@adellajones9887]

I too practice the Japanese art of tsundoku.

[@kimesch9698]

Great job!

[@bouquinsbooks]

Congratulations on sticking with the challenge for so long! I am struggling to reach 20..

[@PaperbackWarrior]

Congrats on the milestone!

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Congrats on getting to 200!

[@RaynorReadsStuff]

I’m doing 125 this year. Not a patch on your challenge. Can’t imagine not buying a book for 5 years. Continuing good luck to you 😊

[@brettrobson5739]

Well done, Mike.

[@stephennootens916]

It is impressive to reach 200, I could never make that far. Nor I have to admit I would never try. Good for you.

[@GenreBooks23]

Yes to more vintage science fiction!

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Congratulations on reaching 200! Is there a March reading event, like Military March? You could go with so many genres with that.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@TheEricthefruitbat the only event I can remember for March is March Mystery Madness.

[@circa1890]

You will love The Scarlett Pimpernel! I first read it after I saw the tv film in 1982 -was 13 years old. Then read many of the other Orczy books and books on the French Revolution to match up the real life characters. (There are a lot!) Baroness Orczy was wonderful.. she started writing when she fell in love but they were very poor. To pronounce: Or-tsey

[@deborajohnson5717]

Congrats!

[@LiterateTexan]

I set a goal of 25 books and immediately read 4 books. But I accidentally bought an ebook for $3. Now I'm getting to decide if I should start over at 0 or just keep going

[@RobynHoodeofSherwood]

Just keep going

[@LiterateTexan]

@RobynHoodeofSherwood That's the direction I was leaning

[@anneworks]

I agree, keep going 👍

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@LiterateTexan Roger tells me that a blood sacrifice under the full moon will wipe out the sinful stain of the three dollar book.

[@LiterateTexan]

@michaelk.vaughan8617 NOW I feel better about it!

[@MagusMarquillin]

Amazing willpower going 2 years! You and Criminolly are playing out the tortoise and the hare fable (course if you're a tortoise then I'm a snail). I was wondering, if you have thousands of unread books, do you have a rule/guideline on how many books you're allowed to reread, even if it's a new edition? Since things like Tarzan, I'm sure you know there's no chance you're going to unhaul those after the challenge, and a big reason to do this is to figure out what you actually want. Of course it's totally fair that you should have some succor of familiar favorites to get you through this - they are all books you own.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@MagusMarquillin I have no guidelines.

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

I'm doing 50 books. If I had to read 100 I would be buying books just once a year. I also like to write down lists on paper. I don't trust the technical stuff all the time.😊

[@macavitymacavity]

Since you only recently started including graphic novels as part of your book challenge, be sure to go back now and add on all of the other graphic novels you read before you started including them. It's only fair. Also, with any anthology books that you read, be sure to count each short story in them as an individual book, then you'll be hitting that 500 mark in no time! Loopholes, baby!😎

[@mikemahaffey9121]

I may still have my copy of that Shadow graphic novel.

[@ScienceFictionRetroactivis-j1w]

Quite an accomplishment! Very hard to maintain youthful production numbers. From 1963 to 1972 I averaged roughly 10 books a month, mostly from the library, reading pretty fast at the time. SF novels were much shorter in those days, 150 pages. My Librarian reported to my parents what I was reading and how much I owed in late fees every month! I am still in touch with her, her boys were in school with my siblings and me. Graduated from school, then work/college, input cut by 2/3. Then Real job and 3 kids by the early 1980s. Now I am happy with 50/60 generally much longer books a year, between naps!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@ScienceFictionRetroactivis-j1w I do have a real job but I have managed to avoid children. The secret of my success!

[@ScienceFictionRetroactivis-j1w]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 🙂

[@ProductionsFromBeyon]

Reading challenges I always find problematic cuzz like your Barney example, reading one book =/= reading another. Like I can knock out Art of War in one sitting or spend a month + on a dickens tome.

[@2025Mindfulness]

100 books a year, not bad considering that you also read your comics.

[@tonette6592]

Plus the man has a full-time job, a wife and a life. I think he is doing great.

[@chefeddie6164]

That challenge had a typo, it was a 50-book challenge. I left a note a while back with Roger, didn't you get it? 😁

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@chefeddie6164 damn that Roger!

[@FrankMorlock]

Congratulations on your strategy Michael.. I have a suggestion:. because i've been bedridden for the last several months after surgery, about a month ago, i got tired of just ataring at the cieling and decided to read a play- A couple of yearsw ago our library book store got a huge donatiopn of plays, mostly British and i bought as many as I could. Most modern plays run about 100 to 130 pages long. I found I was reading about 3 to 4 plays per day. While I haven't kept count in the last 30 days I'm pretty sure I've read at lest 70 plays. I'm only reading plays I haven't read previously. They are all indepent and not in anthologies- I know you don't read many plays, but if you have some you coulñd get your numbers up real quick.. CHEERS, AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO9 YOU AND YOURS.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@FrankMorlock sorry you have had to go through that surgery and recovery. You are right of course. I have plenty of plays here, including a couple of yours!

[@FrankMorlock]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 THANKS, MICHAEL. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER POETRY AS WELL, AS TREY ARE USUALLY SHORT

[@darger3]

You should done a quarter of a million page challenge. If you’re going to be biting into the biggies. 😆

[@summonersummoner9536]

Macabre

[@jobuckley2999]

Did you read Shogun? 😁

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@jobuckley2999 I did. Great book.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

That’s actually gone quite fast, I could never read 100 books a year 👏

[@duffypratt]

As I recall, Steve Donoghue decided to do the challenge too, because he really didn’t have anything better to do that weekend.

[@maxwellbrill8001]

I'm like that with comics . Buy new ones and still have the old ones to read . Listening to Brothers by Alex Van Halen

[@w.adammandelbaum1805]

When Roger did a deuce in the old days, did he use the Papyrus of Ani?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@w.adammandelbaum1805 he still does.

[@stopmotionkid1041]

Can you do a video about roger's life🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@t.j.wwagner1176]

When you do eventually complete the 500 book challenge I highly recommend you read William Hope Hodgson if you haven't already. He wrote ghost stories and weird tales. If you're a fan of Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood and M.R James he's definitely worth the read

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@t.j.wwagner1176 don’t worry, I have everything Hodgson wrote. I even made a video about him once.

[@heidi6281]

Michael have you read Electric Forest by Tanith Lee? OMG, I just loved it! 5 stars!! I hope you own it so you can read it in 2025!!

[@Yesica1993]

Michael, I haven't done a survey or anything, but I don't think the average working adult reads even 10 books a year nowadays. We have to stop looking at Booktube as being the norm. It is not. Remember, most people in Booktube, both the video makers and viewers, came here because we couldn't find people in real life with whom to discuss books.

[@edgartokman4898]

I would take them 150 pages a day ...and switch to another book and get 100 pages done in that one in one day

[@dylantindall5573]

Again and again. And yet, again. With each thousands stepped a miles stone kicked And every kick a bruise well made Of time undoing the oath 'five hundred.' If left were undone As much as five toes before this fools brocade Naught were made and the rest undone. Oaths fear to tread where Michael is unread.

[@vilstef6988]

I thought I was reasonably well read, until I encountered Steve Donoghue. I got nothing!

[@MylesNewman-cc1tx]

Why not read the Bible and count it as 66 books?

[@Yesica1993]

That's a fair point, since it actually is 66 books!

[@crawdad19141]

I like the cut of your jib.

[@PaulSaether]

Commit to reading one book per day on average and, a la 'The Long Walk'. Have a bunch of guys policing the challenge who shoot you if you fall behind after three warnings. That'll focus you and give you the incentive to finish. It'll be over in less than a year and then you can begin the 1000 book challenge.

[@PaulSaether]

PS 'IT' will read itself very quickly.

[@dqan7372]

Relieved to hear you plan on limiting your mammoth readings for a while. Not that it's any of my business. Just want you to be happy. And for me to stop itching every time you start another thousand pager. 🤪

[@RenegadesRift]

As an 'indy' you look like you've been raiding your backlog.

[@broken1394]

You won't buy a book until you've read 500 in a row? I do not believe you.

[@paradigmshift7907]

Sorry, but Garbaugust is the dumbest sounding thing of all time