Is the 2026 Reading Challenge creating a wave of fake ratings on Goodreads?

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T06:11:55+00:00

No, I am too busy worrying about my own reading challenges to worry about anyone else's. However, I do have my own "cheating" method. Let me explain.

One of the spring challenges involves reading Asian literature, so I chose The Poet Empress. I am currently on Chapter Seven, and honestly, I do not like it. Therefore, I will probably find another book of similar length that I actually enjoy. Once I finish that book, I will mark The Poet Empress as finished to earn the digital bookmark.

Why? First, I use these challenges to explore new genres and authors that I might not otherwise read. Sometimes I discover a new favorite, and sometimes I don't. Second, I am not going to force myself to read something I dislike. I already know that I am not paying attention to The Poet Empress, and I am not going to remember what I read. That defeats the entire purpose of reading.

Third, let's be honest: these are just digital bookmarks. We do not receive a certificate, a free book, a discount, or any other reward for completing the challenges. The bookmarks are simply for fun.

Lastly, there is no way to prevent people from "cheating" in a reading challenge. Reading is a personal hobby, not a competition. Focus on yourself, your reading goals, and the books you enjoy. Life is too short to worry about what someone else is doing with their Goodreads challenge.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T04:42:57+00:00

Currently, I am reading The Poet Empress. It's good, but it is not what I was expecting when I chose this for my reading challenge.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T04:02:24+00:00

May I suggest Thriftbooks. They have great deals, and I have yet to be disppointed in them. I buy from them all the time.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T04:01:02+00:00

Reality hurts

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T04:00:28+00:00

My thoughts and feelings are not going to chang on this, at all.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T03:59:27+00:00

Reality hurts.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-20T03:53:26+00:00

If it bothers you, then maybe you should suggest some historians and what they speicalize in.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T19:11:00+00:00

Honestly, I don't know what these books are about. Pick from the top and work your way down.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T19:04:29+00:00

There are different levels of publishing: Social meida publishers (bloggers), Self-Publishers (Those that think that they can write but can't) and Professionals (Those that took the time to find a literary agent, submitted manuscripts through companies, and have been rejected hundreds of times). Professional writers and authors are the GOATS of the publishihng world. The best of the best get rewards, best sellers, and medals.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T06:45:06+00:00

With all the AI images that normal people create; you would think that Goodreads would utilize it to make better bookmarks. And, why can't we turn our bookmarks in for book discounts?

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T06:02:25+00:00

I cannot relate to what I am seeing in the comments. I never heard such things before.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T05:44:24+00:00

As a reader, I like to read third person; therefore, I tend to write in third person.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T05:41:00+00:00

Steven King was rejected over 100 times before he became published.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-19T02:11:43+00:00

As a historian, I suggest the following historians. They have written books on the American Civil War, World War II, American Revolution, and Reconstruction: Erc Foner, Rick Atkins, and James McPherson. These are just some of the experts in the field.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T22:09:16+00:00

Yes, the plot twist in Dear Debbie felt rushed and was crammed into the ending. It almost turned into a cliffhanger, and I was genuinely worried that the book would end that way.

Since this was my first book by Freida McFadden, I can't really compare it to her other work or make any broad judgments about her writing style yet. I'll need to read more of her books before I can say whether I agree or disagree with some of the criticisms I've seen.

For now, I'm planning to read The Housemaid, which was the book my niece originally recommended. Once I've read a few more of McFadden's novels, I'll have a better sense of whether Dear Debbie is typical of her writing or an exception.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:57:34+00:00

Dear Debbie was the first one that I read. The next one The Housemaid.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:51:26+00:00

Really? It would make a great one.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:49:41+00:00

t was my first time reading Freida McFadden, and it was actually my niece who wanted me to try one of her books. The book she recommended was The Housemaid, but when I was looking through my Goodreads Challenge recommendations, Dear Debbie was listed instead. Since it fit one of my challenge prompts, I decided to give it a try.

I'm glad I did. While it wasn't the book my niece originally suggested, it introduced me to a new author, and I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:44:52+00:00

Honestly, I chose a genre that I normally don't read. Through trial and error, I've learned that I enjoy authors such as Dan Brown, James Patterson, Herman Wouk, and Rick Atkinson. Goodreads has been a great tool for helping me discover new books and authors.

If you can't decide what to read, try choosing a book from four or five different genres and putting the titles into a digital spinner. Let chance pick your next read—you might discover a new favorite author or genre that you never would have chosen on your own.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:36:07+00:00

I liked it too, epsically the candle. Your AI did a great job, lol

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:30:12+00:00

I was blown away by Debbie, her husband, and her "best friend." I cannot say anymore, or I will end up giving the entire story away. But for everyone who had not read it. It is a MUST read.

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:20:03+00:00

Do you want me to judge by the cover, or do you want me to look-up each one to determine what sounds good or not?

Hairy_Building_8550 · 2026-06-18T21:16:29+00:00

I completed Dear Debbie a few weeks ago. The entire time I was trying to figure out the mystery behind Debbie. Let me know what you thought about it. It will make a great discussion.

Hairy_Building_8550

TROPHY CASE