Chunksterchallenge

I‘m “allergic” to chunksters, so I tend to avoid them. But there are SO many great books that are chunksters! So, #AllergicToChunksters is back for another year! If you would like to tackle a few chunksters yourself this year, do join me!

My definition of a chunkster is any book over 500 pages long, but feel free to use whatever definition makes sense to you. If it scares you, it counts!

Everyone welcome! Tagging those who participated in 2025.

mcctrish, tpixie, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, Gissy, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, BookBelle84, MatchlessMarie, Booksblanketsandahotbeverage, Andrew65, Sace, TheBookgeekFrau, CSeydel, Ruthiella, TheSpineView, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, PuddleJumper, Meshell1313, willaful

julieclair The rules are simple. Choose a chunkster. Begin to read it. Eventually, you will finish it. Post about it, so we can all congratulate, praise and admire you! Then, choose another chunkster and repeat the process! (edited) 4h

julieclair There is a StoryGraph challenge, for those who like to track their reading: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/d5eef854-0b0a-4007-a8d4-86ffacc... 4h

mcctrish I‘m in again - The Weight of Ink and The Winners are on my 2026 chunksters list 4h

See All 12 Comments

CSeydel I‘m definitely in 4h

Ruthiella I‘m definitely up for the challenge in 2026! For sure this monster will qualify!

The Count of Monte Cristo

IriDas I would like to try. I‘ve been wanting to read

Don Quixote

TheBookgeekFrau I have to see if I have any scary Chunksters. If I do I'll let you know 3h

JenlovesJT47 Me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ 3h

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I‘m in again ⚔️ I want to read more fantasy/romantasy and it feels like they‘re all over 500 pages… lol 2h

willaful I don't know if I still have any chunksters on my list but I definitely have some plenty that scare me... 1h

AnnCrystal I'm with #ChunksterChallenge! Can I also join your #AllergicToChunksters??? ☺️📚💝. (edited) 26m

Enchanted_Bibliophile I'm definitely in again! 7m

24 likes12 comments

Amiable

American Presidents | David Levine

As we head into the final weeks of the year, here‘s a look at the exciting things to come in 2026 as we gear up for the #USPresidents challenge! This is a gentle reminder to get your library holds in soon. 🙂

Cuilin, kspenmoll, TheBookHippie, OutsmartYourShelf, Larkken, Librarybelle, CoverToCoverGirl, AshleyHoss820, JenReadsAlot, Bookwormjillk, bookandbedandtea, TEArificbooks, MonicaLoves2Read, Kerrbearlib, dabbe, ImperfectCJ, Roary47, fredthemoose, Rome753

dabbe Very excited! ♥️💙💚 6d

rubyslippersreads Is this pick your own book on each President, or are we all reading the same book? 6d

Librarybelle Yay!! I‘ve been researching which Washington book to choose… 6d

See All 24 Comments

TheBookHippie I‘m so excited!!! Nerdily so 🤣💙 6d

Bookwormjillk Huge nerd moment here too 6d

Amiable @rubyslippersreads Pick your own book, and we‘ll share interesting facts we learn! 6d

Amiable @Librarybelle I‘m going with this one. There is an entire series called “American Presidents” —all are written by historians:

George Washington: The American Presidents Series: The 1st President, 1789-1797

Larkken Ooo that reminds me *goes off to happily rabbithole* 6d

bookandbedandtea Oh yes! I have researching and planning to do! 6d

CoverToCoverGirl Do you have specific books in mind? Or do we pick any accredited book of our choice? (edited) 6d

BarbaraJean Oooh, I've thought about doing a presidential biography reading project. Maybe this is a sign. 😄 Are you planning to do one president a month, all the way through the list? 6d

Amiable @CoverToCoverGirl Any book that you choose. I‘ve tagged the one I‘m reading a few comments above yours. (edited) 6d

Amiable @BarbaraJean Yes, that‘s the plan! One a month until the end. (I can‘t say yet what “end” — hopefully the end of the list of presidents and not the end of democracy as we know it. Because I wouldn‘t take any bets on which one of those things will come first. 😖) 6d

CSeydel Well I‘ve had David McCullough‘s John Adams biography on my shelf for, oh, a decade at least! Every year I say “This is the year I read that one” but I think this will really get me to do it! 6d

Amiable @CSeydel That is an excellent book! 6d

Meshell1313 I‘m reading this now and it‘s amazing! And not a huge chunky bio!

You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington

Amiable @Meshell1313 ugh, I hated that book. 😬😖 I‘m glad that you‘re enjoying it, though! 5d

Suet624 Can you add me to your list? I can‘t guarantee I‘ll read one each month but I‘d like to try. 5d

Meshell1313 @Amiable 🤣 really??!!! It‘s def quite biased but I love this unique perspective. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣 5d

Amiable @Meshell1313 I wrote a rather lengthy review detailing my dislike a few years ago if you want to scroll back on the book page to read it. 😀 4d

Amiable @Suet624 Of course! 4d

Meshell1313 @Amiable ooh yes I do agree with you there. This is def not academic and you can tell she‘s just trying to get shock value. I love everything Ron Chernow does- I just finished his new one about Mark Twain that was amazing. I‘m thinking I have to read his Washington one next! 4d

Amiable @Meshell1313 Ooh, that Mark Twain book is my #chunksterchallenge read for 2026! I‘m starting it on Jan. 1. And Chernow‘s bio on Washington was quite literally one of the best (if not the best) presidential bios I‘ve read. I loved the details about his difficult relationship with his mother. So fascinating! 4d

Kerrbearlib Very exciting! I'm browsing Hoopla now for some Washington reads! 2d

52 likes24 comments

LitsyEvents

Big Book of Happy | Little Bee Books

repost for @Amiable

Back again for the 6th annual #ChunksterChallenge! Is there a giant book you‘ve always wanted to read but have been intimidated by its size? Tackle it in 2026 and enjoy the bragging rights! Start gradually with stepped-up categories— or join me in diving right into a Colossal Chunkster! (Tagged is the book I‘ll be starting on Jan.1.)

#ChunksterChallenge2026 #ReadingChallenge

Amiable Thank you! 🤓 2w

aa_guer2021 Oooh! I have to think about this! 2w

Born.A.Reader I had such good intentions with this challenge last year (this year). Hoping to do better this year as I certainly have enough options on my own TBR shelves! 2w

AnnCrystal 👏🏼🥳👍🏼📚💝. 2w

38 likes4 comments

Amiable

Mark Twain | Ron Chernow

Back again for the 6th annual #ChunksterChallenge! Is there a giant book you‘ve always wanted to read but have been intimidated by its size? Tackle it in 2026 and enjoy the bragging rights! Start gradually with stepped-up categories— or join me in diving right into a Colossal Chunkster! (Tagged is the book I‘ll be starting on Jan.1.)

#ChunksterChallenge2026

LitsyEvents

AnnCrystal 👏🏼🥳🪄📚💝...I managed to read two for 2025, so glad this challenge is continuing into 2026 🥳📚. 2w

Deblovestoread Yay! I‘ll be tackling this one with the #HashtagBrigade to start

The Count Of Monte Cristo

Ruthiella Fantastic! I will hopefully 🤞 finish my Junior Chunkster this month for a total of eight this year and I am stoked to continue with this challenge next year.

The Quincunx

See All 22 Comments

Jess861 I'm trying to get through my Junior Chunkster this year - but it is a slow go of it!

The Well of Ascension: Book Two of Mistborn

dabbe I have yet to figure out what my big chunkster will be for 2026, but I know what my one in 2025 will be by the end of the month: LES MIS. Finally. Thanks for hosting us again, m'dear! 💚♥️💙 2w

Amiable @dabbe Isn‘t it the best feeling to finally take down one of the biggies? 🙌🏼 Great job! 🎉 2w

Amiable @AnnCrystal I‘m always thrilled to share the chunkster love! ❤️ ❤️ 2w

Amiable @Deblovestoread That‘s a great read —you‘re going to love it ! 2w

Amiable @Ruthiella 8!! Fantastic work! 🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2w

Amiable @Jess861 One page at a time gets you to the end! You can do it. 🫶🏼 2w

dabbe @Amiable “Take down“ for sure! 💚♥️💙 2w

zezeki My goal is to read

Jonathan Strange et Mr Norrell: roman

Amiable @zezeki Yay! You can do it ! 🫶🏼 2w

Cuilin @amiable @dabbe I‘m also trying to figure out my next year‘s chunkster. I have a few on the list. What‘s on yours? (edited) 2w

Amiable @Cuilin Definitely “Mark Twain” as my Colossal Chunkster. I‘m thinking some of the books I have for the #USPresidents challenge may meet the page counts for the Mini and/or Junior categories. 2w

Cuilin @Amiable I‘m joining in for the #USPresidents challenge too but may read smaller books for those or mini chunksters. On my list I have A Suitable Boy, The Decameron, and Moby Dick among others. 🤨 2w

Amiable @Cuilin Oh, I really liked “A Suitable Boy”! If my opinion sways you in any way. 😀 2w

julieclair I‘m in! Thanks to the #HashtagBrigade, I‘m finally going to tackle

The Count of Monte Cristo

Amiable @julieclair Oh, yay! I enjoyed that book, and I hope you will too! 4d

julieclair @Amiable 💙💙💙 4d

TheEllieMo I overdosed on Challenges this year, so I wasn‘t going to do any in 2026, but I‘ve already got it in my head that there will be a few Ken Follet, SJ Parris and CJ Sansom books in my reading list next year, so I guess I‘m up for a #ChunskterChallenge2026! 3d

Amiable @TheEllieMo yay! I love it when the books I‘m already reading/planning to read fit neatly into a challenge, too. 😀 3d

45 likes22 comments

julieclair

Untitled | Untitled

As we approach the end of the year, I‘d love to hear how everyone fared in the #AllergicToChunksters challenge. Personally, I have amazed myself by completing 6 chunksters this year! Seeing everyone‘s posts throughout the year has really been motivating for me. Thanks to each of you for your participation. We‘re all in this together!

I‘ll definitely continue this challenge for 2026. I‘ll post more about that once I‘ve got the StoryGraph ready. ⬇️

julieclair All are welcome to join! Tagging all those who participated this year. Please let me know if you‘d like to continue for 2026, or be removed from the list. 3w

mcctrish Yes please!!! I never got to Covenant of Water so that‘s a 2026 problem now 😆😆 3w

Ruthiella I‘ve done ok! I have one more that I will hopefully 🤞 read in December which will make seven for the year. I definitely want to keep on the list for next year, please, 🙏 (edited) 3w

See All 32 Comments

dabbe I know we once had a legend with page numbers, but I can't find it. Does anyone have one? I'll have to my math and figure it out. I definitely know that by 12/31, I will have finished the chunkster, LES MISERABLES, right @TheBookHippie? 🤩 3w

TheBookHippie @dabbe I emailed it to you 3w

dabbe @TheBookHippie Did you ever know that you're my hero? 🩵❄️🤍 3w

TheBookHippie @dabbe will see if it opens may have to send another way 🤣 3w

dabbe @julieclair @TheBookHippie Now, the next question. Is there a legend out there regarding what pages denote a chunkster? I know I saw one of those once, too. I promise to keep them and name them this time! 3w

TheBookHippie @dabbe I say 500 and over BUT some say over 450 I say no. 🤣🤣🤣 3w

Born.A.Reader Oh goodness. I'd have to go back and check. But off hand I know not as many as I'd like! Lol 3w

dabbe @TheBookHippie I'm glad either ends in a “0“ or “5“. I'd go berserk if it was like 492. In fact, I always had to have EVERY single assignment/test I ever gave end in either of those numbers. If I only had 9 questions, I'd make it 10 points by giving 1 pt. for writing their name on the paper. And I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised by how many would lose 🤣 that simple point. 3w

CSeydel I‘d like to continue next year please! 3w

TheBookHippie @dabbe 💯💯💯💯 3w

CSeydel @dabbe This post breaks it into categories by page count: https://litsy.com/p/a3didnU3bVdo 3w

dabbe @CSeydel Thank you! 🩵❄️🤍 3w

JenlovesJT47 I‘ve finished 3 and am still reading 3 others 😬😬😬 3w

tpixie @julieclair please keep me. Thanks 😊 3w

AnnCrystal I read two To Shape a Dragon's Breath
Moniquill Blackgoose and Murtagh: The World of Eragon Christopher Paolini 🥳📚💝. 3w

TheBookgeekFrau I finished 2 and DNF'ed 1. All 3 had been my shelves for years, so thank you for helping me finally read them!! You can remove me for 2026 because Mission Accomplished 😊 3w

julieclair @dabbe For this challenge, since most of us are chunkster-averse, the definition of a chunkster is up to personal interpretation. If you look at a book and say, “Nope, too long, I‘m not reading that”, it counts as a chunkster for you. 3w

PuddleJumper I'd be interested! I haven't been great at tagging them. I read 14 this year, many of them were Rick Riordan books so not intimidating because of size more because they've been on my shelf for ages 3w

Amiable @dabbe The page count totals are in the #ChunksterChallenge —there are stepped-up categories to encourage people to read the longer books. 3w

Enchanted_Bibliophile I've completed 13 books over 500 pages to date and am planning on one more for December.

This challenge has been really encouraging for me, and I'd love to continue next year. 3w

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I feel like this challenge is super motivating. Next year I‘m going to tackle some Cassandra Clare books and

The Wise Man's Fear

dabbe @julieclair I L🤩VE that! 🩵❄️🩶 3w

dabbe @Amiable TY! 🩵❄️🩶 3w

Crinoline_Laphroaig @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage ever since I found out release date for Last King of Faerie has been pushed to Fall of 2026, my #AllTheStoriesAreTrue all things Shadowhunters has fallen by wayside. Need to pick it back up. 3w

Crinoline_Laphroaig Add me please! 🙋🏻‍♀️ 3w

willaful I think I'll stay in. I haven't made enough effort this year to read my bigguns and I want to. 3w

Cuilin I‘m also reading Les Mis this year. I can see the finish line. Thanks to @TheBookHippie 2w

TheBookHippie @Cuilin 💙💙💙💙💙🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 2w

AnishaInkspill hi, I'd liked to be tagged, I have several chunksters lined up for next year, this includes Hilary Mantel's fiction on the French Revolution.

A Place of Greater Safety: A Novel

39 likes32 comments

AnnCrystal

To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

pick

I wish this kind of read was available when I was a teenager!

As a book about a girl and her dragon, this book was splendid fun. As a book about an indigenous island girl and her endangered species dragon, this is the kind of book I've been waiting for...as an indigenous reader, this fantasy is a treasure 📚🐉💖.

I prefer books without battles, but some may find this a bit slow paced.

👇🏼

AnnCrystal This was like a journey log from the MC's POV, with plenty of drama mixed into the storyline.

I was trying to keep away from books that capture some of the darkness that is now our crazy, chaotic reality.

If this book would have been available before these dark times, I wouldn't have been as disturbed by the unjust society that Anequs and her dragon Kasaqua must journey through.

👇🏼
4mo

AnnCrystal Reading this now, during these dark times that we're all experiencing, I found this to be an unsettling read.

Unsettling, yet beautiful.

This world was well developed and incredibly detailed. All the characters were crafted with care and respect.

I would have liked more time on the island and learning more about the traditions there. Perhaps in the second book.

The MC Anequs held the resilience and dignity from real life Native Nations.

👇🏼
4mo

AnnCrystal I've read books with lesbian or gay characters. This is the first with a bisexual character (Anequs). I liked how this gave a unique chance with two possible love interests for Anequs...although, I don't believe I cared for the polyamorous. At this point, I'm not sure who I like better for Anequs. I like both Liberty and Theod...but I'd prefer for Anequs to truly fall for one or the other, not both at the same time (that's just me).

👇🏼
(edited) 4mo

See All 13 Comments

AnnCrystal The magic system was just beginning to be truly explored at the end of the book, so I'm hoping the next book shows more.

I am also hoping that we readers get to travel to the unconquered lands, meet the tribal people there, and learn more about the indigenous methods of working with Dragons.

This storyline is incredible.

There are 511 pages divided into 87 unmarked chapters.

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

👇🏼
(edited) 4mo

AnnCrystal
@Chrissyreadit
#antifabookclub
#overcomingevilempires

@Amiable:
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025

@julieclair #AllergicToChunksters

#SeriesLove2025
4mo

Amiable Excellent! 🎉🥳 4mo

AnnCrystal Thank You @Amiable 🥳📚🐉💖. 4mo

Chrissyreadit Wow! Stacking!! We need these books in hard times to remind us we will persevere ❤️ 4mo

AnnCrystal Well said @Chrissyreadit 👏🏼🥳🐉📚💖...it became difficult at times, yet I liked that Moniquill Blackgoose kept this clean 😉👍🏼🐉📚💝. 4mo

BookmarkTavern The sequel is coming out next year! 4mo

AnnCrystal @BookmarkTavern 👏🏼🥳👌🏼 Fantastic! I hope this is long going series 📚🐉💖. 4mo

julieclair Excellent, thoughtful review. 👍 4mo

AnnCrystal Thank You @julieclair 🥳👌🏼📚🐉💖. 4mo

36 likes2 stack adds13 comments

AnnCrystal

To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

This book is a horror story! Well, not literally...but as a Native American reader, this is a horror story... especially with the current political climate.

The prejudice that Anequs faces is INFURIATING. This is a reimagined world, yet the prejudice echoes from my ancestral history...and now the reality we are all facing today.

👇🏼

AnnCrystal Like I recently commented about...I grew up witnessing my mom experience several levels of prejudice. Something she has dealt with all her life.

Personally, I have dealt with racist who are so sly it's scary because the racism is not easily noticable.

Now, my mom and I both are experiencing blunt prejudice every time we step out and about.

👇🏼 (edited) 5mo

AnnCrystal I knew that the prejudice of the past remained alive, just not at these widespread, intense levels. I can now imagine the unjust prejudice returning to the levels described in this book...

This story does well in highlighting the ignorance of racism...but it is still unsettling.

Aside from the racism, I am truly enjoying the story.

👇🏼
(edited) 5mo

AnnCrystal On page 245 of 511. This is chronicling the journey of Anequs and Kasaqua as they venture to Dragon school and enter Anglish society. While I'm finding this entertaining, some may find the storyline tedious because the structure is a bit like a diary of events told from Anequs' prospective.

👇🏼
5mo

See All 8 Comments

AnnCrystal There are a nice diversity of characters (brown, black, and white). There is even a disabled professor, and an autistic classmate.

@Chrissyreadit
#overcomingevilempires
#antifabookclub

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

@Amiable:
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025

@julieclair #AllergicToChunksters

5mo

Amiable Good progress! 👍🏼 5mo

AnnCrystal Thank You @Amiable 🥳👌🏼🐉📚💝💝💝. (edited) 5mo

julieclair Good progress on the chunkster! But I hate to hear that you are experiencing any prejudice, let alone more prejudice than in past years. So so sad. What is wrong with people, that they feel they have to act this way? Sending hugs. 💝 5mo

AnnCrystal Thank You 😘 @julieclair You're so sweet and kind 🫂💝💝💝. Kindness like yours always shines brighter than the hatred ✊🏼☺️💖💖💖. 5mo

26 likes8 comments

AnnCrystal

To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

This Viking ruled world continues to feel more English than Nordic or Scottish?? Perhaps this rule comes from the Normans?? I'm enjoying this nonetheless 🐉📚💝. On Page 81

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

@Amiable:
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025

@julieclair #AllergicToChunksters

Amiable Looks good! How many pages is it ? I‘m assuming more than the 1 that is listed here. 😄 6mo

AnnCrystal @Amiable 💝🥳📚 I'm on Page eighty-one of 511 pages ☺️👍🏼💝. (edited) 6mo

julieclair Glad you‘re enjoying it! 6mo

AnnCrystal Thank You @julieclair 🥳📚🐉💝. 6mo

25 likes4 comments

AnnCrystal

To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

When I'm freaking out about reality, and my current read takes me to the one magical place that always feels safe and cozy...a bookstore 📚💝.

My previous book review was long because I didn't keep up with my posts as I read...I will try to do better.

Not thrilled about the threat to Kasaqua's life if Anequs fails.

I expected a world ruled by Vikings to be a little different...

Loving the steampunk vibes!

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

AnnCrystal
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025 6mo

24 likes1 comment

kspenmoll

Mark Twain | Ron Chernow

What a fantastic evening! My family went to hear Ron Chernow being interviewed about the writing of his biography of Mark Twain at the Mark Twain House in Hartford.The sold out venue was a Congregational Church nearby.That picture of Mark Twain on a stick is a hand fan they gave out to the audience because like most old churches, it was not air conditioned.Very creative & community building I thought!
The book is 1030 pages plus appendices.

Amiable

tpixie Amazing 🤩 6mo

Ruthiella Neat! 6mo

AnnCrystal 🆒📚💝. 6mo

See All 6 Comments

LeahBergen How wonderful! 6mo

Amiable I have my copy —I think it‘s going to be my #chunksterchallenge book for 2026! 6mo

MaureenMc Fabulous! I‘m on the wait list for the audiobook - 45 hours! 🤪 6mo

50 likes6 comments

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