So #ThePitt did a shout out and led me to this book. Definitely reading, it looks awesome. Sharing in case anyone else needs recommendations for the #PolymathReadingChallenge ;)

#BlackHistoryMonth #bookstodon #AmReading #history

#PolymathReadingChallenge book 3 (History of Music)

Honestly I never really got the whole opera thing, but now I am suspecting they were teaching it wrong in Music class. This book was a wild ride, more adventurous than any novel a writer could have come up with. Da Ponte is a holy fool, a hopeless romantic, a charming idiot, an annoying genius, an easy mark, a talented poet, a self-absorbed weirdo, and an all-around fascinating character.

#bookstodon #books #music #opera #history #nonfiction

Please hit me with a topic! #PolymathReadingChallenge

#PolymathReadingChallenge Book 2 (Category is: 17th-18th century)

I was worried at first that this would be a sad read, but it was truly fascinating. A Dutch sea captain brought a tame Indian rhino named Clara to Europe, and toured the entire continent with her for 20 years. She didn't only become the first well-known example of her species - but also the subject of the first viral marketing campaign in history.

#bookstodon #books #AmReading #animals #history #nonfiction

My first book for the #PolymathReadingChallenge (6. marine biology)

Not a very jolly book to start the year on, but it was definitely fascinating. It traces the 1858 expedition to find the great auk - 14 years after the last known specimens were hunted down in Iceland.
The author recounts the expedition and the effects it had: the birth of the concept of human-caused extinction, and the beginnings of environmental conservation.
Poor great auks, though.

#books #nature #birds #bookstodon

By the way I am starting to actively use #Bookwyrm so if you want to follow you can find me at

Tarkabarka@bookwyrm.social

#bookstodon #books #PolymathReadingChallenge

gotta admit, right now i’m a bit stumped on what could count under “woodland folks kids books” category other than books themselves
#PolymathReadingChallenge

Categories:

In the tradition of the #PolymathReadingChallenge I made a list of anniversaries happening in 2025, then did a random draw of them to determine the categories.

1. history of music
2. famous African-American people
3. medicine
4. Vietnam war
5. European Union
6. marine biology
7. public transport
8. architecture
9. 17th-18th century
10. civil rights
11. endangered animals
+12. individual category by WikiRoulette (respond to get yours)

Have fun reading :)

#bookstodon

Alright, here it is:

#PolymathReadingChallenge 2025

Read 12 #NONFICTION books

Rules:
- you can read them in any order
- (auto)biographies count
- write a review of each (here or on Bookwyrm)
- use the # when posting about the challenge

Categories: See next toot in this thread.

Everyone gets their 12th category randomly through WikiRoulette. If you want to take part, respond to this thread and I'll give you one.

Feel free to use # for recommendations

#bookstodon #reading #ReadingChallenge

So, this year I inherited the Polymath Reading Challenge from its creator. 📚

It is a yearly 12-book nonfiction reading challenge. You read books of your choice for 12 categories, and post your reviews of them. I have had immense fun finding books for topics I otherwise wouldn't read.

Would people want to join in if I also ran it on Mastodon?

#PolymathReadingChallenge #Reading #books #bookstodon #ReadingChallenge #nonfiction