The 52 Book Club: 2025 Challenge discussion

16. A Book You've Seen Someone Reading In A Public Place


For this prompt, pick a book that you’ve seen someone reading in public! It could be someone on public transit, in the library, at the park or beach, etc. Keep your eyes peeled! You never know what you might find.

And if you see someone reading in a public place, don’t forget to add the book to our Goodreads list (link below.) This will help others who may live in areas where this prompt isn’t easily completed!

Check out our Goodreads List for examples

I read Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood, 5 Stars

“Bewilderment” (someone posted a pic of herself reading it at a bus stop, I saw the pic on insta) lol

Saw a young girl enjoying City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab while I was sitting in a cafe. This is already on my TBR, so I might use this. However, there is still a lot of year left...

I am choosing You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. I was waiting outside of a college class and someone across the hallway was sitting reading this book. Luckily I already have the audiobook!

The Lincoln Highway

Went out for lunch yesterday and saw a lady reading this at her table. So happy because I just got this book through Book of the Month a couple days ago!

I saw a woman reading The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto at the gym.

Iron Widow

State of Terror by Louise Penny/ Hillary Clinton read by a librarian in a library.

I saw a woman with The Deal by Elle Kennedy in a crowd shot at an NHL game.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

I just saw someone reading Lease on Love by Falon Ballard. I talked to the lady reading it and she was enjoying the book.

I read The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. This was a bit of a cheat. I saw someone holding it in their hands at the bookstore.

I read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind.

Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson

I read "Portraits of Childfree Wealth: 26 stories about how being Childfree impacts your life, wealth, and finances. by Jay Zigmont.

I never see people reading in public, but some posted on a reading forum about having read this, so I counted it as a "public place." I read "The Facemaker," by Lindsey Fitzharris. Really interesting account of how plastic surgery as we know it now was really perfected as a means for helping WWI soldiers terribly mutilated in trench warfare.

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

In February I went with my boyfriend and our best friend to the mountain side by train. And in the train there was this guy that sit next to me (that was the number of his ticket), and he started reading The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski.

Normally I started this book in January 2020 but I eventually put it on hold as I had others to read plus I had a massive reading slump.

So I will try to get back to it but I have so many to finish that I'm not sure I'll make it this year.

P.S. We befriended that guy, exchanged PlayStation accounts and played Uno on the train (then all 3 guys played Cards Against Humanity and I was reading something). It was a nice day, all in all.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

"Hang the Moon" by Alexandria Bellefleur

This place of Wonder by Barbara O’neal

My Tidda, My Sister: Stories of Strength and Resilience from Australia's First Women is a series of short stories and excerpts from a blog by Indigenous author Marlee Silva. The stories are about successful Indigenous women and is aimed at encouraging others. Here is my review