2025 Reading Challenge discussion

I tried 125 for 2023 and that was certainly a challenge for me. I think I'll dial it back to 110 to give a little more wiggle room LOL.

I ended up marking my challenge to 115. I should be able to handle that,

I finished Broken Bonds after midnight last night so it counts as my first book this year,

Jack Frost by Rebecca F. Kenney

This was a pick for a local book club and I ended up really enjoying it. The FMC was annoying in the beginning, but she changed quite a bit by the end. I plan on continuing this series.

I've already started out behind on my challenge. We are in the middle of moving and that cuts into my reading time. But I should be able to catch up.

Savage Bonds by J. Bree

This is the second book in the Bonds that Tie series. The farther I get into the series, the more that I like it. I'm hesitant about continuing though because I've read some reviews that aren't so positive. I plan on continuing. I hope things work out with her bonds.

Origin by A.J. Sherwood

Love a good dragon shifter romance! This is the first book in the Scales 'N Spells series. This was such a good read, but I had some issues with the whole mating and having children with same sex couples. I just don't understand how that works. It wasn't explained other than magic was involved. If dragons have to have mages to make more dragons, then how do they make more mages? If all mages mate to dragons they can't have more mages the normal way????? It's a bit confusing. If you don't look at that aspect too closely and focus on the rest of the story and worldbuilding it's really good. Thats why I gave it four stars instead of five.

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

This is the second book in the Unwind series. I really like this series because so much of it is plausible. If the technology is actually developed and abortion controversy isn't settled, this could be our future and its pretty scary.

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia Butler was a master of her craft. I have loved everything I have ever read by her. And with this series, its my second time around. I couldn't stop thinking about it and decided that I would read it again. Set far in the future after a nuclear apocalypse, the definition about what it means to be human could drastically change.

Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland
I picked this one up after reading Legends & Lattes. There are a lot of similarities with them both being cozy fantasies. and while I liked them both its not really my favorite genre.
Coffee, Milk & Spider Silk by Coyote J.M. Edwards
I picked this one to go with a challenge prompt. It was really short and not a bad read. It was a lot like the previous two books I mentioned.

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton
This one was free on audible so I decided I would take a chance with it. Its a MM with a magical twist, but lacking in anything spicey. (Which is fine). I really liked it and decided I would continue the series with Trailer Park Trickster, which I just finished. I will continue with the third. I hope there are more to come.

I've got to stop getting behind on my posting!

Deadbeat Druid by David R. Slayton
This is the last book in the series. I would love to read more set in this world, but everything was tied up nice in the end. Really enjoyed listening to the whole series.

Unhinged by Onley James
This is the first book in this series and it was a bit darker than I usually read. I was challenged to read it and I'm glad I did. I plan on continuing the series.

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
Another audiobook (I've been listening to a lot more lately because I've been busy moving) Harper is one of my favorite authors for audiobooks. This one took me a few tries to get started. I just couldn't get into the beginning of it. But I'm glad that I kept at it. I really liked it.

Blood Bonds by J. Bree
This is book #3 in the series. I'm hooked on this series, and I'm not even sure why. They are much longer than I normally choose. Each of them have been 500+ and I like them around 300. The FMC and her guys go from cold to hot in seconds. And there are still to many unanswered questions.

Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler
This is my second time with this series. Butler is one of my very favorite authors.

A Curse of Shadows and Ice by Catharina Maura
This is a beauty and the beast retelling and I absolutely loved it!! It gets all of the stars. Its one of those books that you don't want the story to end.

Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper
Another audiobook, and the second in the Starfall Point series. Loved this one as well as the first. I look forward to the next one. The first two focuses on the FMC and their love interest. That only leaves one woman left.

Variant Lost by Kaydence Snow
This book is so similar to the Ties That Bind series by J. Bree. There are some minor changes to the world building and characters but that's it. I doubt I continue the series just for that reason.

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman
This is #3 in the Unwind series. I have really been hooked on this series. I think it should be required reading in schools as well as US Congress. The battle over women's reproductive rites is a sensitive topic and Shusterman touches on all of the gray areas.

Uncivilized by Rebecca Royce
I have loved everything I've ever read by Rebecca Royce. This is a spin off from her series Wings of Artemis. This is a RH featuring supersoldiers. Loved it, but I would recommend reading the Wings of Artemis series first.

Forced Bonds by J. Bree

This is the 4th book in the Bonds That Tie series. I'm completely hooked on this series. I just wish they weren't all 500+ pages.

Pond Water by Rian Mileti

This was recommended by someone who had seen it on TikTok. Apparently the author has parkinsons and the proceeds go to her treatment. This was not as good as I expected, The story development and world building needed a lot of help. But considering the health of the author she is to be commended for her efforts.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

This is the first book by this author that I have read. It is the first of a duology, I don't know if there will be more in the series. But I don't think I want to read the next one. I like how this one ended. I don't want it to go in a direction where something happens to the MCs. But then again, I may not be able to resist.

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I absolutely love the audio version with Joe Montagna. I either read or listen to it about once a year.

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

This is one of the books in the Giver Quartet which are apparently stand alones but related. I picked this one for the Popsugar list for a book published in 2000.

Psycho by Onley James

This is the second book in the Necessary Evils series. I really like the series even if it is a little dark.

Written Off by E.J. Copperman

This is another audiobook, Things have been busy this year with moving and other stuff, so I have found myself listening to more audiobooks. This one was a lot of fun. Its a cozy mystery that contains its own mystery about whether or not the character created by the MC, who is an author, actually came to life.

Rock Hard Gargoyle by Maggie Mayhem

What girl wouldn't want a sexy gargoyle protector/mate?

Snakecharm by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

This is the second book in this series, the Kiesha'ra, which is a YA but it touches on some very real issues such as mixed families and societal prejudices even though those prejudices should not exist. This isn't the only issue touched on, but it is a big part of the story and handled very well.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

OMG! This was such a powerful story. The fairytale of sleeping beauty was woven into a holocaust survivor's story. There were some reviews that criticized some aspects as not being historically accurate. But it is after all a work of fiction, and more than that a fairytale. It did bring to life some of the horrors of the holocaust, including some that are often overlooked such as homosexuals and gypsys that also suffered during this time. I think this is a book that everyone should read and be required reading in school. It's important to remember history lest it be repeated.

Edited Out by E.J. Copperman

This is the second book in the series. There is still a search going on for the identity of the MC and this search turns into a search for a murderer. This was another fun cozy mystery to listen to. Apparently, this is the last book in the series. I asked the author on his GR page and was told that the publisher didn't want to continue the series. That is a shame, I really enjoyed the book and we will never solve the mystery of Duffy Madison.

So far, I am at 31 books for the year. Jan and Feb I read 10 books each month and 11 so far this month. If I can keep this up I will surpass my goal of 110 with no problem.

Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

This audiobook is the first in the Mack's Bar Mystery series. Mack is a bar owner with synesthesia that parterners with a local police detective to solve a murder. Loved this start to the series.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Can't go wrong with a favorite classic.

Daman by Jaclyn Osborn

#3 in this series. Love all these so far.

Vespera by E.B. Haverly
New fantasy book by a new author. Awesome world building and great story.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Had to have a book on poetry for popsugar.

Murder's a Witch by Danielle Garrett

This is the first book in the Beachwood Harbor mystery series. This is another audio book and was a lot of fun to listen to.

I have finished 58 books so far this year. I'm pretty proud of myself :)
But I still need to do better about posting here.

Stone Soup by E.B. Mann

Such an original story. A little girl, with an abusive mother, keeps having the same dream. Magic from her past helps to save her and teach her who she is. But the ending makes you wonder if it was all real. Which part was the dream?

Twice the Witch by Danielle Garrett

2nd audio book in the Beechwood Harbor mystery series. I've really enjoyed the series so far, even if it has become a bit predictable.

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

5 stars hands down! If I could give it more stars, I would give it all the stars. I think this is one everyone should read. Such a powerful read, it touches on love, loss, family, and mental health. This is a book that has been banned and challenged across the US. That alone is enough to make you want to read it. I'm so glad that I did.

Witch Slapped by Danielle Garrett

#3 in the Beechwood Harbor series.

Gray by Jaclyn Osborn

Gray is my favorite character in the Sons of the Fallen series. He is so sweet and squishy. However, it is hard to reconcile his character with those in the sex scenes.

Seven Years by Dannika Dark

I started re-listening to this audiobook series. I liked it much more than the Mageri series. I'm going to try to give the Mageri another shot.

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

So far all these books have just been fun reads.

Witch Way Home by Danielle Garrett

#4 audiobook in this series. I still like it, but don't know if I will continue.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Awesome read! It got 5 stars from me.
This book begins with a mystery, but the way it is solved is almost backwards. Not the typical Who-Done-It. Highly recommend.

Six Months by Dannika Dark
2nd audiobook in the Seven series. Not my favorite of the series, but I still like it.

The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Picked it for a book with the word secret in the title. It's a fun read, geared toward middle grade age kids.

The Cat of Amontillado by S.M. Reine

This is a backwards shifter story. The cat learns to shift to human. It has an interesting premise but could use some expanding. It's more of a short story than a full novel.

Lucky Witch by Danielle Garrett
Audiobook #5. This was a really fun listen/read. It is set during St. Patrick's Day and is complete with leprechauns.

The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

Another fun read. It really focuses on facing your fears.

Five Weeks by Dannika Dark

3rd audiobook in the series. A great second chance romance

Seraph by Lily Mayne

I had been putting off reading this one because Seraph has an ick factor with so many eyes and sharp teeth. It was much better than anticipated. I'm glad I read it, but I admit I did skim a lot of the sex scenes, too much ick factor.

Shots in the Dark by Allyson K. Abbott
#4 audiobook in the series. I've enjoyed listening to these, but sometimes I get a bit lost and feel like I've missed something along the way. It would have made a great RH, but instead we get a love triangle.

A Toast to Murder by Allyson K. Abbott

#5 audiobook where the last few books are finally wrapped up. There is one more book in the series, but I like how things ended here. Not sure there should have been more.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

This was a re-read that was for a book club I take part in. I didn't care for it really the first time, but I liked it a little better this time. Maybe I'll give book two a chance?

Lightning Born by Sam Burns

This is a MM Frankenstein retelling and an interesting take on the story. The monster is not who you expect it to be.

So far this year I have been terrible about keeping up with this post about what I have read. I vow to do better in 2025 and will try to hit the highlights here. If anyone is interested in what I have been reading here is the link:

https://www.goodreads.com/user_challe...

I have surpassed my goal of 115. I have read 150 books this year and expect to finish a few more by the end of December. I did complete the 52 Books Challenge and will finish Popsugar 2024 shortly. I'm on my final book for that challenge.

Favorites for this year:

The Glass Box by J. Michael Straczynski
I am thankful for this book. After the election was over, I was really distraught. I had no hope for the future. This book helped me to see that as long as we fight there is still hope. I will continue to fight for the rights that my daughters and granddaughters have lost and expect to lose.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This was just such a good story. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.

The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption by Barbara Bisantz Raymond
This one hit close to home. This is a true story of legal child abduction, and I actually live about an hour and a half from Memphis, TN where this took place. The effects from what this woman did are still being felt today, and some of the practices are still taking place.

Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli
This book was awesome. The POV is from the ghosts of a serial killer's victims. Highly recommend.

What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen by Kate Fagan
This was an audio book, and it was hard to listen to. Not because it was bad, but because of the subject matter: teen suicide. As difficult as it was, I would highly recommend it.

There were many more that I enjoyed, and some I didn't. I look forward to seeing what gems I find in 2025.