Bookish Challenges discussion

Yearly Challenge 2025


Sign-ups are open throughout 2025.
The challenge will end on December 31, 2025.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you. You can sign up at any point during the year but only for the months that are left. Example: If you join in January, you will be able to participate in the months January-December. If you join in March, you will be able to participate in the months March-December.

2. Each month, I will post prompts surrounding a specific theme to your thread. There will be 9 prompts each month, divided into 3 levels. For the completion of a level 1 prompt, you will receive 1 point. For level 2, you will receive 2 points and for level 3 it will be 3 points.
To receive each month's Book Award, please complete one prompt in each level. You can complete as many prompts as you want and are able to and in any order. Note that only books completed in the respective months will be accepted.

3. You have 3 free skips throughout the challenge but you can only use one free skip each month. To skip a prompt, please read a book that meets the general guidelines.
If you are out of free skips or want to use another skip in that month, you can either:
- spend 2 points to complete a prompt from a previous month,
- spend 3 points to complete a prompt from the current month twice or
- spend 5 points to read a book that meets the general guidelines.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

January - New Beginnings


Level 1
1. A book by an author you've never read before.
2. A book that starts a new series.
3. A book by a debut author.

Level 2
1. A book published in 2025.
2. A book about personal growth or change.
3. A book with "new," "begin," or "start" in the title.

Level 3
1. A book set during the start of a new year or a new season.
2. A book set in the future or involving a fresh start.
3. A book recommended by someone else to "start your year right."

January - New Beginnings

Level 1
✅1. A book by an author you've never read before - Reel by Kennedy Ryan, my first time reading a book by Kennedy Ryan.
✅2. A book that starts a new series. - Ghost by Jason Reynolds, first book in Track series
✅ 3. A book by a debut author - Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne, author's first book

Level 2
✅ 1. A book published in 2025 The Note by Alafair Burke - published 7th of January 2025
✅2. A book about personal growth or change - The School of Life: An Emotional Education by Alain de Botton, labeled as Personal Development
✅3. A book with "new," "begin," or "start" in the title - It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover, "start" in the title

Level 3
✅1. A book set during the start of a new year or a new season - The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore, the story takes place at Christmas and at the start of the new year
✅2. A book set in the future or involving a fresh start - Saving Noah by author:Lucinda Berry|14550035], Noah goes back in society and tries to figure out how will his life look like after serving the sentence given to him for molesting 2 children
✅3. A book recommended by someone else to "start your year right." - Main Street Millionaire: How to Make Extraordinary Wealth Buying Ordinary Businesses by Codie Sanchez, recommendation to start the year right

✅

January challenge completed

February - Love Around the World


Level 1
1. A romance novel or a book with a love story.
2. A book set in a different country than the one you live in.
3. A book by a diverse or international author (your interpretation).

Level 2
1. A book with a pink or red cover (50%+).
2. A book about friendship, family, or other non-romantic love.
3. A book with a travel element (road trip, vacation, etc.).

Level 3
1. A book with "heart," "love," or "passion" in the title.
2. A book with food, music, or art as a central theme.
3. A book with a famous couple or relationship at its core.

Elena wrote: "January challenge completed"

✅

February - Love Around the World

Level 1
✅1. A romance novel or a book with a love story -The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom; Eddie marries Marguerite and even after she dies, he continues to love her for the rest of his life, until they meet again in heaven after the accident that killed him
✅2. A book set in a different country than the one you live in. Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One by Raphaëlle Giordano- set in France, I live in Switzerland
✅3. A book by a diverse or international author(your interpretation)- The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom- Mitch Albom, American of Jewish descent, from a Polish father, adopted a child from a Haitian orphanage

Level 2
✅1. A book with a pink or red cover (50%+) - Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
✅2. A book about friendship, family, or other non-romantic love - The Courage to Be Happy: Discover the Power of Positive Psychology and Choose Happiness Every Day; the youth wants to learn how to improve the relationship with his students
✅3. A book with a travel element (road trip, vacation, etc.) - Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom; The author and his wife took Chika to Disney, as they have promised her she will see the castle in the opening of the Disney movies

Level 3
✅1. A book with "heart," "love," or "passion" in the title- How It Feels to Find Yourself: Navigating Life's Changes with Purpose, Clarity, and Heart - Heart in the title
✅2. A book with food, music, or art as a central theme. The Gut Repair Plan: Four weeks to better health by Sarah Di Lorenzo; centered around gut health and gut healthy foods
✅3. A book with a famous couple or relationship at its core - Spare by Prince Harry - Prince Harry's memoir where his most important relationships are mentioned

✅

February challenge completed

✅

March - Mysteries & Adventures


Level 1
1. A mystery, thriller, or adventure book.
2. A book set in a place you've never visited.
3. A book with a one-word title.

Level 2
1. A book with a detective or amateur sleuth.
2. A book by an author known for mysteries or thrillers.
3. A book with a plot twist you didn’t see coming.

Level 3
1. A book featuring a chase or hunt.
2. A book with "dark," "shadow," or "hidden" in the title.
3. A book with an unreliable narrator.

March - Mysteries & Adventures

Level 1
1. A mystery, thriller, or adventure book
✅2. A book set in a place you've never visited - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten, set in the US, where I didn't get to travel yet
3. A book with a one-word title.

Level 2
✅1. A book with a detective or amateur sleuth - Meet Me When My Heart Stops by Becky Hunter. Emery looks into Nick's story as she wanted to know more about him and his life
2. A book by an author known for mysteries or thrillers.
3. A book with a plot twist you didn’t see coming


Level 3
✅1. A book featuring a chase or hunt - Lock Every Door by Riley Sager - Jules realizes that they are looking for Ingrid, that is why they helped her think of places where to search for her
2. A book with "dark," "shadow," or "hidden" in the title.
3. A book with an unreliable narrator.

✅

April - Blossoming Stories


Level 1
1. A book with flowers, trees, or nature on the cover.
2. A book with a predominantly green cover.
3. A book where a character overcomes a challenge.

Level 2
1. A book about growth or transformation.
2. A book about self-discovery.
3. A book that feels "uplifting" or hopeful.

Level 3
1. A book with "spring" or "bloom" in the title.
2. A book set in a rural or nature-focused setting.
3. A book inspired by or involving mythology.

April - Blossoming Stories

Level 1
✅1. A book with flowers, trees, or nature on the cover - The Second Husband by Kate White
✅2. A book with a predominantly green cover. - The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
✅3. A book where a character overcomes a challenge - The One by John Marrs - Alex and Nick are two of the people that have been matched by Match Your DNA test. Even though they had to deal with challenges in their lives that kept them apart for a while, in the end they find their way back to each other.

Level 2
✅1. A book about growth or transformation - Non Violent Communication A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg.
2. A book about self-discovery.
3. A book that feels "uplifting" or hopeful

Level 3
✅ 1. A book with "spring" or "bloom" in the title - Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected--A Memoir by Kelle Hampton
2. A book set in a rural or nature-focused setting.
3. A book inspired by or involving mythology.

May - May We Laugh?


Level 1
1. A humorous or lighthearted book.
2. A book with a quirky or unconventional protagonist.
3. A romantic comedy.

Level 2
1. A book by a comedian or featuring comedic elements.
2. A book that made someone else laugh (get a recommendation!).
3. A book with an animal on the cover or in the story.

Level 3
1. A book with "funny," "laugh," or "smile" in the title.
2. A satirical book or one poking fun at society.
3. A book with a bright, cheerful cover.

Level 1
✅1. A humorous or lighthearted book - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
2. A book with a quirky or unconventional protagonist.
3. A romantic comedy.

Level 2
1. A book by a comedian or featuring comedic elements.
2. A book that made someone else laugh (get a recommendation!).
✅3. A book with an animal on the cover or in the story - We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer.

Level 3
1. A book with "funny," "laugh," or "smile" in the title.
2. A satirical book or one poking fun at society.
✅3. A book with a bright, cheerful cover - .

June - Across the Genres


Level 1
1. A book with multiple perspectives.
2. A book published before the year 2000.
3. A book adapted into a movie or TV series.

Level 2
1. A book outside your usual favorite genre.
2. A book that blends two or more genres (e.g., fantasy romance, sci-fi thriller).
3. A book featuring a genre-specific trope (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, chosen one, locked-room mystery).

Level 3
1. A book by an author who writes in multiple genres.
2. A book that is hard to classify into a single genre.
3. A book that redefines or subverts its genre.

Level 1
1. A book with multiple perspectives.
2. A book published before the year 2000.
3. A book adapted into a movie or TV series.

Level 2
1. A book outside your usual favorite genre.
2. A book that blends two or more genres (e.g., fantasy romance, sci-fi thriller).
3. A book featuring a genre-specific trope (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, chosen one, locked-room mystery).

Level 3
1. A book by an author who writes in multiple genres.
2. A book that is hard to classify into a single genre.
3. A book that redefines or subverts its genre.

Elena wrote: "Level 1
✅1. A humorous or lighthearted book - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
2. A book with a quirky or unconventional protagonist.
3. A romantic comedy.

Le..."

✅

July - Hot Reads


Level 1
1. A book you associate with “hot” topics or intense emotions.
2. A book released during summer (any year).
3. A book with a sunny, yellow, or orange cover.

Level 2
1. A book set during summer or in a warm location.
2. A book with a literal or metaphorical fire.
3. A book with a summer fling or vacation theme.

Level 3
1. A book with "fire," "heat," or "hot" in the title.
2. A book featuring a beach, island, or desert.
3. A book by an author from a tropical or hot climate.

Level 1
1. A book you associate with “hot” topics or intense emotions.
2. A book released during summer (any year).
✅3. A book with a sunny, yellow, or orange cover


Level 2
1. A book set during summer or in a warm location.
✅2. A book with a literal or metaphorical fire - Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover; metaphorical fire of Tate's and Miles' emotions and experiences, traumatic past
3. A book with a summer fling or vacation theme.

Level 3
1. A book with "fire," "heat," or "hot" in the title.
✅2. A book featuring a beach, island, or desert - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
3. A book by an author from a tropical or hot climate

✅

August - Around the Classics


Level 1
1. A classic novel (any period or culture).
2. A book that won a major literary award.
3. A book you’ve seen referenced in pop culture.

Level 2
1. A retelling of a classic story.
2. A book by an author considered a literary “classic” in their field.
3. A classic short story or novella.

Level 3
1. A book set in the time period of a classic novel you love.
2. A modern book inspired by or paying homage to a classic.
3. A book by an author whose works you want to explore more deeply.

Level 1
1. A classic novel (any period or culture).
✅2. A book that won a major literary award - Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman; Goodreads choice award
3. A book you’ve seen referenced in pop culture.

Level 2
1. A retelling of a classic story.
2. A book by an author considered a literary “classic” in their field.
✅3. A classic short story or novella - Woom by Duncan Ralston - marked as novella and short story

Level 3
1. A book set in the time period of a classic novel you love.
✅2. A modern book inspired by or paying homage to a classic - The Gift by Freida McFadden; short story inspired by the classic O. Henry tale, The Gift of the Magi.
✅3. A book by an author whose works you want to explore more deeply Satan's Affair by H.D. Carlton

September - Back to School


Level 1
1. A book set in a school, college, or academic setting.
2. A nonfiction or self-improvement book.
3. A book that teaches you something new.

Level 2
1. A book featuring a teacher, professor, or mentor.
2. A book about childhood or adolescence.
3. A book about a learning journey or discovery.

Level 3
1. A book with a focus on history, science, or technology.
2. A book set in a boarding school or involving academic competition.
3. A book with "study," "school," or "class" in the title.