2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This month we will be reading The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.

This is your space to chat about this month's book selection with other readers. There is no set schedule to follow, and no discussion leader is assigned. Everyone should feel free to post comments, share pertinent articles or interviews, ask questions, share likes or dislikes, etc. Most importantly, enjoy reading together!

This book was nominated by Carmen for our monthly theme; Cozy.

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

What prompted you to join this group read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

I decided to join this group read because I was looking for something to participate in (a challenge, group/buddy read, etc. and this book piqued my interest. Fitting January’s theme, it seemed super cozy and cute and I think I’ll enjoy it a lot. I don’t read much fantasy but I have been wanting to branch out so hopefully I find something new to enjoy.

I'm excited this one won the poll :) I set myself a challenge whilst the goodreads choice awards were going on to read lots of the nominees. This was one that interested me, but I couldn't get it from the library in time. It seems really popular with a pretty long holds list! My hold says available in 22 days so should be with by mid-January if not before. Looking forward to reading it with everyone!

This will be the first romantasy book I’ve ever read. I’m not typically drawn to these kind of books but the cover looks really pretty (I’m totally judging a book by its cover) and I hope I enjoy the story. Looking forward to many challenges in 2025!

I always read the group read books if I haven't previously read them. I just picked my copy up from the library yesterday and it has purple edges!

SarahKat wrote: "I always read the group read books if I haven't previously read them. I just picked my copy up from the library yesterday and it has purple edges!"

Oooh, that sounds pretty!

Just the title alone had me interested and then reading cozy cottagecore in the description had me! I've never read this author before but I'm always down to explore something new. I'm most excited to be part of a group read to have people to talk books with. I love reading but one of the biggest drawbacks of doing it solo is not having anyone to geek out over it with.

I got interested by the description of this book. :)
Unfortunatelly it's not available in English in my local library, so I will be reading an e-book without the beautiful purple edges. Still, quite excited about it!

I joined this group read because of the book that we will read. It's been on my TBR list, and I'm so interested to read this one soon. I haven't read any book by this author and it's my first time I will read her book. I think her other books looks good and nice to read.

It's so great to already see so many interested participants! 😊

I'm still on the fence on whether or not I'll be joining. A part of me thinks it sounds cute and fun, but the wait list on Libby is currently at 15 weeks 😅 soooo.... I'm undecided on whether I want to spend 16 bucks on a e-book I'm not certain I'll enjoy.

On the other hand, it might be a good start to the year though, so I guess we'll see 🤔

I'm really excited that this book is the first one of the year. I bought it a few months ago after seeing it on tiktok (I know. gross. lol) and read the blurb. What hooked me was her having a sentient spider plant that's her assistant. Instantly in love but was still a little skeptical. When I got it, I skipped to a random page (I do this with all my books to see if they're worth reading) and read a little to see if I'd like it and it made me laugh so I was going to read it this upcoming year anyway.

I will join in reading this book in January. I was intrigued by the name of the book as well as the cover before I even read the blurb. I have never heard of this author before seeing it as one of the group read choices but since then see it popping up everywhere. Crossing my fingers to find a new author to love!

This is my first romantasy book and I am very much looking forward to it! I just recently participated in a 25 day advent calendar type book reading for December and I actually enjoyed it. The book seems like something I’d enjoy with spells and herbs etc! Can’t wait to kick off 2025 with it :)

Hey there! Super excited to join in reading The Spellshop. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts. It’s my first book with a cottagecore theme.

Lisa wrote: "It's so great to already see so many interested participants! 😊

I'm still on the fence on whether or not I'll be joining. A part of me thinks it sounds cute and fun, but the wait list on Libby is ..."

The struggle is real 😂 Our library only has quite a small English section, so whenever I cannot get a book I want, I always go back and forth if I want to pay for an ebook.

But maybe buying a second hand is a (cheaper) option?

Sylvia wrote: "I'm really excited that this book is the first one of the year. I bought it a few months ago after seeing it on tiktok (I know. gross. lol) and read the blurb. What hooked me was her having a senti..."

I'm shameless and don't really see anything wrong in getting book recommendations from tiktok 🤷‍♀️ there are some good reviewers there! And yeah, a sentient spider-plant assistant got my attention as well, I'm just not entirely sure how I feel about it yet. I've killed a spider-plant or two in my life 🙈

I am on hold for this in Libby and looking forward to it. The only Sarah Beth Durst book I have read is Spark, which I enjoyed. It looks like she has quite a few books to her name.

Lina wrote: "I got interested by the description of this book. :)
Unfortunatelly it's not available in English in my local library, so I will be reading an e-book without the beautiful purple edges. Still, quit..."

After seeing this book on the nominations for the Goodreads awards I read the blurb and thought it was interesting. I do like some romantasy from time to time.
Now I got it as a christmas present and am happy that so many in this group want to read it in january - so I´ll join.

My copy also has purple edges and I love it!

I am new to a reading group, previously I read just to read but never really had others reading the same book as me. This seems like fun and I look forward to this book and more.

I’ve had this book since it came out and haven’t gotten around to reading it. I’m so glad I stumbled on this challenge!

I have never participated in a group read before. I'm excited to try it out! 2025 is going to be a different year for me - one thing I'm doing is getting back to my love of reading. I used to be a voracious reader, devouring books all the time. I'm excited to get back at it - what better way than to join a group read!

I have never read this author before, but I'm open to add another author to my must read list - LOL.

Looking forward to January!!

Lina wrote: "The struggle is real 😂 Our library only has quite a small English section, so whenever I cannot get a book I want, I always go back and forth if I want to pay for an ebook.

But maybe buying a second hand is a (cheaper) option?

hehe, I haven't bought a physical book in about ten years 😂 or... Well, that's not entirely true. I borrowed House of Leaves from my library in 2020, only because I couldn't get my hands on it any other way, but yeah... I don't like physical books. I know, I know, blasphemy! lol.

I always hold out until I can't take the FOMO anymore (which btw is right about now with how many people are excited about it and by extension getting me excited) but then I need to prioritize or I'd have to file for personal bankruptcy and only eat ramen noodles. *le sigh* 😂
So yes, I concur on the previously stated "the struggle is real". Still, I've partially given in, and downloaded the sample. Can y'all tell I'm weak?

Susan wrote: "This will be the first romantasy book I’ve ever read. I’m not typically drawn to these kind of books but the cover looks really pretty (I’m totally judging a book by its cover) and I hope I enjoy t..."

Same for me. This is not a genre I read, but I"m excited to give it a go. And you're right, the cover is cute!

My hold just came through on Libby! Looking forward to reading this with you all :)

I wanted to start 2025 with a good group of people and some good reads. When I saw what was coming up in January I saw "The Spellshop" and am excited to read this book. I am hopeful to have some good discussions and help me, at times, actually pick a book instead of my choice paralysis kicking in. My goal this year is to read 85 books. It is 5 more than my goal this year and I almost got there at 84. Happy reading everyone!

I cannot wait to read this and was excited to see that it was the upcoming group read! I just got it for Christmas and will be starting it tomorrow. Happy reading everyone!

I got the book for christmas so it's cool to read it not alone :)

It's so cool so many new names aswell as familiar ones! 🥳 Here's to a lively discussion of the book.

Happy reading to everyone!

New to this group so hi 👋 I refound my love of reading in 2024 so in 2025 I want to try and read lots of different genres and push outside of my comfort zone, so thought a group read might be a good way to go about it.

Hello everybody! I'm new here!! I decided to join this reading group because this book caught my attention, I don't usually read fantasy books, but one of the personal challenge this year is to read different genres. I'm excited to start this book tonight!

Hi everyone, happy 2025 !
I will join this reading as I am in a mood for Fantasy at the moment. I think I haven't read Romantasy yet so it's going to be a bit new and it's the first book I read by this author :)

Hey y’all! : ) Happy New Year! I’ve lurked in this group many many years but never participated in a group read before but the premise sounded interesting, there was quite a wait on this title at my library. I put in a hold request and figured if it became available during this month i’d attempt a group read, and imagine my surprise when that just happened. Looking forward to the discussions about the book later. Reading is so solitary by default so i’m excited to be a part of a group process in this way. Cheers!

This looks like something that would be a great start to the new year. I think I may have joined in on one of these in my early days on GR but never since. I hope to get in on the good discussions. Happy reading

Welcome to the first group read of 2025! Wishing everyone a fantastic reading month. I hope it's a fun experience for everyone 😊

Aaaaahhh!!! January came faster than I am prepared for! I still need to borrow this book! I definitely plan to join the reading discussion!

Well, my hold on Libby just came through, and now I'm wondering if it's a sign that the five people in front of me all skipped out on it 🤔. Guess there's only one way to find out!

Hello, Happy New Year. I just joined this group today and after reading the new to group threads I noticed this thread about The Spellshop group read. I actually just started reading this book last night and I’m excited to join this group read. This is my first Romantasy book, and I’m also excited to not read it alone. Happy reading.😊

I can see nearly every other book this author wrote at my library on Cloud Library except this one. I do have other sources for this book. Seems frustrating that there is everything but this one.

I an excited to participate in something other than my own personal challenge. Happy to be here.
Heather

I was planning to read the e-book for this one because the wait list is shorter but it still may not be short enough to read in January. Since I am looking for other ways to get this book anyway, can any of you give me a recommendation as to which format is more enjoyable for this book? Audio or e-book/physical copy? I love a good audio book but not all good books have great audio versions.

Carrie wrote: "I was planning to read the e-book for this one because the wait list is shorter but it still may not be short enough to read in January. Since I am looking for other ways to get this book anyway, c..."

I don't think it really matters, Carrie. I started the audio while I was still deciding, and I think Caitlin Davies does a great job at narrating all the voices. I've now switched over to full on e-book simply because that's my preference, but I enjoyed both 😀.

I just checked my copy out from the library today and the pages are purple!! I’m so excited, I might start reading it today.