2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is an aggressive goal for myself - but I need to push myself to read more. Going to try reading 25 in 25. We will see how it goes :).

17/25:

The Wise Woman


I didn't love it but didn't hate it either. The book could have been a bit shorter but I enjoyed the setting. It is definitely an extremely dark read. Toxic characters and relationships throughout. It fits the time period well but I would have preferred a little less witchcraft. I won't ever forget this book.

West with Giraffes


Quite enjoyed this lighter and quick read. More fiction than historical fiction but it was a nice coming of age story that was set against the real story of two giraffes being driven coast to coast. The characters are wonderful and Woody, Old Man, Red, Boy and Girl will always stick with me.

The Dutch Orphan: A Novel


Good book although it was a slow start and the ending dragged a bit. A fictional story about the Dutch resistance and the Dutch NSB during WWII. The book was well researched and it was a good read.

Mistborn: The Final Empire


Great book to start the fantasy genre with or if you aren't a huge fantasy reader. It is easy enough to follow along and love the use of metals as powers in the book! Writing that keeps the pages turning and very hard to put down.

All of Us in Our Own Lives


Lots of potential but this book was just ok. At a very surface level, it touched on many important issues. Too many issues, instead of focusing on just a few. Too many acronyms and characters and the stories felt disjointed. Although the story lines came together in the last few chapters.

The Blue Fox


This book was ok. A quick read set in wintry, 19th century Iceland. Enjoyed the ending and how it tied everything together. I'm glad I read this book although I'm not sure it will stick with me.

Indian Horse


Wagamese is a magical author - he can transport you right into the book. A horrible part of history that is important to know about. A book everyone should read.

Corsair


Learned a lot about the lifestyles of Corsairs and Slaves in the late 1600s from this book. Well written and really enjoyed it. Will continue this series.

The Lost Bookshop


Good book with a mix of magical realism with some historical fiction. Was a nice, easy read that allowed me to journey into it's world. Would have liked a bit more of the magical realism and the characters to have a bit more substance.

Ninth House


My first DNF in a long time. Just couldn't get into this one - ghosts and secret societies are not for me. I got about half way through and felt the story didn't really progress at all. May give this another go down the road but for now I'm going to move to other books.

The Instrumentalist


Loved this book - the authors descriptions of music seen through colour were fantastic. Anna Maria Della Pieta is such a fascinating character with little known about her. The author did a great job creating her story around what is known. The story is mainly about Anna Maria Della Pieta and how she senses music.

Daughters of Rome


This book started off too slow for me - so much happening yet the book made it seem like little was happening. Just a bunch of gossiping women. But the last third or so was so good - couldn't put it down and full of action. I liked it and I'll be picking up the third in this series.

The Girls

Re-read this book and still enjoyed it just as much as the first time. A fictional story about conjoined twins, written in their voice. The book starts off a bit slow but builds as it goes.

Remember Me: A Novel of the Spanish Civil War


Enjoyed this book and learning about the Spanish Civil War and the Children of Morelia. I didn't find this book fully pulled me in but I still learned a lot and enjoyed the quick read. Another heartbreaking part of history.

The Forgotten Home Child


Another good historical fiction book based on Canadian history. I didn't know about British Home Children until I read this book and I'm glad I do now. It is an important part of history - Canada was built on the back of many of these children. Well written and informative - it was a good read.

Brooklyn


This book was ok. It was nice to read a slower paced book at times but also felt there could have been a bit more excitement. The book was rather mundane at times. The writing style didn't really pull me into the story but was also ok. Didn't love it but didn't hate it.

The Island of Missing Trees


Loved this book. The writing was beautiful and it went perfectly with the beautiful story that was being told. The characters are unforgettable and the fact that part of the book was told by a fig tree was perfect. Enjoyed the parts in Cyprus the best and the fig tree's points of view. Tree's have witnessed much of history.

Happy New Year, Jessica!
Whenever I see someone say they "have to/need to" do something in relation to their reading habit, my first thought is always "why"?

I understand hat it's a turn of phrase, and I also completely get pushing to read more, just because, but I also think sometimes we all forget the amount shouldn't matter as much as quality and personal enjoyment. I guess the phrasing just makes me curious, is all. 🤔

Wishing you the best of luck on your reading journey in 2025!
I hope you manage to read the books you're interested in, and discover new favorites along the way. '
Happy reading!

Hi Lisa,

It's not really needing to push myself to read more in a bad way. I miss my reading time as we are so busy with young ones these days. I need to read more for myself - it's the 'me' time I need :).

Jessica wrote: "Hi Lisa,

It's not really needing to push myself to read more in a bad way. I miss my reading time as we are so busy with young ones these days. I need to read more for myself - it's the 'me' time ..."

Completely understandable. Like I said, I was just curious. As long as it works for you, then that's all that matters. 😊
Do you have any new releases on your radar? Or other books, you really want to get to this year?

Btw, I love your shelf of "future-kids-books".

I have a few new releases I'm looking forward too. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett is one. I read the first book last year and really enjoyed it. Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi and Isola Allegra Goodman are also books I'm looking forward too. Historical Fiction is what I enjoy reading the most.

I'm also hoping to read more of the Mistborn series - as it's always nice to get some Fantasy in!

Thank you - I need to update the shelf - I have so many books I could add to that shelf! So many amazing kids books out there.

Three books complete in January so far - Thoughts on the books in the 2nd post. The last two are definitely picks for me.

As we come to the end of February - I have managed to read 7 books so far this year. Most have been good. Indian Horse is the standout for the year so far.

End of March has come and gone and I am now 11 books into 2025. I've discovered so many good books so far and looking forward to discovering more!

Hi Jess! Looks like you're making great progress on your goal! I'm glad you're getting in your 'me' time. It's really important to take time for yourself and it looks like you're succeeding. Way to go! I hope you are enjoying lots of terrific books! Happy reading!

JennH wrote: "Hi Jess! Looks like you're making great progress on your goal! I'm glad you're getting in your 'me' time. It's really important to take time for yourself and it looks like you're succeeding. Way to..."

Thanks so much Jenn! I think I'll probably surpass my goal this year which is so much fun. There have also been a lot of books that I enjoyed reading which helps.

Jessica wrote: "JennH wrote: "Hi Jess! Looks like you're making great progress on your goal! I'm glad you're getting in your 'me' time. It's really important to take time for yourself and it looks like you're succ..."

So awesome that you could surpass your goal! I'll be rooting for you! And enjoying your books definitely helps. Any favorites?

JennH wrote: "Jessica wrote: "JennH wrote: "Hi Jess! Looks like you're making great progress on your goal! I'm glad you're getting in your 'me' time. It's really important to take time for yourself and it looks ..."

Thank you so much! I've been lucky enough to find a few gems this year! The Instrumentalist, The Island of Missing Trees and Advocate are currently my top picks for the year. Been really lucky with a lot of good books this year!

Jessica wrote: "JennH wrote: "Jessica wrote: "JennH wrote: "Hi Jess! Looks like you're making great progress on your goal! I'm glad you're getting in your 'me' time. It's really important to take time for yourself..."

That's awesome! Reading good books definitely helps with wanting to read more. Happy reading! May you find many, many more good books! Your aggressive goal might end up being a piece of cake! 😉