2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This year, my goal is to read 120 books.

Total Read: 97/120

Rating Scale
⭐ - Was this close to DNF
⭐⭐ - Didn't really enjoy but I've read worse
⭐⭐⭐ - Was neither overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Guess I was whelmed
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable and entertaining read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Absolutely loved and couldn't put it down

PopSugar Reading Challenge

Goal: 25 books

Total Read: 26/50

1. A book about a POC experiencing joy and not trauma
2. A book you want to read based on the last sentence: Flyy Girl (#1) by Omar Tyree 01/30 ⭐⭐⭐
3. A book about space tourism
4. A book with two or more books on the cover or "book" in the title: The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists: A Mind-Boggling Collection of Fun, Fascinating and Bizarre Facts on Movies, Music, Sports, Crime, Celebrities, History, Trivia and More by Jamie Frater 01/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. A book with a snake on the cover or in the title: Court of Ice and Ash (#2) by L.J. Andrews 04/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. A book that fills your favorite prompt from the 2015 PS Reading Challenge (Reading Challenge 2015 | POPSUGAR Love) (A graphic novel): The Walking Dead, Vol. 5: The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman 07/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. A book about a cult
8. A book under 250 pages: Seduced by Blood (#2) by Sadie Moss 01/26 ⭐⭐⭐
9. A book that features a character going through menopause
10. A book you got for free: Spying in High Heels (#1) by Gemma Halliday 07/22 ⭐⭐
11. A book mentioned in another book: Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron by Julia Quinn 01/16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
12. A book about a road trip
13. A book rated less than three stars on Goodreads
14. A book about a nontraditional education: A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story by Sister Souljah 01/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
15. A book that an AI chatbot recommends based on your favorite book
16. A book set in or around a body of water
17. A book about a run club
18. A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons: Secret of the Fae Library (#2) by D.M. Fike 02/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
19. A highly anticipated read of 2025
20. A book that fills a 2024 prompt you'd like to do over (or try out): (#46) Reign of Stars and Fire (#8) by L.J. Andrews 07/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
21. A book where the main character is a politician: The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman 07/30 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
22. A book about soccer
23. A book that is considered healing fiction
24. A book with a happily single woman protagonist: Violet in Bloom (#8.6) by Julia Quinn 01/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
25. A book where the main character is an immigrant or refugee: Taken by the Alpha (#1) by Laxmi Hariharan 09/01 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
26. A book where an adult character changes careers
27. A book set at a luxury resort
28. A book that features an unlikely friendship: The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown (#1) by Julia Quinn 01/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
29. A book about a food truck
30. A book that reminds you of your childhood: The Race to Chimney Rock (#1) by Jesse Wiley 07/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
31. A book where music plays an integral part of the storyline: Glisser (#5) by Jane Washington 02/20 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
32. A book about an overlooked woman in history: Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar 06/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
33. A book featuring an activity on your bucket list
34. A book written by an author who is neurodivergent
35. A book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron 08/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
36. A book with silver on the cover or in the title: Crown of Blood and Ruin (#3) by L.J. Andrews 04/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
37. Two books with the same title (1)
38. Two books with the same title (2)
39. A classic you've never read
40. A book about chosen family

Advanced Prompts
Easy
41. A book by the oldest author in your TBR pile
42. A book with a title that starts with the letter Y
43. A book that includes a nonverbal character: Southern Potions (#9) by Amy Boyles 07/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
44. A book you have always avoided reading

Medium
45. A book with a left-handed character: The Walking Dead, Vol. 6: This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman 07/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
46. A book where nature is the antagonist: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #1 by L. Frank Baum 01/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
47. A book of interconnected short stories: Lady Whistledown Strikes Back (#2) by Julia Quinn 02/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hard
48. A book that features a married couple who don't live together: The Coldest Winter Ever (#1) by Sister Souljah 01/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
49. A dystopian book with a happy ending: Elancer (#6) by Jane Washington 07/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
50. A book that features a character with chronic pain: The Ever King (#1) by L.J. Andrews 03/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

January

1. The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists: A Mind-Boggling Collection of Fun, Fascinating and Bizarre Facts on Movies, Music, Sports, Crime, Celebrities, History, Trivia and More by Jamie Frater 01/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Phantasma (#1) by Kaylie Smith 01/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #1 by L. Frank Baum 01/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. On the Way to the Wedding (#8) by Julia Quinn 01/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron by Julia Quinn 01/16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown (#1) by Julia Quinn 01/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. The Coldest Winter Ever (#1) by Sister Souljah 01/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story by Sister Souljah 01/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Seduced by Blood (#2) by Sadie Moss 01/26 ⭐⭐⭐
10. Flyy Girl (#1) by Omar Tyree 01/30 ⭐⭐⭐
11. Violet in Bloom (#8.6) by Julia Quinn 01/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story by Sister Souljah 01/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists: A Mind-Boggling Collection of Fun, Fascinating and Bizarre Facts on Movies, Music, Sports, Crime, Celebrities, History, Trivia and More by Jamie Frater 01/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 11

February

1. Lady Whistledown Strikes Back (#2) by Julia Quinn 02/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Grimoires and Gingerbread (#2) by Danielle Garrett 02/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Southern Karma (#6) by Amy Boyles 02/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Secret of the Fae Library (#2) by D.M. Fike 02/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Glisser (#5) by Jane Washington 02/20 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Glisser (#5) by Jane Washington 02/20 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: Grimoires and Gingerbread (#2) by Danielle Garrett 02/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 16

March

1. Because of Miss Bridgerton (#1) by Julia Quinn 03/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Ever King (#1) by L.J. Andrews 03/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (#2) by Julia Quinn 03/09 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Other Miss Bridgerton (#3) by Julia Quinn 03/15 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. First Comes Scandal (#4) by Julia Quinn 03/16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 03/16 ⭐⭐⭐
7. Traded For Their Pleasure (#12) by L.V. Lane 03/17 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. Tamed for Her Pleasure (#19) by L.V. Lane 03/27 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Curse of Shadows and Thorns (#1) by L.J. Andrews 03/30 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Curse of Shadows and Thorns (#1) by L.J. Andrews 03/30 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 03/16 ⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 25

April

1. Court of Ice and Ash (#2) by L.J. Andrews 04/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Bound for Their Pleasure (#14) by L.V. Lane 04/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Crown of Blood and Ruin (#3) by L.J. Andrews 04/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett 04/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Clique (#1) by Lisi Harrison 04/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Best Friends for Never (#2) by Lisi Harrison 04/11 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Revenge of the Wannabes (#3) by Lisi Harrison 04/12 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. Night of Masks and Knives (#4) by L.J. Andrews 04/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Coraline by Neil Gaiman 04/26 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Crown of Blood and Ruin (#3) by L.J. Andrews 04/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: Best Friends for Never (#2) by Lisi Harrison 04/11 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 34

May

1. Game of Hate and Lies (#5) by L.J. Andrews 05/02 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Tempting the Orc (#0.5) by L.V. Lane 05/02 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Coveted Beta (#8) by L.V. Lane 05/08 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Ruined by Blood (#3) by Sadie Moss 05/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Beauty and the Bears (#9) by L.V. Lane 05/10 ⭐
6. Mom of the Chosen One (#1) by D.M. Fike 05/17 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Dance of Kings and Thieves (#6) by L.J. Andrews 05/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. Mom on a Quest (#2) by D.M. Fike 05/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Southern Magic Thanksgiving (#7) by Amy Boyles 05/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Dance of Kings and Thieves (#6) by L.J. Andrews 05/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: Beauty and the Bears (#9) by L.V. Lane 05/10 ⭐

YTD Total: 43

It appears that you are enjoying your 2025 books selections since your least favorites are at least 3-4 stars. Yay! You're making great progress toward this year's goal! 👍

TerryJane wrote: "It appears that you are enjoying your 2025 books selections since your least favorites are at least 3-4 stars. Yay! You're making great progress toward this year's goal! 👍"

I'm really enjoying this year's selections! If I'm being honest, all of this year's least favorite books are because I had to pick something, not because I did not enjoy them.

June

1. Shield of Sparrows (#1) by Devney Perry 06/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar 06/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage 06/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Ice Cream & Sadness (#2) by Kris Wilson, Rob DenBleyker, Matt Melvin, and Dave McElfatrick 06/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Cyanide and Happiness (#1) by Kris Wilson, Rob DenBleyker, Matt Melvin, and Dave McElfatrick 06/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 06/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Den of Blades and Briars (#7) by L.J. Andrews 06/28 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Shield of Sparrows (#1) by Devney Perry 06/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: Cyanide and Happiness (#1) by Kris Wilson, Rob DenBleyker, Matt Melvin, and Dave McElfatrick 06/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 50

July

1. Elancer (#6) by Jane Washington 07/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz 07/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Race to Chimney Rock (#1) by Jesse Wiley 07/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Oregon Trail: Danger at the Haunted Gate (#2) by Jesse Wiley 07/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Search for Snake River (#3) by Jesse Wiley 07/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. The Oregon Trail: The Road to Oregon City (#4) by Jesse Wiley 07/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. The Oregon Trail: Alone in the Wild (#5) by Jesse Wiley 07/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. The Oregon Trail: Calamity in the Cold (#8) by Jesse Wiley 07/07 ⭐⭐⭐
9. Reign of Stars and Fire (#8) by L.J. Andrews 07/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10. Southern Magic Christmas (#8) by Amy Boyles 07/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
11. Southern Potions (#9) by Amy Boyles 07/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
12. War and Peas: Funny Comics for Dirty Lovers by Jonathan Kunz and Elizabeth Pich 07/16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
13. Dungeon Crawler Carl (#1) by Matt Dinniman 07/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
14. Spying in High Heels (#1) by Gemma Halliday 07/22 ⭐⭐
15. A Girl's Guide to Vampires (#1) by Katie MacAlister 07/27 ⭐⭐⭐
16. The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman 07/29 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
17. The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman 07/29 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
18. The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman 07/30 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
19. The Walking Dead, Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire by Robert Kirkman 07/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
20. The Walking Dead, Vol. 5: The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman 07/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
21. The Walking Dead, Vol. 6: This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman 07/31 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Reign of Stars and Fire (#8) by L.J. Andrews 07/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: Spying in High Heels (#1) by Gemma Halliday 07/22 ⭐⭐

YTD Total: 71

Hi Monica! Hope all is well! Looks like you are making great progress on your goal. I love seeing all those 5 stars! I wish I were that good at picking books for myself. I need to work on that. It's important to enjoy yourself on your reading journey. I'll be cheering you on! Happy reading!

JennH wrote: "Hi Monica! Hope all is well! Looks like you are making great progress on your goal. I love seeing all those 5 stars! I wish I were that good at picking books for myself. I need to work on that. It'..."

Thanks Jenn! My trick to reading so many 4 and 5-star books is to DNF anything that I'm truly not enjoying. If I'm not having fun reading, I'll avoid it for days. That's how months like February happen for me, haha

August

1. The Walking Dead Vol. 7: Calm before (#7) by Robert Kirkman 08/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Walking Dead, Vol. 8: Made To Suffer (#8) by Robert Kirkman 08/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Walking Dead, Vol. 9: Here We Remain (#9) by Robert Kirkman 08/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become (#10) by Robert Kirkman 08/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. The Walking Dead: Compendium Two by Robert Kirkman 08/06 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. The Oregon Trail: The Wagon Train Trek (#6) by Jesse Wiley 08/07 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. The Oregon Trail: Gold Rush! (#7) by Jesse Wiley 08/07 ⭐⭐⭐
8. The Silence Dividend: Science Fiction Dystopian by Izzy Bond 08/08 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. The Walking Dead, Vol. 17: Something to Fear by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10. The Walking Dead, Vol. 18: What Comes After by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
11. The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March to War by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
12. The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War Part 1 by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
13. The Walking Dead, Vol. 21: All Out War Part 2 by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
14. The Walking Dead, Vol. 22: A New Beginning by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
15. The Walking Dead, Vol. 23: Whispers Into Screams by Robert Kirkman 08/13 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
16. The Walking Dead, Vol. 24: Life and Death by Robert Kirkman 08/14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
17. Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Ashley Marie Witter 08/19 ⭐⭐⭐
18. Song of Sorrows and Fate (#9) by L.J. Andrews 08/19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
19. Wool: The Graphic Novel by Hugh Howey 08/21 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
20. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron 08/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
21. Wanted by the Alpha (#0.5) by Laxmi Hariharan 08/24 ⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Book Read: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron 08/23 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read: The Oregon Trail: Gold Rush! (#7) by Jesse Wiley 08/07 ⭐⭐⭐

YTD Total: 92

So nice to see one of my books on your list Monica, thank you!

September

1. Taken by the Alpha (#1) by Laxmi Hariharan 09/01 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Walking Dead, Vol. 25: No Turning Back (#25) by Robert Kirkman 09/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Walking Dead, Vol. 26: Call to Arms (#26) by Robert Kirkman 09/03 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. These Wicked Crowns (#6.5) by L.J. Andrews 09/04 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. These Vicious Games: A Broken Kingdoms Short Story by L.J. Andrews 09/05 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Favorite Book Read: These Vicious Games: A Broken Kingdoms Short Story by L.J. Andrews 09/05 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Least Favorite Book Read:

YTD Total: 97