2025 Reading Challenge discussion

What’s the newest book you’ve picked up and started? How’s it going so far?
I'll start, I’m not reading anything at the moment—just finishing up the last three reviews for the books I recently wrapped up. But the next book on my list is My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. Can’t wait to get started! Happy reading, everyone!

I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version before my Libby loan expires, but I also have an audiobook version to fallback on just in case.

I just finished Leave Me Behind by KM moronova and enjoyed it.

Just started Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsay

I'm entering 2025 with almost finished Ana Karenina,by Leon Tolsty.Such an amazing read,but I'm planning on reading something lighter and shorter after it,like Harry Potter maybe!

I'm finally gonna do it, I've finally picked up Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke.
I've tried to start this a few times but never made it beyond the 3rd chapter. I'm finally into chapter 5 haha

I've just started to read Cosmos by Carl Sagan.

I am currently reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. It is so good and so captivating. I can’t wait to finish it!

I'm just over halfway of The Stand by Stephen King, I'm a slow reader but I'm so eager to finish

Naris wrote: "I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version before my Libby l..."

That's what I'm reading too! Although I'm not as far along as you. It's so good. But then, Barbara Kingsolver always is.

I see a lot of heavy stuff in the past comments. I liked Demon Copperhead, but didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I gave up on Jonathan Strange… at 80% or so, just couldn’t do it anymore. I really loved Tolstoy and I am planning on rereading that one later.

I am reading A loveletter to Whisky and book two of the Caraval-trilogy. I like both books, but let’s see where they go. I am also trying to finish the Wicked-trilogy from Armentrout, but that series seems to get worse with every book…

Evy wrote: "I gave up on Jonathan Strange… at 80% or so, just couldn’t do it anymore...."

I'm definitely keeping my expectations low for this one but I feel like it's time to really try.
At 80% I would have skimmed till the end and called it read! ;)

Emi wrote: "I'm entering 2025 with almost finished Ana Karenina,by Leon Tolsty.Such an amazing read,but I'm planning on reading something lighter and shorter after it,like Harry Potter maybe!"

Congrats on almost finishing that.

Just starting The Girl From Rawblood by Catriona Ward for first book of 2025. Love a gothic horror story. Finished All the Colors of the Dark yesterday which is definitely one of my top three for 2024.

Gina Marie wrote: "Naris wrote: "I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version bef..."
That's awesome! Keep me posted on how you like it :) I am not too familiar with Barbara Kingsolver's work, but her writing is so good! I may have to check out her other work as well.

I’m reading a book called The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freida McFadden

Hey everyone. Just started Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It's been on my list for awhile. I read on my Kindle with Libby Library books so have my hold lists full and read whatever is available first. Today was the day it popped up! Yay!
Demon Copperhead was hard to put down!

Just finishedThe Martian & starting Death of a Kitchen Diva

Halfway through Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros!

I’m reading a book called The Gift by Freida McFadden

I’m reading a book called My Son is a Murderer by Spencer Guerrero

The Riders of the Purple Sage! Loved it the first time I read it. Reading it for a second time among!!!! BTW-it’s a A western😎

I finally started Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries last summer, which was long overdue. This is a gem of a series! In #2, Murderbot investigates its past.

Artificial Condition

My review -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished The Mindf*ck series and I loved every bit of it. The Mindf*ck Series

I just finished The Prince And The Apocolypse by Kara McDowell.

I just started

I just started reading Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer. I have been in the mood for reading spicy rom-coms lately, and this series has been sitting on my shelf for a while, so it seemed like a good time to finally start reading them.❣️

I am trying to finish Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas. I am also reading Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet and Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole. I have a rule that I can only have one physical book going at a time, so I have Spark of the Everflame on permanent hold (even though it is so good) until I finally finish Queen of Shadows. The crazy thing is that I really like QOS, but for whatever reason I can't get myself pumped to read the final 15%. My final pages are mocking me. I was hoping to have it be my last book read in 2024, but alas it hangs on. I will have a book party when it is finally complete and you are all invited.

I’m reading a book called A Murder in the Neighborhood by Spencer Guerrero

I just started Babel by R.F. Kuang. I'm only on Chapter 3 and I can already tell this one is going to wreck me 🥴

Woman Reading wrote: "I finally started Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries last summer, which was long overdue. This is a gem of a series! In #2, Murderbot investigates its past.

I adore this series! I did it partially on audio and I cannot recommend the audiobooks enough, if you like that format!

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

The outstanding The Caretakers by Ron Rash

Mia wrote: "I just started Babel by R.F. Kuang. I'm only on Chapter 3 and I can already tell this one is going to wreck me 🥴"

I'm reading that too right now (almost to the end)! The local book club picked it for our January read and that was as good an excuse as ever to crack it open. It's definitely put me through the wringer of the mortifying ordeal of being seen.

I’m reading a book called Last Patient of the Night by Gary Gerlacher

I’m reading a book called The Nurse's Lie by Daniel Hurst

I'm reading The Memory Library by Kate Storey.

Rn enjoying Breasts and Eggs by Mieko kawakami.

I finished The Child Thief last night so I needed something lighter, so I picked up The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Evy wrote: "I see a lot of heavy stuff in the past comments. I liked Demon Copperhead, but didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I gave up on Jonathan Strange… at 80% or so, just couldn’t do it anymore...."

Armentrout is on my Black List.
I read two books by her and Storm and Fury was just bad

Started The Serpent and the Wings of Nightand so far I'm not really hooked. If I wouldn't do a Buddy Read, I would have dropped it probably

I’m reading a book called No Son of Mine by C.L. Swatman

Extra, extra, read all about it! From the frigid Arctic tundra to the fiery hot papers fresh off the printing press, Hartman's book chronicles the fascinating rise of modern newspapers through the Herald and the Times rivalry. More than that, it's a snapshot of this dynamic time, of changing attitudes and habits, technological advances, and burgeoning political and social ideas, of the symbiotic relationship between a writer and its reader; they both influence each other, and need each other to exist.

What I appreciated most about Hartman's narration is that he focused on not only how reporting changed the way it did throughout the 19th century, but why. Hartman laid out the different philosophies of the various news barons of their day and how it shaped their papers, and how shifting cultural values and tastes guided the transition from no holds barred, yellow journalism to the academic and rigorous writing that made journalism a new, respected profession. A free society and free press go hand in hand, and you can see clearly the

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





Depressing and frustrating subject, but told with care and compassion. Small comfort that in a way, justice was carried out, in that the publication of this book and renewed interest in this tragedy to the new generation helps at least, as an acknowledgement of what happened and the negligence of the U.S. justice system, if not by the actual perpetrators (Hale to his dying day never apologized or admitted to any wrongdoing), then by the public, and keeping the victims in remembrance.

I dock a star because...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





Revolutions, regime changes, and risqué paramours, oh my! Nancy Goldstone is the queen of bringing to life the stoic, regal, static paintings of reines, showing just how dynamic, vibrant, curious, intelligent and strong women of history were, who have for too long been described as just wives to a crowned head.

It was smart for Goldstone to double bill this book, as Eugenie and Elisabeth had more in common than just being alive at the same time. I learned that they both...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





The "amateur sleuth podcast/book" trope has become more prevalent in books lately, what with rise of the true crime phenomenon, but what makes this book stand out is the added layer of emotional and personal stakes the main character Jane has in the investigation, and by extension, the author, Ashley Winstead. The death of Jane's father and the resulting emotional spiral that follows plays a big factor in her decision making throughout the story. Similarly, the death of Winstead's father was partly the impetus for her writing this book and choosing this topic (which I'll get into later in this review, I have THOUGHTS).

the GOOD: What starts as...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





What a rollicking good time! The hitwoman in a Panera Bread premise gave me a good chuckle and reeled me in immediately. This is a successful blend of action, mystery, humor, that keeps it from being a sedate, cozy mystery. Most of the characters had very strong individual voices and big personalities, enhanced by the superb audiobook narrator, Angela Dawe. She used different accents very well. The only ding of the book was...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’m reading a book called The Other Passenger by J.E. Rowney

I’m reading a book called The Mother-In-Law by Kiersten Modglin

Naris wrote: "I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version before my Libby l..."

Naris wrote: "I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version before my Libby l..."

Naris wrote: "I am currently reading Demon Copperhead! I am on Chapter 21 and I am really enjoying it so far (alternating between audiobook and Kindle). I am trying to finish the Kindle version before my Libby l..."

How did you like it? This is one of my top 5 favorite books of all time!

Currently Reading Black Cake
& Death of a Country Fried Redneck

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

I’m reading a book called Don't Believe Her by Nicola Sanders

I’m reading a book called Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister