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."

Book: Into the Sunken City
Author: Dinesh Thiru
Date completed: 1/2/25
Task: 3. A book by a debut author.
How it fits: It's the first book by the author

✅

Book: Ararat
Author: Christopher Golden
Date completed: 1/29/25
Task: 2. A book that starts a new series.
How it fits: Starts the Ben Walker series

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.

Natasha wrote: "Book: Ararat
Author: Christopher Golden
Date completed: 1/29/25
Task: 2. A book that starts a new series.
How it fits: Starts the Ben Walker series"

✅

Book: The Passionate Tudor: A Novel of Queen Mary I
Author: Alison Weir
Date completed: 2/14/25
Task: 2. A book set in a different country than the one you live in.
How it fits: Set in England

Book: Cemetery Boys
Author: Aiden Thomas
Date completed: 2/11/25
Task: 3. A book by a diverse or international author (your interpretation).
How it fits: The author is a trans Latinx person

✅

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.

Book: Her Majesty's Royal Coven
Author: Juno Dawson
Date completed: 3/23/25
Task: 2. A book set in a place you've never visited.
How it fits: Set in England (which I'll hopefully get to visit in a few years)

Book: Dangerous
Author: Amanda Quick
Date completed: 3/8/25
Task: 3. A book with a one-word title.
How it fits: One world title

✅

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.

Book:
Author: Seanan McGuire
Date completed: 4/9/25
Task: 1. A book with flowers, trees, or nature on the cover.
How it fits: The cover has lots of nature on it (including wonderful turtles)

✅

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.

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.

Book: Tailchaser's Song
Author: Tad Williams
Date completed: 6/22/25
Task: 2. A book published before the year 2000.
How it fits: Published in 1985

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.

Natasha wrote: "Book: Tailchaser's Song
Author: Tad Williams
Date completed: 6/22/25
Task: 2. A book published before the year 2000.
How it fits: Published in 1985"

✅

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.

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.