2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Hoping to clear a lot of my TBR pile in 2016.

1.

Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx

Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016!

Julia wrote: "1.

Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx"

Thought it was a great book. Wonderful writing.

What did you think of this book, Julia?

Megan wrote: "Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016!"

Thanks, glad to have gotten started!

Jackie B. wrote: "What did you think of this book, Julia?"

I liked it although it was tough going at times because of the subject matter. It amazes me how much work the author must have done and how deeply embedded she was in their lives.

2.

The Short Drop

3.

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club

4.

The Cuckoo's Calling

Thanks! I think seeing everyone else's progress really helps me stay motivated.

Julie, since you liked Random Family, have you read Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America by Helen Thorpe? This was a GR's Recommendation that popped up and I just bought it a few minutes ago.

I haven't read it but it looks really interesting. Let me know what you think of it. Might need to go on my TBR shelf.

5.
The Silkworm

6.
Career of Evil

You have read all the published Robert Galbraith books now, Julia. What is your overall impression of the series?

Jackie B. wrote: "You have read all the published Robert Galbraith books now, Julia. What is your overall impression of the series?"

I enjoyed the series and will be reading any further installments. I wouldn't say it's at the level of the Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson but it was still very well-written and engaging.

7.
East of Eden

8.
The Mystery of the Blue Train

good luck with your target, looks like you are getting a great start!

Ellen Rory wrote: "good luck with your target, looks like you are getting a great start!"

Thanks! So far, so good!

9.
The Reluctant Dragon: 75th Anniversary Edition

10.
The Prize: Who's in Charge of America's Schools?

11.
The Palace Guard

Ooooh. What did you think of The Prize: Who's in Charge of America's Schools??

Jackie B. wrote: "Ooooh. What did you think of The Prize: Who's in Charge of America's Schools??"

As someone who has worked in education and also followed some of the education reform movements, it was really interesting and I think a fair portrait of all involved. I'm currently reading about how Finland approaches their educational system so I'm interested to see how it compares/contrasts. Also interested in picking up Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools to see if I'm persuaded.

12. Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

13. A Fatal Grace

14. The Cruelest Month

15. A Rule Against Murder

16. The Brutal Telling

17. Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty

Julia wrote: "As someone who has worked in education and also followed some of the education reform movements, it was really interesting and I think a fair portrait of all involved. ..."

That's good. I am also a former public school educator, so I'm interested as well. I'm getting to the age where I am thinking about my kids and their educational future, so this is important to me.

It's been awhile since I updated:

18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

26. Birds of a Feather

27. Pardonable Lies

28. Messenger of Truth

29. Among the Mad

30.
The Mapping of Love and Death

31.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

32.
It's OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids

33.
Fair Play

34.
The Thirteenth Tale

35.
A Lesson in Secrets

36.
The Last Child

37.
A Game of Thrones

38.
The Girl In The Ice

39.
The Life We Bury

40.
The Woman in Cabin 10

41.
A Clash of Kings

42.
A Storm of Swords

43.
A Feast for Crows

44.
Pretty Girls

45.
A Dance with Dragons

46.
Death in the Andamans

47.
Harriet the Spy: 50th Anniversary Edition

48.
Three Blind Mice: A Short Story

49.
Elegy for Eddie

50.
Sharp Objects

51.
Dark Places

52.
An Incomplete Revenge