2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Having set a goal of 52 books for the year, I am hoping I am able to finish it. Even with the largest books, unless something truly drastic happens, that should be attainable...right? My choices are a bit scattered as there are really a lot of different books I want to read. I had gotten a little behind last week and early this week as that stinkin' upper respiratory infection crud that has been hitting the country has gone through the house and it didn't leave anyone untouched. When all you want to do is sleep through coughing fits for several days, ya kinda get a little behind (especially when this mimi got to babysit while her grandson and DIL have been in town!). So far, this is what I have read and my take away on them:

1. Unlikely Friendships: Dogs: 37 Stories of Canine Compassion and Courage (by Jennifer S. Holland). 4 out of 5 stars. I love animals, especially dogs (having grown up with pets, hard not to love them), so this was a nice little collection of true stories. A handful were a bit redundant, but overall, great little book.

2. A Dog's Purpose (by W. Bruce Cameron). 5 of 5 stars. One word: WOW! Cameron has you feeling like you're living inside the dog's head and it really gives you a different perspective on how dogs think (he had input from notables such as Caesar Millan so he is well researched). ADP makes you feel...EVERYTHING. You'll experience every range of emotion reading this book. And if you truly love animals, you will cry a lot haha! My face was swollen and red, but left with a big smile on my face! How many authors can do that?

3. The Son of Neptune (The Heroes Of Olympus, #2) by Rick Riordan - I'm a huge...HUGE...mythology geek and Riordan's books are a joy to read! Sure, they are on YA level, but hey, which adult doesn't love a good fantasy read? 5 of 5 stars. I've already read the first 3 PJatO books and the first HoO last year, and was very happy with them all. But having borrowed many books from my middle son, it is a letdown to find out he is lacking some of the books! Library time...

4. The Mark of Athena (HoO, #3) - Rick Riordan. 5 of 5 stars! Refer to remark on previous title! It did leave the door wide open at the end for the next book (which I need to find), The House of Hades.

5. Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, #2) - Jim Butcher. Ah, I love JB! Great style! Once I pick up one of these books, I tend to have it read in 24 hours, maybe less. Can NOT put these books down! Grown up Harry Potter? Eh, maybe a little. Glad I never saw the show. The comments from people who have read all TDF books in the series and then tried to watch the show said the show was a real disappointment. 5 of 5 stars.

6. Evermore (The Immortals, #1) - Alyson Noel. 3 of 5 stars. Decent writing style (who am I to critique? I'm not a writer, but this was lackluster), but just not a great story. It felt like Twilight with a different "immortal" twist to it and the characters were....not engaging. It is a fairly short book so a quick read, but it felt like work trying to get through it, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't finish it at all.

7. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) - by Patrick Rothfuss. I've just started this one and from the get go, it is extremely engaging!

I do want to venture into other genres besides fantasy and fiction. I do tend to get sidetracked when news articles and education pieces on Nutrition and Food Science pop up (besides music, animals and reading, I have a huge passion for food & nutrition and helping people get and stay well). A couple of books on my agenda, one coming out the 28th of this month, Cop Under Fire: Moving Beyond Hastags of Race, Crime and Politics for a Better America by David Clarke is at the top of the list. Those who have had the opportunity to review it have given it high marks (and I have a lot of respect for Clarke). I also am looking forward to Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulus in June and I want to read Gorilla Mindset: How to Control Your Thoughts and Emotions to Live Life On Your Terms by Mike Cernovich (big fan of Cernovich!).

I have a few other books, classic and new, on my to-read list including the Arthur Conan Doyle "Sherlock Holmes" books, but I am open to suggestions! Please feel free to offer up some books/lists.

Hi, Jennifer! Welcome. =) I had a lot of fun reading your post; thanks for sharing your thoughts on the books you've read. Have you read the Fairyland series? As someone who enjoys young adult fantasy, I think you'll like it. But I'm a little bit biased—I tend to recommend it to everyone, no matter what they like to read! :D I've only read a couple of books in the series so far, but I just love that our young I'll-save-myself-thank-you-very-much heroine has to save not only herself but the whole world. I also love that they don't shy away from acknowledging the dark times and sad moments; what's wonderful is how those moments are overcome, how she moves forward in spite of them. It's honestly one of the best things I've ever read.

Nik, no, can't say that I've heard of that series! I checked out the link for it and it sounds really good! Adding to my list. Thank you for sharing!