2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Monthly Challenges
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May - The Language of Flowers
I’m going to try for two this challenge.Goals:
Aloe: The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Claire, main character, is a nurse / doctor. It’s part of the Outlander series but I haven’t read this one yet!)
Apple blossom: I’m going to reread Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone.
I'll join in for 5!1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career. - The Boy on the Bridge by M. R. Carey - completed
2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme. - Two Nights by Kathy Reichs - completed
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child. - Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - completed
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors. - Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton - completed
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory. - Once and for All by Sarah Dessen - completed
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love. - The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert - completed
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors. - A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas - completed
7/5 - challenge completed!
Lindsay wrote: "I love this idea. I will go for 4 and I can lead if you like."Lindsay, thanks for volunteering! I am also glad you like the idea :)
I can definitely commit to 2 books. May increase my goal if I find what I'm reading fits in with more prompts.COMPLETED: 2/2
✅ Red Tulips: Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic read 6 May, **** with review
✅ Violets: The Smoke Thieves read 17 May, *****
Ahhh, such a great challenge - so little time :-)I would like to try for 4, please.
4/4 - COMPLETE ✔️
✅ 4. Innocent of crime - Lime's Photograph - 3⭐️
✅ 8. Child - Gregor and the Code of Claw - 4⭐️
✅ 10. Unreliable memory - American Gods - 3⭐️
✅ 12. Favourite author - Parker Pyne Investigates - 4⭐️
Oh fun! I will try for 4 please!2/4 Complete
1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
✅3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
✅9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors. The River
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory.
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favorite authors.
I will go for 4. Not sure which ones yet.
Welcome and good luck everyone. Participant list is in msg 2. If I get anything wrong let me know!
7/41. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
Asking For It
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
Knowing the Score: My Family and Our Tennis Story
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
Middlesex
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory.
Where Memories Go: Why Dementia Changes Everything
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
Little Man in a Dog Suit: The Story of a Boston Terrier
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors.
Pushing up Daisies
I'm in for 5.5/5
1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
√ 2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books. Middlesex
√ 3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
√ 10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory. Winter Garden
√11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love. Manhattan Beach
√ 12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors. Cat's Eye
Looking forward to building our bouquet tomorrow and to seeing what everyone chooses.
The Language of FlowersDuration: May 1, 2018 - May 31, 2018
1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
Completed 6/5/18 Rating 3 stars
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory.
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors.
The Dog Who Came in From the Cold by Alexander McCall Smith
Completed 11/5/18 Rating 4 stars
2/2
Challenge completed
Savannah wrote: "Ok I would like to change my goal from unknown to 5 please! :)"All done Savannah.
Sharon wrote: "I'm in for 2"
Welcome Sharon and good luck!
This sounds interesting :) I'm going to give it a try and see what happens. Aiming for 51. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors.
I’d like to join :) I’ll try for 6 please!Progress: 2/6
1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence.
✔️5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
Still Me by Jojo Moyes (05/09/18)
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory.
✔️11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (05/19/18)
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors.
Hi! So - three finished, one currently reading, I think I will manage toread five books for this challange. I'm feeling positive.
5/5
1)Aloe = healing.
3,5⭐️ 05/132)Daisies = innocence or hope.
5⭐️ May 1st (Yes, I'm using Kaz as the innocent one :D)3)Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness.
4⭐️ May 7th4)Apple blossom = preference.
5⭐️ May 8th I 💖this book 😍5) Red Tulips = a declaration of love.
2⭐️ May 14th I love to read about roadtrips and Ireland, but this book wasn't as good as Love & GelatoI didn't expect to finish as many books this month as I did so far by May 14th (13 full lengt books and 10 very short childrens books). But I guess that I'm getting ready for summer, since in summer I will have less time for reading.
Welcome to the challenge Samantha, Marissa and Elina and congratulations on finishing your first book Elina!
I´m in and will try and do 1 just because of exams :)The potential flowers:
Apple Blossom:
Bay:
Lilac: Peter Pan
Red Tulips:
Violets:
Book 1/1 - 207 pages
Goal: 0/52. Apple blossom = The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Bay = Ender's Game
7. Iris = The Screwtape Letters
11. Red Tulips = Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
12. Violets = Prince of Thorns
I'll try for 31. Aloe
2. Daisies
3. Lilac
Kristin wrote: "THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERSDuration: May 1, 2018 - May 31, 2018
Many flowers, herbs, trees, and other plants traditionally symbolize feelings, moods, or ideas, and each flower has its own particular ..."
Probably over ambitious, but I’ll take six.
Thanks
12/6 - Complete
Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
The Black Book by Ian Rankin
The Goshawk by T.H. White
The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories by Robert W. Chambers
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World by Stephen Brusatte
Ring by Kōji Suzuki
Add-ons:
The Eye in the Door by Pat Barker
Cain's Last Stand by Sandy Mitchell
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver
The Hardest Game by Hugh McIlvanney
Welcome David, Jhuma and Ash and congratulations Mie and Rachael on completing your first books. Hope they were good!
Thanks, Lindsay - yes, good beginning to this challenge :-)Actually, I just finished an audiobook that also fits, so:
Update msg 8: 2/4
✅ 4. Innocent of crime - Lime's Photograph - 3⭐️
Just completed #10 (flashbacks) - Once and for All by Sarah Dessen. There were parts of this book that I really liked and parts that did not seem to fit. It felt like the author was trying to smash two separate books - one about a cynical girl working for a wedding planner and the other about a girl trying to recover from a tragic loss. The stories did not mesh well. Good effort but not incredibly successful. I did really enjoy the author's descriptions of her characters - that felt authentic. Overall, not bad. 3.5 stars1/5
1. Aloe = healing. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career. - Keep You Safe2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = glory. Read a book featuring a competition.
4. Daisies = innocence or hope. Read a book where someone may or may not have committed a crime and is claiming innocence. - The Silent Sister
5. Honeysuckle = bonds of love. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Hyacinth = playfulness. Read a book with a sporting theme.
7. Iris = a message. Read an epistolary book.- Folded Notes from High School
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book where the main character is a child.
9. Magnolia = a love of nature. Read a book set in the great outdoors. - Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max
10. Rosemary = remembrance. Read a book that contains flashbacks or a book where a character has an unreliable memory. - Almost Like Being in Love
11. Red Tulips = a declaration of love. Read a book about a topic you love.
12. Violets = loyalty, devotion and faithfulness. Read a new-to-you book by one of your favourite authors. - Landline
May - The Language of Flowers 1. Aloe =
23/5/18 ★★★2. Apple blossom =
20/5/18 ★★★★4. Daisies =
23/5/18 ★★★★8. Lilac =
27/5/18 ★★★9. Magnolia =
23/5/18 ★★★★10. Rosemary =
23/5/18 ★★★★11. Red Tulips =
22/5/18 ★★★12. Violets =
23/5/18 ★★★★
Just completed #6 (sporting theme) - Two Nights by Kathy Reichs. This book was just ok. It reminded me of why I'm not a fan of Reichs' writing. It's very clinical and sterile. There's not much descriptive prose or atmosphere added. Just bare bones. Not really my preferred reading. Interesting plot but by the end, I just wanted it over. Not worth reading. 2 stars2/5
Katherine wrote: "May - The Language of Flowers 1. Aloe = Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Apple blossom = Reread one of your favourite books.
3. Bay = ..."
Hi Katherine. How many books are you planning to read?
Update message 34. 5/62. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett 9/10
I’ve never met a discworld novel I didn’t like.
4. The Black Book by Ian Rankin 6/10
Perfectly readable, 5th book in the series but weaker than the first 3. The plot felt a little too muddled and unbelievable in places
9. The Goshawk by T.H. White 9/10
One mans failed attempt to train a goshawk, captured the spirit of falconry well in my view.
10. The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories by Robert W. Chambers. 7/10
There are a few definite misses in this short story collection but also many concepts that were clearly very original for their time. Also I don’t know if it was just the kindle version I was reading but only the first half (two thirds?) of the book actually deal with the carcosa mythos, while some of the later stories seem like an unrelated afterthought.
4/4 I met my goal!
SarahKat wrote: "4/4 I met my goal! 2. Apple blossom = preference. Reread one of your favourite books. - The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket
8. Lilac = the joy of youth. Read a book..."
Congratulations on meeting your goal so early in the month!
Updated to here. If I've missed anything let me know.
Jumping into this late, but I've already read a couple that fit!My goal is 5.
7/5 completed
1. Read a book about medicine or a book that features a character who has a medical career.
2. Reread one of your favourite books.
5. Read a book featuring a long distance relationship.
6. Read a book with a sporting theme.
9. Read a book set in the great outdoors.
Just completed #12 (new book by author you love) - A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas. A nice, short (at least in Maas' world of massive books) morsel in the story while we wait for the next full novel. Nice little teasers about where the different characters might go in the next installment. Definitely make sure you review a synopsis of the last book. 4 stars3/5
2025 Reading Challenge
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Amanda 2/2 Completed!
Ash 12/6 Completed +!
Blagica 0/4
Cassie 0/2
David 0/5
Elina 5/5 Completed!
Fatma 1/2
Himanshu 0/2
Jhuma 1/3
Katherine
Kristin 4/2 Completed+!
Lindsay 5/4 Completed+!
Marissa 2/6
Matilde1/1 Completed!
Megan 7/5 Completed+!
Megan BG 6/5 Completed+!
Mie 4/4 Completed!
Nikki 2/4
Phill 3/3 Completed!
Rachael 2/2 Completed!
Rachel 2/5
Rachelnyc 5/5 Completed!
ReadingByTheSea 0/1
Samantha 2/5
SarahKat 4/4 Completed!
Savannah 3/5
Shala 0/5
Sharon 0/2
Stephanie 4/4 Completed!
Vicky 6/3 Completed +!