2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Confession - I have not been doing so hot on my reading goals. 2020 was not as productive as I would have liked, and I seemed to start and end strong but really fell off the bandwagon in the middle of the pandemic. Work and Life have been crazy, so I am dialing back down to 13 books - with no stipulations on size, genre, or platform.

That's fine! Personally the pandemic helped me find my love for reading again, but I can totally understand if it went the other way for others, including you! Good luck with your challenge this year!

Hey Sarah,
there's no need for the confession. No reading police around here ;) Like Michelle mentioned, the pandemic affected people differently. Honestly, I don't feel like it affected my reading all that much. I read, when I wanted to read, found some great books, found some not-so-great books, hit a reading slump midways through the year.... same old, same old.

With that said, I hope 2021 is a better year for you :) Best of luck with your challenge and happy reading!

Best of luck, Sarah! I hope you find some great books this year :)

Thanks Guys! So far, I am doing well - and hope that it will be able to extend past my goal!

Book 1 Complete!
Book: The Death of Mrs. Westaway
Rating: 3.5/5 Magpie.

This was a good book - but it wasn't my favorite of Ruth Ware. I found that the plot was expected and some parts seemed to drag on where I didn't think it was actually building any suspense.

Book 2 Complete!
Book: Winter in Paradise
Rating: 4/5 Helicopter Crashes

Good Book - very quick read. I am looking forward to continuing with the series to find out the details of the cliff hanger at the end! This is my first book by the author, and I will be interested to see where the story ends.

Book 3 Complete.
Book: What Happens in Paradise
Rating: 5/5 Secret Villa's

Still continuing with this series - it is really good and fast-paced! This one left on a great cliffhanger which has me anxious for book 3.

Man, you're doing very good so far!

I laugh every time I see your creative ratings. LMAO 4/5 Helicopter Crashes

Book 4 Complete.
Book: The Garden of Small Beginnings
Rating: 3/5 Community Gardens

I've really been enjoying reading books from Abbi Waxman, but this one was just okay. I enjoyed the main character, and her sisters and daughters, but the book just felt rushed towards the end. I don't feel as though there was closure with sub-characters or even the main characters; and that could just be the gist of the book -- going through life without real closure or an answer for what happens next and when; but I don't like to be reminded of this! It does seem like Abbi creates a community within all of her books, with some characters making brief mentions again which I find really interesting and enjoy.

I'm not sure - it was just okay for me.

Book 5 Completed
Book: Left Behind
Rating: 5/5

This is a book that I have read before, but wanted to reread and get up to date before continuing in the series. I enjoyed it, and fear it all at the same time. I will continue in the series - and I am interested to see what happens in the future.

Book 6 Complete
Troubles in Paradise
Rating: Painkillers

Good Book! The last in the series, and a good wrap-up to the drama. Looking forward to reading other books by Hilderbrand.

Book 7 Completed
Tribulation Force
Rating: 5/5

Picks up after the heat of the first book in the series. There is a jump in time at the end which was a bit disappointing, but this may be covered more in some of the books later in the series. I am looking forward to reading more.

Nice progress toward your goal this year, Sarah! You're over 50% of the way there!

Lisa wrote: "Nice progress toward your goal this year, Sarah! You're over 50% of the way there!" Thank you! I am making good progress this year!

Book 8 Complete
Book: Undertow
Author: Elizabeth Heathcote
Rating: 3/5 Washed Up Bodies

This was a decent book. I really enjoyed the story line - but the character development for me was not there. In places there were weird descriptions from the author - such as peeing in a trashcan, that was never even used or mentioned again in the story -- why not sure. I felt as though the main character and children could have used some development which could have added to the story a bit. Overall - it was good, just not great.

Book 9 completed!
Book: The Accidental Girlfriend
Rating: 2/5 Cats that sit on your head.

Not a fan of this book. The main characters had no real development, story-line was predictable (no twists at all), climax was barely that. The author also kept referring to the characters parents and grandparents as "pensioners" which I thought was an odd reference for two characters who supposedly live in Florida. I don't think I would continue with this author.

Book 10 Complete
Book: The Perfect Couple
Rating: 4/5 Lobsters

This was a really good book that had me hooked on a who-done it murder mystery. At the end, it felt as though there were some loose ends that needed closure, which is why I am not rating a 5/5.

Book 11 Complete
Book: Uglies
Rating: 3/5 Teens

Okay book. I have read this before as a youth, but never finished the series - so I'd like to complete the series. Just an okay read.

2 more books! Go, go, go!!