2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Update to message #28

Progress: 6/20

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a Spanish author, in translation - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, translated by Lucia Graves. I have complicated feelings with this book. There were parts I loved, particularly those describing books and Spain. But I had difficulty connecting with the characters and felt the story was too wordy. Perhaps just not the right season for me to read this one. “Evil presupposes a moral decision, intention, and some forethought. A moron or a lout, however, doesn’t stop to think or reason. He acts on instinct, like a stable animal, convinced that he’s doing good, that he’s always right, and sanctimoniously proud to go around fucking up, if you’ll excuse the French, anyone he perceives to be different from himself, but because of skin color, creed, language, nationality, or… His leisure habits.“ But there were truths hidden amongst all that wordiness. “The words with which a child’s heart is poisoned, through malice or through ignorance, remain branded in his memory, and sooner or later they burn his soul.” And just beautiful sentences - “books are mirrors: you only see in an them what you already have inside you.” And “making money isn’t hard in itself. What’s hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one’s life too.” 3.5 stars

15/50

Update on message #22: finished 24/30 reads.

Updated to here!

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.
~ Audre Lorde

updated message 31
2/10

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an English author - The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. What started out suddenly, then lapsed into quiet second-guessing, really blossomed into a fun reading experience. The book drags in parts but that only adds to the overall effect. I was surprised, and I’m not often when it comes to mysteries. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

16/50

Update to Message 136: 12/36

Update to message 54

14/50

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an African-American author - Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Overall, this story is fascinating! I love the characters, and the author always does a marvelous job of weaving real historical events into her tales. My only quibble with these earlier works is her use of the term “virginal” - bleh! This book is an open door romance. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

17/50

Update to Message #9: 36/65

Update on message #22: finished 25/30 reads.

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an African-American author, attorney, and professor - The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth by Kristin Henning. This is an incredible work of passion and scholarship for racial justice! The author builds on each section with an anecdote from either her personal practice or a national story, followed by data and research before applying that to practical circumstances. “Black children have learned to adapt their behaviors to survive under the relentless scrutiny of police officers who see and treat them as a perpetual threat.” This is essential rising for anyone in the justice and school systems. “Black students don’t feel welcome or trusted at school and are less likely than white students to report that school police and security officers have treated them with respect.” As a youth and adult defender, I can tell you that these stories ring true to circumstances I see every day. “Black kids just want to be kids and yet they know their lives are profoundly limited by the constant surveillance and persistent threat of police violence.” And in reality, “those who don’t want to believe we live in a nation that kills innocent children because of the color of their skin must convince themselves that police stories about dangerous black youth are true.” But the dangerous black youth narrative is false and must be fought against - join the fight and read the book! 5 stars

18/50

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a lesbian author from Germany - Departure from the Script by Jae. Really enjoyed this sweet story about a relationship between two women in Hollywood! Most of the plot points are internal, within the mains characters and their relationship, rather than from external sources. It’s refreshing and relaxing to read! 4.5 stars

19/50

Updated to here!

Diversity is not how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.
~ Ola Josep

Update to Message #9: 40/65

Updated message 10-- 7/15

Updated message 8: 5/5. Thanks

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book co-authored by an Asian-American journalist - Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I am incredibly impressed with this book and highly recommend it! The compassion, empathy, clear-eyed reporting brought to bear on these difficult topics is extraordinary, particularly in our deeply divided country. I truly appreciate the scholarship, but this book reads like a memoir of a town. It does not get dragged into data (though that’s included) or get mired in politics (though, that’s included too). By taking a deeply personal look at friends one of the writers grew up with, the authors are able to tell these cautionary tales of where America has failed and provide hope to how we can course-correct. There are even steps that each reader can individually take! While I don’t agree with every conclusion or suggestion, it gave me a lot to consider. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

20/50

Update to Message 136: 13/36

Update to message 6: 12/24

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by an author from Argentina, who is an immigrant, and Latinx-American - Cazadora by Romina Garber. Really enjoyed the broadening of this world! The conversations that are included are so necessary, especially in light of recent legislation. “I don’t know that there’s any plan for our lives… I think we just get confronted with choices, and the more honest we are when making them, the more our life begins to reflect us.” Love the strong women representation! “All I know is they’ve been making up stories about independent girls in every tradition since forever,… And I think it’s time we take back our narratives.” I felt there was a bit too much included and really wish it had been stretched into a trilogy. I hope there are more books in the future! Worth reading! 4.5 stars

21/50

Updates msg 111:

PROGRESS: 2/5

Thank you.

Update to Message 136: 14/36

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a neurodivergent author - Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire. A beautiful story about finding yourself and not living for destiny. Loved the representation and the characters! I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

22/50

Updated to here! Congratulations to Rachael on completing the challenge!

Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives who can disagree with you without fear of retaliation.
~ Doris Kearns Goodwin

Update to Message 136: 15/36

Update on message #22: finished 28/30 reads.

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a gender queer author - Gallant by V. E. Schwab. Beautiful, haunting story! This is one I recommend in physical book form, for the illustrations are so important to the story. They are also beautiful. I liked the characters. The author has such a deliberate way of describing her scenes, as if they are literally being drawn before the eye. I failed to connect a bit with the story and felt it ended a touch abruptly, but that could also reflect what’s occurring in my reality. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

23/50

Update message 6:

14/ 24 completed

Update to Message #9: 51/65

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a bisexual author - Show Up by Renee Dahlia. Entertaining but about a third of the way in, the dialogue and prose because really repetitive. That continued throughout a good portion of the book. I liked the setting and characters at the beginning, but towards the end, I just wanted it to be over. Not sure if I’ll continue with the series. 2.5 stars

25/50

March update for msg #27: 14/35

Thank you, Megan!

Update to message #5

PROGRESS: 59/100

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book from a Polish author written in Polish - The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski, translated by David French. This was not my favorite in the series. It felt disjointed and confused. By bringing in fragments and bits from other people and timelines, it distracted from the plot. Not a huge fan of the character progression either. But I’m finishing the series! 3 stars

26/50

Update on message #22: finished the challenge with 30/30 reads.

Updated #54
21/50

Update to Message 136: 16/36

Updated msg 14

Just completed a book by a bisexual author - Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur. This was an utter delight! I loved the characters, the setting, the plot - everything! The writing is straight-forward without gaping holes in either plot or dialogue. I loved the representation! And I actually cared enough about the characters to shed a few tears. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

27/50

Update to Message #29
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

I'm not sure if this one counts - the author is from Texas but she studied Russian folklore and the book is based on that, which is culturally different. For me, it was interesting hearing about a different history and background, so I thought it might count.

Update to Message 136: 17/36

Laureen wrote: "Update to Message #29
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

I'm not sure if this one counts - the author is from Texas but she studied Russian folklore and the book is based on that, w..."

Hi, Laureen! I loved this book, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! This challenge is really about authors who are different from the reader. This book might be a better fit for our quarterly challenge, Celebrating Diversity, which is all about characters who are different from the reader. Hope this helps!

Updated to here! Congrats to Chrissie on finishing their challenge!

Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.
~ Malcolm Forbes

Update to Message 136: 18/36

Updated message 10-- 8/15

Update to Message 136: 19/36

Update to Message #9: 55/65

Updated msg 14

African-American author

Just completed Topaz by Beverly Jenkins. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was a touch confusing at the start, as there were references to Philly and Chicago - perhaps an editing issue. The latter half of the novel, in particular, reminded me of the author’s Blessings series, as it involved some colorful townsfolk coming together to support each other. There is still some dated language, but I enjoyed her main and side characters. And as always, the history was fascinating! Worth reading! 4 stars

28/50

Updated message 31

3/10

Updated msg 14

Nigerian-American author

Just completed Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. Loved this book! Reminded me so much of Harry Potter, without the troubling author. Loved the characters and immersing myself in the world. The author skillfully takes us on the journey of discovery with Sunny as she learns about herself, her ancestry, and a whole new world. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

29/50

update to #7:

40/50 finished