2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Adding 5 to my goal of 110 from last year. I missed some of the fun challenges, so I might tackle a couple more again this year. Guess we'll see. *Update (1/26/25) New job and possible move have me struggling with reading as much as I’d like. Not worried yet, just noting.* Gonna keep up with my personal reviews to chronicle my year. Let's get to reading!

BOOKS READ 22 / 115
PAGES TURNED 6,657 / 42,000
I SPY (msg#) 3 / 30


2024 Archive Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

January Reviews

The Cruelest Mercy - 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Not gonna lie, this second book not as good as the first. The interesting characters, the cool magic and the hints of romance are all missing in the first 2/3 of the book. (In fact, I couldn't even recognize what drew me to these characters in the first book. They were all acting completely "out of character") The last 30% is what bumped this up to a higher 3 to get that 4th star, and it was almost too late for me. Still, once I hit that mark, I needed to know what happened, and I felt the slightest return to what I loved in The Kinder Poison. Will I read the third? Of course. This book wasn't bad. Just felt so bland compared to its original.
384 pages

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Watched the newly released movie version of this book this year and bawled my eyes out. One of my (new) favorite Christmas movies of all time. The book was just perfect and the movie used many lines verbatim. Highly recommend the duo. *The book is an elementary chapter book. Don’t expect too much.
128 pages

All of Us Villains - 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Loved listening to this one. It's a reread because the sequel is out, and it had been a couple years. It still held up as being underhanded and villainous with a touch of heart to keep you wondering if you're rooting for or against each character with each chapter. So looking forward to the rest of the story.
400 pages
*Audio
~Reread~

The Secret War of Julia Child - 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️- A fictious account of Julia Child's service years, before she was Julia Child. I really wanted to like this more, but feel like I would have preferred a non-fiction book of her life. Despite being set during WWII and having many near-fatal adventures, it still felt slow and monotonous. The dialogue was a bit fuzzy sometimes and I grew annoyed with Julia's constant doubt with every male (and sometimes female) she ran across. It wasn't a bad book, just really missed my personal mark for historical fiction. Darn.
400 pages

Heir - 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Wow. Really fell into this world of magic and enjoyed the book. The three main POVs were outstanding and I felt for each character. Aiz, Quil, Sirscha. The twist of the POVs was unexpected and it really made things interesting. Sabaa Tahir writes flawed characters so well and you really get behind them despite these (sometimes pretty big) flaws. AND I just found out that there is a prequel series about some of the older characters. Might have to try that soon as I don't want to wait so long for more in this story.
484 pages

Lady Codebreaker - 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Enjoyed this historical fiction book based on a real person much more than the most recent one I’d read. Weirdly enough they were very similar. Some of the facts in this were hard to read, but only because it happened. Humans are still capable of so much violence and cruelness. We are also smart, creative, and capable of just as much goodness. This book explores pushing those limits, especially during wartime.
432 pages

The Third Gilmore Girl - 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I knew very little of Kelly Bishop other than she played the mom on Dirty Dancing and grandma/mom on my favorite tv series ever, Gilmore Girls. I was so pleased she started on Broadway as a dancer and is a bit of a loner. Her voice is honest, simple, and unapologetic about who she is. I love it and her.
256 pages

All of Our Demise - 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - another victim of the sequel. I still enjoyed reading the book, and loved the evil lurking in each character. Everyone (real or fictional) has the capacity for evil deeds and most definitely has some darker thoughts no one knows about. So that’s cool. But some of the twists and turns felt forced and a little disingenuous . I also didn’t care as much about the families of the champions although for character growth, I understand the quick (or not so quick) delves. HOWEVER, the ending added an entire point (for me), because it’s just how it should have ended and left me pondering how I felt about it for a nice long while. Love that. I’ll take it. I enjoyed the duology and would recommend to the right reader.
474 pages
*Audio

The Briar Club - 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A heartwarming murder mystery about found/chosen family and friendship that grow from amazing women helping amazing women. Set back in the time just after WWII, it begins with a double murder. The reader doesn't know details such as how the victims died, nor the identities of the victims which was different and fun. I found all the characters engaging and each so unique in their voice and journey, yet all intertwined by living in the same boarding house. The story was told in different POVs which I found kept the story flowing and gave me insight to each journey. And my favorite was the aside(s) from the perspective of the house. Great warm-hearted mystery that really makes you look at each potential suspect and victim while enjoying each strong female character's tale.
432 pages

JANUARY TOTALS
9 / 9 Books Read
3,390 / 3,390 Pages Turned

February Reviews

Flamefall - 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Great sequel. Not as good as the first which blew my mind. But definitely a nice transition with some more characters to love or hate. The political parts of the book (Usually I find boring) are done so well. I found them educational, relevant, interesting, and not over explained or skimmed over. And the different connections between all the characters, several character arcs, and the ending (again!) made me excited to read the next. Rosaria Munda writes exciting stories that make you think and relate back to your own life. I love this series!
496 pages
*Audio

Here One Moment - 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Another interesting book that explores what people do when they find out just how long they have left to live. The whole time I was questioning was it real, wasn't it. But that isn't the point. It's all about what you do with your time, regardless of how much time you may or may not have left. Would knowing and fighting really "fix" fate? Such an interesting and debatable concept. A couple things that didn't quite work for me: First - Cherry's story. While I get that it was all about her, I grew bored through most of her chapters. Second - The whole book read just a little slow. Perhaps the huge cast of characters who each denied, grew angry, then anxious, almost repetitively. But the characters' lives and stories were varied, complex, and I got behind most of them. Cheering them on and hoping for the best.
512 pages

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone - 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Had a ball with this fun, contemporary murder mystery. I found the humor to be the perfect pairing with the author's constant breaking of the fourth wall. He even gives you a complete spoiler in the title, but not in the way that you think. This isn't a book about a family of assassins, or even a family of crime, (although, again, spoiler). But the way it's executed, following and explaining the classic detective novel's rules, makes for an amusing read, especially while sitting pool side on a cruise ship.
371 pages

The Book of Stolen Dreams - 3.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️- This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was a pleasant read all the same. I wanted a bit more magic and felt the stolen dreams were a missed opportunity. However, the adventure and hijinks kept it moving, if just a little lackluster. Rachel and her brother are pulled into a dangerous situation by their father who is taken to prison for his actions and leaves the kids on their own to try to save him. Also, the fact that some people are allowed to bring people back from the dead and some aren't (all based on perspective, right?) was hypocritical and lacking a bit more of an indepth, unbiased look. But I'm an adult and the target audience probably doesn't care as much as me. Overall, a fun read with a magic book, a smart yet scared and vulnerable 12 year old character you root for, and adventure and dangerous situations with a mystery to unravel. Not too shabby for a middle grade chapter book.
384 pages

Vengeance of the Pirate Queen - 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- This. This is what I was looking for in the previous book in this series. A kickass pirate assassin on the sea for an adventure - with sea creatures, more pirates, a "deserted" island, and a little love interest on the side. Unfortunately, I read this out of order and now need to go back to read the 2nd. But that's okay because I want to give the first book another chance, knowing that there is potential in it and perhaps I was in a mood when I read the other. Loved Sorinda as the MC. Even with her being so closed off and cautious, I found myself understanding and rooting for her. Also loved Rosilyn and her pluck. The romance wasn't overly sappy and gross and though Kearan isn't what you usually picture in a male romantic lead, the relationship grows on you and you find the sweet, cute moments that help us get there. I hope Tricia Levenseller gives us Nirinda's story next!
336 pages

A Quest of Heroes - 2.25 ⭐️⭐️- This fantasy novel was contrived and predictable with terrible writing. It's not just the countless spelling and grammar errors, but also the lack of character development, the repetitive nature of descriptions and how things just "happen" to our MC, the unnatural and juvenile dialogue, and the almost outright theft of ideas/plot points from other well known fantasy stories. But, seeing as I did finish it and kind of wanted to see how it played out, it got a 2 star rating. I do not care enough to finish the 10+ books in the series though. Darn.
346 pages

Furysong -
486 pages
*Audio

Daughter of the Pirate King - 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️- So, I did enjoy this a little better the second time. And am now more motivated to read the second one. Still prefer Sorinda's story, but since I was able to get past the insta-chemistry between Alosa & Rider, I enjoyed the rest of the story more. (I just really don't like sappy romance) I do hope Alosa's siren side is shown and explained more, but I assume with the title of the sequel it will be. Fingers crossed it only gets better.
336 pages
~Reread~

FEBRUARY TOTALS
8 / 17 Books Read
3,267 / 6,657 Pages Turned

March Reviews
This was the month of the move. Didnt get a lot of reading done, & it will probably continue trough the first part of April. But still have faith I can get close to my goal. Staying with it.

The Assassin's Guide to Babysitting - 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This was a fun crime/spy/assassin/magical talent story all in one. What an adventurous and dangerous ride! I really loved each character and hope the author continues with this world and it’s cast. The “talents” are somewhat generic, but the writing, crime/mystery portion, and diverse interesting characters make up for it. It was also a little expected; at least I saw a few of the “twists” coming. Again, not so much that I didn’t enjoy it thoroughly. Great YA read!
320 pages

You Could Make This Place Beautiful - 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This book was not what I was expecting. I did not look into it enough and thought it was a memoir from the amazing, late actress Maggie Smith. It was instead a beautifully written albeit, sad, tragic, and slightly antagonistic story of a different Maggie Smith and the unraveling of her marriage. There were parts that touched me and were so insightful into my own relationships that I could totally get behind her. And her writing is lovely; it paints her story in my mind. However she spent a lot of time “telling me” that she wasn’t going to “tell me” everything. Which of course is her prerogative but after the fifth and six times she mentioned an omit, I was kind of over it. A little underwhelming, but I finished it and somewhat enjoyed it.
320 pages

Thieves' Gambit - 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -
pages
*Audio
~Reread~

Heist Royale - 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -
pages

Words on Fire - 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ -
pages

I hope you are enjoying your 2025 reads as you progress toward your goal! 👍 See you in the challenges. 😊

Hi Tee! Hope all is well! Looks like you're making progress on your goal. I hope your new job hasn't put too much a damper on your reading. Hope you're enjoying lots of wonderful books so far this year. Happy reading!