Emily’s Comments (group member since Jan 04, 2017)

Emily’s comments from the Around the Year in 52 Books group.

First month of the new year is almost over, so it's time to drop your best books of January 2025!

Answer the following questions:

- Title
- Author
- Rating
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio)
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable)
- Brief reason why it was the best

Best Books Listopia (2025)

I went with Onyx Storm for this one!

My Kindle edition was 743 pages, though I know the hardcover is in the 500 range!

We've been snowed in this week (a massive rarity for Louisiana!) and so, although I had not planned on buying Onyx Storm, I figured since I'll be home anyway, I might as well use it on a book I know is easily readable.

And I finished all 743 pages in 38 hours. Even I wasn't expecting that.

I'm not bought into the Fourth Wing hype, as I don't think it's good literature or a series people will be clinging to as a new classic, but it is compulsively readable and the worldbuilding is unique and intriguing enough to get me through the cringey romance sections.

Tracy, I like that opposites pairing!

RIGHT!?! I read it in 12 hours... made me hate my husband haha. Such a powerful book.

The Dark Maestro

2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld
15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list
23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting
24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal
28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles (DARK)
32. A mystery or true crime book
33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time
38. Two books with a connection from different genres
41. A book that involves digging up the past
46. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names
48. A book with a character dealing with death
51. A book published in 2025

THE ANNIVERSARY LIST

2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name

All the Colors of the Dark

1. A book with a cover that has an image of something that starts with A, T, or Y
2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld
6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover
15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list
28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles (DARK)
23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting
32. A mystery or true crime book
41. A book that involves digging up the past
50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2024 or 2025
52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover

THE ANNIVERSARY LIST

2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year

All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today

2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list
5. A book with a weird or intriguing title
15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list
28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles (ALL)
34. A book title that could be a country song
38. Two books with a connection from different genres
41. A book that involves digging up the past
44. A haunting book
46. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names
50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2024 or 2025

THE ANNIVERSARY LIST
2018: An author's debut book
2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year

You shouldn't need to save anything - it automatically saves. Really strange that you need to!

I've added a link to the spreadsheet in the second comment of this thread.

Great explanation, Deborah! Yes, you could technically use it for the rejected prompt even though it's a prompt on the official list (though you'd need to read two separate books for it).

Congrats Jillian! I have two of those to go, so I'm glad to know I have some good ones ahead!

Agreed with Jillian completely. I haven't read Someone Like Us or Book Censor's but those seem to be two that have been well-received.

I've read at least one book from every matchup except Martyr!/Rejection. Definitely plan on getting to Martyr! sometime soon (probably next ToB book I pick up, after I finish Beautyland, then my book club pick and Onyx Storm lol).

Ciara, that's impressive!

It looks like the formulas weren't copied over into your column, Autumn. I've fixed it!

I'm going to take a break from reality and read one of the sci-fi books on the list, I think lol

Welcome Alistair! Love that turn of genres for you haha! I feel much the same way.

0 out of 10 recommend reading Colored Television and All Fours at the same time. Awful marriages in both of them, and I was listening to one and reading print of another and bleh. Glad that phase of my life is over.

Colored Television was not great, imo, and I really got into All Fours (can't say I enjoyed it, but it was captivating). Still hoping for Liars to win the play-in round, but I wouldn't be mad about All Fours getting it.

Hey Jennifer! The mods put together the seasonal challenges. We typically switch those up and do different types of challenges each season (A-Z, prompt-based, cover colors, etc). We won't post the spring challenge until near the end of the winter challenge at the end of February.

Winter runs Dec 1-Feb 28/29
Spring runs March 1-May 31
Summer runs June 1-August 31
Fall runs September 1-November 30

As the mother of a toddler, I feel like I could VERY easily do the whole challenge this way haha!