JennH’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2023)

JennH’s comments from the 2025 Reading Challenge group.

Syd wrote: "Alright I finished 1960 prompt so I’m pretty sure all needed prompts are complete so whoever has 2020 books to put in the spreadsheet can do so. I hope yall had fun. I’ve a little busy so I haven’t..."

Thanks for finishing the book despite being busy, Syd! Please, next time, don't feel the need to force yourself. Let the team know, and I'm sure someone would jump in and help. I know we're a little bit competitive but it's also supposed to be fun. I'd never want for participating in a readathon to be a chore. I hope you had fun!

Antun wrote: "@JennH Done with the book and wow! What an ending!

Thank you for the recommendation :) I have read some parts of "We" for one of the lit. history classes last semester and it was super interesting..."

It's funny - what drew us to We was its eye catching cover (pun intended,) with no idea of its significance.

Glad to have read it.

Brianna wrote: "Hopping on to say that "All the Light We Cannot See" will be completed by tomorrow if it is still needed.

Starting to finally feel better, thanks for the get well wishes!

Great work!!"

Brianna, so glad you're starting to feel better! Even though your prompt was already fulfilled, All the Light We Cannot See can go for page points. Hope you're enjoying the book. I loved it.

Antun wrote: "I'm around 60% through "Brave New World", but I’ll definitely finish it before the readathon ends tomorrow. And I honestly can’t believe I hadn’t read it sooner, it’s incredible. Scarily prophetic ..."

Antun, if you enjoyed Brave New World and 1984, may I suggest We by Yevgeny Zamyatin?

Good afternoon, team! A reminder that the readathon ends tomorrow, Sunday July 27th, at midnight in your timezone.

@Beth - Thanks for the update. Looks great!

@Lorraine - Don't be silly! What are you apologizing about? By my count you will have read 20 books! That's beyond amazing!

@Brianna - Hope you are getting rest and feeling better!

@Antun & Syd - I hope you are both doing well with your books. You've got this!

Happy reading!

Please sign me up for 5.

HERE COMES THE SUN
Duration: August 1 – August 31, 2025

5/5

This August let’s bloom where we’re planted. This challenge invites you to explore books that feel like sunshine, encourage growth, or simply make you happy. Whether it’s a story that warms your soul, a character who grows against all odds, or a plot that just makes you smile—if it feels like summer and sunshine, it belongs here. Want to judge a book by its happy cover? Read any book featuring a yellow cover, sunflower, or yellow flowers—those count too!🌻

1 - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I love this book, makes me happy just to read it
2 - The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon 8/20/25 - hilarious plot that made me smile
3 - The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis 8/24/25 - yellow cover/yellow flowers

4 - Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya 8/25/25 - sweet MC makes me (and all the other characters) smile
5 - Yellowface by R.F. Kuang - yellow cover

Please sign me up for 5.

6/5

1. Sunflower: Read a book with sunflowers or other flowers on the cover, a book about gardening or botany, or with a character who is a gardener, botanist, etc.
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis 8/24/25

2. Ear: Read a book addressing a mental or physical differences, with a disabled character, or with a title word such as ear, sound, silence, listen, etc.
Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø 8/14/25

3. France: Read a translated French classic, a book set in France, or one with French culture words in the title like bread, wine, bakery, Paris, etc.

4. Yellow: Read a book with a yellow cover, with art tools in the cover art, or about character who is a visual artist.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 8/27/25


5. Netherlands: Read a book by a Dutch author, one set in Netherlands, or with iconic Dutch elements on the cover like canals, tulips, windmills, cheese, etc.

6. Countryside: Read a book set in the countryside, featuring characters connected to the land or agriculture, or reflecting themes of simplicity, tranquility, coziness, or connection to nature.

7. Starry Night: Read a book with a dark cover, with celestial motifs in the cover art, or from the dark academia, fantasy or mystery genres.
Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger 8/4/25

8. Isolation: Read a book about a solitary individual, with a title word like lonely, solitude, alone, one, etc., or a book that explores spirituality or creativity.
Demian by Hermann Hesse 8/16/25

9. Museum: Read a book based in an art gallery, museum or art school, with a painting in the cover art, or with a museum-related word in the title like masterpiece, picture, artifact, curator, etc.

10. V-I-N-C-E-N-T-V-A-N-G-O-G-H: Read a book that has 5 or more letters from the artist's name in the title, with a name in the title, or one written by an author named Vincent, Vince, Vinnie, etc.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter 8/5/25 - B E T TER T H A N THE M O V I ES - 8 letters

Hi Team! Thanks for keeping us organized, Beth and Lorraine!

Hope everyone is still doing well! We're on the homestretch with the last two days now. You've been awesome!

@Beth - I read a couple more books that you had book possibilities for. Hoped to ease the burden on you since it seemed you still had a lot to read. And I was excited to get to the bonus books sooner. 😳

I have a bunch of 2020 books ready to go. I plan get started on them tomorrow. Will try to get in as much as I can. Forgot that we're going to have guests on Sunday. Think there's any chance I can convince everyone to just hang out and read? hahaha

Update to message #6

6/5

Challenge completed.

Blakie & Caraina, congrats on completing the challenge!

Updated to message # 93

Just a quick note while on my phone -

Oh no, Brianna! Echoing Beth, please don’t apologize. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I just finished Happy Birthday, Turk! My ipad is packed. If someone could update the spreadsheet, otherwise I’ll update when I get home and access to my computer later.

I’m holding off finishing Peach Tea Smash for the bonus round. I’ve got less than a hundred pages to go. I’ll see what else I can read to help finish the main prompts. It’s a bit hard to figure out the spreadsheet on the phone…

Hope everyone is well. I will catch up on the other comments later.

I’ve finished and added to the spreadsheet, The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943, and The Time Machine. Please correct, if any errors. Or move , if necessary. I haven’t highlighted bc I can’t seem to pull up the same colors as I can on the computer. And the automatic highlighting on the tracking page seems not be working. If not done, I can take care of it tomorrow.

I tried updating the spreadsheet. It wasn’t that easy for me. Please correct if there are any errors.

I also forgot to mention that I had found books that I owned with years in the title. I’ve started one. I know Brianna has said she’s up for reading her books but I’ve read and loved 11/22/63. I also know it’s a doorstopper at 800+ pages. Mine can be back up.

Welcome to challenge, Melissa! It’s not too late to join, as long as the month is not over. You can include any books you’ve read in the month of July. Sorry, I won’t be able to make any updates to the participants list until late Friday. Good luck!

Brianna wrote: "Hi friends,

I am finally starting to feel better today. I've been sleeping a lot, so it took me a lot longer to finish The Outsiders than I was hoping. I logged the book into the "completed" secti..."

So glad you're feeling better!

I'm sure someone can help you with the Tracking page. I have to run now!

Lorraine wrote: "JennH wrote: "@Lorraine, I hope you did indeed get a good night's sleep!

Jenn: if you need me to update the spreadsheet while you are away, let me know. Enjoy your time away!"

Thanks. I might need your help to add my books. I will try on the iPad. I just don't love using the app.

It's a bunch of appts. So I should have a decent amount of time to read while waiting.

I'm bringing with me a few books
Peach Tea Smash
Before We Say Goodbye
The Time Machine

I wasn't planning on re-reading The Time Machine but it was there on display at the library, so I thought why not. It is also short and fits a few prompts. If those prompts are met before I read it, I can just put it towards page points. I also have a bunch of audiobooks planned with the same thought process.

Lorraine wrote: "Jenn, I hope this is OK. I added the names of our colleagues beside the prompts to see where we are at day 6. Easier for me to see where help could be needed.

SINGLES
1- Read a book containing tim..."

Of course, it's okay. It would have been too confusing for me to also cross reference the names. 😊

Sylvia wrote: "JennH wrote: "Hi Sylvia! I hope the new reading journal has been a help. There is nothing wrong with having to DNF a book. Life's too short to waste time on a book that you don't want to read! I'm ..."

Sylvia wrote: "JennH wrote: "Hi Sylvia! I hope the new reading journal has been a help. There is nothing wrong with having to DNF a book. Life's too short to waste time on a book that you don't want to read! I'm ..."

That's awesome! I'm terrible at filling out journals. I always start with the best intentions for a couple of days, and then.... invariably I forget.

I'm so glad that the group reads are helping expand your reading. I totally agree, this reading group is awesome. 😁

Hi Emily! Hope all is well! Those are great goals. I'll be rooting for you! Yes, we're already halfway through the year, but another way to look at it is that we have half a year left!! You got this! You've already made a wonderful start. I hope you are enjoying lots of fantastic books along the way. Happy reading!

Hi Sir Asholas! Welcome! Have you been reading or are you just starting your goal for the year now? Hope you make progress on your reading goal and enjoy some terrific books! Happy reading!