2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2017
>
Rachael Readsalot: 70+ books in 2017
37. Summer of Secrets by Rosie Rushton176 pages
Rating = 3 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Tbr Randomiser, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves, Spell Sunrises
Why I read this: it's a modern retelling of Northanger Abbey
Hi! I loved looking at your posts with your star ratings and why you read them, very original! I've also read A Discovery of Witches and really enjoyed it. I've also DNF'd Beastly, made it through about 4 pages, so congrats for powering through that. I love books too and love talking about them, so if you come across anything really great this year, feel free to send me a post and let me know!
Nikki wrote: "Hi! I loved looking at your posts with your star ratings and why you read them, very original! I've also read A Discovery of Witches and really enjoyed it. I've also DNF'd Beastly, made it through ..."Hi Nikki,
Thanks for your message. I'm glad you like my posts. It was hard but I was determined to finish Beastly because of how much I love Beauty and the Beast. This year, I have read the Silo trilogy by Hugh Howey which I would really recommend if you like dystopia. I will keep you posted about any other great books I read this year.
Best of luck with your reading challenges :) x
Thanks for the suggestion :) I'll add it to the ever-growing list.
38. Pillars of Light by Jane Johnson479 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I was given a proof copy by my former university tutor who runs a publishing house
39. Unfettered by Shawn Speakman et al.518 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Clear the Shelves, Spell Sunrises
Why I read this: I like fantasy and I've been dipping in and out of this anthology for a while so it's about time I finished it
40. Shadowland by C M Gray217 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Tbr Randomiser, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves, Spell Sunrises
Why I read this: I'm interested in the Arthurian legends.
41. The Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis148 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: it's the Hay-on-Wye literary festival next week which is somewhere I'd really like to go. One of the events they do is called Letters Live so I thought I'd read a book of letters in honour of this
42. Sabriel by Garth Nix323 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Bingo, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves, Spell Sunrises
Why I read this: I have wanted to read The Old Kingdom series for ages and this was the first in the series
43. Lirael by Garth Nix512 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: it's the next book in the Old Kingdom series
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 43/65
Plus rereads: 2
Total number of pages read = 13,319/25,000
Serial Reader: 18/30
Colour Challenge: 13/15
Genre Bingo: 9/12
Tbr Randomiser: 7/12
Clear the Shelves: 12/15
Spell Sunrises: 5/5
Shortest book: Sonnet 73 (1 page)
Longest book: A Discovery of Witches (610 pages)
Best book: Wool
Worst book: Beastly
5 stars: 8
4 stars: 27
3 stars: 6
2 stars: 2
Comments: As usual, I managed to read quite a lot. This month, I officially met the halfway point with regards to the number of pages read. I have increased my goal for the Serial Reader challenge yet again. Bearing all this in mind though, my to-read shelf is actually growing rather than shrinking because I went on a download spree for my Kindle, oops.
What's next?: I'm continuing with the Old Kingdom series
44. Abhorsen by Garth Nix392 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Tbr Randomiser, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: it's part of the Old Kingdom series
45. The Creature in the Case by Garth Nix109 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: it's a short story in the Old Kingdom 'verse
46. Clariel by Garth Nix496 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: it's part of the Old Kingdom series
47. Goldenhand by Garth Nix432 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Colour Challenge, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: to finish the Old Kingdom series
48. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy410 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: I got a sudden urge to revisit this book
49. the wonderful world of F in EXAMS by Richard Benson367 pages
Rating = 3 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I had to find my copy so that someone could borrow it and thought I'd read it while it was there
50. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher416 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Tbr Randomiser, Colour Challenge, Genre Bingo, Serial Reader, Clear the Shelves
Why I read this: it's my chick lit pick that fits a lot of my challenges
51. A Dark So Deadly by Stuart Macbride608 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: my dad lent me his copy
52. Free Four: Tobias Tells the Divergent Knife-Throwing Scene by Veronica Roth16 pages
Rating = 5 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I realised this was the one thing I hadn't yet read in the excellent Divergent series [23 June edit: I now KNOW there's a new novella (Divergent 3.5) out there but it's really hard to get hold of. I'll read that once I find a copy]
53. Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth468 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader
Why I read this: because of how much I enjoyed the Divergent series, I'll read anything Roth writes
54. Prince and the pauper by Walt Disney Company44 pages
Rating = 3 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I was feeling nostalgic because I had several Disney books when I was younger. This story was one of them and I found a copy in the cottage where I'm staying on holiday at the moment. (I'll have to find mine out someday)
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 54/65
Plus rereads: 2
Total number of pages read = 17,077/25,000
Serial Reader: 24/30
Colour Challenge: 15/15
Genre Bingo: 10/12
Tbr Randomiser: 9/12
Clear the Shelves: 17/15
Shortest book: Sonnet 73 (1 page)
Longest book: A Discovery of Witches (610 pages)
Best book: Wool
Worst book: Beastly
5 stars: 9
4 stars: 34
3 stars: 9
2 stars: 2
Comments: If you've been following my progress reports, you'll know that each month I read loads and turn many pages. June was no exception. Halfway through the year and I have completed my first yearly challenge. I'm doing very well with my other challenges too.
What's next? I've started the Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell
55. The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell495 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon, War and Peace
Why I read this: I'm interested in the Arthurian legends
Mini mid-year review- On schedule with challenge(s)? Yes, I'm about 20 books ahead of schedule with my main challenge and making excellent progress with the group challenges
- Favourite books read so far? The Silo trilogy was awesome. I also really liked the Old Kingdom series, The Testing and As Old As Time.
- Least favourites? Beastly and Solitaire
-Book I'm looking forward to reading before the year is over? The first book in the Book of Dust Trilogy
- Favourite group challenge? The ones that I signed up for all looked interesting but if I had to choose one, it'd be the Colour Challenge.
[Feel free to borrow this idea for your own posts :)]
56. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova704 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Triathlon, War and Peace
Why I read this: it was my holiday charity shop find that I've been reading in bed in the morning
57. Doctor Who: Dr. Twelfth by Adam Hargreaves (narrated by Michelle Gomez)32 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I saw a Goodreads friend had read this and as a fellow whovian, I wanted to take a look
_-_-_-_-_-_
This is the first audio book I've read.
58. Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell473 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon, War and Peace
Why I read this: part of the Warlord Chronicles
Goodreads tells me I have now read over 500 books in total but I'm sure there's some books I've read but haven't added on here yet._-_-_-_-_-_
For my 2017 Reading Challenge, I've decided to increase my goal from 65 to 70 books. Even though I am way ahead of schedule, I have some chunky reads planned for the rest of the year (A Song of Ice and Fire, Anna Karenina... to name a few) and thought an increase of 5 books was fair for now.
59. Excalibur by Bernard Cornwell477 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon, War and Peace
Why I read this: it's the final book in the Warlord Chronicles trilogy
60. A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin819 pages
Rating = 4 stars with revised review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Bingo, Serial Reader, Triathlon, War and Peace, buddy read
Why I read this: to refamiliarise myself with A Song of Ice and Fire
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read: 60/70
Plus rereads: 2
Total number of pages read = 20,077/25,000
Serial Reader: 28/30
Genre Bingo: 11/12
Tbr Randomiser: 9/12
Triathlon: 5/8
War and Peace: 5/4
Shortest book: Sonnet 73 (1 page)
Longest book: A Game of Thrones (819 pages)
Best book: Wool
Worst book: Beastly
5 stars: 9
4 stars: 39
3 stars: 10
2 stars: 2
Comments: Considering I've read some big books in July, my overall total is still increasing nicely. I have added 5 books to my goal because I am so far ahead of schedule. Also this month, I read my first ever audiobook which deserves to be noted.
What's next?: I'm carrying on with A Song of Ice and Fire series. Book 2 is in progress.
61. Doctor Who: Dr. Fourth by Adam Hargreaves32 pages
Rating= 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: it was a quick read about my favourite fandom
62. Miranda and Me by Peggy Hart and Miranda Hart55 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: sometimes it can be such fun (see what I did there?) to read about the antics of one of Britain's well known female comedians and this book is free to download
63. A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin844 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon, buddy read
Why I read this: part of the epic fantasy series known as A Song of Ice and Fire
64. A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin1,218 pages
Rating = 5 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon
Why I read this: continuing A Song of Ice and Fire
I'm reading the song of Ice and fire series next year, I'm looking forward to it.
Alicia wrote: "I'm reading the song of Ice and fire series next year, I'm looking forward to it."Hope you enjoy them. My advice is that if you think they're slow, carry on because they do get better :)
65. The Tumor by John Grisham67 pages
Rating = 2 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Tbr Randomiser
Why I read this: I fancied a mini break from the epicness of A Song of Ice and Fire
Rachael wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I'm reading the song of Ice and fire series next year, I'm looking forward to it."Hope you enjoy them. My advice is that if you think they're slow, carry on because they do get bett..."
good to know, I have trouble when it comes to slow books so I will keep that in mind.
66. The Egg by Andy Weir4 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I saw it on my update feed and thought I'd take a look myself especially as there's a link to read it for free online
67. Other People by Neil Gaiman3 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: I accidentally clicked on it on this site and thought it was worth five minutes of my time
68. Doctor Who: The TARDIS Handbook by Steve Tribe128 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: if I want to be the Doctor's next companion, I suppose I better do my research about how the TARDIS works ;). Plus, I found a really cheap copy of this
PROGRESS REPORTNumber of books read = 68/70
Plus rereads: 2
Number of pages read = 22,428/25,000
Serial Reader: 30/30
Tbr Randomiser: 10/12
Genre Bingo: 11/12
Triathlon: 7/8
Shortest book = Sonnet 73 (1 page)
Longest book = A Storm of Swords (1,218 pages)
Best Book = Wool
Worst Book = Beastly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 10
⭐⭐⭐⭐: 44
⭐⭐⭐: 11
⭐⭐: 3
⭐: 0
Comments: I've nearly completed my yearly challenges and there are four months of the year left. So, I'm going to increase my goal for the final time to 75.
What's next? I'm still reading the epic A Song of Ice and Fire series.
69. Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day by Nick Abadzis et al.24 pages
Rating = 3 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Back to School
Why I read this: I wanted to see how easy it was to read a comic book on my Kindle
70. A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin852 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon, Back to School
Why I read this: it's part of A Song of Ice and Fire
71. The Testing Guide by Joelle Charbonneau56 pages
Rating = 4 stars
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Why I read this: it's a free prequel to one of the best books I've read this year
72. A Dance with Dragons by George R R Martin1,125 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Serial Reader, Triathlon
Why I read this: part of A Song of Ice and Fire
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (other topics)Only Connect: The Official Quiz Book (other topics)
The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Account of the Visit from St. Nicholas (other topics)
Uglies (other topics)
Anna Karenina (other topics)
More...
280 pages
Rating = 4 stars with review previously written
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Genre Bingo, Clear the Shelves, Spell Sunrises
Why I read this: it's my favourite Jane Austen novel