2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Quarterly Challenges
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3rd Quarter - Wonders of the World
Update to message #81.
✅ 6. The Pearl by John Steinbeck a book about Peru/South America 08/05/2017 ★★☆☆☆
7/21
✅ 6. The Pearl by John Steinbeck a book about Peru/South America 08/05/2017 ★★☆☆☆
7/21
Just completed #19 (United Kingdom) - Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts. Not quite as good as the first book in the series, but it was still entertaining. I felt the love story in this book was a bit more far-fetched. Worth reading! 3.5 stars11/10
Update msg 20: 8/9✅ 19. UK - Hallowe'en Party ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 16. Germany - All the Light We Cannot See ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just completed #14 (great love story) - Blood Magick by Nora Roberts. Good ending to a solid romantic fantasy trilogy! I lingered over it, not really wanting it to end, but blitzed through the last 20%. Roberts did an admirable job of bringing in new magic elements to make the series interesting through three books. Worth reading! 4 stars12/10
Updated OM 38 with:Travel down under to enjoy the many performances of the Sydney Opera House by reading a book that takes place in Australia or about performing in a show. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things (2017.08.06, ★★★★☆). (Not in its entirety, but part of it is set in Australia.)
[6/1]
Just completed #21 (character on decline) - The End of Oz by Danielle Paige. Overall, this was a good ending to the series. There were a few light, snarky moments that I appreciated. The romance was a bit mature for the ages of the characters, and some of the resolutions were a bit trite. An interesting series for sure. 3.5 stars13/10
For the month of July, finished 3.4. About a great battle or warrior - Slaughterhouse-Five - Revolves around WWII
20. About giving a performance: The Perfect Girl - Starts off with two very gifted main characters performing a piano duet.
21. About a character on a decline. A Head Full of Ghosts - About a teenager who has schizophrenia and/or demonic possession. Shows the impact on the family as the daughter becomes worse.
Update to post 34:10/12 complete
13. Hagia Sophia - religion The Autobiography of Malcolm X August 10
Update to message #81.
✅ 4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert a book that takes place in Italy 08/12/2017 ★★★★☆
8/21
✅ 4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert a book that takes place in Italy 08/12/2017 ★★★★☆
8/21
Update: 8/810. The Alhambra: a book that takes place in Spain/Northern Africa or about multiple periods of history. - Margot & Me
Update!Progress: 6/9
1) The Knife of Never Letting Go (#11 - Colonialism)
2) Cross Kill (#18 - USA)
3) Chase (#3 - A Lot of Moving Around)
4) Scarlet (#12 - France)
5) The 5th Wave (#2 - Long Walk)
6) Cress (#10 - Northern Africa)
7)
8)
9)
Update to message #81.
✅ 16. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne a book that takes place in Germany 08/14/2017 ★★★★☆
9/21
✅ 16. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne a book that takes place in Germany 08/14/2017 ★★★★☆
9/21
Update!Progress: 7/9
1) The Knife of Never Letting Go (#11 - Colonialism)
2) Cross Kill (#18 - USA)
3) Chase (#3 - A Lot of Moving Around)
4) Scarlet (#12 - France)
5) The 5th Wave (#2 - Long Walk)
6) Cress (#10 - Northern Africa)
7) The Infinite Sea (#7 - Suffering a Great Loss)
8)
9)
Update: Message 394/6
21. Remember that sometimes wonders due cease by visiting the remains of Timbuktu by reading a that takes place in Western Africa or about a character on a decline: The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts
I've finished 3/6 on the list~3. The Alchemist
13. What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything
14. Norwegian Wood
Just completed #15 (character with big head) - The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova. I really enjoyed the writing of this book; it reminded me so much of Kostova's first novel, which is a favorite of mine. However, the novel floundered without direction or a villain for so long, that I became confused as to whether the book was going to be fantastical or historical or both. In the end it came together, but it took awhile to get there. Overall, worth reading but heed my warning about the slow start. 4 stars14/10
Updated OM 38 with:15. A book about someone with a big head. Under the Dome (2017.08.19, ★☆☆☆☆).
21. A book about a character in decline. Made You Up (2017.08.17, ★★★☆☆).
[8/1]
Update to message #81.
✅ 19. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen a book that takes place in England/United Kingdom 08/21/2017 ★☆☆☆☆
10/21
✅ 19. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen a book that takes place in England/United Kingdom 08/21/2017 ★☆☆☆☆
10/21
Updated OM 38 with:2. A book in which someone takes a really long walk. After the Fall (2017.08.21, ★★★☆☆).
[9/1]
I went for three but completed five! :-)
updated message 155/6
✔20. Travel down under to enjoy the many performances of the Sydney Opera House by reading a book that takes place in Australia or about performing in a show. Truly Madly Guilty
Update Message 39:5/6
4. Imagine yourself viewing a show from the great Colosseum in Rome by reading a book that takes place in Italy or about a great battle or warrior: The Wedding Shroud
Updated message 156/6 Finished!
✔8. Be amazed at the global engineering that went into the design of Christ the Redeemer by reading a book that takes place in Brazil or about a scientific achievement. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Just completed #9 (the gods) - Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This was a really good fantasy book! The only thing I did not like was the prologue. It almost made me not want to read the book - it seemed disconnected from the rest of the story. I understand why the author decided to organize the book this way, but it could have been introduced at a different point and been more effective. Everything else, though, was excellent! 4.5 stars15/10
Hey everyone,Sorry I've been neglecting this thread and and not being actively commenting. It's always so amazing to see what everyone reads to meet their goals, and there are some really fantastic books :)
I've updated everyone's progress on the list. If I've missed anything, please let me know.
You are all doing great! Congratulations to those of you who have met your goal for this challenge :) I can't wait to see what you will be picking up in September!
Updated post 34, but I lost count... I am at 15, and have 2 more slated. I'm starting to wonder if it is possible to finish all 21 by the end of the quarter? Here is my full list:15/12 completed
2. The Great Wall of China - China Do Not Say We Have Nothing
3. The ruins of Petra - Middle East Salt Houses
5. Chichen Itza - Central America or mythological creatures
6. Machu Piccu - South America or an emporer
8. Christ the Redeemer - Brazil or a scientific achievement
11. Angor Wat - Southeast Asia or colonialism
Updated OM 38 with:A book about suffering a great loss. The Fault in Our Stars (2017.08.27, ★★☆☆☆).
[11/1]
I would like to join this one. I would like to aim for 7.
Update #223. Get lost roaming around the ruins in Petra by reading a book that takes place in the Middle East or where the characters do a lot of moving around.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman Completed 18/7/17 Rating 4 stars
9. Explore The Acropolis of Athens for the Parthenon by reading a book that takes place in Greece or about the gods.
Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella Completed 29/7/17 Rating 4 stars
17. View many of Moscow’s important historical sights in the Red Square by reading a book that takes place in Russia or about life under communism.
The Devil by Leo Tolstoy Completed 2/7/17 Rating 3 stars
18. Say hello to the welcoming lady of the Statue of Liberty by reading a book that takes place in the U.S.A or about immigration.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Completed 3/7/17 Rating 4 stars
19. Ponder who placed all those giant rocks in Stonehenge by reading a book that takes place in England/United Kingdom or about the outer space.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Completed 8/7/17 Rating 5 stars
5/3
Challenge completed
1. 2. Take a walk along the Great Wall of China by reading a book that takes place in China or where someone takes are really long walk.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Explore The Acropolis of Athens for the Parthenon by reading a book that takes place in Greece or about the gods.
10.
11. Take your time exploring the largest temple in the world at Angkor Wat by reading a book about Cambodia/far east Asia or about colonialism.
12.
13.
14. Search for the waterfall located inside the Buddhist temple of Kiyomizu-dera by reading a book that takes place in Japan or about a great love story.
15.
16.
17. View many of Moscow’s important historical sights in the Red Square by reading a book that takes place in Russia or about life under communism.
18. Say hello to the welcoming lady of the Statue of Liberty by reading a book that takes place in the U.S.A or about immigration.
19. Ponder who placed all those giant rocks in Stonehenge by reading a book that takes place in England/United Kingdom or about the outer space.
20.
21.
14/21
I'm struggling thinking about a about on 17. Most Russia related books I have are too long. =/
updated message 157/6
✔16. Basque in the luxury of the Neuschwanstein Castle by reading a book that takes place in Germany or a book inspired by a fairy tale. Slaughterhouse-Five
Update!Progress: 9/9 ***FINISHED***
1) The Knife of Never Letting Go (#11 - Colonialism)
2) Cross Kill (#18 - USA)
3) Chase (#3 - A Lot of Moving Around)
4) Scarlet (#12 - France)
5) The 5th Wave (#7 - Suffering a Great Loss)
6) Cress (#10 - Northern Africa)
7) The Infinite Sea (#8 - Scientific Achievement)
8) My Not So Perfect Life (#19 - England/UK)
9) The Giver (#2 - Long Walk)
Just completed #12 (France) - Last Hope Island: Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood That Helped Turn the Tide of War by Lynne Olson. I'm really glad that I read this book, mostly because my viewpoint of WWII is anglocentric. I knew very little of the struggles of Belgium, Holland, Norway, etc. However, the book could be difficult to keep straight, at times, because of the lack of a consistent timeline. That's a common difficulty I see in historical nonfiction, but it does tend to be confusing for the reader. Overall, worth reading! 4 stars16/10
Update: Message 396/6 CHALLENGE COMPLETED (but I'm going to keep going!
10. Revel in the Moorish architecture of the Alhambra by reading a book that takes place in Spain/Northern Africa or about multiple periods of history: The Club Dumas
Just completed #1 (ancient world) - The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan. This book started out really slow, and I had a hard time caring about the main character. However, the story blended with the original series really well and created new, interesting dynamics. I also appreciate how Riordan's stories always contain a bit of human reality, like betrayal. Worth reading but need to have read Percy Jackson and the Jason series first. 3.5 stars17/10
Update: 6/6 Books Completed ✔1. Travel to the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids at Giza by reading a book that takes place in Egypt or the ancient world.
Almost Human: The Astonishing Tale of Homo Naledi and the Discovery That Changed Our Human Story by Lee R Berger [Read 7/7/2017]
4. Imagine yourself viewing a show from the great Colosseum in Rome by reading a book that takes place in Italy or about a great battle or warrior.
Black Bird, Vol. 08 (Black Bird, #8) by Kanoko Sakurakouji [Read 9/2/2017]
5. Be dazzled by the mythological statues of Chichen Itza by reading a book that takes place in Mexico/Central America or about mythological creatures.
Spectacle (Menagerie #2) by Rachel Vincent [Read 8/29/2017]
8. Be amazed at the global engineering that went into the design of Christ the Redeemer by reading a book that takes place in Brazil or about a scientific achievement.
The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke [Read 8/30/2017]
14. Search for the waterfall located inside the Buddhist temple of Kiyomizu-dera by reading a book that takes place in Japan or about a great love story.
AAA, Vol. 01 by Haruka Fukushima [Read 8/16/2017]
16. Basque in the luxury of the Neuschwanstein Castle by reading a book that takes place in Germany or a book inspired by a fairy tale.
Peter Pan (Peter Pan #3) by J.M. Barrie [Read 7/13/2017]
updated message 158/6
✔19. Ponder who placed all those giant rocks in Stonehenge by reading a book that takes place in England/United Kingdom or about outer space. Agent to the Stars
Update: Message 87/6
6. Take in the sun as you climb the mountains to visit the palace of MachuPicchu by reading a book about Peru/South America or about an emperor: The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale Of Love, Murder, And Survival In The Amazon
Update to message #81.
✅ 18. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini a book about immigration 09/09/2017 ★★☆☆☆
11/21
✅ 18. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini a book about immigration 09/09/2017 ★★☆☆☆
11/21
Just completed #16 (Germany) - The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. And my feelings are mixed about this book. The writing was good, and the imagery was well done. It's a complicated subject-matter, so maybe that's why it seems that the author was confused in the construction of the novel. Sections picked up and dropped with no real rhyme or reason. The characters seemed half-formed. It was an interesting effort, but it just seemed to fall short. 3 stars18/10
Update to post 3417/21 complete
8. Christ the Redeemer - Brazil Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon
I really loved this book, and wonder why it isn't better known in the US! There are a lot of characters, some with tricky names, so I made a bookmark with all the important ones (no spoilers) for myself and want to share in case anyone else can make use of it. It prints on a 4x6 index card.
I think I might make it!! Update to post 34, 18/21 complete:
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Nightingale (other topics)The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (other topics)
Lost in Babylon (other topics)
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act (other topics)
The Wishsong of Shannara (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kristin Hannah (other topics)Haruki Murakami (other topics)
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (other topics)
Ken Kesey (other topics)
Robert Louis Stevenson (other topics)
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10/10 - challenge completed!