2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2022
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Flora's Personal Challenge
#50 The Last Librarian by Brandt LeggEvery time I thought I had this book figured out I was thrown for a loop. It's not clear who is on who's side but that is just part of it. There is intrigue wrapped within conspiracy and no one is who you think they are, or are they?
This story was based upon great works such as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. The concepts these books brought attention to are thrown into a future that is all too real. Anyone that understand the importance of the freedom to read what you choose should read this book. I highlighted more in this book than I have in any other.
It fit the prompt of the 52 Books for technology based.
#51 Hollen the Soulless by Denali DayMy new favorite series!!! Love Hollen, he can kidnap me any day :)
Popsugar: favorite prompt from a past challenge: free book
This book was on KU and Audible Prime.
Nerd Daily: Picked based on the cover
I gave it 5 stars, but, if possible, I would have given 4.5 because in the first half of the book the FMC was an idiot. However, she does redeem herself.
#52 Lick by Kylie ScottI chose this one for the Popsugar prompt for a book featuring a musical group.
I really enjoyed listening to this one and I think I will continue this series.
Evelyn wakes up in Vegas with a killer hang over and discovers that she's married. The story takes off in a whirlwind and never slows down. Loved it!
#53 Buried in a Bog by Sheila ConnollyI chose this one for the Popsugar prompt the second one in the twin cities set. Cork Ireland is apparently a sister city to San Francisco. (I'm still not sure how that is)
I really wanted to like this one but I just didn't. I usually like mysteries, but this one bored me to tears. I actually skipped to the last couple of chapters, so I used it for Nerd Daily's DNF.
#54 Hannah by Kathryn LaskyI chose this for the Popsugar prompt a palindromic title.
This is a middle grade age read, but it certainly held my attention. This is the first in a series of books about mermaids that end up on land as babies without knowing their true nature. I really liked it, but be warned: it doesn't really end. I wanted to know what happened to her. Maybe, in some of the other books in the series it tells?????
#55 Sven the Collector by Denali DayThis book is Dokiri Brides 0.5. It tells the story of how Hollan the Soulless' parents fell in love. Collette is a fierce FMC and Sven is her perfect match even if they don't see that at first.
This doesn't fit any prompts for me that I haven't already filled. But, it would work for a book that could be read in one sitting as it is less than 100 pages.
#56 The Rycke by Lily MayneThis is an awesome series if you like MM. It doesn't fit any prompts, but Aury is so sweet. He's like a cupcake with sugar sprinkles.
#57 Just finished listening to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I never tire of these books, and this is the first time I've enjoyed on audio. It fits Nerd Daily's prompt for a place you'd rather be. Who wouldn't want to spend time at Hogwarts?
#58 Erik the Tempered by Denali DayOMG! This book wrecked me. I didn't want to stop reading it. When I forced myself to go to bed I couldn't sleep because I still thought about it. I cried through many parts of it, and that is something that I rarely do. Hands down 5 stars. No question. I would give it more if I could.
It fit no prompts, but I love this series and certainly this story.
#59 First Frost by Sarah Addison AllenI love books by this author! This one was no exception. This is the sequel to Garden Spells. I wish I had re-read this one before reading First Frost because there was a lot that I had forgotten. 4 stars! Sarah Addison Allen brings her characters to life so well with all their flaws and gifts. Its always a joy to read her books.
This fits the Popsugar prompt for book set during my favorite season which is fall. It would also work for a duology and a book that contains a recipe.
52 books: a book with the author's picture on the back.
#60 The Merciless Ones by Namina FornaThis book doesn't fill any prompts for me that I haven't already filled. It would work for a book that was published this year.
This is the second book in this series, and it certainly got much weirder than I was prepared for. I'm not saying I didn't like it, because I did. So many aspects of society was addressed in this book such as gender identity and equality, trans issues, lgbtq+ issues as well as abuse and ptsd. But I still can't wrap my brain around the whole deathshriek aspect. What do these creatures actually look like? Will they ever be human again? I keep picturing them as that thing from the movie Predator, but I could be way off base.
#61 Wanderers by Chuck WendigI understand why this has been compared to Stephen King. The story was terrifying because it is so plausible. And every time you thought you understood what was going on something else happened. I don't understand why this book hasn't won any awards unless it is because its not dry and boring. This was such an intense read there were times I had to stop reading it and read something else before I could go back and continue on. This is one everyone should read. Highly recommend it. 5 stars
52 Books: an author published in more than one genre
It would work for a book with more than 500 pages as it has nearly 800. But I have already filled that prompt.
#62 Murder on the Orient ExpressI had read this one years ago, but I didn't remember what had happened and it fit the Popsugar prompt for a book set on a train.
Agatha Christie is called the queen of mystery for a reason. I always enjoy her stories. No one writes a mystery like she did.
In addition to the popsugar prompt, this book also fits:
52 Books: a book that has an alternate title
Nerd Daily: published before I was born
#63 Ivan the Bold by Denali DayThis is #3 in the Dokiri Brides series. Book 2 is still my favorite, but this one was good too.
#64 Revelations by Nikole KnightThe MC of this book is just pitiful. He is a perfect example of the failure of the foster care system. It's horrible what he has had to go through and the mental trauma that it has left.
This would work for a book about gender identity, but I have already filled that prompt.
#65
by Cameron MacDonaldI really enjoyed this nonfiction book. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, so it's nice to get outside my comfort zone sometimes. I ran across it at the library, so it was chosen at random. But it fits the 52 books prompt for a book that contains photos. It would also fit a book about a specific topic, but I don't double dip.
#66 Ash by Malinda LoI chose this one for the Popsugar prompt for a sapphic book. This is a retelling of the story of Cinderella. This one really pulls on the heartstrings. So beautifully told you can feel the sadness from loss and abuse. 5 stars.
#67 The HobbitThis is one of my most favorite books ever. I usually read it once a year. I chose it for the Popsugar prompt: a book that features a party. A party of dwarves may be a stretch, but it works for me. It would also fit the 52 Books prompt for a book with an alternate title, but I have already filled that one.
#68 SacrificeThis is the second book in the Fire and Brimstone series. It reminds me of Ghost Bird mixed with angels and fewer characters and all MM. Rily is like Sang, younger than his years and having suffered through abuse at the hands of those that were supposed to care for him. He has no idea who is real mother is, and his three angels are jealous and overprotective. And they aren't supposed to be falling for him. And like Sang, there is more to him than meets the eye.
It fits no prompts, but I do like the series even if it is a GB knockoff.
#69 The Shield and AxeThis didn't fill any prompts, but I liked it ok. I was looking for RH with Vikings. I have been reading the Dokiri Brides series and wanted something similar. This really wasn't but it was ok. It ended on a cliffhanger (literally) and I haven't decided if I will continue the series or not.
#70 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly JacksonThis book had me hooked from the beginning. If not for little things like work, I would have set up all night and finished it in one sitting. It didn't fill any prompts that I hadn't already filled, but it would work for a misleading title. I actually had to explain to an older woman in a bookstore that it wasn't about someone planning a murder. *eye roll*
#71 Moriarty The Devil’s Game by Charles KindingerThis was an Audible podcast. Each chapter was released as a new episode. It was fun to listen to with all the different characters. Sherlock Holmes isn't my favorite historical detective, but I liked this take on the genre.
It fits the 52 Books prompt for a book told from the villain's perspective.
#72 A Spell for TroubleThis was an ok read. It's a mystery with a touch of magic. But some of the characters really had a problem with practicing magic and called it "wrong." I never understood if this was a religious or immoral thing or what the problem was.
I picked it for the Popsugar prompt for a book with a board game name in the title.
#73 UnidentifiedThis is technically a DNF, but I listened to more than 75% so I'm counting it. It may have been good if I had read it instead of listening to the audio version. But, I couldn't concentrate on what was going on. I have no idea what was happening in the story. 1 star.
#74 Naomi's Gift by Martha Hall KellyThis was a powerful story packed into a small package. This is a short story that is part of the Point in Time Collection. It is told as a series of letters written by an aunt to a baby that was born in a Nazi concentration camp. This is a story that everyone should read. 5 stars, hands down, no question. I'd give more stars if I could.
It fits the Nerd Daily prompt for a book released in July 2022
#75 Emergency Skin by N.K. JemisinThis was a short story I found on audible (and later discovered that it was on KU which is happening a lot lately). It's told from the POV of the nanobots inside this person and it has a really good message that some won't want to hear but it's the truth.
#76 All Foxed Up by Emma Dean
This is the second book in the Chaos of Foxes trilogy. So far they are all fun reads and I look forward to finishing the series and reading more books by the author set in this world
#77 The Unspoken Name by A.K. LarkwoodLoved this book!!! If you like epic fantasy, then you should pick this up. It was so original and alive. I can't recommend this enough to those that like fantasy.
#78 Chitty Chitty Bang BangI picked this for the Popsugar onomatopoeia prompt (that is hard to say and hard to spell! Sheesh!)
This is a cute middle grade age book, that could be read in one sitting. I read part of it and then finished it later. I remember reading this when I was in grade school.
#79 A Winter's Tail by Kathi DaleyThis is part of the Whales and Tails Mystery Series. I love a good cozy mystery. Actually any in this series fits the 52 Books prompt for includes a club, I just hadn't considered it before now.
#80 Hide by Kiersten WhiteThis is 5 stars and then some! Loved it. One of my favorite this year. It reminded me of a movie I watched a long time ago (I don't remember the name) where people were put in this enclosure and hunted for sport. This is like that, only better!!!
I picked this one for Popsugar prompt a book that falls in the social horror genre.
It also was reviewed by Nerd Daily this year.
#81 The Jewel by Amy EwingThis one has been sitting on my shelf for a while so I finally got around to reading it. I love a good dystopia. This one fits well with what is going on in real life today, sort of. Surrogates are bought and paid for by the royalty as slaves to bear their children. They are property with no body autonomy and forced to give birth against their will.
#82 Lucien's StoryThis is the novella that follows The Jewel. I really enjoyed reading Lucien's history and what changed his life. Parts of it were very sad but important just the same. If you've read, and liked, the Jewel, you should read this one.
Popsugar: a book featuring a character that leads a double life.
#83 The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate MooreI don't read a lot of nonfiction. It has to be really good to catch my attention. This one I gave 5 stars, no question, no hesitation. I don't understand why this book hasn't received any awards. It is a powerful story that was well told. It is one that everyone should read
I decided to put this on the 52 books prompt for addresses a specific topic
#84 Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel WilkersonThis was a really good read and is heavy on sociology. I think this one should be required reading in an undergraduate sociology class. There were many valid points about how castes within our society have shaped and affected our current political climate.
Prompts:
52 Books: Nonfiction best seller
Nerd Daily: recommended on social media
#85 Bear the Heat by T.S. JoyceI've really enjoyed this series. Can't help but love a good shifter book. I already look forward to the next one.
It doesn't fill any specific prompts but since the ending was so sweet, I will put it for 52 Books prompt of a book that sparks joy.
#86 Malum Discordiae by Ashlyn DrewekOH MY WOW!!! Why did I wait so long to read this. This book will result in serious book hangover.
I think because there were so many warnings in the beginning of the book that I was hesitant. But I saw no reasons for the warnings unless you just don't like M/M. Although I did figure out part of the mystery early on, I still loved this book. I'm usually not a big fan of enemies to lovers trope, but this was perfect. Loved the characters, loved the mystery, love the action, and loved the spice. I can't recommend this enough.
#87 The Daughter of Doctor MoreauI picked this book for the popsugar prompt a book by a latin author. I have always loved the story of The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells with its emphasis on ethics in science. Just because we can do something doesn't always mean we should. This retelling is from his daughter's POV and although I had hoped for a different ending, I still liked the book.
#88 Secrets We Keep by Angel LawsonThis is the first book in the Thistle Cove series. I am intrigued and will most likely continue the series. The disappearance of the most popular senior high girl in Thistle Cove brings to light many secrets. It just seems a little too easy that everything was just swept under the rug in the end.
#89 The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. She also wrote the Truly Devious series, which I loved.This one was good, too. But not quite as good as Truly Devious, and there were a lot of similarities.
This didn't fit any prompts that I needed to fill, but it would work for a book about the afterlife.
#90 Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah WestThis is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I liked it but there was just something about it that didn't keep me interested. 3.5 stars
#91 Wyn by Lily MayneThis is a novella that continues Wyn and Danny's relationship. We are introduced to Wyn's world and some new and interesting characters that I hope get their own books.
#92 Her Song in His Heart by C.L. StoneThis is the latest installment in the Ghost Bird series. We learned a lot about Sang's past. There were revelations about her mom and her grandparents and many questions were answered. We also got to learn about Gabriel's family who lived in the same town. I enjoyed the wealth of information but I look forward to getting back and getting the Volto mystery sorted out.
This book would work well for a book about a mystery or a found family.
#93 Games We Play by Angel LawsonThis is the second book in the Thistle Cove YA RH series. Some of it I had figured out, but the twist at the end shows there are more secrets to be learned in Thistle Cove.
This fits the 52 Books prompt for a book with the word Game in the title.
#94 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire SáenzI wasn't too sure about this book when I started, but I ended up liking it and I'm not even sure why.
Popsugar: a book set in the 1980s
52 Books: an award winning book from my country
#95 Shield Band by Tara GrayceI'm not positive, but I think that this is the last book in the Elven Alliance series. I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but during parts of it I felt so sorry for Julian. And why call them trolls? It just sounds so ugly. Why not Kostarians? The covers off all of these books leave a lot to be desired, this one even more so.
This doesn't fill any prompts for my reading challenges. But, I love the series and had to finish.
#96 The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn BarnesI have really enjoyed this whole series, right up until the end. (view spoiler)
This fits prompts:
52 Books: Begins with the first letter of my name
Nerd Daily: Released in September
#97 The House of the Stone by Amy EwingThis is a short story that tells what Raven (Violet's friend) is going through after being bought by the House of Stone. I don't normally get bothered by what I read, but I feel this one should have a trigger warning. The torture that Raven went through was difficult to read.
#98 The Art of War by Sun TzuI found this on audible plus. Of course, I've heard about it for years, but I did not expect to like it because it's about war. It was very short, but a lot of information was packed into it. I really did like it, and actually started listening to it again. I may get a physical copy sometime. A lot of it was reiterating the importance of common sense like be aware of surroundings, the terrain you are fighting in. Don't make rash decisions based on emotion, think things through and remain calm in a crisis. The importance on how you treat others, especially those under your command and those you take in battle. Treat your enemies' soldiers with kindness. Loved it! Everyone can learn something from it.
#99 The Trees by Percival EverettI chose this for the Popsugar prompt for an Anisfield Wolf award winner. I really enjoyed reading this, it had a lot of funny dialogue. But it did get weird toward the end, and it really didn't end. It just stopped.
This would also work for a social horror prompt.
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Nero (other topics)Upgrade (other topics)
The Weirdies (other topics)
Taming of the Tabby (other topics)
Garnet's Story (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah Brianne (other topics)Blake Crouch (other topics)
Michael Buckley (other topics)
Kathi Daley (other topics)
Amy Ewing (other topics)
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I am really enjoying this series. Edin is quite different from Wyn in the first book. He is a loveable giant purple monster and I'm glad we got his story.
While this didn't fit any prompts that I haven't already filled, it would work for the Popsugar prompt for a mc that uses a mobility aid. Hunter has a prosthetic leg.