2025 Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Personal Challenge: 51-75
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Lisa's Own Little Corner - 2025
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2025 is just around the corner, which means it's time to start setting up for a new year!But first, let's talk about 2024, shall we?
It's somewhat hard to describe this year, because on the one hand, it's been relatively prolific, but on the flip side, it has also been rather lackluster. I mean, I did manage to read a reasonable amount of books, and while
In terms of my personal reading challenges, I completely failed to follow through on any of my plans. Somewhere along the way, I just kind of lost track of everything, got overwhelmed, and sort of ... just stopped. If you know me or have followed along for any amount of time, you'll know this is by no means uncommon for me.
For any newcomers stopping by who may need or want some context:
I am a delusional and stubborn overachiever who sucks at keeping this space up-to-date. Every year since joining the group in 2017, I voice all the intentions of keeping up with Goodreads in the upcoming year, and then halfway through, life happens, and I go MIA.
Usually, though, there is a reason or explanation behind it, but this year I don't even know exactly what happened.
Like I was saying, 2024 was a weird one.
However, I'm wrapping the year up with a total of XX books and YY pages, so I guess that does provide a bit of solace.
Still, I'm super ready to start fresh and give it another go in the new year.
Bring on 2025!
BOOKS of 2024
2024 STATS BREAKDOWN
RESERVED
RESERVED 2024
In 2025, it will be nine years since I joined Goodreads, and I have to say that it's been a most interesting journey so far - not only in how my reading journey has evolved in terms of quantity, focus areas, and goals, but also how the thought-process behind setting up has changed from year to year.
Interestingly, I haven't succeeded at keeping this space up-to-date since that first or second year, for various reasons, but let us not dwell on that. 2025 will be better!
The plan for 2025 is as follows:
Wish me luck!
Looking for my thoughts on something specific? Linked below are all the books I read in 2025. Click on the numbers to be redirected to a particular review you're interested in. 😊
1. The Spellshop (Beth Durst Durst)
2. Death of the Author (Nnedi Okorafor)
(I hope it is fine to comment already, else let me know and Ill move it later on.)Lisa - I am wishing you a lot of fun while reading in 2025. Changing up your reading goals sounds like a nice plan to mix it up (especially if its year 9 of you being on Goodreads). Very much looking forward to getting to some classics with you throughout the year! (and sharing recommendations of other books in between).
Have fun! :)
Lina wrote: "(I hope it is fine to comment already, else let me know and Ill move it later on.)Lisa - I am wishing you a lot of fun while reading in 2025. Changing up your reading goals sounds like a nice pla..."
Thanks for your message! and yes, it's completely fine to comment.
I'm still working on wording my goals and all that, because really how many times is too many times of editing and changing the same damn paragraph? 😅 Being a perfectionist is so much fun. 🙄
But thank you so much for the encouragement, Lina! I truly appreciate it.
So excited for 2025 to begin! 🥳
Woo hoo, Lisa! Enjoy your 2025 reading journey! Enjoy your own little corner. 🥰https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwivN...
Beth wrote: "Woo hoo, Lisa! Enjoy your 2025 reading journey! Enjoy your own little corner...Beth, lemme tell you the amount of times that song has been playing on repeat in my brain since I created my thread, is wild! Granted it's Brandy's version, because that's the one I watched first, but gotta love Dame Julie Andrews 😍.
Thank you for stopping by 😊.
Hey Lisa, wow, I just looked through your member's corner and you're going to be a busy bee! But I loved it, and I wish you the most reading pleasure in 2025!My 2024 was also a bit similar - a lot of books read but most of them somewhat lackluster or straigth out trash 😅😬🤷🏼♀️
By the way, I don't know if you still remember but I once commented on your review or we messaged about possibly buddy-reading some classics. So let me know if you have time and if you'd like to do that 🙂 I've been meaning to get into classics but also kind of post-poning it because of all the associations with school.
What's or who's ATY by the way? (from your member's corner, it got me curious)
Lina wrote: "Hey Lisa, wow, I just looked through your member's corner and you're going to be a busy bee! But I loved it, and I wish you the most reading pleasure in 2025!My 2024 was also a bit similar - a lot..."
Thanks for the support and encouragement, Lina! 😊
ATY is the Around the Year in 52 Books challenge (from the group of the same name). I don't restrictively try to fit the 52 prompts, but it's a nice guide to see how many I can manage in a year.
I remember! Let us talk in the new year and figure something out. At the risk of jinxing it (😬), I think 2025 might be a year of classics.
I hope you have a fantastic 2025!
I've stated time and time again that I'm a mood reader, and while that certainly hasn't changed, I want to start the year off strong with a bit more structure. Normally, I look at work obligations first and then consider what I might otherwise feel like reading, all the while attempting to not forget how many books I can, in fact, commit to. Fortunately, we're off to a slower start to the year, which gives me a little more wiggle room to disregard all rational planning and see how everything I would like to do just magically falls into place.
To start off, I have one manuscript lined up I have to get to before the end of the month, as well as two ARCs to read and review by March.
In terms of personal projects and/or in-group challenges, that while not obligatory in a way also "demand" to be fulfilled, the yearly "Shelf Awareness" has January-specific topics I'm interested in exploring.
Since January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the U.S., I would really like to do a deep dive into the subject. Moreover, I am planning to pick up a book or two relating to International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Chinese New Year.
Already this amounts to 4-6 bookish commitments, which apparently isn't enough because I also decided to join the Group Read for "The Spellshop". Add to that any Buddy Reads that I'm still undecided about joining, and there you have it: a total of 6-10 books to help me kick off the new year.
In the end, there might be some cross-over, which might work in my favor in terms of ticking off tasks, but considering I can typically read 4-8 books in a month, I expect it to be a pretty packed start to 2025!
omg i love how you have this organized!!! i was so confused how to split up stuff across my personal challenge and my member corner and am highkey inspired rn! happy reading this year love!!
manni wrote: "omg i love how you have this organized!!! i was so confused how to split up stuff across my personal challenge and my member corner and am highkey inspired rn! happy reading this year love!!"Aww, thanks manni! I'm happy to hear you were inspired and I'm excited to see what else you'll be doing on your personal thread and corner 😊.
Have a great 2025!
Testing something - don't mind me.
Lisa wrote: "Testing something - don't mind me"Lisa, you know that as soon as you post something like this, nosy people like me are going to assemble to mind and bother you 🤣 (btw I do hope it's ok I post this, if not, let me know and I'll delete the comment so it doesn't interrupt your flow)
Lina wrote: "Lisa, you know that as soon as you post something like this, nosy people like me are going to assemble to mind and bother you 🤣(btw I do hope it's ok I post this ..."haha, it's always 100% okay to comment. 😊I'm sorry it wasn't a more interesting update. I swear I wasn't trying to be clickbait-y! 😀
I did finish The Spellshop a few days ago, so I'm excited for that to be my first review of the year.
Hello, I’m nosey people 😌 I love how everything is set up here! How did you like The Spellshop? I just started last night I think it’s so cozy; something fresh and new it’s my first fantasy book
I'm going to first finish reading it, but can't wait to read your opinion. For me, it's a slow read, and I didn't expect it to be so, I like cozy stuff usually.
Anna Rachel wrote: "Hello, I’m nosey people 😌 I love how everything is set up here! How did you like The Spellshop? I just started last night I think it’s so cozy; something fresh and new it’s my first fantasy book"I'm probably in the minority here, but sadly, this was not it for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's a bad book, but I didn't find it remarkable or memorable.
I also agree with Lina. Yes, it does pick up, but it was still a tad too slow for my taste.
Cozy fantasy might simply not be my thing, I fear… which I kind of already suspected going in, but had hoped it would live up to all the raving reviews. I do understand the appeal, though!
Whoa Lisa I love your page! I thought I did something unique with writing myself a monthly message on my goals for that month but here you are doing that same thing for probably a looong time before me haha!Your organisation is just perfect - maybe I can learn from it!
I´m sorry you didn´t enjoy The Spellshop.
What´s your next read?
Alina wrote: "Whoa Lisa I love your page! I thought I did something unique with writing myself a monthly message on my goals for that month but here you are doing that same thing for probably a looong time befor..."Thank you, Alina! 😊
I'm actually not sure yet. Since it has not been the best start to the year, I feel like I need to read something that I know for certain I'll enjoy, so I don't end up in slump-territory already, ya know? So I'm trying to figure out what I'm in the mood for. The are some January releases, I've been looking forward to, but non have been released yet, so I'm stuck in limbo, for the moment. 😀
What about you - What are you currently reading?
Best wishes for your reading this year, Lisa! I'm loving your page and all of the data you have.
Lisa wrote: "Alina wrote: "Whoa Lisa I love your page! I thought I did something unique with writing myself a monthly message on my goals for that month but here you are doing that same thing for probably a loo..."Well I´m excited to see, on what book you´ll decide!
I´m currently reading Remarkably Bright Creatures
and am really enjoying it so far!
Ariana wrote: "Best wishes for your reading this year, Lisa! I'm loving your page and all of the data you have."Thank you very much! 😊
Wishing you an amazing reading year as well, Ariana.
Alina wrote: "... I´m currently reading Remarkably Bright Creaturesand am really enjoying it so far!"
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it! I picked it up some time ago, got about 25%, and decided to DNF it for the time being. I'm realizing now that there might be a common denominator, because my issue with that book was the meandering plot and lack of meaningful conflict. 😅
Hi Lisa! Hope all has been okay. You've put a lot of thought into your corner. I hope your reading journey has been filled with many delightful and captivating books so far this year! Happy reading!
Lisa, hope all is well and you have been enjoying your 2025 reads!
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Remarkably Bright Creatures (other topics)The Spellshop (other topics)
The Spellshop (other topics)
This is supposedly (#IYKYK 😅) where I'll keep track of all the books I read throughout the year.
As per usual, my preliminary thoughts, ramblings, and ratings will be posted for every book upon completion. Moreover, I will link to the Goodreads review, if and when relevant.
Furthermore, I will also be posting a tentative reading plan at the start of each month, a monthly-roundup tracking my progress, as well as a mid-year-check-in, and a year-in-review by the end of 2025.
My corner will once again function as a catch-all of sorts, where I can track everything personal and in-group challenge-related, Buddy/Group Reads, and whatever else I partake in during the year.
Please, feel free to leave a comment, letting me know you stopped by, and let's chat! 😊
Book recommendations are also always welcome and greatly appreciated! 📚💖
Happy reading!