2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Personal Challenge: 26-50
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Sara's Reading (At Least) 45 in 2025
Priority Books for This Year: 
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✅Secondary:
New Additions:
Sara, I love your priority and queue shelves. That's such a unique categorization. Also, I'm laughing at what you've named many of the shelves, and just a little intrigued by how something is "mostly owned" 😁.
You're welcome to reach out if you ever feel like buddy reading anything. There's a few books on your list that are also on my TBR that I could be coerced into reading in 2025 😂,
I hope you have a great year!
Have fun and happy reading! 😊
Hi Sara!You seem so organised! Like Lisa, I really like your system and your shelves. The "she-thicc" shelf made me laugh!
The Master and Margarita is also quite high up on my to-be-read list, and I've read Claire Keegan's "Small things like this" this year, and I'm curious what people think about it.
Happy reading!
Lisa wrote: "Sara, I love your priority and queue shelves. That's such a unique categorization. Also, I'm laughing at what you've named many of the shelves, and just a little intrigued by how something is "mos..."
Lisa, thank you so much for stopping by and your lovely comment! I'm glad you like the idea of priority and queue shelves - mostly I just kept prioritizing a lot of books so I had to make an even MORE queue category haha. Things that are mostly owned means that most of the books in that list are ones I physically own (which I'm trying to prioritize, or at least get to a good chunk again this upcoming year like I did in 2024 so I can clear my shelves or have favorites on them), but some of them seem too good to be limited to just books I owned. Idk if that made sense haha.
I would love to buddy read anything that catches your eye! I'm such a mood reader often that I can't fully commit to buddy reads ahead of time, but the few times I have with the group they've been real hits (most of the time). Is there any book in particular you're eyeing or should I just compare books and shoot a few ideas your way?
I hope you have a lovely year full of new five stars!
La_mariane wrote: "Hi Sara!You seem so organised! Like Lisa, I really like your system and your shelves. The "she-thicc" shelf made me laugh!
The Master and Margarita is also quite high up on my to-be-read list, a..."
Hi! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I think I make shelves to pretend there's some semblance of organization because I have soooo many books on my tbr. And I'm glad that made you laugh, that's totally not me trying to make terrifyingly long books less intimidating or anything haha!
I've been meaning to read The Master and the Margarita for an embarrassingly long time, but hopefully, hopefully 2025 is the year it finally happens.
How did you like Small Things Like This?
I'm on the fence about Small Things like This. I enjoyed the story (or at least the idea of it) and I liked the style. But I thought it was way too short : I wanted to know what happens next, how the wife reacts, how the community reacts (my guess is : not well at all).What did you think about it?
La_mariane wrote: "I'm on the fence about Small Things like This. I enjoyed the story (or at least the idea of it) and I liked the style. But I thought it was way too short : I wanted to know what happens next, how t..."I actually didn't get around to it in 2024 even though I was certain I would have. Best laid plans and all that I guess.
I wish I wasn't such a mood reader. The moment I do read it though, I'd be happy to send my thoughts your way!
Starting the year off strong while in the middle of three different books, something I haven't done in years! I usually make sure I'm done with everything and start the year fresh but oh well.We're also not going to talk about how my first book of the year is most likely going to be Dramione fanfiction.
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Sara wrote: "Starting the year off strong while in the middle of three different books, something I haven't done in years! I usually make sure I'm done with everything and start the year fresh but oh well.We'..."
Did you get Water Moon as an arc? I´m planning on reading it but I thought it only comes out later this month.
Alina wrote: "Sara wrote: "Starting the year off strong while in the middle of three different books, something I haven't done in years! I usually make sure I'm done with everything and start the year fresh but ..."I did receive the arc! I was refreshing my requested arcs like crazy until I finally got it! It comes out soon though!
Sara wrote: "... I think I make shelves to pretend there's some semblance of organization because I have soooo many books on my tbr.... " This is so relatable ! 😂
Speaking of organized shelves, I do the same thing on my Kindle because if everything was just in one collection I would never find anything. For instance, I differentiate between Currently Reading in general, and Currently Reading for ARCs, and even had to create a TBRN (To be read next) to at least pretend I'm organized.
Regarding the buddy reads, I'm the exact same way. I always feel guilty when I've committed to something and then change my mind, or don't feel like reading a particular book anymore, because I either end up dropping out or kind of just drag my feet through the commitment. I do want to get back to Brandon Sanderson this year so perhaps that could be an option, but let's compare shelves and talk more? You're welcome to shoot a few ideas my way 😊.
I'm looking forward to reading Water Moon! The premise sounds so intriguing. Doubt I'll have time to read it before release date though, which is just a bad start to the year as a reviewer.🙈
I hope you're enjoying it!
Called it. I can't believe this is over a thousand pages long and I flew through it.
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That was cute! Also, actually making progress with The Brothers Karamazov!
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Surely making progress into The Brothers Karamazov! But I really needed something to cut through all the denseness and this was just perfect.
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I swear it looks like I'm not really reading but I'm nearly(ish) done with The Brothers Karamazov!
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The Brothers Karamazov is on my TBR list. I'm a bit intimidated, I admit ... What did you think of it?
La_mariane wrote: "The Brothers Karamazov is on my TBR list. I'm a bit intimidated, I admit ... What did you think of it?"I was also intimidated! I think the main reason why I was able to finish it is because me and my best friend chose it for our book club book so we were holding each other accountable. Honestly, if you don’t look at the length, it’s not a difficult book to read. It wasn’t super easy, but it was a lot easier than I thought and I actually really enjoyed it. I’ve only read Crime and Punishment by him and I think this one was an easier read and more interesting. Don’t get me wrong, it was a lot, but I enjoyed most of it.
I've started reading a few new books, including our new book club book! (Also really need to finish The School of Life book, it's not aesthetically pleasing in this list haha).
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Objectively, that was definitely flawed, but I had so much fun.
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That was so good!
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Slowly but surely making my way through The Count of Monte Cristo! But in the meantime, I love having an audiobook like this on the go.
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I finally finished it! ♥
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These weren't terrible but they weren't great. Nice fun to listen to while I make my way through The Count of Monte Cristo.
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That didn't even take 24 hours oh my god. That was so good and so engaging and so fun AND I LOVED ALEX AND THAT ENDING AND OMG.
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What a fantastic series.
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I enjoyed it and it was well done, don't know if I'll read the last book though. I'm not really in a rush, though. Also, I don't know why but Peter Pan was finally calling to me and I've been loving it!
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I'm not crying, you're crying.
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That was pretty cute!
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That. Was. Beautiful.
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I enjoyed this so much more than my last reread. I loved it! I'm actually going to pick up the next one.
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I'm losing interest but... I'm going to finish this for Middle-School-Sara.
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I mean I did it. The first book was still good, but the wasted potential.
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I mean I did it. The first book was still good, but the wasted potential.
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Yeah idk what's happening.
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That was really good!
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... don't look at me.
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I'm so glad I loved that series as much as I did! I was hoping I'd grow to like it and I just flew through the last two books!
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Hey, I was thinking of giving the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas a go (I'm very new to historical romance). Would you recomend it?
AmbWitch wrote: "Hey, I was thinking of giving the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas a go (I'm very new to historical romance). Would you recomend it?"Hey! I only read the third book (apparently the most popular) and I enjoyed it! It wasn't super quality, but it was fun. I liked the characters more than I did the plot, a lot of the love was very insta-lovey for me but I enjoyed it all the same. I think if you're looking for a fun, light read, then it would be great!
Brill, I'll give it a go sometime, thanks.
Hi Sara! Looks like you're smashing your goal! I love how organized you are and I love seeing your book covers. You've inspired me. I hope you're reading lots of amazing books. How are you enjoying The Count of Monte Cristo? It's one of my favorite books. I've got it on my nightstand, calling my name for a re-read. But I've also got a few other big books that I 'need' to read, so sadly I don't think I'm likely to get to it this year.
Happy reading!
AmbWitch wrote: "Brill, I'll give it a go sometime, thanks."You're so welcome! I will say, I started with the third book in the series and I wasn't confused or anything, so feel free to jump around based on which storyline catches your eye more.
JennH wrote: "Hi Sara! Looks like you're smashing your goal! I love how organized you are and I love seeing your book covers. You've inspired me.
I hope you're reading lots of amazing books. How are you enjoyi..."
Aw thank you! I am doing really well with my goal but it's only because I went through a massive spree of just pure fun/light reads as opposed to the heavier things (like Brothers Karamazov lol) I was doing. It's just become pure chaos at this point and I'm just here for the ride I guess.
Isn't it nice to see all the books visually before you? I'm so glad you were inspired, I'd love to see what you end up doing!
As for TCOMC, I'm loving it. It doesn't feel like a classic, it's just such pure fun and adventure and I'm having the best time! I had to put a pause on it because the storyline keeps jumping around and it takes me a bit to reorient myself (right now I'm in Paris... I guess again?) and I went on my lighthearted books spree but they just made me super excited to go back. I'm actually reading it as a book club book with my best friend and I can't wait to discuss it.
I feel you on the not being able to reread favorites but I'm trying to be better about that because I'm not going to lie, if it's been a while since I've read a book, even if it's a beloved favorite, it still feels like a new book (because we've grown and changed to) and I take so much from it.
So... you should totally do the thing and by the thing I mean rereading TCOMC.
That was so so so so so incredibly powerful and beautifully written. I am in awe.
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Sara wrote: "Aw thank you! I am doing really well with my goal but it's only because I went through a massive spree of just pure fun/light reads as opposed to the heavier things (like Brothers Karamazov lol) I was doing. It's just become pure chaos at this point and I'm just here for the ride I guess.Isn't it nice to see all the books visually before you? I'm so glad you were inspired, I'd love to see what you end up doing!."
Same, same. I do a lot of fluff books because they are light and fun reads. And keep me reading.
It is absolutely lovely to see all the books visually before you. I'm going to have to wait until next year to do it though. If I start now, it'll bother me that I didn't do it for the books I've already read this year. And I just don't have the energy to do so right now. There's just too many. So next year it is! I have no idea why I've never thought of it before. I show my covers for some seasonal challenges and readathons. 🤦🏻
So glad you're loving The Count of Monte Cristo. I've got at least 4 tomes I'd like to get to this year and I'm currently working on Bleak House, so The Count of Monte Cristo is going to have to wait. But I will get to it.
It's been rough okay.
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But that was actually so good!
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That was pretty fun!
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Sara, I love seeing your progress! Looks like you're enjoying some great books.
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Rewind It Back (other topics)The Ex Talk (other topics)
The Brothers Karamazov (other topics)
Manacled (other topics)
Half a Soul (other topics)
More...
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