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2025 Independent Challenge
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Lea's Individual Challenge - Filling in the Gaps
Mod
Carrie was my first foray into Horror and I never left. It is truly a classic.
Good luck and happy reading, Lea! 🤗
Alondra wrote: "Great list and idea, as always. Carrie was my first foray into Horror and I never left. It is truly a classic.
Good luck and happy reading, Lea! 🤗"
Thanks! I'm dedicated to adding one older King book on my list every year and hopefully catching up on some of his work. I have Christine on my rolling list that I'll use for 2026, unless you all have any better suggestions. :-)
Mod
Great list Lea! I found Girl with a Pearl Earring to be an enjoyable read. Interested to see what you think of it. Happy reading!
Bill wrote: "What an impressive list. I hope to read the 1st book in the Wheel of Time someday, maybe in 2025. Enjoy your selections."Bill, it is so dense. I'm into the first book, and there are so many descriptions. I did have to re-read the first 100 pages (or re-listen, since I'm on audio) because my mind wouldn't stay on it. I'm all invested now, though. But I know I won't be able to read more than one book each month either. And that may even be asking too much. We'll see. :-)
Lillie wrote: "Great list Lea! I found Girl with a Pearl Earring to be an enjoyable read. Interested to see what you think of it. Happy reading!"It's one of those books that I feel everyone has read besides me, so I'm eager to read it. Apparently, not too eager, though, since it has stayed on my list for two years now. All these other books keep butting their way ahead in line! I'm sure you know how that is!
Mod
I loved Christine, but Cujo is better. Pet Semetery is not my favorite; but all of these old ones have such a sentimental value for me.
His run of books from Desperation to Geralds Game, etc; I did not like as much. They came in hot and heavy, one after another; and I just did not give them much.
Salem's Lot is better than all of the above. Needful Things is next.
Alondra wrote: "I loved Christine, but Cujo is better. Pet Semetery is not my favorite; but all of these old ones have such a sentimental value for me.His run of books from Desperation to Geralds Game, etc; I did not like as much. They came in hot and heavy, one after another; and I just did not give them much.
Salem's Lot is better than all of the above. Needful Things is next."
I've read 'Salem's Lot already. :-)
If I sort by popularity and then look for books published before 2000, on the first page, the ones I haven't read are:
Pet Sematary
Cujo
Needful Things
Christine
Firestarter
Different Seasons
The Dead Zone
Bag of Bones
So maybe Cujo? Or Needful Things?
Mod
His run of books from Desperation to Geralds..."
Then: Needful Things and The Dead Zone.
Different Seasons is excellent! It encompasses Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption; Apt Pupil; The Body and The Breathing Method. One of his best compilations in short stories.
For your 2025 books, I love The Wheel of Time, and I've read the first 8 books at least 6 times. I have been thinking about reading them again for a while, but I haven't done it yet (too many other books to read). Other than those, I enjoyed The Pickwick Papers, The Little Prince, and Carrie. I loved the whole Wizard of Oz series as a kid, but I don't know how well they hold up as an adult. I've read and enjoyed other books by LM Montgomery, but the ones listed.
The only book on your 2025 list I hated was The Fountainhead, but it really is a love/hate type of book. I think the author is terrible at creating and writing characters, and they are little more than mouthpieces for promoting her philosophy, which I deeply disagree with ((view spoiler)). It is also overly long. Other people adore this book.
Happy reading!
Alondra wrote: "Then: Needful Things and The Dead Zone.Different Seasons is excellent! It encompasses Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption; Apt Pupil; The Body and The Breathing Method. One of his best compilations in short stories."
Needful Things next. :-) Thank you! I knew I could count on you!
See you're already helping me with my 2026 list. :-)
Very organized! I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts & seeing your progress.
Mod
See you're already helping me with my 2026 list. ..."
😂😂😂
Anne wrote: "For your 2025 books, I love The Wheel of Time, and I've read the first 8 books at least 6 times. I have been thinking about reading them again for a while, but I haven't done it yet (too many other books to read).Other than those, I enjoyed The Pickwick Papers, The Little Prince, and Carrie. I loved the whole Wizard of Oz series as a kid, but I don't know how well they hold up as an adult. I've read and enjoyed other books by LM Montgomery, but the ones listed.
The only book on your 2025 list I hated was The Fountainhead, but it really is a love/hate type of book. I think the author is terrible at creating and writing characters, and they are little more than mouthpieces for promoting her philosophy, which I deeply disagree with ((view spoiler)). It is also overly long. Other people adore this book.
Happy reading!"
I'm just about 40% in to The Eye of the World, and it is so dense. I was frustrated at first, and ended up restarting the book, and I'm glad I did, because I hadn't paid attention to some of the details. Now I'm listening carefully, and this truly is an epic fantasy series. I can't imagine reading it six times because the books are so long and dense, but I also can't put it down right now. So maybe.
Glad to hear you liked The Pickwick Papers, The Little Prince and Carrie.
The first book I read by Rand was Atlas Shrugged and I gave it 2 stars. I really didn't care for her writing style in that book, and I fear this book is going to be more of the same. The reason I chose the book is because I do like to have one or two books on my list that are challenges and it does seem like a book everyone has an opinion about. I like my opinions to be informed. I'm going to make an effort to have an open mind as I read and who knows? Maybe I will surprise myself and learn something useful from it.
Patricia wrote: "Very organized! I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts & seeing your progress."Thanks, Patricia! I always love to look at your reviews also. :-)
Mod
I'll be interested to see what you think about The Fountainhead. When I was in uni, I read Atlas Shrugged and either / or We the Living or Anthem... maybe both.. I found her ideas on The Virtue of Selfishness kind of interesting... I even subscribed to the Ayn Rand newsletter for awhile I believe. (I was only 18 of course).. I tried the Fountainhead but I did find her writing style kind of heavy (I think) There was a movie based on The Fountainhead starring Gary Cooper. Anyway, Ayn Rand can make me ramble a bit... LOL.. Oh I read her play, Night of Jan 6th last year I think.. She is definitely interesting.
I repeat my first statement, I look forward to your thoughts on The Fountainhead.😎
Bill wrote: "I'll be interested to see what you think about The Fountainhead. When I was in uni, I read Atlas Shrugged and either / or We the Living or Anthem... maybe both.. I found her ideas on The Virtue of Selfishness kind of interesting... I even subscribed to the Ayn Rand newsletter for awhile I believe. (I was only 18 of course).. I tried the Fountainhead but I did find her writing style kind of heavy (I think) There was a movie based on The Fountainhead starring Gary Cooper. Anyway, Ayn Rand can make me ramble a bit... LOL.. Oh I read her play, Night of Jan 6th last year I think.. She is definitely interesting.I repeat my first statement, I look forward to your thoughts on The Fountainhead.😎"
For sure, there's a lot to discuss about Rand and her philosophies. I have a lot of long books on my List. I had been intending to try and tackle Ulysses this year, but got intimidated and figured that The Fountainhead might be a bit more accessible, so I made the substitution. I will definitely share my thoughts on the book. :-)
Mod
Oooh, Ulyssess, 800 pages of one run-on sentence.. 😋😉
Once again, great list. I've read these, and they are all favorites:Girl with a Pearl Earring
American Dirt
The Invisible Bridge
The Pecan Man
The Truth About Grace
The Sandcastle Girls
Mrs. Mike
The Women
Liar's Poker
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
How to Stand Up to a Dictator
The Little Prince
I have a few others on my TBR, but not as many as in other years. Some are on my radar but not on my TBR because they are way to intimidating. I'll look forward for your reviews, happy reading!
Bill wrote: "Oooh, Ulyssess, 800 pages of one run-on sentence.. 😋😉"LOL. The publisher is calling. He wants to use your descriptions to sell more books, since you made Ulysses sound so delightful.
But you're not wrong. :-) :-) :-)
Ioana wrote: "Once again, great list. I've read these, and they are all favorites:Girl with a Pearl Earring
American Dirt
The Invisible Bridge
The Pecan Man
The Truth About Grace
The Sandcastle Girls
Mrs. Mike
The Women
Liar's Poker
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
How to Stand Up to a Dictator
The Little Prince
I have a few others on my TBR, but not as many as in other years. Some are on my radar but not on my TBR because they are way to intimidating. I'll look forward for your reviews, happy reading!"
So now we know who is feeding who's TBR. :-) :-) :-)
Seriously, I'm excited that you've read and enjoyed 12 books on my list and I hope that I enjoy them as much as you did. This year is going to be great!!
Since Alondra told me that I have to read Cujo before You Like It Darker, I'm replacing Carrie with Cujo. Maybe I can squeeze both in, but we'll see. So many distracting books line butting their way ahead of one another!
Mod
Both are fairly quick reads, and can be read within 2 days, if that is all you read. I mean..... 🤣🤣
Mod
LOL. The publisher is calling. He wants to use your descriptions to sell more books, since you made Ulysses sound so delightful...."
It was on my Classic Lit course at university. Unfortunately I don't think I read very much of it... LOL But I was 18, I'm sure you'll find it very interesting.
Alondra wrote: "Both are fairly quick reads, and can be read within 2 days, if that is all you read. I mean..... 🤣🤣"I love your optimism. Cujo this year for sure. I'll try to squeeze in Carrie, but if I can't, never fear. I will put that book on my 2026 list and I won't take it off. :-)
Bill wrote: "It was on my Classic Lit course at university. Unfortunately I don't think I read very much of it... LOL But I was 18, I'm sure you'll find it very interesting."Nothing makes a book sound more boring than have it appear on a required reading list for a literature class. :-)
Mod
Nothing makes a book ..."
How true
Lea wrote: "So now we know who is feeding who's TBR. :-) :-) :-)Seriously, I'm excited that you've read and enjoyed 12 books on my list and I hope that I enjoy them as much as you did. This year is going to be great!!"
Yeah, for every book that I add to your TBR you add a dozen to mine. We all know that.
And I agree, I think this year is going to be great, too!
Ioana wrote: "Yeah, for every book that I add to your TBR you add a dozen to mine. We all know that.And I agree, I think this year is going to be great, too!"
LOL, one of these days, I may just do an Ioana TBR. Just read whatever you read and liked. You already have over 10% of my list!!
Mod
Sounds like a plan! Whatever you do, don't watch the movie. Not yet. The endings are totally different. -_-
Alondra wrote: "Sounds like a plan! Whatever you do, don't watch the movie. Not yet. The endings are totally different. -_-"I'm not sure I could make it through that movie. (*hides under covers*)
Michelle wrote: "For the record, I have never read Cujo and I still enjoyed You Like It Darker, even the Cujo story."Do you ever plan on reading Cujo? I know I'll probably read it eventually, so my current idea is try to read in order. I do love King's Easter eggs he has hidden through all of his work. That's why I keep trying to read the older stuff, even while the newer stuff beckons also.
Mod
Do you ever plan on reading Cujo? I know I'll probably read i..."
I have to say I have preferred his earlier stuff. But to be fair, I haven't read a whole lot of his newer books. Cujo was pretty good.
Practically every story in You Like It Darker references another book or story. Sometimes more than one. Sometimes other authors. Sometimes his own. It's one of the things I loved about the book. If you're going to read everything referenced make sure you read Les Miserable and A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O'Connor.
I LOVED Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, so I'll be anxious to see your thoughts on that one. Also the one about Teddy Roosevelt Mornings on Horseback. I've read a couple of others by David McCullough. I remember them as being quite long, but so worthy of being read.Many others on your list intrigue me or are by authors I've read a little of - so your reviews will be very interesting to me!
Michelle wrote: "Practically every story in You Like It Darker references another book or story. Sometimes more than one. Sometimes other authors. Sometimes his own. It's one of the things I loved about the book. If you're going to read everything referenced make sure you read Les Miserable and A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O'Connor."Thank you! Les Mis was my Covid read so I think I'm covered there. I remember it really well. I think my last O'Connor read was before I started on GR and I think it was A Good Man is Hard to Find. But I don't remember it much, so maybe I need to do a re-read. Fortunately it is MUCH shorter than Les Mis, so I should be OK with that. Love the insight.
Karol wrote: "I LOVED Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, so I'll be anxious to see your thoughts on that one. Also the one about Teddy Roosevelt Mornings on Horseback. I've read a couple of others by David McCullough. I remember them as being quite long, but so worthy of being read.Many others on your list intrigue me or are by authors I've read a little of - so your reviews will be very interesting to me!"
Thanks Karol. I will definitely let you know what I think about Crossing to Safety. As for Mornings on Horseback - it is really long so I already started it (I can do that for the Individual Challenge...) It's so good that I may end up finishing it and replacing the book. I've also got The Johnstown Flood by McCullough on my list, so I'm excited about that. He's a go-to author for me, so I try and pick a new book from him every year. I was given Mornings on Horseback over 10 years ago by a friend and I'm so embarrassed that it took me so long to read this great book! But I'm getting there. Eventually. :-)
Mod
I'm not sure I could make it through that movie. (*hides under covers*)"
Its not scary; just real-life scary; if that makes sense. A rabid dog is scary.
And, no; you don't have to read Cujo to read You like it Darker. I think it just adds to the story because of the characters and situation. It was like a comfort read almost; except for the deaths. LOL
Bill wrote: "I have to say I have preferred his earlier stuff. But to be fair, I haven't read a whole lot of his newer books. Cujo was pretty good."My favorite of King's books so far was The Shining but I also am loving his newer Bill Hodges Trilogy and Holly Gibney. She's a favorite of mine.
Alondra wrote: "Its not scary; just real-life scary; if that makes sense. A rabid dog is scary.And, no; you don't have to read Cujo to read You like it Darker. I think it just adds to the story because of the characters and situation. It was like a comfort read almost; except for the deaths. LOL"
I am terrified of rabid dogs. :-)
I am glad you mentioned reading Cujo first - I do like to have a lot of background and catch all the details.
A comfort read with deaths? We might have a different definition of comfort reads. LOL. :-) :-) :-) I cannot wait to read this book and see what I think. Thank you for all your thoughts and keep them coming.
Lea wrote: "As for Mornings on Horseback - it is really long so I already started it (I can do that for the Individual Challenge...) It's so good that I may end up finishing it and replacing the book. I've also got The Johnstown Flood by McCullough on my list, so I'm excited about that. He's a go-to author for me, so I try and pick a new book from him every year. ."Lea, I'm sure you will like The Johnstown Flood. That's one of McCullough's books that I've read and it was absolutely fantastic.
Karol wrote: "Lea, I'm sure you will like The Johnstown Flood. That's one of McCullough's books that I've read and it was absolutely fantastic. "Lea, that's on my TBR too, let me know if/when you get ready for it. Buddy read?
Alondra wrote: "It was like a comfort read almost; except for the deaths. LOL"
If that doesn't 100% describe you, Alondra, IDK what does LOL
you're the best
Lea wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Its not scary; just real-life scary; if that makes sense. A rabid dog is scary.And, no; you don't have to read Cujo to read You like it Darker. I think it just adds to the story b..."
Needful Things- girl. One of my favorite. LMK when you read it I will totally do a re-read
Karol wrote: "Lea, I'm sure you will like The Johnstown Flood. That's one of McCullough's books that I've read and it was absolutely fantastic."Oh, Karol, I'm so happy to hear this. I don't know too much about the flood, so I didn't gravitate to it earlier, but I'm excited to learn what happened.
Ioana wrote: "Karol wrote: "Lea, that's on my TBR too, let me know if/when you get ready for it. Buddy read?"Yes! I was thinking later this year, since I'm currently reading a McCullough book, but if you want to read it sooner, just let me know. It would be fun to read it with you.
Alissa wrote: "Needful Things- girl. One of my favorite. LMK when you read it I will totally do a re-read"Yes! That would be so fun! :-)
Lea wrote: "It's one of those books that I feel everyone has read besides me, so I'm eager to read it. Apparently, not too eager, though, since it has stayed on my list for two years now. All these other books keep butting their way ahead in line! I'm sure you know how that is!"You know I know, lol. There are just so many new-to-me books either found on people's lists or the "new" shelf at the library. So hard to turn away.
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