Alias's 2025 Book Challenge

[Alias Reader]

I finished another prompt ! I'll give a write up in the May Book Salon.

✅2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
A Dog Named Christmas

[John]

Great job! Sadly, I have a hard time dealing with McKinley since I read that the 1896 election was, indeed, stolen. On the other hand, my mothef has epilepsy so I identify with him as a family member.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Great job! Sadly, I have a hard time dealing with McKinley since I read that the 1896 election was, indeed, stolen. On the other hand, my mothef has epilepsy so I identify with him as a family member."

That wasn't addressed in the book.

It's hard to read about the faults of the various presidents. My favorite, FDR, hurt his wife terribly with his infidelity.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt ! I'll give a write up in the May Book Salon.

✅2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
A Dog Named Christmas "

Sounds like a good selection, Alias.

[Alias Reader]

Checked off another prompt by reading the wonderful
✅23- Travel or a journey ( could be literal or spiritual)
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

I'll write up a review in the May Book Salon.

[madrano]

Happy for you, Alias. It's neat that you liked it so much, too. Congrats!

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, deb. I do enjoy Bill Bryson. The addition of having YouTube to follow up on his travels adds a lot to the enjoyment as I've never been to most of the places he goes to.

The exception is NYC. I will never forget how he described Trump Plaza. I worked in that building. Anyway, he said of the marble floor and walls, "it looks like someone threw up a pizza ! " LOL

Was out most of the day, and tonight is the Knicks playoff game. So will write up a review tomorrow.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks, deb. I do enjoy Bill Bryson. The addition of having YouTube to follow up on his travels adds a lot to the enjoyment as I've never been to most of the places he goes to.

The exce..."

I hope the game goes your way.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, Bella. At one point they were down 20 points and somehow won!

We are still down 2 to 1. Still, it keeps us alive. I'm a Met's fan. So I know how hope springs eternal. LOL

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "The exception is NYC. I will never forget how he described Trump Plaza. I worked in that building. Anyway, he said of the marble floor and walls, "it looks like someone threw up a pizza ! " LOL..."

Oh, yuk. And funny.

[John]

Alias Reader wrote: "Checked off another prompt by reading the wonderful
✅23- Travel or a journey ( could be literal or spiritual)


-----

Good pick for this one! I like the earlier Brysons before he became quite so famous. Moreover, his At Home: A Short History of Private Life remains one of my favorite nonfiction titles.

[madrano]

John, that sounds like a charming idea. Thanks for sharing the title.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: #111

"Good pick for this one! I like the earlier Brysons before he became quite so famous. Moreover, his At Home: A Short History of Private Life remains one of my favorite nonfiction titles.
..."

A friend who I was discussing the Australian Bryson book with also mentioned she loved At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson

I've added it to my TBR notebook.

[Denise]

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: #111

"Good pick for this one! I like the earlier Brysons before he became quite so famous. Moreover, his At Home: A Short History of Private Life remains one of my favorite nonfiction ..."

At Home is my favorite Bryson book

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, Denise. It seems everyone really liked At Home: A Short History of Private Life

I'll have to move this one up the old TBR Mountain.

[Alias Reader]

I checked off another prompt.

✅11- Re-read a book you read before
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels

I read this for the first time on July 2021

I'll review it in The June Book Salon.

[John]

Been impressed when I've seen him on television - good choice!

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, John. Recently I purchased his book on Lincoln when Amazon had it on sale. $2

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

I also purchased this kindle book on sale for $3 but haven't read it yet. I see Amazon tells me I purchased it in 2014. Again, I buy these Kindle books on sale and they end up being sucked into a black hole on my Kindle. Out of sight, out of mind. That is why I now have a small notebook that lists all the kindle books I've purchased over the years. I hope this will help me to remember the books and read them !
Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I checked off another prompt.

✅11- Re-read a book you read before
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels

I read this for the first time on July 2021

I'll review ..."

Well done, Alias. I hope you found it as rewarding this time, too.

[Alias Reader]

Finished another prompt !

✅9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim

The book is about a ballet dancer. I'll review it in the Book Salon June.

[John]

Nice going!

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, John. I wish I enjoyed the book more. It's unfortunate as I do like ballet. I think I should have gone with a non fiction book.

[madrano]

I’m sorry the book wasn’t as promising as you hoped. It sounds up your alley. Better luck next prompt!

[John]

This was one of those categories that should've been easier than it was for me to fulfill. Shame though as the arts for you seems like travel for me.

[madrano]

Too many options, maybe? I feel that way when the prompt is one i love.

[Michele]

Alias,

Now I know to look in the Book Salon to find your discussions of the books you read. Enjoyed hearing about Al Pacino, and I'm looking forward to what you thought of Nexus.

[Alias Reader]

Glad to share my thoughts on reading, Michele.

[Alias Reader]

I filled in two more prompts on the Bonus Prompts.


✅4- Romance or love 💖
How to Read a Book
This had a small romance in the book.

✅5- A book with a female detective
Never Flinch
Holly is a female detective in this Stephen King series.

[John]

Great going on both! Romance is one of the tougher categories.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, John. It is a difficult category for me. So I was happy when there was a bit of romance in How To Read A book.

It's funny as romance I think is the number one best selling genre. :)

[madrano]

It sounds as though you chose wisely, Alias, for those two prompts. Congratulations on your Bonuses!

[Alias Reader]

I check off the penultimate prompt on the list ! 😄

✅17- Self help, motivational, inspirational, spirituality, mindfulness, or communication.
Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave by Ryan Holiday

I'll give a write up in the August Book Salon.

This book fits the prompt as it tries to inspire the reader to be courageous and uses famous people in history to motivate you to be like them.

I normally like Ryan Holiday's books and listen to his podcast on occasion. I even purchased the eBook recently when it went on sale for $2 as I knew it would fit the prompt and I like his stoic philosophy.

Unfortunately, this one was a big disappointment for me. I gave it 2/5 rating as it did not meet my expectations. :(

[madrano]

Ah, Alias, i'm sorry to hear that the book was a disappointment, as it sounds promising, full of good illustrations. BUT, at least you checked off a good prompt!

I look forward to the August recap!

[John]

It's tough when an author you know disappoints you, but you get full credit for sticking with it. Self-help, inspirational is a tricky minefield to me.

[Alias Reader]

Thank you, John & deb.

Onward !

[Alias Reader]

I finished the 2025 challenge !


✅6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.

How to Meditate: A Guide to Self-Discovery--Lawrence LeShan

Amazon tells me I purchased this one back on 2/11/2023.

Unfortunately, it wasn't really what the title says it is. I'll write up a review later today in the Sept. Book Salon.

[John]

Wow ... congrats! I think I've heard of the author via PBS a while ago.
I have titles slotted in for my remaining categories, but am pacing things for a year-end finish for the challenge.

[madrano]

Congratulations, Alias!

[Alias Reader]

Thank you, john and Deb.

[Denise]

[Alias Reader]

:) Thanks, Denise.

I did enjoy looking over the list and seeing the books I used for the challenge.

So far this year I've read 46 books. Only 25 were for the challenge. That's a good mix for me. And I still have a few months to read in 2025. I'm not sure what I'm going to read next.

[madrano]

Neat point about the mix of challenge v. your own list of books read.