Official 2025 Reading Challenge

[a1mamacat]

April reads to date
The Other March sisters Linda Epstein

A very interesting take on what Meg, Beth and Amy were doing without Jo dominating the narrative.

Jane Austen, the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly

Compelling discussion about Jane’s actual goals in her writings.

The Midwife and The Midwife’s Advice by Gay Courter.

Interesting read through fiction about Jewish women and medical issues during the early 1900s.

The betrayal of Anne Frank by Rosemary Sullivan.

Allegedly an investigation, with forensics and historical records. Reportedly debunked after publication.

[Beebs52]

Claire Lombardo, The Most Fun We Ever Had. Almost finished. It is really good. Family saga from 1970s to now. Sorta makes you think. Well written.

[jarnon]

This Bored discussion has inspired me to begin reading books again after a decades-long hiatus. I just finished The Eye of the World, the first novel in Robert Jordan’s fantasy series The Wheel of Time. Next is Fun Home, a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. Even though it has the appearance of a 200-page comic book, critics and scholars agree that it’s real literature. My synagogue is having a book discussion on Fun Home in two weeks. Then I’ll return to The Wheel of Time series.

[jarnon]

This Bored discussion has inspired me to begin reading books again after a decades-long hiatus. I just finished The Eye of the World, the first novel in Robert Jordan’s fantasy series The Wheel of Time.

Amazon Prime Video has canceled The Wheel of Time series after three seasons. I watched one or two episodes, and the plot diverged from the book enough to deter me from continuing. Seeing the characters on screen emphasized that their society is multiracial, and race isn’t a big deal as it is in ours.

[Earl the Squirrel]

When I changed computers I neglected to bring over my book doc, so I just now got my new one up. But I'll probably just wait and do April and May together since I've really slacked off, especially in May. I've got like half a dozen or more books at over 50% read but I'm finding it hard to just stick to one at a time. I don't think any of them are DNFs, they'll get finished eventually. I've just been finishing ones are are due soon at the library and have a waiting list I'd need to get back on to finish them.

If it keeps going like it is, at some point I'll have a forty book month!

[SportsFan68]

I just finished Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly for Bookies book club, and much to my annoyance, the discussion revealed that I was the only one who did finish it. They all loved the movie, but the book didn't come up to their expectations. It really did make into a good movie. I was really glad they included John Glenn's insistence that Katherine Johnson check the numbers so that he could trust them.

[SportsFan68]

And speaking of Old King Steve, I just put Never Flinch on hold at the library; I'm second in line. It stars Holly Gibney (Yay'!).

[Spock]

I hit a rare (for me) DO Not Finish book.

Ken Follett is best known as a writer of WW2 spy thrillers and such but he went far afield and wrote a well received book "Pillars of the Earth" about the buiding of a cathedral circa 1200 in England.

This book comes highly recommended on YouTube and such-but I got about half done and I just can't do any more.

[silverscreenselect]

I just read Jeffery Deaver's South of Nowhere, his latest Colter Shaw novel. For those who watch Tracker on CBS, I'd suggest this book (it's the fifth in the series but pretty much a standalone) or any of the others. You learn a lot more about Shaw's family and background, including what goes into his mental processes when he sizes up a crime scene or debates a potential fight.

[Beebs52]

Reading Think Twice, James Patterson. A Myron Bolitar book. Don't think I've actually read Patterson before. I know...
This is the first book I've actually enjoyed reading in awhile. Guy is funny.

[silverscreenselect]

Reading Think Twice, James Patterson. A Myron Bolitar book. Don't think I've actually read Patterson before.

You still haven't read Patterson. Think Twice is by Harlan Coben. I read it last year and it is very good.

[Beebs52]

Reading Think Twice, James Patterson. A Myron Bolitar book. Don't think I've actually read Patterson before.

You still haven't read Patterson. Think Twice is by Harlan Coben. I read it last year and it is very good.

I am so embarrassed. Been getting Patterson books for Jeff from Libby. Got this one at same time. Idiot. Hey. Still good!

[Beebs52]

Reading Think Twice, James Patterson. A Myron Bolitar book. Don't think I've actually read Patterson before.

You still haven't read Patterson. Think Twice is by Harlan Coben. I read it last year and it is very good.

I am so embarrassed. Been getting Patterson books for Jeff from Libby. Got this one at same time. Idiot. Hey. Still good!

Seriously I can't believe...maybe getting books at 9 pm for both of us...

[mrkelley23]

Read all the Harlan Coben books, not just the Myron Bolitar ones. Then watch the British adaptations on Netflix, of which there are at least three. That should keep you busy for a while.

[silverscreenselect]

Read all the Harlan Coben books, not just the Myron Bolitar ones. Then watch the British adaptations on Netflix, of which there are at least three. That should keep you busy for a while.

I writing up my review now of Coben's newest book, Nobody's Fool, which is the best of his I've read. It's a really twisty mystery that starts out with the main character, a disgraced ex-cop turned night school criminology teacher, seeing a woman in his class whom he thinks he murdered while on a college holiday in Spain over 20 years earlier. (Non-spoiler: He didn't) The storyline gets wilder from there. I'm usually pretty good at figuring these out and the solution to this one completely threw me for a loop.

[a1mamacat]

I have been working my way through the Louise Penny books. I just finished The Madness of Crowds, and had to take a break. That book really got to me. It was a little too close for comfort.

Started a series by Sofie Ryan, the “second chance cat mysteries” light cozy mysteries, similar to Miranda James “cat in the stacks.

Also reading a total crapshootpicked up because I liked the cover lol. Bear, by Julia Phillips. So far very enjoyable, but one that I think will have a strange outcome.

[silverscreenselect]

I'm trying to catch up on my reviews, and I'm working now on Linwood Barclay's newest book, Whistle. He's a suspense thriller writer normally, but this book is pure horror, reminiscent of classic Stephen King. (King is a big fan of Barclay's.) It's supernatural horror, but not the traditional types of ghost, werewolves, zombies, or vampires stuff. This is the best horror novel I've read in a long time and one of the best of any type I've read recently. You wouldn't know this is his first horror novel.

[Beebs52]

I'm trying to catch up on my reviews, and I'm working now on Linwood Barclay's newest book, Whistle. He's a suspense thriller writer normally, but this book is pure horror, reminiscent of classic Stephen King. (King is a big fan of Barclay's.) It's supernatural horror, but not the traditional types of ghost, werewolves, zombies, or vampires stuff. This is the best horror novel I've read in a long time and one of the best of any type I've read recently. You wouldn't know this is his first horror novel.

Thanks for the review!. I just bought Whistle, because why not. And got I Will Ruin You for Jeff on Libby. Looking forward to reading. Bolitar is annoying me.

[Earl the Squirrel]

Finally got my book doc copied over from Goodreads and ready to get back on the stick here!

April Reads 8 books read

* denotes Kindle Unlimited

Bonded in Death (In Death #60) - J.D. Robb

*Freaky Curses (Mystic Caravan #19) - Amanda M. Lee

*The Usual Witchspects (Wicked Witches of the Midwest #25) - Amanda M. Lee

We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys - Erin Kimmerlee

The Butcher - Jennifer Hillier

Victorian Psycho - Virginia Feito

This Book Will Bury Me - Ashley Winstead

The Favorites - Layne Fargo

Trying to get caught up on some of my Amanda Lee cozy paranormal series, but I think I'm even more behind than I was in April, the woman is a machine! The In Death series hasn't been that great in quite some time, but I'm 60 books in and refuse to give up until Nora Roberts does!

After reading the Reformatory in March, I wanted to get some of the real skinny on the White House Boys. Fact is even worse than fiction! The next few were mostly psychological drama. I thought Victorian Psycho was going to be the freakiest shit I'd read all year, but I finished one in July that tops it...

The Favorites reminded me more of a TJR or LM type book, actually made ice dancing semi interesting, I think the Winstead book was the stand out of a so-so month...

37/100

[Earl the Squirrel]

I'm trying to catch up on my reviews, and I'm working now on Linwood Barclay's newest book, Whistle. He's a suspense thriller writer normally, but this book is pure horror, reminiscent of classic Stephen King. (King is a big fan of Barclay's.) It's supernatural horror, but not the traditional types of ghost, werewolves, zombies, or vampires stuff. This is the best horror novel I've read in a long time and one of the best of any type I've read recently. You wouldn't know this is his first horror novel.

I've had this on hold at Libby for a while, should be getting it soon.

[Earl the Squirrel]

And speaking of Old King Steve, I just put Never Flinch on hold at the library; I'm second in line. It stars Holly Gibney (Yay'!).

I just got this a few days ago (started at #394!) and am devouring it (but not in the old couple from the previous book way...ha!)!

I love Holly!

[Beebs52]

Almost done with Whistle, dragged a bit at first but getting to nut cuttin time now.

[Beebs52]

I'm trying to catch up on my reviews, and I'm working now on Linwood Barclay's newest book, Whistle. He's a suspense thriller writer normally, but this book is pure horror, reminiscent of classic Stephen King. (King is a big fan of Barclay's.) It's supernatural horror, but not the traditional types of ghost, werewolves, zombies, or vampires stuff. This is the best horror novel I've read in a long time and one of the best of any type I've read recently. You wouldn't know this is his first horror novel.

I have mixed reactions. Parts of it good, some continuity prob, it made me think about it after, so there's that.

[Hotseat Or Bust!]

I am currently reading The Guest House by Robin Morgan-Bentley. This is a new author to me. Other books I've recently read....The St. Ambrose School For Girls by Jessica Ward, Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus, Listen To Me by Tess Gerritsen, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, The Warehouse by Rob Hart, The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir by Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch, Dan Welch, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. The Warehouse is different from the books I typically read and took me a bit to get into it, but I ultimately enjoyed it. There is something from the book that I can't stop thinking about and it kind of makes me think of a particular Bored Merrymen, but I won't spoil it! The Kids Are All Right is a book I've been wanting to read for a while, and no other book has ever made me cry more, but I'm glad I read it. I really enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish and have The Next Mrs. Parrish waiting for me once I finish The Guest House. Liv Constantine is actually the pen name of two sisters who write together, living three states apart. The Last Mrs. Parrish took place in a fictional CT. town, so I wondered if perhaps one of the sisters lives in New England or even here in CT. Well, I just found out last week that she actually lives in the same town as me! I always donate my books once I'm done and am happy to forward along any that anyone here might be interested in reading!

[Beebs52]

Linwood Barclay, Jeff reading Never Look Away. I simply cannot finish I Will Ruin You.
He seems to just herky jerky show a trail of whatever. Ooh! Let's make this a reason...I'm sorry, I tried.