Official 2025 Reading Challenge

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Earl the Squirrel
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#26 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:36 pm

a1mamacat wrote:
Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:29 pm
Ohh very excited. Just got an email from the library that “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is ready for pickup. I also have two “cat in the stacks” books waiting for me. I love Diesel 🐱
That is exciting! If you've never read Taylor Jenkins Reid before, you are in for a treat!! I've read several series involving cats (or course!) and love cozy mysteries, but I've never heard of this one. Stuff like this is what I was hoping for in starting this thread! If you like anthropomorphic cat series check out Mrs. Murphy by Rita Mae Brown.

So you said the Loreth Anne White was disturbing, but did you like it? Maybe liking it or enjoying reading it is the wrong question, more like do you think it was worth the read? If you have KU she has tons of free ones on there, that's where I first read the Angie Pallladino (?) books.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#27 Post by a1mamacat » Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:17 am

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:36 pm
a1mamacat wrote:
Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:29 pm
Ohh very excited. Just got an email from the library that “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is ready for pickup. I also have two “cat in the stacks” books waiting for me. I love Diesel 🐱
That is exciting! If you've never read Taylor Jenkins Reid before, you are in for a treat!! I've read several series involving cats (or course!) and love cozy mysteries, but I've never heard of this one. Stuff like this is what I was hoping for in starting this thread! If you like anthropomorphic cat series check out Mrs. Murphy by Rita Mae Brown.

So you said the Loreth Anne White was disturbing, but did you like it? Maybe liking it or enjoying reading it is the wrong question, more like do you think it was worth the read? If you have KU she has tons of free ones on there, that's where I first read the Angie Pallladino (?) books.
Cat in the stacks series by Miranda James is fun, not too heavy, and lots of quirky characters. Diesel is a Maine Coon Cat of above average size. I think you would enjoy them.

I did enjoy the Swimmer, well written and I was totally captivated, but disturbed. I am glad I read it.
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#28 Post by a1mamacat » Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:10 pm

Just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I was thoroughly hooked by the plot, and spent a lot of wasted time trying to relate the characters to real people. Failed miserably. I will definitely seek out other works by the author.
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#29 Post by SportsFan68 » Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:36 pm

SportsFan68 wrote:
Mon Feb 03, 2025 12:58 am
My goals:

1. Read the local newspaper every day they publish.
2. Read all my book club books.
3. Read some books for run.

1. Good so far.
2. Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson, The Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams, Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
3. Bow Wow by Spencer Quinn, Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
-- In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.
-- America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking. -- Wilma Mankiller

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#30 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:40 am

a1mamacat wrote:
Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:10 pm
Just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I was thoroughly hooked by the plot, and spent a lot of wasted time trying to relate the characters to real people. Failed miserably. I will definitely seek out other works by the author.
It's so great when somebody new discovers TJR! You really can't go wrong with your next one, Malibu Rising is about Mick Rivas' kids (he shows up in a lot of her books). Daisy Jones and the Six is really good. I haven't watched the movie on Amazon partly because I don't want to ruin my reading experience. It's written in interview form which I usually don't like, but this one drags you in immediately. She also has done a few in epistolary form. I also like Maybe in Another Life, which is a Sliding Doors type book.

She a new one coming out in a few months. I'm a bit cautious because it's about the space shuttle, which I'm not really interested in. But, then again, I didn't care about tennis at all and loved Carrie Soto is Back! so I won't underestimate her.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#31 Post by Hotseat Or Bust! » Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:06 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:40 am
a1mamacat wrote:
Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:10 pm
Just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I was thoroughly hooked by the plot, and spent a lot of wasted time trying to relate the characters to real people. Failed miserably. I will definitely seek out other works by the author.
It's so great when somebody new discovers TJR! You really can't go wrong with your next one, Malibu Rising is about Mick Rivas' kids (he shows up in a lot of her books). Daisy Jones and the Six is really good. I haven't watched the movie on Amazon partly because I don't want to ruin my reading experience. It's written in interview form which I usually don't like, but this one drags you in immediately. She also has done a few in epistolary form. I also like Maybe in Another Life, which is a Sliding Doors type book.

She a new one coming out in a few months. I'm a bit cautious because it's about the space shuttle, which I'm not really interested in. But, then again, I didn't care about tennis at all and loved Carrie Soto is Back! so I won't underestimate her.
I just finished Daisy Jones on Monday. Loved it!! At first I wondered if I might not enjoy it as much, because of the format in which its written, but it actually worked perfectly for this story! Atmosphere comes out in June! In the meantime, I've ordered Carrie Soto Is Back. Have you read all of her books to date, Fannie? After Carrie Soto, I think there are two other books of hers I have yet to read.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#32 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:21 am

Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:06 pm
Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:40 am
a1mamacat wrote:
Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:10 pm
Just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I was thoroughly hooked by the plot, and spent a lot of wasted time trying to relate the characters to real people. Failed miserably. I will definitely seek out other works by the author.
It's so great when somebody new discovers TJR! You really can't go wrong with your next one, Malibu Rising is about Mick Rivas' kids (he shows up in a lot of her books). Daisy Jones and the Six is really good. I haven't watched the movie on Amazon partly because I don't want to ruin my reading experience. It's written in interview form which I usually don't like, but this one drags you in immediately. She also has done a few in epistolary form. I also like Maybe in Another Life, which is a Sliding Doors type book.

She a new one coming out in a few months. I'm a bit cautious because it's about the space shuttle, which I'm not really interested in. But, then again, I didn't care about tennis at all and loved Carrie Soto is Back! so I won't underestimate her.
I just finished Daisy Jones on Monday. Loved it!! At first I wondered if I might not enjoy it as much, because of the format in which its written, but it actually worked perfectly for this story! Atmosphere comes out in June! In the meantime, I've ordered Carrie Soto Is Back. Have you read all of her books to date, Fannie? After Carrie Soto, I think there are two other books of hers I have yet to read.
I think I've read them all. The earlier ones are less complicated? sophisticated? than her later ones. Starting with I think Evelyn Hugo, they are all in the same universe with other characters showing up here and there. Her earlier ones were all stand alone (not that the new ones aren't, but there weren't any crossovers) and just have one main storyline involving only a few characters. Kind of like bottle episodes on television, where it's just the regular players in the same room.

I just looked back because not all of the titles ring the right bell. I'm not going too far into them because I don't want to spoil new readers like Saucy, but Maybe In Another Life (which I recommended to her) is my favourite of the "old" books. What would have happened if you'd made a different choice? With dueling timelines.

Evidence of the Affair is another good one told in epistolary form, as is After I Do, told in the kind of the same format (emails). One True Loves and Forever, Interrupted are kind of the same, losing your spouse, but completely different. You'll understand if you read them!

Also, thanks for the Celeste Ng recommend. I chose to ignore it before you mentioned it since it was a Reese Witherspoon pick so I figured it would just be what's called 'women's fiction' but come to find out it was so much more, reminded me a lot of Moriarty. I knew you wouldn't steer me wrong! I've already got another one of hers on my TBR list.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#33 Post by Spock » Sat Mar 01, 2025 12:18 pm

Reading the Jack Carr "Terminal List" series. The first third of the second one is set in a part of the world that I enjoy very much so I really enjoyed that. I finished 3 or 4 books in the series, then I decided to leave the rest for farther on in the spring as they are an easy form (trade paperback) to carry with during planting and such.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#34 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:39 am

I read 10 books in February! According to Goodreads, I am 4 books ahead of pace (counting the two I've read in March)

* denotes a Kindle Unlimited book

The Reformatory - Tananarive Due

* Cut and Thirst - Margaret Atwood

* Horror Movie - Paul Tremblay

For a Lifetime (#3 in Timeless series) - Gabrielle Meyer

Across the Ages (#4 in Timeless series) - Gabrielle Meyer

The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarros

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls - Grady Hendrix

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

None of This is True - Lisa Jewell

Darling Girls - Sally Hepworth

19/100

I'm now current on the Timeless series, which is a bummer because now I have to wait until May (probably June or July since I get them from the library). It appears that the theme this month was children: The Reformatory was a fictionalized story based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys in Florida, Witchcraft was about a home for unwed mothers that were popular back in the day to hide away those 'wayward girls' and Darling Girls was about foster children. All pretty grim, yeah? Even Little Fires was mostly about the kids in two families, it kind of reminded me of The Virgin Suicides.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#35 Post by silverscreenselect » Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:29 pm

One good thing about being in the hospital is that it gives me a chance to catch up on my reading. Since app. March 1:

Blood Ties by Joe Nesbo (Norwegian noir)
The Falen Sparrow by Dorothy Hughes (for my book club, which I missed because of being in the hospital)
Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Battle Mountain by C.J. Box (Joe Pickett)
I'll Have What She's Having by Chelsea Handler
The Human Scale by Lawrence Wright (Political thriller set in Palestine in the two weeks prior to October 7)
The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton (Sci fi by the author of Mickey 7, the basis for the new movie Mickey 17)
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#36 Post by a1mamacat » Mon Mar 10, 2025 10:03 pm

Beebs52 wrote:
Wed Feb 05, 2025 2:38 pm
Wait! Louise Penny from the beginning. I mean, hello.

I have the first three on request from the library.
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#37 Post by Hotseat Or Bust! » Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:34 am

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:21 am
Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:06 pm
Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Tue Feb 25, 2025 2:40 am


It's so great when somebody new discovers TJR! You really can't go wrong with your next one, Malibu Rising is about Mick Rivas' kids (he shows up in a lot of her books). Daisy Jones and the Six is really good. I haven't watched the movie on Amazon partly because I don't want to ruin my reading experience. It's written in interview form which I usually don't like, but this one drags you in immediately. She also has done a few in epistolary form. I also like Maybe in Another Life, which is a Sliding Doors type book.

She a new one coming out in a few months. I'm a bit cautious because it's about the space shuttle, which I'm not really interested in. But, then again, I didn't care about tennis at all and loved Carrie Soto is Back! so I won't underestimate her.
I just finished Daisy Jones on Monday. Loved it!! At first I wondered if I might not enjoy it as much, because of the format in which its written, but it actually worked perfectly for this story! Atmosphere comes out in June! In the meantime, I've ordered Carrie Soto Is Back. Have you read all of her books to date, Fannie? After Carrie Soto, I think there are two other books of hers I have yet to read.
I think I've read them all. The earlier ones are less complicated? sophisticated? than her later ones. Starting with I think Evelyn Hugo, they are all in the same universe with other characters showing up here and there. Her earlier ones were all stand alone (not that the new ones aren't, but there weren't any crossovers) and just have one main storyline involving only a few characters. Kind of like bottle episodes on television, where it's just the regular players in the same room.

I just looked back because not all of the titles ring the right bell. I'm not going too far into them because I don't want to spoil new readers like Saucy, but Maybe In Another Life (which I recommended to her) is my favourite of the "old" books. What would have happened if you'd made a different choice? With dueling timelines.

Evidence of the Affair is another good one told in epistolary form, as is After I Do, told in the kind of the same format (emails). One True Loves and Forever, Interrupted are kind of the same, losing your spouse, but completely different. You'll understand if you read them!

Also, thanks for the Celeste Ng recommend. I chose to ignore it before you mentioned it since it was a Reese Witherspoon pick so I figured it would just be what's called 'women's fiction' but come to find out it was so much more, reminded me a lot of Moriarty. I knew you wouldn't steer me wrong! I've already got another one of hers on my TBR list.
Turns out there are six Taylor Jenkins Reid books I've yet to read! I suppose the order in which I read them doesn't matter, since they are stand alones. I'm so glad you liked Little Fires! So far, that is the only Celeste Ng book I've read, but I've got Everything I Never Told You waiting for me...I'm happy to send it to you once I've read it. I keep meaning to ask...have you read Where The Crawdads Sing? I read it a couple of years ago and really loved it! I picked up House. Tree. Person. by Catriona McPherson at Goodwill recently. This is a new author for me...I bought it because it sounds suspenseful and the recommendation on the cover is from Karin Slaughter (one of my most favorite authors)!!

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#38 Post by Hotseat Or Bust! » Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:45 am

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:39 am
I read 10 books in February! According to Goodreads, I am 4 books ahead of pace (counting the two I've read in March)

* denotes a Kindle Unlimited book

The Reformatory - Tananarive Due

* Cut and Thirst - Margaret Atwood

* Horror Movie - Paul Tremblay

For a Lifetime (#3 in Timeless series) - Gabrielle Meyer

Across the Ages (#4 in Timeless series) - Gabrielle Meyer

The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarros

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls - Grady Hendrix

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

None of This is True - Lisa Jewell

Darling Girls - Sally Hepworth

19/100

I'm now current on the Timeless series, which is a bummer because now I have to wait until May (probably June or July since I get them from the library). It appears that the theme this month was children: The Reformatory was a fictionalized story based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys in Florida, Witchcraft was about a home for unwed mothers that were popular back in the day to hide away those 'wayward girls' and Darling Girls was about foster children. All pretty grim, yeah? Even Little Fires was mostly about the kids in two families, it kind of reminded me of The Virgin Suicides.
I also just recently read None Of This Is True!! I've read only one other Lisa Jewell book (Then She Was Gone), but plan on reading more! I really like her!

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#39 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Mon Mar 17, 2025 8:24 pm

silverscreenselect wrote:
Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:29 pm
One good thing about being in the hospital is that it gives me a chance to catch up on my reading. Since app. March 1:

Blood Ties by Joe Nesbo (Norwegian noir)
The Falen Sparrow by Dorothy Hughes (for my book club, which I missed because of being in the hospital)
Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Battle Mountain by C.J. Box (Joe Pickett)
I'll Have What She's Having by Chelsea Handler
The Human Scale by Lawrence Wright (Political thriller set in Palestine in the two weeks prior to October 7)
The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton (Sci fi by the author of Mickey 7, the basis for the new movie Mickey 17)
Seven books in seven days? Not too shabby! Also, isn't "Norwegian Noir" kind of an oxymoron? Those Scandis take dour to a whole new level...

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#40 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Mon Mar 17, 2025 8:33 pm

Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:34 am
Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:21 am
Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:06 pm

I just finished Daisy Jones on Monday. Loved it!! At first I wondered if I might not enjoy it as much, because of the format in which its written, but it actually worked perfectly for this story! Atmosphere comes out in June! In the meantime, I've ordered Carrie Soto Is Back. Have you read all of her books to date, Fannie? After Carrie Soto, I think there are two other books of hers I have yet to read.
I think I've read them all. The earlier ones are less complicated? sophisticated? than her later ones. Starting with I think Evelyn Hugo, they are all in the same universe with other characters showing up here and there. Her earlier ones were all stand alone (not that the new ones aren't, but there weren't any crossovers) and just have one main storyline involving only a few characters. Kind of like bottle episodes on television, where it's just the regular players in the same room.

I just looked back because not all of the titles ring the right bell. I'm not going too far into them because I don't want to spoil new readers like Saucy, but Maybe In Another Life (which I recommended to her) is my favourite of the "old" books. What would have happened if you'd made a different choice? With dueling timelines.

Evidence of the Affair is another good one told in epistolary form, as is After I Do, told in the kind of the same format (emails). One True Loves and Forever, Interrupted are kind of the same, losing your spouse, but completely different. You'll understand if you read them!

Also, thanks for the Celeste Ng recommend. I chose to ignore it before you mentioned it since it was a Reese Witherspoon pick so I figured it would just be what's called 'women's fiction' but come to find out it was so much more, reminded me a lot of Moriarty. I knew you wouldn't steer me wrong! I've already got another one of hers on my TBR list.
Turns out there are six Taylor Jenkins Reid books I've yet to read! I suppose the order in which I read them doesn't matter, since they are stand alones. I'm so glad you liked Little Fires! So far, that is the only Celeste Ng book I've read, but I've got Everything I Never Told You waiting for me...I'm happy to send it to you once I've read it. I keep meaning to ask...have you read Where The Crawdads Sing? I read it a couple of years ago and really loved it! I picked up House. Tree. Person. by Catriona McPherson at Goodwill recently. This is a new author for me...I bought it because it sounds suspenseful and the recommendation on the cover is from Karin Slaughter (one of my most favorite authors)!!
I read that Ng book and didn't like it nearly as well as Fires. It was obviously her first book, because I could see a lot of what she was trying to do and ending up succeeding with in her follow up. Good concepts, but it and some characters (one, in particular) were underdeveloped. I'll be interested to see if you agree with which character after you read it. I've got her new one on hold and expect it to be more like Little Fires.

I rarely read actual books anymore. With my arthritis and de Quervain's holding a paperwhite is much easier on my hands, not too mention being able to adjust the font and brightness now that I need readers. Only if they're older ones that aren't in e-format or there's a particular reason do I read an actual book. For instance one of my all time favourites is Good Omens (I re-read it every few years) and Terry Pratchett is famous for his footnotes. Having to click over in e-format takes away the flow from just glancing at the bottom of the page.

I have not read Crawdads for much the same reason as Fires, it smacked of 'women's fiction", but perhaps I'll give it a try!

None of this is True is the first Jewell book I've read. I got it on a recommend from a bookstagrammer. I like it overall, but hated the ending to the ending and there were a few holes. I'm going to give another one of her books a try to see if I'll continue.

Did you finish Truly Madly Guilty?

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#41 Post by Hotseat Or Bust! » Mon Mar 31, 2025 1:29 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Mon Mar 17, 2025 8:33 pm
Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:34 am
Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:21 am


I think I've read them all. The earlier ones are less complicated? sophisticated? than her later ones. Starting with I think Evelyn Hugo, they are all in the same universe with other characters showing up here and there. Her earlier ones were all stand alone (not that the new ones aren't, but there weren't any crossovers) and just have one main storyline involving only a few characters. Kind of like bottle episodes on television, where it's just the regular players in the same room.

I just looked back because not all of the titles ring the right bell. I'm not going too far into them because I don't want to spoil new readers like Saucy, but Maybe In Another Life (which I recommended to her) is my favourite of the "old" books. What would have happened if you'd made a different choice? With dueling timelines.

Evidence of the Affair is another good one told in epistolary form, as is After I Do, told in the kind of the same format (emails). One True Loves and Forever, Interrupted are kind of the same, losing your spouse, but completely different. You'll understand if you read them!

Also, thanks for the Celeste Ng recommend. I chose to ignore it before you mentioned it since it was a Reese Witherspoon pick so I figured it would just be what's called 'women's fiction' but come to find out it was so much more, reminded me a lot of Moriarty. I knew you wouldn't steer me wrong! I've already got another one of hers on my TBR list.
Turns out there are six Taylor Jenkins Reid books I've yet to read! I suppose the order in which I read them doesn't matter, since they are stand alones. I'm so glad you liked Little Fires! So far, that is the only Celeste Ng book I've read, but I've got Everything I Never Told You waiting for me...I'm happy to send it to you once I've read it. I keep meaning to ask...have you read Where The Crawdads Sing? I read it a couple of years ago and really loved it! I picked up House. Tree. Person. by Catriona McPherson at Goodwill recently. This is a new author for me...I bought it because it sounds suspenseful and the recommendation on the cover is from Karin Slaughter (one of my most favorite authors)!!
I read that Ng book and didn't like it nearly as well as Fires. It was obviously her first book, because I could see a lot of what she was trying to do and ending up succeeding with in her follow up. Good concepts, but it and some characters (one, in particular) were underdeveloped. I'll be interested to see if you agree with which character after you read it. I've got her new one on hold and expect it to be more like Little Fires.

I rarely read actual books anymore. With my arthritis and de Quervain's holding a paperwhite is much easier on my hands, not too mention being able to adjust the font and brightness now that I need readers. Only if they're older ones that aren't in e-format or there's a particular reason do I read an actual book. For instance one of my all time favourites is Good Omens (I re-read it every few years) and Terry Pratchett is famous for his footnotes. Having to click over in e-format takes away the flow from just glancing at the bottom of the page.

I have not read Crawdads for much the same reason as Fires, it smacked of 'women's fiction", but perhaps I'll give it a try!

None of this is True is the first Jewell book I've read. I got it on a recommend from a bookstagrammer. I like it overall, but hated the ending to the ending and there were a few holes. I'm going to give another one of her books a try to see if I'll continue.

Did you finish Truly Madly Guilty?
I did and I enjoyed it! I just finished Carrie Soto over the weekend. I liked it, but it took me a little while to really get into it. I now have a much better understanding of the sport of tennis, than I ever anticipated. I'm starting Everything I Never Told You today.

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#42 Post by Beebs52 » Mon Mar 31, 2025 3:15 pm

Sorry if I'm repeating myself, it's a long slog I'm in...rereading The Stand, long version, after watching the series (old I know).
The book is better obviously, but it is wearing me out. Like, get on with it.
We watched first Under the Dome series. IT SUCKED. I shall not reread since it is a really annoying story.
Well, then

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#43 Post by a1mamacat » Mon Apr 07, 2025 8:24 pm

So I have read the following for March

Louise Penny Still Life, Dead Cold and The Cruelest Month

Lisa Scottoline - dead ringer, the vendetta defence, save me.

I also re-read Shogun by James Clavell. The recent remake was shot here on Vancouver Island.

Just starting Penny’s A Rule against Murder.

Not as many as I would like to have read, but library waits and gardening got in the way 🤭
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#44 Post by silverscreenselect » Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:20 am

Another hospitalization means more reading time so:

Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben
Lethal Prey by John Sandford
The Reluctant Sheriff by Chris Offutt
Playing Dead stories edited by Martin Edwards
The Four Queens of Crime by Roseanne Limoncelli
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#45 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:41 am

Beebs52 wrote:
Mon Mar 31, 2025 3:15 pm
Sorry if I'm repeating myself, it's a long slog I'm in...rereading The Stand, long version, after watching the series (old I know).
The book is better obviously, but it is wearing me out. Like, get on with it.
We watched first Under the Dome series. IT SUCKED. I shall not reread since it is a really annoying story.
Speaking of Old King Steve, a few months ago I got a hankering to drag out Needful Things which, in my opinion, has one of the better endings of that period of his work. Of course, I went for the ebook rather than finding my paperback because Holy Thickums McGee! I'm not sure I could make it through the Stand again, although I seem to recall liking the mini-series better (the one with Jamey Sheridan) better than the book, which is rare for me.

I'm thinking of going back to Salem's Lot, I was really young when I read that and remember absolutely nothing except something, something vampires, as I never saw any of the film versions.

I think he has a new one coming out in the next few months, which is good because I'll all caught up. I especially like the Holly Gibney books (her character started with the Hodges trilogy).

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Beebs52
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#46 Post by Beebs52 » Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:53 am

I haven't read his more recent works but maybe I shall. Pondering
Well, then

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Earl the Squirrel
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#47 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:56 am

March Results: 10 more books in March which I think keeps me at 4 books ahead of pace (Goodreads shows 6, but I'd read a few in April already)

* denotes Kindle Unlimited
** denotes actual purchase

All My Colors - David Quantick

Beautiful Ugly - Alice Feeney

Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng

** Fergie and Chouchou (Adventures in Fosterland #6) - Hannah Shaw

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

Murder Past Due (Cat in the Stacks #1) - Miranda James

* The Sublet - Greer Hendricks

* The Fall Risk - Abby Jimenez

* Jack the Ripper: The Simple Truth - Bruce Paley

Classified as Murder (Cat in the Stacks #2) - Miranda James

Had a couple of cheaters this month as Hendricks and Jimenez were novellas (the former more like a glorified short story) and Shaw is a children's chapter book (but I love the series and have read them all!) Sublet was a bunch of nothing, so I'm glad it didn't waste too much time and Fall Risk was basically a meet-cute with a HEA, but I enjoyed the writing.

I feel justified with these, though, since (speaking of thickums mcgee) I spent a couple weeks ploughing through Onyx Storm and got halfway through before my return date was up, so I'm back on the wait list to finish it in a few months when it's available again.

I started the Cat in the Stacks series on Saucy's rec and I'm enjoying them. They are potato chip books, a good palate cleanser between the heavy stuff.


29/100

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mrkelley23
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#48 Post by mrkelley23 » Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:30 pm

Beebs52 wrote:
Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:53 am
I haven't read his more recent works but maybe I shall. Pondering
I recommend 11/22/63. Not scary like some of his earlier works, but evocative.
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled. -- Richard Feynman

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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#49 Post by a1mamacat » Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:55 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:56 am
March Results: 10 more books in March which I think keeps me at 4 books ahead of pace (Goodreads shows 6, but I'd read a few in April already)

* denotes Kindle Unlimited
** denotes actual purchase

All My Colors - David Quantick

Beautiful Ugly - Alice Feeney

Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng

** Fergie and Chouchou (Adventures in Fosterland #6) - Hannah Shaw

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

Murder Past Due (Cat in the Stacks #1) - Miranda James

* The Sublet - Greer Hendricks

* The Fall Risk - Abby Jimenez

* Jack the Ripper: The Simple Truth - Bruce Paley

Classified as Murder (Cat in the Stacks #2) - Miranda James

Had a couple of cheaters this month as Hendricks and Jimenez were novellas (the former more like a glorified short story) and Shaw is a children's chapter book (but I love the series and have read them all!) Sublet was a bunch of nothing, so I'm glad it didn't waste too much time and Fall Risk was basically a meet-cute with a HEA, but I enjoyed the writing.

I feel justified with these, though, since (speaking of thickums mcgee) I spent a couple weeks ploughing through Onyx Storm and got halfway through before my return date was up, so I'm back on the wait list to finish it in a few months when it's available again.

I started the Cat in the Stacks series on Saucy's rec and I'm enjoying them. They are potato chip books, a good palate cleanser between the heavy stuff.


29/100
Oh I am glad you are enjoying them. Yes, they are light and the celebration of cats (Diesel) is a joy to my feline loving heart.
Lover of Soft Animals and Fine Art
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Earl the Squirrel
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Re: Official 2025 Reading Challenge

#50 Post by Earl the Squirrel » Wed Apr 16, 2025 11:53 pm

Hotseat Or Bust! wrote:
Mon Mar 31, 2025 1:29 pm
Earl the Squirrel wrote:
Mon Mar 17, 2025 8:33 pm


Did you finish Truly Madly Guilty?
I did and I enjoyed it! I just finished Carrie Soto over the weekend. I liked it, but it took me a little while to really get into it. I now have a much better understanding of the sport of tennis, than I ever anticipated. I'm starting Everything I Never Told You today.
WARNING: Possible spoilers for Truly Madly Guilty

Wasn't it crazy that you're begging the whole time to find out what you think is the whole basis of the book and it ends up being a macguffin that's not even the point of the book (which is hiding in plain sight the whole time)? God, I love Liane Moriarty!

Now you see why I'm keeping an open mind about Atmosphere. TJR took a subject in which I had no interest and had me absolutely riveted reading about the mechanics of tennis! I see no reason why she can't do the same with the space program.

I'm interest to hear your opinion on the two Ng books and whether it's similar to mine.

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