2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

My goal this year is 40 books. Initially my goal was 75 but I changed that when I realized there was just no way (my daughter starting 1st grade narrowed down my reading time significantly - who knew there would be so much homework in 1st grade?....and being recently addicted to The Voice didn't help either).

Welcome to the group!

What has been your favorite book so far?

Well, I have several :) Gone Girl was pretty incredible; The Tale of Despereaux was so moving; Divergent for great Dystopian content; Maniac Magee was an incredible intermediate book with a great great message.

Maniac Magee has been a favorite of mine for a while now ^__^ You might want to try Wringer by the same author. It's very different in a good way. I've read most of those books so I know now you must have great taste in books (;

Book 1: Paper Towns by John Green. I became a big fan of John Green last year when I read pretty much all of his books except for two. I liked Paper Towns a lot and it was set in Orlando (I live about an hour and a half from there) so that was interesting. John Green's characters are generally people I feel like I have known or could know and Paper Towns fit into this category for me.

Book 2: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. I picked this book up because I had read The Book Thief by the same author (which is an absolutely incredible book by the way ;) ) This was a good little book. Well written and kept me interested - the characters were interesting and the plot was good.

Book 3: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. My 8 year old son's 2nd grade teacher had read this to his class the year before. Then my son read it on his own and read the following two books. I have copies of the series from when I was a kid and while I had perused them, I hadn't actually read them completely. This is a great story. Now I just need to finish the entire series!

Book 4: The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I read the Twilight series and liked them (everyone can go ahead and lambast me now....) Okay, moving on. So I knew I liked her writing style and I wanted to read it before the movie came out (I'm a huge movie goer). I liked the book, I thought the story was extremely interesting and the different planets simply incredible. I did feel that the book could have been about 100 pages shorter however.

Book 5: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I want to throw in a "classic" every now and then. See how I put "classic" in quotes there? Because I just didn't care for this book. I guess classic can just mean old right? I didn't like Holden Caulfield at all, couldn't relate, couldn't connect, just no. I was very disappointed because I'd been looking forward to reading this for years :(

Book 6: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. I had read a Sarah Dessen book last year (Keeping the Moon) and I really liked it. This book didn't disappoint either. With its focus on music, I felt I could relate as I was very much into music during my teens, 20's and 30's. Ms. Dessen usually offers a nice easy read with a decent plot.

Book 7: Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe. I received this book as a gift from a friend and I really enjoyed reading it. I think the title is a little misleading - there's nothing really tawdry or dirty in it. Being a teen idol from my days, it was really neat reading about his interaction with other celebrities. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and this was a really good read.

Book 8: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. This book had been on my list of "to reads" for a long time. It was recommended frequently to me by Goodreads because of my interest in The Hunger Games, which I devoured in 2012. This book was, well, okay. I think the female lead, Clary, irritated me too much. I really liked the premise. I like books like this but this one just didn't thrill me. I will, however, undoubtedly read the rest of the books in the series. I didn't hate it, just didn't love it.

Book 9: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. Another Sarah Dessen. An easy read about friendship.

Book 10: This is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz. Or as I like to call it, This is How You Lose Me. I did not care for this book. I thought it was confusing in a sense and there were no characters with whom I felt a connection. It just wasn't there for me.

Book 11: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. Sarah Dessen again and I liked it :) About a young girl whose mother abandons her and she is forced to live with her sister and husband in a whole new life. Very good.

Book 12: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. I discovered author Jerry Spinelli last year when I read Stargirl and Love, Stargirl. The second of which I absolutely loved. This book, Maniac Magee, is just as incredible. Jerry Spinelli has a way of writing that draws you in and I feel like I'm right there with his characters. While the title is a bit odd, the book is a wonderful tale of a boy working his way through life and discovering new things about himself and others along the way. A great book about race relations and true friendship.

Book 13: Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli. Jerry Spinelli is just a great author. I didn't like this one as much as others I've read by him, but I did like it.

Book 14: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. I listened to this book on CD. If this hasn't been optioned for a movie, I am surprised. This is about a teenage girl who keeps reliving the same day over and over - the day she dies. She has to come to some realizations about herself and how she and her friends treat others so that she can stop this endless 24 hour loop. I liked it.

Book 15: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. I read this book after my son's 3rd Grade Teacher optioned me to decorate her door for a contest at school based on the teacher's favorite book. I had not read it. I finished it in one evening. This is an incredible tale and while the movie was very cute, the book is so incredible. I highly recommend this for adults and kids everywhere. A wonderful tale about finding yourself.

Book 16: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. This book really blew me away. I didn't know who to cheer for throughout the entire book - who I was for or against. Your emotions get run all over the place. I really, really liked it.

Book 17: The Fault in Our Stars byJohn Green. I was so excited to read this book. I had discovered John Green last year and had really liked many of his books. This one was lauded by so many perhaps I had my expectations set too high. I just didn't care for it. I couldn't connect to the characters and I found so much just not believable. I imagine you are supposed to be sad at the end and I just felt nothing.

Book 18: Divergent by Veronica Roth. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main character a lot and her surrounding folks as well. I found the idea of going into a faction of your own choosing interesting. I was a bit taken aback by the ending and look forward to reading the second in this series.

Book 19: Wringer by Jerry Spinelli. Another Jerry Spinelli. Touching story about a young boy facing his fear and standing up to his family, his friends and his entire town.

Book 20: Loser by Jerry Spinelli. A lovely story about a boy labled a loser but is really anything but.

Book 21: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. I listened to this book on CD. I saw this movie years ago but didn't really remember it. I thought the book was okay, not one of my favorites, but not too bad.

Book 22: I Was Told There'd Be Cake bySloane Crosley. I listened to this book on CD. This was okay. I generally like funny memoirs but this didn't have any laugh out loud moments for me at all. I didn't think there was anything especially fascinating or interesting conveyed. And funnily enough, I don't remember the title being in the book which is one of the reasons I picked up the book (I love cake). It probably was there, but I just don't remember it. Hmmm...

Book 23: When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. I listened to this book on CD. I have listened to and read several of David Sedaris' books and enjoyed his quirky sense of humor and his crazy family antics. I got about 2/3 of the way through this one (I think) and just came to a part where I had to say, "Uh, no...". And this comment on his part has influenced me to the point that I won't read another of his books. Sigh. I hate when that happens.

Book 24: A Million Little Pieces byJames Frey. I had wanted to read this before all the hoopla with him and Oprah. I am a person hugely influenced by book covers and this one caught my eye constantly. Hey, a good book cover can really draw me in, isn't that the point of them? Then a friend suggested I read it. I tried, really, really tried to put all the stuff I had heard about him aside and think, "Some of this has to be true" but he came across as such an arrogant jerk that even if it was all true, I didn't like him at all. So, that is that. Glad I finally read it so I don't have to think about it anymore but didn't really like him and didn't really believe it.

Book 25: In the Woods by Tana French. What's the deal with main characters being jerks? I really really really wanted to like this book. I do think Tana French is a great writer. I looked forward to reading it every time I picked it back up. I thought it was predictable however, and the ending left me unsatisfied.

Adriana wrote: "Maniac Magee has been a favorite of mine for a while now ^__^ You might want to try Wringer by the same author. It's very different in a good way. I've read most of those books so I know now you mu..."

Thank you - what a nice thing to say. I have read Wringer as well. I love Jerry Spinelli :) Stargirl and Love, Stargirl (the latter my fave) were awesome too.

Melissa wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Maniac Magee has been a favorite of mine for a while now ^__^ You might want to try Wringer by the same author. It's very different in a good way. I've read most of those books so I..."

I noticed! I had to read Stargirl for Spanish class a long time ago which is why I really don't like it. One day I need to read the actual English version because trying to translate all the time is annoying and kind of ruined the story for me. If you haven't read Eggs by him you should! Very sweet story. Crash is pretty good too.

Adriana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Maniac Magee has been a favorite of mine for a while now ^__^ You might want to try Wringer by the same author. It's very different in a good way. I've read most of ..."

I am definitely planning on reading the rest of his titles :) In fact I had Eggs and Crash at home recently from the library but had to return before I could read them. I tend to take out too many books at once.

I HIGHLY recommend reading Love, Stargirl. I liked it better than Stargirl. Her relationships in the second book are pure Jerry Spinelli - so sweet.

Book 26: Little Bee by Chris Cleave. This book was very good. It is written from two perspectives: Little Bee (the title character) and Sarah, a woman whom Little Bee has a very emotional connection. This book has so many emotions tied to it - specifically sad. This is not a book for people who love happiness or happy endings. It is a book however, for people who love a really good story.

Melissa wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Maniac Magee has been a favorite of mine for a while now ^__^ You might want to try Wringer by the same author. It's very different in a good way. I'..."

Will do!

Melissa wrote: "Book 26: Little Bee by Chris Cleave. A friend lent me this book and it's been sitting on my shelf awhile. I'm just starting it now.

"

Also have this on my shelf. I would love to know what you think of it when you are done (:

Will do :)

I read Stargirl last night. I can't believe I loved it so much. Thanks for inspiring me to give it a try. I will have to get my hands on Love, Stargirl soon.

Adriana wrote: "I read Stargirl last night. I can't believe I loved it so much. Thanks for inspiring me to give it a try. I will have to get my hands on Love, Stargirl soon."

Oh so happy - I am confident you will love the 2nd even more. Love-fest for Jerry Spinelli

Book 27: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. I cannot stress how absolutely wonderful this book is. Beautifully written and a beautiful story about love, loss and, to quote the book description itself, "finding your way home". I highly recommend this for all readers. It will take you no time at all to read and the message will stay with you indefinitely.

Book 28: The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. This was a lovely story of a girl who realizes that she and her friends may be very wrong about a girl in their class. A nice book for daughters in their early teens.

Book 29: The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket. My 9 year old son and I started reading this series about a year and a half ago. We stopped for awhile but started up where we had left off with this story. I like this series and enjoy Lemony Snicket's writing. We actually listened to this one in the car and it was even better as Tim Curry was the narrator.

Book 30: My Cat Spit McGee by Willie Morris. I bought this book many years ago when I had a cat. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more then. I liked the author's musings about cats. I didn't like a lot of the extraneous vocabulary. Although the story was nice enough, there wasn't a lot happening.

Book 31: Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger. I really liked The Devil Wears Prada by this same author. Now who knows, maybe at this point in my life I wouldn't like it as much as I did when I read it. Nevertheless, I don't think Lauren Weisberger has come close to that book with her last few. I had this on my bookshelf, lent by a friend years ago and finally got around to reading it. It was..well, just so much silliness. The ending was one of those fairy tale happiness where everyone gets what they want but I just found it so unrealistic - the girl who has never held down a job her entire life is now a successful columnist whose column(s) (before any were even published mind you) are optioned for a movie and when she moves from New York to LA in 3 short months everyone in the restaurant and who visits the restaurant knows her. Not to mention the numerous "audible groans" from the next table, the next beach chair, the next sofa....whenever she happens to lick her lips or flip her hair around. Ugh. I enjoy good chick lit every now and then (used to devour them) but this isn't one of them.

Book 32: Look at My Striped Shirt! Look at My Striped Shirt! Look at My Striped Shirt! by The Phat Phree. This book is strictly humorous and offered many laugh out loud moments. We have all encountered people like the ones listed in this book. Very funny.

Book 33: Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank: And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom by Celia Rivenbark. Celia Rivenbark is always good for a few laugh out loud moments and this one doesn't disappoint. Having a 6 year old daughter doesn't hurt the "I can relate" factor either.

Book 34: Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. Four stories and they were all very good. Mr. King has a way of making us ask ourselves "what would I do in this situation?" along with the unsettling feeling that your life could be changed forever just by hitting your knee on a box in the garage (The Good Marriage).

Book 35: Janitors by Tyler Whitesides. This book is on the Sunshine State Readers Book list for 2013 (a list of intermediate books for 3rd graders through 6th graders). My son is in 4th grade and I'm trying to read some of the books he has read. I thought this one was okay however I can see how a 4th grade boy would really like it. The book is about a boy who discovers that the Janitors in his school are actually wizard-like and in a battle with a higher department trying to take over children's minds in the school system.

Book 36: Leo and the Lesser Lion by Sandra Forrester. I was asked to read this book by our Media Specialist to see if I thought it was okay for elementary students. I instantly fell in love with this book. Well written and such a wonderful story! The book involves a young girl who almost loses her life in a drowning accident and does lose her brother. The story is about her family's journey through recovery and how two little girls help them deal with their pain. Wonderful book.

Book 37: The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. Another book I picked up and didn't realize was a series of mystery novels revolving around one detective (Harry Hole - what a name!). I liked this book a great deal and will probably read some others in this series. I'm really starting to think I want to live in Sweden - love the snow, the names, the cities. Harry Hole must figure out the relationship between missing women, a missing detective and snowmen.

Book 38: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. I was given this book by my sister-in-law who normally reads romance novels (I don't) thus I was a bit unsure whether I would like it or not. However, I really liked this story about a group of adults and how one horrible mistake intertwines their lives forever.