2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

My goal for this year will be 50 books. Starting a new career and reading two epic novels was cutting into my reading time last year, which caused me some anxiety to fit in all 60 books by the end of December. I will also be tracking a few challenges (I will keep track on my corner), but I will not be signing up for them formally this year. Bring it on 2017!

2017 Books:

1. The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
2. Frindle by Andrew Clements
3. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
4. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
5. Auggie and Me by R.J. Palacio
6. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
7. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
8. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
9. Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine. by Jennifer Li Shotz
10. The Mothers by Brit Bennett
11. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
12. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo
13. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
14. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
15. The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan
16. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
17. The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
18. The House Girl by Tara Conklin
19. The Skeleton Tree by Iain Lawrence
20. Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
21. Class Dismissed by Allan Woodrow
22. The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough
23. Finding Someplace by Denise Lewis Patrick
24. Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
25. As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
26. Masters of Disaster by Gary Paulsen
27. The Martian by Andy Weir
28. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
29. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
30. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
31. Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz
32. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
33. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
34. Sounder by William Faulkner
35. If We Were Villains M.L. Rio
36. Speechless byJennifer Mook-Sang
37. Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts
38. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers
39. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
40. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
41. How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
42. Nightfall by Jake Halpern
43. The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling
44. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
45. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

1/50

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

4 Stars

This was a good book to start 2017 off with. A woman on the run from a crime she may or may not have committed, having to change names every few weeks so she was not caught and tried for the crime she was running away from. Even though there were some parts I did not much care for (some useless bits at the end that did not directly tie into the overall story), this was an exciting read. Comparable to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, although I liked this one more than I did The Girl on the Train.

302 pages; 106,000 words

2/50

Frindle by Andrew Clements

4 Stars

A very quick, funny read. A fifth grade student invents a new word to replace "pen" and it is quickly accepted and used by students at school. A newspaper story and a CBS Evening News report later, and the whole world is quickly swept up in the hubbub. On the edges of the development, is the English teacher who is obsessed with words, including how they are formed and respected. A very sweet, engaging read.

105 pages; 18,000 words

3/50

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

3 Stars

It took me a while to get into this book, but in the end it turned out to be a great continuation of the Narnia series. I love that while it had some of the same characters from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it focused solely on a new set of characters.

224 pages; 64,000 words

4/50

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

4 Stars

This was almost as good as The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (LWW), but there were parts of it towards the middle that were a little weird for me. It was interesting to have the characters from LWW return to Narnia and see how it had changed since they were there last. Caspain's story line was a great addition to the Narnia storyline- I look forward to seeing how the series progresses in the next few books.

223 pages; 67,000 words

5/50

Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories by R.J. Palacio

4 Stars

A lovely companion book to Wonder. I love that the characters who were only glimpsed in Wonder were given their own voices. And of course, Julian, gets his say and redemption in this book. Very well done and highly recommended to those who enjoyed Wonder.

303 pages; 107,000 words

6/50

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

4 Stars

It was interesting reading about Springsteen's life and his rise to rock n' roll fame. He is a wonderful writer and often had profound reflections on events from his life. He proved himself to be a very socially aware person throughout his career, something I was not aware of before reading this book.

508 pages; 208,000 words

7/50

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō

2 Stars

I could not get into this book. It was too repetitive and I didn't like the tone of the book. It almost felt like I was being chastised for something. There were some good points in the book, but not enough to make me enjoy it.

203 pages

8/50

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

5 stars

More of a 4.5, but I decided to round up. this was such an exciting read! The history of Thornfield got confusing a little, but I loved all of the characters, the setting, and the plot. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed Jane Eyre and anyone who just loves a gripping read!

420 pages; 151,000 words

9/50

Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine. by Jennifer Li Shotz

Justin loses his brother, Kyle, in Afghanistan, but in losing his brother he gains a best friend in the form of Max,his brother's military service dog. Max is suffering from Kyle's loss and is no longer able to do his job overseas, and the only human he can connect with and without one with is Justin. What follows is a strong bond between human and canine as both deal with the loss of Kyle and figure out what led to his death. Incredible read and highly recommended for anyone who loves a good dog story.

253 pages; 58,000 words

10/50

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

4 Stars

I received this book from a giveaway listed on Goodreads.
I would give this 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and this author. The tone of the book was so gentle and nurturing- very appropriate for the title of the novel. When I read it, it was almost as if I were being soothed to sleep. The novel follows three characters- Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey- and how their lives are affected by one momentous event that continues to follow/hang over each character as they grow older and set out to create their own individual lives. I have become a fan of this new author, and look forward to any new books she publishes in the future.

275 pages; 88,000 words

11/50

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

3 Stars

Mr. Lemoncello is the book-version of Willy Wonka, and the library that he fashions is full of puzzles and clues to help the winners of an essay contest find the way out in order to win a big prize. Kyle and his friends team up to find the way out of the library, a task that will take them through the Dewey Decimal system in order to find books that will unlock clues to the answer they are seeking.

288 pages; 80,000 words

12/50

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

3 Stars

For 4th/5th graders, I can see the draw to this book- flying squirrel, eccentric characters, interesting turn of events throughout- but for an adult it is a little too weird. It did get good at the end where character revelations were made, but the last 30 pages did not make up for the rest of it for me.

231 pages; 39,000 words

13/50

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

4 Stars

Neal Shusterman has created an interesting futuristic society- one in which hunger, government, and natural death has all but vanished from the world. Scythes are the only ones who have the power to end lives through the process of gleaning. Some scythes take on this huge responsibility with a very honorable outlook, while others take a sick pleasure in the ability to end the lives of others. Through this book, we see how two apprentices take on the task of learning what it takes to be a good scythe and how to fight the corruption within the Scythedom.

I really enjoyed this book, although there were some events in the story that felt forced. I would continue to read this series though if/when the author comes out with more books in this series line.

435 pages; 116,000 words

14/50

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

4 Stars

I didn't think I would like this book when I first started it, but as I got into it I started to really enjoy it. I tried to read Tenth of December a few years ago, but found Saunders' writing style too crude for me to read. That's how I felt with the start of this book, but I was also starting to like the characters of Bevins, the Reverend, and Vollman, especially as they continued to protect young Willie Lincoln's soul.

Willie Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, passes away on the night of a dinner hosted at the White House. Not only does the book give life to Pres. Lincoln's grief, but it also gives life to Willie Lincoln's soul and the souls of other individuals who have passed away in years past. There are three "ghosts" who keep an eye on Willie and do their best to urge him on to the next life- Roger Bevins, the Reverend Thomas, and Hans Vollman. The longer it takes for Willie to move to the other world, the more concerned these spirits become for Willie's future.

343 pages

15/50

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan

2 Stars

I was expecting more from this book. I thought the choir would come together more and uplift the spirits of the community in times of war, but it just didn't happen like I thought it would. The characters seemed to hardly change until the very end of the book, and I was never able to feel a strong connection with any of the characters. In the end, it was just okay- not the book I was expecting though.

368 pages; 118,000 words

16/50

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

4 Stars

I first read this sometime in high school, when I was too young too fully appreciate or understand it. I loved every character and got a kick out of all the Ya-Yas. I wish the author would've included how Vivi met and fell in love with Shep, as it felt like that part of her past was glossed over. But overall it was well written and contained a cast of unforgettable characters.

356 pages, 158,000 words

17/50

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

5 Stars

I selected this as one of six books for student book clubs in my classroom and I'm glad I did! This was such a cute book and an easy read for my students in this group!

Evan and his younger sister, Jessie, enter into a lemonade war at the end of the summer. The two spend one final weekend setting up lemonade stands around their neighborhood in order to see who will raise the most money, winner takes all. What follows is a series of ups and downs as brother and sister try to one-up each other in an attempt to show each other who is the best. Great read! I'm excited to work with my students as they read this one!

172 pages; 30,000 words

18/50

The House Girl by Tara Conklin

3 Stars

I didn't much care for the ending in this book- it was anticlimactic in regards to the case Lina was working on and Lina's own future at the law firm and her relationship with her mother. It was interesting enough to read, but there was never that hook that made me want to read it.

370 pages; 130,000 words

19/50

The Skeleton Tree by Iain Lawrence

3 Stars

I selected this book as one of my classroom book club picks, but don't think I'll be using it next year. I thought it would be similar to The Sign of the Beaver, a book we read as a class in August, but it just wasn't was I was hoping for.

278 pages; 81,000 words

20/50

Class Dismissed by Allan Woodrow

4 Stars

3.5 really- the middle was a bit slow, but the end was really great! This was another pick for my classroom book clubs and I'm glad it made the cut! I can easily see fourth and fifth graders eating this book up- a fifth grade class goes teacher-free for 2 weeks when the school staff misses the memo about their teacher quitting and the class learns some very valuable lessons during those 2 weeks. Great book!

263 pages; 63,000 words

21/50

Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai

4 Stars

3.5 really- it took some time to get into the book, but the ending had a great message. This was another book for my classroom book clubs, geared for my higher readers that deserve to be challenged with a book out of their comfort zone. This book follows Mai as she travels to Vietnam with her grandmother, and while Mai initially hates the idea of being away from her Laguna beach summer, she eventually comes to appreciate her Vietnamese culture and lave the family she has across the world. There are some parts that are hard to get through for various reasons (silliness and some disgusting parts mainly), but the ending was sweet.

260 pages; 67,000 words

22/50

The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough

4 Stars

Final selection for my classroom book clubs (6 in all for my first year) and this goes into the "favorite" pile! Set in a small French town during World War 2, Marcel helps his parents (who are part of the French Resistance) pass notes to other Resistance members, and in turn helps a friend escape to the safety of Spain. Great read!

189 pages; 37,000 words

23/50

Finding Someplace by Denise Lewis Patrick

5 Stars

I loved this book! This was another book that was selected for my classroom book clubs and it is easily my favorite one! Reesie is ready to celebrate her birthday when Hurricane Katrina hits, throwing her party plans out the window and scattering her family as they try to survive the aftermath of the storm. The second part of the book shows Reesie and her family dealing with the aftermath of Katrina as they prepare to move back to New Orleans. Lovely book!

212 pages; 38,000 words

24/50

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

3 Stars

I would move this up to a 3.5. This started out as an interesting book-The Giver meets Divergent type of book- but towards the end it was getting confusing and the romance between Cyra and Akos, while predictable, was unnecessary in my opinion. It was hard understanding each character and what their currentgift was, let alone their fates if they were honored enough to receive one. Having a cheat sheet in the back would have been helpful. Overall it was okay- I might pick up the sequel when it comes out, but I won't be heartbroken if I don't.

468 pages; 133,000 words

25/50

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

4 Stars

This was a fun, quick read about the making of The Princess Bride. Cary Elwes tells about his love for the book and his enjoyment in making the wildly popular movie, with passages from his co-stars and production team sprinkled in throughout the book. For fans of the movie, this is a worthwhile read as it gives you an insight into the work behind the movie, and it provides you with an idea of how important this project was to many of the actors and production team members that worked on the film.

242 pages; 80,000 words

26/50

Masters of Disaster by Gary Paulsen

3 Stars

This is the perfect book for 5th-7th grade boys who like adventure and pranks. Henry, Reed, and Riley are looking for ways to shake up their less-than-exciting lives, so Henry comes up with a series of antics that will do just that. Unfortunately for Reed, most of those antics result in him winding up in some sort of smelly, sometimes unidentifiable, goo (much to the displeasure of his mother). At times funny, most of the time gross, this book is sure to be a hit with adventure seeking boys.

102 pages; 22,000 words

27/50

The Martian by Andy Weir

4 Stars

While all the scientific talk got confusing at times, I really enjoyed this book! At first I was worried- thinking it was going to be 300 pages of Mark Watney talking about his time as the only person on Mars- but then got more into the book when it introduced the Mars/Ares team both in Pasadena/Houston and those on the return mission to Earth.

369 pages; 120,000 words

28/50

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

4 Stars

This might be my second favorite book of this series! It started out a bit slow, and the new character (Eustace) seemed forgotten at times, but it was very action-packed and moved along at a great pace. Some of the events were odd, but it also goes to show how creative Lewis was in creating the world of Narnia. Excellent read!

248 pages; 68,000 words

29/50

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

4 Stars

This was a cute book, although the end could've been better. Arthur Pepper's wife passes away, and while cleaning out her possessions, he finds a mysterious charm bracket that his wife kept hidden in her closet. As he uncovers the stories of each charm, he learns more about the life his wife led before meeting him. More importantly, he starts to learn more about himself and finds a way to live a more fulfilling life in honor of his wife's memory.

331 pages; 88,000 words

30/50

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

3 Stars

I didn't know what to think of this book when I first started it, but it got better as I went along. I liked all the characters, especially Kaori and Gen. Cute book that I think any 4th-6th grader could enjoy.

311 pages; 64,000 words

31/50

Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

3 Stars

I would even give this a 3.5. It was a cute story- it's hard to say how accurate everything was, since I don't know much of Hamilton's history. There seemed to be some flip-flopping during the story where the author would say one thing and then say the opposite a few pages/chapters later. But it was still a cute book.

355 pages; 113,000 words

32/50

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

3 Stars

Maybe a 3.5. The bits concerning Morgenstern confused the heck out of me at first, and all the italicized asides throughout the book really started to get on my nerves about half way through. But taking just the story, I moved it. I'm a fan of the movie- not a huge fan, but I get a kick out of watching it when it comes on tv- and enjoyed the book that started it all.

450 pages; 149,000 words

33/50

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

4 Stars

I've always enjoyed this book for some reason. I admit I don't know as much about King Henry's rule and history as I would like, but I trust Gregory to remain true to the facts surrounding this period of his rule. It amazes me how determined Anne is to become queen. The lengths that she takes to secure her position are unfathomable. Would like to read more nonfiction books of King Henry and his successors.

661 pages; 237,000 words

34/50

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

3 Stars

I feel like I missed some of the symbolism and meanings of this book, but there were parts that were very powerful. I enjoyed the book, but found it to be lacking in something that I can't put my finger on at the moment.

116 pages; 25,000 words

35/50

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

4 Stars

I won this book (audiobook format) through a Goodreads giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a different experience for me listening to an audiobook rather than reading it myself, but once I got over my initial misgivings over the audiobook I really got into it. If I were more familiar with Shakespeare's plays, I think I would've given this a higher rating, but even without the background on Shakespeare's plays (his tragedies to be more specific), this was a captivating novel. The story follows 7 students who are in their 4th and final year at a liberal arts college, and their focus as actors are Shakespeare's tragedies. As these students prepare for their final year at college, unspoken and unresolved issues start to come to the surface, with deadly consequences that will create even more ripples in their tight yet tempestuous relationships.

352 pages; word count- unknown

36/50

Speechless by Jennifer Mook-Sang

4 Stars

This was such a great book! Jelly (aka Joseph Alton Miles) it's enticed by the grand prize in his school's annual speech competition. And he's determined to beat the school brain ( and the school bully) Victoria. Along with his focus on the speech competition, he is also dragged into volunteering at the local food bank, which turns into a job of sorts as he helps the owner into the 21st century and sets up a computer program to help him keep track of the families that come into the food bank. Great read! Will definitely be reading this one with next year's class!

159 pages; 39,000 words

37/50

Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts

4 Stars

This is a great read! Told through journal entries to her new teacher, Kizzy Ann describes her feelings attending an integrated school and talks excitedly about her border collie Shag. The author gives a very real voice to Kizzy Ann- I found myself celebrating her highs and wallowing in her lows throughout the book. The other characters did a great job of adding an extra element of authenticity to this great story. Highly recommend this one!

183 pages; 40,000 words

38/50

The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

4 stars

This could be a 4.5 read, but the end fell a little short for me. The first half of this book was amazing! Told through letters and journal entries, Placadia Hockady (formerly Fincher) reveals the events that took place in the two years that her new husband is quickly called back to the Civil War. When Major Hockaday returns to his young wife two years later, he finds she is in the middle of a scandal involving the death of her newborn child. What follows is her account of events leading up to that fateful night, as well as revelations made along the way and how those events impacted the Hockaday family.

254 pages/ 82,000 words

39/50

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

4 Stars

Really 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because of the ending. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern spend a month with a mother neither of them really know. Flying from New York to Oakland, the three girls find themselves in the midst of the Civil Rights movement with a mother who lends her poetry skills to the Black Panthers. Delphine takes on the motherly role as she oversees her two younger sisters on their journey. As they spend more time with their mother and the Black Panthers, they come to learn more about what the movement means to those that had been discriminated against at the time

215 pages; 53,000 words

40/50

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

5 stars

Another wonderful novel from Pam Munoz Ryan. This is the second book I've read by her, but I am quickly becoming a fan. I've heard many great things about Esperanza Rising, and now I can join those who have found enjoyment from this book. Esperanza loses her father the day before her birthday, and shortly after she leaves Mexico with her mother to avoid the negative influences of her corrupt uncles. Once in California, Esperanza and her mother find work in the fields and at the work camp they are staying. Over the course of a year, Esperanza loses her father, leaves her beloved ranch in Mexico, and worries over the well being of her mother and grandmother. At the end of a year though, she has gained a precious perspective on life and how to deal with what is dealt to you. Highly recommended to anyone and everyone.

262 pages; 53,000 words

41/50

How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

5 stars

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would have to be powerful. Sandra Uwiringiyimana shares the highs and lows in her life, starting with her life in the Congo, the devastating effects of the massacre at the refugee camp her family was staying at, and the changes her and her family experienced upon moving to America. There were a few times where I had to set aside the book due to either the power of Sandra's words and the emotion behind her writing, which is something I had not come across in a book for a while. I will say it again, powerful book- highly recommend.

283 pages; 64,000 words

42/50

Nightfall by Jake Halpern

3 stars

Intriguing idea for a book, but there were some parts that weren't fleshed out that well.

346 pages/ 84,000 words

43/50

The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling

4 Stars

3.5, but I rounded up for the ending. This was difficult to get into at first with the constant switching between years and locations, but once I got over that it became a good read. Set in South Africa during the Boar War, this book focused on Lettie and her family while they are sent to a refugee camp set up by the British. Very heart felt passages especially towards the end, but there were parts in the beginning and middle that either weren't fleshed out enough, or were unnecessary I felt.

340 pages; 108,000 words

44/50

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

3 Stars

I found this book to be ok- I was never really grasped by it, but was drawn in enough to want to find out what happened. I felt like there were still some unanswered questions at the end of the book- either the author forgot about them or she threw something into the book that was not needed (i.e. the other passenger that was broken into the day or so before the cruise). I think I just need to take a long break from the female-protagonist mystery/thriller books for a while. I find these books that are supposed to be "the next Gone Girl" just fall short of my expectations.

340 pages; 105,000 words

45/50

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

5 Stars

4.5 stars really, but rounded it up for the prose Ryan writes with. I didn't much care for the fairy-tale ending part with Otto and the three sisters, but I loved the stories of Fredreich, Michael, and Ivy. Ryan creates three memorable characters who rely on their passion for music to help them persevere through hard times. I think Michael's story could have been worked on better, but I could not get enough of this book. Hope to share this one with my future students!

587 pages; 113,000 words

46/50

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

5 Stars

I thought this was an interesting and intriguing book. Li-yan is a young girl growing up in a remote village as a part of a minority culture in China. Her small village is known for their tea trees and the quality of tea they produce. As Li-yan grows, she starts to come into the more complex traditions that dictate her culture's way of life. When she breaks one of the carnal rules/customs of her small culture, her life is thrown off balance. What follows is her path as she works to correct the consequences of those mistakes to make her life better and to help her be welcomed back into her native village. It was interesting how the author brought everything full circle by the end of the novel.

364 pages/ 122,000 words

47/50

Everybody's Son by Thrity Umrigar

3.5 Stars

Really 3.5 stars. I liked the storyline of the book, but I didn't like some of the characters. Anton is adopted by David and Delores, a prominent white family after his mother is arrested for leaving him alone in their apartment to see her drug dealer. The first two years, Anton desperately holds on to hope that his mother will want him when she is let out, but much to his shock learns that she is giving him up to the state. What he doesn't know is the lengths that David took to keep Anton. He won't find out until several years later when he is following in his family's footsteps to the governorship what actually happened. I felt the ending was a bit rushed and I found David to be unlikable throughout the book, but for the most part I liked the story.

336 pages/ 125,000 words

48/50

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

2 Stars

I had such high hopes for this book- interesting story idea, a character I thought would be easy to connect with (and did connect with at the start), charming location- but it fell flat very quickly for me. About half way through, it felt like this book was sort of just thrown together- things either happened too quickly or were rushed, and the characters just started to get weaker and weaker. The ending was a complete sham to me- almost as if the author has to have the romance element to it but ran out of time to give it much thought.

332 pages/103,000 words