2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Let's see if I can get this in the right folder this time...

For the last few years, I’ve spent the month of December only reading books with a holiday/winter theme. Last year, I extended the theme idea to include October, reading 9 gothic/horror books during that month. Since my personal challenge last year was a rather spectacular failure, I thought I would extend the idea of a theme for each month to complete this year’s challenge

I pledge to read 1 book per week that fits the theme that I have chosen for that month. I’ll create a separate post for each month explaining the theme and listing the books that I’ve completed and how they fit my theme.

And keep a running tally here to make sure I get to 52.

1. The Mystery of the Bones by C.S. Poe 1/2/20 ★★★★
2. Winter by Josh Lanyon 1/2/20 ★★★
3. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James 1/7/20 ★★★★★
4. The Slayer's Apprentice by Zathyn Priest 1/10/20 ★★★
5. Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet 1/12/20 ★★★★★
6. Blood & Thunder by Charlie Cochet 1/14/20 ★★★★
7. Rack & Ruin by Charlie Cochet 1/17/20 ★★★
8. Rise & Fall by Charlie Cochet 1/18/20 ★★★
9. Against the Grain by Charlie Cochet 1/19/20 ★★★★
10. Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet 1/19/20 ★★★



11. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware 1/21/20 ★★★★
12. Watching You by Lisa Jewell 1/22/20 ★★★★
13. Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet 1/23/20 ★★★★
14. Thick & Thin by Charlie Cochet 1/23/20 ★★★★
15. Murder Aforethought by Parker St. John 1/25/20 ★★★
16. Northern Lights by Nora Roberts 1/28/20 ★★★
17. The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot 1/29/20 ★★★
18. Other Than Honorable by Parker St. John 1/30/20 ★★★
19. Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe 1/31/20 ★★★
20. The Lies We Told by Camilla Way 1/31/20 ★★★



21. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston 2/9/20 ★★★★
22. Bloodline by Jordan L. Hawk 2/11/20 ★★★★
23. Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews 2/12/20 ★★★★
24. To Best the Boys by Mary Weber 2/18/20 ★★★★
25. The Binding by Bridget Collins 2/23/20 ★★★★★
26. Endangered by Maximilian Benjamin Baney 2/24/20 ★★★★
27. Wolfsong by T.J. Klune 2/28/20 ★★
28. The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian 3/11/20 ★★★
29. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes 3/28/20 ★★★
30. Cask Strength by Layla Reyne 3/31/20 ★★★★



31. Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne 4/2/20 ★★★★
32. Ravenfall by Narrelle M. Harris 4/3/20 ★★★
33. Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton 4/5/20 ★★★★
34. The Art of Possession by Cari Z. 4/15/20 ★★★
35. Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk 4/17/20 ★★★★
36. Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon 4/20/20 ★★★
37. The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly 5/1/20 ★★★
38. Dead To Me by Pandora Pine 5/2/20 ★★★
39. Mainly by Moonlight by Josh Lanyon 5/14/20 ★★★★
40. I Buried a Witch by Josh Lanyon 5/14/20 ★★★★



41. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews 5/21/20 ★★★
42. Spiretown by Lia Black 5/24/20 ★★
43. Maelstrom by Jordan L. Hawk 5/26/20 ★★★★
44. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 5/27/20 ★★★★★
45. Cloudy with a Chance of Witchcraft by Mandy M. Roth 5/30/20 ★★★
46. The Guest List by Lucy Foley 6/4/20 ★★★★★
47. The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson 6/15/20 ★★★
48. Tried & True by Charlie Cochet 6/18/20 ★★★
49. A Killer's Wife by Victor Methos 6/19/20 ★★★★
50. The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain 6/22/20 ★★



51. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 6/23/20 ★★★★
52. To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters 6/25/20 ★★★★
53. Upside Down by N.R. Walker 6/27/20 ★★★★★
54. The Wife and the Widow by Christian White 6/27/20 ★★
55. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing 6/29/20 ★★★★
56. A Time For Secrets by Marshall Thornton 7/8/20 ★★★★
57. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate 7/15/20 ★★★★
58. Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston 7/17/20 ★★★★
59. A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber 8/6/20 ★
60. Dine with Me by Layla Reyne 8/8/20 ★★★



61. The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler 8/23/20 ★★★
62. The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards 9/1/20 ★★★★
63. Interference by Brad Parks 9/3/20 ★★★
64. Five Minutes Longer by Victoria Sue 9/9/20 ★★★★
65. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey 9/11/20 ★★★
66. The Englor Affair by J.L. Langley 9/11/20 ★★★★
67. Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore 9/21/20 ★★★
68. The Klockwerk Kraken by Aidee Ladnier 9/28/20 ★★★★
69. Junk Mage by Elliot Cooper 9/29/20 ★★★
70. The Loop by Ben Oliver 10/1/20 ★★★



71. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots 10/3/20 ★★★★
72. Toxic Dust by Eve Langlais 10/3/20 ★★★
73. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson 10/4/20 ★★★
74. The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson 10/5/20 ★★
75. Forever Charmed by Rose Pressey 10/10/20 ★★
76. The Rational Faculty by Gregory Ashe ] 10/11/20 ★★★
77. A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H.G. Parry 10/14/20 ★★★
78. The Nesting by C.J. Cooke 10/19/20 ★★★
79. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 10/20/20 ★★★
80. Gatekeeper by Alison Levy 10/23/20 ★★★



to be continued in post below...

January’s Mysterious Blues
In deference to the gray, cloudy skies of Texas in January, read 4-5 books that belong to the Mystery genre and/or include themes of gloom, depression or death.

The Mystery of the Bones by C.S. Poe 1/2/20 ★★★★
Winter by Josh Lanyon 1/2/20 ★★★
Silent Threat by Dana Marton DNF 1/5/20 ★
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James 1/7/20 ★★★★★
The Slayer's Apprentice by Zathyn Priest 1/10/20 ★★★
Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet 1/12/20 ★★★★★
Blood & Thunder by Charlie Cochet 1/14/20 ★★★★
Rack & Ruin by Charlie Cochet 1/17/20 ★★★
Rise & Fall by Charlie Cochet 1/18/20 ★★★
Against the Grain by Charlie Cochet 1/19/20 ★★★★
Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet 1/19/20 ★★★



The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware 1/21/20 ★★★★
Watching You by Lisa Jewell 1/22/20 ★★★★
Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet 1/23/20 ★★★★
Thick & Thin by Charlie Cochet 1/23/20 ★★★★
Murder Aforethought by Parker St. John 1/25/20 ★★★
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts 1/28/20 ★★★
The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot 1/29/20 ★★★
Other Than Honorable by Parker St. John 1/30/20 ★★★
Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe 1/31/20 ★★★
The Lies We Told by Camilla Way 1/31/20 ★★★

This is my favorite quote of all time! I hope it brings you luck with your reading in 2020!

So far I'm enjoying my Mystery January. First week down. While I DNF'd a romantic suspense, I did finish a couple of others that I really enjoyed.

I read the 4th installment of the Snow & Winter Series I just love Seb, his humor at life and the ridiculous situations that happen only to him. He's gone from an actual heart buried in the floor of his bookstore, to Barnum's curiosities, to footage from a murder from over 100 years ago on a Thomas Edison Kinetoscope, and now he's taking on the Cope/Marsh Bone wars, which with my degrees in geology, I found quite amusing. The Mystery of the Bones by C.S. Poe

I also finished this great ARC, The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James, which I wish I had been able to read in October when I was looking for a good creepy book. Anyone looking for a creepy mystery with a big dose of ghosts, I definitely recommend. It's scheduled to release on Feb. 18th

So for my 5th mystery choice of the month I read a MM romance that was part of my author of the month challenge.

Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet 1/12/20 ★★★★★


I enjoyed it so much that I decided to go ahead and finish the whole series in one go THIRDS. Unfortunately I reached book 7 and realized that the rest of the series is off Kindle waiting for re-release next book not available until Jan 30th. UGH. So I decided to hit a couple of library books that were due...

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware 1/21/20 ★★★★


I was very impressed with Ruth Ware's latest, a kind of modern gothic. I graduated from Nancy Drew to Victoria Holt in high school and loved the bronte sisters though Austen not so much. Anyways, I have a few older Ware books that I haven't read but so far, this has been my favorite.

The mystery challenge is going very well. Good choice for this month.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell 1/22/20 ★★★★

I was worried about this book since I didn't like this author's last book that much, but even though I guessed the murderer early on, there was so much that I was wrong about that I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would.

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts 1/28/20 ★★★

I went on a bit of an Alaska kick this month and came across this older Nora Roberts book. It was a little longwinded and slow to start but I enjoyed the mystery once it picked up.

I'm a little late with posting my theme but I've already read a few of the books. Sick kitty (poor thing has kidney stones), so I've been spending a lot of time on the couch with her in my lap while reading and not much time on the computer keeping track of it. Reading is good! Kidney stones are awful.

Anyways, the theme for the month is FANTASY FEBRUARY

21. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston 2/9/20 ★★★★
22. Bloodline by Jordan L. Hawk 2/11/20 ★★★★
23. Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews 2/12/20 ★★★★
24. To Best the Boys by Mary Weber 2/18/20 ★★★★
25. The Binding by Bridget Collins 2/23/20 ★★★★★
26. Endangered by Maximilian Benjamin Baney 2/24/20 ★★★★
27. Wolfsong by T.J. Klune 2/28/20 ★★

I really enjoyed the first book in the Found Things trilogy. I've already put Book 2 on hold and fingers crossed that I get it before the end of the month. It's about a woman who hears antiques "sing" their history to her. She buys a compelling antique at an estate sale and falls through time to save a life. Takes place in Marlborough, Wiltshire. Sometimes I enjoy a good time travel story and since I like both contemporary and historical books this one hit the spot with both.

I also hit later books in a couple of series that I've already started and I'm still enjoying them so hopefully I'll have time this month to read the next book in the Whyborne and Griffin and the Kate Daniels Series.


In addition, yesterday I enjoyed this little gem. I noticed a lot of the negative reviews felt that these type of quests had been covered well enough in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Hunger Games, etc., but I rather enjoyed this book and it's strong female scientist themes. Since I studied science, I love to see women and girls in my books who love STEM.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I'm really behind in keeping track of my challenges but not in reading! And it looks like I'll have more time to read soon since staying home is currently the thing to do. In keeping with the holiday my theme for the month of March is...Irish. I will reading books that take place in Ireland, have Irish authors, or characters (and maybe Irish-American characters) or a cover with the color green.

28. The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian 3/11/20 ★★★
29. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes 3/28/20 ★★★
30. Cask Strength by Layla Reyne 3/31/20 ★★★★

I thought I would be reading more, but apparently having the hubby around (even if he is "working" upstairs most of the day) is distracting. The theme for this month is

ACTION/ADVENTURE APRIL

31. Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne 4/2/20 ★★★★
32. Ravenfall by Narrelle M. Harris 4/3/20 ★★★
33. Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton 4/5/20 ★★★★
34. The Art of Possession by Cari Z. 4/15/20 ★★★
35. Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk 4/17/20 ★★★★
36. Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon 4/20/20 ★★★
37. The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly 5/1/20 ★★★

MAGICAL MAY

38. Dead To Me by Pandora Pine 5/2/20 ★★★
39. Mainly by Moonlight by Josh Lanyon 5/14/20 ★★★★
40. I Buried a Witch by Josh Lanyon 5/14/20 ★★★★
41. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews 5/21/20 ★★★
42. Spiretown by Lia Black 5/24/20 ★★
43. Maelstrom by Jordan L. Hawk 5/26/20 ★★★★
44. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 5/27/20 ★★★★★
45. Cloudy with a Chance of Witchcraft by Mandy M. Roth 5/30/20 ★★★

I am all about magic this year. I hope that your reading goal is your little touch of magic.

I enjoyed my May readings very much. Overall I would say this challenge is going absolutely gangbusters. I may have to do it again next year. I'm finding some great books on my TBR and definitely getting some older books read. In addition, I've found some other great books that I hadn't even considered, such as my 5 star read for the month.



I needed a 'gold, silver or bronze' titled book for my popsugar challenge and I saw this on the list and thought I would give a try. I'm glad I did. I absolutely loved it! My first book by this author but I'll definitely read more.

JUNE WEDDINGS

Read books about weddings and/or marriage, associated names in the title OR books with a white cover

46. The Guest List by Lucy Foley 6/4/20 ★★★★★
47. The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson 6/15/20 ★★★
48. Tried & True by Charlie Cochet 6/18/20 ★★★
49. A Killer's Wife by Victor Methos 6/19/20 ★★★★
50. The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain 6/22/20 ★★
51. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 6/23/20 ★★★★
52. To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters 6/25/20 ★★★★
53. Upside Down by N.R. Walker 6/27/20 ★★★★★
54. The Wife and the Widow by Christian White 6/27/20 ★★
55. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing 6/29/20 ★★★★

I had some great books in June including two 5 stars in The Guest List by Lucy Foley and Upside Down by N.R. Walker. I also had a couple of DNFs that I didn't list. Not worth my time spent. I've fulfilled my initial goal so I guess I'll just see how much more I can fit in this year!

In honor of Independence day, the theme for July will be...

Historical

56. A Time For Secrets by Marshall Thornton 7/8/20 ★★★★
57. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate 7/15/20 ★★★★
58. Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston 7/17/20 ★★★★

I had so many books on my list for July and I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get to them. While I had some great reads, I have a ton of historical on suspended hold at the library and I kind of want to finish my July list. I won't count them towards my August goal since I have another theme for August. Hope I don't get caught up in a next month I read last months' books situation but I really want to read some of the July books that are left.

I'm currently reading The Angel of Darkness and I'm enjoying this one almost as much as I enjoyed The Alienist, which kind of surprised me since I had read a lot of negative reviews focusing on the change of narrator. I've been wanting to watch Season 2 of the TV show but I wanted to read the book first. I just couldn't get to it in July. It's quite a tome.

I'm behind on a couple of my other challenges so while I've technically finished this one, I still want to continue with the theme idea for the rest of the year. I'm not normally a YA reader but 2 of my favorite books this month were both YA and I loved about a boy in his senior year of high school who moved from his home in California to North Carolina because his aunt has cancer. Made me think of our local seniors and how their year went this year and the incoming seniors for the next year navigating this new reality. I was also really impressed with about a teenage girl who gets hurt and lost while camping with her friends along the Appalachian Trail. I love hiking so this book was right in my wheelhouse and quite the survival story.

Here's hoping my August reads go just as well, whether they're historical or not.

The heat of summer is definitely here in Texas.

August Theme is HOT

I plan to read books that involve the themes of heat, fire, summer, red and/or cooking.

59. A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber 8/6/20 ★
60. Dine with Me by Layla Reyne 8/8/20 ★★★
61. The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler 8/23/20 ★★★
62. The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards 9/1/20 ★★★★

Congrats on your progress!!! And I like your idea of giving yourself a theme to read about each month!^^

Keep being awesome!

SciFi September
63. Interference by Brad Parks 9/3/20 ★★★
64. Five Minutes Longer by Victoria Sue 9/9/20 ★★★★
65. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey 9/11/20 ★★★
66. The Englor Affair by J.L. Langley 9/11/20 ★★★★
67. Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore 9/21/20 ★★★
68. The Klockwerk Kraken by Aidee Ladnier 9/28/20 ★★★★
69. Junk Mage by Elliot Cooper 9/29/20 ★★★
70. The Loop by Ben Oliver 10/1/20 ★★★
71. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots 10/3/20 ★★★★
72. Toxic Dust by Eve Langlais 10/3/20 ★★★
73. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson 10/4/20 ★★★
74. The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson 10/5/20 ★★

Now it's time for my favorite theme of the year. I plan to read as many horror, gothic, magical/paranormal books as possible this month. I had a huge list and I narrowed it down to 44. LOL. I don't think I'll be able to fit even half of them in but I'm going to have fun trying!

Spooky October
75. Forever Charmed by Rose Pressey 10/10/20 ★★
76. The Rational Faculty by Gregory Ashe ] 10/11/20 ★★★
77. A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H.G. Parry 10/14/20 ★★★
78. The Nesting by C.J. Cooke 10/19/20 ★★★
79. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 10/20/20 ★★★
80. Gatekeeper by Alison Levy 10/23/20 ★★★
81. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox 10/25/20 ★★
82. Fallow by Jordan L. Hawk 10/25/20 ★★★★
83. The Bright Lands by John Fram 10/27/20 ★★★
84. P.S. I Spook You by S.E. Harmon 10/27/20 ★★★★★
85. Principles of Spookology by S.E. Harmon 10/29/20 ★★★★
86. Spooky Business by S.E. Harmon 10/31/20 ★★★★
87. The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales by Edgar Allan Poe 10/31/20 ★★★★★
88. The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller 11/1/20 ★★★
89. The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb 10/11/20 ★★★★★

Post 2 of 2
Continued from Msg 1

81. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox 10/25/20 ★★
82. Fallow by Jordan L. Hawk 10/25/20 ★★★★
83. The Bright Lands by John Fram 10/27/20 ★★★
84. P.S. I Spook You by S.E. Harmon 10/27/20 ★★★★★
85. Principles of Spookology by S.E. Harmon 10/29/20 ★★★★
86. Spooky Business by S.E. Harmon 10/31/20 ★★★★
87. The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales by Edgar Allan Poe 10/31/20 ★★★★★
88. The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller 11/1/20 ★★★
89. The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb 10/11/20 ★★★★★

I still have quite a few spooky books on my list, but it's time to work on November's theme. I'm planning to read books about books, libraries, bookstores and the people who work there plus I may throw in a teacher or first responder. Things that I'm thankful for this November.

Thankful November
Thankful November
90. The Fall by May Archer 11/3/20 ★★★
91. The Distant Dead by Heather Young 11/14/20 ★★★
92. Blood of Zeus by Meredith Wild 11/15/20 ★★★
93. The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly 11/16/20 ★★★★★
94. A Miracle in the Library by Helena Stone 11/29/20 ★★★
95. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 12/5/20 ★★★



December: Holidays/Winter
96. Snowmancer by Olivia Helling 12/3/20 ★★★
97. Quid Pro Quo by L.A. Witt 12/3/20 ★★★
98. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Andi James 12/4/20 ★★★★★
99. Winter Ball by Amy Lane 12/6/20 ★★★
100. How to Raise an Honest Rabbit by Amy Lane 12/7/20 ★★
101. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren 12/9/20 ★★★★
102. Wishing on a Dream by Michele Notaro 12/10/20 ★★★
103. Eight Nights in December by Keira Andrews 12/10/20 ★★★
104. Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne 12/11/20 ★★★
105. Mr. Frosty Pants by Leta Blake 12/13/20 ★★★
106. Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler 12/14/20 ★★★★
107. Mr. Naughty List by Leta Blake 12/15/20 ★★★★
108. Her Backup Boyfriend by Ashlee Mallory 12/17/20 ★★
109. Christmas Angel by Eli Easton 12/17/20 ★★★
110. Better Not Pout by Annabeth Albert 12/18/20 ★★★
111. A Naughty Boy for Krampus by Quinn D'Angelo 12/18/20 ★
112. Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen 12/19/20 ★★★★
113. Body and Soul by Jordan Castillo Price 12/19/20 ★★★★
114. Faux Ho Ho by 'Nathan Burgoine 12/20/20 ★★★★★
115. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss DNF 12/20/20 ★★
116. Walking on Thin Ice by Jocelynn Drake 12/21/20 ★★★★
117. Knitter in His Natural Habitat by Amy Lane 12/21/20 ★★★
118. Secret Daddy by J.R. Gray 12/22/20 ★★★
119. The Brightest Star by Fern Michaels DNF 12/22/20 ★
120. Joys R Us by Kim Fielding 12/22/20 ★★★★
121. New York Christmas by R.J. Scott 12/23/20 ★★★
122. Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber 12/23/20 ★★★
123. Cabin Fever by Brigham Vaughn 12/24/20 ★★★★
124. Three Under the Christmas Tree by Silvia Violet 12/24/20 ★★★
125. Pleasure Intense by Ju Ephraime 12/26/20 ★
126. Mistletoe and a Man for Christmas by L. Loryn 12/26/20 ★★
127. Mated Under the Mistletoe by Connor Crowe 12/27/20 ★★★
128. Sno Ho by Ethan Day 12/28/20 ★★
129. Color of You by C.S. Poe 12/28/20 ★★★★
130. Winter Freeze by E.M. Leya 12/29/20 ★★★
131. In This Bed of Snowflakes We Lie by Sophia Soames DNF 12/29/20 no rating
132. The Family We're Born With by Kaje Harper 12/29/20 ★★★
133. Holidays in Blue by Eve Morton 12/30/20 ★★★
134. His for Hanukkah by Reese Morrison 12/30/20 ★★★