The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

We are entering into WEEK TWO of our 2021 Reading Challenge. In our introductions last week, we shared what book we were starting off the challenge with. So now, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that book!

Remind us what book it was and tell us what stood out about it.
Would you read another book by this author?

(If you're still not finished it, that's okay too! Not everyone reads a book a week. Just share your thoughts on it so far.)

I read Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah for "A Book In The 900's Of The Dewey Decimal System". 4 Stars, I would definitely read something by him again. His childhood in South Africa was really fascinating.

My next book will be Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson for "A Dual Timeline"

My first book was The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. I loved it. It was charming and witty and so relatable for my introverted self. I would definitely read another book by Abbi Waxman.

I just finished I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid. This could fulfill "book with discussion questions inside" or "an ending that surprises you." I didn't see the Netflix film adaptation and don't plan to, so I did go in completely blind. I had to sit with this book for a bit after I finished it and I was a little confused with the ending. I did some research afterward and things make more sense now, which made my thoughts on it more positive. This is a book that would benefit from a second reading for sure. I would probably read something else by this author but I haven't added anything to my TBR.

I am currently audiobook reading Ruthless by Anne Stuart. It is a historical romance and the first book in a short series. It is a captivating listen. There is some interesting dialogue. I am enjoying that it is different than the usual mysteries and thrillers that I read. I purchased it many years ago so I don’t even recall what drew me in. But it feels good to return to some thing that I said aside for so long.

I've read two books so far.
"Sleep Softly" (#31) was fun to read, but I'm certain I won't remember it same time next year or so.
The second book was "The Cement Garden" by Ian McEwan (#44). This one I liked a little. It was somewhat disturbing to read, but honest at the same time.

I've started reading Mary Higgins Clark's "You Belong to Me". It will be #14 Written by an author over 65 (the author was 70-71 when it was published) I'm quite enjoying this. I've read other books of hers and will read some more.

I read The Vanishing Half for a family saga and New Moon (Twilight #2) for character with same name as male family member. (Edward)

This week I finished When No One is Watching for prompt #25 (book with multiple POV)

I'm still reading A Court of Thorns and Roses and hoping to start Transcendent Kingdom and The Duke and I soon!

I'm finishing up The Brethren by John Grisham for my second book and prompt #2. It is definitely interesting and I think I'll read some more of his stuff in the future. This is definitely out of my norm as far as books go. I always love reading and learning new things though.

I finished Escaping from Houdini Becoming the Dark Prince Houdini i started last year and got extremely pissed off at the main character for acting welll like the 16/17 year old child she is.... i couldn't finish it until I got some encouragement from people in the FB group that the 3.5 novella, and the final book in the series was super good. And I agree the Dark Prince was really good and a nice inside the head of the main male of the series. it reignited my love of this series and while i have read the start of Capturing the Devil i also started a different book (The Land: Founding ) on my kindle so doing my first attempt at reading two books at the same time one ebook, and one hard book (and I have 1 audio book-The Never Ending Story- i may start listening to as well.... )

5. Published by Penguin 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (the paperback and kindle editions are published by Penguin)

Well, this is a very controversial book and I can't say that it's something I would just recommend! When I marked it read I made sure it didn't go into my feed, either. The man is brilliant and an idiot and one and the same time. He's read everything but does a very bad job of choosing sources or understanding some that are not in his field.

My first read of the year was Reading Lolita in Tehran, a memoir by Azar Nafisi. I enjoyed it a lot, particularly in terms of questions raised about how we tell the story of our life, the relationship between fiction and reality, and what it means to live under a totalitarian regime and how people find answers in the literature.

I also read and watched Twelfth Night, my favourite Shakespeare play, for a workshop.

I have also just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini for a course in Middle Eastern literature that I’m doing. I enjoyed the insight it gave into Afghan history and politics, and how this affected the people In their everyday lives. I found the story of the women’s lives and their suffering and strength both painful and moving.

My current read is The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri, which is my January choice for the bookclub I run for my friends. It has been highly recommended and also fits in with my middle eastern literature theme, although it’s not on the reading list.

Hey!

Week 1: I read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. What stood out to me was the perseverance and resiliency of the characters. I cried, laughed, and couldn't wait to find out what was happening next. This is the first book that I have read by Kristin Hannah. I have a few of her other books on my WTR list.

Week 2: I am reading Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and I'm almost finished.

Happy reading!!!

Last night I read

31. Book that shares a similar title to another book Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern January--a a number of books have the very same title, including Get Well Soon by Merri Maywether and Get Well Soon by Marie-Sabine Roger

I didn't really like it much, so am giving it only 2 stars. But it was a quick read (young adult and under 200 pages in paperback).

Binti for prompt An author of color.

I read The Dark Tower by Stephen King to start off the year to finish the series. It was a great read but too long. I give it 4 stars. I read Holidaze for another challenge it was an uplifting book but I am really not interested in romances. Quick, easy fun read I’d give it 3 stars.
I read Binti for prompt By an author of color. It was pretty good and short, since I don’t care for Sci fi. I’d give it 3 stars.

I just read
29. Featuring the environment Of Mutts and Men by Spencer Quinn January

It features an aquifer, which relates directly to the environment since it supplies water. A murder of a hydrologist takes place over an aquifer and the state of the aquifer is integral to the story.

Hello all!

I just read and finished it last week!

Basically, it is part of a series called the 39 clues. It is all about these siblings who enter a contest to uncover all 39 clues left by their ancestors. And whoever manages to find all clues becomes the most powerful person in history.

This second volume is about Venice and Mozart. It has tons of adventures and mystery music sheets!

Hi, I have read This Is Where It Ends, and I am currently reading The Doctor Who Fooled the World: Andrew Wakefield’s war on vaccines.

I read This is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp for 1. Set in a school. It is about a high school shooting. I really liked the way it was written from different points of view.

The book that I am currently reading is about why there has been a surge in the "anti-vax" movement. I am finding it very interesting. I am reading it for 7. An author with only one published book.

Week 2 - I read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah for prompt #21 - a book by Kristin Hannah.

Thank you ive now got a book for #4 . I was going to use it for tv prompt but i shall read it for deceased aithor instead and get back on trying to do challenge in order.

Finished on January 14

4. An author that is deceased Colour Scheme by Ngaio Marsh January (she lived 1895 to 1982)

and

27. First chapter ends on an odd page number Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

first chapter ends on page 15 in the paperback edition I read