2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

I've tried for years to hit 50 and never quite make it. I am determined to do it this year!

Goals:

53/50 books read

3/5 US Presidential Biographies (11/46 total completed)

2/7 Chronicles of Narnia

January

1. John Quincy Adams: Militant Spirit-1st US Presidential Bio of 2024


2. Why We Swim

3. Swimming To Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer

4. Warren G. Harding

5. The Martian

February

6. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

7. The White Darkness

8. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

9. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

10. Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation

11. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

March

12. Madonna: A Rebel Life

13. The Haven

14. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

You can totally do it, Casey! Specially if you keep going as you have so far :)
Thanks for reminding me that I'm probably due for a Chronicles of Narnia re-read.... sheesh, as if I don't have enough books on my ever-growing TBR to get to.

I'm just kidding. I love that series. Looking forward to seeing what you think whenever you get to the rest of the books :) I'm assuming Prince Caspian is next for you?

Good luck with your reading goals this year. I'm certain 2024, will be the year to hit the 50-book-mark!

Lisa wrote: "You can totally do it, Casey! Specially if you keep going as you have so far :)
Thanks for reminding me that I'm probably due for a Chronicles of Narnia re-read.... sheesh, as if I don't have enou..."

Working through Prince Caspian now! I know I had the whole series when I was a kid but I'm not sure I ever actually got past The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I like to plan some sort of re-read each year so figured I would work my way through these !

April & May were flop months lol

June:

15. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

16. The Puzzle Master

17. The Lost Van Gogh

18. The Song of Achilles

19. Prince Caspian

20. Throne of Glass

21. Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective

22. The Covenant of Water

23. Welcome to Dead House

Casey wrote: "Working through Prince Caspian now! I know I had the whole series when I was a kid but I'm not sure I ever actually got past The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe... "

Haha, that makes sense. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is most definitely my most read book in the whole series. I hope you enjoy them 😊

July:

24. Crown of Midnight

25. Heir of Fire

26. 22 Seconds

27. 23rd Midnight

August:

28. The Assassin's Blade

29. How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America

30. The God of the Woods

31. The Women

32. Shelterwood

33. Queen of Shadows

You're doing great, Casey! What did you think of The God of the Woods? I just read it a weeks ago, and really enjoyed it! I'll definitely be reaching for more Liz Moore books in the future.

May the last quarter of 2024 continue to bring amazing books into your life. I hope you have an amazing literary journey 😊
Happy reading!

Lisa wrote: "You're doing great, Casey! What did you think of The God of the Woods? I just read it a weeks ago, and really enjoyed it! I'll definitely be reaching for more Liz Moore books in th..."

Thought it was really good, perfect summer read!

September:

34. Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher

October:

35. Inside Out

36. Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring

37. Zachary Taylor

November:

38. Empire of Storms

39. The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City

40. James

41. The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession

42. All the Colors of the Dark

43. The Four Winds
When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America
44. When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion

45. When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America

46. Van Gogh: The Life

47. Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right

December:

48. Boulder

49. The 24th Hour

50. American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies

51. The Keeper of Lost Causes

52. My Thoughts Be Bloody

53. Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?

YAY after trying since 2011 to hit 50 books read in a year at least once I finally did it!

Not only did you hit it, but you even surpassed it - Congratulations, Casey!
Any new favorites?

Wishing you the best of luck for a great reading year in 2025. Looking forward to seeing what you'll be reading in the new year!