On The Same Page discussion

I love seeing what everyone's challenges are, and maybe some year I'll be inspired to try one of them but I honestly have a harder time meeting challenges with preconceived picks. So I'm going to repeat my challenge from last year since it worked (75 books off my TBR).

The only stipulation will be that they have to be prior to 2025 - no new reads count. All other reads are fair game - rereads, series, novellas, tomes, etc.

Also I'm adopting the Readers Rights by Daniel Pennac that I saw on Alondra's Challenge - actually printing it out so I can really try and take it in!

Readers Rights (abbrev.) by Daniel Pennac:

The right to not read
The right to skip pages
The right to not finish a book
The right to reread
The right to read anything
The right to read anywhere
The right to read out-loud
The right to be silent or to defend your tastes

2025 Independent Challenge - 66/75

1. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
2. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
5. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
6. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
7. Love at First by Kate Clayborn
8. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
9. In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
10. Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
11. One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
12. Command and Control by Marc Cameron
13. The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
14. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
15. Down World by Rebecca Phelps
16. Yesterworld by Rebecca Phelps
17. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
18. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
19. The Last Days of Lorien by Pittacus Lore
20. Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
21. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
22. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
23. Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
24. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
25. Quicksilver by Callie Hart
26. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
27. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
28. God Bless This Mess: Learning to Live and Love Through Life's Best (and Worst) Moments by Hannah Brown
29. The Reality of Everything by Rebecca Yarros
30. Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man by William Shatner
31. Six's Legacy by Pittacus Lore
32. Inside Out by Demi Moore
33. The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
34. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
35. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
36. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
37. The Awakening by Caroline Peckham
38. Until Midnight by Melissa Landers
39. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
40. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
41. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
42. Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz
43. Five's Legacy by Pittacus Lore
44. How to Play the Guitar and Y: Words + Music, Vol. 21 by Elvis Costello
45. The Broker by John Grisham
46. The Selection by Kiera Cass
47. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
48. The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
49. Lover Forbidden by J.R. Ward
50. The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman
51. Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
52. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
53. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
54. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
55. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
56. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
57. The Fallen Legacies by Pittacus Lore
58. Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
59. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
60. How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis
61. Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
62. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
63. The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
64. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
65. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
66. The Search for Sam by Pittacus Lore
67.
68.
69.
70.

I love your challenge, and I love those reader's rights too. My 2025 challenge might be similar to yours - in 2024 I got 50 books off my To Read list. But I want to leave some time to be able to just browse the library or bookstores and read something that grabs my interest right away.

Good challenge! I also really like those reader's rights. Something to keep in mind when I start stressing about finishing a book, or not finishing a book or the number count.

Happy reading!

I look forward to seeing what books you fill your list with over 2025.

Patty wrote: "I love seeing what everyone's challenges are, and maybe some year I'll be inspired to try one of them but I honestly have a harder time meeting challenges with preconceived picks. So I'm going to r..."

Agreed. I can do picks for the 12+4, but not independent challenges. The ATW & States are more fluid and so I can interchange freely, as well. I hope to be more disciplined, but I just have to rebel.

Great ideas and good luck on your selections!! 😁

Karol wrote: "I love your challenge, and I love those reader's rights too. My 2025 challenge might be similar to yours - in 2024 I got 50 books off my To Read list. But I want to leave some time to be able to ju..."

Yes, I still browse and grab new books that are of interest to me - I just don't count them for this challenge. Good luck with your reading in 2025!

Lillie wrote: "Good challenge! I also really like those reader's rights. Something to keep in mind when I start stressing about finishing a book, or not finishing a book or the number count.

Happy reading!"

Thank you! I am definitely going to keep those in mind. I really hope it helps with the guilt🫣

Bill wrote: "I look forward to seeing what books you fill your list with over 2025."

Thanks Bill!

Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "I love seeing what everyone's challenges are, and maybe some year I'll be inspired to try one of them but I honestly have a harder time meeting challenges with preconceived picks. So ..."

Thanks Alondra - and thanks for the Reader's Rights!
I tried the 12+4 and I just couldn't do it, even though I really wanted to read those books. I respond better to a more open feeling where I can look at a couple of options that fit the challenge and choose that way. Makes me feel more invested in the read if I have a choice? Not sure, but that's what's so great, everyone is different and it motivates me so I stay with what works.

Look forward to seeing what your picks are for 2025.

Patty wrote: "Thanks Alondra - and thanks for the Reader's Rights!
I tried the 12+4 and I just couldn't do it, even though I really wanted to read those books. I respond better to a more open feeling where I can look at a couple of options that fit the challenge and choose that way..."

No problem; and you are not the only one who prefers the fluidity of the individual challenges. Ioana comes to mind. 😬🤗

Alondra wrote: "No problem; and you are not the only one who prefers the fluidity of the individual challenges. Ioana comes to mind. 😬🤗"

I'm all for fluidity. I never know what my next book will be, and that works for me. I have a huge list of books to pick from, and sometimes I discover hidden gems. Sometimes it's a dud...but it's all good. Enjoy whatever you end up reading.

Ioana wrote: "I'm all for fluidity. I never know what my next book will be, and that works for me. I have a huge list of books to pick from, and sometimes I discover hidden gems. Sometimes it's a dud...but it's all good. Enjoy whatever you end up reading...."

Yyyeessss. Finding books that you had forgotten about. I love looking at my shelves and the books "talking to me"...

A delightful book!

I'm feeling really conflicted over this one, slogged through it but there were definite highlights.

Re-reads but had to get ready for Onyx Storm

Patty wrote: "Re-reads but had to get ready for Onyx Storm

"

I have both the Encyclopedia of Faeries and Uprooted on my tbr, but tell me, is Fourth Wing just a bunch of romance and hints of fantasy; or vice verse?? I'm hesitating on adding it because of its Romantasy listing.

Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "Re-reads but had to get ready for Onyx Storm

"

I have both the Encyclopedia of Faeries and Uprooted on my tbr, but te..."

I really enjoyed the first book, it is romantasy but there was enough in the story to hold your interest. The second book was good, really long and probably could have used some editing. Onyx Storm was really disappointing - nothing story wise, so repetitive, no development. Turned me off the whole series. Not sure where I go from here!

Wow - this one I have to think about. Not what I expected, but when I let my expectations go and just went with it - beautifully written.

Cute - seasonal

Patty wrote: "I really enjoyed the first book, it is romantasy but there was enough in the story to hold your interest. The second book was good, really long and probably could have used some editing. Onyx Storm was really disappointing - nothing story wise, so repetitive, no development. Turned me off the whole series. Not sure where I go from here!..."

MMmm, thanks for your thoughts. I may end up reading Fourth Wing and skipping the rest. Or, read the first 2 and consider 3 a loss. I mean, I think most have given up on ASOIAF from George RR Martin; so, this could be a thing.

Patty wrote: "Wow - this one I have to think about. Not what I expected, but when I let my expectations go and just went with it - beautifully written.

"

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this book. So unique.

Patty wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "Re-reads but had to get ready for Onyx Storm

"

I have both the Encyclopedia of Faeries and Uprooted o..."

Totally agree Patty! So much potential wasted on Onyx Storm. She had a great set up for a classic quest fantasy novel, but those parts were cut short and sidelined to complete irrelevance in order to make room for more romantasy and tension building for the romance part of the story. It got boring after a while. Especially since the other part of the story was so much more interesting.

Michelle wrote: "Patty wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "Re-reads but had to get ready for Onyx Storm

"

I have both the Encyclopedia of Faeries ..."

Let's hope the next one is better - I think she has planned 5 or 6? I'll give one more a chance then I'm out. Too many other good things to read!

Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "I really enjoyed the first book, it is romantasy but there was enough in the story to hold your interest. The second book was good, really long and probably could have used some editi..."

Fourth Wing is worth the read in my opinion.

Meh - I really don't like Colleen Hoovers books, no matter how many people tell me their amazing lol.

Another one off the list

Another great book in the series!

Patty wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "I really enjoyed the first book, it is romantasy but there was enough in the story to hold your interest. The second book was good, really long and probably could have..."

Okay; then I will keep it on my tbr. Thanks again, Patty.

Loved it!

Predictable but enjoyed it

Been meaning to get into this series - I loved it!

Patty wrote: "Been meaning to get into this series - I loved it!

"

This is one of my favorite series! Glad you enjoyed it. Keep reading :)

Patty wrote: "Been meaning to get into this series - I loved it!

"

Glad you enjoyed it. It's an entertaining series. I have to get back to it.

Patty wrote: "Been meaning to get into this series - I loved it!

"

Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this, Patty! Its pretty consistent throughout the series.

A reread as I'm getting ready to finish the series

One more to go

This sounds like an interesting trilogy, Patty

Bill wrote: "This sounds like an interesting trilogy, Patty"

It's okay - the first one won a Watty Award. I think the overall messages of second chances, roads not taken, trying to fix past mistakes are interesting. Enough that I will finish the 3rd book.

So interesting - much better than I expected and better than any celeb memoir I've read in the past while

Patty wrote: "So interesting - much better than I expected and better than any celeb memoir I've read in the past while

"

A strong recommendation Patty. Adding it to my TBR.

Michelle wrote: "Patty wrote: "So interesting - much better than I expected and better than any celeb memoir I've read in the past while

"

A strong recommendation Patty. Adding it ..."
Enjoy!

Still mulling this one over - it is disturbing and hauntingly beautiful. Final thoughts will be in my review.

Interesting back story

Patty wrote: "Still mulling this one over - it is disturbing and hauntingly beautiful. Final thoughts will be in my review.

"

The movie was excellent. The story was sad, tragic and quite unsettling. I've been hesitant to read the book and relive it.

Alondra wrote: "Patty wrote: "Still mulling this one over - it is disturbing and hauntingly beautiful. Final thoughts will be in my review.

"

The movie was excellent. The story wa..."

I'm planning on watching it - hopefully this weekend. But I can understand not wanting to relive it.

too much hype on this one

Patty wrote: "too much hype on this one

"

Oh man! I hate it when a book is overhyped. So many expectations not met. Oh well...

Lillie wrote: "Patty wrote: "too much hype on this one

"

Oh man! I hate it when a book is overhyped. So many expectations not met. Oh well..."

Totally, I always wonder if I would have enjoyed it more without hearing how amazing it was before I read it

A children's classic