Book Nook Cafe discussion
2025 ~ Book Challenge
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Lindsey's 2025 Book Challenge
**Prompts Remaining**1- YA book (young adult)
The House at the Edge of Magic
2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
The Green Kingdom - Summer Break
3- A banned or challenged book
5- A book about a world leader or notable person(s) (living or dead)
Tracker
6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.
TBR: The Housekeeper and the Professor
7- A book published in 2025
✔ Kids: Game On!
TBR: Adult: Destroy This House: A Memoir
11- Re-read a book you read before
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
18- Biography, autobiography or memoir
(Adult)
21- (for 2025) Select a book that was published at least 25 years ago.
25- (for 2025) A book title with at least 5 words in the title. Bonus if it is exactly 5.
The Return of Ellie Black
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Bonus prompts or substitution
NOT required to complete the challenge!
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3- A book that features water. (ocean, swimmer, lake, ship/boat or has picture of water on cover)
Clever idea on the second post, Lindsey.I may borrow it. I intended to figure out my own Challenge, so i'm seeing if books i've targeted fit into this '25 one. Thanks for this.
madrano wrote: "Clever idea on the second post, Lindsey.I may borrow it. I intended to figure out my own Challenge, so i'm seeing if books i've targeted fit into this '25 one. Thanks for this."
Thanks! I'm going to try it out and see if it helps.
Last year, I printed pages and kept handwritten notes, but inevitably misplaced my list, reprinted, re-wrote, lost and repeat...
If it's all digital I can't lose it, right?? :)
I kept so many draft letters in my email account, all about books for the '24 Challenge. Today i eliminated all but the main counting & there 11 trashed. Wow, even i didn't realize how many times ii started a list again & again.So, while technically i didn't lose any, it seems i also couldn't locate them when necessary. Don't count on digital! lol
madrano wrote: "I kept so many draft letters in my email account, all about books for the '24 Challenge. Today i eliminated all but the main counting & there 11 trashed. Wow, even i didn't realize how many times i..."Oh no! lol
That sounded like a good idea though. I wouldn't have thought to create draft emails. I do occasionally text myself if I need to remember something important.
Good idea. That never occurred to me, Lindsey. Clearly, i know so little about our devices!
I guess I am old school. I just used a legal pad. For some reason I process things better when I write it down. The pad is always on my desk with my laptop. So I never had the problem of losing it. I wrote the prompts down. When I came across a book I thought would fit I would write the title next to the prompt.
Alias Reader wrote: "I guess I am old school. I just used a legal pad. For some reason I process things better when I write it down. The pad is always on my desk with my laptop. So I never had the problem of losing it...."I do love a good legal pad, especially for To Do lists.
My problem arises because I have multiple legal pads and I carry them around, so they get misplaced. Not to mention as soon as I change my mind about a book and cross it off, it drives me nuts so I have to re-write the entire list... lol these are clearly "me" problems.
Lindsey wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I guess I am old school. I just used a legal pad. For some reason I process things better when I write it down. The pad is always on my desk with my laptop. So I never had the ..."I have multiple to do lists, multiple lists of appointments, and multiple notes for the book I'm working on at the moment. I really do need to consolidate and get things together.
Alias Reader wrote: "I guess I am old school. I just used a legal pad. For some reason I process things better when I write it down. The pad is always on my desk with my laptop. So I never had the problem of losing it...."I love those, too, but not for my books, oddly. When in high school debate, i learned to turn them sideways, to store notes as the debate was ongoing. This kept what i wanted to reply in order. For instance, the upper left for the initial, "Positive" speech, which included definition of terms, facts about the need for change, etc. Then next speech, "Negative", i'd write what that speaker shared, and on.
Today i do the same thing, making long columns for things like "Write to..." and a list of letters i wanted to send; "Must do now", with chores or shopping i need done (not grocery, though); and "Places to go", usually library or shops i'd like to visit to see what they offer. And on.
It's held me in good steed for decades now. I still have the same plastic covered clipboard that i used in debates, too. It looks akin to this but not as nice and in a dull brown.
I love the idea of color coded folders/clipboards for various lists/topics. Alias<<<< trying to resist a peak at Amazon for said folders.
I'm a fool for stationary, paper, pens...basically office supplies.
EDIT.
Ok. I lost that battle and had to check the folder/clipboards out.
They even have ones with storage ! I put a few in my Save For Later cart. Deb ! What did you do? LOL
Alias Reader wrote: "They even have ones with storage ! I put a few in my Save For Later cart. Deb ! What did you do?..."I liked all that storage space, too. Oh, to have had it back in my debate days. My notecards would have been at hand, as well.
I'm a fool for stationary stores/products, too. Sadly, seldom do i use them any more. I pulled out the old attache case, where i keep them, the other day, so my daughter could find some note cards & postcards to send to friends with season's greetings.
*sigh* I miss snail mail missives.
Alias Reader wrote: "I love the idea of color coded folders/clipboards for various lists/topics. Alias<<<< trying to resist a peak at Amazon for said folders.
I'm a fool for stationary, paper, pens...basically offic..."
lol I'm just now seeing these old messages.
Alias - I have the one in your photo above and LOVE it. Perfect for keeping a notepad on the front and loose papers, notes, pencils, etc. inside.
Adding a few completed prompts from the first 2 weeks of Jan:* I might go back and update some of these with "Adult" books, as a couple are books that I read with my girls.
Of course, they're all books and they count, but I may try to double up so there are "kid" books and "grown-up" books represented for each prompt... we'll see how that goes.
✔ 10- Animal, vegetable or mineral
Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake
✔ 14- ...OLOGY --- Any field of study that ends in the suffix ology. For example: psychology, sociology, archaeology, cardiology, dermatology, zoology, ecology, oceanology, biology, zoology etc.
Can be nonfiction or a fictional character that is involved in that field.
Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling by Jason De León
✔ 16- Author's Last Name begins with R, E, A or D.
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
✔ 20- novella, short story collection, essays collection, or play.
The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo
Adding another for Prompt #20: Essay CollectionI'll likely be finishing this today/tomorrow.
by Edwidge Danticat
Well done, Lindsey. I'm still working on my first book of the year.
You've been a busy reader, Lindsey. The Danticat essays sound up-to-date. I'm not familiar with her or her work.Great start for '25!
madrano wrote: "You've been a busy reader, Lindsey. The Danticat essays sound up-to-date. I'm not familiar with her or her work.Great start for '25!"
Thank you! I hadn't finished anything by the 9th and was feeling a bit down, so this was a nice boost the last few days :)
And I hadn't heard of Danticat either! She's the "Author Focus" for the year in another reading group I'm in. I chose the most recent Essays to get an idea of her work (it's perfect actually - she discusses a bit about herself and her childhood, a bit about her past novels, etc.)
Having an "Author Focus" for a reading group is a neat idea. You can delve deep into their work, while sharing ideas with others. Thanks for that info, Lindsey.
Updating prompts:15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture
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I did not like this one. I'll keep it brief because I posted in the Book Salon, but it just didn't feel grounded in science. Bummer.
Bonus 1- humorous or funny book
Margo's Got Money Troubles
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This may be the only funny "chick lit" book I ever give 5 stars to. It was so darned clever, hard not to love it.
Well done on your prompts, Lindsey.I checked out the reviews of Margo when you first posted about it when you were still reading it. I'm glad to see it was a winner for you.
Lindsey wrote: "Updating prompts:15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture
⭐⭐
I did not like this one..."
Good going on the prompts, Lindsey. I've added the second one to my TBR, as it sounds grounded in Life Today.
Adding my most recent 2:13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
Cambodia & Vietnam:
Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes by Chantha Nguon
This was such a lovely (& heartbreaking) read, infused with recipes no less. It's a memoir of a young girl torn from her home country (Cambodia), her time in war-torn Vietnam, then as a refugee in Thailand. As the story unfolds, the author's memories are brought to life through the recipes she made at that point in her life; sometimes heartwarming, sometimes tragic.
There's a hidden sense of humor among some recipes which I found charming (ie: "refugee noodles, one cup water, dash of guard's disdain" and similar little quips).
As a bonus, the author's daughter, Clara, narrates the book on audio and her reading voice is perfect for the story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
23- Travel or a journey (could be literal or spiritual)
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
This was a book club read for my 2nd-graders' school. I'm a bit surprised this book was picked. It's over 350 pages and the writing style is a bit odd, in my opinion.
It seems as though the author tried to squeeze in every unused or rare vocabulary word. We had to pause several times on each page to look up words (I'm not kidding - I didn't know many of the words the author used, let alone my 7-year-olds).
Additionally, she inverts the majority of her sentences, which even I found confusing. We stopped a lot to do lots of explaining.
The overall story was good if you like adventure and fantasy. I tend to like neither, but my girls found the story to be interesting.
As a bonus, there's a second book in the works and I believe this will be made into a Netflix movie or series. Unsure of the specifics.
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Well done on the prompts, Lindsey !
Lindsey wrote: "Adding my most recent 2:13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
Cambodia & Vietnam:
[book:Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Reci..."
Well, i must read a book that holds recipes with a sense of humor. Loved the example you shared, Lindsey.
I'm quite surprised to learn about the book for the 2nd graders. Was the point to have parents read the book to the child? It seems weird. My daughter was an advanced reader at that age, but she never tackled something that long. I cannot speak to the inverted sentences, though. If your offspring remember those vocabulary words, they will be impressive! :-)
Alias Reader wrote: "Well done on the prompts, Lindsey !"Thank you!
madrano wrote: "I'm quite surprised to learn about the book for the 2nd graders. Was the point to have parents read the book to the child? "To be fair, the school's book club is for all kids K-5.
Some months the librarian chooses picture books or shorter chapter books. I do think it was a strange choice regardless. It reads more like a middle grade/early high school aged book to me.
And we'll see about the vocabulary... :)
They didn't retain a few that I quizzed them on a few days later, but there were a couple that stuck. I think it was all just a bit too much all at once.
Lindsey wrote: "And we'll see about the vocabulary... :)They didn't retain a few that I quizzed them on a few days later, but there were a couple that stuck. I think it was all just a bit too much all at once...."
Well, that goes for me, too. I have a vocabulary list that i diligently kept when i realized i was a Book Reader. On occasion, i run across it & test myself. I remember only about half, out of context. Within a sentence, i'm better. But still!
The book still seems quite a load for those up to 5th grade. On the other hand, it's good to challenge students who are at the upper end of reading skills, too, i suppose.
Updating with my newest prompts:(also posted about these in the February thread)
✔ 9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
✔ 5- A book with a female detective
Missing You by Harlan Coben
Nice work, Lindsey. You are really rolling with this Challenge.
✔ 4- STEM (any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or a character who works in or is involved with any STEM area.The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall
I shared my thoughts in the Feb. Book Salon for this one.
Highly recommend for a quick, timely read.
Continued success, Lindsey! This book sounds good.
Lindsey wrote: "✔ 4- STEM (any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or a character who works in or is involved with any STEM area.The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural W..."
Well done on the prompt, Lindsey.
I love the cover of the book. I'm adding it to my TBR notebook. Though I still haven't read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. What can I say, so many books, so little time.
Alias Reader wrote: "Well done on the prompt, Lindsey.I love the cover of the book. I'm adding it to my TBR notebook. Though I still haven't read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. What can I say, so many books, so little time."
Thank you!
This is a nice short one (105 pages), so might be a good starting point for her work. I've enjoyed all 3, but I love everything in that science+nature+kind human crossover genre.
Latest 2 added:✔ 8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
The Bread the Devil Knead
✔ 12 - Historical Fiction
The Farming of Bones
Both could also fit prompt #16, too, about author's last names R-E-A-D!Congratulations on both.
madrano wrote: "Both could also fit prompt #16, too, about author's last names R-E-A-D!Congratulations on both."
Oh how funny! I was worried about that prompt early on, but obviously there was no need.
Updating my List:(shared more details in the Book Salon)
#10: Animal
Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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#19: Thriller
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
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#24: Coming of Age
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
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Well done on the prompts, Lindsey !
Great work, Lindsey. Your steady progress this year has been great.
I've let this get away from me... updating with the last few prompts:1- YA book (young adult)
Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II
6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read. The Housekeeper and the Professor
21- (for 2025) Select a book that was published at least 25 years ago.
The Door
23- Travel or a journey (could be literal or spiritual)
The Bees
Lindsey wrote: 6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read. The Housekeeper and the Professor..."
Well done on the prompts, Lindsey !
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
was a 5/5 read for me.
Like AliasReader, i liked the Ogawa novel very much. The Door was different but overall, i am glad i read it.Congratulations on the completion of these prompts, Lindsey.
Thank you both! I was pleasantly surprised with the Housekeeper and the Professor. I didn't enjoy her other, The Memory Police, as much (still liked it, but rated it 3 stars rather than 4).
I fully understand those differences, Lindsey. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to believe the same author wrote both books.
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism (other topics)The Housekeeper and the Professor (other topics)
The Bees (other topics)
The Door (other topics)
Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah Wynn-Williams (other topics)Yōko Ogawa (other topics)
Laline Paull (other topics)
Syou Ishida (other topics)
R.F. Kuang (other topics)
More...
✔ 1- YA book (young adult)
Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II
✔ 2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
Summer Holiday: The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke
✔ 3- A banned or challenged book
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
✔ 4- STEM (any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or a character who works in or is involved with any STEM area.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
---> 5- A book about a world leader or notable person(s) (living or dead)
✔ 6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.
---> 7- A book published in 2025
✔ 8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
✔ 9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria E. Schwab
✔ 10- Animal, vegetable or mineral
Kids/YA: Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake
Adult: Dogs of War
---> 11- Re-read a book you read before
✔ 12- History, Current event, or historical fiction
✔ 13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
Babel by R.F. Kuang
✔ 14- ...OLOGY --- Any field of study that ends in the suffix ology. For example: psychology, sociology, archaeology, cardiology, dermatology, zoology, ecology, oceanology, biology, technology etc.
Can be nonfiction or a fictional character that is involved in that field.
Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling by Jason De León
✔ 15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
✔ 16- Author's Last Name begins with R, E, A or D.
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
✔ 17- Self help, motivational, inspirational, spirituality, mindfulness, or communication.
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross
✔ 18- Biography, autobiography or memoir
Adult: Cambodia & Vietnam: Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes by Chantha Nguon
Kids: Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan
✔ 19- Mystery, thriller, suspense or true crime novel
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
✔ 20- novella, short story collection, essays collection, or play.
Kids: The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo
Adult: We're Alone: Essays by Edwidge Danticat
✔ 21- (for 2025) Select a book that was published at least 25 years ago.
✔ 22- A book that was translated into English.
Translated from French
In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
✔ 23- Travel or a journey (could be literal or spiritual)
The Bees by Laline Paull
✔ 24- Bildungsroman - Coming of age
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
✔ 25- (for 2025) A book title with at least 5 words in the title. Bonus if it is exactly 5.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
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Bonus prompts or substitution
NOT required to complete the challenge!
******************************************************************
✔ 1- humorous or funny book
✔ 2- fantasy, magical realism or science fiction
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
✔ 3- A book that features water. (ocean, swimmer, lake, ship/boat or has picture of water on cover)
✔ 4- Romance or love 💖
The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali
✔ 5- A book with a female detective
Missing You by Harlan Coben