2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

A bit late to the game but I just graduated from undergrad and in the finally months of my degree was drowning in thesis work so reading time was scarce. As the summer begins I cannot wait to start reading more.

Book 1 of 6: Murder in Midsummer
I’ve really been getting into short story collections this year since it is easier when I have less time due to school. This was a great collections and I really enjoyed the versatility of story styles.

Book 2 of 6: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Tales of the Jazz Age

Rating this book is challenging. There are short stories in here that were more like 2 stars and then there were some that felt like five stars. The best ones, in my opinion, being “O Russet Witch!”, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Porcelain and Pink. Fitzgerald always has such beautifully tragic characters who have been wronged by life and I love his poetic prose.

Hi Sara! It's never too late! Congrats on your graduation! After all that hard work and thesis writing, you deserve some reading time!

Reading short story collections is an excellent idea to read without having to invest in a whole novel. I like it, little bites. And I agree, often find that there will be a couple of standout stories, and the others not so much.

I hope the summer brings you some fantastic reads! Happy reading!

JennH wrote: "Hi Sara! It's never too late! Congrats on your graduation! After all that hard work and thesis writing, you deserve some reading time!

Reading short story collections is an excellent idea to read ..."

Thanks for the support!

Book 3 of 6: The Boys in the Boat
The best book I have read in a while. I cannot stop thinking about this story. Daniel James Brown does an outstanding job shining a light on these boys, their coaches, the intricacies of rowing, and the overlapping war. This is the kind of book you want to reread immediately upon completion.

Book 4 of 6: Me Before You
Having watched the movie first, I was shocked at how similar and true it was to the novel. This book pairs nicely with a tall glass of water to prevent dehydration from all the crying. I read this in two days during the longest airport layover I've ever had.

Book 5 of 6: The Little Prince
It is criminal that it took me 22 years to read this masterpiece. I only hope to be the kind of adult Antoine de Saint-Exupéry would be proud of, whose childlike imagination and curiosity remain intact.

Book 6 of 6: The Prince
A book that has been on my "must-read, classic" list for a while. It was interesting to get Machiavelli's perspective and see some of our current world and politics reflected in it. However, reading it once was enough, and it has not left an indelible mark on my soul like other books have.

Yay! Congratulations on hitting your goal, Sara! Way to go!