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50 Books Challenge 2025 Part One

1000 replies

Southeastdweller · 01/01/2025 08:42

Welcome to the first thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2025, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

If possible, please can you embolden your titles and maybe authors as well of books you've read or going to read? It makes it much easier to keep track, especially when the threads move quickly at this time of the year.

Who's in for this year?

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17
AgualusasLover · 01/01/2025 10:17

Looking forward to another year. I also had a bit of a clean sweep, so have started Mansfield Park in honour of Austen’s 250th year; A Study in Scarlett as I’d like to try Sherlock Holmes this year, I started with Audio in the bath with Derek Jacobi, which seemed ok - I don’t really get on with audio as I get sidetracked. I sort of have to focus on it in the same way as if I was reading the words. Have a massive tome about the end of the Mongols and times of Tamerlane as non fiction. Plus, of course The Count.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 01/01/2025 10:25

Happy New Year everyone 🥳
I started reading Mansfield Park in the last few days and I must start The Count of Monte Cristo for the readalong. * *

Happy reading! 📚

elkiedee · 01/01/2025 10:26

I'm joining - my main ambition is to try to write about what I read a bit sooner, but I will also be catching up with some reviews from 2024 - I wrote 30 reviews last year but some of them were for books read in 2023 - I think I might have read one even longer ago than that.....

TheGodOfSmallPotatoes · 01/01/2025 10:37

I’ve never posted on here but New Year and all that! I managed 76 books last year with my standouts being the Strike novels (particularly the Inkblack Heart and the Running Grave) and A tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I did get a bit competitive and started selecting smaller books to bump my numbers up so this year I may read fewer books but will endeavour to select exactly what I fancy.

Started Scrublands by Chris Hammer yesterday so this will no doubt be my first of the year. About a reporter investigating the year anniversary of a pastor opening fire on his congregation. Enjoying it so far.

Philandbill · 01/01/2025 10:41

I would like to join please, though sadly I think my target will be less than fifty. Do audio books count? I'm currently reading a popular history of Berlin so that will be my first book.

ÚlldemoShúl · 01/01/2025 10:46

@Philandbill we all use our own counting systems - some count audio or children’s books and others don’t. Personally, I do count audio.

yoshiblue · 01/01/2025 10:51

I'm joining, did terribly last year with 10 books (but a house extension and 11+ exam prep threw everything into the air!)

I'm aiming for 24 minimum but would like more. Going to finish The Storied Life of AJ Filey by Gabriella Zevin today. A lovely, charming book and much better than Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow, which I found a drag (and I'm a gamer!)

**

elkiedee · 01/01/2025 10:51

@PepeLePew I really liked Beyond the Wall, which I think I read in 2023.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/01/2025 10:56

The Grauniad have a list of things to make you healthier and happier in 2025. Look at number 23! 😂

50 Books Challenge 2025 Part One
BestIsWest · 01/01/2025 10:57

Happy New Year all.
Almost finished Pandora - Jilly Cooper.

BestIsWest · 01/01/2025 11:02

@TheGodOfSmallPotatoes A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is one of my all time favourites. I’m probably due a re-read.

LuckyMauveReader · 01/01/2025 11:06

Thank you for starting this new thread @Southeastdweller

I'm joining to increase my overall reading. It would be great to reach 50, and anything over and above will be a bonus.

I'm starting the new year with Atomic Habits - James Clear and also reading The Count of Monte Cristo

Hurdlin · 01/01/2025 11:08

I'm in, i managed 60 last year somehow.

I'm about a quarter way through All the Light We Cannot See.

toastedcrumpetsrock · 01/01/2025 11:15

I managed 35 last year and aiming for a similar amount this year, carrying over The snow child- Eowyn Ivey

MamaNewtNewt · 01/01/2025 11:25

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for the shiny new thread @Southeastdweller and welcome to the new joiners.

MrsALambert · 01/01/2025 11:30

Happy New Year everyone! I am eyeing up my bookshelf wondering what to start the year with. Got some autobiographies for Christmas but also have some books to read for work.

Castlerigg · 01/01/2025 11:34

I'm in, new to the threads.

Currently reading *Red Seas Under Red Skies" by Scott Lynch - sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora. Had hoped to finish it last night but I had to give up at 97% at 1.30am!

I have so many unread books I couldn't even estimate a number, so I'd like to read more and buy less.

TattiePants · 01/01/2025 11:35

Happy New Year 50 bookers, new and old and thanks for the new thread @Southeastdweller.

I’m part way through Small Bomb at Dimperly which I’m enjoying and The Master and Margarita which I can’t decide if it’s genius or if I hate it!

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 01/01/2025 11:40

Happy New Year to all on MNs best thread, thanks to southeastFlowers and welcome new people!

MsPug · 01/01/2025 11:44

This is my year to join this thread!

currently reading shy creatures by Clare Chambers which is very good!

minsmum · 01/01/2025 11:48

Happy New Year everyone, when I checked I read about 130 books last year I don't quite know how. I am currently half way through The Zone of Interest but I am finding it hard work. No resolutions just to enjoy reading, I am hoping to take early retirement this year so more time for reading

Terpsichore · 01/01/2025 11:50

Place-marking with a Happy New Year, and thanks for the new thread, Southeast. Welcome to all the newcomers to this lovely thread, and don’t be too panicked that it takes off like a rocket in the first few days/weeks, before settling down to a more manageable pace!

I decided not to try and finish the book I was halfway through before the end of 2024, so I’m going to finish that as my first of 2025 (Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly).

CutFlowers · 01/01/2025 11:51

Happy New Year everyone.

I am part way through And then she Fell by Alice Elliot so should be my first book of 2025.

Zippymonkey · 01/01/2025 11:58

I’d like to join to give me some incentive to embrace my inner bookworm. I’ll have a look at my bookshelves later and pick my first book of 2025.

minsmum · 01/01/2025 11:58

As so.many have resolved not to buy books i.almost hate to ask but has anyone managed to find the monthly deals on Kindle

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