2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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Spell a Better World - 2021
message 101:
by
Kylie
(new)
Jan 04, 2021 10:00AM

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S: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires
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I have picked laughter, empathy, learning, and understanding to help make our world a better place.
laughter - 0/8 letters
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PROGRESS: 4/25
S: Shadow and Bone �
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C: Un cuento perfecto �
A: All the Light We Cannot See �
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T: These Violent Delights �
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Duration: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
My goal is to have and maintain positive mental health.
Completed: 12/20
P Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday by Matthew Sockolov 3/2/21
O OPEN: Why asking for help can save your life by Frankie Bridge 7/1/21
S Soulcalibur: New Legends of Project Soul by Bandai Namco 11/1/20
I In Sickness and In Elf by A.E. Jones 21/1/21
T This Book Is Alive! by Justine Avery 7/1/21
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E Earning It by Angela Quarles 11/1/21
M Moments of Joy by Ysa Arcangel 6/1/21
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T Torched by Piper Stone 29/1/21
A Armageddon Bound by Tim Marquitz 10/2/21
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H His First Time: Nick by Ann Omasta 7/1/21
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T Tempted by a Vampire by Susan Griscom 11/2/21
H How to Be Mindful by Anna Barnes 29/1/21

Just completed my “S� book - Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski. There are many things I like about these books - the twisting of fairy tales, the action, the main character. But the view of women in the books is not the most progressive. And the structure of this book is odd, with diverging tales that take up in the midst of a plot with no warning. Overall, still a good read! 3.5 stars
5/16

Duration: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
What better way to build a better world than to spell one with book titles? Not only is it fun, it has the added benefit of remin..."
What happens if it starts with digits (eg 12). Does this mean we use it for a T or that it doesn't count?

Spell a Better World 2021
5 / 19
C - A Christmas Beginning 1/9/21
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T - Tart of Darkness 1/10/21
I - An Irish Country Christmas
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D - Dying for Devil's Food 1/2/21
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H - How the Finch Stole Christmas
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A - Away in a Manger 1/4/21
L - Listening Woman 1/3/21
T - The Twelve Clues of Christmas
H - Hot Flash Holidays






I personally wouldn't use it if it's in digital form in the title. But I probably won't be too concerned if you decide to use it ;)

Just completed my “M� book - The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict. I love Agatha Christie, so I was intrigued by this fictionalized account of her 11-day disappearance. It missed the mark for me, however. The husband was presented in too favorable of a light, when by all historical accounts he was truly awful. And the prevalent sexism of the time period was too much. It’s ends well, but without enough emphasis on her triumph. Interesting read. 3.5 stars
6/16

Just completed my “L� book - The Lines We Leave Behind by Eliza Graham. I knew little about the Yugoslavian resistance during WW2 or the British agents sent in to assist them, so I appreciate that knowledge. I found the viewpoints towards women at the time infuriating, found some of the statements about women’s sexuality judgmental, and I wasn’t a fan of the last quarter of the book. But the ending was redemptive. Overall, interesting read. 3 stars
7/16


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Exiles - by Kline
No Truth without Ruth by Krull
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W.J. wrote: "First of all, I think this challenge is AWESOME!! Thank you for providing this space for all of us.
My goal for 2021 is divided into three main thoughts regarding emotional health. I've always be..."

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Exiles - by Kline
No Truth without Ruth by Krull
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W.J. wrote: "First of all, I think this challenge is AWESOME!! ..."
Clare wrote: "Message 74 updated! 1/14 books read!"

Based on your favorites (and a few of mine):
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine -
Emma
The End of the Affair
Everything Is Illuminated
The Eyes of the Dragon
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Water for Elephants

To add to Sean's list:
Educated
Eat, Pray, Love
Elantris
Everything I Never Told You
The Eye of the World

I’ll add a few more E’s as well, all books that I really enjoyed:
Ender's Game
Jane Eyre
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Supernatural Enhancements

Based on your favorites (and a few of mine):
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine -
..."
Thanks!!

My goal is to have HOPE and HEALING
3/11 Complete
Thanks to everyone who gave me 'E' suggestions!

Just completed my “C� book - Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green. This is a well-written, tightly constructed true crime book that includes history about the lgbtq+ scene in the later 20th century. My only critique was at the beginning it was a touch hard to connect the stories in the timeline. Overall, really good! I received this as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars
8/16

Just completed my “T� book -Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship by Kayleen Schaefer. I felt seen and reminded of all my amazing friendships. I’m truly lucky to have women standing with me who allow me to stand with them. “If I couldn’t see what was there to separate me from the boys, then I didn’t have to deal with being a girl in a world that I suspected hated girls.� “What I was also going through was a mind shift whee I stated to see that my friendships could be valued and celebrated as seriously as any other relationships in my life. They didn’t have to be consolation prizes until I found someone to marry.� “‘A friend can take you out of the boxes you’ve made for yourself and burn them up.’� Definitely worth reading! 5 stars
9/16
Message 7 updated 1/12
First A in 'Mental Health' read - And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic
First A in 'Mental Health' read - And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic
Books mentioned in this topic
Stillhouse Lake (other topics)The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (other topics)
How to Raise an Elephant (other topics)
After Alice Fell (other topics)
Nine Elms (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah Penner (other topics)Harryette Mullen (other topics)
Abbi Waxman (other topics)
Annamaria Alfieri (other topics)
Ibram X. Kendi (other topics)
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