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Overall, I'm going to try and read 120 books in 2025. For my independent Challenges, I'm going to try and keep it simple; Start a series, Continue a Series and Non-Series books. I'll keep three threads open as I would like to try and break each challenge by genres.. Mystery (with sub-genres for countries or zones), Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Spy / Thriller, Sci-Fi, maybe Graphics and Young Adult.. We'll see how it all goes.. I think Mystery will have its own thread as a quick look seems to indicate that is the genre that I possess most books by. Now for Non-Series, I'll add Non-Fiction, Poetry, Fiction and some others as I tend to buy more of those as standalones.

1a. Start a Series Challenge - First thread

Mysteries - British
1. The Black House by Peter May (Fin McLeod #1 / 2009) +430 pages, started 1 Jan, finished 28 Feb, 4.0 stars
2. A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake (Nigel Strangeways #1 / 1935) 276 pages, started 5 Apr,

Fantasy
1. A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel by Ursula K. Le Guin & Fred Fordham (Earthsea #1), 270 pages, started 15 Mar, finished 22 Mar, 4.0 stars


Completed - 2

1b. Start a Series - other genres

Horror
1. Children of Chicago Cynthia Pelayo (Chicago Saga #1 / 2021) 303 pages, started 28 Feb, DNF, NR (read 112 of 302 pages)
2. Alabaster: Wolves by Caitlín R. Kiernan (Alabaster GN#1 / 2013) 135 pages, started & finished 13 Mar, 3.5 stars

Completed - 1

1c. Start a Series - others?

Dystopia
1. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (Can / 2017) 234 pages, started 14 Mar, finished 21 Apr, 3.5 stars
2. The Wintermen by Brit Griffin 2014) 303 pages, started 21 Apr,

Completed - 1

2a. Continue a Series - Mysteries

Mysteries - British
1. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (DI Karen Pirie #2 / 2008) 371 pages, started 1 Jan, finished 14 Jan, 4.0 stars
2. A Series of Murders by Simon Brett (Charles Paris #13 / 1989) 214 pages, started 5 Mar, finished 25 Mar, 3.5 stars
3. Barking! by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #4 / 2001) 311 pages, started 1 May,

Mysteries - Scandy
1. Calling Out for You by Karin Fossum (Insp Sejer #5 / 2001) 387 pages, started 14 Jan, finished 10 Feb, 3.5 stars
2. The Snowman by Jo Nesbø (Harry Hole #7 / 2010) 454 pages, started 10 Feb, finished 14 Apr, 3.5 stars
3. The Abominable Man by Maj Sjöwall (Martin Beck #7 / 1977) 215 pages, started 1 Apr, finished 12 Apr, 3.5 stars

Mysteries - US
1. The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #5 / 2010) 382 pages, started 15 Apr,

Completed: 5

2b. Continue a series - other genres

Horror
1. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV (Vol 2) 144 pages, started & finished 10 Jan, 3.5 stars
2. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 3 by James Tynion IV (Vol 3) 144 pages, started & finished 27 Jan, 3.5 stars
3. Alabaster: The Good, the Bad, and the Bird by Caitlín R. Kiernan (GN#3) 128 pages, started & finished 7 Feb, 3.5 stars

Science Fiction
1. The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish #5) 189 pages, started 14 Apr, finished 28 Apr, 4.5 stars

Completed: 4

2c. Continue a series - overflow

Thriller
1. Gun Honey: Collision Course by Charles Ardai (Joanna Tan #3 / 2024) 112 pages, started 26 Feb, finished 27 Feb, 3.0 stars

Graphic Novels
1. Heartstopper, Vol. 5 by Alice Oseman (Vol 5 / 2023) 318 pages, started 12 Apr, finished 15 Apr, 4.0 stars

Completed: 2

3a. Non-Series - Mysteries

Mystery - Russia
1. The White Russian by Tom Bradby (2003) 551 pages, started 7 Mar,

Completed:

3b. Non-Series - other genres

Science Fiction / Speculative Fiction
1. The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer (2024) 182 pages, started 27 Jan, finished 30 Jan, 5.0 stars
2. Joanna Russ: Novels & Stories (LOA #373): The Female Man / We Who Are About To . . . / On Strike Against God / The Complet e Alyx Stories / Other Stories by Joanna Russ (SF / 2023) 711 pages, started 28 Apr,

Graphic Novels
1. Squire by Nadia Shammas (2022) 305 pages, started 13 Jan, finished 13 Jun, 4.0 stars
2. The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu (2023) 267 pages, started 22 Jan, finished 22 Jan, 4.0 stars
3. Pearl by Sherri L. Smith (2024) 133 pages, started 30 Jan, finished 30 Jan, 4.0 stars
4. The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Manu Larcenet (2024) 160 pages, started 4 Feb, finished 6 Feb, 4.0 stars
5. Lost Girls by Alan Moore (Fantasy / Erotica) 352 pages, started 22 Mar, finished 30 Mar, 2.5 stars
6. The Girl and the Glim by India Swift ((Fantasy) (2022) 128 pages, started 28 Mar, finished 29 Mar, 3.0 stars
7. Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel by Aimée de Jongh (Fiction / 2024) 342 pages, started 16 Apr, finished 17 Apr, 4.5 stars

Poetry
1. A Field of Vision by Charles Causley (1988) 68 pages, started 21 Feb, finished 27 Feb, 4.0 stars

Completed - 9

3c. Non-Series - Other Genres

Non-Fiction
1. Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher (2024) 305 pages, started 1 Jan, finished 27 Jan, 4.0 stars
2. Howards End Is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill (NF / 2009) 236 pages, started 31 Jan, finished 4 Feb, 4.5 stars
3. Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein (2023) 399 pages, started 6 Feb, DNF, NR
4.On Book Banning: Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy by Ira Wells (2025) 182 pages, started 22 Feb, finished 5 Mar, 4.5 stars
5. A Time to Keep Silence by Patrick Leigh Fermor (1957) 96 pages, started 8 Mar, finished 14 Mar, 4.5 stars
6. On Freedom by Timothy Snyder 345 pages, started 30 Mar,
7. The Complete Persepolis: 20th Anniversary Edition by Marjane Satrapi (2007) 352 pages, started 24 Apr, finished 28 Apr, 4.0 stars

Fiction
1. Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson (2018). I could have placed this in graphics but it was originally a novel) 384 pages, started and finished 15 Feb, 4.5 stars

Completed - 7

Those categories make a lot of sense, Bill. I'll be looking forward to your choices.

Good luck

Alondra wrote: "Those categories make a lot of sense, Bill. I'll be looking forward to your choices.

Good luck"

Thanks, Alondra. I'm still making lists.. LOL

Bill wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Those categories make a lot of sense, Bill. I'll be looking forward to your choices.

Good luck"

Thanks, Alondra. I'm still making lists.. LOL"

Just delete my comments if you need the spaces.

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Those categories make a lot of sense, Bill. I'll be looking forward to your choices.

Good luck"

Thanks, Alondra. I'm still making lists.. LOL"

Just delete my comment..."

That'll be fine. Thanks, Alondra.

I can't wait to see your picks~~

Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉

Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉"

You probably peruse the shelves like "mmmmm which books can i make Alissa/ Alondra/Lea & co add to their overflowing TBR???"

lol

Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉"

You probably peruse the shelves like "mmmmm which books can i make Alissa/ Alondra/Lea & co add to their overflowing TBR???"

lol"

I absolutely think that is how Bill makes his choices. :-) This thread looks absolutely dangerous...but I'm here for it.

Lea wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉"

You probably peruse the shelves like "mmmmm which books can i make Alissa/ Alondra/Lea & co add to their overflo..."

Like you all don't influence my reading and book buys. I see shelves in all book stores; Lea's Favorites, Alissa's Favorites, etc etc.. How do you do it?

Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉"

You probably peruse the shelves like "mmmmm which books can i make Alissa/ Alondra/Lea & co add to their overflowing TBR???"

Darn! You've found me out!
lol"

Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I can't wait to see your picks~~"

😎ðŸ·ß👌😉"

You probably peruse the shelves like "mmmmm which books can i make Alissa/ Alondra/Lea & co add to their overflowing TBR???"

lol"

That's the truth. Of course, I've added most of what was "mentioned", so, I am in the clear. LOL

Really like your categories, I've been trying to split up my series as well. I like the "overflow" categories.

Happy reading Bill

My 1st 3 books are planned to be -

- The Blackhouse by Peter May (Fin McLeod #1)
- A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (DI Karen Pirie #2) &
- Joanna Russ: Novels & Stories (LOA #373): The Female Man / We Who Are About To . . . / On Strike Against God / The Complet e Alyx Stories / Other Stories by Joanna Russ

*subject to change*

Bill wrote: "My 1st 3 books are planned to be -

- The Blackhouse by Peter May (Fin McLeod #1)
- A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (DI Karen Pirie #2)..."


I enjoyed The Blackhouse, I hope you will too. Happy reading!

I loved the Blackhouse, so atmospheric.
My great-grandmother was born in Stornoway, so it was extra interesting for me to see what the place is like.

Linette wrote: "I loved the Blackhouse, so atmospheric.
My great-grandmother was born in Stornoway, so it was extra interesting for me to see what the place is like."

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My 1st 3 books are planned to be -

- The Blackhouse by Peter May (Fin McLeod #1)
- A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (DI Ka..."

Thanks, Ioana and Linette. I've had it sitting on my shelf for too long.

I loved The Blackhouse & the other two books in the series as well. However, I still haven't read any other books by May. Maybe next year. Hope you enjoy them as well, Bill!

Patricia wrote: "I loved The Blackhouse & the other two books in the series as well. However, I still haven't read any other books by May. Maybe next year. Hope you enjoy them as well, Bill!"

It seems very popular so I'm quite looking forward to it. Thanks, Patricia

I've switched one of my starting books. I got a book for Xmas that i want to read right away, fits in my Non-Series challenge; Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher

Bill wrote: "I've switched one of my starting books. I got a book for Xmas that i want to read right away, fits in my Non-Series challenge; Burn Book: A Tech Love Story [bookcover:Burn Book: A ..."

Curious to hear more about it, can't wait!

Go check your last comment on Laurel's post..... 😂😂🤣

Alondra wrote: "Go check your last comment on Laurel's post..... 😂😂🤣"

Pbffftt! 😎

Bill wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Go check your last comment on Laurel's post..... 😂😂🤣"

Pbffftt! 😎"

😂

Took a break from my current reads for a quick horror graphic novel, Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV 3.5 stars

/review/show...

My review of Squire by Nadia Shammas & Sara Alfageeh 4.0 stars

/review/show...

My review of A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (Karen Pirie #2) 4.0 stars

/review/show...

Next in my continuing series challenge is a Scandy mystery, Calling Out for You by Karin Fossum, Inspector Sejer #5

My mid-January Update
I finished 4 so far in January, a bit of a slow start, but I'm sure I'll catch up.
Just Finished
1. Gideon's March by J.J. Marric (Gideon #8) Commander Gideon and his Criminal Inspection Division must try and keep European leaders safe during a visit to London. (4.0 stars)
2. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV (Erica Slaughter #2) Chaps 6 - 10 of the Slaughter adventure as Erica continues to battle the evil that is killing children in a small town in Wisconsin (3.5 stars)
3. Squire by Nadia Shammas. Fantasy graphic novel features Aiza, a young girl who goes off to become a Squire. Excellent story, friendship and great drawings. (4.0 stars)
4. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid is the 2nd Karen Pirie mystery. Another cold case about a missing coal miner and also a kidnapped child, the story moves from the past to the present and is just a very good story. (4.0 stars)

Currently Reading
1. Deadly Beloved by Jane Haddam (Gregor Demarkian #15). Gregor investigates a husband's murder and bombings in Philadelphia
2. Calling Out for You by Karin Fossum (Inspector Sejer #5)
3. The Blackhouse by Peter May (Lewis Trilogy #1)
4. Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice (Moon #2) Dystopic story set in northern Ontario
5. Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher (Non-fiction) about the tech industry

Possibles Upcoming
1. The Chinese Alchemist by Lyn Hamilton (Lara McClintoch #11)
2. Crime Machine by Giles Blunt (John Cardinal #4)
3. Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo (Chicago Saga #1)
4. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #4)
5. Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein

Enjoy the rest of your January reading.

Nice update, Bill. I want to get started on Gregor Demarkian - I own several of the books. :-)

Lea wrote: "Nice update, Bill. I want to get started on Gregor Demarkian - I own several of the books. :-)"

I like the series. I hope you give it a try.

Feeling the need for a graphic as a bit of a break starting The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu

My review of The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu 4.0 stars

/review/show...

My review of by Kara Swisher (2024) 4.0 stars

/review/show...

Next up is a bit of Sci Fi, by Robert J. Sawyer.

My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 3 by James Tynion IV 3.5 stars

/review/show...

Glad to see 4 stars on Burn Book. I think you just added that to my TBR

My review of The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer. What a nice surprise. My first 5-star read of 2025.

/review/show...

Next in line is Pearl by Sherri L. Smith

Bill wrote: "My review of The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer. What a nice surprise. My first 5-star read of 2025.

/review/show...

Next in line ..."

I enjoyed The Downloaded recently too - on audio read by Brendan Fraser and others. Really well done.

Linette wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer. What a nice surprise. My first 5-star read of 2025.

/review/show...

..."

That would be interesting, Linette

My review of Pearl by Sherri L. Smith 4.0 stars

/review/show...

Next in line is Howards End Is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill

Bill wrote: "My review of The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer. What a nice surprise. My first 5-star read of 2025.

/review/show...

Next in line ..."

This sounds really interesting, astro-physicists and convicts, what can go wrong?

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer. What a nice surprise. My first 5-star read of 2025.

/review/show...

..."

It was a fascinating story, Ioana.

Holy cow - 120 books!! I'm impressed with myself when I get 30 books done! I'm curious, do you include audio books as part of your count, or are these all physical/ebooks?