Madeline Martin's Blog - Posts Tagged "reading-challenge"
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!!
2024 was a truly incredible year and it was due largely in part to you <3 The Booklover's Library was received so warmly upon its release, hitting the USA Today bestseller list a couple of times and I absolutely loved getting to meet so many of you in person while on my book tour in the US and in Canada. And I've loved interacting with so many of you on social media as well - it's to fun to get to know all of you <3
Then having The Booklover's Library not only be nominated for the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice awards for Best Historical Fiction, but final and come in fourth place was such a high note to end the year on! Having over 30K votes for my book absolutely blew me away!!
I cannot thank all of you enough for making 2024 to wonderful and special.
Here we are in 2025 and I could not be more excited! The Secret Book Society ( /book/show/2... ) is coming out in September 2025 - my first ever Victorian fiction! I enjoyed writing it so much and hope you all enjoy reading it.
I also have a trip planned in February to go to England for research for the book that will be coming in 2026, tentatively titled A Time of Witches - a dual timeline (part will be modern day) based on the witch trials in England. I've spent the last two months in the discovery phase for that book (ALL the research!) and I've been enjoying it!!
And I'm also finally joining the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Reading Challenge! I always have an idea of books in my head, but haven't really logged them here. Every year, I'm in awe of everyone's book numbers and figured I'll start logging mine too, although I don't intend to include my research books.
There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited at how many of you I'll get to connect with in the many events I'll be doing this upcoming year.
I hope you have an AMAZING 2025, filled with love, happiness, and many wonderful books. xoxo
Sending you all my love,
Madeline
2024 was a truly incredible year and it was due largely in part to you <3 The Booklover's Library was received so warmly upon its release, hitting the USA Today bestseller list a couple of times and I absolutely loved getting to meet so many of you in person while on my book tour in the US and in Canada. And I've loved interacting with so many of you on social media as well - it's to fun to get to know all of you <3
Then having The Booklover's Library not only be nominated for the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice awards for Best Historical Fiction, but final and come in fourth place was such a high note to end the year on! Having over 30K votes for my book absolutely blew me away!!
I cannot thank all of you enough for making 2024 to wonderful and special.
Here we are in 2025 and I could not be more excited! The Secret Book Society ( /book/show/2... ) is coming out in September 2025 - my first ever Victorian fiction! I enjoyed writing it so much and hope you all enjoy reading it.
I also have a trip planned in February to go to England for research for the book that will be coming in 2026, tentatively titled A Time of Witches - a dual timeline (part will be modern day) based on the witch trials in England. I've spent the last two months in the discovery phase for that book (ALL the research!) and I've been enjoying it!!
And I'm also finally joining the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Reading Challenge! I always have an idea of books in my head, but haven't really logged them here. Every year, I'm in awe of everyone's book numbers and figured I'll start logging mine too, although I don't intend to include my research books.
There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited at how many of you I'll get to connect with in the many events I'll be doing this upcoming year.
I hope you have an AMAZING 2025, filled with love, happiness, and many wonderful books. xoxo
Sending you all my love,
Madeline
January Books Read Wrap-Up
Did you join the 2025 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Reading Challenge this year?
I joined and I'm so excited! I kept my goal low to keep myself from feeling too much pressure, but I read some AMAZING books in January and am so excited to share a brief wrap up with you here:
- ARC of Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight - perfect for anyone who has ever silently (or not so silently) corrected anyone's grammar
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - a heartbreaking and beautiful story set in the Dust Bowl of the Great Plains during the Great Depression.
- The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery - life changes in the most unexpected ways when Valancy is diagnosed with a heart condition - utterly charming!
- Sandwich by Catherine Newman - the ultimate mom book, this one is both raw reality and like being wrapped in a nostalgic hug
- Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins - a twisty thriller about an island with a dangerous past and characters with dark secrets.
- The Arctic Fury by Greer McAllister - a novel of brave women who venture into the arctic and whose leader is on trial for murder.
- A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - a compelling novel about a mail order bride who intends to kill her soon to be husband.
- ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kirstin Harmel - a tale of a diamond bracelet with a heartbreaking history and a mystery that needs to be solved. Colette is such a quirky, plucky character and I love her!
- The Safe Place by Anna Downes - when a woman takes a job as a nanny and house cleaner, she never expects so many secrets...and they just might kill her.
What were some of your favorite books read last month?
I joined and I'm so excited! I kept my goal low to keep myself from feeling too much pressure, but I read some AMAZING books in January and am so excited to share a brief wrap up with you here:
- ARC of Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight - perfect for anyone who has ever silently (or not so silently) corrected anyone's grammar
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - a heartbreaking and beautiful story set in the Dust Bowl of the Great Plains during the Great Depression.
- The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery - life changes in the most unexpected ways when Valancy is diagnosed with a heart condition - utterly charming!
- Sandwich by Catherine Newman - the ultimate mom book, this one is both raw reality and like being wrapped in a nostalgic hug
- Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins - a twisty thriller about an island with a dangerous past and characters with dark secrets.
- The Arctic Fury by Greer McAllister - a novel of brave women who venture into the arctic and whose leader is on trial for murder.
- A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - a compelling novel about a mail order bride who intends to kill her soon to be husband.
- ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kirstin Harmel - a tale of a diamond bracelet with a heartbreaking history and a mystery that needs to be solved. Colette is such a quirky, plucky character and I love her!
- The Safe Place by Anna Downes - when a woman takes a job as a nanny and house cleaner, she never expects so many secrets...and they just might kill her.
What were some of your favorite books read last month?
Recap of February Books Read
I really enjoyed so many books in February!! Here's a recap of them:
- The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang � A story of two women from different classes in 1800s China and was so good, I read it in two days
- Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez � a brave young nurse who speaks out for those who don’t have a voice in this power story (inspired by true events)
- Isola by Allegra Goodman � a riveting historical fiction about a young woman whose guardian abandons her on an island with her lover (inspired by true events)
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware � A fast-paced thriller about a woman who suddenly goes overboard on a luxury cruise even though all passengers appear accounted for.
- Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (wonderfully narrated by Caroline Lee) � about nine strangers who go to a health spa with some unexpected and questionable practices � such a great listen!
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (narrated by her as well) an inspiring nonfiction about how to let go of the things you can’t control and concentrate on the things you can.
- The Measure by Nikki Erlick (narrated by the immensely talented Julia Whalen) � a fascinating story of how the world changes when people receive strings that tell them how long they will live for.
- Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (with great narration by Stephanie Racine) � a thriller with a twisty past about a woman who is in a coma with a mystery to solve as memories of the days leading up to the accident slowly emerge amid a turbulent past.
- ARC of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton � such a fabulous book about books in this upcoming historical fiction told in three timelines about a book that connects them all in this delightful story that shares the importance of books and reading.
- Maame by Jessica George (fabulous narration by Heather Agyepong) � a wonderful coming-of-age story, told through an unfiltered lense. This was such a moving book and I was cheering Maddie on through the whole story.
What were some of your favorite books read in February?
- The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang � A story of two women from different classes in 1800s China and was so good, I read it in two days
- Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez � a brave young nurse who speaks out for those who don’t have a voice in this power story (inspired by true events)
- Isola by Allegra Goodman � a riveting historical fiction about a young woman whose guardian abandons her on an island with her lover (inspired by true events)
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware � A fast-paced thriller about a woman who suddenly goes overboard on a luxury cruise even though all passengers appear accounted for.
- Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (wonderfully narrated by Caroline Lee) � about nine strangers who go to a health spa with some unexpected and questionable practices � such a great listen!
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (narrated by her as well) an inspiring nonfiction about how to let go of the things you can’t control and concentrate on the things you can.
- The Measure by Nikki Erlick (narrated by the immensely talented Julia Whalen) � a fascinating story of how the world changes when people receive strings that tell them how long they will live for.
- Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (with great narration by Stephanie Racine) � a thriller with a twisty past about a woman who is in a coma with a mystery to solve as memories of the days leading up to the accident slowly emerge amid a turbulent past.
- ARC of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton � such a fabulous book about books in this upcoming historical fiction told in three timelines about a book that connects them all in this delightful story that shares the importance of books and reading.
- Maame by Jessica George (fabulous narration by Heather Agyepong) � a wonderful coming-of-age story, told through an unfiltered lense. This was such a moving book and I was cheering Maddie on through the whole story.
What were some of your favorite books read in February?
March Reading Wrap-Up
March was a great month for books, especially audiobooks with all the driving I did! Here’s a little about each book:
-The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn � I listened to this classic, masterfully narrated by Elijah Wood, to have more context for James
-James by Percival Everett � The story of Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one that needed telling and was written to perfection
-Madwoman by Chelsea Baker � A woman’s picture perfect life unravels when the mother she thought was dead reemerges in her life
-The Garden by Nick Newman � An interesting dystopian about two elderly sisters whose lives are upended when a stranger shows up in their garden.
-ARC of The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurzman - a beautifully written and moving dual timeline set in the aftermath of WWII, inspired by the author’s family.
-The Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami � a terrifying look at what can happen if dreams are monitored and taken seriously and bureaucracy detains people for longer than needed.
-Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix � a wild ride of a book about pregnant young women whose cruel caretakers are in for some trouble when the girls find a book on witchcraft.
-Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt � A nonfiction that peels back the layers of Savannah’s residents in a way that is both fascinating and juicy - Lady Chablis was the true star of this book
-On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnen � The seven deadly sins in how they apply to women in history and in a contemporary setting
-Funny Story by Emily Henry � A fun, adorable romance about roommates who live together when their fiances leave them for each other.
-Starling House by Alex E. Harrow - a dark fairy tale for grown-ups with a gothic edge.
-The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo � a lushly written story in medieval Italy where a scullery maid possesses magical abilities that open to door to innumerable dangers�
What were some of your favorite March reads?
-The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn � I listened to this classic, masterfully narrated by Elijah Wood, to have more context for James
-James by Percival Everett � The story of Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one that needed telling and was written to perfection
-Madwoman by Chelsea Baker � A woman’s picture perfect life unravels when the mother she thought was dead reemerges in her life
-The Garden by Nick Newman � An interesting dystopian about two elderly sisters whose lives are upended when a stranger shows up in their garden.
-ARC of The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurzman - a beautifully written and moving dual timeline set in the aftermath of WWII, inspired by the author’s family.
-The Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami � a terrifying look at what can happen if dreams are monitored and taken seriously and bureaucracy detains people for longer than needed.
-Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix � a wild ride of a book about pregnant young women whose cruel caretakers are in for some trouble when the girls find a book on witchcraft.
-Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt � A nonfiction that peels back the layers of Savannah’s residents in a way that is both fascinating and juicy - Lady Chablis was the true star of this book
-On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnen � The seven deadly sins in how they apply to women in history and in a contemporary setting
-Funny Story by Emily Henry � A fun, adorable romance about roommates who live together when their fiances leave them for each other.
-Starling House by Alex E. Harrow - a dark fairy tale for grown-ups with a gothic edge.
-The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo � a lushly written story in medieval Italy where a scullery maid possesses magical abilities that open to door to innumerable dangers�
What were some of your favorite March reads?
