Books #33

[wishiniwasskinny]

Wow to those reading 100+ books. And 200+ books is unreal ! Wondering how you do it?! Is it listening too? So you can be doing things like commuting or cleaning or gym etc whilst listening?

I’ve read 34 books so far this year and I’m top 25% readers!

 

[ordinaryjelly]

I'm really invested in you reaching that 100k

I will keep you posted! I think I am going yo go for short books instead, just incase I end up with something dull.

The 350 ish pages of 25 Days will get added.

 

[twilightgarden]

Spoiler: 25 Days Day 23

Much more action in this chapter so it makes up for the previous meh ones.
I knew it wouldn’t be plain sailing if they got to the petrol station but how did the snowmobile man find them so quickly? Was he following them the whole time? Has he put a tracker on their clothes?
I’m not convinced he’s died in the fire. It seems too convenient if they all get rescued now and if that’s the ending it’s a bit of a damp squib.
Hoping we get a chapter from snow mobile’s POV or find out what his motive is.
Unless I’ve missed something the family tensions alluded to at the beginning of the book haven’t really been mentioned again. Did something significant happen before the trip and is it relevant to the story?

 

[Blueblue123]

Spoiler: 25 Days Day 23

Much more action in this chapter so it makes up for the previous meh ones.
I knew it wouldn’t be plain sailing if they got to the petrol station but how did the snowmobile man find them so quickly? Was he following them the whole time? Has he put a tracker on their clothes?
I’m not convinced he’s died in the fire. It seems too convenient if they all get rescued now and if that’s the ending it’s a bit of a damp squib.
Hoping we get a chapter from snow mobile’s POV or find out what his motive is.
Unless I’ve missed something the family tensions alluded to at the beginning of the book haven’t really been mentioned again. Did something significant happen before the trip and is it relevant to the story?

Spoiler: 25 Days, Beth and Adam

Beth said something to Adam on day 21 (I think) about blaming him for things that happened before they went on the trip but we still don't know what went wrong

Spoiler: 25 Days, day 23

I just knew they'd run into snowmobile guy again. I bet he hid in the gas station knowing it would be the first sign of civilisation they saw. After all they've been through, I don't get why they trusted anyone they came across before. I would have risked dying to not go back to the gas station! Surely, they'd suspect everyone they crossed paths with getting to the cabin.

For a second I thought the storekeeper might be snowmobile guy but I guess not. It seems like help is on its way but I don't trust it. I feel like there's going to be another trap.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

@wishiniwasskinny I am in hospital and can more or less read a 350 page book in a day and a half if it has caught my interest. 100 pages in the morning, 100 pages over the afternoon, some before bed and the rest the following morning.

Spoiler: 25 Days, Day 23

I think we all predicted that snowmobile person would turn up. Adam was quick to think of the lighter and getting Abby to shoot. But have we seen the last of him? It would be too convenient if we have.

How long can Chloe hold on?

Will help come? Why did we meet the cleaner Miss Miller (?) in one of the first chapters for her to never be seen again?

How is this getting wrapped up in two more chapters? I think the next two will be just as action packed as this one.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

@wishiniwasskinny I am in hospital and can more or less read a 350 page book in a day and a half if it has caught my interest. 100 pages in the morning, 100 pages over the afternoon, some before bed and the rest the following morning.

Spoiler: 25 Days, Day 23

I think we all predicted that snowmobile person would turn up. Adam was quick to think of the lighter and getting Abby to shoot. But have we seen the last of him? It would be too convenient if we have.

How long can Chloe hold on?

Will help come? Why did we meet the cleaner Miss Miller (?) in one of the first chapters for her to never be seen again?

How is this getting wrapped up in two more chapters? I think the next two will be just as action packed as this one.

Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell! Books can be a great comfort in times of difficulty i find x

 

[aalmaalm]

Wow to those reading 100+ books. And 200+ books is unreal ! Wondering how you do it?! Is it listening too? So you can be doing things like commuting or cleaning or gym etc whilst listening?

I’ve read 34 books so far this year and I’m top 25% readers!

I’ve read 97 books this year. I read when I get a chance, always have my kindle with me. I can scroll aimlessly on my phone for hours on tik tok etc mainly when I’m laying in bed, so when I go to do that, I read instead. I work 3 days a week & I’m lucky in my job I can actually read from time to time when there isn’t much to do.

 

[StrawberryBanana90]

2024 READING ROUND UP - Thanks @Caffeine Fiend - I'm bored at work so will do this now

What is your favourite fiction read of this year? A tough one, but I think I'll have to go with Welcome to Glorious Tuga
The Grace Year and How High we go in the Dark come close though

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year? Cultish - Amanda Montell - I didn't actually read many non-fiction books this year, something I'd like to improve in 2025.

What is your favourite audio book of this year? Not really an audiobook consumer but I listened to Girls in Tears by JW as it was the only format I could get it in and I didn't hate it!

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it? Think Again by JW didn't really meet my expectations which was a shame! I could see the vision but I wouldn't say JW's writing is geared towards adults. A pleasant surprise was "The Country Will Bring us no Peace" - it's a weird one, I finished the book and thought I didn't like it but the more I sat with it, the more it stuck with me for some reason? I also surprised myself by enjoying a cheesy F1 romance, Before You

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading. Scrolling down my list on Storygraph, I think I had a good year! I started to rate them at the beginning of the year and then just fell off and can't really be bothered to go back and rate. I hit my goal of 55 so I'm happy! Any reading is good reading in my books

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released? I haven't personally pre-ordered any but I'm looking forward to the new Hunger Games book Sunrise on the Reaping. I'm hoping 2025 will be the year I finally get into more fantasy related books - I have Godkiller and The Will of the Many on my TBR which I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that. I neeeeed to get through my physical TBR, it's been sat there for way too long now. I think I'm going to plug them all into a random name generator and once a month I have to read at least one of them! I do like to put a quantity on because it's satisfying so I think I'll bump my 55 from this year up to 60!

Happy holidays everyone Wishing you all happy reading in 2025!

 

[GoofyPrincess]

Spoiler: Spoiler - Day 23

I enjoyed this chapter! I knew it wouldn’t be plain sailing when they got to the gas station. I’m dying to know who snow mobile man is and why he is doing this. Does he have some sort of connection to the family and or is he just a random madman maybe with a connection to the house or something so he was mad they were staying there and Bill rented it to them?!

Spoiler: Day 24 - kind of spoiler

I’ve not read day 24 yet but I see it’s a super short one (my kindle says 2 mins to read) so not much can happen/be explained. Which also makes me think snow mobile man is actually dead.

 

[emmer_moans]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - this book consumed my every thought for the week I was reading it. Why can't I have a dragon pal that I can talk to telepathically, please?!


What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

Well, considering I've only read one, it will have to be the Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken - it's certainly eye-opening and will be useful for my food consumption, going forward.


What is your favourite audio book of this year?

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? - Agatha Christie narrated by Emilia Fox. This one entertained me and opened up the rabbit hole of listening to audiobooks at work. Prior to 2024 I barely read a thing, it was a New Years Resolution in 2024 and I am now officially hooked on reading.


What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

Good surprise - The Marlow Murder Club - Robert Thorogood. I read it expecting it to be 'meh' but I wanted to see if it was anything like The Thursday Murder Club, but I actually loved it and prefer Judith Potts and her gang to the TMC lot, even though I love TMC too. I just 'vibed' with the author's writing.

Bad surprise - Mrs Dalloway, My Husband, and The Vanishing of Esme Lennox - all 3 books bored me and lost me - all 3 had a stream-of-consciousness vibe and I realise that I just don't enjoy that format. At points it was almost painful and I nearly DNF'd them. Especially Mrs Dalloway which everyone seems to think is wonderful, when I read the reviews. I just felt like I couldn't 'access' the author's ideas as well as I probably should because the lack of breaks and constant flicking between characters just doesn't work for me, and then I find myself not caring about the characters much. Maybe it's how my brain works. But at least now I know that for sure and can avoid such books in future.


If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

Average 3.5

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

I have pre-ordered Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
There's also books from Tom Hindle, Robert Thorogood, Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz that are on my wish-list that I will pre-order soon. All books in their murder mystery series'.


Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

I have a spreadsheet and I am aiming for 52 a year again, and between my bookshelf and my Kindle I have enough to cover that already ahahahahahaha, though of course people will keep releasing books and I will go 'oooooh shiny!'

My reading goal is 52, but I will focus more on continuing my random mix of genres to explore stories and try not to be too boxed in. This year I mixed audio, ebook and paper format and it worked for me depending on what I was doing, and also mixing genres has helped. Joining the Book Club thread around April 2024 also helped me read books I would never have picked up myself, and a few of them I really enjoyed. So I want to do more of this again in 2025.

 

[Eureka]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

Favourite fiction book: Home Stretch by Graham Norton.

Favourite non fiction: Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan. She is one of the most inspiring women I've ever read about.

Favourite audio book: Unprotected by Billy Porter. He is an incredible narrator and brought so much more to his story in his narration than I ever would have gotten from reading it

Surprises: I loved Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter, it had so many bad reviews I thought it would be a bit meh but I really enjoyed it.

Average boon score on Goodreads was 3.8 out of 5

Books for next year: Part 2 of Cher's autobiography and the new Lisa Jewell. Apart from that making a dent in my never ending TBR pile.

Target for next year: I read 76 this year so going for 80.

 

[anniemouse]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

Either Binding 13, Funny Story or Fourth Wing


What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennie McCarthy

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

The Sh!te Before Christmas by Serena Terry. Still listening to it but it’s light and funny

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

Bad - Sea of Tranquility Emily St John. I was expecting it to be a little more sci-fi, it was rather dull.

Good - Binding 13. I was expecting a Rugby/Twilight teenage angst but it was such a moving story.


If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

probably mostly 3-4 stars. I spent a lot of time reading Freida McFadden on Kindle Unlimited which in hindsight was probably a waste of time. Could’ve just read one and changed names and locations


Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros 21/01/25
The Sirens - Emilia Hart - 13/02/25
Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry 24/04/25
Don’t Let Him In - Lisa Jewell 03/07/25
Uncharmed - Lucy Jane Wood 18/09/25
The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker 07/10/25


Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that

Decrease TBR, try and hit 100 books on Goodreads Challenge. Some books I have queued:

Iron Flame
Cher
Seven Sisters
Beartown
in Memoriam
Remarkably Bright creatures
Finish Throne of glass series
When The Moon Hatched

 

[epl000]

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- Home Front by Kristin Hannah

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
-Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
- Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
- Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson was disappointing. The Long Shadow by Celia Fremlin was so tedious and slow, which was a shame as I loved the cover. In terms of surpassing expectations, Rob Rinder's novels the Trial and the Suspect, both great. Of a similar vein, Deadly Game by Michael Caine was good.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
- Average rating was 3.6 according to Goodreads - I have got less generous as the year has gone on, I think I'm getting pickier. Overall a good year though, at 121 overall and got an audiobook, 25 days, and another kindle book that are all nearly finished. Hopefully get some good reading time in once I break up from work tomorrow as we are off then until the new year.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
- No pre-orders yet, but quite looking forward to Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister. Also the paperback release of The Women by Kristin Hannah, as I've held off getting it so far as I'd like the physical book for my bookshelves as I have most of hers in paperback already. Onyx Storm too!

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
- I'll probably set my goal to 120 on Goodreads again as I did this year. Main goal really is to reduce the number of unread books on my physical bookshelf behind my desk. Also get some shelves built in to my office so I actually can have room to store all my books in an organised fashion.

Thanks for the prompts @Caffeine Fiend

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Favourite non fiction: Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan. She is one of the most inspiring women I've ever read about.

I read this this year and it moved me so much. Ever since I read it I think about parts of her story all the time. I think she is an amazing woman to overcome so much and shine like she does.

 

[Mamacita]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

My only five star was In Memoriam but i actually read ACOWAR and ACOFAS this year too which I loved, on reflection maybe they should've been five star!

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

Only read two non fiction this year. Educated if it counts as non fiction and Music Theory for Dummies I'll choose music theory as my favourite, I learned a lot


What is your favourite audio book of this year?

Probably the Deverill Chronicles series

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

No major surprises. Maybe when I was reading the will of the many and it was very slow at first, but ended up really loving it which I didn't expect.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

3.3 I'm not easily impressed, this is actually a good average for me. A good year

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

Haven't pre-ordered but waiting for onyx storm!

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

Just more than this year. I won't set myself an unachievable target as I have the past two years. As long as I'm reading a bit most days that's good. Less scrolling more reading!

 

[daisynoon]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
Hmm, maybe The Warm Hands of Ghosts - not necessarily the best book I read but definitely one I'm looking forward to returning to

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
Maurice and Maralyn, by default!

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
Probably You Are Here

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
Bad - I was disappointed by The Rom-Commers. I usually really like Katherine Center but they felt mismatched. Also The Ministry of Time.
Good - You Are Here. I didn't really expect to like it, but borrowed it from my library, and I loved it

If you rate books what was your average rating
3.7

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
Yes, the third Emily Wilde, Four Ruined Realms, The Legend of Meneka. I'm also looking forward to Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere, but haven't preordered.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead
I've set myself a list of 40 books which I'd like to have read before my next big birthday. It's still a couple of years away, so hopefully I'll manage it (though I only made it five books into my 24 for 2024 this year...)

 

[Boogs]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
Probably The House in the Cerulean Sea. It was such a beautiful book that touched me so much. I feel all warm just thinking about it.

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
I was shocked to realise I’ve only read a couple of non fiction books this year so not much to choose from. Probably Pete Wicks Never Enough. I never thought I’d read a book by someone off TOWIE (which I’ve never seen) but I’m a sucker for a bit of childhood trauma.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
I would say probably Prima Facie which was amazingly well done, Jodie Comer is extraordinary. The play is currently on National Theatre at Home until March is anyone wants to see it.
I also really liked Sweetpea as an audiobook. I would be driving in my car nodding along agreeing with her rant about something and she would then suddenly throw something horrific in which would make me gasp. I think I want to do the rest of the series on audiobook.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
Funny Story pleasantly surprised me. I usually read lots of dark thriller books and only got it as it was a 99p deal and I saw good reviews on here but I really enjoyed it. It made me think I should widen my reading genres.

I was slightly disappointed in the The Satsuma Complex. I had massively high expectations of Bob Mortimer and whilst I enjoyed it my expectations weren’t met.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
I’m quite tight with my ratings and had lots of 2s and 3s. It’s very rare for me to give a 5 but I did read a few 4’s.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
I’m not preordering anything when I have enough books on my TBR to probably keep me going for a few years!

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
I’m going to go through my huge TBR list and make a list of ones I will definitely read in 2025. I’ve never set a goal before but I may this year as I’ve lost my mojo a bit the last week or two as I’ve been sick/busy and then end up mindlessly scrolling.

 

[SaintLeo]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
In no particular order - In Memoriam, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Tom Lake, Preloved and special mention to Atlas: The Story Of Pa Salt (final Seven Sisters book) for wrapping the series up nicely!

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
Only 2 to pick from so not hard! It was Shakespeare, The Man Who Pays The Bills by Judi Dench. It wasn’t really what I was expecting - thought it would be more of a memoir but it was actually interesting to see Dame Jude’s take on Shakespeare I know quite well and learn about some I didn’t know at all.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
N/A! Audio is not the format for me!

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
Remarkably Bright Creatures. I thought it would be one of those that struggled to live up to the hype I’d seen but if anything it was even better!

On the flip side, The Marriage Portrait was one i had high hopes for and just found a bit meh!

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
I don’t rate but overall a good reading year. No really bad read, a couple that were maybe a bit disappointing but no DNFs and the good ones were really good!

Plus my highest ever total books read in a year - 60 (target was 50) thanks to a couple of beachy holidays at either end of the year and I completed my longest ever individual book, Les Miserables, over the course of a few months!

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
I’m probably the opposite of pre-orderer in that I’ll hang on for as long as possible before buying something to see if I can get it on a Kindle Deal! So no, nothing on pre-order but I’ll probably cave and by the new Emily Henry and TJR books when they come out.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
My annual target is always 50 which I’ve no plans to change. I did a StoryGraph pages goal for the first time this year, went for 23,000 and have ended up over 25,000 so might up that for 2025. It has definitely encouraged me to read longer books so want to carry on with that next year. The Count of Monte Cristo is top of the long book list!

I also have 100ish unread books on my Kindle so want to get that number right down and read what I already have rather than buying more. Not on a complete buying ban cos can’t resist those 99p Kindle bargains but the aim is to definitely be more mindful!

 

[Hannahebee]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
The Allotment Girls by Kate Thompson
The Desperate Brides Diet Club by Alison Sherlock
Death By a Cornish Cove by Fliss Chester
Girl in Red Velvet by Margaret James

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
Milton by Gillian Newsum
Road to the National by Rosemary Henderson

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
Don't listen to Audiobooks

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
Good Surprise- Bella's Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson as I read one of her previous books before and couldn't get into it but this I just loved as it was full of drama and surprising twists that I did not see coming. I also liked how the author made it feel as if you were part of the staff working at Bella's TV show and I just loved how everything wasn't at it seemed either.

Bad Surprise- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Milly Johnson as I found it to be very slow as nothing happened, none of the characters were that interesting apart from Charlie and Robin and I just felt it was predictable and repetitive as the same things kept being said.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
I would say that my average rating was around 3.5 as I enjoyed some books but some I just didn't enjoy at all.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
I haven't pre-ordered anything nor do I plan to buy many books next year for the simple reason that I have too many books on my bookshelf and I need to read some of them in order to make room for the other books that are scattered around my bedroom.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
I am planning to read the Shipyard Girls series by Nancy Revell for the 1st half of the year, but I haven't set myself a goal of how many books I am going to read as I am going to take each day as it comes.