Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson

I read and completed reading on Monday, January 202, 2025 as part of the Extra Reading Challenge #3 "Never Have I Ever" by Joshlyn Jackson. Ms Jackson was at the Library in August 2024 as part of the ending program from Summer Reading. I finally got a chance to read the book, and I couldn't put it down. I was captivated by her at the program and captivated by the novel. I felt as if I was an eye witness to the story she told, especially the underwater scuba scenes. I great read looking forward to reading another novel by Ms. Jackson.
 
 

Different Seasons
by Stephen King

Challenge: Read a book of short stories. This book meets the challenge by being a collection of five iconic stories written by King. This is great for anyone who says they do not like horror. Over time all of these stories have become iconic and they all could earn 5 stars on their own.
 
 

Just for the Summer
by Abby Jimenez

Challenge: Real a book that was on a best of 2024 list. This book was on Amazon's Best Books of 2024 list. This was a great romantic comedy even though it dealt with some serious mental health issues. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
 
 

Long Island
by Colm Tóibín

The challenge was to read a book on a best of 2024 list. Long Island was on Time Magazine’s best books of 2024.
 
 

Just For The Summer
by Abby Jimenez

January's Reading Challenge was to read a book listed as a top read in 2024. "Just for the Summer "was a 2024 GMA Book Club pick and a Nominee for both the Favorite Romance Book of 2024 and favorite Audiobook 2024 and received a 2024 Good Reads Choice Award. This book is a Rom Com with some serious themes built in. Besides the usual "sexual" tension throughout the book, Abby Jimenez deals with mental health problems, childhood trauma issues and a host of other contemporary problems ... in a deep, touching yet lighthearted kind of way. For me, it was just what the doctor ordered... I'm a slow reader and it took me only 3 days because I couldn't put it down.... This book warmed my heart on these cold days!
 
 

By Any Other Name
by Jodi Picoult

Challenge read a book that was on a best seller list in 2024. On the New York Times Best Seller List
 
 

The Sequel
by Jean Hanff Korelitz

JANUARY 2025 challenge - Read a Best Seller 2024 list - NY Times Best Seller List Not a promising start to the new year a year long reading program on a positive note. Over written, boring at parts that made no sense even when it came to the ending and there were so many endings and far two many plot twists - The basic plot kept sounding familiar as if I have read this before only better which I think even the author knows the basic plot was done before that she just kept adding endings without being original just ridiculous.
 
 

The God Of The Woods
by Liz Moore

Challenge: Read a book that was on a best of 2024 list. This book was on the New York Times Best Books of 2024 List. This is such an incredible read. This is very much in line with the type of novels I usually read. Past and present timelines intersecting, multiple perspectives crossing each other's paths, and a couple of mysteries to solve. One of the best things about this one is the ending. I will not spoil anything, but these types of stories often have endings that are not so black and white, and feel half complete. But this ending was so satisfying, and made the whole book come together.
 
 

Martyr!
by Kaveh Akbar

This book is meeting the January challenge to find a book on a 2024 top book list. The book meets the challenge because it was on the Time Magazine's 100 Must Read Books of 2024. Can I add more stars? A magnificent journey with Cyrus Shams and his family and friends. Kaveh Akbar writes like a dream even when dreams and reality are carefully examined from the perspective of Cyrus and all the other characters. Whole chapters dedicated to his dad, his mom, his uncle and others from their point of view. All in the quest of living a whole, real life and what it means to be a martyr in the most organic sense.
 
 

Under the Misltoe
by Mary Balogh

This was a collection of Christmas stories that really did not live up to her other novels.