If you hang out here at BBB, you know I love me a reading challenge. Every year, I take on too many and end up finishing only some of them. No matter. I just enjoy the chance to add a little fun and variety to my reading life. I've had a good time with my challenges this year, so I'm going to do another batch of them this year. 

Before I dish about my 2025 challenge picks, I just want to remind you of the Bookish Books Reading Challenge, which I've hosted for two years now. It's a no-pressure, laidback challenge where you simply read books with bookish themes. Easy cheesy. If you're interested in signing up for 2025, here's all the info:

I'm not the most on-the-ball reading challenge host, but I enjoy hosting nonetheless. So much so that I decided to create a new challenge for next year. I hope you'll join me for the 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge. It's all about fulfilling prompts by finding certain items on the covers of the books you read. You can find all the deets below:

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In addition to the two challenges I'm hosting and a couple long-term ones from Goodreads that I've been working on, I'm planning to participate in these:

1. Popsugar Reading Challenge (hosted by Popsugar)—Since this yearly challenge often has very specific and difficult prompts, I've only actually completed it once in probably five years of doing it. Prompts can be changed out, but I'm too much of a purist for that! Ha ha. At any rate, I'll be back at it in 2025.

2. Literary Escapes Reading Challenge (hosted by Stacy @Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book)—One of my favorite annual challenges, this one requires reading a book set in each of the 50 U.S. states + Washington, D.C. Some of them are a real challenge to find year after year (*cough* North Dakota *cough*).

3. Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge (hosted by Stacy @Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book)—I enjoy cozy mysteries, especially as palate cleansers between darker, heavier reads. I've read 30 of them this year, so I think I'll join next year's challenge at the Famished level, which requires reading 26-51 cozies. Shouldn't be too hard. The challenge also includes a prompt-based mini-challenge that looks fun, so I'll do that too.

4. Historical Fiction Reading Challenge (hosted by Marg @The Intrepid Reader and Baker)—I read lots of historical fiction, so this one isn't really a challenge per se. Still, it's fun to keep track of the hist fic I read and to check out what other participants are enjoying. I'm joining at the Prehistoric level, which involves reading 50+ books. 

5. Booklist Queen Reading Challenge (hosted by Rachael @Booklist Queen)—This annual challenge is another of my favorites. It has 52 prompts that are generally pretty easy to check off. 

6. The 52 Club's Reading Challenge (hosted by The 52 Club)—As you can probably surmise, this yearly challenge also has 52 prompts to tackle. 

7. Build Your Library Reading Challenge (hosted by Emily @Build Your Library)—This annual challenge features 40 prompts, which revolve around a new theme each year. For 2025, it's "Read Banned Books."

8. Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge (hosted by Take a Walk Down Gregory Road)—This is a yearly mega challenge with A LOT of prompts (109, if you include the wildcards). You can join at various levels. The prompts for 2025 have not been announced yet, but I'll planning on completing all of them since I'm just an overachiever that way!

9. Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge (hosted by Rick @The Mystillery)—Another challenge I do every year, this one isn't really a challenge either since I read so many mystery/thriller books anyway. Still, it's fun, in a macabre way. For this challenge, you get to play M.E. and count up the deaths in the mystery/thriller novels you read. You're vying against other challenge participants to distribute the most toe tags during the year. I've never even gotten close to the Number 1 spot, which makes me feel a *little* better about my murder mystery loving self!

10. Marathon Reading Challenge (hosted by Rick @The Mystillery)—This challenge by the same host also involves reading mysteries. When you finish a mystery/thriller, you simply record how many pages were in the book. This number becomes your step count as you race toward the finish line! It's a simple challenge that pairs perfectly with the Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge. 

11. Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Emily @Goodreads)—Another 52-prompt reading challenge. I can't get enough of them!

12. Mount TBR Reading Challenge (hosted by Bev @My Reader's Block)—This challenge is about reducing the number of books on our TBR piles by reading from the stacks we already own. I was too ambitious this year, so for 2025 I'm going to join at the Mt. Ararat level, which requires reading 48+ of your own books. I'm going to limit myself to physical books because that's what I really need to clear off.

13. Reading Challenge Addict Challenge (hosted by Bev @My Reader's Block)—I'm not sure why, but I haven't done this challenge in years. It has to do with, what else, reading challenges! Since we all know I'm addicted to them, I'm going to join in with this challenge at the In Flight level, which requires joining and completing 11-15 challenges. 

Thirteen challenges is a lot, although not all of them are really challenging. Still, we'll see how I do. What about you? Are you into reading challenges? Which ones will you be joining in 2025?

I love me a reading challenge and I especially love me a prompt-based challenge, so I decided to take a stab at creating my own. I've enjoyed searching out certain types of book covers this year for various challenges, which is why this challenge is focused on that. Each of the 50 prompts below include an element to look for on the covers of the books you read. Most of them are pretty general, I think. At any rate, I'm excited to take them on. How about you? Do you want to join me for the 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge? 

Here how it will work:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

2. Since this isn't a competition and we're just playing for fun, not prizes or even acclaim, books of any length count (as long as they fit one of the prompts). All genres and formats are allowed. 

3. Don't overthink or stress out about the prompts. If a book fits-ish a prompt, that's totally fine, but a book should only be used once (unless you're going rogue and just doing things your own way). I'm all about being flexible and laidback!

4. 50 prompts can be overwhelming, so let's break it down:

Level One: 1-10 books

Level Two: 11-20 books

Level Three: 21-30 books

Level Four: 31-40 books

Level Five: 41-50 books

You can sign up at any level you'd like and even change levels mid-challenge if you need to.

5. Reviews aren't required, but I always like to get suggestions for prompts and for good reads. I will publish a challenge post at the beginning of each month with a form for review links. If you post one, I promise to come give it some love.

Easy peasy, right? 

Here are the prompts... 

Read a book with a cover that includes:

1. your favorite color

2. headwear of some kind (hat, helmet, yarmulke, hijab, etc.)

3. a mode of transportation

4. bookish elements

5. an author that has a common name spelled in an uncommon way (i.e. Stephenie Meyer, Kelley Armstrong, etc.)

6. an illustrated scene

7. a design that is in desperate need of a makeover

8. a wintry scene

9. a summery scene

10. food

11. a skeleton, bones, or a skull and crossbones

12. floral elements

13. sports equipment

14. a title and/or scene that makes you laugh

15. something you might see in a hospital (medicine bottles, IV stand, stethoscope, doctor, etc.)

16. someone wearing period clothing

17. a famous structure or landmark (man-made or natural)

18. a frame-worthy design

19. at least one person of color (POC)

20. someone partly or fully submerged in water

21. a lighted window

22. a bird

23. a futuristic scene

24. a weapon

25. the name of and/or a depiction of a famous person

26. a number in the title or design (numeral or spelled out)

27. a backpack or piece of luggage

28. the words "light" and/or "dark" in the title

29. a foggy/stormy scene

30. a television or movie screen

31. no people

32. an object that is broken

33. a silhouette or shadow

34. a piece of jewelry

35. a sunrise or sunset

36. a cityscape

37. an aquatic animal

38. a light source tha can be held in the hand (flashlight, torch, lantern, etc.)

39. the name of one of the four seasons in the title, design, or author's name

40. a depiction of something that has been spilled (milk, paint, blood, etc.)

41. eyewear of some kind (sunglasses, goggles, eyepatch, etc.)

42. a spooky scene

43. something you might find in a child's bedroom (teddy bear, nightlight, crib, etc.)

44. a key and/or a keyhole

45. a real, historical photograph

46. a proper noun in the title or design

47. something that is plaid

48. outdated technology (typewriter, film camera, rotary telephone, etc.)

49. the name of a month in the title, design, or author's name

50. a flag, pennant, or banner

If you'd like a printable version of the prompts, here you are:

Thanks to everyone who has participated in the 2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge. I hope you've had fun with it! It's been a joy to have you all along for the ride and to get bookish recs from you. I've been slacking on visiting and commenting on your reviews, but don't worry, I'll catch up before the end of the year. Keep linking up your reviews. (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a total hypocrite since I haven't written many of my own this year. Oops! I'm going to try to be more on top of things in 2025.)

In spite of being a slacker host, I'm having fun hosting this challenge, so I'm bringing it back for 2025. The rules are the same as they've always been. I hope you'll join me for this no pressure, totally chill reading challenge. Spread the word to your bookish, bloggish friends. The more, the merrier. 

Toe in the Door: 1-10 books read

Picking and Perusing: 11-20 books read

Lost in the Stacks: 21-30 books read

Living in the Library: 30+ books read

I'm an overachiever, so I'm aiming for the Living in the Library level again this year. 

Reviews aren't required, but they're always nice. I, for one, am perpetually on the lookout for more bookish books and reviews help me to know which are worth the read. So, I'll put a monthly linky up so we can all see what we're reading for the challenge. 

You don't have to have a blog to participate, but it's helpful to keep a list of books read for the challenge somewhere. Mine will be listed under the "Reading Challenges" tab here at BBB.

If you need ideas for the challenge, I've started a Goodreads list to help. I'm sure there are others there with a similar theme. 

The challenge will run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. You can sign up any time during the year, starting now, but only books finished after the starting date count for that year's challenge.

Challenges are more fun with friends, so please join me. Feel free to grab the challenge button, post about the challenge on your blog, and help me spread the word.

Please use the linky below to sign up for the challenge. Create a post on your blog or on social media announcing that you are participating in the challenge, then use that link to sign up using the linky widget

One thing I'm not behind in is meeting my goals for the 2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge. I vowed to read 30+ bookish books and I'm currently at 42. Huzzah! How are you doing with your challenge goals?

November was an especially bookish books-y month for me. I managed to read ten of them. My favorites were the Benjamin Stevenson ones. His books are clever and funny. They make me laugh every time. 

Here are my bookish November reads in the order I read them:

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales by Wendy S. Swore—This middle-grade novel is about two kids, one with narcolepsy and one with Type 1 diabetes. It's not really about books, but the diabetic main character loves to read. She's especially fond of fairy tales and fantasy novels.

The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole—Another MG story, this one takes place in a future where paper is a scarce and very valuable commodity. When Juni, who scavenges for any kind of scraps that will earn her money to help pay for her grandfather's medical care, discovers a real book—the first one she's ever seen—she can't wait to sell it for profit. That is until she realizes the priceless secret it contains...

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander—In this series debut, Annie Murray cooks up the idea of hosting a mystery-themed book festival to bring in funds to save the struggling bookshop where she works. She's stunned when a group of her college classmates randomly shows up for the event and shocked when one of them winds up dead. Using all the know-how she's gained from reading mystery novels, she sets out to solve the murder.

The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion by Ann Bausum—This picture book, aimed at MG readers, is about exactly what it says it's about. Ha! Imagine that.

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander—The second installment in the Annie Murray series, this one has the bookseller co-hosting a film festival complete with a movie premiere. With a host of dramatic, egotistical Hollywood types in town, it's not really that much of a surprise when a murder occurs. Once again, Annie is on the case.

The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase—This mystery is about two kids who are never quite the same after their mother leaves home one day and never returns. As they deal with the fallout of their only parent's secret life, they find themselves in even more trouble. Decades later, when a new owner buys their childhood home and starts digging up the basement, one of the kids—now a romance novelist—panics, knowing that their shocking family secrets are about to be unearthed...

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson—After Ernest Cunningham unmasked a serial killer and wrote a popular book about it (titled Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, naturally), he is invited to attend a mystery writers' retreat aboard a luxury train. With a variety of personalities aboard, it's not long before tempers start to simmer and boil over. When an author is found dead, it's up to Ernie to investigate. Well, technically, it's the police's job, but Ernie can't resist using his vast wisdom and experience to assist the authorities, whether they want his aid or not. (They don't.)

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson—Ernie Cunningham doesn't go seeking murders to write about, but they somehow keep finding him. In this short novel (long novella?), his ex-wife calls him after she's accused of murdering her wealthy, famous boyfriend. As Ernie pokes around in the dead man's business, he discovers that (thankfully) his ex wasn't the only one with motive, means, and opportunity.

Booked For Murder by P.J. Nelson—When her beloved aunt passes away, actress Madeline Brimley finds herself the new owner of The Old Juniper Bookstore. Although she, herself, isn't sure what to think about her inheritance, it becomes obvious that someone in town isn't happy about it. First, someone sets fire to her gazebo. Then, there are threatening phone calls. Now, there's been a murder. To clear her name, Madeline must find out whodunit. 

As for December, the only bookish book I plan to read is A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd. It's a murder mystery featuring one of Romeo and Juliet's daughters as an amateur detective. It sounds like a super fun read. 

I hope you've had a good time with the Bookish Books Reading Challenge this year. I sure have! I will be hosting it again next year and I certainly hope you'll sign up to participate again. I'll make an official sign-up post soon.

If you are participating in the 2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your December reviews. 

Side note: I only watched the first ten minutes or so of the Netflix version of My Plain Jane, but that's all it took to show me that the television show is much raunchier than the book, which is PG-rated (at least as far as I remember).

2. Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity by Elizabeth C. Bunce—This installment is the latest in another of my favorite children's series. It stars Myrtle Hardcastle, a brilliant young woman in Victorian England who has an "unnatural" obsession with murder and forensics. She solves crimes with the help of her governess and assorted others. This particular book is set on a Scottish island, where Myrtle's governess has just inherited a crumbling castle. It doesn't take long for our heroine to find herself on the hunt for a missing brooch and a murderer.

3. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson—Even though I like Sanderson, I likely wouldn't have read this YA fantasy if it hadn't been for book club. That would have been a shame, too, because this novel is a gem. It's an action/adventure/pirate story about a young woman who sets sail in search of her missing best friend and finds herself along the way.

4. The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly—This YA novel stars Michael, a 12-year-old boy with severe anxiety, especially with the threat of Y2K looming before him. When he meets Ridge, a confident teen who seems to have no worries at all, Michael is fascinated—and that's before Ridge announces that he's the world's first time traveler. Ridge even has a special book all about the future, a book that could assuage all of Michael's worries, if only he could get his hands on it. 

The plot sounds kind of weird, I know, but this book features some warm, wonderful characters and imparts important lessons about being present in the now instead of obsessing over what the future might bring.

5. Artifice by Sharon Cameron—Isa de Smit was raised in her father's Amsterdam art gallery, a home filled with life, color, and vibrancy. Now that the Nazis have taken over the city, everything has changed. Isa's struggling to hold on to her beloved gallery while her best friend is risking his life by working with the Dutch resistance to smuggle Jewish babies out of the city. He needs money for his important work and Isa has a way to get it. By selling the Nazis the forgeries her father made of famous paintings, she can help the resistance and save her gallery. If she gets caught? She will lose everything, including her life. 

If you like historical fiction, I also highly recommend Cameron's Bluebird. I liked it even better than Artifice.  

6. One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome—This middle grade verse novel takes on a unique subject: the Black homesteader movement. It features three women pioneers headed for an unknown future in the Nebraska wilderness. The story is poignant and powerful. 

7. Dust by Dusti Bowling—Another MG read, this one is about a girl with severe asthma who becomes obsessed with the mysterious new boy at her school. Adam is sullen and angry, with no desire to interact with anyone. Considering that dust devils seem to swarm around the kid, Avalyn really should stay away from him. But she can't. She's determined to get to the bottom of Adam's heavy emotions, whether he likes it or not—and whether it's safe for her or not.

8. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier—When I volunteered at my daughter's elementary school library a few years back, this graphic novel series was wildly popular. I finally picked up this series opener and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a quick read that's chock full of action, humor, and heart. I can't wait to read the sequels.

9. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett—I don't remember if I read this classic as a child or not, but I loved it as an adult. It's a sweet, wholesome riches-to-rags story about the importance of kindness, humility, and fortitude.

10. Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine—Even though it deals with the still-raw subject of COVID, I enjoyed this hopeful MG novel about working together to get through hard times. The author grew up in Wuhan, so the setting feels especially authentic. 

There you go, ten of my favorite children's books that I read in 2024. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What are you grateful for today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!