Showing posts with label 2025. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2025. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge


I usually only join in the Goodreads Reading Challenge but I saw the 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge hosted by Susan at Bloggin' 'Bout Books and couldn't resist!  I'll admit that the cover is usually the first thing that intrigues me about a book so I think it will be lots of fun!

(Many thanks to Cindy's Book Corner for sharing the Challenge!)

Here's 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 laid back!

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.

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 that 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


I'm hoping this challenge will encourage me to read and not be a stressor so I'm going to stick to "LEVEL One" for now and strive for 1-10 books that fit the prompts.


Bookishly yours,


Colletta

Friday, January 3, 2025

Happy New Year and 2025 Goals ~ 1/3/2025


First of all, I can't even believe that I'm typing 2-0-2-5!  Where have the years gone?  Time is truly flying which is proven by the fact that I'm just now getting time to sit down and think about some goals for the year.

Better get to it while I have a few free minutes!

1.  Daily Devotional Time ~ Spending some time each day with the LORD is something I've been striving to do for many years.  I don't always succeed.  In fact, I feel like a failure sometimes.  I'm going to give myself some grace and do my very best to be persistent and consistent.  My study plan is based on 5 days a week with 2 days to "catch-up" if needed.  I am hopeful that I can complete the study by the end of 2025!

2.  Weigh Myself Daily ~ Every year I make plans to  exercise and lose weight.  In 2025, my goal is to just weigh myself daily and mark it in my planner.  I'm hoping that being mindful of my weight will inspire me to try to be healthier.

3.  Blog Weekly ~ I remember, back in the day, when I would publish multiple posts a DAY here on my blog.  Now I struggle to post once a week!  I'm going to accept that only posting once a week is OK for where I am in my life right now.  Most likely I'll focus on writing a Happy Homemaker Monday post each week.  More than that will just be a bonus :)

4.  Read 26 Books ~ I ended up reading a total of 20 books in 2024 so I was 6 books shy of my 2024 Goodreads Goal.  Once again, I'm setting my goal at 26 books for the year.  I'm not really going to stress over this goal.  In fact, my goal is to read for pleasure and not force my reading time.

5.  Be Creative ~ Whether this be crochet, sewing, or some new-to-me craftiness, I just want to be creative.  

6.  CELEBRATE! ~ We've got some major milestones coming up in 2025!  In February, Laken turns 18 years old and then graduates High School in May!  June 20th will be my parents' 50th Anniversary and September 17th will be our 25th Anniversary.  I'm sure there will be lots of other great things to celebrate in 2025 as well :)

7. THRIVE ~ Ultimately, in 2025, I want to do more than survive.  I want to THRIVE!

Seven goals for the New Year seems like a good number for now.  I think I'll stop there before I overwhelm myself!

Did you set any goals for 2025?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments :)

Colletta