For various reasons, I’m writing this up relatively early – closer to the middle of July than the end. It’s partly because of some upcoming stuff that’s going to take me away from my laptop and this blog for a few days, so I’m getting as much done ‘in advance’ as I can.
I actually really haven’t managed to get through many books recently, and I’ve gone from being ahead by 5 books to 3, so my speed has slowed down. Hopefully I can pick it up again in August!
2025 Reading Challenges
Update #1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #5 / #6
Goal: 43/70 (+4)
Musicals Reading Challenge 2025
8/24 (+1) Prompts Completed
Read
Phantom of the Opera – Angel of Music – Toxic relationships
I finished Daisy Jones & The Six. My review is now out, but fair warning, I was left really unimpressed by this. Still, I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.
Books to Read: Tell Me I’m Worthless, This Cursed House, Black Victorians: Hidden in History
2025 TV Shows Reading Challenge
7/12 (+1) Prompts Completed
Read
SENSE8 – A book featuring a LGBTQ+ character
I finished The Stars Too Fondly, and absolutely loved it! It’s honestly a great sapphic space opera rom-com, and every second was a delight.
Books to Read: Blob, Kiss Across Time, A Hunger Like No Other
Be Curious – Non-Fiction Challenge 2025
8/12 (+2) Prompts Completed
Read
Biography – The retelling of the lives of other people
The Early Life of Walt Disney was really interesting, and it’s an absolutely fascinating insight into not just Walt’s life, but his family’s. Through Kiste’s engaging writing, we get to know Walt’s parents, siblings, and the man himself, and follow him through from childhood until the moment he created the oh-so-famous mouse.
History – All about things long gone
I was really keen to read this one, and though I have a few really minor issues with it, I still found it a fascinating, worthwhile read.
Books to Read: ADHD Unpacked, Invisible Women, Alien Earths
Romance Readers Diversity Challenge 2025
7/12 (0) Prompts Completed
Currently Reading
A sapphic romance
I’m still on Written in the Stars as my audiobook, and admittedly I’m struggling through it. It’s not overly long, but I’ve found the pace and narration to be a little slow, so I’m now listening to it on a slightly faster speed. Hoping to finish this one soon!
Books to Read: Match Me If You Can, The Mercury In Me, The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet
2025 SFF Title Challenge
6/16 (0) Prompts Completed
Currently Reading
hunting/hunters
No progress on this challenge over the last month, but I have now started the Star Wars novel, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. I’m only a tiny way into it, but it’s fairly enjoyable so far!
Books to Read: The Forest of Stars, Space Army Recruits, Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire
Netflix Movies & TV Shows
15/24 (+1) Prompts Completed
Read
Julie and the Phantoms – has a band/musicians
And some progress made on this challenge, thanks to using the same book! I’d had Daisy Jones & The Six on this challenge since I originally started doing it, so it’s nice to get some of this list whittled down!
Books to Read: So You Want to Talk About Race, All That Remains, A Discovery of Witches
So, not the best of months, but like I said I am a touch early with this one! Hopefully I’ll still manage to finish a couple of books before the end of July, and the numbers should even out a touch if I manage to keep as up to date with the blog as I’m doing at the moment.
Unwrapping Words 