Reading Challenges – Page 52 – What Cathy Read Next…

The start of a new year means it’s time to sign up for some reading challenges. I’ve decided to take part again in the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader. As well as indulging my love of historical fiction, I like sharing reviews and recommendations with other fans of the genre every month. And Marg also compiles fascinating statistics about the books read by participants each month.

You can find full details of the 2025 challenge here, including where to post your reviews each month, but the main idea is to choose one of six different reading levels to aim for:

20th Century Reader – 2 books
Victorian Reader – 5 books
Renaissance Reader – 10 books
Medieval – 15 books
Ancient History – 25 books
Prehistoric – 50+ books

I read over 60 historical fiction novels in 2024 which makes me officially ‘Prehistoric’. Given historical fiction is my favourite genre, I’m going to aim for Prehistoric level again in 2025. I already have my eye on some of the books in my TBR pile (see below). If you enjoy historical fiction or would just like to read more of the genre, why not join me and sign up?

The What’s In A Name Challenge is being hosted again for 2025 by Andrea at Carolina Book Nook. Despite having narrowly failed to complete the challenge last year, I’m going to join in again.

The challenge runs from 1st January to 31st December 2025. You can sign up at any time but can only count books you read between those dates. Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits into each category. (Andrea has provided some examples for each category on the challenge sign-up page.) You can’t use the same book for more than one category but creativity in matching the categories is not only allowed, it’s encouraged! You can choose your books as you go or make a list ahead of time.

Links from the title will take you to my review.

Cardinal Direction (i.e. North, South, East or West) – Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Wanderlust – Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

First & last name – The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay by Flora Johnston

Alliteration – Venetian Vespers by John Banville

Deity – Odin’s Game by Tim Hodkinson

Crime – A Gentleman’s Murder by Christopher Huang