Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2025 Read Harder Challenge

2025: Still Astonished

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Jess and Trisha talk about lists and roundups that closed out 2024, as well as their favorite backlist reads of the last year.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. To get recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. All Access subscribers get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. You can become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year to get unlimited access to all members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies of knowing you are supporting independent media. To join, visit bookriot.com/readharder.

Books Discussed

Rifts and Refrains by Tiye and Keisha Mennefee

Just Playing House by Farah Heron

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson

Fly with Me by Andie Burke

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter

Love in Color by Bolu Babalola

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

Amor, Actually by Adriana Herrara et al

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (publishing 1/21/25)

Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer (publishing 1/7/25)

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).