Author Archives: rachelauthorbarnard

2025: AMC A-List and Alamo Pass – Watched and Recommended Movies for the Year

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Total cost paid for movies watched in 2025 in theatres: $844.30 ($332 in monthly subscriptions) … total value =$1,988
Favorite movie(s) of the year: Relay
Total movies watched in theatres 2025: 132 (19 Dolby, 4 Imax, 51 Alamo, 1 Cinemark, 1 Flix Brewhouse,  1 Japan Toho Cinemas, and 19 Screen Unseens)
Worst movie(s) of the year: Hurry Up Tomorrow

Movie Magic Moment: Movie Premiere of Novocaine

Favorite Movies of the Year (Letterboxd link here)

  1. Relay
  2. F1
  3. Eternity
  4. Rental Family
  5. Ella McCay
  6. Weapons
  7. Christy
  8. The Penguin Lessons
  9. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
  10. Elio
  11. The Roses
Worst Movies of the Year (Letterboxd link here)
  1. Hurry Up Tomorrow
  2. Keeper
  3. Anemone
  4. Until Dawn
  5. Flight Risk
  6. Die My Love
  7. The Toxic Avenger Unrated
  8. Marty Supreme
  9. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
  10. Hamnet
  11. Bone Lake
  12. Nickel Boys
  13. The Home
2025 movies I rated 4 stars on Letterboxd that didn’t make my top movies list:
  • Companion
  • The Brutalist
  • I’m Still Here
  • Novocaine
  • The Amateur
  • Lilo & Stitch
  • Thunderbolts*
  • Elio
  • Jurassic World Rebirth
  • Superman
  • Caught Stealing
  • Splitsville
  • Song Sung Blue
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash
2025 movies I rated 3.5 stars on Letterboxd:
  • Presence
  • A Complete Unknown
  • Captain America: Brave New World
  • My Dead Friend Zoe
  • Last Breath
  • Heart Eyes
  • Mickey 17
  • Drop
  • Final Destination Bloodlines
  • Karate Kid: Legends
  • Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
  • Sinners
  • The Accountant²
  • How to Train Your Dragon
  • The Life of Chuck
  • 40 Acres
  • The Phoenician Scheme
  • Friendship
  • M3GAN 2.0
  • Eddington
  • Oh, Hi
  • Together
  • The Nakend Gun
  • Freakier Friday
  • Honey Don’t!
  • Eleanor the Great
  • Dead of Winter
  • One Battle After Another
  • Good Fortune
  • Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
  • Frankenstein
  • TRON: Ares
  • Roofman
  • Predator: Badlands
  • Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
  • Zootopia 2
  • Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
  • Nuremberg
  • Wicked: For Good
Streamed movies I recommend that aren’t listed below, rated 3.5 stars or higher on Letterboxd:
  • Carry-On
  • The Beanie Bubble
  • Flow
  • Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
  • Your Monster
  • Manchester by the Sea

Movies watched in theatres as re-releases or Master Pancakes (live comedy commentary):

  • Lethal Weapon
  • Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
  • Wicked: Re-release
  • Avatar: The Way of Water
  • Master Pancake: Spectre
  • Master Pancake Ghostbusters
  • Master Pancake The Evil Dead
  • Master Pancake Donnie Darko Director’s Cut
  • Master Pancake The Beekeeper
  • Hanksgiving
  • Master Pancake Inferno
  • The Master Pancake Xmas Show
  • Back to the Future: 40th Anniversary Movie Party
  • Lady Snowblood

 

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2024 in theatres: $562.02… total value =$1,417.34
Favorite movie of the year: Fly Me to the Moon (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2023 in theatres: $453.74… total value =$1,315.26
Favorite movie of the year: Tetris and American Fiction (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2022 in theatres: $295.88… total value =$1,167.40
Favorite movie of the year: Everything Everywhere All At Once (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2021 in theatres: $253.55… total value =$1,019.57
Favorite movie of the year: CODA

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2020 in theatres and VOD: $112.7… total value =$327.34
Favorite movie of the year: Soul

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2019 in theatres: $278.15… total value = $1,281.67

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2018 in theatres: $297.42… total value = $839.45

Goals and Accomplishments from 2025 and Future Goals for 2026

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2026 Goals

2026: Describe what you want in 3 words: Balance, More, Less
2026: Describe yourself in 3 words: Busy, Behind, Creative
Theme for 2026: Balance

 

2025’s vision board reflection goes like this…

I went on my first work trip on the first full week of January and then went on a short work trip to our distributor in Georgia the following week!

I lost my English Wordle streak at the very beginning of the year 1/9 and again in July, but I am currently on day 160 (with my max streak at 173). January was a big month for us. We took a quick trip to Dallas the second week of the year because Jon wanted to go to Microcenter and also planned a date at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament! It was very much Disney for jousting, but it was different and fun and played up. We took that time in Dallas to go to a fun Canadian restaurant called the Maple Leaf Diner for a Maple Latte, Chicken & Waffles, and Poutine (see my review on Yelp here), among other fun stops.

We saw snow just before my birthday in Austin! We ended the month seeing Kumail Nanjiani live at the Paramount in Austin on 1/30 (Yes, he is still buff) and Hans Zimmer live at the Moody Center in Austin for the second time.

In February, I performed for the first time on my mini-lyra, and it was amazing! I was Snorlax, and the stage was set up in the middle of the audience so I could orbit to my heart’s content. It was super fun putting together the choreo and figuring out the costume. Everyone at the Jungle Movement Academy is so supportive, and I was very happy with how the piece turned out and how the performance went.

Jon and I traveled to Seattle for a quick trip so he and my dad could watch UFC live. I was able to go to my old dance studio, Ascendance in Renton, and take a class with one of my previous teachers. We did a Tomb Raider-themed escape room with family and friends, and we had a nice dinner with our ex-roomie and her mom. I was able to visit my grandparents. Jon and I went into Seattle for fun treats like Pie Bar and our favorite artisan pizza place, Delancey (we inadvertently played chicken on an uphill single-lane road in my dad’s van with some other idiot in a newer car who wouldn’t pull over). We also were able to hit up our anniversary dinner place in downtown Bellevue (Din Tai Fung).

One of the coolest surprises this year was going to see an “Early” screening for Novocaine at the Alamo and ending up at an actual premiere – we saw Jack Quaid! I spend a lot of time and mental space planning many different aspects of my life, so these happy surprises don’t have as many opportunities to come along. I don’t remember too much about the movie, but the flip in my brain from wow, it’s crowded, and they have some fun marketing stuff outside the theatre to OMG, this is a real event is something I’ll remember for a long time.

Jon and I spent the second weekend in March playing through the video game Split Fiction together.

This was the year for quick trips! Jon was invited to visit Apple HQ in California, and we made a meal out of this snack! We arrived in San Francisco on a Monday and spent 3 days there. I was able to visit one of my company’s customers to assist in a software update. I found my new favorite viral treat: The Cube Croissant. And we went into San Francisco via public transit to visit the city for an evening. We even took a trip in one of the driverless Waymos there.

We then took our rental car down to Anaheim to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that weekend. I love how plannable a Disney trip is, and we made the most of our trip. We went to most of our favorites: beignets at the Mint Julep Bar, Oga’s Cantina, Space Mountain, Rise of the Resistance, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Galaxy’s Edge, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more. We tried some new fun things: Pym’s Test Kitchen, a Cuban at Earl of Sandwich, Tiana’s Bayou (seated in the back, we didn’t get wet). It was great seeing the Avengers Campus (opened since the last time we went), seeing the new cast members, and seeing some of the shows.

Back home for a week, we went to a Mexico QC soccer game in Austin, and then I went back to Littleton, CO, for a work trip. I colored my hair in anticipation of our big Japan trip. My intention was to create a ‘walking’ cosplay (what I would call cosbounding) of Sabine from Star Wars, and instead of wearing a wig, I attempted to dye my hair to match one of Sabine’s many colorful styles. You can see my outfit in our Disney day trip pictures. You can read all about our epic Japan trip with Star Wars Celebration weekend on my blog here or my shorter summary here.

When we got back from Japan in early May, we started looking for good sushi in Austin in earnest. I’ve eaten so much sushi in the past 8 months! We tried out Endo Sushi, Miyo Yakitori & Sushi (5 stars), Aburi Oshi Sushi at a street festival (just okay), Tatsumi Sushi (4 stars), Uroko (wouldn’t recommend 3 stars), Craft Omakase (5 stars), Tsuke Edomae (best ever 5 stars), Bleu Bear Sushi (Dallas 4 stars), Sushi Warriors (5 stars for AYCE), Ichi Umi (4 stars), Umi Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet (some of the worst sushi I’ve ever had), Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori (5 stars).

I’ve been posting my reviews on Yelp and Google Maps and have gotten quite a few responses! I’m now in my 3rd year as a Yelp Elite. Some of my hits include:

  1. 11 Photos from my reviews were featured on 3/16/2025 for Selenite Studio in Littleton, 5/10/2025 for Hawaiian Bros Island Grill in Austin, 5/31/2025 for Bangkok Grill in Georgia, 6/11/2025 for Myōryūji Ninjadera in Japan, 6/21/2025 for DonutNV in Austin, 7/19/2025 for Mile Hig Mo’s in Austin, 8/6/2025 for Marion Crepes in Japan, 8/18/2025 for Lache Movement in Austin, 8/30/2025 for Sankalpa Pole Fitness in Colorado, 9/16/2025 for Austin Kolache & Koffee Shoppe and on 11/26/2025 for Apex Denver
  2. I received 22 comments from various establishments on Yelp and 33 comments from various establishments on Google Maps
  3. I posted 155 reviews on Yelp (427 lifetime) and 141 reviews on Google Maps this year
  4. I reached over 2 million views on my photos on Google Maps!
  5. I reached Yelp Elite All-Star status in October and November!

Jon and I went to see Moulin Rouge at Bass Concert Hall in Austin at the end of May, and we participated in Marvel trivia at Spare Time again (43/50 answered correctly to put us in 6th place). We checked out Foodieland at the Circuit of the Americas and had some very delicious foods (our favorite was the Dubai Chocolate cup, which was insanely delicious). I went to a grand opening for the new Salty Donut in the Domain and wanted to be their very first customer when they opened at 7AM. I arrived at 4:28AM (an hour before any of the employees and any other people showed up for the line). I was first!

In other miscellaneous accomplishments, I was able to snag Spanish Wordle-in-one and a record Mini Crossword solve in 25 seconds. I also participated in a Guinness World Record with local Texas YouTuber Ryan Trahan and his #joyridehour for “most photos of people holding candy posted to Instagram in 1 hour.”

I’ve now been taking pole and aerial classes for over 11 years! I wrote a reflection post on social media that was markedly different from my 2023 post.

I finished my second custom Baby Grogu art project. My first was “Darth Grogu,” and this second one is “Baby Ahsoka.” I have several more ideas for custom Grogu dolls. I can’t wait to put them together. Supplies I used are bottom left, and the original variation doll is on the right. I also finished a Longhorns Grogu and started paracord art, as well as a custom Van’s painted project. I’ve also continued to work on friendship bracelets that I gave away at Celebration in Japan, during a dance showcase, and plan to give out at D23 this upcoming year.

I added 70.5 more hours to my lifetime of volunteering this past year. As mentioned in the previous blog post, I trained for and helped out with Uprise Circus Outreaches. I was tasked with assisting with the Lyra, chatting with kids on the bleachers, assisting with the ladder to get up to the flying trapeze board, and setting up and tearing down during Outreach. I helped out with 2 Lache showcases, doing setup, teardown, and lights. I volunteered for the second year at the Greater Austin Comic Con, my second year with POP Cats, and my third year with the Austin Coffee Festival. The new festival I volunteered at was with the Shiba Pawrade! I’m now around ~864 lifetime volunteer hours.

Jon brought me to the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge and All-Star Game at the Q2 Stadium in Austin near the end of July. ishowspeed was there (we didn’t know who he was beforehand). It was so hot!

In August, Jon and I took a road trip up to Dallas to pick up his mom from the airport. We went to another top-ranked BBQ called Dayne’s Craft BBQ. Jon made us his own take on BBQ ribs. We went to the Barton Springs Pool for the first time. It was cold, and the water was dense – hard to swim. I didn’t spend much time in the water.

I took another quick 4-day trip to Colorado for work in August – assisting with an in-person supplier audit. While I was there, I checked out two new-to-me studios (Gravity Aerial Arts and Sankalpa).

My dad and his wife, Nancy, flew to San Antonio from Seattle, while Jon, Jon’s mom, and I drove down from Austin to go to UFC Noche together. We met up the day before in Seguin for Texas Monthly’s #1 BBQ spot as of July 2025: Burnt Bean Co! We also took advantage of a meet and greet with Paulo Costa and got pictures with him. UFC the next day was fun. My favorite was Bruce Buffer. On Sunday, we split up. Dad, Nancy, and I went to the Natural Bridge Caverns, the Witte Museum, and the Mission San Jose Catholic Church while Jon drove his mom back up to Austin. He flew back to pick me up in a private plane from the local Stinson Airport in San Antonio later that afternoon. It was the bumpiest ride from all the wind!

We checked out the pumpkin lights on the first day of October. It was pretty nifty.

Talking about a bunch of quick trips… Jon got tickets to go see Hugh Jackman (in New York!), So we planned ~48 hours of travel to NYC. I did a whole write-up on my blog about it here.

In December, I decided to commit to reviewing 10 books, performing for the second time that year, baking a cake, traveling to FL to see family, and finishing my custom Van’s shoe coloring project. Whew! I performed my Snorlax routine again, albeit a little bit differently this time. I used my modified music (Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO), added animal slippers, and modified the pillow I was putting inside my costume, as well as changing up the routine to suit the different space. I won a book contest and got some author swag from Marissa Meyer!

In total, I went on 5 work trips out of state and 7 personal trips this year (5 of which involved flying in a plane out of state with 1 international):

  1. 1/6 – 1/9 Littleton, CO for work
  2. 1/10-1/11 road trip to Dallas (for Microcenter and funsies)
  3. 1/12 – 1/13 Covington, GA for work
  4. 2/21 – 3/1 Seattle, WA for family (and Jon to see UFC with my dad)
  5. 3/10 – 3/16 San Francisco/Anaheim work for Jon and fun for me (and a little work for me)
  6. 3/23 – 3/28 Littleton, CO for work
  7. 4/16 – 5/4 Japan for international trip with Star Wars Celebration 2025
  8. 8/11 – 8/14 Littleton, CO for work
  9. 9/12 -9/14 roadtrip to San Antonio for UFC Noche (and private plane flying)
  10. 10/3 -10/5 NYC for Hugh Jackman show
  11. 11/10 – 11/14 Littleton, CO for work
  12. 12/20 – 12/22 Port Charlotte, FL for family Holiday

2025 specific goals:

  • Review every new restaurant/business that I go to on Yelp
    • I’m probably at 90% on this goal!
  • Practice cake baking and decorating – learn one new related skill
    • I didn’t jump on this until the end of the year, when I found a secondhand KitchenAid in my price range and made my first two-tier cake with French buttercream. It turned out really well with Amy’s family recipe and all my gathered baking tips and knowledge.
  • Maximize the use of my 2025 health benefits
    • I started strong with this one. I did a bunch of things in January, then got busy and didn’t bother for most of the year before picking back up and going to PT for various old injuries, figuring out how to use the mental health portion of my insurance in the fall, and getting a pair of frames/glasses that I love to use in ‘sports’ mode (they tilt to hug the ears so they don’t fall off when upside down).
  • Go to at least 5 classes/month at Orange Theory Fitness while I have the membership
    • We went to 43 classes from January to August for an average of 5 classes/month!
  • Have an epic Japan trip, and do not panic while using public transit or when trying to find things in the train stations
    • We got on the wrong train one time, but it wasn’t a big deal. Our biggest panic moment was on the way back from the theme park on our last full day, and it was absolutely chaotic; it would have been tough not to panic. I had an amazing time, and we did an excellent job preparing so we could be mentally more present while on our trip (though still attached to our phones for directions and translations and taking pretty pictures).
  • Get to level 49 in Pokémon Go
    • Not only did I get to level 49 on 2/6/25, but I fast-tracked to level 50 on 9/21/25 right before the new leveling system was put in place… And then from level 70 to level 71 on 12/14/25.

2026 specific goals:

  • Review almost every new restaurant/business that I go to on Yelp and Google Maps
  • Practice cake baking and decorating – make one cake/month to practice a new related skill
  • Get back to ~2023 body composition results with my yearly fall DEXA scan
  • Maximize the use of my 2025 health benefits as much as possible
  • Plan and have an epic Hawaii, Japan, D23 trip in the summer/fall
  • Create a super cool Sabine cosbound to wear to D23 and Star Wars Celebration 2026
  • Try to make a Sabine Grogu with armor
  • Find and eat another Cube Croissant
  • Try something new
  • Get to level 73 in Pokémon Go

 

For previous years’ posts:

  • 2025 Describe yourself in 3 words: Fatigued, Thankful, Driven
    • 2025 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Centered, Wise
    • Theme for 2025: Body
  • 2024 Describe yourself in 3 words: Maximal, Goal-Oriented, Partner
    • 2024 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Growth, Decluttering, Minimize
    • Theme for 2024: Organization
    • Goals list of 2024
  • 2023 Describe yourself in 3 words: Impatient, Forgetful, Loving
    • 2023 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Saving, Friendship, Experiences
    • Theme for 2023: Settling in
    • Goals list of 2023
  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
    • Goals list of 2022
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
    • Goals list of 2021
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
    • Goals list of 2020
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize
    • Goals list of 2019
  • Goals list of 2018
  • Goals list of 2017
  • Goals list of 2016
  • Goals list of 2015

2025 Physical Activity – Dance, Health, and Fitness

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Aerial Dancing Highlights for 2025
1. I took 52 aerial classes
2. I spent $669 total
3. I spent 53.33 hours in class
4. I worked with 19 different instructors
5. I went to 10 different studios

Lifetime money spent (just for aerial and aerial adjacent classes): $12,745.24
2014 – $90
2015 – $422.21
2016 – $1777
2017 – $2594
2018 – $1465.74
2019 – $566
2020 – $225
2021 – $852.46
2022 – $1,439.83
2023 – $1,809
2024 – $835
2025 – $669

Lifetime total aerial classes: 789
2014 – 6
2015 – 19
2016 – 109
2017 – 139
2018 – 92
2019 – 37
2020 – 35
2021 – 63
2022 – 111
2023 – 118
2024 – 90
2025 – 52

Total time spent dancing +: 1192.23 hours (49.68 days)
2014 – 10.5 hours
2015 – 37.5 hours
2016 – 173.5 hours
2017 – 226 hours
2018 – 144.5 hours
2019 – 55.5 hours
2020 – 55.75 hours
2021 – 89.25 hours
2022 – 141.4 hours
2023 – 121.25 hours
2024 – 83.75 hours
2025 – 53.33 hours

Class Breakdown at different studios
Inner Diva – 24/52 = 46%
Lache – 12/52 = 23%
Jungle Movement – 6/52 = 11.5%
Bat City – 4/52= 8%
Other single classes – 6/52 = 11.5%

Class Type Breakdown
Sling – 17
Lyra – 9
Trapeze – 8
Silks – 8
Floorwork – 4
Pole – 3
Flexibility – 1
Straps – 1
Circus Night including Cyr Wheel – 1

In other fitness accomplishments:

  • I tried out Cyr Wheel and Chinese Pole for the first time!
  • I took a mini-lyra workshop and performed twice on my mini-lyra
  • Completed 5-weeks of training at Uprise Circus to assist with flying trapeze classes and assist with teaching lyra to students
  • I biked 66.7 miles, and I got a flat tire on my bike (Jon got a flat tire on his bike, and we got 2 nails in our car all within 6 weeks this past fall)
  • Played “foot golf” with Jon
  • Walked 126 miles/297,218 steps while on our 17-day vacation in Japan in the spring
  • 6/14 Volunteered for the Lache summer showcase “Morning Cartoons” and the “Serenity & Socery” winter showcase 12/13
  • I performed my “Snorlax” piece at both the Lache Serenity & Sorcery showcase 12/13, and the Jungle Movement’s Love is in the Air Showcase 2/18
  • I completed an additional 43 Orange Theory Fitness classes with Jon again before canceling our membership to strength train/cardio at home
  • I managed to get to 10 yoga classes (9 with a friend at Black Swan Yoga)
  • I took 9 pilates classes (7 reformer)
  • I took 1 Beginner’s Dance Technique class and was very confused and out of my depth
  • I managed to rank 3rd in the OTF women’s 200m timed row (1:39:90) for women in ages 30-39 and 3rd overall in August

My fitness goals for 2025:

  • Get back my twisted grip by working on posture and shoulder mobility
    • So I did go to 9 physical therapy sessions (for random lower back pain and to work on my previous hamstring injury), but didn’t make time or effort beyond regular warm-ups to work on my shoulders and posture (and 2 massage sessions at the beginning of the year)
  • Volunteer for one show
    • Nailed it! Volunteered at two shows (one of which I was also performing)
  • Perform at one show
    • Double nailed it! Performed my ‘same’ piece in two different ways for two different studios’ showcases
  • Try out a new studio in Austin
    • Technically, I went to Dance Studio Austin for my Beginner Dance Technique class, but didn’t go to any new pole/aerial studios in Austin
  • Try a new class/workshop
    • I tried both Cyr wheel (I was terrible and it made me nervous about falling over) and Chinese Pole (some of my pole/aerial skills transferred, and some… Did not. I would definitely go back to this studio and try another Chinese Pole class again)
  • Bike 100 miles on my ebike
    • Fell short of this goal (66.7/100). I have fewer places I can bike to, fewer places I can safely lock my bike up at, and won’t bike at night if I can help it, so I have less time in the day to bike
  • Added goal since last year: run a 10-minute mile
    • I realized after going to OTF for many months that my running was improving and that my timed mile was getting close to 10 minutes, and I wanted to go for it. My last 10-minute mile was back in 2017 when I used the C25K app and ran a 5k in just under 30 minutes. I started out with a 10:15 timed mile that wiped me out at OTF in the summer. After using the Just Run app, I was able to get a 10-minute mile after 14 training sessions, but I don’t think I could hit 3 consecutive miles at that pace.
  • Added goal since last year: level up in Silks at Lache from Level 1 to Level 2
    • So technically, the teacher said I could take Level 2, but didn’t give me an official assessment. Pre-reqs include 1. demonstrating 3 consecutive skills from a footlock, 2. can climb to the ceiling twice without touching the floor and alternating feet, and 3. can wrap foot locks in the air, single and double

My fitness goals for 2026:

  • PT, massage, and/or stretching for my shoulder mobility and posture: 12x
  • Try out a new fitness/health app and reduce body fat percentage (measured in yearly DEXA scan) back to 2023 %
  • Volunteer for two shows
  • Perform at one show
  • Try out a new pole/aerial studio in Austin
  • Try a new class/workshop
  • Bike 100 miles on my ebike

2024 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2023 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2022 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2021 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2020 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2019 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2018 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2017 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2016 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2015 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown

2025 Reading Challenge Books in Review and Recommended Reads

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The books I read this year:

My favorite books I read this year:

Title Author Main Genre Secondary Genre
Tokyo Heist Diana Renn YA Contemporary
Lost Stars Claudia Gray Star Wars Science Fiction
Up From the Sea Leza Lowitz Verse YA Poetry
Tanabata Wish: A Coming of Age Rom-Com Sara Fujimura YA Romance
Warcross (Warcross, #1) Marie Lu YA Scienc Fiction
Light of the Jedi Charles Soule Star Wars Science Fiction
Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun Chris Broad Memoir Travel
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire Timothy Zahn Star Wars Science Fiction
Unlikely Story Ali Rosen Romance Contemporary
Hopeful Romantics Susan Rufai Romance Contemporary
Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller C.W. James YA Mystery/Detective
BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die Marina Osipova Historical Thriller Russia/Germany
The Chemistry Test Georgina Frankie Romance Contemporary
Tell Me It’s Wrong (Sweetspire #2) Katie Wismer Romance Contemporary
Perfect Plans J.T. Tierney Romance Contemporary
Project Hail Mary Andy Weir Science Fiction Space Fantasy
The Beauty of the End Lauren Stienstra Science Fiction Dystopian
Dating After the End of the World Jeneva Rose Romance Post Apocalyptic
The Holiday Fakers Evie Alexander Romance Christmas
The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison: Locked up and lucked out in max security Andrew Hamilton Nonfiction Biography
The Holiday Grump: A Spicy, Small-Town, Christmas RomCom Enni Amanda Romance Christmas
Recursion Blake Crouch Science Fiction Time Travel
The Holiday Hate-Off Angela Casella Romance Christmas
The Holiday Whoopie Sara L Hudson Romance Christmas
Bot Camp Paul Clarke Middle Grade Action
Human Again: In the AI Age J.D. Macpherson Nonfiction AI & Semantics
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) J.K. Rowling YA Fantasy
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) J.K. Rowling YA Fantasy
Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone Christine Riccio Romance Comedy
The Fall Risk Abby Jimenez Contemporary Romance

Out of the ~48 books that I read, some reading stats:

  • I spent nothing on books this year (using promotional credits on Amazon worth $18.95, the library, Jon’s Audible credits, and reading for reviews).
  • Read more than 1 book from 3 different authors
  • 20 with a romantic element
  • 5 nonfiction
  • 13,722 pages (average of 298pages)
  • Rated 30 books 5 stars (I’m more selective when choosing books to read)
  • 7 books were from Amazon First Reads program
  • 22 were review copies
  • 8 audiobooks vs. 40 ebooks
  • 11 books from the library
  • I read 9 books in anticipation of traveling/set in that location (Japan) with 3 Star Wars novels for Celebration; 2 in anticipation of seeing a play in NY in March of 2026
  • I reviewed 31 books this year (5 pending for this blog) for a total of 480 reviews written in my lifetime
  • I completed 2 reading challenges set by Reedsy Discovery and read all the books in the Hideaway Harbor Series as ARCs for reviews
  • One of my Reedsy Reviews (Perfect Plans by J.T. Tierney) was for a book that won the Discovery Editors’ Choice Awards (4/2597 books reviewed on the site)
  • 6 of my book reviews were featured on Reedsy Discovery on their homepage as a top review! (Holly & Heartbeats; Lost and Found: The Misadventures of a Reluctant Trekker; Perfect Plans; Hopeful Romantics; Rainbows and Lollipops

Next year I want to:

  • Read ~1 book from President Obama’s Favorite Books
  • Read ~2 nonfiction books
  • Read ~4 books in anticipation of traveling/set in that location
  • Write ~20 book reviews to get to 500 lifetime reviews!

2024 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2023 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2022 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2021 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2020 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2019 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2018 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2017 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2016 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2015 Reading Challenge Blog Post

Book Review: Bot Camp by Paul Clarke

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Bot Camp by Paul Clarke

A Middle Grade Action Novel published by Green Hill Publishing (08/14/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

“If you want to win, you need ruthless efficiency.” 

Daniel doesn’t really have any friends, but he’s passionate about robotics and bot competitions. Daniel has his heart set on winning a spot at billionaire Bernad’s elite bot camp. All he has to do is win the local bot wars competition against his fierce rival, Mary, and her machine, Big Bertha. This underdog story isn’t just about Daniel’s big dreams of wowing Bernard; it’s also about teamwork, leaning on others’ strengths, and learning to step up as a leader.

Keywords:

Bot Camp, Robotics, Bot Battle, Camp, 12-Year-Olds, Billionaire, Leadership, Winning, Competition

My Review:

Daniel’s story pulls the reader in because he needs to win, and he doesn’t just win from the get-go. His victories are earned, not handed to him. This story and watching Daniel face up against difficult challenges give readers a front-row seat to both the thrills of competition and the real-life challenges of becoming a good teammate and leader.

The author has made battle bots exciting because they play a pivotal role for both Daniel and the plot. The action, especially battle scenes, feels cinematic and very exciting, just like a Spy Kids movie.

This book concisely presents numerous lessons, yet packages them in an engaging way. There are many themes to grasp and learn from, such as friendship, teamwork, loyalty, empathy, and leadership, without feeling like they overwhelm the plot.

Daniel has never had many friends, let alone been the leader of a team, but he steps up when it counts to save the day. It’s easy to root for him. He rises to the occasion, but he’s not the only one. The author has created a diverse set of characters that are all brilliant in their own way. There are many ways to be a genius, creative, and/or good at something. The author naturally weaves in diversity without it feeling forced. Each of the many kids at bot camp has their own, albeit quick, backstory. They feel real and not reduced to a single defining characteristic.

The villain is exaggerated enough to feel fun and fitting in the story, just like the bad guy in Sonic or Minions.

The writing is surprisingly visual and accessible. Even readers not familiar with battle bots or robotics (like me) can follow the action and understand what is going on. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the action, just like Daniel does in the story.

This book will definitely make you want to watch a bot battle! It’s a great book for readers interested in robotics, battle bots, or simply a fun, quick book full of adventure. Parents and teachers, in particular, will appreciate the positive messages seamlessly embedded throughout.

This novel was published by Green Hill Publishing on 08/06/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: HUMAN AGAIN: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson

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HUMAN AGAIN: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson

A Nonfiction Novel published by Cairnstone Press on (11/26/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

This nonfiction book on human-computer interaction and AI semantics is centered on understanding and utilizing AI. The author presents AI as a tool, a partner, a co-thinker, an assistant, a force multiplier, and more. The author, a journalist first and foremost, delved into AI use as part of the research for this book. Along with personal experience, the author combines thorough research, providing citations throughout.

Keywords:

Nonfiction, AI, Technology, Humanity, Tool, ChatGPT

My Review:

Although the author says they aren’t explicitly pro-AI or anti-AI, the tone of the book is distinctly AI-forward. The author challenges readers to keep an open mind and offers a wide range of examples showing how AI is already useful, and increasingly necessary to understand and adopt. The concept the author returns to most often is intention in the use of AI.

This book is a journalist’s take on AI. The questions the author poses are uniquely searching and deep, often reading more like a research paper, complete with references at the end of each chapter.

Intertwined with the philosophy and nature of AI in our current moment are practical tips and tools such as avoiding the “AI ick,” creating an AI profile, and having deeper conversations with AI. The book’s real strength lies in the broader context it provides. Rather than a step-by-step guide, it functions as an instruction manual for what thoughtful use of the paid version of ChatGPT can look like and how to achieve that outcome.

The author makes a compelling case for AI’s real-world applications: AI tutoring can increase student engagement, AI brainstorming can help creatives become more innovative, and AI tools at work can improve both enjoyment and focus. The examples are concrete and easy to imagine applying to your own use of tools like ChatGPT and adopting them into your own life.

The core argument, that the future belongs to those who can balance AI efficiency with human insight, appears in different forms throughout the book. This repetition reinforces the idea that AI defines the current era, but meaning still belongs to humans. As the author puts it, “You’re not just shaping text, you’re curating meaning. Welcome to your new role: You, The Editor.” The book argues that AI doesn’t replace who you are but amplifies it. But as AI filters into everything technological and its competitive advantage erodes, intention becomes the true differentiator. Or perhaps, as Syndrome from The Incredibles famously said, “When everyone’s super, no one will be.”

This book is for anyone who hasn’t been paying attention to AI beyond headlines and social media rants. This book is for anyone wanting to start using Chat, level up their game using Chat, or level the playing field with intention.

This novel was published on 11/26/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: Holly & Heartbeats by Amber W. Lynne

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Holly & Heartbeats by Amber W. Lynne

A Holiday Romance Novel published by Carnelian & Quills Publishing on (11/11/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Set in the cozy, snow-filled area of Cedar Glen at the Holly House Inn holiday retreat, this story begins with Jess. She is steadfast and has always put her career first, but that’s come at the cost of companionship and starting a family. Graham is the single father of two eight-year-old twin girls, holding down the inn and keeping up with Christmas traditions on his own for years. The heart of the story lies in how Jess and Graham must decide to make space for something more in their lives—a matter of love, joy, and a potential future that doesn’t fit within the plans they’ve been clinging to for years.

Keywords:

Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Holidays, Small Town, Grumpy-Sunshine, Family, Single-Dad, Career-Driven, Holiday Retreat, Inn, Holiday Magic, Widower

My Review:

Jess is steadfast, but she’s starting to feel like she wants something more. She’s trying to outrun loneliness by exhausting herself at the clinic, leaving no room for anything else. She helps everyone but herself. She doesn’t know how to make space for others in her life without feeling she has to be who she is: driven, focused, and useful. She worries that she’s built more for purpose than partnership. This book is more than a simple holiday romance; it dives headfirst into being single around the holidays, the loneliness of the season, and choosing career over family. It explores what a partnership truly is and how to make a relationship work between two people. Partnership should feel like purpose.

Told in dual POV, the book switches seamlessly between Jess and Graham at exactly the right moments.

Graham has no backup. No buffer. No plus one. Just himself, his two impressionable daughters who are determined to play hostess without adult supervision, an impending snowstorm, and six rooms at the holiday inn retreat full of guests expecting candy-cane cheer with an extra helping of holiday magic. Graham is the epitome of a stereotypical small-town romance single dad armed with all the duct tape and grit needed to make things work. His twin girls don’t just need a dad; they need more joy. 

Jess inhabits Holly House Inn like she’d always belonged. She fills a room with movement. For the girls, she doesn’t try to distract them so she can do something else. It’s nice to see a character who isn’t afraid to jump right in with someone else’s kids. The girls are uniquely different from each other, and the author gives them so much life and sparkle. Noelle is wild and unfiltered, while Clara is serious-eyed and cautious.

At times, it almost feels as though Jess is falling in love with the twins more than with Graham himself. The early spark between them is subtle, and Graham sometimes comes across as someone who fits the role the story needs rather than standing out on his own right away. I found myself hoping for a little more depth from his POV. Even so, the foundation of their relationship is sweet and very Hallmark-esque. 

Grief does appear in the story, but doesn’t weigh down the narrative. The author takes a light approach to grief, allowing it to weave into the backstory rather than cling to Graham or overshadow the warmth of the current action. The overall tone is full of joy and hope. As Jess says, “Grief makes you hold your breath too long. And then life sneaks in when you aren’t watching.”

This book is for romance readers who love holiday-themed, heartwarming, family-friendly, found-family, small-town, slow-burn, or single-father romances.

This novel was published on 11/11/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: The Aloha Lawyer by Jeanilou Grace

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The Aloha Lawyer by Jeanilou Grace

A Women’s Fiction Novel published (11/15/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

This memoir-like book is an introspective exploration of identity, relationships, career path, motherhood, and personal growth. The main character, Santana, reflects on pivotal moments in her life, from young adulthood to middle age, examining her thoughts and feelings to understand herself, her choices, and her place in the world. She views her life through a lens that doesn’t always define facts and details but is based more on the thoughts and feelings she has for different parts of her life.

Keywords:

Fiction, Hawaii, Filipino, Identity, Romance, Lawyer, Family, Strong Female, Aloha, Motherhood

My Review:

The book reads more like a memoir than a fictional story in that it is a retelling of the past and the feelings associated with those building, pivotal moments, without strict setting details of place, time, etc. The writing is very introspective, almost a stream-of-consciousness narration, with life divided by how Santana feels about a period of time rather than by any one specific event or occasion. The book doesn’t have scenes and dialogue in the present like a fictional story might. Some of the phrasing is so on point, you have to read it three times for it to really sink in because the truth is so weighty.

For anyone questioning their identity, be they biracial or bicultural, or anyone wanting to empathize and understand, this is a thoughtfully written book. It contains a sense and a breakdown of identity at all life stages and life definitions: adulthood, motherhood, relationships, lawyer, ethnicity, and even feelings of otherness.

The law themes are powerful: law as protection, law as a canoe, law as healing. The author breaks down lawyer stereotypes within the aloha spirit, humanizing the lawyer experience. “They think that aloha means soft. But it also means strength, and we’re going to make sure they don’t ever forget it.”

The book imparts wisdom in small bites and pieces as mantras and lessons that Santana thinks about and learns over time. For example: Tiis lang means to endure with grace. Legacy isn’t what you build but who you become while creating a legacy.

Santana’s relationship arc hits hardest, showing the lessons that life teaches the hard way. She discovers that a healthy, loving partner is someone who listens and shows up without being asked, an active presence, not passive. The book explores what love really looks like and how to recognize it without running away. It felt like a philosophical study of what love is and how to embody it in a relationship with both positive and negative examples in Santana’s life. Her partner is kind, but he feels like a lowercase presence in her capital-letter life, believing that simply being near her is the same as showing up. He takes the last piece of sushi and never looks back. Some of these described partner crimes are so visual and gut-punching that they are like a bullet point list of what not to do in a loving relationship.

The book makes a powerful point: when one partner doesn’t put in effort unless prompted, it’s not a true partnership. It’s a tit-for-tat arrangement of two people together, but not fully in it together. Santana says it best when she asks for “support that moves” in a partner. It’s like the author is breaking down common phrases (like people need to grow together) into understandable examples using Santana’s fictional life.

The book overall resonates as a guide for every partner to understand that showing up means more than presence. It’s about solidarity, sacrifice, and consistently thinking of the other person, not only when it’s convenient.

While the pacing slows a bit in the middle, that doesn’t detract from the book’s wisdom and impact. This book is more fun to read than a typical couples therapy or self-help book, blending heartfelt, meaningful lessons with a compelling and intimate story.

This novel was published on 11/15/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: The Holiday Post by L. B. Dunbar

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The Holiday Post by L.B. Dunbar

A Romance Novel published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. (11/14/25)

Summary: It’s Never Too Late For Happiness and Romance

“I’ll take an order of one hot Santa lookalike with a side of sexy time.” (Kindle Edition).

Lumi is a single mom and lifelong small-town post office worker whose dull holiday season is upended when a blizzard strands a charming stranger on her doorstep. With no rooms available, he becomes her unexpected houseguest. As they grow closer, his holiday magic and her fear of being left behind collide, forcing Lumi to decide whether this mysterious man with a deadline can be more than a fleeting Christmas miracle.

Keywords:

 Contemporary, Hideaway Harbor, Christmas, Family Business, Mature Main Characters, Small Town 

My Review:

This fourth book in the Hideaway Harbor series hooked me right away, but as the hints piled up that the main love interest, Saint, might actually be Santa (or related to Santa), I grew less and less interested in the story. I went in expecting a contemporary romance, and I got a Santa-adjacent-Christmas-magic version of magical realism. There were so many Holiday puns and Santa insinuations, it started to get distracting.

Still, the book absolutely shines as a warm, character-driven holiday romance, especially when it comes to Lumi. Her journey is relatable in a way that surprised me. Her journey feels relatable and grounded. When I’m finished with my current job, I will also be at a standstill in my life, just like Lumi. I’m also afraid of how to make the change in my life to get to where I want to be. What will I want when that moment happens? It’s easy to let the momentum of daily life dictate the future, and for Lumi, tomorrow feels inevitable until the change arrives in the form of Saint. He is the catalyst for changing the way she’s been thinking about her life and what she wants to do today, tomorrow, and in the future. And who she wants to do it with…

The chemistry between Lumi and Saint is undeniably cozy, and their connection feels earned. Even as mature characters, their love has a youthful, hopeful quality. And while some of the magical elements weren’t for me, the forced-proximity setup remains one of my favorite romance tropes, and it’s done well here.

If you want a sweet, slightly whimsical holiday romcom with heart and Santa magic sprinkled on top, then this book delivers.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. on 11/14/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: The Holiday Grump by Enni Amanda

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The Holiday Grump by Enni Amanda

A Romance Novel published by Lumi Publishing (11/21/25)

Summary: Christmas brings together two broken hearts

“Maybe home wasn’t a place you decorated. Perhaps it was this feeling. Being known. Being expected.” (Kindle 43%).

Runaway bride Noelle has been hiding out for the last year. Grumpy bookseller Fredrik doesn’t think he’ll ever find love again. One meet-cute later, and Noelle happens to be running the pop-up shop next to Fredrik’s bookstore. They agree on friendship because Noelle will be gone after the holiday season, and Fredrik is, well, a grump after all. But when the snow falls and the walls come down, even the grumpiest hearts can melt.

Keywords:

Slow-Burn, Contemporary, Hideaway Harbor, Christmas, Broken Heart, Opposites Attract, Runaway Bride, Grumpy/Sunshine

My Review:

Noelle is the epitome of sunshine, while Fredrik is her opposite. I loved the way Noelle is a free-spirited, talk-her-mind, unpretentious person. There is a great deal of characterization and life in Noelle. “She simply spoke without thinking, the words bursting out of her like an uncontrollable sneeze.” (Kindle 14%).

Fredrik is thought of as a grump, but he’s so much more. He is depressed. He is thoughtful. He is always thinking about others. He is also set in his ways. He can’t help but notice and want to protect and help Noelle. She is somehow both independent and helpless.

They both have baggage, and I loved every scene with them together because their push-pull banter is witty and on point while their chemistry simmers from the get-go. Their meet-cute and developing relationship is delightfully awkward, and while both are keeping secrets, they must learn to trust each other if they’re going to make a go of things. “We led very different lives that somehow fit together perfectly.” (Kindle 78%).

I loved reading further into the world of Hideaway Harbor, and this book was a perfectly crafted and entertaining Holiday read about found family, healing, and second chances.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by Lumi Publishing on 11/21/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information

Goodreads