Happy New Year, book lovers! 🎉 A new year always means one thing for me—a new reading challenge. Over the last two years, I’ve tried different challenges, from themed prompts to alphabet-based reading lists, but one that really stood out (and tested me!) was the A to Z Reading Challenge. It was such fun, but I’ll admit, some letters—looking at you, Q and X—proved tricky! So this year, I’m giving the A to Z challenge another go, and I’m so excited to see what I discover along the way.
If you’re thinking of joining me, I’ll be sharing my books for each letter throughout the year right here on the blog. By the end, I hope we’ll have a full alphabet of recommendations to inspire your reading list!
Introducing My First Two Books
To kick off the challenge, showcasing A and Z from my last years read, I won't be cheating and ticking off the letters A and Z just yet. I just wanted to let you see a couple of the books that I read last year that were memorable.
I’m starting with two fantastic reads, one for A and one for Z.
📖 The Asymmetric Man by Alex Rushton
The Asymmetric Man by Alex Rushton
Genre: Romance, Action, Adventure, Thriller
Series: Book 1 of the Blake Carter Series
Publisher: Scriptora
Published: 2023
Length: 359 pages
Format: Paperback (thanks to Love Books Tours for the review copy!)
Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved it and highly recommend!
About the Book: Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, The Asymmetric Man is a gripping tale of espionage, survival, and forbidden love. Young recruit Blake Carter finds himself in a world of danger as an undercover agent. From the war-torn streets of Saigon to the tranquillity of a Buddhist monastery, Blake’s journey is one of self-discovery and sacrifice—proving that to find your true calling, sometimes you must start with what’s been lost.
My Thoughts: I was hooked from the very first page! Alex Rushton’s vivid descriptions transported me straight into the intense action, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. The dual timeline worked brilliantly, giving me a deeper connection to Blake’s character as I pieced together his past and present. The pacing kept me on edge, and the jungle scenes were so perceptive I could feel the tension with every turn of the page. My only tiny critique? I would have loved more time with Hoa’s storyline in the middle—but overall, this book packed a powerful emotional punch. If you’re looking for a thrilling start to your year, I highly recommend The Asymmetric Man!
📖 Zero Risk by Simon Hayes
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: The Rubriqs Press Limited
Published: 2024
Length: 592 pages
Format: Hardback (also kindly provided by Love Books Tours for review!)
Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolute must-read!
About the Book: It’s 23rd December 2024, and Rob Tanner, the COO of a major bank, is called into action after discovering a cyber-attack that has multiplied thousands of bank balances by a factor of ten. With financial markets on the brink of collapse, Rob joins forces with cybersecurity expert Ashley Markham to uncover the hacker’s cryptic clues—clues inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s medieval artwork and the seven deadly sins. As the tension escalates, Rob must race to decode the mystery before the economy crumbles and society is thrown into chaos.
My Thoughts: At 592 pages, this is a hefty read, but trust me—it’s worth every page. Simon Hayes crafts a thrilling, multi-layered mystery that had me completely hooked. The story delivers a perfect mix of suspense, high stakes, and razor-sharp commentary on the financial world. I loved how the plot weaves moments of human connection into the fast-paced drama, making it feel all the more real. The characters are incredibly well-written, from the determined Rob Tanner to the chillingly unpredictable villains. This one’s for anyone who loves a smart, intense thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
And there we have it—my first two books that you can choose for your A to Z Reading Challenge! I can’t wait to see where the challenge takes me this year. It always pushes me to explore books I might not have picked up otherwise, and I love discovering hidden gems along the way. I’ll be updating you regularly with my progress and recommendations, so keep an eye on the blog!
Are you taking on a reading challenge this year? I’d love to hear about it! Let’s chat in the comments, or drop me a message on Instagram @alisbookstagram_. Here’s to another year of adventures through books!
Love,
Alis x
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. This helps support the content I create—thank you so much for your support!
📧 Contact me:
Website: https://www.apagebookclub.com
Email: apagebookclub@gmail.com
Instagram: @alisbookstagram_
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