What's in a Name? Challenge 2025

I enjoy a good book challenge but some of them are just too daunting (I’m looking at you, r/fantasy). Fortunately this year I found the What’s in a Name Challenge, where each book title must contain the prompt. The challenge is hosted by Andrea at Carolina Book Nook and runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

The rules are simple:

• Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits into each category.
• Don’t use the same book for more than one category.
• Creativity for 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.

In 2025, choose 6 books that have titles that contain:

Cardinal direction ✅

Titles for this category need to include at least one cardinal direction (North, East, South, West) in the title.

Wanderlust ✅

Titles for this category need to include words or phrases related to wanderlust: wander, journey, trip, travel, explore, trek, tour, adventure, etc. Or the implication of traveling or exploring.

First and last name ✅

Titles for this category need to include both a first name (given name) and last name (surname). The names don’t matter, as long as it’s the first and last of a real person or fictional character.

Alliteration ✅

Titles for this category need to include at least two main words that begin with the same letter.

Deity ✅

Titles for this category need to include words associated with a deity of some sort. This can be the words “deity,” “god,” “goddess,” or a specific name of a deity. In your comment, please include the culture or religion of the deity (even if the deity isn’t being directly referenced.)

Crime ✅

Titles for this category need to include the word “crime,” a specific type of crime, a specific type of criminal, or the name of an infamous criminal.