Sue’s Comments (group member since Dec 28, 2017)

Sue’s comments from the Around the Year in 52 Books group.

Three books related to primary colors - red, yellow, blue.

THE 2021 LIST - FINISHED
√1. A book related to “In the Beginning...”
Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson (8/29/21)
√2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y
Find Layla: A Novel by Meg Elison (7/31/21)
√3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music
Tender Is the Bite by Spencer Quinn (8/9/21)
√4. A book with a monochromatic cover
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (12/25/21)

√5. A book by an author on USA Today's list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (8/5/21)
√6. A love story
The Snow Gypsy by Lindsay Jayne Ashford (11/9/21)
√7. A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list (alternate history)
Dreidel To The Grave by Yoel Bereket (3/5/21)
√8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited
The Deal of a Lifetime (12/16/21)

√9. A book you associate with a specific season or time of year
It's a Wonderful Woof by Spencer Quinn (8/13/21)
√10. A book with a female villain or criminal
American Traitor by Brad Taylor (2/12/21)
√11. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (9/3/21)
√12. A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation
A Girl Returned by Donatella Di Pietrantonio (9/16/21)
√13. A book written by an author of one of your best reads of 2020
Sons of Valor by Brian Andrews (1/14/21)

√14. A book set in a made-up place
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (7/18/21)
√15. A book that features siblings as the main characters
Where the Light Fell: A Memoir by Philip Yancey (6/17/21)
√16. A book with a building in the title
The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (8/4/21)
√17. A book with a Muslim character or author
The Last Beekeeper by Siya Turabi (7/5/21)

√18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1
The Last Bathing Beauty by Amy Sue Nathan (12/4/21)
√19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2
The Last Protector by Simon Gervais (12/23/21)
√20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3
The Last Dance by Martin L. Shoemaker (11/24/21)
√21. A book whose title and author both contain the letter "u"
Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (4/21/21)
√22. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (3/22/21)

√23. A cross genre novel
When the Walls Fell by Monique Martin (6/21/21)
√24. A book about racism or race relations
Golden Poppies by Laila Ibrahim (6/12/21)
√25. A book set on an island
The Island by Ben Coes (8/2/21)
√26. A short book (<210 pages) by a new-to-you author
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey Into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (3/2/21)

√27. A book with a character who can be found in a deck of cards
Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie (7/21/21)
√28. A book connected to ice
Black Ice: A Thriller by Brad Thor (7/27/21)
√29. A book that you consider comfort reading
The Guy in the Tie by Tommy Nelson (7/13/21)
√30. A long book
My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray (4/12/21)

√31. A book by an author whose career spanned more than 21 years
Ocean Prey by John Sandford (4/17/21)
√32. A book whose cover shows more than 2 people
The Excoms by Brett Battles (1/16/21)
√33. A collection of short stories, essays, or poetry
Further Still: A Collection of Poetry and Vignettes by Beth Moore (7/18/21)
√34. A book with a travel theme
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon (11/15/21)
√35. A book set in a country on or below the Tropic of Cancer
Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene (1/28/21)

√36. A book with six or more words in the title
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman (7/8/21)
√37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (7/27/21)
√38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator
The Devil's Hand by Jack Carr (4/29/21)
√39. A book involving an immigrant
Secrets of Ruth: A Devotional for Women by Rebecca Currington Snapdragon Group (5/7/21)

√40. A book with flowers or greenery on the cover
Someone Like Me by Marian L. Thomas (3/31/21)
√41. A book by a new-to-you BIPOC author
Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim (5/29/21)
√42. A mystery or thriller
Prodigal Son by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz (1/5/21)
√43. A book with elements of magic
Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg (3/21/21)

√44. A book whose title contains a negative
City of Nope by Brett Battles (1/21/21)
√45. A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Romeo's Rules by James Scott Bell (1/28/21)
√46. A winner or nominee from the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards
In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn (11/28/21)
√47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography or memoir
They Turned the World Upside Down: A Storyteller’s Journey with Those Who Dared to Follow Jesus by Charles Martin (2/13/21)
√48. A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?”
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (8/1/21)

√49. A book with an ensemble cast
A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh (6/20/21)
√50. A book published in 2021
Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens (3/3/21)
√51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name
The Maid by Nita Prose (7/19/21)
√52. A book related to "the end"
Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey (8/25/21)

52/52

A book from the first 20 books on your GR to-read shelf when sorted by “date added” in ascending order

Basically one of the 20 books that’s been on your GR TBR shelf the longest. I can’t be the only one with books there from 2009!

I'll second this.

Finished with 3 weeks to spare. Whew!

a book related to the 1920s

a classic book (fiction or nonfiction) you've always meant to read

I listen to tons of audio books but I have a long work commute so it keeps me from road rage. Ha! I find it much harder to concentrate on an audio book outside of the car.

I hadn't thought about spaceships as a mode of transportation or about a crime thriller being a survival story so thanks for those suggestions. That gives me lots to think on.

a book where the protagonist is a first responder

A debut novel by an established/popular author.

Examples:

Carrie by Stephen King

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

a mashup genre book

A book in a series you've started but haven't finished

Tracy wrote: "I'm finally going to try The Name of the Wind, although I can think of about a million other titles I would love to read and probably a third of my list falls under this category.

[..."

The Name of the Wind is sooooo good

Tracy wrote: "I finally decided on I Capture the Castle. I also have The Good Earth on my book shelf and was thinking about reading it this year but it didn't happen. I tend to resist re..."

The Good Earth is phenomenal.

52/52 - COMPLETED

√1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said
√2. A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why) Where the Crawdads Sing
√3. A book where the author’s name contains A, T, and Y Daughter of War by Brad Taylor
√4. A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc) The Black Ascot

√5. A book by Shakespeare or inspired by Shakespeare Station Eleven
√6. A book with a dual timeline The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
√7. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #1 The Persian Gamble
√8. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #2 The Russian: A Thriller

√9. A book from one of the top 5 money making genres (romance/erotica, crime/mystery, religious/inspirational, science fiction/fantasy or horror) A Dangerous Man
√10. A book featuring an historical figure Ride the Wind
√11. A book related to one of the 12 Zodiac Chinese Animals (title, cover, subject) The Serpent Sea
√12. A book about reading, books or an author/writer True Fiction

√13. A book that is included on a New York Public Library Staff Picks list Circe
√14. A book with a title, subtitle or cover relating to an astronomical term The Harbors of the Sun
√15. A book by an author from a Mediterranean country or set in a Mediterranean country The Sun Also Rises
√16. A book told from multiple perspectives Ruff vs. Fluff
√17. A speculative fiction (i.e. fantasy, scifi, horror, dystopia) The Girl With All the Gifts

√18. A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements I Got This: To Gold and Beyond
√19. A book by an author who has more than one book on your TBR The Siren Depths
√20. A book featuring indigenous people of a country Love Medicine
√21. A book from one of the polarizing or close call votes The Stranger

√22. A book with a number in the title or on the cover One Good Deed
√23. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #1 Something Old Persuasion
√24. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #2 Something New The New Girl
√25. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #3 Something Borrowed The Edge of Worlds

√26. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #4 Something Blue Things You Save in a Fire
√27. A book off of the 1001 books to read before you die list The 39 Steps
√28. A book related to something cold (i.e. theme, title, author, cover, etc.) The Snow Child
√29. A book published before 1950 Death on the Nile
√30. A book featuring an elderly character The One-in-a-Million Boy

√31. A children’s classic you’ve never read The Giving Tree
√32. A book with more than 500 pages Dark Age
√33. A book you have owned for at least a year, but have not read yet Shattered Palms
√34. A book with a person's name in the title The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

√35. A psychological thriller Mind Prey
√36. A book featured on an NPR Best Books of the Year list A Gentleman in Moscow
√37. A book set in a school or university The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
√38. A book not written in traditional novel format (poetry, essay, epistolary, graphic novel, etc) I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats

√39. A book with a strong sense of place or where the author brings the location/setting to life Wolf Pack
√40. A book you stumbled upon The Broken Road
√41. A book from the 2018 GR Choice Awards Us Against You
√42. A book with a monster or "monstrous" character Fight the Hunger: A Hunger Driven Novel
√43. A book related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Crucible

√44. A book related in some way to a tv show/series or movie you enjoyed (same topic, same era, book appeared in the show/movie, etc.) If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of A B Movie Actor
√45. A multi-generational saga Pachinko
√46. A book with a (mostly) black cover Blackout
√47. A book related to food (i.e. title, cover, plot, etc.) A Scone to Die For

√48. A book that was a finalist or winner for the National Book Award for any year News of the World
√49. A book written by a Far East Asian author or set in a Far East Asian country The Art of War
√50. A book that includes a journey (physical, health, or spiritual) Dark Matter
√51. A book published in 2019 Out of the Dark
√52. A book with a weird or intriguing title The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Kathy wrote: "I'm just starting The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Looking forward to it as I liked a couple books he's written."

That's what I read for this prompt. I really enjoyed it.

I'm reading War and Peace for this. I don't find books "scary" (even Stephen King - I really liked 11/22/63) so I went with intimidating and this was the only book I could think of that fit that bill.

I'm enjoying it immensely which surprises me. I read Les Misérables last year and Crime and Punishment earlier this year, both of which I despaired of finishing. War and Peace is a much much easier read than either of them.

Jacqueline wrote: "I was thinking of slotting Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury into this prompt. I really was scared to read it just in case I hated it and have been putting it off. I haven’t read much dystopian stuff ..."

I LOVED Fahrenheit 451. It's short and captivating, especially his view of future society (the TVs he dreamed of in the 1950s...). Enjoy!

52/52

√1. A book with the letters A, T & Y in the title Daughters of the Night Sky
√2. A book from the first 10 books added to your To Be Read list The Nanny Diaries
√3. A book from the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards Before We Were Yours
√4. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #1 Earth (in title, cover, content, setting, author...) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
√5. A book about or inspired by real events The Honest Spy
√6. A book originally written in a language other than English Crime and Punishment
√7. A gothic novel Wuthering Heights
√8. An "own voices" book Invisible Man
√9. A book with a body part in the title (heart, bones, teeth, skin, blood, etc) Eyes of Prey
√10. An author's debut book (their first book to be published) Legend
√11. A literary fiction Little Women
√12. A book set in Africa or South America The Call of Zulina
√13. A book with a plot centered around a secret (forbidden love, spies, secret societies, etc) Spymaster
√14. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #2 Fire Little Fires Everywhere
√15. A book with an unique format/writing structure Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
√16. A narrative nonfiction Seabiscuit: An American Legend
√17. A book you expect to make you laugh Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States
√18. A book with a location in the title A Passage to India
√19. A book nominated for the Edgar Award or by a Grand master author (books & authors) The Mysterious Affair at Styles
√20. A book rated 5 stars by at least one of your friends Possession
√21. A book written in first person perspective Candle in the Darkness
√22. A book you have high expectations or hope for As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
√23. A medical or legal thriller Shutter Island
√24. A book with a map The Wise Man's Fear
√25. A book with an antagonist/villain point of view The Picture of Dorian Gray
√26. A book with a text only cover Tell No One
√27. A book about surviving a hardship (war, famine, major disasters, serious illness, etc) Wives Of War
√28. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #3 Water The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
√29. A book with a "Clue" weapon on the cover or title (lead pipe, revolver, rope, candlestick, dagger, wrench) Murder is Binding
√30. A short book Night
√31. A book set in a country you'd like to visit but have never been to Kim
√32. An alternate history book The Man in the High Castle
√33. A book connected (title, cover, content) to a word "born" in the same year as you - "first responder" From Ashes to Honor
√34. A suggestion from the AtY 2018 polls, that didn't win but was polarizing or a close-call - Eighth mini-poll: something celestial in the title By the Light of the Moon
√35. A book featuring a murder Murder at the Book Fair
√36. A book published in the last 3 years (2016, 2017, 2018) by an author you haven't read before Secondborn
√37. A Women's Prize for Fiction winner or nominee The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
√38. A science book or a science fiction book Dune
√39. A book with a form of punctuation in the title The Astronaut's Wife
√40. A book from Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime list The Things They Carried
√41. A book by an author with the same first and last initials The Deceived
√42. A book that takes place on, in, or underwater Darcy's Voyage
√43. A book with a title that is a whole sentence Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
√44. A ghost story A Christmas Carol
√45. A book that intimidates/ scares you War and Peace
√46. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #4 Air The Shadow of the Wind
√47. A book where the main character (or author) is of a different ethnic origin, religion, or sexual identity than your own The Good Earth
√48. A book related to one of the 7 deadly sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth) A Kiss Before Dying
√49. A book from one of the Goodreads Best Books of the Month lists I Am Watching You
√50. A book with a warm atmosphere (centered on family, friendship, love or summer) Where the Red Fern Grows
√51. An award-winning short story or short story collection Interpreter of Maladies
√52. A book published in 2018 - The Disappeared