Chrissie’s Comments (group member since Dec 30, 2019)

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

I made a quick search and couldn't find it in the past years, but would there be any interest in

A book with an orphaned or adopted character?

I didn't check for lists yet, but the first that come to mind are Anne of Green Gables, All the Light We Cannot See, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Harry Potter etc.

Edit: found some lists
Orphans https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Adoption (general overview of existing lists) https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag?id...
Adopted (general overview of existing lists) https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag?id...

Charlsa wrote: "A book with a snarky character.

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/..."

Snarky is good!

Angie wrote: "Someone brought this up in the Wild Discussion, so I'll suggest:

A book from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list:

https://1001bookreviews.com/the-1001-...

A listopia of the books:
..."

I'll second this

Chrissie H.

1a. A book in a series (#3) Tote klagen an ✓ 06/28 - 100 pts
1b. A book with water on the cover ✓ 07/15 - 100 pts
1c. A book released in 2024 or 2025 (7.2.2025) Total in dich verschossen ✓ 06/05 - 100 pts
1d. A book by a new to you author Licht zwischen den Bäumen ✓ 06/13 - 100 pts
2a. FRESH-SQUEEZED LEMONADE (Angelika Overath) Unschärfen der Liebe ✓ 07/24 - 200 pts
2c. ROOT BEER SODA (Amber Benson) Slayers: A Buffyverse Story ✓ 06/17 - 200 pts
3c. Mustard: A book with a military character (Ari's dad is a Vietnam veteran) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ✓ 07/17 - 300 pts
3d. Pickles: A book title that includes a word starting with the letter P Die Probe ✓ 07/27 - 300 pts
4b. A book with a wedding (Pasiphae marries Minos) Circe ✓ 07/12 - 400 pts
4c. A book that has been nominated for an award (National Book Award Nominee) Ruhm und Verbrechen des Hoodie Rosen ✓ 06/16 - 400 pts
4d. A book with a cafe, bakery, or restaurant as an important setting (HomeMarket) The emperor of gladness ✓ 06/04 - 400 pts
4e. A book originally written in a language other than English (Japanese) Liebesgift ✓ 06/29 - 400 pts
5a. Potato salad - A book with more than one point of view (6) Alle Farben grau ✓ 07/10 - 500 pts
5b. Mac n' cheese - A book by an author with 10 or more books (Richard Bachman alias Stephen King) Todesmarsch ✓ 07/05 - 500 pts
5d. Deviled eggs - A book with challenging subject matter (Pedophilia, Alcoholism) Was wir ihnen antun: Kriminalroman (River-Delta-Reihe 4) ✓ 07/20 - 500 pts
5e. Watermelon - A book over 500 pages (528) Alles Licht, das wir nicht sehen ✓ 06/25 - 500 pts

Total: 5000 points

Robin H-R wrote: "Pamela wrote: "A book related to a current movie or television show


Why limit to "Current"? I might want to read GWTW again...."

Been wondering the same, tbh.

Judy wrote: "Two books: a book related to Water and a book related to Earth."

I'll second this!

L Y N N wrote: "Where is Earth, Wind, Fire, Water suggestion? I debated whether to nominate that instead..."

Was this supposed to be a 4 week prompt or other?

I'll second the love story prompt

Kelly wrote: "Has it been announced yet when the multi-week poll is going to be? I've been saving an idea since last year because I missed the 2025 multi-week poll! 😅"

I believe it will be poll 4 :)

Points: 5000/5000

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Raffle Entry

1a. A book in a series (#3) Tote klagen an ✓ 06/28 - 100 pts
1b. A book with water on the cover ✓ 07/15 - 100 pts
1c. A book released in 2024 or 2025 (7.2.2025) Total in dich verschossen ✓ 06/05 - 100 pts
1d. A book by a new to you author Licht zwischen den Bäumen ✓ 06/13 - 100 pts
2a. FRESH-SQUEEZED LEMONADE (Angelika Overath) Unschärfen der Liebe ✓ 07/24 - 200 pts
2c. ROOT BEER SODA (Amber Benson) Slayers: A Buffyverse Story ✓ 06/17 - 200 pts
3c. Mustard: A book with a military character (Ari's dad is a Vietnam veteran) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ✓ 07/17 - 300 pts
3d. Pickles: A book title that includes a word starting with the letter P Die Probe ✓ 07/27 - 300 pts
4b. A book with a wedding (Pasiphae marries Minos) Circe ✓ 07/12 - 400 pts
4c. A book that has been nominated for an award (National Book Award Nominee) Ruhm und Verbrechen des Hoodie Rosen ✓ 06/16 - 400 pts
4d. A book with a cafe, bakery, or restaurant as an important setting (HomeMarket) The emperor of gladness ✓ 06/04 - 400 pts
4e. A book originally written in a language other than English (Japanese) Liebesgift ✓ 06/29 - 400 pts
5a. Potato salad - A book with more than one point of view (6) Alle Farben grau ✓ 07/10 - 500 pts
5b. Mac n' cheese - A book by an author with 10 or more books (Richard Bachman alias Stephen King) Todesmarsch ✓ 07/05 - 500 pts
5d. Deviled eggs - A book with challenging subject matter (Pedophilia, Alcoholism) Was wir ihnen antun: Kriminalroman (River-Delta-Reihe 4) ✓ 07/20 - 500 pts
5e. Watermelon - A book over 500 pages (528) Alles Licht, das wir nicht sehen ✓ 06/25 - 500 pts

Chips and Dip - 100 points
1a. A book in a series (#3) Tote klagen an ✓ 06/28
1b. A book with water on the cover ✓ 07/15
1c. A book released in 2024 or 2025 (7.2.2025) Total in dich verschossen ✓ 06/05
1d. A book by a new to you author Licht zwischen den Bäumen ✓ 06/13
1e. A humorous book Der Donnerstagsmordclub oder Ein Teufel stirbt immer zuletzt ✓ 09/09

Drinks Station - 200 points
Author's initials are in:
2a. FRESH-SQUEEZED LEMONADE (Angelika Overath) Unschärfen der Liebe ✓ 07/24
2b. UNSWEETENED ICED TEA (Takaya Natsuki) Fruits Basket Pearls 02 ✓ 07/28
2c. ROOT BEER SODA (Amber Benson) Slayers: A Buffyverse Story ✓ 06/17
2d. FRUIT PUNCH
2e. SPARKLING WATER (Sara Gmuer) Achtzehnter Stock ✓ 08/03

Burger and Hotdog Toppings - 300 points
3a. Ketchup: A book with red on the cover ✓ 08/16
3b. Relish: A book by a favorite author Twittering Birds Never Fly 01 ✓ 09/09
3c. Mustard: A book with a military character (Ari's dad is a Vietnam veteran) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ✓ 07/17
3d. Pickles: A book title that includes a word starting with the letter P Die Probe ✓ 07/27
3e. Cheese: A sentimental book Ein Zeichen der Zuneigung 08 ✓ 08/23

Desserts - 400 points
4a. A book with a child main character
4b. A book with a wedding (Pasiphae marries Minos) Circe ✓ 07/12
4c. A book that has been nominated for an award (National Book Award Nominee) Ruhm und Verbrechen des Hoodie Rosen ✓ 06/16
4d. A book with a cafe, bakery, or restaurant as an important setting (HomeMarket) The emperor of gladness ✓ 06/04
4e. A book originally written in a language other than English (Japanese) Liebesgift ✓ 06/29

The Sides - 500 points
5a. Potato salad - A book with more than one point of view (6) Alle Farben grau ✓ 07/10
5b. Mac n' cheese - A book by an author with 10 or more books (Richard Bachman alias Stephen King) Todesmarsch ✓ 07/05
5c. Corn bread - A book originally published before 1900
5d. Deviled eggs - A book with challenging subject matter (Pedophilia, Alcoholism) Was wir ihnen antun: Kriminalroman (River-Delta-Reihe 4) ✓ 07/20
5e. Watermelon - A book over 500 pages (528) Alles Licht, das wir nicht sehen ✓ 06/25

Duration: June 1, 2025 - August 31, 2025

1. Books must be at least 100 pages long, except for graphic novels or poetry, which must be at least 200 pages long. For audiobooks, you can either use the printed version to determine the equivalent page length or we will convert at a rate of 1 minute = 1 page.
2. Picture books or any other books where illustrations make up most of the book can’t be used.
3. You must read the whole of a book between June 1 and August 31 to count it for this challenge. Books started before June 1st must have at least 100 pages left before beginning on June 1st.

Finished: 2025/05/18

Duration: March 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025

You are given a set of words and phrases, and you must match books to these phrases in one of three ways.

Progress: 15/15

The Phrases
1. springtime - Nakamura Makino - The Fallen Alpha ✓ 05/12
2. bloom - Oliver Lovrenski - bruder, wenn wir nicht family sind, wer dann ✓ 03/21
3. sun shining - Natsuno Hiroko - About a Love song ✓ 05/12
4. baby animals - Yamane Ayano - Crimson Spell 01 ✓ 03/23
5. eggs - Secret Service: Maison de Ayakashi 05 ✓ 04/04
6. tulips - Top Secret ✓ 04/18
7. jellybeans - Ennead 1 ✓ 05/18
8. rainstorm - Naokos Lächeln ✓ 04/25
9. sprout - ✓ 03/13
10. warming - Wackelkontakt ✓ 03/19
11. spring break - Simon Beckett - Die Chemie des Todes ✓ 03/29
12. raincoat - André Aciman - Call Me by Your Name ✓ 05/02
13. green - ✓ 03/29
14. earth day - Haikyu!! – Band 25 ✓ 03/19
15. pastels - ✓ 04/10

How to Fill the Prompts
1. Phrase contains BOTH letters of the author's name (ignore middle initial)
2. Phrase contains the first letter of the title (ignore or include A, An, and The)
3. Phrase is exemplified on the cover (your interpretation)

I think I'll do this one.

Duration: December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025

The Prompts:

Find a book that ...

- Fits one of the last 4 prompts on the 2024 list (published in 2024: 7.5.2024) Given 09 by Kizu Natsuki ✓ 24/12/02
- Fits one of the first 4 prompts on the 2025 list (set underground) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ✓ 24/12/21
- Has a mostly white cover
- Is on a Best of 2024 list (Zeit 100 beste Bücher des Jahres)
- Is set in the snow Mord im Orientexpress by Agatha Christie ✓ 25/02/11
- Is by an author you've read before Ein Zeichen der Zuneigung 07 by Morishita Suu ✓ 25/01/10
- Features a winter holiday (christmas) Links by Kizu Natsuki ✓ 25/01/06
- Is nonfiction Otaku Stories: Aus dem Leben eines Manga- und Anime-Fans by Amir Yarahi ✓ 25/01/09
- Is written by an author whose first or last initial can be found in WINTER Tobias Goldfarb - Hilda Hasenherz. Das Abenteuer im Fuchswald ✓ 24/12/07
- Has a mostly blue cover by Pengu ✓ 25/01/02
- Is a speculative fiction novel Der Prozess by Franz Kafka ✓ 24/12/31
- Features family drama Best Bro Ever by Jenny Jägerfeld ✓ 24/12/05
- Has fire on the cover
- Is written by a BIPOC author Jean Kyoung Frazier - Pizza Girl ✓ 24/12/10
- Is a love story Ein Zeichen der Zuneigung 06 by Morishita Suu ✓ 24/12/11

Not joined yet, but I am considering:
NBRC - ABC Reading Challenge
NBRC - Read the Alphabet (Title)
NBRC - National Grouch Day
NBRC - Creature Feature
TLC - Read your Age
TLC - Name your favorite Tune
TLC - Pick your Poison
TLC - People and Places from Oz
TLC - Pyramid of Books
TLC - Autumn inspired First Names

Maybe recurring:
Anti Alphabet Challenge
Doorstoppers (600+ pages)
Audio Challenge

Rejects Challenge

1. A book set in a different hemisphere than where you live (Western Hemisphere) ✓ 02/07
2. A manga or a book about manga ✓ 03/19
3. A book involving love ✓ 04/25
4. A book about a historical figure ✓ 03/13
5. A book title or author’s first or last name starting with J (Jonas Maas) ✓ 01/13
6. A book with an East-West connection (Eric from Chicago, Haru from Tokyo) ✓ 01/06
7. A book set before 1900 ✓ 01/14
8. A book involving the pursuit of happiness ✓ 09/20
9. A book featuring a circus, amusement park, or fair
10. A book by a Generation Y (Millennial) writer ✓ 05/16
11. A book related to something you loved, learned about, or longed for early in your life (manga, japan, chinese horoscope) ✓ 07/28
12. A book relating to Blood (vampires) ✓ 03/30
13. A book relating to Sweat (summer, sports) ✓ 01/02
14. A book relating to Tears (depression) ✓ 04/10
15. Three books by authors from 3 different European countries: (Great Britain) ✓ 01/27
16. Three books by authors from 3 different European countries: (Germany) ✓ 01/09
17. Three books by authors from 3 different European countries: (Ireland) ✓ 02/02
18. A book that is short (less than 250 pages) (224) ✓ 01/06
19. A book that is long (greater than 450 pages) (528) ✓ 06/25
20. A book with skull or bone imagery ✓ 07/17
21. A book with a character who is not heterosexual OR cis-gender ✓ 05/12
22. A book connected to butterflies or moths ✓ 06/29
23. A book about someone fighting for their rights
24. A book with a well-crafted villain ✓ 02/28
25. A book set in a nation, territory, or commonwealth whose predominant language is Spanish (Venezuela) ✓ 09/14
26. A book with a major character who doesn't have a job ✓ 02/26
27. A book with an "Alice" connection ✓ 03/29
28. A book inspired by mythology, legend, folklore, or fairytale ✓ 05/18
29. A book related to a Stephen King book ✓ 07/05
30. A book by an author who shares a last name with a famous non-writer (Jennifer Love Hewitt) ✓ 09/05
31. A book that plays with perceptions of reality ✓ 06/17
32. A book considered children's literature
33. A book with a competent main character ✓ 09/09
34. A book relating to the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, or the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz ✓ 03/23
35. A book that is the source for one of the quotes from https://www.literaryclock.com/ ✓ 02/11
36. A book with an indefinite article in the title ✓ 01/10
37. A book that includes something mentioned in William Shakespeare's Sonnet #25 (The painful warrior famoused for fight) ✓ 04/13
38. A book with a curmudgeon or grumpy character ✓ 03/17
39. A candidate for a prestigious literary award (nobel prize) ✓ 01/18
40. A book related to one of the top ten cereals of all time
41. A Gothic book
42. A book that fits three other prompts on this list (manga, illustrations, yellow) ✓ 04/04
43. A book with illustrations ✓ 03/29
44. A book with a character who works in law enforcement ✓ 02/11
45. A book with a protagonist who is a different gender than the author ✓ 02/03
46. A book with yellow on the cover ✓ 03/19

The Anniversary List

2016: A book originally written in a language other than English (japanese) ✓ 09/03
2017: A book whose title doesn't contain the letter "E" ✓ 09/20
2018: An author's debut book (1996)
2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements (gold on cover) ✓ 02/03
2020: A book with an emotion in the title ✓ 08/05
2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet (uniform)
2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name ✓ 09/20
2023: A book whose author has published more than 7 books
2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year (should be 4 years by now)
2025: A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family

ATY 2025

1. A book with a cover that has an image of something that starts with A, T, or Y (Arrow) ✓ 06/05
2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list (A book inspired by mythology, legend, folklore, or fairytale) ✓ 05/18
3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song (A Drop of Golden Sun) ✓ 06/04
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld (yakuza)
5. A book with a weird or intriguing title ✓ 06/16

6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover ✓ 07/17
7. A book by an author that uses 3 names ✓ 08/22
8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings ✓ 01/06
9. A book that has been long-listed for the Tournament of Books in any year (2019) ✓ 07/12

10. A book about witches, goddesses or nuns
11. A book set in a fictional location ✓ 03/23
12. A book by an Irish author ✓ 02/02
13. A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family ✓ 03/21
14. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman

15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception ✓ 07/10
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list (The next book in a series you are reading) ✓ 01/10
17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925 (around World War I) ✓ 07/27
18. A book set primarily in nature ✓ 06/29

19. A book with a cover that has a building or cityscape ✓ 07/20
20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title
21. A book connected in some way to any collective noun for animals (Flamboyance of Flamingos - ayame is flamboyant as fuck)
22. A translated novel from Asia ✓ 01/18

23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting ✓ 07/27
24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal ✓ 03/17
25. A book with waves on the cover ✓ 01/02
26. A book by an author with a common noun in their name (natsu = summer)
27. A book set in the winter

28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 1 ✓ 05/18
29. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 2
30. A monster book (392 pages for a manga is a lot) ✓ 07/28
31. A book with a coastal setting

32. A mystery or true crime book ✓ 05/23
33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time ✓ 09/09
34. A book title that could be a country song
35. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists ✓ 06/25

36. A book with a common household object on the cover
37. A book featuring adult friendships ✓ 04/13
38. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 1 (kimono on cover, historical) ✓
39. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 2 (kimono on cover, contamporary, fantasy)
40. A book you'd consider a comfort read ✓ 08/23

41. A book that involves digging up the past ✓ 07/15
42. A book set in a manor, mansion, or estate ✓ 04/04
43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters (9) ✓ 06/05
44. A haunting book ✓ 08/17

45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years (29) ✓ 07/21
46. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names (pink moon)
47. A book relating to fire
48. A book with a character dealing with death ✓ 06/28

49. A book that deals with time travel, alternate universes, or alternate timelines ✓ 06/17
50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2024 or 2025 (may 2024) ✓ 02/26
51. A book published in 2025 ✓ 03/19
52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover

Angela wrote: "Initially, I also thought any household item sounded crazily broad, until I scanned my TBR of hundreds and found.. three covers that seemed appropriate..four maybe? It was a much more elusive thing..."

That's actually a very nice hint. Thanks for that.

Doing my first impressions with this one. Maybe input might help.

1. A book set during a revolution, revolt, or rebellion - not vibing it currently, might stay neutral
2. A book that has won an Alex Award - I have a few options, but I somehow connect more with the other award prompt
3. A book with a common household object on the cover - so basically anything on the cover, as I understand it?
4. A book with zombies - while I kind of like it, I have no idea right now what I would want to read
5. A book with text partially obscured by the cover art - not sure I really want this
6. A book that includes something mentioned in William Shakespeare's Sonnet #25 - I kinda like this and its possibilities
7. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names - I'm curious enough to consider this
8. A book with a curmudgeon or grumpy character - I bet I have a grumpy softie in my pile of unread mangas for this, so a strong maybe
9. A book that fits three other prompts on this list - I kind of like the challenge
10. A candidate for a prestigious literary award - I like the openness of this and could always come back to Deutscher Buchpreis
11. A Gothic book - I could always come back to my favorite classics for this
12. A book where you hope or expect to learn something new - I'm intrigued to be honest
13. A book you'd consider a comfort read - whether it makes it or not, I'll do a rejects anyway so I might stay neutral
14. A book related to one of the top ten cereals of all time - I think we have 6 of these over here and I actually like the creativity of this one
15. A book with a trial - I wonder if this is just meant for law or also in the sense of an experiment or a test?