Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2019 Plans
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MJ's 2019 is gonna be better list!
I need to read 13 books per quarter!!January
*1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy The Marrow Thieves
*2. A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why) Those Who Run in the Sky
3. Book where author's name contains A, T, Y The Colony of Unrequited Dreams
4. A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc) Bearskin
February
5. A book by Shakespeare or inspired by Shakespeare
The Great Night
March
6. A book with a dual timeline
The Secret Keeper
10. A book featuring an historical figure
Lincoln in the Bardo
43. A book related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) [fiction or nonfiction]
All Systems Red
*16. A book told from multiple perspectives
The Break
April*40. A book you stumbled upon
To The Bright Edge of the World
*19. A book by an author who has more than one book on your TBR
Wenjack
42. A book with a monster or "monstrous" character
The Haunting of Hill House
47. A book related to food (i.e. title, cover, plot, etc.)
Heart Berries
7. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #1
'As Their Natural Resources Fail': Native Peoples and the Economic History of Northern Manitoba, 1870-1930
35. A psychological thriller
Dark Places
9. A book from one of the top 5 money making genres (romance/erotica, crime/mystery, religious/inspirational, science fiction/fantasy or horror)
Artificial Condition
May
21. A book from one of the polarizing or close call votes
This Fallen Prey
50. A book that includes a journey (physical, health, or spiritual)
As I Lay Dying
27. A book off of the 1001 books to read before you die list
Cranford
33. A book you have owned for at least a year, but have not read yet
River Thieves
June
28. A book related to something cold (i.e. theme, title, author, cover, etc.)
The Other Side of Everest: Climbing the North Face Through the Killer Storm
July26. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #4 Something Blue
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
52. A book with a weird or intriguing title
The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor
25. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #3 Something Borrowed
The Borrowers
17. A speculative fiction (i.e. fantasy, scifi, horror, dystopia)
Divergent
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.)
Lost Among the Birds: Accidentally Finding Myself in One Very Big Year (related to the movie The Big Year)
August
22. A book with a number in the title or on the cover
They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School
37. A book set in a school or university
Fangirl
48. A book that was a finalist or winner for the National Book Award for any year
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
11. A book related to one of the 12 Zodiac Chinese Animals (title, cover, subject)
Indian Horse
September
13. A book that is included on a New York Public Library Staff Picks list
Salt to the Sea 2016/Spring/YA
36. A book featured on an NPR Best Books of the Year list
The Hate U Give
41. A book from the 2018 GR Choice Awards
Force of Nature
14. A book with a title, subtitle or cover relating to an astronomical term
As Bright as Heaven
October*51. A book published in 2019
Moccasin Square Gardens: Short Stories
38. A book not written in traditional novel format (poetry, essay, epistolary, graphic novel, etc)
Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds
39. A book with a strong sense of place or where the author brings the location/setting to life
An Unspoken Hunger: Stories from the Field
23. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #1 Something Old
*Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival
November
30. A book featuring an elderly character
The Secret diary of Hendrik Groen 83 1/4 years old
29. A book published before 1950
The Falcon
12. A book about reading, books or an author/writer
84, Charing Cross Road
46. A book with a (mostly) black cover
Toil & Trouble
December
49. A book written by a Far East Asian author or set in a Far East Asian country
The Sound of the Mountain
31. A children’s classic you’ve never read
Stuart Little
Oh man! I haven't even made a real dent in 2018's list (never mind the prompts I carried over from the previous year) and next year is approaching fast. It's too soon to plan 2019 when I'm still trying to progress on the current one.That being said, I am working for an indigenous non-profit organization and want to read more non-fiction and fiction about and/or by indigenous authors. It's probably too ambitious to say that 50% of books I read next year will be indigenous... but I'll do my best to work towards that goal.
As usual, too many books out there calling for my attention!
AND [edit] I'm just going to put this right here (even though there is no real probability that I'll have time to consider it:
My 2019 Rejects List (hahahaha)
Bottom
A book about a dog
Old Yeller
White Fang
A book set in the city, state or area where you grew up
book by a transgender author
Peter Darling
Little Fish
If I Was Your Girl
Long Black Veil
A book where the main character is a psychic, medium, clairvoyant or empath
Close Call
A book in which a character uses a disguise or a false/fake identity
✅City of the Lost
portal fiction
A book set in a small town or village
✅A Darkness Absolute
The first book on your TBR, sorted by whichever criteria you choose
No Designation:
A book about a serial killer
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
The Dead Zone
A book that has some kind of controversy around it
Ulysses
The Satanic Verses
A book that was mentioned in another book you read
The Orphan of the Rhine
A book with a meteorological phenomena in the title
Polarizing
A book related to your zodiac sign
The God of Small Things
A book of short stories, essays, or poems
A book connected to health or medicine (fiction or non-fiction)
A book recommended to you by Goodreads based on one of your shelves
This list is as done as it's going to get. I'm excited about everything on it, and the trouble with giving myself so many options (I have not done this in previous years) is that I want to read all of the ones I've listed, but won't be able to in one calendar year. I'm working on:
-The Rory Gilmore challenge
-reading all books written by Stephen King
-Classics. I always want to get in more of these
-books written by Indigenous authors and/or books having Indigenous topics. My current work has made me realize how little I know about my country's colonial history and first peoples.
I need to start listening to audio books. I should have looked into audio options from the library while I was doing this; maybe that's something to work on between now and January 1. I can't wait to start working on this list!
Lots of great books on here! I loved Dark Places and The Picture of Dorian Gray. I can't wait for 2019 either! I also can't wait to finish 2018.
It's nice to see Murderbot in several plans, I hope you'll enjoy it, it was a fun read for me.I found The Borrowers very dull, but at least it's a quick read. It's a popular book, so maybe I'm just not the right audience for it!
I just finished watching The Haunting of Hill House, I don't know how it's different from the book, but it was a very good series. I'm not sure I want to try the paper version if it's as much scary :p
Zaz wrote: "It's nice to see Murderbot in several plans, I hope you'll enjoy it, it was a fun read for me.I found The Borrowers very dull, but at least it's a quick read. It's a popular book, so maybe I'm ju..."
Murderbot? Was that an autocorrect? I scanned my list, but don't know what you're referring to!
Yeah, The Borrowers I am lukewarm to at best. I need something better for that prompt! I will be looking at what others are reading for it!
Ha. It's the series name. The book is totally new to me as of today when I found it on Peter's list!
Zaz wrote: "It's nice to see Murderbot in several plans, I hope you'll enjoy it, it was a fun read for me.I found The Borrowers very dull, but at least it's a quick read. It's a popular book, so maybe I'm ju..."
Zaz - I'm about halfway through the TV series of The Haunting of Hill House. It is way different from the book and a lot scarier. I didn't find the book scary at all. I did like the book though.
That's a great list. I have Vinegar Girl shortlisted for the Shakespeare prompt too. I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd early this year and it's still one of my favourite books of 2018, I hope you enjoy it if you do read it.
MJ > glad you found the name of the series, it would have been a lot confusing without it!Joan > it's interesting the book and the series are different, I'll keep it in mind :)
We are in December. I've placed holds at my library for prompts 1 and 2 so that hopefully I will have them in hand when the year turns over!The Marrow Thieves
and
Whiskey When We're Dry
I am going to try reading in order this year... but that will (almost guaranteed) fall by the wayside if I do fieldwork again this summer.
Also...
Problem: I've put multiple options for many of the challenge's prompts. I want to read them all. Sigh.
Reading as much as I can these days so that I can make a respectable-ish this year. Ha.
Good luck with your 2019 challenge! Lots of good options, I would recommend A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, one of my favourites from last year :)
I have a copy of The Marrow Thieves in hand and waiting for1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy
And for 2. A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
I just put a request for Those Who Run in the Sky, which will be a quick read. I was planning to read
Whiskey When We're Dry for this prompt, but it will probably be one of my first side reads of the year when I (finally) get it. I will try reading in order - until I don't want to read in order anymore.
Planning to read Candide for another challenge. It might even be my first (side read) book of the year.
Just a crazy person who is already planning what to read as soon as the calendar page turns over! And I have so many other books to get through before then!
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorites! It has such great characters and I think it was 1 out of 3 books my grandfather read in his life and he loved it too. Nice list and I quite envy your intention of reading in order!
Jen wrote: "The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorites! It has such great characters and I think it was 1 out of 3 books my grandfather read in his life and he loved it too. Nice list and I..."
The Count of Monte Cristo has been on my tbr for years! Not sure why I'm avoiding it.
Knowing me, I am sure I won't make it through the year reading in order. Too confining, but I'll try!
Starting off the year with A SIDE READ. In the weeks leading up to this day, I was quite excited about starting afresh. This morning? Whatevs. Maybe I'll tie up a loose end or two before adding another book to the ones I'm already reading...
A different attitude, heading into year 4 of ATY!
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
I probably won't finish it, but it's for the read-a-thon: a heartwarming book.
HNY!
Great list. There are several on yours that I plan to read this year so I'll be following along.
Good luck MJ! Hope this year is a better one for you! I’m starting off with a side-read too (well an unfinished one I started yesterday).
Finished Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog. Just started The Marrow Thieves for prompt
1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy
Because I’m reading in order, at least until I get frustrated.
I am not sure now why I selected this one. What genre award was I thinking of? My other choice, All Systems Red won the Hugo award for SF, but i didn’t want to wait for it to become available. I might be fudging this first choice, since it seems I got confused!
The Marrow Thieves is my choice for prompt 1 as well and my first read of the year. Hope you enjoy it.
First book done. YEAHHHH!1. A book that was nominated for or won an award in a genre you enjoy
The Marrow Thieves
A thoroughly frustrating and bewildering story.
Great start to the new challenge!You have some interesting books on your list, I see a few of my favourites and a couple I'm planning on reading this year: The Count of Monte Cristo and Middlemarch.
Good luck and I hope to hear what you think of the two doorstoppers :-)
On to week 3! I finished Those Who Run in the Sky, a YA novel written by an Inuit author: for week 2 - A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why).
I thought it was good, but didn't love it. It took a while to get into, and the second half was more engrossing than the first half.
For 3. A book where the author’s name contains A, T, and Y
I'm reading The Colony of Unrequited Dreams. A Canadian historical fiction novel based on the life of a politician. A little unsure of the politician part, but we'll see how it goes. First chunkster of the year with just shy of 600 pages.
Marina H wrote: "Great start to the new challenge!You have some interesting books on your list, I see a few of my favourites and a couple I'm planning on reading this year: The Count of Monte Cristo and Middlemarc..."
Both have been on my tbr for a while, and i purchased Middlemarch 2 or 3 years ago for my ATY challenge, and then I avoided reading it. This year.
I planned to read Whiskey When We're Dry for 2. A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why)But after a few pages, my brain yelled at me to stop. The reviews for the book gush anout how great it is. I just don’t want to get used to the coloquialisms/style of the thing.
I was really looking forward to this one. Yes, I’ve already read a book for this prompt. I decided I ‘d read both choices. Nope.
Finished my third ATY book of the year! It's amazing that I'm ahead of schedule!Next up, week
4. A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc)
I've put a request in at the library for an audio version of Bearskin. Not sure how that will go, because I think I prefer reading over listening.
Not sure what to do while I'm waiting for Bearskin.
Haha. Maybe catch up/ finish the pile of other books I've got on the go (insert eye roll here).
You are on a roll. Don't let the library slow you down.
Finally(!) finished listening to Bearskin for4. A book with a criminal character (i.e. assassin, pirate, thief, robber, scoundrel etc),
I would have finished it sooner had I read it, I think, and I also feel I missed several details by listening to it. I DID appreciate the reader, and I would love to see more by this author - this was his first novel.
I have The Great Night for #5, but am currently listening The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter ... for kicks, and because it's short (3 hours-ish)!
Great start to the year - 2019 is definitely gonna be better!
FINALLY finished The Great Nightfor 5. A book by Shakespeare or inspired by Shakespeare
I am behind, and I have THREE side reads on my bedside table that I want to read. This is ridiculous!
Starting10. A book featuring an historical figure
Lincoln in the Bardo
I'm behind and I'm skipping ahead.. sort of.
I'm reading two books simultaneously for 7 and 8 (they're both work-related; they might take me all year to finish) and I'm on the waitlist for 9.
I've also done some side reads in the mean time.
Side reads are like candy. They are just so tempting.
Anastasia wrote: "Side reads are like candy. They are just so tempting."I’ve been trying to read in order this year. The side reads have been happening when my next book are unavailable. I might need to stop my ordered reads!
Just finished Lincoln in the Bardo for
10. A book featuring an historical figure
I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wow!
And a quick read too (a bonus for someone who is lagging behind)!
So. I've been inundated with books. Luckily, I have next week off! I'm gonna READ!Currently reading:
The Break for
16. A book told from multiple perspectives
'As Their Natural Resources Fail': Native Peoples and the Economic History of Northern Manitoba, 1870-1930
for7. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #1
I just got The Girl in the Tower for
9. A book from one of the top 5 money making genres (romance/erotica, crime/mystery, religious/inspirational, science fiction/fantasy or horror)
And All Systems Red which I requested months ago. I don't know where to fit this one on the list, but I'm gonna read it.
I also have a side read or two. How many of these can I finish in a week?? :D
Jody wrote: "ALL OF THEM."YEAH. I didn’t realize All Systmes Red was a novella. If I don’t finish it tonight, it’ll be finished tomorrow! Sad I missed the readathon that just finished, but I’m going to have my own private one starting an hour ago. Wheee!!
In a reading slump. Or, since I spend a lot of time reading at work (not books), my brain is too mushy to read for fun. I am going to try To The Bright Edge of the World
40. A book you stumbled upon
I was looking for something from my list that was available for download NOW at my library, and this one came up when I searched for Sarah Maine's book, Beyond The Wild River.
It looks interesting. Come on, Brain, you can do this. (I am soooooooooo behind!)
I did not want To The Bright Edge of the World to end. I just wanted to slip away into that world. It's going to be one of my favourites of the year... even though I think I've that at least once or twice this year already.Next up, I'm reading Wenjack for
19. A book by an author who has more than one book on your TBR
I did not realize it was a novella - I will finish it today. I also didn't realize who the story is about. I'm glad I'm finally getting to it.
Adding that one to my TBR! I really enjoyed The Snow Child so I am very hopeful!
Ok. Wenjack was a QUICK one. I have today and tomorrow off, so let's call this a readathon, shall we?
Next up is the audio version of The Haunting of Hill House for
42. A book with a monster or "monstrous" character
I really thought I'd do a Stephen King book for this prompt, but Hill House is available at the library now.
Jody wrote: "Adding that one to my TBR! I really enjoyed The Snow Child so I am very hopeful!"Now I want to read The Snow Child!
I am working my way through Heart Berries for 47. A book related to food (i.e. title, cover, plot, etc.)It's short. I'm not really enjoying it. Reading about someone else's struggles with their mental illness/problems is difficult... and is rather heavier than what I'd prefer to read. Hoping to finish it tonight.
I've checked out/downloaded FIVE other books and haven't decided which one to read next. I hope to get through them all in the next three weeks. Ha. I also have a paper copy of a book (The Girl in the Tower) that I just can't bring myself to read, even though I was super looking forward to it. Hmm.
I will not be able to finish this one before I go back to work on Tuesday. It's set in the northern part of my home province: Kiss of the Fur Queen for
28. A book related to something cold (i.e. theme, title, author, cover, etc.)
I have that one on my list too. Let me now what you think of it.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Stuart Little (other topics)Stuart Little (other topics)
The Sound of the Mountain (other topics)
Toil & Trouble (other topics)
84, Charing Cross Road (other topics)
More...
The 2019 List
*Indigenous author and/or subject
BOLD prompts: not selecting ahead of time
8. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #2
*Godless but Loyal to Heaven
15. A book by an author from a Mediterranean country or set in a Mediterranean country
The Count of Monte Cristo
Tender Is the Night
18. A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
The Golden Compass
20. A book featuring indigenous people of a country
*Far Off Metal River: Inuit Lands, Settler Stories, and the Making of the Contemporary Arctic
24. 4 books inspired by the wedding rhyme: Book #2 Something New
The Luminaries
The Hotel New Hampshire
32. A book with more than 500 pages
Middlemarch
The Wise Man's Fear
Charles Dickens? Stephen King?
34. A book with a person's name in the title
#Franny and Zooey
For Joshua by R. Wagamese
45. A multi-generational saga
The House of the Spirits
Pachinko AUDIO
In previous years, I've planned to (and failed) to read a certain number of books from certain categories (new authors, classics, sci-fi, etc). This year? It would be nice to read more of:
Rick Riordan
Patricia A. McKillip
Charles Dickens
I'd also like to remind myself to read
Life and Fate
The Secret Speech
Resurrection
I've been wanting to get to these for several years now, but other shinier books have gotten in the way. On the plus side, I finally read The Stand in 2018. There's hope!