Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2021] Poll 1 Voting
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A book about money
It can be a book with really wealthy or really poor characters, a book with something about money in the title or on the cover, or an actual money book, like Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum, described as the largest archaeological museum in the world, is expected to be completed in 2021. I was trying to think of a prompt around that...
Book set in Egypt, in a museum, or dealing with archaeology perhaps.
An alternate history book
Alternate history is a subgenre of speculative fiction (or science fiction) and historical fiction that is set in a world in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. Alternate history literature asks the question, "What if history had developed differently?" Most works in this genre are based on real historical events, yet feature social, geopolitical, or industrial circumstances that developed differently than our own. https://www.goodreads.com/genres/alte...
A book related to something good that happened in 2020
This could also be something personal, like you got a new job or had a child win a prize and you could read something related to the fields involved. Or you took up a hobby during lockdown and could read something related to it.
A book that fills a "hole" in your typical reading habits
That could be set in location that is often neglected, by a POC or LGBTQIA author, a genre you don't usually read, etc.
A book related to a book
Fiction or nonfiction. It could be about libraries, authors, publishers, readers, etc.
A book with the letter Z on the cover
That could include a letter Z in the title, in the authors name or in a blurb. It could even be a zig zag pattern on the cover.
A book related to Shakespeare
Could go many ways: One of Shakespeare’s plays, a title based on a Shakespeare quote, a retelling of a Shakespeare story, a book about Shakespeare
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of "a book related to a technological advancement." I realized that my initial hesitation was that I was thinking a recent technological advancement, but the way it's worded really opens up genre possibilities: this would be a great prompt for science fiction, of course, but also I think a lot of historical fiction.
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Hannah wrote: "The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of "a book related to a technological advancement." I realized that my initial hesitation was that I was thinking a recent technological advancem..."Yes, that’s why I suggested it. When we think technology, our minds snap to computerized things of the 2000s instantly. But when you think about it further, technology is more than that. It allows for sci fi and historical fictions, and non-fiction in histories and biographies.
Mod
I may also vote for the author without an ATY, because I love that we always seem to get one of these on the list and it may as well be this one. I'll probably also vote for race relations and religion that is not your own (which, in my case, would just mean any character that is religious, but I would probably try to look outside of Christianity).
The other two votes would probably just go to downvoting the least exciting prompts for me. But this is a good group of possibilities!
It's a great first batch of suggestions, and it will be a tough choice. I can think of at least one or two options for everything, even the Egypt one because Jodi Picoult's new book is about Egypt! The only one I'm not such a fan of is the something positive in 2020 prompt. I really like the idea in general, but I can't really think of anything that I would pick. It hasn't been a very positive year for me in general so far, and the things I can think of (ie. the way my program has adapted to running activities and classes online) are too randomly specific to find books for. Or, it's things that have happened to other people (ie. my coworker just had a baby), and it seems a bit weird to pick that too. I'd definitely need to see some suggestions to get some ideas...
So far I’m leaning towards racism, alternate history, country you’ve never visited (I’d go BIO with this and read something I’ve never visited in my reading life before), and maybe fill a hole although technology and team or organisation are also piquing my interest.
I have four up and four down so that is perfect! lolI really love the tech prompt (sci-fi nerd here), no A T Y in the author's name, Z on the cover and alt history (did I mention I am a sci fi nerd?) lol
Most of the others were also really good, there were just four that really aren't my cup of tea as they say.
I like the race relations/racism one. Especially since 2021 represents 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, an especially painful time for many Black Americans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_r...
As of right now I think I am going to up vote the race relations, religion, the team/organization, the ATY and the the Egyptian prompts.Still figuring out what I am going to do with the other three votes.
Mod
I nominated child POV so that will be an upvote for me. It could work as middle grade or any YA book but also there are lots of adult books written from a child's perspective. I will also upvote the Egyptian museum. I really love this prompt and want to find a book actually set in ancient Egypt.
I also like a book with the letter Z on the cover. This is super fun, and I always enjoy cover prompts. It's easy to browse my tbr and pick books.
I'm not a fan of book related to something good in 2020, I'm all for being positive but over half way through the year and I can't think of a single thing I feel like picking a book off of. Also will likely down vote a book that fills a hole. I just prefer prompts that are less vague.
Still deciding on the rest of my votes. I like the religion prompt but the rest I'm pretty indifferent on.
Emily- for the team/organization prompt - my first thought was a sports team, since I recently read We Ride Upon Sticks, about a field hockey team, and loved it, and there's a book about a Quidditch team coming out this fall that I'm excited about. Second, and honestly likelier, thought was a ship's crew, as I read a lot of nautical fiction & history nonfiction, lol. I might also use a musical group, theatrical production or film cast, political party, a company... all of those could go fiction or nonfiction. I like that prompt because it instantly got my mind working on ideas for it, actually!I like the prompts that are open to interesting interpretations, the way the Maximilian Hell one was this year, so I like the Egyptian museum one for that, how it can go in so many different directions for different people. Less a fan of alternate history because it's so much more straightforward - just read a book in this specific genre - even though I happen to quite like alternate history.
I also like the "book related to a book" prompt, because that can also go in so many ways, but also because I do love retellings and spin-offs/sequels of classics, which would fit perfectly here! ;)
I have to say, I'm not really a fan of "A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own". I've had this prompt on multiple other readathons/challenges over the last couple of years, and it's always sort of annoying to me as a Baha'i...since it's way, way too broad for me (I have yet to read any book where the protagonist DOES adhere to my religion, lol) and, though I admit this is just me and my own issues, makes me feel a little othered and alienated from those in majority religions. So I'm planning to downvote that, and if it does end up being on the final list, it'll just be one of those "plug in whatever random book you happen to end up reading" prompts for me.
I totally get the problems people are having with the "something good in 2020" prompt... I can think of some things I'd use for it personally (like, I went to a concert in early January, so I could use a book about a concert or music or whatever), but I'm leaning towards downvoting it since multiple people are expressing their struggle with thinking of anything for it.
Mod
I like alternate history, but I also think it's a bit too specific for a lot of people. There might be a way to broaden it. (I suppose you could say that Regency romances, which I like, are alternate history because all the men are supportive of women's independence, all the servants are happy, and everyone takes a lot of baths!)
I agree, technological advancement could be old - the printing press, or the building of the pyramids (Egypt again!), a book from WWI with cars or airplanes which were very new, or something in the future.
Robin wrote: "The different religion could come under the "hole in your reading", that is it could be something you don't usually read about. I like alternate history, but I also think it's a bit too specific ..."
I think it's kind of funny that everyone else seems to have heard "technological advancement" and went to sci fi or current/future tech, and I first & only thought of historical fiction until reading this thread! XD
This is a great first set. I definitely like reading about technological advancements both current and in the past.Rachel wrote: "The only one I'm not such a fan of is the something positive in 2020 prompt. I really like the idea in general, but I can't really think of anything that I would pick..."
Yeah, I don't like to be overly negative but it hasn't been a great year so far. I can't really read about Animal Crossing...
I less like the filling a hole prompt just because lately I haven't been reading much so I'm not looking for a challenging challenge for myself next year.
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I don't think I'll downvote it, but I would have to get creative (or blur the lines of what constitutes a "hole") if it makes it in.
Ellie wrote: "I can't really read about Animal Crossing..."You could read about games in general (e.g. Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made) or read a book set in a village, book with farming/fishing/whatever-else-there-is-in-the-game.
Entropia wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I can't really read about Animal Crossing..."You could read about games in general (e.g. [book:Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are ..."
I can't read games history books because those are the kind of things my partner reads and he tells me all the good stuff, so by the time I get round to them I feel like I've read them already!
Interesting choices! I can think of a few I will definitely upvote: The technological advancement one will be perfect for the next book in the Expanse series or a re-read of more than one favorite. The team/organization one is also really broad, it can apply to almost any police procedural/thriller that involves the police or FBI or similar, but it also fits secret societies and children's detective books and many action/adventure books (you know, putting together an interdisciplinary team to investigate X)... And I love the something good in 2020 one! Before the lockdown started in March, at least I managed to go to Rome with my cousin for New Year's (first time ever!), sing a great winter concert with my choir, and go to London with my boyfriend for our tenth anniversary. Saw "The Mousetrap" on stage barely a week before it closed down for the first time since its premiere in the fifties. So between Rome, London, singing, cousin, ten years, and Agatha Christie, I'm sure I'll find something suitable :D
Emily wrote: "I'm interested to see how y'all are thinking about the team/organization one. Any recommendations or suggestions on how to approach it?"My first thought was sports team, or a book about a group of coworkers, but when I just read your question, for some reason my first though was a book about a cult. A cult could be considered an organization, right? Haha.
I suggested the something positive about 2020, although I’ll admit that I’m struggling with thinking of something good. However, I don’t want to end up thinking only about what a bad year it’s been, so I thought it would be good for the spirit. In terms of ideas, it could be something as small as one of your favourite authors publishing a long anticipated book in 2020 that you don’t get a chance to read until 2021.
We have been in lock down for 3.5 months, and have only begun to reopen over the last couple of weeks, so that gave me plenty of time to read. So I could argue that 2020 has been a good reading year so far, so why not read another book (any book) to celebrate?
Anyways, I don’t think it will be voted in, but I hope we all try to see the positive in this mess. There are 6 months left, surely something good might come out of this year for all of us. Reading and this group is one of those positives for me.
Something good in 2020 is a bit of a struggle for me personally as well, but the prompt doesn't specify that it has to be something good that happened to you personally. It could be .... well now I can't think of anything.... maybe, ending the Australia bush fires, sending SpaceX into space, Supreme court ruling on LGBT job protection rights, etc.
I hope I’m asking this question in the correct thread. This is my first ATY challenge. I haven’t voted before so I want to make sure I know what I’m doing. I think at this point I’m going to down vote all my 8 votes. How do you down vote?
Sherri wrote: "I hope I’m asking this question in the correct thread. This is my first ATY challenge. I haven’t voted before so I want to make sure I know what I’m doing. I think at this point I’m going to down v..."When the poll goes up there will be an option with all 15 prompts and you choose which ones to up vote. Then there will be an option with all 15 prompts and you choose which ones to down vote. You can split your votes anyway you want as long as you do not use more than 8 votes. Once the poll opens it will make sense. The mods are good if you need any help or make a mistake.
I have not completely decided on my up votes. My down votes are for prompts that I have done several times in challenges. I don't dislike them but would prefer something a little bit new.
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Roxana wrote: "I have to say, I'm not really a fan of "A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own". I've had this prompt on multiple other readathons/challenges over the last couple of years, and it's always sort of annoying to me as a Baha'i..."Aish, that was a gross oversight on my part when thinking of that prompt, sorry. I was mostly thinking of religions other than Abrahamic ones.
Mod
- A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum, just because there are so many interesting directions to take this in
- A book about or involving a team or organization; I personally might use this to read about an expedition of some kind.
- A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y; at this point we need the set lol
I'm not feeling so much:
- A book related to something good that happened in 2020; I don't want to be too pessimistic only halfway through the year, but this year has sucked and I don't want to look for the positives. The future is unknown as they say, but I think for 2021 I will be looking for a clean slate.
- A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own; as others have said I've been there done that with this prompt
Terézia wrote: "Roxana wrote: "I have to say, I'm not really a fan of "A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own". I've had this prompt on multiple other readathons/challenges over th..."For me as an atheist, it's a pretty broad list too. I mean any book that has any religious component in it would fit. I'm not going to vote for it simply because it's too broad for me, but it won't be a down vote either.
There are definitely some great prompts here.I agree that alternate history seems super specific, especially if you don't like that genre. I went through a phase of reading a bunch of them, and enjoyed it for a while. Then I got tired of it, because so much of it seemed the same. That being said, there are a number of non AH authors who have written alternate histories, without being obvious about it. Salman Rushdie has a couple books set in not quite real history. Infinite Jest is set in an alternate history. So some literary types do write in alternate histories. I'll still probably down vote it.
Love the technology prompt (including the historical fiction interpretations), the Egyptian museum, race or racism.
Avery wrote: "Something good in 2020 is a bit of a struggle for me personally as well, but the prompt doesn't specify that it has to be something good that happened to you personally..."Any books on goats in pajamas, LOL, because that's kinda where I went when I needed a 2020 news break.
Also, I started playing Redecor and joined the facebook group and it has done wonders for my mood ( but not my wallet- I've been treating myself). I ended up buying a few books on interior decorating and Feng Shui, so there's possibility there for me.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Egyptian prompt. If we end up doing homeschool for the year, our histroy unit is Ancient Egypt!!!! So perfect timing. And I already have some books picked out.
As for race relations, I have a long list in my head of what I want to read for that, and also some middle grades picked out for the girls, again for homeschool.
Not sure yet about the other prompts, I have to read the comments. Alternate history was a struggle for me last time it came up. I didn't get to The Yiddish Policemen's Union, but I did read His Majesty's Dragon, so I could continue with that series. I know a lot of people here love it, do the books get better as the series goes on?? And does anyone have any ideas for good Alt History??
ETA found an Alt history I am interested in The Years of Rice and Salt
Roxana wrote: "Emily- for the team/organization prompt - my first thought was a sports team, since I recently read We Ride Upon Sticks, about a field hockey team, and loved it, and there's a book about a Quidditc..."If you ever find a book that where the character does follow Baha'i, please post it. I love learning via literature about others' beliefs (as well as through non-fiction, but literature adds a richness) and I don't think I've ever seen a Baha'i character either.
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Hooray!
Jacque T wrote: "Roxana wrote: "Emily- for the team/organization prompt - my first thought was a sports team, since I recently read We Ride Upon Sticks, about a field hockey team, and loved it, and there's a book a..."It's the first time I heard about Baha'i so I started googling and apparently there is wiki-page about Baha'i in fiction.
Tracy wrote: "Avery wrote: "Something good in 2020 is a bit of a struggle for me personally as well, but the prompt doesn't specify that it has to be something good that happened to you personally..."Any books..."
I've read seven out of the nine books in the Temeraire series and I think the first one was the best so far. The third one (Black Powder War) is the only one I didn't really like
I went with my gut and ended up with 4 up and 4 down....now the wait for results!
I’m on the app right now. Please know I am Celeste R. In the votes.
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I voted and it seems that my previous habit of up voting 8 every time is going to continue this year.
Tracy wrote: ETA found an Alt history I am interested in The Years of Rice and Salt I read that one. Near the end of my alternate history phase. If I remember correctly, it exhibits several of the problems that I had with many authors in the genre. The alternate history part of it is fascinating and really interesting. But, the story told in that history is not as good, or the characters are flat. Sometimes I wish they had just wrote out the alternate history without the story.
I am disappointed to see how many people have not wanted to think about something positive for 2020. Admittedly I am in Australia where the Covid thing has not been as bad as in other places (so far), but we are only half-way through the year, so surely there must be some good things coming! For me there have been several positives already - closer family relationships, my first grandchild born, my return to reading Dickens after many years - I had forgotten what a masterful writer he is. Remember people - thinking positive tends to have positive outcomes.
Avery wrote: "Something good in 2020 is a bit of a struggle for me personally as well, but the prompt doesn't specify that it has to be something good that happened to you personally. It could be .... well now I..."I voted this one up. I think it will be good to look back and figure out what was the good in a year that has been so hard. Perhaps something about slow living or like you mentioned positive historical things. The year is only half over so perhaps we will have great things happen in the second half of the year.'
I did 8 up votes. I like all of these ideas and can't wait to see what wins!
Mod
I think The Black Powder War was also the weakest except that I believe that one introduces the totally unquenchable female dragon, who is a great character. I loved the series overall, partly because it was so much like the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series, but with dragons and female pilots.
Entropia wrote: "Jacque T wrote: "Roxana wrote: "Emily- for the team/organization prompt - my first thought was a sports team, since I recently read We Ride Upon Sticks, about a field hockey team, and loved it, and..."Ohhh wow, I've never heard of the Sherlock Holmes one or that sci fi trilogy, and now I'm not sure if I'm intrigued or scared, lol!
The main/only work of fiction with a Baha'i character that I really know of, besides a few works on Tahirih (early Babi/Baha'i follower, martyr, poet, etc.), is Darius the Great Is Not Okay; though the main character isn't a Baha'i, he befriends a Baha'i boy in Iran in the story. Fun fact, I discovered after reading this book that the author's father & uncles were childhood friends of my father & uncle, back in Iran, including my also Baha'i uncle with the same name as the befriended Baha'i boy in the story... but even aside from that odd connection, I loved & highly recommend this book!
Emily wrote: "I'm interested to see how y'all are thinking about the team/organization one. Any recommendations or suggestions on how to approach it?"I finished The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner the other day, which would be perfect for this!
Such a lovely book - I didn't want to leave the world of Chawton in 1945/1946!
I'm not going to vote for the good things prompt for personal reasons, but my dog farted all the way up the stairs yesterday and oh we laughed. So I can read about dogs if it gets in.
Robin wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Avery wrote: "Something good in 2020 is a bit of a struggle for me personally as well, but the prompt doesn't specify that it has to be something good that happened to y..."Ah, I forgot that she makes her first appearance in that one! That almost makes up for the lack of plot. I need to read the rest of the series when the libraries open up again
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Jane Austen Society (other topics)Darius the Great Is Not Okay (other topics)
Black Powder War (other topics)
The Years of Rice and Salt (other topics)
The Yiddish Policemen's Union (other topics)
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Possible Prompts:
1. A book related to money
2. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
3. An alternate history book
4. A book about or involving a team or organization
5. A book related to something good that happened in 2020
6. A book that fills a "hole" in your typical reading habits
7. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y
8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited
9. A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own
10. A book related to a book
11. A book about racism or race relations
12. A book with the letter Z on the cover
13. A book related to Shakespeare
14. A book related to a technological advancement
15. A book written from the point of view of a child
Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members.
VOTING IS CLOSED