Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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[2024] Poll 17 Voting
I had thought about upvoting 8 but eventually went with 4 up and 4 down. My 4 ups were animal, reflect, travel, and book club. I'm looking forward to having the list complete so I can get back to concentrating on 2023. I keep going down rabbit holes and finding books that I want to read in 2024!
Luckily I found a BBC 4 show called The Book Club so I will pluck one from there
Pearl, regarding the above question about The Island of Sea Women, I read this somewhat recently and it definitely contains quite a bit of violence. For example, it contains a description of the Bukchon massacre. This is only a portion of the book, but if you are looking to avoid violence, I would stay away from this one.
@ JoyD - Ooh, thanks for correcting my comment about Island of the Sea Women being non-violent. I read it some time ago and forgot about that.
Tracy wrote: "@ JoyD - Ooh, thanks for correcting my comment about Island of the Sea Women being non-violent. I read it some time ago and forgot about that."I forget a lot of what I read too, but I remember that part since I wasn't expecting it.
Dixie wrote: "Irene I thought you were probably right about Summertime Blues -- then I found this list! Check it out (I like how many aren't real grief but more melancholy, which is how I imagine the summertime blues to be)..."Dixie, this list is so helpful!! Thanks a lot, I'll definitely use this if it gets in (although like most Listopias, there are a lot of books on that list that I know for a fact aren't set in summer, LOL - I guess it's more about vibes than literal summertime).
POINT OF CLARIFICATION Is the last line prompt specifically to read a book on the list provided or can we source it in another way, such as a friend telling us about something they read with a great last line
Mod
Is the last line prompt specifically to read a book on the list provided or can we source it in another way, such as a friend telling us about something they read with a gre..."
It is not limited to the list provided. What I would do if it gets in (which I doubt) is not pick out a book on purpose but as I am reading, if I notice that, I'll plug that book in. If somebody wants to plan all the books ahead, the list could be useful. And if this prompt gets in, there will be a discussion thread where we can all contribute suggestions.
Robin P wrote: "Thomas wrote: "POINT OF CLARIFICATION Is the last line prompt specifically to read a book on the list provided or can we source it in another way, such as a friend telling us about something they ..."
Thank you. It was a downvote for me because I’m a planner so I didn’t like having to hope I find a good one but if it gets in it gets, Regarding likelihood we really can’t know till it’s over I was convinced Australia etc was doomed from the discussion but then it made it. So really it’s not over till it’s over
Thomas wrote: "POINT OF CLARIFICATION Is the last line prompt specifically to read a book on the list provided or can we source it in another way, such as a friend telling us about something they read with a gre..."
Hi Thomas:
You don't have to use the list. The list is a place to start for those who don't have an idea of what they might read. You can use any book you have heard read has a last line.
I've noticed that readers will often mention books that they think had a great last line or sentence. That often leads to learning enough about the book to make the decision to read it. Last lines or sentences can impact a reader's overall impression of a book. It can be fun, sad, a tease for a continuation, or even profound.
I think it's a fun prompt to put at the end of the year.
Charlsa wrote: "Thomas wrote: "POINT OF CLARIFICATION Is the last line prompt specifically to read a book on the list provided or can we source it in another way, such as a friend telling us about something they ..."
Thank you
Emily has confirmed there won’t be a poll 18 so clearly two are storming away
I have a feeling it will be 2 that I didn’t vote for! I can make any of them work, though.
Pam wrote: "I have a feeling it will be 2 that I didn’t vote for! I can make any of them work, though."I’m good with any but famous last line. But I’m sure I can find something
Thomas wrote: "Pam wrote: "I have a feeling it will be 2 that I didn’t vote for! I can make any of them work, though."I’m good with any but famous last line. But I’m sure I can find something"
I may have to rely on a Listopia list.
Pam wrote: "I have a feeling it will be 2 that I didn’t vote for! I can make any of them work, though."Me too.
There’s several that I’m really hoping are not the final two prompts but I can make most of them work. But if last line is one of them I’ll definitely be using a wild card.
dalex wrote: "There’s several that I’m really hoping are not the final two prompts but I can make most of them work. But if last line is one of them I’ll definitely be using a wild card."Feeling the same way with that one
Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?
Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"Every year I’ve done it. This year I had too many so I ended up not doing the challenge at all. For next year I’m largely happy with the prompts
I've never used a wild card, so I am hoping book with a great last line does not win. I suppose if I leave the wild card until last, it would mean finishing the challenge, and that would be a great last line for me!
Mod
Irene - I’ve completed the challenge every year since 2016 but only once used a wildcard and it wasn’t because I couldn’t find anything but rather a silent protest to that type of prompt.
Pam wrote: "Irene - I’ve completed the challenge every year since 2016 but only once used a wildcard and it wasn’t because I couldn’t find anything but rather a silent protest to that type of prompt."I’m intrigued at your silent protest
Mod
Yes, that's me, I will be "creative" with a prompt or two rather than using a wild card for an altogether different book. But the wild card option is great for those who really don't want to "cheat". The wild card is part of the rules, so not cheating.
Mod
I have never used a wild card, but have stretched a prompt. For example, there was one year the the prompt was something like set rural small population etc. I had previously read a book with a small spacecraft had crash landed on a remote uninhabited planet. So, I planned to read book two for this prompt. It turned out over half of that book was set on a huge million plus populated space station settlement. I counted my book for that prompt.
Robin P wrote: "Just wanted to clarify that I had no inside knowledge when I said "great last line" probably wouldn't make it in. I was guessing based on reaction here and also imagining how it would strike someon..." If I implied it was more than a guess I apologise
Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"I have only used my WC once and that was in 2018, in response to a personal prompt.
Jill wrote: "Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"I have only used my WC once and that was in 2018, in response to a personal prompt."
I hate those they do assume everyone thinks the same way
Mod
LeahS wrote: "I suppose if I leave the wild card until last, it would mean finishing the challenge, and that would be a great last line for me!"I love this!!
I'm with Emily, Robin, Jillian, and Jackie on stretching a prompt before using a wild card (but loving that it's there as an option). If I did use a wild card, I think I would use it in the way Jill and Pam have - either for a personal prompt or one that I don't even want to entertain. I've never had to use it yet, but I'm so behind on this year's challenge that I might have to pull one in order to finish!
Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"This is my first year doing the ATY challenge and I didn't know there was a wild card until I saw it discussed here! But I've done lots of other challenges and never used one, I don't expect to here, either. I've always come up with something that fit, even if it's a bit of a stretch.
That’s why I don’t do 52 book club no WC and specific author prompts
Mod
No problem, that was fine, Thomas. Emily and Jackie usually see the poll results ahead of time, but I am waiting impatiently like everyone else!
I’ll stretch and twist a prompt as much as possible before using a wild card. I think I’ve only ever used one once. There a nonfiction prompt and at the time I did not read nonfiction. I still only read a few a year. Genre prompts are pretty specific and don’t allow for creative interpretation.
I feel like “known last line” is incredibly specific with no options for doing something oblique with it.
dalex wrote: "I’ll stretch and twist a prompt as much as possible before using a wild card. I think I’ve only ever used one once. There a nonfiction prompt and at the time I did not read nonfiction. I still on..."
The only wider option really is just read books and assign one to it if you like the last line. But I’m still crossing my fingers it doesn’t get in. Mind you no way for a creative interpretation is also true of celebrity or media book club
I've never used a wild card and i've been doing this challenge since the start. But I read more than 52 books a year (this year I'm at 120 - but i've been going big on audio this year so getting through twice as many (audio and kindle on the go)) so generally pick one to fit prompts I don't like and just read them. This year for example I read Crenshaw for the large animal book. I never would have read it otherwise, and didn't particularly enjoy it - but I did audio and it was short so I got through and it counts!
I’m the same as Bec I’ve never used one but I usually have more than 52 options. But I also kinda cheated on the wild animal. I put Clifford the Big Red Dog. Despite it being “12 pages” I can confidently say I’ve read about Emily and her big Red Dog close to 100 times already this year. So my page count isn’t too low for that one
I've been wildcarding the book published in the current year prompt for a few years. I plan my challenge in November and I have no clue what's going to be published the following year, and no way of knowing if I'll be able to get a copy even if I did. Leaving the prompt unplanned was the mental equivalent of a stone in my shoe, nagging away at me all year. So now I go into voting knowing I'm going to be ditching it, and I just have to hope nothing else I can't do gets voted in!
Dixie wrote: "Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"This is my first year doing the ATY challenge and I didn't know there was a wild card..."
That's me as well.
Irene wrote: "Just out of curiosity, do most of you end up needing/choosing to use your wild card every year?"Never. I might stretch the prompt a little bit - for example, right now I am reading The Shamshine Blind and I am going to use it for the "geometric shape" category, because the colors on the cover are sort of circles - it's a stretch, and I know it, but I'm doing it. It's not even that I didn't like that prompt.
Even prompts that I think I will hate usually have an option I can read.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Never. I might stretch the prompt a little bit - for example, right now I am reading The Shamshine Blind and I am going to use it for the "geometric shape" category, because the colors on the cover are sort of circles - it's a stretch, and I know it, but I'm doing it."Nadine, I don't even think that's a stretch! There are definitely circles on the cover, including in the lower left corner! The cover in general seems pretty geometric.
Honestly I just find my least favourite and WC as their is usually something I can’t fit it otherwise
Irene wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Never. I might stretch the prompt a little bit - for example, right now I am reading The Shamshine Blind and I am going to use it for the "geometric shape" category, because th..."There are lots of squares on the cover too.
I'm wondering about reading a graphic novel version of a book I've already read if 'great last line' gets in. I've found one of Wuthering Heights that I could use.
Bec wrote: "I've never used a wild card and i've been doing this challenge since the start. But I read more than 52 books a year (this year I'm at 120 - but i've been going big on audio this year so getting th..."I tend to pick a short audiobook for prompts I don't have anything I particularly want to read too. It's rare but I've done it for lists a few times, I can just half listen while doing something more useful so it feels less of a waste of time!
Usually I just make books fit, as long as I have some sort of reasoning on why it works, that's enough for me. ATY is usually a very flexible set of prompts compared to other challenges. This year's Popsugar I've "wildcarded" a whole ten prompts!
Thomas wrote: "Mind you no way for a creative interpretation is also true of celebrity or media book club.” Yes, but there are thousands of book clubs with millions of book choices in every possible genre so it’s totally doable.
Some time in the next 36 hours it will all be done
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Wuthering Heights (other topics)The Shamshine Blind (other topics)
Crenshaw (other topics)
The Island of Sea Women (other topics)
Ink Blood Sister Scribe (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jenny Lawson (other topics)Ben H. Winters (other topics)
Louise Erdrich (other topics)
Hernan Diaz (other topics)
M.R. Carey (other topics)
More...
For my final vote of the year (I'm optimistic), I had 5 upvotes and 3 downvotes.
Upvotes:
Wild Animals
Greek alphabet -I changed my mind from down to up since last night
Hot Topics - I could have used it this year
Short book
Cultural - my wife's go-to books for road trips. (Happy wife, Happy life.)
*Thank you to the mods for all the work you do to manage this process, and all the ways you keep this group active and fun.
*Thank you to all the animal lovers for supporting wild animals and other animal related prompts.
*Thank you to all the smart and creative members who contributed new ideas, feedback, support and advice to all the other people during this process.