Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
Book Discussion and Reviews
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2024 Reading In Order
Marie (UK) wrote: "I have just number 9 to complete for February. I am liking this method as I am able to choose books that will fit multiple challenges..."Me too. I'm really loving how it dovetails into the Pick-A-Shelf By The Month challenge. I"m getting a ton of books off my TBR shelves this way!
I found a book with Wings on the cover. The Edge of the World by Martha Wells. It took me a few minutes on a larger screen to realize the cover was of a man with wings. I have passed by it so many times without noticing. :D
Finished February! On to March.√Week #10 - The Disappearance at Pere-Lachaise [Historical Fiction/Historical Mystery/Historical]
Week #11 (Book with an x connection - Title) - Exile
Week #12 - This will be an owned book...something that has been around for more than 10 years.
Week #13 (Five Books List: Best Crime Classic) - Gaudy Night
On track - plans for March:9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads: Three Can Keep a Secret: Flash Fiction by Western Australian Writers
10. A history or historical fiction book: In the Company of the Courtesan
11. A book with an X connection: The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 3: The Warning Voice by Cao Xueqin - this is a long one - 638 pp!!
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year: Labyrinths
13. A book that is on a Five Books List: The Franchise Affair
Now in a dilemma. I am caught up to week #11, but that book needs to be requested from the Augusta Library system...and so far my requested books are taking a LONG time!Week #11 (Book with an x connection - Author name) - When She Was Good
just a reminder to me these books are on THe BIPOC character listopia4th of July Chain-Gang All-Stars and Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
Bea wrote: "Now in a dilemma. I am caught up to week #11, but that book needs to be requested from the Augusta Library system...and so far my requested books are taking a LONG time!Week #11 (Book with an x c..."
Yeah, that sounds like a problem. I've been known to go to the library shelves and just find a book that I can USE if the book I WANT isn't available. I've actually found some really good reads using this method.
The use your reserve book for a different task when it comes in?
♞ Pat wrote: "Yeah, that sounds like a problem. I've been known to go to the library shelves and just find a book that I can USE if the book I WANT isn't available. I've actually found some really good reads using this method.The use your reserve book for a different task when it comes in? "
I am doing a similar thing. I did an online search for x in title of my library's catalogue and found something that will work. Hopefully it will be available when I go in later today.
Mod
6. A book with wings on the cover - How You Grow Wings
7. A book with a pronoun in the title - I'm Not Dying with You Tonight
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand - The Librarianist
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard
I'm so glad we are finally working our way to March books. I've read a lot of really heavy, literary stuff the last couple of months for Tournament of Books, and I'm excited to focus on historical fiction by women for Women's History Month in March!
10. A history or historical fiction book - The Phoenix Crown
11. A book with an X connection - The Women
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year - The Vibrant Years
13. A book that is on a Five Books List - Exiles
My February Finishes: I've challenged myself to 2 books a prompt this year, hoping to get at least two books a week read! TASK #7 ~ A book with a pronoun in the title
Remember Me?
I Have Some Questions for You
TASK #8 ~ A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand
The Last Grand Duchess
Weyward
TASK #9 ~ A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads
How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog)...
Dog Days Forever
TASK #10 ~ A History or Historical Fiction Book
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Benjamin Franklin's Bastard
TASK #11 ~ A book with an X connection
Book of the Little Axe
City of the Dead
Best February Read ~
Benjamin Franklin's Bastard by Sally Cabot
I'm still reading slow but still reading in order. Full disclosure I was listening to Fourth Wing for prompt 6 while reading Babel for prompt 5. I finished the Fourth Wing first. Babel was never ending for me.5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world. Babel. London.
6. A book with wings on the cover. Fourth Wing
7. A book with a pronoun in the title. Let Us Descend
OK...set for week #11 (x connection). I will be reading: Exile.Week #12 - This will be an owned book...something that has been around for more than 10 years.
Week #13 (Five Books List: Best Crime Classic) - Gaudy Night
I've done so badly in February :( I started The Two Lives of Sara on 30th January and that's the only book I've finished. I've been trudging through You for most of the month, there's a theoretical possibility I could finish today but I think it's unlikely! The library holds for my March books are due soon, so I might just have to go back and do February later. Not exactly reading in order, hopefully that'll get straightened out eventually.
Marie wrote: "IThe library holds for my March books are due soon, so I might just have to go back and do February later. Not exactly reading in order, hopefully that'll get straightened out eventually. ..."It's the thought that counts, right? LOL
I've got what I hope to be my March line up - not that I will GET all of them done, but I figure that if I don't plan it, I can't DO it.
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand-Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan 2/20/2024
I'm enjoying this series.
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads- (1,298 Ratings)
Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower 2/29/2024
Even though I like this series, the main character really annoyed me in this book.
Up next:
I'm not a huge historical fiction person, so I'm going the history route. I love micro-histories, and I'm trying to read books I already own so Cod seemed like the perfect next book. Followed by one of my favorite authors and finally a series I have been looking forward to starting.
10. A history or historical fiction book-
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky
11. A book with an X connection (generation X author)-
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year-
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Working on next week's read (#12). I have chosen to read The Invitation. It is a book that I have owned for quite a while and tried to read once before. Doing much better with it this time. Guess I just wasn't in the life space I needed to get into it.I am trying to get ahead but, due to the many challenges that I am in, it doesn't look like I will achieve my goal of reading through May before I leave mid-April. Oh, well. Catch up time on my return.
I fell out of reading in order already. ooops lol I am already in the plug-em-in-wherever-they-fit stage. Kudos to everyone who sticks with this plan. It's hard.
I finished:14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color Patsy
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX) The Sea of Tranquility
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" Starter Villain
17. A book involving intelligence Defy the Stars
18. A book with a botanical cover The Belles
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream The Daughter of Doctor Moreau
I also read Legends & Lattes, Fourth Wing, and Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower because I was going to slot them into later categories but in the spirit of reading in order, I will just keep those as backups if I need them at the end!
Next up:
20. A book with a single word title Omens
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch
22. A book by an author from an African country Behold the Dreamers
Kathryn wrote: "I finished:14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color Patsy
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alp..."
I am so envious!
I'm behind on March - 2 books are in progress and the other 2 I have in hand, but the month is already half over and I haven't finished one yet!History - Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words (75% done, in print)
GenX - The Vaster Wilds (downloaded to Kindle)
TBR over a year - Euphoria (audiobook 31% done)
Five books list - The Anomaly (downloaded to Kindle)
Mod
10. A history or historical fiction book-Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky 3/14/2024
It was an interesting book on the impact of Cod. The ending was a bit abrupt.
11. A book with an X connection (generation X author)-
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson 3/15/2024
I enjoyed this Cosmere novel with Yumi and Painter.
Currently reading:
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year-
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list-
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (The Best Audiobooks: the 2022 Audie Awards, recommended by Michele Cobb)
Planned:
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color-
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)-
The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin
Still working on #12 The Invitation (meditation, not a fast read, 54p)Trying to get #13 Gaudy Night, which is available on Hoopla, but, for some reason, my library card is not allowing me access.
Plans for April:
#14 (MC is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color) Fatality in F - Audiobook, downloaded from Audible
#15 (author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet -JQZX) A Crafter Knits a Clue - Library book, on desk to read
#16 (related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs") - The Cat Who Played Post Office - Library book, on desk to read
#17 (involving intelligence) - Code Name Hélène -
on hold
I leave in mid-April for Scotland and so will be suspending my participation until I return. This list is what I hope to accomplish before I go.
I'm behind. Officially. I haven't read but two books this entire month. I have to step up my game for real and true!
I'm a little early checking in for March but I don't think I'll finish my current read by the end of month.8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand - A World of Curiosities
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Good reads - Leap In: A Woman, Some Waves and the Will to Swim
10. A history or historical fiction book - Trust
11. A book with an X connection - The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year - Other Birds
13. A book that is on a Five Books Lists - The Screaming Staircase
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color - Heart Berries
I finished March, after a weak start! And I already have my first April book in hand (James by Percival Everett, which I can’t get the GR search to find).
Chrissy wrote: "I finished March, after a weak start! And I already have my first April book in hand (James by Percival Everett, which I can’t get the GR search to find)."James
Plans for April:#14 (MC is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color) Fatality in F - Audiobook, downloaded from Audible
Of course this has changed...my original planned book for Week #14 came in, and I felt that I should read it since I had planned to do so. Thus, I am reading two weeks pretty much at the same time: week #13 and week #14. (Except I started week #13 first.)
Mod
10. A history or historical fiction book - The Phoenix Crown
11. A book with an X connection - Murder Road
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year - Siddhartha
13. A book that is on a Five Books List - All Systems Red
Coming up for April, I have:
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color - eek I don't know. I have a lot of options... thinking What the Fireflies Knew
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX) - either Prickly Company: A Novel or Anita de Monte Laughs Last
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Salvage the Bones
17. A book involving intelligence - Annie Bot
I swear I've posted in this thread since early January but that's the last comment I can find.I am on track for reading in order, and have mostly stayed by the week with a little variance. Here's what I've read so far:
Jan:
1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y - Finding Emma
2. A book connected to something you read in 2023 - The Office of Historical Corrections (related to Tookie's List in The Sentence)
3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list The Housemaid's Secret (Main character in domestic service)
4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ("...trees of green....")
Feb:
5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world - The Imperfectionists (Rome)
6. A book with wings on the cover - A God in Ruins
7. A book with a pronoun in the title - It Starts with Us
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand - Sorrow and Bliss (New Zealand)
Mar:
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - Murder Road (it has way more than 2024 now but it didn't when I read it!)
10. A history or historical fiction book - The Book Woman's Daughter (historical fiction)
11. A book with an X connection - My Oxford Year
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year - Hadley & Grace
For April, this is my plan:
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list - I Let You Go (The Best Psychological Thrillers)
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color - Firekeeper’s Daughter
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX) - Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Starter Villain
17. A book involving intelligence - System Collapse
My plan for April:14. BIPOC main character: James, borrowed
15. JQXZ author: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo, on hold
16. Raining cats and dogs: The Johnstown Flood
17. intelligence: How to Speak Whale: The Power and Wonder of Listening to Animals
I'm excited for some of these!
Bea wrote: "Plans for April:#14 (MC is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color) Fatality in F - Audiobook, downloaded from Audible
Of course this has changed...my original planned book for We..."
I usually have multiple weeks going at once. I’m trying to have everything other prompt be audio/print version. I just make sure I font the book in the right week/order.
Mod
I'm still on track for RIO. April plan ~
#15 ~ JQXZ author - Pelican Girls by Julia Malye
#16 ~ Cats & Dogs - The Last Black Cat
#17 ~ Involving intelligence - A Woman of Intelligence
#18 ~ Botanical cover -
Only the Beautifuland if I get any further
#19 ~ Ben & Jerry’s - The Cherry Robbers
#20 ~ Single Word Title ~ Frog
I am up-to-date, and looking forward to April...14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color: Such a Fun Age
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX): The Countess from Kirribilli: The mysterious and free-spirited literary sensation who beguiled the world by Joyce Morgan
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs": The Art of Racing in the Rain
17. A book involving intelligence: The Quiet American
♞ Pat wrote: "I'm still on track for RIO. April plan ~
#15 ~ JQXZ author - Pelican Girls by Julia Malye
#16 ~ Cats & Dogs - The Last Black Cat
#17 ~ Involving..."
Pat, I am intrigued to see Frog on your list - having lived and worked in China I read quite a lot of Chinese literature and have this one on my shelf but have yet to read it. Keen to hear what you think!
#17 (involving intelligence) - Code Name Hélène - I now have all April books.
Finished March books on the last day of March. #13, Gaudy Night, done!
I expect to finish #14 in a day or two. That book, The Map of Salt and Stars, is a slower read for me.
Finished #14 (The Map of Salt and Stars)!Starting #15 (A Crafter Knits a Clue). I have two weeks to complete April before I leave for Scotland.
Finished #15 A Crafter Knits a Clue.Starting #16 The Cat Who Played Post Office
EDIT: My goal is to complete April reads in order and early as I am making a big overseas trip and will have to rely on Kindle (what I already have on it) for May.
I am a week behind but still reading in order hopefully catch up soonPlanned for the next 4 weeks
APRIL
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person ofChain-Gang All-Stars
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX) In the Lives of Puppets
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" To the Dogs
17. A book involving intelligence Sleeping Murder OR Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent TouristMrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist Everand
Sue wrote: "Pat, I am intrigued to see Frog on your list - having lived and worked in China I read quite a lot of Chinese literature and have this one on my shelf but have yet to read it. Keen to hear what you think!..."It will definitely be a while before I get to it, but I'll let you know!
I'm doing good right now finishing books in their correct weeks. I'm really enjoying reading in order this year. Finished:
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year-
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty 3/22/2024
I enjoyed the first book of the series and am looking forward to read what happens next.
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list-(The Best Audiobooks: the 2022 Audie Awards, recommended by Michele Cobb)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 3/30/2024
Overall, I liked the book, but it really was too long. If you liked The Martian, you would like this book; they are very similar.
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color-
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb 4/5/2024
I really enjoy Slocumb's books. I stayed up way too late finishing it this morning 1am.
Currently reading:
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)-
The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin
Planned:
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"-
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
17. A book involving intelligence-
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith
18. A book with a botanical cover-
The Darling Dahlias And The Voodoo Lily by Susan Wittig Albert
Finished #17 (involving intelligence) Code Name Hélène. That completes April reads. Leaving for Scotland on Tuesday so will switch to Kindle books. I do have a plan for some reads that should work for the May reads, but whether there will be much reading time is up for grabs!
Next post will be at the end of May after my return.
Bea wrote: "Finished #17 (involving intelligence) Code Name Hélène. That completes April reads. Leaving for Scotland on Tuesday so will switch to Kindle books. I do have a plan for some reads..."
Have fun in Scotland Bea - I will be there in July, after a visit to my son and daughter-in-law in Canada and then some hiking in Cornwall before more hiking in Shetland and Orkney, then home to Australia. I have some Kindle books lined up, but much prefer real books so am not sure how I'll manage!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday, Bea.
I hope everyone's April reading has been better than mine. It took me forever to finish The Dark Forest. I'm pretty burnt out on sci-fi but I'm starting System Collapse today since I just don't have the focus or time to read my planned print book right now. I'm hoping to get caught back up, but I have a few long books planned so we shall see.Finished:
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)-
The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin 4/20/24
There were parts that I really enjoyed and then there were parts that were so tedious.
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"-
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome 4/28/2024
I started out with the print version, but switched to the audio. It is British humor, and I would have enjoyed to book more if I was in a read a funny book mood.
Currently reading:
17. A book involving intelligence-
System Collapse by Martha Wells
18. A book with a botanical cover-
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
Planned reads:
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream- (Gimme S’more!™) reading the next book in a series-
The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty
20. A book with a single word title-
Homecoming by Kate Morton
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words-
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
or
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
22. A book by an author from an African country-
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent by Dipo Faloyin
Mod
APRIL
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
✔️Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)
✔️ Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"
✔️ Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
17. A book involving intelligence
Currently reading: Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
MAY PLANS
18. A book with a botanical cover
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
20. A book with a single word title
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
22. A book by an author from an African country
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola
I had a good reading month but I'm still very behind on the reading challenge where you say how many books you'll read this year. I may have to change that goal.17. A book involving intelligence - Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
18. A book with a botanical cover - The Measure
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream - The Housekeeper and the Professor
20. A book with a single word title - Independence
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words - I Have Some Questions for You
22. A book by an author from an African country - My Sister, the Serial Killer
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover - The Searcher
I'm reading The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder & was listening to the audio book of The Searcher . I finished The Searcher first.
I got a lot of reading done in April, got through everything I wanted to and had time to read a few "off prompt" books for other challenge tasks, so that was fun. I'm going to try to focus more on this challenge for May, and I think I'm lined up pretty well. I'm still on track to Read In Order, but it does get sticky from time to time.
#20 - single word title :
Shelterwood
Exiles
#21 - 6 word title :
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead
In the Shadow of the Valley: A Memoir
#22 - African Country Author :
An Island
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
#23 - Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, Jimmy Buffett :
The Last Ballad
Stormy Weather
#24 - Secondary Color on the Cover
Castle of Water'
The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder
The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed
(undecided about book 2 for this task
#26 - Author goes by initials
Yellowface
A Study in Brimstone
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Women (other topics)Seven Empty Houses (other topics)
Before Your Memory Fades (other topics)
The Housemaid (other topics)
Trophy Hunt (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Freida McFadden (other topics)Elie Wiesel (other topics)
Jacqueline Frost (other topics)
C.J. Box (other topics)
Samanta Schweblin (other topics)
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1. A book that ends in A T or Y -Sanctuary 07/01/2024
2. A book Connected to something you read in 2023 - OWN both these
Begars Abbey last of books from 2023 travelling book club subscription 11/01/2024
3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list The Personal Librarian 13/01/2024
fits prompts - A fiction book with a real person as a character (POLL 6)
4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland 18/01/2024
5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world
London, Sydney, Barcelona, Paris, San Francisco, Rome, Edinburgh, NY City,
Random in Death 28/01/2024 set in New York
6. A book with wings on the cover
7. A book with a pronoun in the title Scrooge Meets His Match : A Twist on A Christmas Carol 07/02/2024
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand A Death at the Party 19/02/2024
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads The Night in Question
I have just number 9 to complete for February. I am liking this method as I am able to choose books that will fit multiple challenges