Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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2024 Reading In Order
I'm ahead of track, not quite reading as much in order as I did last year due to library reads and other external factors.I stuck mostly to my plan for April, with a change for prompt 14.
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list - I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (The Best Psychological Thrillers)
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color - My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones (MC is half Native American)
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 (cat on cover, intelligent cats are side characters) by John Scalzi
17. A book involving intelligence - System Collapse by Martha Wells
For May I've read through prompt 21.
18. A book with a botanical cover -
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream - The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert (Peace of Cake)
20. A book with a single word title - Horse by Geraldine Brooks
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words - Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
22. A book by an author from an African country - The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
And June plan is set, I'm currently reading prompt 23 because I need a purple cover for the spring reading challenge.
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett - A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple) -
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder - The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
26. A book by an author known by their initials - Ceremony in Death by JD Robb
I think I might not finish May in time, I still have 2 books to go and won't be ready to start either right away. Who knows, maybe this weekend will be good for reading! 6+ words: How to Solve Your Own Murder
African country: Small Country (Rwanda)
Back from Scotland and still on track for this way of reading!While traveling I read on my Kindle:
18. A book with a botanical cover -
About the Night by Anat Talshir
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (Piece of Cake) -
Mississippi Blood Cake by A. Gardner
20. A book with a single word title -
Greed by C.M. Sutter
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words -
A Book Signing To Die For by Judy Moore
22. A book by an author from an African country -
I have this book on hold and hope to pick it up soon. It will either be The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born or The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives and due this coming week.
Mod
Currently one book behind and it's KILLING me, but I'm also reading two books that don't go towards ATY so... I am my own worst enemy.
I just noticed The Taste of Ginger has purple, green, and orange on it! I didn't mean to be such a high achiever lol.
The read-a-thon helped me get back on track with the challenge. I finished two books so, I was not exhausted from reading like sometimes happens with read-a-thons.Finished:
17. A book involving intelligence-
System Collapse by Martha Wells 5/3/2024
I struggled with this book. I'm not sure if if had to do with be not fully recalling what had happened previously in the series. I felt lost some of the time. Maybe, I'm just getting tired of the series.
18. A book with a botanical cover-
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris 5/6/2024
Finishing the Sookie Stackhouse series has been on my goal list for several years, and I'm so glad to have completed it. I really enjoyed the narrator. I went into it knowing how the series ended so I didn't have the disappointment so many people had when it was originally released. I also didn't really have a planned book for this prompt so I was very happy what has mainly been side reads fit for the challenge.
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 5/16/2024
I enjoyed the second book of the trilogy, but not as much as the first book.
20. A book with a single word title-
Weyward by Emilia Hart 5/18/2024
This was a nice easy read to get me caught up on the challenge.
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words-
Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love by Jared Reck 5/27/2024
I ended up switching my plans to a print book, because I had too many audiobooks going. I wondered around the library looking for titles with 6+ words and noticed this book. It was an excellent book to stumble upon and I really enjoyed the characters.
Currently reading:
I'm about 50% with the audio and this book is excellent, if anyone is still looking for a book.
22. A book by an author from an African country-
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent by Dipo Faloyin
Planned:
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett-
Steamed Open by Barbara Ross
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)-
The Tommyknockers by Stephen King
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder (synopsis indicates an arsonist is a major focus)-
The Darling Dahlias and the Red Hot Poker by Susan Wittig Albert
26. A book by an author known by their initials-
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett - The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or
purple) - We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder - First Family
26. A book by an author known by their initials - Out Of Range
27. A book related to land - X Marks the Spot: The Story of Archaeology in Eight Extraordinary Discoveries
28. A book related to sea - Florence Adler Swims Forever
29. A book related to air - What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - The Guncle Abroad
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold” - The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Well, I finished this week's book on the last day.22. A book by an author from an African country -
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
June Plan:
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett
Beach: Little Beach Street Bakery
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple): Purple (Violet): Key of Light
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder: one of these ~
Aunt Dimity's Death
The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose
An Excellent Mystery
26. A book by an author known by their initials: one of these ~
The Once and Future King
The Private Patient
The Big Door Prize
I've been plodding along, mostly in order, but well behind. The readathon helped me a lot, and for a few hours on Saturday I was on track :) I'm back to being one behind, but hoping the summer challenge will keep me motivated. I had a bit of a library scare when The Ferryman, which hadn't had much of a waitlist since I set my plan last year, suddenly got a 21 week wait! I don't know if someone recommended it on TikTok or something. So I have to skip that one for now, and to reduce my stress I'm going slightly out of order and reading the three other library books that were planned in the next three months next, before moving back to order.
This is what I'm hoping to get through in June:
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Dodger
18. A book with a botanical cover - Lucy Clark Will Not Apologize
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words - Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet - JQZX - Red Queen
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavours of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream - Just For One Day: Adventures in Britpop
20. A book with a single word title - Duckling
22. A book by an author from an African country - The Shining Girls
I am surprised by how much I am enjoying reading in order - I have just finished week 24 and have plans for the rest of June
Marie (UK) wrote: "I am surprised by how much I am enjoying reading in order - I have just finished week 24 and have plans for the rest of June"I like it too. It helps me stay focused on what to read next!
June is being a little sticky for me, however.
I haven't planned beyond June, so I need to get myself in gear and get it done.
Mod
I have a few prompts planned in July (my hardest month, with the land/sea/air prompts and the Mediterranean prompt - all have limited books on my TBR) and in August, but we will see how it shakes out.
July, is going to be a challenging month for me as well. Especially, the land prompt. I have an audiobook picked, but it is one I’ve tried to listen to a few times and have never been able to get into it. But, I’ve heard good things about it so hopefully I can finally read it.
Emily wrote: "I love to plan my books ahead, but June has already taken me for a loop... I've finished 3/4 of the June prompts already, and none of them with books I planned. "Those are usually the books that I go to first when looking for books...the ones previously planned but unread. I even have a shelf specifically for ATY Not Used.
Mod
I am so pleased that I am still on track at the half-year point! Last year I had so much trouble with library books that I ended up making the rule that I could read the book within the month planned for even if not the week, not exactly in order.I have finished this week's book already Key of Light (purple on cover), and I have all three possibles already on my desk for next week or will as soon as I get to the library to pick up the third.
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder: one of these ~
Aunt Dimity's Death
The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose
An Excellent Mystery
And the last book for this month is on hold. I should have it in a couple of days.
26. A book by an author known by their initials:
Under the Whispering Door
My plan for July is stuck. I have no possibles for #29 (air) or for #31 (gold). Partly, I think it is my mood as most that I find in my many lists just do not strike me as something I want to read. Partly, my imagination for how to fill the two is just sleeping! I have checked the lists...and nothing is grabbing me. Oh, well. I have several weeks before those are required.27. A book related to land
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life - started once and on my desk - might retry this one
A Year on Ladybug Farm
Fallen Land
28. A book related to sea
Tress of the Emerald Sea
The Island of Sea Women
Sea Room: An Island Life in the Hebrides
Sea of Poppies
29. A book related to air
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea
The House by the River - Greece, Kindle
Love & Gelato - Italy
Suite Francaise - France - started once before but I wasn't interested at that time in war
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”
OK...got #29 planned. I went with dragons and ended up with the next books in series that I have started but not yet finished for two of the possibles and the third is a book that has been recommended to me.29. A book related to air - dragons
Black Powder War
Fourth Wing (recommended)
The White Dragon
And #31!31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer - subject: Golden State Killer
The Realms of Gold - title
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics - subject: Olympic Gold
Mod
Emily wrote: "Excellent options Bea! I might have missed it... are you reading three books for each prompt?"Nope. I am finding 3 selections available to me to choose among closer to reading time. That way my selection process is narrowed down more and includes books I am interested in rather than just any old book AND I know that I or my two libraries have access to the book.
Mod
Emily wrote: "Excellent options Bea! I might have missed it... are you reading three books for each prompt?"I'm reading two books per prompt, trying to really weed down my "tbr" mountain. So far it's been working, but right now I'm having a really hard time with prompt #25 - the book about a crime other than murder. I got the first one done, but I'm having a hard time hunting down another.
I think I'm going to tackle One Way Back: A Memoir which appears to be a sexual assault instead of a murder.
Once I get over this particular hurdle, I think I'll be on my way again.
Anyway -- sorry to have hijacked your question!
Bea wrote: "My plan for July is stuck. I have no possibles for #29 (air) or for #31 (gold). Partly, I think it is my mood as most that I find in my many lists just do not strike me as something I want to read...."I totally feel your pain. I do!
♞ Pat wrote: "but right now I'm having a really hard time with prompt #25 - the book about a crime other than murder."Pat, my three options for this one are a missing person, theft, and a will (natural death is assumed).
I have struggled to read in order for this next month. I finished a book that fits sky and have nothing else in my TBR so, although not strictly in order I will do all of these 4 before moving onto the next month
On track. I am hoping to get ahead a bit, but so many books! I do have the next two planned on my desk, and so I am set through July 4th. And I have all of July planned.
I'm on track, but am struggling with reading this weeks book. I'm working on the prompt, A book involving a crime other than a murder.In the book I'm reading, arson is the crime. On Monday, we had two fires started 30 miles and 40 miles away from where I live in the mountains. There is a reservation and several small towns right between the two fires and so far 1,400 structures have been damaged. Yesterday, we got rain but just north of the two fires was the burn scar of a fire that just got put out (that fire was caused by lightning). The rain ended up causing really bad flooding and mudslides. It is just a mess, and I feel for all the displaced people and animals. It is hard to read about arson right now.
Jillian wrote: "It is hard to read about arson right now."Sometimes books have to wait until our present makes them more a story than real life.
Mod
I think I'm back on track. I just finished
(triggers abound, but it's good gritty mystery serial-killer fiction by an author of color). I'm going to read
next which will be my two books for the author who uses their initials, and the next prompts should be pretty easy to fill after that one is done.
I'm on track, reading week 26 now. I stuck almost to the plan for June, except week 23.23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett - sadly the Buffett book I wanted to read wasn't available, but I had a book from NetGalley that fit all 4 - Seven Summer Weekends
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple) -
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder - The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
26. A book by an author known by their initials - Ceremony in Death by JD Robb
My July plan has changed a bit. I had a harder time than I thought finding a book for "Land."
27. A book related to land - Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain by Andrew McCarthy - this is on hold so will likely be skipped until it comes in.
28. A book related to sea - Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
29. A book related to air - The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea - France, Greece, Italy, Spain - One Italian Summer or The Paris Apartment
As expected I am struggling a bit, now 4 weeks into my travels. I have almost finished #25 The Library Book, and should be able to get on with #26 Kindred in Death in the next couple of days as I have a longish coach trip and then 2 flights to get up to Shetland. After that I’m with a small group hiking every day so won’t get much chance for reading, and am well behind now with my Australian challenges. Sometimes other things take priority, right? I’ll be home again mid-July so will look forward to some long slow catching up then.
Well, I'm officially behind at this point. I tore up some lower lumbar discs in my back in late April and I'm basically living between PT and doctor visits on painkillers and muscle relaxers. In addition, I'm in the middle of Summer Reading at the library - and that's been a struggle all on it's own. If you know, you know, and if you don't know, there's no way to explain it.
I read ONE book for week 25, but I need to post it.
I've also read ONE book for week 26, and I'm reading the second one now.
I set a personal goal of two books a week, but maybe it's time for me to reassess that in lieu of events outside my control.
Anyway, I'm here, and I'm doing the best I can to stay caught up.
♞ Pat wrote: "Well, I'm officially behind at this point. I tore up some lower lumbar discs in my back in late April and I'm basically living between PT and doctor visits on painkillers and muscle relaxers. In ..."
Gosh Pat you are having a rough time of it
Sue, your trip sounds exciting!Pat, wow that is tough. Definitely, give yourself the option to reassess your goals. Even if it is on a week by week bases on how your are feeling. No need to add extra strain while healing, unless it helps (it can be hard letting goals go).
Here is my July planned books.27. A book related to land-
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (currently listening to this book)
28. A book related to sea-
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith (started in April maybe I'll finish it for this prompt)
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
29. A book related to air-
The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea- (Italy)
Still Life by Sarah Winman
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”-
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher
I realized if I switch my book 26 with a book I finished 2 days later all of my books have been new reads. I reread a ton so I was surprised to see that. So, for the second half I've decided to add the twist of not using reread. Unfortunately, I need to find a new air book.
My land book is an audiobook and, due to limited listening time unless driving, I won't be finishing it until next week (long drive to visit my brother). Still I have next week's book all ready to go, so I will take it with me to read while on my short trip.
Mod
I really wanted to read The God of the Woods for land, but my copy won't come in until next week, so I'm getting ahead with There Are Rivers in the Sky for sea.
I've gotten a lead which is good because I was behind.32. A book with a number in the title - The Three-Body Problem
33. A book involving travel - You Are Here
34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs - Yours Truly
35. A science or science fiction book - The Stone Sky
36. A book featuring a character in education - Hello Beautiful
37. A book that is part of a series - Another Man's Moccasins
I've been at a stand still since 6/24/2024. I'm reading The Stand for another challenge. I'll finish it this weekend then I can restart the ATY challenge.
I had not been reading in order. I've learned It is problematic to randomly fit prompts to books I've already chosen to read or are reading already. My solution? Start where I am. The end of week 27 and the beginning of week 28 with week 29 in front of that! Terrific. I've read
to satisfy Land. I read the book earlier this year and now it is in my ATY shelf satisfying prompt #27. Yay!
My reading mojo disappeared after returning from vacation, and I haven’t even started my July books yet! I need to finish 2 books I’m in the middle of first, but Underland: A Deep Time Journey is my earth book, and it’s waiting for me already checked out from Libby!
I am a bit behind.I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life in audiobook form which worked well for me. I listened to it as I drove on my trip and finished it on my return trip this past Friday. It was for the land prompt #26.
I am trying to finish Sea of Poppies for #27 sea prompt. It is due back to the library by Wednesday. I am finding it a bit harder to read quickly as I am unfamiliar with many of the local India dialect words.
And, I have #28 air on hand to start: Black Powder War, which should be a quicker read. I hope to finish it this week, which will put me back on track.
I still have #29 and #30 to request from the library, so I need to get busy doing just that.
I ended up reading non-fiction books for land, sea, and air. I also had a non-fiction side read, so I'm changing up my planned Mediterranean prompt to a cozy mystery set in Italy.Finished
27. A book related to land-
Braiding Sweetgrass Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 7/4/2024
There were parts of the book I loved and then there were parts of the book I felt the author was hitting me over the head with her message. I also didn't care for her narrating the book. There are few authors that I feel do a good job narrating their books.
28. A book related to sea-
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith7/12/2024
I really enjoyed the parts with the Octopus and Cuttlefish. I was bored out of my mind with the philosophy parts. I started this book back in April and am glad I finally finished.
29. A book related to air-
His Majesty's Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine by S.C. Gwynne 7/19/2024
This was an interesting history of airships. As someone who likes steampunk, dirigible are commonly featured.
Planned
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea- (Italy)
Al Dente's Inferno by Stephanie Cole
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”-
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
Still reading at a good pace & still reading in order32. A book with a number in the title - The Three-Body Problem
33. A book involving travel - You Are Here
34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs - Yours Truly
35. A science or science fiction book - The Stone Sky
36. A book featuring a character in education - Hello Beautiful
37. A book that is part of a series - Another Man's Moccasins
38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1 - The Fox Wife
39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2 - The Fox Wife
The Frozen River
40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover - Weyward
41. A book with a chilling atmosphere - How to Sell a Haunted House
42. A book with a sound-related word in the title - Hiss of Death
I really liked The Frozen River. My book club is reading it for the month of September.
I read Love & Gelato (set in Italy) for week #30 [county bordering the Mediterranean Sea] and am reading The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics for week #31 [going for the gold].Next will be Six Crimson Cranes for #32 (number in title). Beyond that I haven't really figured out the plan.
Finished 30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea-
Al Dente's Inferno by Stephanie Cole 7/26/2024
I didn't like the book I picked, and it didn't help that this is one of my least favorite prompts. (I have had this prompt way too many times). The main character pretentious, the concept of the story was weird, and it felt extra formulaic.
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”-
Slathbog's Gold by M.L. Forman 8/5/2024
It was an easy middle school fantasy book, which is exactly what I was looking for.
(Last week was a rough week and I needed something easy to listen to so I'm moving The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty to a side read).
Starting today
32. A book with a number in the title-
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
planned
33. A book involving travel-
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs-
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King (if I want something long and in print)
The Sleeping Beauty Killer by Mary Higgins Clark (if I want something short and audio)
Around the Year in 52 Books
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Funny though - the two books I lined up to read for this prompt aren't what I actually read.
What I DID read for #24
and
So for June, I'm going to pull up my June reading list and start filling a plan beginning with #25
But the reading in order is going well and really helping me stay focused.
And I did read