Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2025 Reading List Creation
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[2025] Poll 1 Voting
Jennifer W wrote: "Browsing just now, I found Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World, which is going on my TBR whether the prompt gets in or not, so I guess I will upvote!"Interesting! I looked it up and now it's on my TBR.
Mandy wrote: "there are lots of nonfiction manga that has to do with social issues and biographies too. the ones listed are what we have in our manga collection at the library.[book:My Lesbian Experience with ..."
Wow, interesting! Thanks for the information (ʘᴗʘ✿) I get especially curious of the manga version of Edgar Allan Poe's writing.
Whoops, I did not realize Poll 1 already had a suggestion related to A, T, and Y when I posted my suggestion in the Wild Discussion (word in title that rhymes with A, T, or Y). I love cover prompts so I'll be happy with any ATY prompt as long as we can keep the tradition going :) I like the year of the snake prompt but wish it was a little bit more vague, like "a book connected to a snake" since that could open it up to more options (such as a character that's metaphorically a snake, a book where a snake is important but not on the cover). Still an upvote either way!
The manga/manganese connection is genius! Definitely an upvote since it's both creative and will force me to explore more genres. I'd prefer rewording it to "manga, manhwa, or manhua" so that it's not limited just to Japanese comics unless that's the intent (I know it's offensive to call Korean manhwa "manga", especially given Japan's history with Korea).
The fungi prompt is an upvote for me as well. I don't have anything lined up for it but just love that it's quirky and not one I've come across before.
Irene wrote: "Whoops, I did not realize Poll 1 already had a suggestion related to A, T, and Y when I posted my suggestion in the Wild Discussion (word in title that rhymes with A, T, or Y). I love cover prompts..."i was wondering about that too. i forgot to ask about manwha and manhua.
two of my favorite series are manwha. Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1 and My Gently Raised Beast, Vol. 1
Pam wrote: "Nadine - Re: your question about Bananafish, this is what I found on Wiki: “the title of the series itself is a reference to J. D. Salinger's short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish". … The sym..."
very cool! thank you for looking that up
Irene wrote: "Whoops, I did not realize Poll 1 already had a suggestion related to A, T, and Y when I posted my suggestion in the Wild Discussion (word in title that rhymes with A, T, or Y). I love cover prompts..."Thank you for the information about manhwa. I didn't know that and yet I know the difference between K-pop and J-pop.
Irene- we don’t know if it will get in yet though!
I forgot to add my mushroom/fungi list - on the list are both fiction and nonfiction and there are books with mushrooms on the cover and/or in the title and/or in the theme of the book and one example is the books about the Discworld by Terry Pratchett - one of the characters has got a name based on a mushroom theme. Note that these are examples, there are other lists on GR but I wanted to give you examples of all the above mentioned variations. Mushroom on cover/Fiction:
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Ghost Music by An Yu
City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff VanderMeer
Fruiting Bodies: Stories by Kathryn HarlanMushroom on cover/Nonfiction:
Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmermann
Fieldwork: A Forager's Memoir by Iliana ReganMushroom in title/Fiction:
Puffball by Fay Weldon
Fungi by Orrin Grey and a lot of others!
Fruiting Bodies, and Other Fungi by Brian Lumley
Fungi from Yuggoth and Other Poems by H.P. Lovecraft
One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon
Diary of a Weeping Widow: From Mourning to Morning by Toni Singleton Adams Ed.S
Destroying Angel by S.G. MacLean
Destroying Angel by Michael Wallace
The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy CasaresMushroom in title/Nonfiction:
Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares: The Love, Lore, and Mystique of Mushrooms Greg Marley
The Destroying Angel by Shirley TurnerMushroom as an important part of the story/Fiction:
The Voice in the Night by William Hope Hodgson
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Seep by Chana Porter
Terry pratchett Discworld novels Series 1 and 2 :10 books collection set by Terry Pratchett
Sorrowland by Rivers SolomonMushrooms as an important part of the content/Nonfiction:
Fantastic Fungi: How Mushrooms Can Heal, Shift Consciousness, and Save the Planet edited by Paul Stamets
Yes Irene, I like your rhyming ATY idea. If the cover one makes it in this year, please remember yours for next year. If the cover version does not make it in this round, please try it this year!
For the guy who could think of words starting with A, T, or Yapple, acorn, attic, airplane, actor/tress, art, artist, animal, astronaut, aisle, angel, armor, arrow, army
table, train, teacher, travel, trip, tree, time, tap, tub, tea, tape, tray, tent, trail, tomato (sauce), tornado, tiger, turtle, tie, ticket, toe, tool, traffic, taxi, thief
Y is harder in English, but not everyone reads in English
Yoga, youth(s), yacht, yawn, yarn, yellow, yearbook
I went 5 up and 3 down. I ended up leaving the fungi one neutral, but probably for a very petty reason. I strongly preferred the mushroom wording I'd seen in other threads, probably because it somehow made it much easier for my brain to make the connection between mushrooms and books vs. fungi. For example, I associate the word mushrooms with Alice in Wonderland, but wouldn't necessarily associate the word fungi with it as quickly. I voted for: ATY element on the cover, involving love, GR CHoice Awards, published in 2025, and civil rights. I downvoted mountains, country without a monarch (once I realized US counts, it seemed way too easy), and manga. I'm not opposed to any of those making the list, but they were the three I was least excited about or felt like I had either the fewest options or would be way too broad.
The first 3 words I thought of were: apron, teapot, and yucca. Maybe a cookbook or gardening book was on my mind! 😂
Rachel wrote: "I went 5 up and 3 down. I ended up leaving the fungi one neutral, but probably for a very petty reason. I strongly preferred the mushroom wording I'd seen in other threads, probably because it some..."I agree on the word Mushroom. Someone was so kind to suggest the prompt for me while I missed the suggestion round and that person choose fungi. If it's get voted in I guess it would be good to use both words Mushroom/Fungi. I made a list in message 59 with example of both fiction and nonfiction on the theme of mushroom.
A really good first poll, I think! 6 upvotes, 2 downvotes.Upvote:
4. A book that comforts you - It’s been a long year, I’m always pro a little comfort!
6. A book involving love - I suggested this, so! XD Mainly I think this is just a broad one that I could do a lot of things with. I’m a romance novel fan, so I’ve already got many options here.
10. A book about a historical figure - I’ve gotten a lot into reading non-fiction this year, and have a few interesting books on my tbr for this one!
12. A book published in 2025 - A good solid prompt. I’m sure there’ll be something new out that I want to read!
13. A book related to fungi - There are so many fantastic ways this could be interpreted, and I really love how inventive this prompt is!
15. A book related to “civil rights” or “human rights” - I always like this kind of prompt when it comes up. Again, a lot of very fun and broad options here.
Downvote:
5. A manga or a book about manga
11. A winner or nominee from GR choice awards 2024
Dubhease wrote: "For the guy who could think of words starting with A, T, or Yapple, acorn, attic, airplane, actor/tress, art, artist, animal, astronaut, aisle, angel, armor, arrow, army
table, train, teacher, t..."
I think it might have been useful for the suggester to include examples that are common cover design elements because my mind went a bit blank too. However the next Wayward Children book has a turtle on the cover, so I'm sorted for it anyway.
Ellie wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "For the guy who could think of words starting with A, T, or Yapple, acorn, attic, airplane, actor/tress, art, artist, animal, astronaut, aisle, angel, armor, arrow, army
table, ..."
Dubhease wrote: "For the guy who could think of words starting with A, T, or Y
apple, acorn, attic, airplane, actor/tress, art, artist, animal, astronaut, aisle, angel, armor, arrow, army
table, train, teacher, t..."
I think it doesn't even have to be something concrete, it might be an anachronism, something abstract, artificial, someone looking tired, togetherness, youthful ... Or am I taking it to far?
Nike wrote: "I think it doesn't even have to be something concrete, it might be an anachronism, something abstract, artificial, someone looking tired, togetherness, youthful ... Or am I taking it to far?..."The way it's worded as "an image of something" makes me want to use an object, but each to their own. It's easier to think about when you have covers in front of you though. Oh look that's a tree, etc.
5 up, 3 down for me.will always up vote the ATY prompt, the goodreads award and pubs 2024.
manga and historical were immediate downs
Mod
apple, acorn, attic, airplane, actor/tress, art, artist, animal, astronaut, aisle, angel, armor, arrow,..."
Your abstract interpretation is fine, ATY is flexible! It's largely up to you how you define the prompts.
I love the scavenger hunt of the ATY prompt. We had one a few years ago with a Clue/Cluedo weapon on the cover and it was so satisfying when I found something for that, it's one of my favourite prompts just for the thrill of that moment when I spotted some rope on the cover of a book I really wanted to read! I don't get the same enjoyment from looking at a list of books published in a particular year or nominated for an award and choosing one.
Mod
I voted against the ATY because it was too broad-- I liked the Cluedo because while it was a finite list of things, those things were common enough. Like the wings this year which is probably going to be my double used prompt so I can have one for bees and one for airplanes.
I'm one who doesn't like graphic novels of any kind. I have nothing against the genre, I just find them hard to follow. I am not a "read every single word" kind of reader and I find I have to do that with GNs, plus absorb the graphics, and then I'm frustrated it's going so slow.If manga gets in, I will have my son recommend something since he loves manga. He made fun of me mercilessly when we had the Sailor Moon prompt last year and I hadn't heard of it.
Funny, because when I first read the list, I had some immediate no, because they're very limited (manga, fruit / veg in title, mountains). But then I thought about it and realized I'd like some stretch goals for the challenge, so all of them are now probably yes votes for me.
I plan to keep a spreadsheet of the winning prompt so I can begin thinking of books to apply. Was the first vote which ending with the SyFy written by a woman and a book focused on art, dance, acting, etc. simply a practice vote?
Nike wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I went 5 up and 3 down. I ended up leaving the fungi one neutral, but probably for a very petty reason. I strongly preferred the mushroom wording I'd seen in other threads, probably ..."It's helpful if people who like prompts others have suggested put them up when suggestions start since it can happen so quickly. I hadn't thought of doing that, but will bear it in mind next time.
John wrote: "I plan to keep a spreadsheet of the winning prompt so I can begin thinking of books to apply. Was the first vote which ending with the SyFy written by a woman and a book focused on art, dance, acti..."I don't think so because there are listopias set up for them :)
Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ wrote: "5 up, 3 down for me.will always up vote the ATY prompt, the goodreads award and pubs 2024.
manga and historical were immediate downs"
I'm different--I am getting tired of a book published that year since most of the time I prefer to wait longer because I borrow them from the library and/or because there are already so many other books I want to read. That said, there is one series I read the newest one every year so as long as there's another No 1 Ladies Detective book in 2025, I'm all set.
I think if you are going to suggest a prompt someone else has developed it would be nice to keep the same wording, as they usually have worded it that way for a reason — especially if it was more than a simple mention. Also one should include all support material developed, e.g. discussion about ways the prompt could be covered, existing lists to reference, additional resources to refer to, etc.
Karin wrote: "John wrote: "I plan to keep a spreadsheet of the winning prompt so I can begin thinking of books to apply. Was the first vote which ending with the SyFy written by a woman and a book focused on art..."Thank you. I guess what is confusing me is that we just voting on Poll 1; therefore, the previous vote was what?
The first one is “pre-poll” where the suggested prompts are developed in a different way. This year it was prompts chosen by winners of a previous side challenge. Sometimes it’s just typical prompts we always seems to have, like “published in the current year” (2025 in this case)
John - Do you know that we have a community spreadsheet and there is a planning tab for 2025 already started?
Pam wrote: "John - Do you know that we have a community spreadsheet and there is a planning tab for 2025 already started?"No, that is good to know. Is the link under the 2025 Reading List Creation in the discussion section?
John wrote: "Pam wrote: "John - Do you know that we have a community spreadsheet and there is a planning tab for 2025 already started?"No, that is good to know. Is the link under the 2025 Reading List Creatio..."
here is the link to the spreadsheet
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
As Tracy said the first two prompts were from a pre-poll. The past few years the mods decided what prompts would be in the pre-poll, they're usually ones that are suggested every year - published in 2025 (or whatever year), Goodreads Choice Winner, a suggestion that didn't make the list the year before, etc.This year they did a mini read-a-thon that determined which prompts would be in the pre-poll, and that was held last week (and I'm mad at myself for missing that!). So the prompts that are already in were voted on already, in the pre-poll.
Mod
I am kind of the opposite I don’t like graphic novels because I finish them too fast. I am mostly focused on the words and don’t really appreciate the pictures. Same reason I don’t use emojis, who needs pictures when you have words?
The person who suggested the manga prompt said read a book of manga or *about* manga. I greatly appreciate that. That would let you read a pop culture book (like I found above) or you could find a book where the main character likes manga. It might be harder than just going to the manga section of a store, but if you don't want to read an actual manga, it still gives you an option.
Joanna wrote: "Funny, because when I first read the list, I had some immediate no, because they're very limited (manga, fruit / veg in title, mountains). But then I thought about it and realized I'd like some str..."I down-voted manga, as it is not a genre I care for. I may have gone for it if it had been “manga or graphic novel.”
As for the fruits/veg in title and mountain prompts, I felt these had endless possibilities. The first may be easier for some genres than others, such as cozy mysteries, where there are series set at apple or peach orchards or farmer’s markets, but several “mainstream” options came to mind, too: The Cherry Harvest, Olive Kitteridge, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Apples Never Fall, The Apple Orchard, The Grapes of Wrath, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.
For features mountains, it could be as easy as Heidi or My Side of the Mountain, or more challenging reads like And the Mountains Echoed or The High Mountains of Portugal.
Jennifer W wrote: "The person who suggested the manga prompt said read a book of manga or *about* manga. I greatly appreciate that. That would let you read a pop culture book (like I found above) or you could find a ..."I was thinking about manga as a non-fiction idea, but I can see how it could have also meant a book featuring manga.
Lindsay wrote: "I’d definitely vote for ‘Read a graphic novel’ but I’m not interested in reading manga so that’s probably going to be a down vote. I love the civil rights/human rights prompt as I can think of lo..."
Definitely voting for the comfort read because I want an excuse (not that I need one really) to reread Pride and Prejudice
Karin wrote: "Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ wrote: "5 up, 3 down for me.will always up vote the ATY prompt, the goodreads award and pubs 2024.
manga and historical were immediate downs"
I'm different--I am getting ti..."
That series is one of my go-tos!!
Jennifer W wrote: "The person who suggested the manga prompt said read a book of manga or *about* manga. I greatly appreciate that. That would let you read a pop culture book (like I found above) or you could find a ..."I agree that it makes it better! However, I'm still not a fan because manga is still not an interest for me, not even about manga at this point (I have read about it before :) )
Couldn't wait any longer to vote. Always trying to balance/weigh all my options, not having to wait too long for the results once I vote, and not forgetting to vote on time!Only 1 DOWN vote. I'd really be fine with all the rest, so I just chose those I thought I'd be happiest about getting in. I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever the results are. 📖🤓📖 (surrounded by books!)
Edited: typos
Mod
It’s okay. I thought it was results day too. I hate mid-week holidays. They throw me off.
LOL I'm always ready for early results!!
Today, feels like a Saturday to me too. Holidays are great but they make the whole week feel off.
Haha, I spent all day thinking it was Monday. I guess I found the July 4th holiday REALLY restful!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Apples Never Fall (other topics)The Apple Orchard (other topics)
The High Mountains of Portugal (other topics)
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (other topics)
The Cherry Harvest (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Paul Stamets (other topics)Rivers Solomon (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
Chana Porter (other topics)
Silvia Moreno-Garcia (other topics)
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“the title of the series itself is a reference to J. D. Salinger's short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish". … The symbolic meaning of the bananafish within "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" is the subject of debate, and the significance of manga's title as an allusion to the story is similarly obscure, as there are few direct references to "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" within the manga.”