Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2025 Reading List Creation
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[2025] Poll 7 Voting
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L Y N N wrote: "As usual, I had only 1-2 downvotes. I like supporting prompts I really connect with!"I wish there was a way to weight our votes, e.g. 4 votes UP for #2, 1 vote UP for #5, 3 votes DOWN for #11. I think this would help us focus on the ones we REALLY love or REALLY want to avoid, without making us feel like we are "wasting votes" if we don't use them all (I'm guilty of this).
I really enjoy reading Rachel's "initial thoughts" each voting round, so I thought I'd try my own. I wrote them "off line", and decided there were only a couple that may helpful to anyone else, and the rest just ended up helping me sort out my thoughts for my own voting.13. A book where part of or all of the story is set in an Olympic host city:
I really like this one. It has many choices, but not TOO many. And if you don’t like geographic setting prompts there are SO many books set in Paris, London, Los Angeles, etc. that you could pretty much ignore that it is a settings prompt. On the other hand, there are many cities that probably have at least a few books set there, where it’s actually important that the book is set there, rather than using the “default BIG city” like the ones just mentioned. Could be an interesting hunt and good way to read about a new place.
14. A book involving serendipity:
Love the concept of serendipity, and it IS one of my favorite words (besides its meaning, it is just pretty). BUT as a prompt it just seems wrong — how do you plan for serendipity? And how many books are there that involve serendipity that you know about ahead of time. To me, randomly picking a book at the library is NOT serendipity. Now, if there was a book I wanted to read, hadn't picked up yet, but happened to be left behind by a person who used my airplane seat last — THAT I would count as serendipity!
Tracy wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "As usual, I had only 1-2 downvotes. I like supporting prompts I really connect with!"I wish there was a way to weight our votes, e.g. 4 votes UP for #2, 1 vote UP for #5, 3 votes ..."
Tracy, I also wish there was a way to weigh votes.
Tracy wrote: "Now, if there was a book I wanted to read, hadn't picked up yet, but happened to be left behind by a person who used my airplane seat last — THAT I would count as serendipity!"We were running low on pipette tips at work, and the vender said they were back ordered. So I went to another lab in the same company, who had extras. On the table in the foyer was a copy of The Dark Forest. I had recently finished the proceeding book but was on the wait list for the second from the library.
I commented on it being there, and the Lab Manager told me that a previous employee had left it behind, so I could take it.
Now, what are the odds that a similar thing happens next year?
I would say that is a terrific find and there’s a very good possibility that you might find book #3 Deaths End in a few months or next year, once the employee finishes that one! 😀
Unless you mean that the employee doesn’t work there any more! Then, probably not but chances are good that you will find something else, somewhere else.
Here are some of my thoughts:1. A book set wholly or partly in an underworld
I'm not really fond of this idea. I read One Last Stop which is set on a subway and enjoyed it but not sure if it's an underworld subway.
2. A book with a character who wears a mask
I like the idea of autistic masking (given I have 2 autistic kids) so could read something with an autistic character. Also medical field so I think this is a possibility.
3. A vacation book
A bit vague. I don't read a specific type of book when I'm on holidays so it's really read a book, or read a book where people go on holidays. Probably neutral
4. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
This one grew on me as I read a lot of psychological thriller so would definitely fit. Upvote
5. A book from a non-human point of view
I think the non-human point of view is turning me off. If it had a non-human main character it would have been easier for me but for the book to be from their point of view I'm at a bit of a loss.
6. A book with ‘all’ or ‘nothing’ in the title
Like this. Checked my TBR and I have 2 books that I've been meaning to read so may push me to read one of them!
7. A book related to fashion or the fashion industry
I have no thoughts on this one.....
8. A book connected to a place you’ve lived in
I don't like this becuase I'm not sure how specific we need to be...eg I live in Australia. I have lived in 3 small country towns - they won't be written about. I now live in a suburb of a capital city in Australia. Is the intent I use the suburb? the capital city? the state? the country? Widening it up to the country makes it super easy, just the state harder but doable. Not a fan.
9. A book with a main character that has a pet
Could do it but don't patricularly want to have to search books to find out if a pet is involved. Is this even included on the blurb?
10. A book with a character who is not heterosexual OR cis-gender
Don't like the wording, don't mind the concept.
11. A book set in a fictional location
Plenty of options for this so I like it.
12. A book with a friend or loved one's name on the cover
Nah, too tricky.
13. A book where part of or all of the story is set in an Olympic host city
Doesn't seem relevant for 2025. Would have been more suitable this year when the Olympics are being held.
14. A book involving serendipity
Totally don't get this one at all. I've read people's comments but just can't see how I would pick a book involving serendipity.
15. A book related in some way to parenting a child of any age
neutral on this one. I want to read The Mummy Bloggers so that would fit if it got in.
Tracy wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "As usual, I had only 1-2 downvotes. I like supporting prompts I really connect with!"I wish there was a way to weight our votes, e.g. 4 votes UP for #2, 1 vote UP for #5, 3 votes ..."
I also love the idea of weighting votes somehow! I'm not sure how it would work on a practical level. I guess by ranking our votes in order...but I can also see that being very difficult.
I ended up going 4-4 on this one. I was thinking of using my last vote to upvote underworld, but had trouble finding options. If it doesn't get in this time, I'd likely upvote it later if I had more time to look around for ideas.
L Y N N wrote: "As usual, I had only 1-2 downvotes. I like supporting prompts I really connect with!"7 up and 1 down for me. I'm loving a lot of our suggestions this year.
Ok i love reading everyone's thoughts so here I go.1. A book set wholly or partly in an underworld-I really don't enjoy fantasy or action or horror so this is a no for me.
2. A book with a character who wears a mask. Probably a upvote. Haven't seen anything like this
3. A vacation book-neutral. Lots of books on my tbr but I like other prompts more
4. A book of secrets, lies, or deception-probably upvote. so many books on my physical tbr that fit this.
5. A book from a non-human point of view-neutral. I have some "dog books" I wouldn't mind doing but nothing that calls out to me
6. A book with ‘all’ or ‘nothing’ in the title-neutral or upvote. Gotta look at my tbr
7. A book related to fashion or the fashion industry-probably an upvote. I think i have a "devil loves prada" that i haven't read yet
8. A book connected to a place you’ve lived in-neutral or down. I can think of one book based on my small town-otherwise I would have to do suburbs of DC or Baltimore?
9. A book with a main character that has a pet-neutral. Too many other look good.
10. A book with a character who is not heterosexual OR cis-gender-probably a downvote based on books on my tbr
11. A book set in a fictional location-probably a downvote. see #1.
12. A book with a friend or loved one's name on the cover-I 2nded this so it's a yes.
13. A book where part of or all of the story is set in an Olympic host city-neutral
14. A book involving serendipity-down or neutral. this is a harder one for me.
15. A book related in some way to parenting a child of any age-definitely a yes. I really like this.
ended up being up 6, down 2.
Tracy wrote: "I really enjoy reading Rachel's "initial thoughts" each voting round, so I thought I'd try my own. I wrote them "off line", and decided there were only a couple that may helpful to anyone else, and..."In a way, I feel like all poorly-written books involve serendipity, because one way serendipity makes its way into a plotline is often via a clunky deus ex machina. Like, oh, isn't THAT convenient to tie these characters together or to smooth out that conflict in a preposterous way. There are certainly ways it can be interpreted better--like maybe I could read a book I find on the Lucky Day shelf at the library, or I could happen to read a book that mentions a topic I just heard about on a podcast or something. & not ALL books with moments of serendipity in their plots are poorly-written, of course (since plots are plotted & even in non-fiction, you are recording what seems most relevant, which often involves moments of serendipity). But if you take that view of it, it becomes a "read anything" prompt, which is boring. I downvoted this one.
I feel similarly about the lies/deception/secrets prompt. Most books rely on some sort on conflict for their momentum, & almost always, the conflict is related in some way to some kind of a lie or secret, even if it's a secret that the protagonist is keeping from themselves. Eventually the lie/secret is exposed & we move into the denouement. It doesn't matter what genre we're talking about--even narrative non-fiction tends to follow this recipe. Obviously some books are more overt about it than others, but it would be more challenging to find a book in which no characters have any secrets.
J wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Now, if there was a book I wanted to read, hadn't picked up yet, but happened to be left behind by a person who used my airplane seat last — THAT I would count as serendipity!"We we..."
Love this as serendipity, but I agree about counting on something like this happening next year.
Ciara wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I really enjoy reading Rachel's "initial thoughts" each voting round, so I thought I'd try my own. I wrote them "off line", and decided there were only a couple that may helpful to an..."If serendipity gets in, I would rather it be MY serendipity, not part of the story (because would we even know ahead of time?). I hadn't thought of your perspective Ciara about poorly written books and the "isn't it convenient that this happened to the MC JUST at the right time" — those drive me crazy!
J wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Now, if there was a book I wanted to read, hadn't picked up yet, but happened to be left behind by a person who used my airplane seat last — THAT I would count as serendipity!"We we..."
This is great serendipity J! But somehow if the same employee left book #3 next year, it would feel less serendipitous — you might be expecting it, and if they knew you had picked up book #2, they might even bring it straight TO you. Now, if they brought the book to you, and you had some other book sitting on your desk that they just happened to want to read, then I would say you could count the book on your desk as a serendipitous read!
I'm falling behind in the conversations here due to the olympic games! It has never been so exciting as this year I believe and I'm fully occupied watching.However - I seem to be an outsider here because I actually liked a lot of the prompts and I had no problems upvoting 8!
They were the one set in the underworld, wearing a mask, secrets, lies or deception, non-human pov (will probably read I, robot), all or nothing, fashion (I enjoy reading a Swedish crime series where the sleuth is a woman who tries to make her way as ha fashion designer but always happens to stumble upon murders. It's set in the 50's and very charming. At the same time it focuses on the reality for women during that period trying to walk their own ways).
I also upvoted Olympic cities and serendipity.
Nike - I’m like you, fully engrossed with the Olympics! This year has been really good but I do feel terrible for the athletes having to swim in the Seine! I also voted for serendipity, underworld and Olympic cities. I tend to like geography prompts and there are some classics I’ve been meaning to read which are set in London and Paris, my two top choices.
Pam wrote: "Nike - I’m like you, fully engrossed with the Olympics! This year has been really good but I do feel terrible for the athletes having to swim in the Seine! I also voted for serendipity, underworl..."
I love geography prompts as well.
Yes, I 'm not convinced that the river are clean enough. A Swedish swimmer who were supposed to particpate in the long swim tomorrow has actually cancelled in the last minute due to doctors finally stopping him. He has had problems with his lungs before and they claim it's hazardous for him to swim in the Seine since it's most likely the swimmers will swallow a certain amount of water which in his case is to risky.
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I also voted for serendipit..."
A bunch of the swimmers have been getting sick! Plus, in the US we're currently experiencing a covid spike and it seems to be in Paris too. To train for a life goal and have it messed up by illness- booo
Bec wrote: "I ended up with 3 up 5 down."Me too! This is the first time EVER for me to have more down votes than up. Sometimes I have NO down votes. I don't think it's because the possible prompts were worse, I think it's because I approached making my choices differently this time. I thought through how I objectively felt about them first, before looking to see if I could fill them or not.
Pamela wrote: "Nike wrote: "Pam wrote: "Nike - I’m like you, fully engrossed with the Olympics! This year has been really good but I do feel terrible for the athletes having to swim in the Seine! I also voted f..."
Yes, I heard that earlier today that a whole lot of swimmers had turned ill. I certainly do hope they will manage to clean Seine properly and I think they allowed competitions in it too prematurely.
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Paris is def showing itself really well here
My mom was just reminiscing "8 years ago we took the niece to HI and she spent the whole time watching the Olympics." So happy you are actually enjoying your trip!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Mummy Bloggers (other topics)One Last Stop (other topics)
The Dark Forest (other topics)
When Katie Met Cassidy (other topics)
My Last Summer with Cass (other topics)
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Otherwise it would be A book with a character who i..."
I think this might have been more clearly worded (based on the suggester's stated intent) as "A book with a character who is either not heterosexual, and/or not cis-gender"