Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
ATY 2026
>
[2026] Poll 1 Voting
Mod
1. A book based on or related to a "legend"
Fiction or non-fiction
Examples:
Classic Legends: Robin Hood, King Arthur
"Urban" Legends: Big Foot, D.B. Cooper
Sports Legends: Babe Ruth, Secretariat
Movie Legends: John Wayne, Cecil B. DeMille
Music Legends: John Lennon, Ella Fitzgerald
Could also be written by a "legend" or have the word "legend" in the title
2. A book you would consider a classic
This might be anything from an ancient classic, to a 21st century book that is already considered a classic by many. It might be from Britain, South America, or anywhere in the world.
Sample lists:
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/clas...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/mode...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
3. A book with a title that includes a family relationship word
E.g., any variations of: mom, dad, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, cousin, aunt, uncle, husband, wife, *-in-law, step-*, half-*
Examples:
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Dadland: A Journey into Uncharted Territory
The Brothers Karamazov
Blue Sisters
My Cousin Rachel
Dial A for Aunties
The Guncle
Under My Bubbe's Wings (Jewish grandmother)
Letters to Sam: A Grandfather's Lessons on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life
The Husbands
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales
The Mother-in-Law
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Half Brother
4. A book with an urban setting
Suggestions:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
And there are countless lists of books that take place in specific cities, for example
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
5. A book about people trapped together
(storm, space, escape room, etc.)
Listopias:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
8. A traditional or contemporary western
Best westerns
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Best contemporary westerns
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Cowboy Up
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Gay Cowboys
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Western mysteries
Weird westerns
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
9. A book about something that gets your heart racing
This could be a book involving adventure, thrills, romance, sports, horror, or something else that scares you, or gets you excited
10. A book from a genre that starts with A, T, or Y
People could make it as broad:
-adventure
-art
-autobiography
-true crime
-thriller
-travel
-young adult
or as narrow:
- American civil war non-fiction
- Tudor era romance
as they see fit. This prompt should be a prompt that everyone in the group can get since it's our group's name prompt.
14. A book set primarily underground
Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth : Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth
The battle of the Labyrinth: The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Stars Are Legion: The Stars Are Legion
Watership Down: Watership Down
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels
Neverwhere: Neverwhere
The City of Ember: The City of Ember
Tunnels: Tunnels
Gregor The Overlander: Gregor the Overlander
Lying Beneath: Lying Beneath
Wool: Wool Omnibus
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
At The Earth's Core: At the Earth's Core
The End of the Tunnel: The End of the Tunnel
Goodreads Lists:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
15. A book title that includes a piece of clothing
Example: The Pink Suit
Emily, there were also links for the westerns suggestions.
Mod
Prompt #4 in 2025 was "Set underground, under sea, or in an underworld" so doing "Underground" again will be a no vote for me. (Just for the sake of variety.)
Initial thoughts#6, #7, and #10 are variations of our traditional prompts, so they are likely to get in eventually. I will upvote them unless I run out of votes.
#2 is also an UPVOTE for me. I always find new modern classics to try. I hope we can get it in early. We haven’t had it in a while, and this variation is more flexible than some of last year’s versions.
1. A book based on or related to a "legend" - this could be fun to explore.
2. A book you would consider a classic - def upvote
3. A book with a title that includes a family relationship word - likely upvote, easy to find.
4. A book with an urban setting - likely upvote- I always have a few.
5. A book about people trapped together - maybe. I would look for a real life story (or an eco-thriller) rather than a locked room mystery.
6. A book with a Z in the title and/or author name - def upvote, I like this variation of the idea.
7. A book published in 2026 - now or later
8. A traditional or contemporary western - maybe, I have a few possibilities
9. A book about something that gets your heart racing - this was an impulse suggestion, I hope it will be fun.
10. A book from a genre that starts with A, T, or Y - likely upvote, I haven’t noticed other variations
11. A book by a new-to-you author - maybe too easy, I might like a narrower version better.
12. A book about science - upvote, I might like other versions too for my rejects list.
13. A book set in or near the Caribbean - upvote or neutral
14. A book set primarily underground - too similar to this years prompt
15. A book title that includes a piece of clothing- I’ll have to think about it. A list might help.
I could easily have 8 upvotes this week.
Mod
I can't figure out a book to read this year for it! And to do it again? No!
Mod
Up votes for me will likely be 5 - it would work for a lot of thrillers or even probably some romance, definitely 10 since it gives me a lot of options without being a gimme prompt, and 15 which just seems fun. I always downvote classics (sorry, just not a favorite), Western, because I struggled hard the last time we had that prompt and Caribbean. I don't really like location prompts, and every year, it's one I don't fill or have to fill with a wild card.
Pamela wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Prompt #4 in 2025 was "Set underground, under sea, or in an underworld" so doing "Underground" again will be a no vote for me. (Just for the sake of variety.)"I can't figure out a b..."
I don't like it either.
First impressions: 1. A book based on or related to a "legend" - Love it! Definite upvote
2. A book you would consider a classic - Most likely a downvote for me. I don't have very many classics left that I'm that interested in reading (at least not any time soon)
3. A book with a title that includes a family relationship word - It's a prompt I've done many times, but I have a ton of books that would fit! I would likely upvote
4. A book with an urban setting - I like this one a lot too, and would likely go urban fantasy if it gets in
5. A book about people trapped together - Love it! Definite upvote
6. A book with a Z in the title and/or author name - I like it in theory, but I would need to look ahead at my options to see how feasible it is
7. A book published in 2026 - Upvote for sure. I always like a "published in current year" prompt
8. A traditional or contemporary western - Downvote. I'm just not a fan of westerns
9. A book about something that gets your heart racing - I like this, and I like that it could go in several different directions. I don't know if I'd specifically upvote it, but I wouldn't mind if it got in
10. A book from a genre that starts with A, T, or Y - This would be easy for me since thriller is one of my favourite genres. I like the ATY reference, but not sure I'd upvote
11. A book by a new-to-you author - I like this a lot too! I have a "priority list" of new-to-me authors each year that I try to get to, so this would help
12. A book about science - Not opposed, but not my favourite
13. A book set in or near the Caribbean - Meh, I'm over geography-based prompts.
14. A book set primarily underground - Love this in theory, but would need to check out what my options are
15. A book title that includes a piece of clothing - Also like this and wouldn't be opposed to it, but don't know if I like it enough to want to actively vote for it
I like all of these except set underground, only because we have it this year.
NancyJ wrote: "Initial thoughts#6, #7, and #10 are variations of our traditional prompts, so they are likely to get in eventually. I will upvote them unless I run out of votes.
#2 is also an UPVOTE for me.
11. A book by a new-to-you author - maybe too easy, I might like a narrower version better. ..."
The original idea was the author on your TBR shelf with the most books only selecting from authors you've never read, but some people don't have any authors with more than one book, so I thought this was easier. You can always make a prompt harder for yourself without making it harder for everyone,
I think urban setting is just too easy. It's like this year's "secrets, lies, deception" prompt. You might as well just blindfold yourself & pick anything, there's an excellent chance it will be set in an urban area.Conversely, I like the Western idea a lot. I don't read Westerns (nor do I read romance, & I know Western-themed romances are hot right now), so I think this is an intriguing challenge. I have inadvertently read several books over the years that could be considered Western in terms of tone, theme, or setting, & I like being pushed out of my comfort zone like that.
Don't love the genre that starts with A, T, or Y idea. I love the tradition of having an ATY challenge every year, but I think we can come up with something a little more engaging. & as others said, big no to underground. Too similar to this year's underground/undersea/underworld prompt, while also being narrower in a way that depletes a lot of the intrigue that makes this year's prompt interesting to me.
As a person whose last name starts with X, I'm always appreciative of an author with a weird letter in their name! & as a fashion designer, I always love reading about clothes, so the idea of a book with a clothing word is right up my alley (though obviously most books with a clothing word in the title are not actually about clothes or fashion).
This year has gone so fast! I can't believe we're already voting on 2026 prompts.
Mod
I would love a fashion prompt but I doubt it would ever get through.
I did 4/4 like I normally do
4 up, 4 down. I voted down the one with Z in title or author's name since it was too limiting. If I enjoyed Zombie books I would have probably voted for this, but I don't. I might consider this prompt is it included other letters, such as X, Y, or Z.
Pamela wrote: "Ciara wrote: "I think urban setting is just too easy. It's like this year's "secrets, lies, deception" prompt. You might as well just blindfold yourself & pick anything, there's an excellent chanceI would love a fashion prompt but I doubt it would ever get through...."
You should still suggest it, because there is always a good chance of the prompt: "a prompt that didn't make the final list" making the list.
Ciara wrote: "I think urban setting is just too easy. It's like this year's "secrets, lies, deception" prompt. You might as well just blindfold yourself & pick anything, there's an excellent chance it will be se..."We must read very different sorts of books; I had a hard time finding anything for "secrets, lies, deception" this year! And I suggested urban setting because most of the books I read don't take place in cities, and I like prompts that are a bit of a challenge. Just goes to show we have all kinds of readers in this group.
Mod
As a thought, could it be refined to "Set in a City", to make it a bit harder? Then towns, small towns and villages would specifically not count.
Deborah wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "...11. A book by a new-to-you author - maybe too easy, I might like a narrower version better. ..."The original idea was the author on your TBR shelf with the most books only selecting from authors you've never read, but some people don't have any authors with more than one book, so I thought this was easier. You can always make a prompt harder for yourself without making it harder for everyone,..."
Deborah— Thanks for pointing out the origins of the "new to you author" prompt. I enjoyed your idea about choosing a book from the author with the most titles on your TBR that you had not read before. If this makes it in I'll try to honor your original thought. AND also thank you for reminding us that "You can always make a prompt harder for yourself without making it harder for everyone" — very good point!
Tracy wrote: "Deborah wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "...11. A book by a new-to-you author - maybe too easy, I might like a narrower version better. ..."The original idea was the author on your TBR shelf with the most ..."
Thanks!
Dixie wrote: "And I suggested urban setting because most of the books I read don't take place in cities, and I like prompts that are a bit of a challenge. Just goes to show we have all kinds of readers in this group..."I like urban setting as a counterpoint to rural setting which crops up a lot in challenges. My books this year have had a real mix of settings so it's certainly not a read any book type of prompt for me.
John wrote: "4 up, 4 down. I voted down the one with Z in title or author's name since it was too limiting. If I enjoyed Zombie books I would have probably voted for this, but I don't. I might consider this prompt is it included other letters, such as X, Y, or Z...."Why would it include other letters? Z was chosen because it is the 26th letter of the alphabet for the year 2026.
Lots of names have Z in. Here are just a few I found on my shelves without too much effort, plus the prompt allows for z to be anywhere in the title. No need to read a zombie book (unless you want to).John Scalzi
Kazuo Ishiguro
Ali Hazelwood
Hazel Prior
Gabrielle Zevin
Abby Jimenez
Ruth Ozeki
Ellie wrote: "Lots of names have Z in. Here are just a few I found on my shelves without too much effort, plus the prompt allows for z to be anywhere in the title. No need to read a zombie book (unless you want ..."And the Z prompt doesn't even say that the word (name or title) has to be the 1st letter. So titles like the ones below could work also:
Death and Other Occupational Hazards
Citizen: An American Lyric
After Oz
I voted 6 UP and 2 BOTTOM.I know some people don't like Settings prompts, but I think this one (#13) was done well since it is for books set IN or NEAR the Caribbean. That leaves all the Caribbean coastal areas as well. Personally, I have several books set in, or about, Cuba that I've been wanting to read.
I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me. I did that for two reasons. 1) The Sisters Brothers keeps popping up on my radar for some reason. And 2) in college, as an Engineering student, I was always jealous of the English majors who got to read all the time (I've been told that this wasn't actually such a great thing based on the AMOUNT of reading required in a very short time). I only had to take one English class which focused on Westerns (NOT what I was expecting). I was to read Little Big Man, which I was enjoying, but unable to finish. After *cough,cough* years, I'd like to have a good reason to go back to it.
Trish wrote: As a thought, could it be refined to "Set in a City", to make it a bit harder? Then towns, small towns and villages would specifically not count..."I assume it's too late to do that, now that voting has already begun. If it doesn't get in, maybe I'll try it again with that wording a little later.
Kudos to all who made the suggestions. I didn’t find one prompt I wouldn’t be ok with having on the challenge. A very rare 8 up for me.
Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the wording makes me feel like they wouldn't fit since they are neither traditional nor a contemporary setting. I don't know if the suggester meant a contemporary author but my mind sees it as a genre limitation.
Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the wording makes..."
I'm hoping it doesn't get in, but if it does, I'll probably look for a weird western.
Mod
I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the wording makes..."
Traditional vs contemporary to me just means "set in the 19th/early 20th century" vs. "set in recent times". The books can still be romance, mystery (Craig Johnson's Longmire series, for instance), literary fiction, etc.
Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the wording makes..."
I interpreted that to mean you could use either a classic-type western or anything contemporary that could pass as a western. The examples in the lists provided are very wide-ranging. (No pun intended!)
Here are some listopias on the clothing in title prompt. It was a last minute decision to suggest, so apologies for the lack of preparation.Books with items of clothing in the title
Hats in titles
T-Shirts, Purses, Corsets, Panties, Hats, Glasses, Gloves, Jewelry, Uniforms, Shoes, Brassieres, Boutiques, And Fashions Unique (a nonfiction fashion list; quite a few of the titles work)
Robin P wrote: "Traditional vs contemporary to me just means "set in the 19th/early 20th century" vs. "set in recent times..."Yeah, so by that definition it excludes something like Frontier which is set in the future.
Robin P wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the..."
The Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box is a great current day western series, but it isn't western in what I would call the traditional sense. It's about a Game Warden in Wyoming. The topics are always timely and relevant; i .e., endangered species, environmental issues that affect wildlife, people living off-grid, etc. Box is an excellent writer as well, so reading them is a pleasure. That first in the series is Open Season. Open Season.
Deborah wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the..."
If you want a "weird" western, try the Deadwood Undertaker series by Ann Charles. First book is Life at the Coffin Joint.
Robin H-R wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't r..."
Thanks, but my libraries don't have it.
Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't read yet, but the wording makes..."
The way I read the prompt, anything goes. There is a lot of variety in the genre now.
Charlsa wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't r..."
I read Open Season last year and I really liked it. He clarifies both sides of the legal debate which was refreshing. I could read the sequel. I also have several books left over from last time.
My possibilities include.
Savage Run by CJ Box
The Sisters Brothers
The Outlaw Noble Salt - Butch Cassidy related
Regarding the fashion and clothing related posts….Lists or favorite titles would help me a lot. I might have books on my tbr that work but I didn’t know it. As long as fashion isn’t the only topic, I’d be open to it. Coco Chanel seems interesting too.
I really enjoyed The Paris Novel - part of the plot involves a designer dress. It’s also about French food, people who live in a famous bookstore, historical topics, and more.
I would use more upvotes if I had them! 5/3. Unfortunately, the western and A/T/Y prompts are a big no for me.
Jackie wrote: "I find the legend prompt very intriguing - so many interesting directions to take it. Would I go with something like Sleepy Hollow? Would I read a book about a person who's a living legend?"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the first legend I thought of too! I used to live near there but never read the book. They were our big rivals in high school sports.
Overall a great start. A book about something that gets your heart racing - its different and I like that it has a few interpretations. I am kind of literal so have to shut that down but once I do it really works for me.
A book about science - Again I like that it can be interpreted in a few ways and even appreciate its simplicity . It is any easy upvote.
I feel both drawn to and repelled by the A traditional or contemporary western. It didn't go so well for me when we previously did it and I kind of want a do over but also don't know that I have anything that I want to read for it.
There are a few that are just to close to prompts we have had in the last few years that I didn't love so will probably vote those down.
An even set of voting for me--four up, four down. There are times when I wish I had more votes so I could use more upvotes, but if there were no voting limits, where would we be?
NancyJ wrote: "Regarding the fashion and clothing related posts….Lists or favorite titles would help me a lot. I might have books on my tbr that work but I didn’t know it. As long as fashion isn’t the only topic..."
Here's a list...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
My favorite title is The G-String Murders
Emily wrote: "THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE SUGGESTIONS THREAD1. A book based on or related to a "legend"
Fiction or non-fiction
Examples:
Classic Legends: Robin Hood, King Arthur
"Urban" Legends: Big Foot, D.B..."
@emily: My original post in the Poll1 suggestions had the links for all the individually listed books. Can you please update this to reflect those links?
Charlsa wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I also upvoted the Western prompt, which surprised me..."I wouldn't mind revisiting western, as I have a few books I got for last time that I haven't r..."
I just remembered that some of Paullette Jiles's books would fit the western category as would Amy harmon's books.
Jiles wrote News of the World and The Color of Lightning. The Color of Lightning is the story of the Lone Ranger.
This was really difficult. I liked almost all of the suggestions!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels (other topics)The End of the Tunnel (other topics)
Watership Down (other topics)
Neverwhere (other topics)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ann Charles (other topics)John Scalzi (other topics)
Kazuo Ishiguro (other topics)
Ali Hazelwood (other topics)
Hazel Prior (other topics)
More...
Voting will open in the morning of Wednesday, July 2 and results will be posted in the morning of Sunday, July 6 (CST time).
How it works:
- When the voting opens, follow the link to the mini-poll that will be added at the end of this post
- You have a total of 8 votes this poll to spread across your favorite and least favorite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- You can find examples of acceptable voting practices on the Introduction thread.
- The prompts with the more favorable votes (comparing top votes to bottom votes, and looking at the overall number of votes it received) will be added to the final list
We are asking people to include their Goodreads profile address when they vote. To find this, just go to your own profile and then copy the URL/web address. If for some reason you can't link to your Goodreads profile, please post your full Goodreads name with enough identifiable information that we'll be able to access your profile.
Poll Prompts:
1. A book based on or related to a "legend"
2. A book you would consider a classic
3. A book with a title that includes a family relationship word
4. A book with an urban setting
5. A book about people trapped together
6. A book with a Z in the title and/or author name
7. A book published in 2026
8. A traditional or contemporary western
9. A book about something that gets your heart racing
10. A book from a genre that starts with A, T, or Y
11. A book by a new-to-you author
12. A book about science
13. A book set in or near the Caribbean
14. A book set primarily underground
15. A book title that includes a piece of clothing
Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members.
VOTE HERE: https://forms.gle/xGhmggWQLRoX5XRb9