Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2025 Plans
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J Takes on 2025
Year Challenge:I managed to complete my goal of reading every year from 1920 to present, in 2024. Now I will try to push backward, though older years are harder to accomplish.
� 1900 - Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome
� 1901 - The Octopus: A Story of California by Frank Norris
� 1902 - The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
1903 - The Pit: a Story of Chicago by Frank Norris
� 1904 - The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum
1905 - The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
1906 - The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
� 1907 - Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum
� 1908 - The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare by G.K. Chesterton
� 1909 - The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum
1910 - The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum
� 1911 - Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. Barrie
� 1912 - A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
� 1913 - The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
� 1914 - Vandover and the Brute by Frank Norris
� 1915 - Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse
1916 - Rinkitink of Oz by L. Frank Baum
1917 - The Lost Princess of Oz by L. Frank Baum
1918 - The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum
� 1919 - My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
A brief explanation of my plan:With 2025, I am continuing to work on my completion of authors; Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., and Michael Crichton. So far, I haven't gotten too burnt out on any of those, but if it happens with any I suspect Crichton.
I put a whole series by Octavia E. Butler on the list (the Patternmaster series) and also plan to continue The Expanse series and The Culture Series. But Sci-Fi is my standard reading, so those should be expected.
Quite a few of books on the list were holdovers from this year's list or have been on my TBR for a long time. Christopher Moore and Fannie Flagg are two authors that I got big into this year, after having only read one book by each of them previously. So those books on the list are for the laughs.
The most interesting additions are the books by Jonas Karlsson, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nick Hornby. Each are authors that I have only read one book by, previously, but loved that book and for some reason never revisited.
THE 52 TOPICS OF THE 2021 ATY READING CHALLENGE21/53
� 1.A book related to “In the Beginning...� - Completed 01/21/2025
Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay 4 �� 2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y - Completed 02/23/2025
The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick 3 �� 3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music - Completed 01/31/2025
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum 3 �4. A book with a monochromatic cover - Clay's Ark by Octavia E. Butler
� 5. A book by an author on USA Today's list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read - Completed 05/23/2025
Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler 5 �� 6. A love story - Completed 01/17/2025
Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore 2 �7. A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list � A book related to blackjack or gambling - The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman
� 8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited - Completed 04/14/2025
Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay 4 �9. A book you associate with a specific season or time of year -
10. A book with a female villain or criminal -
11. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum -
12. A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation - The Last Children of Tokyo by Yōko Tawada
13. A book written by an author of one of your best reads of 2020 - My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl
� 14. A book set in a made-up place - Completed 03/06/2025
The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum 3 �15. A book that features siblings as the main characters - Dexter's Final Cut by Jeff Lindsay
16. A book with a building in the title -
17. A book with a Muslim character or author -
� 18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1 - Past - Completed 01/29/2025
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain 4 �� 19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2 - Completed 03/04/2025
Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay 3 �� 20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3 - Completed 04/21/2025
Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey 3 �21. A book whose title and author both contain the letter "u" - Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
22. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads - All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (2021)
� 23. A cross genre novel - Completed 04/10/2025
The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov 4 �24. A book about racism or race relations - Robots and Empire by Isaac Asimov
25. A book set on an island -
� 26. A short book (<210 pages) by a new-to-you author - Completed 01/28/2025
My Name Is Sally Little Song by Brenda Woods 4 �27. A book with a character who can be found in a deck of cards -
28. A book connected to ice -
29. A book that you consider comfort reading -
30. A long book -
� 31. A book by an author whose career spanned more than 21 years - Completed 05/14/2025
Dexter Is Dead by Jeff Lindsay 4 �32. A book whose cover shows more than 2 people - The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum
33. A collection of short stories, essays, or poetry - The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
� 34. A book with a travel theme - Completed 06/06/2025
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman 4 �35. A book set in a country on or below the Tropic of Cancer -
36. A book with six or more words in the title - The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman
� 37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list - Completed 04/06/2025
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas 4 �� 38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator (Words given: suit, praise, excavate, accountant, house) - Completed 04/05/2025
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 5 �39. A book involving an immigrant - The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
40. A book with flowers or greenery on the cover
41. A book by a new-to-you BIPOC author -
� 42. A mystery or thriller - Completed 06/18/2025
End of Watch by Stephen King 3 �43. A book with elements of magic -
� 44. A book whose title contains a negative - Completed 05/06/2025
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman 4 �45. A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet - Victor - The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo
46. A winner or nominee from the 2020 ŷ Choice Awards - If It Bleeds by Stephen King
47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography or memoir - The Mushroom Hunters: On the Trail of an Underground America by Langdon Cook
48. A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?� -
� 49. A book with an ensemble cast - Completed 05/20/2025
Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey 3 �50. A book published in 2021 - Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey
� 51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name - Completed 01/27/2025
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao 5 �� 52. A book related to "the end" - Completed 01/24/2025
What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson 3 �53. Wild Card � A book recorded on the 2020 ATY Community Spreadsheet - The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
Anniversary List 2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet � Completed 01/03/2025
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain 3 �This was a book that I had put a hold on, at the local library, before the end of 2024 - and it came in before the end of that year. So, I knew that it would be first, but I was also looking forward to it. It's the first thing that came to mind when I read through the phonetic alphabet (which at one time, I had memorized). But I've also been meaning to read more Mark Twain for a while.
It does not help with my goal of reading a book from every year, as I already have Three Men in a Boat for that year.
Overall, I quite enjoyed it. This book was clearly a big influence on modern pop culture, and the style that it is written in is well ahead of its time. It is designed for the plot to set up jokes, and the humor is definitely the best part of the book. At other times, things happen to set up clear political messages. While I enjoyed most of the humor and agreed with most of the politics, you can definitely see the author's hands at work.
There is a way to do all of this while keeping a bit of subtlety.
2025 List 45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years � Completed 01/06/2025
Gerald's Game by Stephen King 4 �This book was the next oldest on my list of unread Stephen King books, and I was intrigued by the concept. It doesn't seem like enough of a plot to write a whole book on, but King has surprised me in the past. He has also produced some extremely bloated books that I had to push through.
I was enjoying the hell out of this book for the first 75 - 80%. King really did figure out how to tell this story, which essentially involves only one character in a room that they cannot leave and has limited mobility and makes it work as an intriguing story. This should not be a surprise.
But at that point, the story ended. It was done and resolved. I've mentioned before that I think that King is better at the Novella format, and I think that might be because he writes stories and then determines how to publish them once they are done and the length is established.
My supposition is that this tale came in at an unfortunate length such that he either needed to trim it down to novella length or pad it out to publishable novel length. 250 pages would have been just fine, but the publisher wanted 350. Rather than mess with any of the existing story, which was at that point a 5 star read, he padded out the ending. Much like Thinner, this book is quick paced and fun until it realizes that it needs to be a bit longer and then it drags.
Even the glowing reviews, on this site, seem to only consider the good first three quarters and completely gloss over the unnecessary afterward.
2025 List 32. A mystery or true crime book � Completed 01/08/2025
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie 3 �The third and final of the pre-ordered books that came in before the end of 2024. Using an Agatha Christie for this prompt was the obvious choice.
I've started to develop a hypothesis that there are three types of books by Dame Christie. The Hercule Poirot books are mysteries that are solvable but often very complicated and difficult. The Ms. Marple books are similarly mysteries but are a bit easier. The clues are all there, and if you are paying attention, you can get the answer before the end. Finally, the third type is what I often see called the Tommy and Tuppence series. These are more toward the thriller book type. There is a mystery, but its not really about solving the mystery as much as it is about going on the adventure with the MC as they try to solve it. The first T&T book was a romance where two characters are both investigating a mystery/crime and fall in love along the way. Books like The Man in the Brown Suit and The Secret of Chimneys follow this story type as well. They are more of a romance combined with a thriller/mystery.
But I've found the same problem with these romances that I had with those early ones by P.G. Wodehouse. I don't care about the characters and am never really given a reason to care about them. It's likely just an artifact of the time. I am supposed to root for them and for them to get together just because they are the main characters.
It's a fun read, but I was mostly just along for the ride.
2025 List 37. A book featuring adult friendships - Completed 01/13/2025
Abaddon’s Gate by James S.A. Corey 4 �So far, the best book I've read this year. I am quite impressed with this series and am looking forward to completing it this year, despite the fact that it is reasonably long. I intend to read one book per month until complete. I do prefer the use of more character POVs in the second and third book to the two in the first book, but I think that first book had some nice twists that put it up to 5 stars where the other two have just been high fours.
I love the Melba character here and Bobby in the previous book, much more than Holden or Miller. I am hoping that those characters show up further on in the series and are developed more.
I'm still not sure where the authors get their titles but at least, this time, I understand the reference to a gate.
2025 List 3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song � Completed 01/14/2025
Me by Elton John 5 �I was pretty stoked when I spotted this book on the list of possible choices for this prompt. The title fits perfect and I absolutely love the subject matter.
That and it is an autobiography. I am a little warry of biographies. I love them, in concept, but so many of them are chock full of bull shit. This one comes straight from the source, and it pulls no punches - even when the situation does not make the MC look good at all.
I did know most of the information presented, but it is presented well and I definitely was corrected on a few points. My only real complaint is it could have been so much longer and had so much more detail. Though you can't argue with a good pacing and flow.
2025 List 33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time � Completed 01/16/2025
Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay 4 �This is my favorite topic for 2025, and many of the books on my list also qualify for this. I went through my 5 star books and found any author's that I had not read further books from and decided to correct that this year.
I loved the first book in the Dexter series. I read it and watched the first season of the show around the same time. They are very similar, with only two major changes. Then, I decided to continue on with the show only, having read that they diverged after the first book.
In retrospect, I should have stuck to the books. This book, the second in the series, has a lot in common with the second season of the show but everywhere that that season disappointed isn't present here. This book is what you would get if the second season of Dexter was good.
And now, I have another series that I will try to complete this year. Between this, Stephen King, and the Expanse; I will have a book planned for each month.
2021 List 6. A love story - Completed 01/17/2025
Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore 2 �I laughed, quite a lot. That was what I was looking for; a fast easy book with some laughs. But the flaws do hit this one. It has my common complaint of stupid main characters that make non-sensical choices because it helps the plot along.
Ultimately though, it was the homophobia that dropped this one down to 2 stars. It wasn't funny, so why is it needed?
2025 List 39. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 2 � Completed 01/10/2025
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton 4 �It's been a long while that my interest in the life of Harriet Tubman made me desire reading a non-fiction account of her life. She really was a strong and amazing woman. But unfortunately, there just isn't that much information that is known about her life. Not the real details, and only bits of it.
I applaud Catherine Clinton for not filling her book with inaccuracies or speculation about what might have happened. Instead, what she does is to fill the gaps by giving us account of other people at the same time, int the same place, experiencing the same times such that we can get an idea of what likely happened to Harriet. But I am still disappointed that this isn't the book that I wanted to read - despite that book not existing - it's just the next best thing.
2021 List 1.A book related to “In the Beginning...� - Completed 01/21/2025
Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay 4 �I moved this book to the "In the Beginning" topic because it started with those words. It was a pleasant surprise to me, as I did not have anything penciled in for that week, and I want to put all of the Dexter books in for this year.
Like the second book, I found this to be much improved over the tv series. It does not go in the expected direction, but I respect the direction that the author does go in. However, I think it was an unpopular direction since the ŷ overall rating is low. This book was published after the TV series began, but it might be the reaction to this book which pushed the series in a different direction.
The humor, in particular, makes these books easy and fun reads.
2021 List 52. A book related to "the end" - Completed 01/24/2025
What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson 3 �I would go as far as to say that I enjoyed the writing and the concept, but I was bored most of the way. I started reading this because I was looking for Somewhere In Time by the same author, but didn't realize that that isn't the normal name of that book.
This had the flaw I see in a lot of Fantasy novels, where it is more about the place and explaining all the world building to the reader. The story here is very thin and has to be padded out significantly. So, while I think Richard Matheson is a solid writer, at this point, the majority of the books that I have read by him have been pretty mid.
2021 List 51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name - Completed 01/27/2025
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao 5 �I loved the first book, and while I didn't quite love this one as much as the other, I do think it is really worthy of raving. What makes them a bit challenging, but also exciting, is that I never know what way the story is going. Even two books in, I couldn't possibly predict what direction the series will go. There seem to be a large number of ways it could go, and I have no idea which Zhao will chose. Likely it will be one that I have not considered.
I am still reeling from that ending and I will likely have to reread both of these before the third one, whenever that comes out.
2025 List 6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover � Completed 01/28/2025
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende 3 �This is a book that I have meant to read for a very long time. The film is one that I hold dearly, from my childhood. Though, it is also one that I was not able to get my kids into. It holds up better in nostalgia. I knew going in that the film only covers the first half of the book, so I was eager to read it and find out what happens next.
The first half of the book is very true to the film (or vice versa), and it makes sense that this is the first story. The second half could be a sequel or stretched out to make the whole thing a trilogy (that's where I'd head if I was proposing such a venture). But it is too bad that sequels were never made (and I mean this).
Overall, I think the book is a great read which suffers from having great ideas and mediocre execution. Though, it is very likely that I would hold this book more dearly had I read it when I was the target age. When great things happen, they are very memorable. But in other parts it really drags and feel like the author was really trying to see how long he could make the book.
I was thinking about this today, and I am convinced that the design might be intentional. It would be a good book to use as a bedtime story as the slow parts induce sleep while the big parts make you want to come back for more. But without trying it out, I'm not sure that my daughter would ever hold interest in this one. Certainly not if a few nights went by with her falling asleep early and nothing big happening. Personally, I'd go for a Roald Dahl over this any night. And even the books that my daughter brought home to read are much faster paced while still eliciting sleep inevitably.
This idea might work better, in the modern day, if it could be more interactive. That is, the reader could affect the happenings in the story at key points.
Also: it did have an end. So, I'm taking a point off for false advertising.
2021 List 26. A short book (<210 pages) by a new-to-you author - Completed 01/28/2025
My Name Is Sally Little Song by Brenda Woods 4 �I read this book because it was assigned to my girl for one of her English courses. It's lucky that there was this topic, as I might not have counted it toward anything otherwise, due to the short length (just under 200 pages).
This one fit well with my plan for the year, particularly reads like Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom, The Underground Railroad, and James.
I quite enjoyed this book, though it was a bit short. It would be a good place for a reader to start on this topic, although I feel like it simplifies things a bit in order to make a good story. For instance, it would not be too likely that a slave family would be so small with the persons at these ages and even more unlikely that they would all be able to escape together.
2021 List 18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1 - Past - Completed 01/29/2025
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain 4 �This is a re-read. I read it in the 4th grade, and enjoyed it then. But I decided that this year I would read James and if I was going to read James then I was going to read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and if I was going to read Huck then I was going to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
I remembered a lot of what happened in it, though not the order in which they occurred. I enjoyed the humor more than the first time, I am sure. It's funny looking back at this from a modern perspective as much of the antics that Tom gets up to in his adventures would be bullying today.
2021 List 3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music - Completed 01/31/2025
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum 3 �Not the original place that I had this book, but I realized that it worked good for the week 3 topic due to one of the main characters being a kitten.
This is likely my least favorite Oz book, so far. It makes a few of the mistakes that sequels make. They have to meet all of the characters from the previous books and catch up on what they have been doing (well, the ones that are still alive, anyway). It also feels like Baum wanted to write a different book, but had to write an Oz book, so he has the characters wander around for a bit before touching base with Oz, so that it still counts.
2025 List 52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover � Completed 02/01/2025
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King 4 �Fitting in Stephen King books was my first goal when building the 2025 list. I really like that this cover has strong sunset vibes while not actually showing a sunset. I read it second because it is a companion piece with Gerald's Game. Of the two books, this one is stronger. But I really like what King set out to accomplish with each and his decision to tie them together.
The concept for this book works better because he stuck to it the whole way. Sometimes, it drags but he found a good excuse for that by writing it from the perspective of a little old lady explaining her actions to an inquest. What I liked best was the humor, and I expect that King wrote this specifically for Tabitha.
2025 List 48. A book with a character dealing with death � Completed 02/04/2024
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore 1 �Alright. I thought the last Christopher Moore book was bad because it was one of his earlier publications, but this one was much worse. Where Bloodsucking Fiends had two protagonists, and one of them was insufferable. This one simplifies the narrative down to just one who is entirely insufferable. That is the key part of his personality and Moore wrote him that way for the humor.
But there we have the biggest problem with the book. It just isn't funny. Most often the jokes are the most obvious and worn out (the Russian says 'like bear' a lot and the Chinese woman will eats dogs).
The world building makes no sense and any rules that have been determined will immediately stop existing as the plot needs. Charlie is invisible to people while doing his job - unless being seen would be hilariously embarrassing. He knows everyone's names without ever being introduced to them, unless they tell him a fake name.
And he makes nonsensical decisions which would destroy the plot unless the conveniently don't work out the way he intended. His daughter is in danger and someone sends a couple of hell hounds to protect her. So, he does everything he can to try to kill the hellhounds. WTF.
It's going to be very hard to continue on with this series.
2025 List 20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title � Completed 02/06/2025
Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler 5 �Well, that was not like anything else I've ever read. I already loved Octavia E. Butler and was looking forward to reading more of her books this year. Now, I'm hoping to read all of them.
I wasn't expecting the direction the book took, and I feel like a big confrontation between the main hero and the main villain was in order, but I suspect the story was somewhat hindered by being a prequel (later books were written first, so certain characters cannot die).
And yet, the fact that we didn't get that here makes me more eager to read the other books. This might be one of the all time great villain characters. I'm hoping he is in more of these books.
2025 List 31. A book with a coastal setting � Completed 02/09/2025 
Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay 3 �I am quite enjoying this series. The naration, the characters, and especially the humor make them an easy read. The plot makes it exciting. But this one just didn't work as well as the others. I do like the conflict that Dexter faces when his desires conflict with his ability to stay free and keep those he cares about safe, but the plot is the issue here.
Too often, Dexter gets lucky and the plot lets him out of a bad situation, instead of forcing him into a difficult choice and this one also has a key point where the main character does something very stupid only because it helps the plot along. If I didn't enjoy the read so much, that might hurt the book even more.
2025 List 11. A book set in a fictional location � Completed 02/13/2025
Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey 2 �This book appears to be one of the least popular in the series. I haven't done too much research on that, yet, as I don't want too many spoilers. And I didn't let that fact color my opinion of the book. Yet, I also feel the same. The previous books were all so big and this one seems small, in comparison. Not small in length, small is scope.
It's a western. A pretty straight forward (trite) one as that. It does take place in space, in the future, but otherwise follows all the normal tropes. A federal agent is sent to a new town where there is tensions growing between two disparate groups trying to settle there and he has to try to calm tensions. The existing sheriff is corrupt and does evil things because he read the book and knows that he is intended to be the main antagonist.
The biggest problem with the book is that I just felt like I had to get through it to get on to the rest of the story. Very early on, there is a confrontation between the main protagonist and the main antagonist where I was telling him (Holden) to just shoot the asshole in the head and he had every opportunity and reason to do so. Even the other characters are telling him to do so. Had he done this, the book would be short story, or perhaps a more interesting story where he had to deal with the ramifications of the right decision. Instead, we are told to wait. Wait for it. It's totally coming if you can push through the next 400 pages. All the while, the antagonist continues to rack up bodies and the hero continues to stand by. Because they know that big conflict resolution can only come at the climax of the book.
There are other flaws. There are a few points where characters trust other characters only because the author wrote them both as heroes and they have all seemingly also read the book, Or know information that they couldn't know without reading the book. Or go on an expedition that they are not needed for only because there is a surprise at the end that they need to be there to help resolve. Or go on a suicide mission to rescue another protagonist where they and their target can only survive if one of the villains randomly switches sides.
You know, the sort of thing you could only do if you knew you were a protagonist in a book.
Anniversary List 2016: A book originally written in a language other than English � Completed 02/15/2025 
The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson 5 �Loved it. I still think The Room was better. But for anyone who read that and enjoyed it, this one uses the same Franz Kafka inspired storytelling to tell us a very different story with a pretty solid message behind it.
Maybe, just maybe, your life is pretty damn good, and you should stop sweating the small things and just enjoy what wealth you inherently have.
2025 List 38. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 1 � Completed 02/17/2025
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead 2 �I picked this book for the topic because I wanted to read more books about The Underground Railroad. It was paired with the non-fiction Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom, but I ended up liking that book a lot better. The first issue here is, this book isn't really about The Underground Railroad, not the historical one that existed in the United States in the 19th Century.
So, the book shouldn't even be Historical Fiction. It goes way too far outside of actual history, for my tastes, to fit in that genre. For instance, it moves a few things that occur in the late 19th century or even early 20th century to the mid-19th so that the protagonist can encounter all of them.
My recommendation, if looking to change things up this drastically, would be to make it a Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel. Just commit entirely to not being historically accurate to be able to show what happened without being tied down to what actually happened.
The other big flaw of the book is that the lack of agency of the main character. The plot points (whether she chooses to stay in a place or move on to the next place or is taken forcibly to a place) happen because the author needs her to be in certain places to witness what is occurring there. It doesn't make any sense for her to stay in the south after finding the railroad and having a chance to get out and it doesn't make any sense for her to be taken to on a thousand mile side trek at the end - except that the author wants her to be in the west, instead of the south.
Also, WTF was that sex scene at the end. After carefully making sure to avoid any such scenes for the whole book, he has her fantasize one. How would she even know what consensual/ enjoyable sex would be like if she has never experienced it? Something tells me that the publisher wanted this scene and he didn't want to rewrite the book to fit it in, so it was just slapped onto the end. But then, why not time jump again and show us the protagonist married and living free?
The one reason that I am not giving this 1 star is that I did enjoy the writing. Colson Whitehead is definitely a good writer, it was the plotting and character development that failed for me.
Anniversary List 2020: A book with an emotion in the title � Completed 02/21/2025
Rose Madder by Stephen King 4 �Not sure that I liked this topic, at first glance. But when I noticed that this book would work, I liked it better because I feel it was a good fit.
This book is pretty bog standard for Stephen King. It would be an easy complete for a game of King Trope Bingo. It almost felt like I'd read it before (there is a lot in common with this book and one of the plot lines in It). So, I was tempted to give it 3 stars. But I did find the parts written from the perspective of the villain to be often humorous. And I like one of the fight scenes quite a lot.
Some of the repetition, which King can use to good effect or ill, got very tedious.
2021 List 2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y - Completed 02/23/2025
The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick 3 �I'm always down for some Dick. He has a very unique voice. Nobody writes like him. This one reminded me a lot of The Man in the High Castle (which was written very close to the same time) but this one was definitely inferior. I liked the use of many different perspectives, this made it more challenging to follow, but they did work well.
I do wish there had been more development of some characters. Some are absolutely key to the story and others seem secondary. He didn't manage to pull it all together at the end the way of say The Man in the High Castle, Ubik, or A Scanner Darkly.
So, I guess I'm saying I graded it hard against other, better Dicks.
2025 List 2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list � A book that is 2, 5, or 25 in a series - Completed 02/25/2025
Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey 5 �The series returns to form! This book is a good example of how to write well. James S.A. Corey are a fine author, and like anyone else, will have their hit or misses. While the last book was a miss, this one it a hit. It takes the 4 main characters of the series, splits them up, gives them all character development and growth, gives them all a separate plotline, keeps all of those plotlines interesting and equal, and somehow manages to do a good job of having those separate plots all interact throughout so that it still feels like one big story.
If anything, the Holden story was the least interesting and that is the central hub that connects the rest of them together.
I'm just noticing now that this topic was a wild card. The topic I chose from the rejects was one that I really wanted to win and when it didn't, I already decided that I would use it anyway. I read a lot of series, so getting a book #5 is easy. I would have loved to do this with a book #25, but I don't happen to be reading one of those series, at this time.
2025 List 51. A book published in 2025 � Completed 02/28/2025
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett 4 �This is the earliest in a year that I have completed this prompt. It's included in every ATY challenge, and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone, by requiring me to find and read new books. But I usually don't get around to it until close to the end.
But this year, I knew exactly which book I was going to read, since I had read books 1 and 2 last year, and those set things up to really look like a trilogy. I commend Heather Fawcett for not only having each book stand alone, and have its own plot, while also setting up the larger story for a series.
Though I do hope that there are more books in this series, I am glad that this book closes things up well enough that any reader can feel comfortable stopping here. If anything, I'd like to see more books in this series focus on a new main character. These are very enjoyable reads, though none of them managed to get top marks from me; very comfy.
This was the last book I completed in February and it put me at 26 books read for the year. That means that, if my target were just 52 books, I would be looking at doing it in 4 months (at this pace) and could do well over 150 for the year. Not that I ever have the sort of pace that I do in the summer months that I see in the winter.
2021 List 19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2 - Completed 03/04/2025
Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay 3 �Eh, 2009 seems close to present day to me. But when I was reading it there were a few things that made it seem like the past. The kids were playing with a Wii. I feel like this series is on a decline. I still want to finish it out and see what happens, but the last couple books are only okay.
I do love the writing. The protagonist point of view is fun and often humorous. He feels very autistic to me, as an outsider who doesn't understand humanity. Here we have a very clever protagonist who has committed big crimes and never been caught and yet he needs to make the most obvious mistakes to help the plot and build tension. Given the decision he has made, in the last two books in particular, you begin to wonder why he has never been caught.
Plus, this is the fourth book in a row where the climax has him need to be rescued by a friend, family member, or partner. Dude should be long since dead if not for the main character invincibility spell.
2021 List 14. A book set in a made-up place - Completed 03/06/2025
The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum 3 �What is there to say. This is an Oz book. Dorothy going on a trip, meets three friends, ends up in Oz, has to find her way home. I'd actually rate it a bit higher but it seems to be waiting for them to get to Oz and then bogged down in reunions with everyone else that she previously met in previous books.
2025 List 17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925 � Completed 03/07/2025
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson 4 �This author was recommended to me by a good friend, so I was specifically looking for a place to start. I chose this one because I don't know that much about the Lusitania (outside what I learned in high school U.S. History class. Which was admittedly a very, very long time ago.) So, I thought I'd start there and wouldn't spend too much time nitpicking it.
But I think I was wrong with that concern. Erik Larson's biggest strength is the amount of research he did prior to writing the book. If anything, I think he should have considered not including all of the information that he acquired. The story really gets dragged down. That said, I'm not sure I'd change it if I were his editor. I appreciate all of the facts and details even if I would streamline the hell out of it for a feature film version.
I do plan to read another book by Larson, likely later this year.
2025 List 21. A book connected in some way to any collective noun for animals � A host of Sparrows � Complated 03/09/2025
Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney 4 �I was looking for a really good collective noun, for this prompt, and when I found host, I knew that was the one I wanted to go with.
I wasn't aware that the film(s) were based on a book, nor had I ever read this author. But it does make sense. The writing style of Jack Finney reminds me a lot of Stephen King and Richard Matheson. It's likely that these authors influenced each other and I'd recommend them to anyone who is a fan of the others.
The book itself is fast paced and exciting. If anything, I wish it were longer (or had sequels). But that is one of the strengths of books from this era. They're like punk songs.
Well, that's another author to add to my list of authors to read more books by.
Anniversary List 2023: A book whose author has published more than 7 books � Completed 03/12/3035
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 4 �This book/series is really coming up fast in popularity. It seems like the mainstream started to notice it around 2024, when it got a big publisher, and it's obvious why. Very fun, fast paced, and humorous. I really want to read the whole series. It might be just the thing for when I am not enjoying the read. My one concern is that they will be challenging to get. I grabbed this one on Audible (which I should really cancel.)
I like the characters, in particular, who are not your normal protagonists, and Matt Dinniman does a great job of setting up a lot of antagonists and side stories that will help fill out the bigger series. This is definitely not a one-off book, the set up could easily lend itself to a 30+ book series - as long as the author doesn't get bored of the premise.
The one downside is the info dumps. We really don't need as much information as is supplied on how the game works. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a friend that is going into way too much detail about the experience he had playing a video game. There is a perfect amount of detail to give, then the reader can fill the rest in based on that information. The only time we really need item descriptions or achievement text is if it is funny or relevant to the plot.
Slotting Dungeon Crawler Carl here, when it wasn't on the original list bumps If I Were You by P.G. Wodehouse. That book is proving very hard to get. It is not in my library system, or available on Kindle, or as an audiobook, and must be out of print since the Amazon price is huge. This book might end up being one of the meme ones that I slot in every year but never actually read, since it is already a roll-over from last year.
2025 List 47. A book relating to fire � Completed 03/19/2025
The Fireman by Joe Hill 3 �I'm glad that this was a prompt for 2025, as the 2024 list had Air, Water, and Ground - it feels like one element was missing.
I had been meaning to read a book by Joe Hill for quite a while. The fact that one of his books fit a prompt was just an excuse to finally do so. I had decided to file it in as though it was a Stephen King, and that was a wise decision. It does read like a King novel. Any fan of the father will likely be a fan of the son.
I'm a bit torn on the rating. Some things were done exceptionally well, and at the beginning of the book, I was convinced that it would get a very good rating. There are a lot of big action-packed scenes that are well spaced throughout and the world itself (the disease, how it works, how people respond to it) is veyr well thought out and believable.
My big issues are with the plot and the protagonist. The plot is well thought out, but I think the author was too married to it. The protagonist must make terrible decisions and miss obvious clues to keep the plot on course. This is a big pet peeve of this reader.
Ultimately, the book was way too long. It could be due to me losing any interest in the protagonist or any stakes in the plot, but I was often bored and it just refused to end.
So, I'll call it a wash and give it a middle grade.
2025 List 18. A book set primarily in nature � Completed 03/21/2025
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 4 �Pretty glad to finally have this book in the checked off pile. This is the very first book that I ever put down without finishing (DNF), back in the 4th grade. But I'm not the type of person who likes to leave books uncompleted, even if they are terrible. So, there are a few more that I will inevitably revisit.
The issue I had with this book wasn't the n-word. That is just the way people talked at the time. You could just as easily go back to media from 10 years ago and find words that people would no longer use. It also wasn't how Jim was treated, as that was true to the time as well. My issue was that the protagonists (Tom and Huck) treated Jim poorly as well. I didn't want to spend a lot of time on a long book (to me, at the time) that would be disappointing.
But I have changed. I realize now that, by having Huck and Tom not sympathetic to Jim, it allows for character growth. And finally having pushed through the book I find that it has an excellent ending. I really wish that I had completed in 35 years ago.
What's more, I'm ready to read James, as I find that I am very interested in seeing things from the perspective of Jim. It turns out that the whole way along, everyone has been treating our boy as the local idiot but he was looking out for Tom and Huck. Like Percival Everett, those implications make me want to see more from the other side.
As for the topic of choice where I slotted this book in, I chose 'takes place primarily in nature' because from what I remembered of the book it was mostly Huck and Jim riding a raft down the Mississippi. But if we were to count time spent outdoors and time spent indoors it might be equal. Most of the middle and the end happen indoors.
2025 List 30. A monster book � Completed 03/30/2025 
Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey 3 �Back to the expanse series, and I was really expecting to love this one. We have Bobby Draper and Clarissa Mao, now in the crew and with bigger roles in the plot. But I was just bored throughout.
This book is key to the progression of the overall story of the series, but not enough happened in it to keep me interested, as a reader. There is way too much introspection. Thats a great thing to have in a story, as it helps develop the characters. But by the third or fourth take of the same character getting introspective about what happened to them, so far, I was just tuned out.
Then we get to the big climax, and it seemed rushed. Maybe there just wasn't enough page count left for it. But it just seems a bit odd. 1. Main characters are in a tight spot. 2. They come up with a hail-mary plan to potentially win. 3. It works. The end.
2025 List 5. A book with a weird or intriguing title � 
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone 5 �While reading Babylon’s Ashes, I was starting to think that I was getting burned out on the reading and that I was being too harsh with my criticism. But now, after reading This Is How You Lose the Time War, I realize that it wasn't me that was the issue.
I love that this is an original idea and format, though I think a lot of the worldbuilding is derivative (that's not the point of the book, but still). But this is so fast paced and right to the point. And the writing is top notch. I want to re-read it on Kindle, so that I can highlight some really good quotes.
2021 List 38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator (Words given: suit, praise, excavate, accountant, house) - Completed 04/05/2025
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 5 �The film based on this book was key to my childhood. The book was even better, which is a relief as I was less impressed by The Last Unicorn or The Neverending Story.
It has a good pace and a lot of big reveals. I think there were quite a few things revealed, which we never found out in the film. But it has been at least 35 years since I saw the film.
As for the topic, this manages to fit the words 'excavate' and 'house' very well.
2021 List 37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list - Completed 04/06/2025
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas 4 �This was a lot of fun. I never imagined a book this old could be this much of a slapper. The primary antagonist is one of the best I've seen, ever. Change nothing, put it in a script, and film it and it would be a big hit action movie for this summer.
The only things that cost it a star were that it was a little slow, in parts, fairly episodic, in the middle, and there is that weird bit where the protagonist pretends he is a different man in order to get laid. That doesn't age well. The one change I would make would be to have the woman reveal that she knew who he was, the whole time, after they have done it and after he admits his deceit. I mean really, wouldn't she notice the difference?
2021 List 23. A cross genre novel - Completed 04/10/2025
The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov 4 �This series was my first thought when reading this topic. Asimov had the idea to combine Science Fiction with Mystery. In that, it succeeds. It definitely qualifies as a Sci-Fi and a Mystery - combining all of their tropes.
I just wish he had been a bit more creative with the concept, once put together. As a mystery, its pretty by the book and predictable (although the unpredictability of most mysteries made me think that the obvious solution couldn't possibly be the right one.) I like that Isaac Asimov did not just wait to the end to reveal everything, but rather had big reveals along the way. But I was predicting a bigger reveal toward the end, and I think my idea for what it might have been was better than what we got.
This is the book that ties together Asimov's I, Robot, the Robot series, the Galactic Empire Series, and the Foundation series. I'm not sure if I agree with his decision to do that, but it does work.
2021 List 8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited - Completed 04/14/2025
Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay 4 �I'm glad that I have kept on with this series. This one, the sixth in the series, is a return to form. Dexter is back to killing people (who deserve it) while those who are looking to bust him get closer than ever. The narration is always the high point of these, with Dexter being quite humorous, but this one also has a good plot give the humor a place to grow in.
According to ŷ, this is the 1000th book that I've marked as 'Read'. That is a milestone that I have been excited to hit.
J wrote: "According to ŷ, this is the 1000th book that I've marked as 'Read'. That is a milestone that I have been excited to hit."Congrats! That's definitely a fun milestone.
I got there too, a little while ago, and marked the moment. Of course, since I haven't been using GR from the start of my reading, I'm very curious as to what my "real" number is.
Joanna G wrote: "I got there too, a little while ago, and marked the moment. Of course, since I haven't been using GR from the start of my reading, I'm very curious as to what my "real" number is."Probably much higher.
I think I've done a pretty good job of remembering and marking off the books from the past, slowly over time as they have come to me. So, my timeline stat goes back to 1986.
2025 List 12. A book by an Irish author - Completed 04/17/2025
The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis 4 �A bit underrated, this book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It's intended to be a sequel to The Pilgrim's Progress, which I read back in the 8th grade, and it does that very well. Where John Bunyan's work is an idealized account of the religious journey of a Christian, Lewis takes it on from the perspective of a person who loses their faith and then only comes back to it in the end.
While I can't say that Lewis experience with faith is my own, I do like this as a view of that perspective, and I especially loved his view of what being raised within Christianity looks like from the perspective of a child.
I think I'd like to see the whole thing done from the perspective of an atheist (and an atheist author), if simply to complete the trilogy.
2021 List 20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3 - Completed 04/21/2025
Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey 3 �At this point, it feels like I am just reading these to say that I have read them. The series doesn't have the shine that it did, at the beginning. I keep thinking, 'sure the previous few books have been filler, but this is where it will get going again' - only to be disappointed.
I just don't understand the decisions made by the authors in writing these books. Unless the primary goal is to have the highest possible word count and most possible number of books. All while having their hands tied by the contract with the popular TV series.
Nothing happens for the first 500 pages. The ending was fast paced and fun, but what happened before that wasn't building to it, it was killing time. That and utter nonsense like the two main characters retiring (no chance) so that all of the other characters can spend pages reflecting on the impact that that retirement will have (not buying it) and a few chapters later that is completely undone (no surprise) so that all of the main characters can have time to reflect on the fact that they are back.
Dude it's been 10 minutes and nobody fell for it.
2025 List 43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters � Completed 04/23/2025
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 5 �I had forgotten that books could be this good. While I'm reading, I start to think that maybe I'm being too hard on the writers. But then we get a fun, fast paced, plot twist filled book like Dark Matter and I think, 'why aren't more books like this?'
It takes a pretty tried and true sci-fi concept and does it in a way that is very accessible to mainstream audiences, all while keeping up the pace and excitement of a film. This is the Back to the Future of the aughts.
2025 List 36. A book with a common household object on the cover � An umbrella � Completed 04/28/2025
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King 4 �My sister-in-law had recommended to me reading Holly first and then coming at The Bill Hodges Trilogy already invested in that character. I think she was right. Holly steals the show, here, and I am excited to see where her story goes, much more than Det. Hodges.
Overall, this book reminds me a lot of the Dexter series, but with the perspective in the normal position - on the good guys. It is exactly what I would expect from Stephen King writing a crime thriller. It dragged abit, while he reiterated the same points and character traits, but he also pulls no punches with the violence/sexuality - and that is much appreciated.
I liked the character of Jerome, but think the ebonics shtick was played far too often. Holly is the best character and she is original enough to elevate what would otherwise be a standard outing in the genre.
One more critique: King mentions a character having had a 7 inch single of "Every Breath You Take" by The Police with the big hole in the middle, as a teenager. Could have done more research here. In the 80's, the most popular singles were maxi singles. Those were 12 inch at 45 speed which usually had a longer version of the single and maybe a radio play version as well, plus a couple bonus tracks that are exclusive to the single. I looked it up, and there was a 7 inch single of "Every Breath You Take", but it had the small hole. This is because the album had become so standard, by this point, that the single format had shifted to be more like the larger album format. King was writing from the perspective of a teenager that had grown up in the 50's and tried to simply shift the information to the 80's, but it isn't that simple.
She would have been even more likely to have had that single on cassette.
2025 List 22. A translated novel from Asia � Completed 04/29/2025
Dawn by Yoshiki Tanaka 2 �This book, which has been on my TBR for years, should be one that I absolutely loved; Japanese author, space opera, from the era that I love for anime. But I was so bored.
It's written as a historical account of a war that takes place thousands of years in the future - a great concept. But it reads like the author just took a real historical account and sanded off the serial numbers, then replaced them with words like 'spaceship'. The space battles, which should be the high point, are in two dimensions.
Then there are the characters. I don't care about them and have no interest in their lives. They are too perfect and too good at everything. They have no goals, no ambitions, no room to grow. The one dude does have a crush on this unobtainable woman, but her whole character is just 'extremely beautiful'. Was this written by me when I was 14?
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Sandkings (other topics)End of Watch (other topics)
The Butcher's Masquerade (other topics)
James (other topics)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
George R.R. Martin (other topics)Robert E. Howard (other topics)
Stephen King (other topics)
Percival Everett (other topics)
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (other topics)
More...
33/52
1. A book with a cover that has an image of something that starts with A, T, or Y � Survivor by Octavia E. Butler
� 2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list � A book that is 2, 5, or 25 in a series - Completed 02/25/2025
� 3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song � Completed 01/14/2025
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld � Sphere by Michael Crichton
� 5. A book with a weird or intriguing title �
� 6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover � Completed 01/28/2025
7. A book by an author that uses 3 names � Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton
8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings � The Language of the Night: Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy or Nightmares and Dreamscapes
� 9. A book that has been long-listed for the Tournament of Books in any year � Completed 06/11/2025
10. A book about witches, goddesses or nuns � Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
� 11. A book set in a fictional location � Completed 02/13/2025
� 12. A book by an Irish author - Completed 04/17/2025
� 13. A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family � Completed 05/08/2025
14. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman � Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception � The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list � The highest rated on your TBR � Homo Redneckus: On Being Not Qwhite In America
� 17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925 � Completed 03/07/2025
� 18. A book set primarily in nature � Completed 03/21/2025
19. A book with a cover that has a building or cityscape � Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg
� 20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title � Completed 02/06/2025
� 21. A book connected in some way to any collective noun for animals � A host of Sparrows � Complated 03/09/2025
� 22. A translated novel from Asia � Complated 04/29/2025
23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting � And Eternity by Piers Anthony
� 24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal � Completed 06/15/2025
25. A book with waves on the cover � Inversions by Iain M. Banks
26. A book by an author with a common noun in their name � The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
� 27. A book set in the winter � Completed 05/09/2025
� 28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 1 � Completed 05/24/2025
� 29. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 2 � Completed 06/14/2025
� 30. A monster book � Completed 03/30/2025
� 31. A book with a coastal setting � Completed 02/09/2025
� 32. A mystery or true crime book � Completed 01/08/2025
� 33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time � Completed 01/16/2025
34. A book title that could be a country song � About a Boy by Nick Hornby
35. A book from the NPR “Books We Love� lists � Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
� 36. A book with a common household object on the cover � An umbrella � Completed 04/28/2025
� 37. A book featuring adult friendships - Completed 01/13/2025
� 38. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 1 � Completed 02/17/2025
� 39. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 2 � Completed 01/10/2025
40. A book you'd consider a comfort read � Out of Phaze by Piers Anthony
41. A book that involves digging up the past - Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov
42. A book set in a manor, mansion, or estate � The Haunting of Hill House or Atonement
� 43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters � Completed 04/23/2025
� 44. A haunting book � Completed 05/04/2025
� 45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years � Completed 01/06/2025
46. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names � In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
� 47. A book relating to fire � Completed 03/19/2025
� 48. A book with a character dealing with death � Completed 02/04/2024
49. A book that deals with time travel, alternate universes, or alternate timelines � Somewhere In Time by Richard Matheson
� 50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2024 or 2025 - Completed 06/01/2025
� 51. A book published in 2025 � Completed 02/28/2025
� 52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover � Completed 02/01/2025
Anniversary List
7/10
� 2016: A book originally written in a language other than English � Completed 02/15/2025
2017: A book whose title doesn't contain the letter "E" � Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks
� 2018: An author's debut book � Completed 05/1/2025
2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements - The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum
� 2020: A book with an emotion in the title � Completed 02/21/2025
� 2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet � Completed 01/03/2025
2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name � Deadeye Dick by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
� 2023: A book whose author has published more than 7 books � Completed 03/12/2025
� 2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year � Completed 06/21/2025
� 2025: A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family � Completed 05/27/2025