Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2024 Plans
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Jillian's 2024 challenge
Week 1:1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y-
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Stowed Away by Barbara Ross 1/7/2024I didn't like this one as much as some of the other books in the series, but it was a good first book for the challenge.
Week 2:2. A book connected to something you read in 2023-
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Jaguar Prophecies by Jeff Wheeler 1/9/2024I enjoyed the second book in the series and am looking forward to listening to the third book once it is released later this year.
3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn鈥檛 make the final list (A book the that helps you reflect or recharge)-馃带
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis 1/20/2024I enjoyed this book though it would have been perfect for prompt 16." Raining cats and dogs"
There was rain, cats and a dog.
4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong馃带/馃摃
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr 2/1/2024This book was hard to get into. There are so many different story lines. Ultimately, it all came together, and I enjoyed this book.
5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world-馃摉
Wonder by R.J. Palacio 2/2/2024I didn't care for this prompt beautiful felt so objective, but I made it work. I really enjoyed this book. There is something special about middle school books.
6. A book with wings on the cover-馃摃
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy 2/14/2024For some reason, I thought this was a non-fiction book. It definitely is not so there was some disappointment, and I have tried to separate my expectations for my views on the book. Overall, it is a weird book.
7. A book with a pronoun in the title-馃带
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin 2/18/2024I have had this book on my shelf for a long time so this prompt was the perfect time to read it. I might go back and reread it later since it was my last book in the read-a-thon. I probably missed some stuff.
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand-馃带
Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan 2/20/2024I'm enjoying this series.
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on 欧宝娱乐- (1,298 Ratings)馃带
Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower 2/29/2024Even though I like this series, the main character really annoyed me in this book.
10. A history 馃摉
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky 3/14/2024It was an interesting book on the impact of Cod. The ending was a bit abrupt.
11. A book with an X connection- (gen X author)馃带
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson 3/15/2024I enjoyed this Cosmere novel with Yumi and Painter.
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year-馃摃
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty 3/22/2024I enjoyed the first book of the series and am looking forward to read what happens next.
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader鈥檚 choice of which list-(The Best Audiobooks: the 2022 Audie Awards, recommended by Michele Cobb)馃带
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 3/30/2024Overall, I liked the book, but it really was too long. If you liked The Martian, you would like this book; they are very similar.
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color-馃摃
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb 4/5/2024I really enjoy Slocumb's books. I stayed up way too late finishing it this morning 1am.
15. A book whose author鈥檚 name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)-馃馃带
The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin 4/20/24There were parts that I really enjoyed and then there were parts that were so tedious.
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"-
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome 4/28/2024馃摍馃带I started out with the print version, but switched to the audio. It is British humor, and I would have enjoyed to book more if I was in a read a funny book mood.
17. A book involving intelligence-馃带
System Collapse by Martha Wells 5/3/2024I struggled with this book. I'm not sure if if had to do with be not fully recalling what had happened previously in the series. I felt lost some of the time. Maybe, I'm just getting tired of the series.
18. A book with a botanical cover-馃带
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris 5/6/2024Finishing the Sookie Stackhouse series has been on my goal list for several years, and I'm so glad to have completed it. I really enjoyed the narrator. I went into it knowing how the series ended so I didn't have the disappointment so many people had when it was originally released. I also didn't really have a planned book for this prompt so I was very happy what has mainly been side reads fit for the challenge.
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry鈥檚 ice cream- (Gimme S鈥檓ore!鈩�) reading the next book in a series-馃摃
The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty 5/16/2024I enjoyed the second book of the trilogy, but not as much as the first book.
20. A book with a single word title-馃摍
Weyward by Emilia Hart 5/18/2024This was a nice easy read to get me caught up on the challenge.
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words-馃摉馃
Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love by Jared Reck 5/27/2024I ended up switching my plans to a print book, because I had too many audiobooks going. I wondered around the library looking for titles with 6+ words and noticed this book. It was an excellent book to stumble upon and I really enjoyed the characters.
22. A book by an author from an African country-
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent by Dipo Faloyin 5/29/2024馃馃带Excellent book! This book highlights both the successes and difficulties faced by Africa and how the continent is so diverse. It examines the stereotypes of Africa and shows how much harm and misinformation is out there.
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett-馃馃带
Steamed Open by Barbara Ross 6/4/2024The series had stalled a bit for me so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Steamed Open.
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (green)-馃摃馃
The Tommyknockers by Stephen King 6/10/2024This was definitely a weird book. The middle was drug-out, but I'm glad I read it.
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder-馃馃带
Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale 6/22/2024I enjoyed the narrator and enjoyed the humor in the book. I wasn't up for anything too heavy.
26. A book by an author known by their initials-馃带
Winterkill byC.J. Box 6/28/2024This book was so so. There were too many story-lines.
27. A book related to land-馃带
Braiding Sweetgrass Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 7/4/2024There were parts of the book I loved and then there were parts of the book I felt the author was hitting me over the head with her message. I also didn't care for her narrating the book. There are few authors that I feel do a good job narrating their books.
28. A book related to sea-馃摃
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith7/12/2024I really enjoyed the parts with the Octopus and Cuttlefish. I was bored out of my mind with the philosophy parts. I started this book back in April and am glad I finally finished.
29. A book related to air-馃馃带
His Majesty's Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine by S.C. Gwynne 7/19/2024This was an interesting history of airships. As someone who likes steampunk, dirigibles are commonly featured.
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea-馃带馃
Al Dente's Inferno by Stephanie Cole 7/26/2024I didn't like the book I picked, and it didn't help that this is one of my least favorite prompts. (I have had this prompt way too many times). The main character pretentious, the concept of the story was weird, and it felt extra formulaic.
31. A book related to 鈥淕oing for the Gold鈥�-馃带
Slathbog's Gold by M.L. Forman 8/5/2024It was an easy middle school fantasy book, which is exactly what I was looking for.
32. A book with a number in the title-馃带
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor 8/10/2024This was a fun time travel book and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
33. A book involving travel-馃摃
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa 8/16/2024Excellent book! I really enjoyed the story even though I knew early on how it was going to end. Definitely, have a box of tissue while reading.
34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs-馃摃
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King 9/4/2024I picked a terrible time to start this book ( I have too many 600+ pages books going some are even 1000+ pages) so what was one more I thought when I started this book. I also got a terrible cold and my anxiety has been really bad, but I finally finished today. It was an okay book. It was too long and the ending was predictable.
35. A science or science fiction book-馃带
The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel 9/5/2024I had planned a 600+ page book but being behind I found this short around 4 hour audio book in my library. It is an interesting mix of science and how authors, tv shows and movies apply science to their work. She discusses what they have right and what they have applied creative liberty.
36. A book featuring a character in education-馃带
The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman 9/9/2024This was an interesting book. It was a bit predictable. I plan on reading more books by this author.
37. A book that is part of a series-馃摃
Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien 9/15/2024I like to read a book from A Noodle Shop Mystery series during read-a-thons. They always seem to fit several prompts. I enjoyed this cozy mystery.
38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1 (split covers)-馃馃带
I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan by Katie Porter 9/26/2024This was an interesting book on the challenges and success that Porter has had in Congress and her early life history.
39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2 (split covers)馃馃带
Tales From The Cafe: A Novel byToshikazu Kawaguchi 10/13/2024This novel followed 4 characters as they time traveled either to the past or future in small Toyko cafe.
40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover-馃摃
The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky 10/19/2024This book focused heavily on Inuit mythology with a mixture of Norse mythology. It was a interesting yet heavy read.
41. A book with a chilling atmosphere 馃馃摃
Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen 10/19/2024I'm not really the target audience for this book. It is a good middle school survival story.
42. A book with a sound-related word in the title-馃带
A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor10/22/2024
I didn't dislike this book, but I found it to be a bit disjointed. Granted, it is a time travel novel it just didn't seem as cohesive as the first book. I do plan on continuing the series.
43. A book by an Edgar Award-winning Author-馃带
Trophy Hunt by C.J. Box 10/23/2024This one started off a bit slow but I ended up liking this book in the series.
44. A book with a touch of magic-馃馃带
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 10/24/2024So far this has been my favorite in the series.
45. A book that is not a novel-馃馃带
Seven Empty Houses by Samanta SchweblinI'm not a fan of short stories. I really liked Schweblin's writing. I just wish that the stories were longer.
46. A book related to night-馃馃带
Night by Elie Wiesel 11/1/2024It is difficult to really review a memoir of surviving the Holocaust. I'm glad to have finally read this book and I found George Guidall's narration well done.
47. A book with a two-word title beginning with THE-馃摍
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden 11/10/2024This is a fast paced Mystery/Psychological Thriller which was what I needed. When I'm in a slump, I do better reading books outside of my general preference.
48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt- (prompt that didn't make the list)馃摍馃带
Lies the Mushroom Pickers Told: A Novel by Tom PhelanTom Phelan 11/25/2024I'm pretty sure the "mushroom" prompt is never going to make it in. I had a fantasy book planned, but my mind was not up to it. I borrowed this book a few years ago from Audible Plus catalog and decided to finally listen to it. Despite, the title's name it really has nothing to do with mushrooms (I even googled Mushroom Pickers to see if had some slang meaning). In one of the final chapters two boys were looking for mushrooms and only found two each. That is pretty much the extent mushrooms had in the book. It was a bit disappointing.
49. A book with a senior citizen character-馃带
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Y艒ko Ogawa 11/27/2024I was dreading this prompt, fortunately in the weekly threads someone recommended this book. It was an enjoyable read. It was a good story about The Housekeeper, her son Root and the Professor.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Al Dente's Inferno (other topics)Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love (other topics)
The Housekeeper and the Professor (other topics)
The Travelling Cat Chronicles (other topics)
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jared Reck (other topics)Stephanie Cole (other topics)
Y艒ko Ogawa (other topics)
Hiro Arikawa (other topics)
Dipo Faloyin (other topics)
More...
ATY Listopias
I'm going to attempt to complete the challenge in order. For me, this means that the books will be completed in numerical order, but I will be working on multiple prompts at once and will not be limiting myself to one prompt per week.
馃摉-hard or paperback
馃摃-kindle ebook
馃摍-kindle unlimited ebook
馃摍馃带-kindle unlimited audio
馃-濒颈产谤补谤测
馃带-补耻诲颈辞
(view spoiler)[
1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
2. A book connected to something you read in 2023
3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn鈥檛 make the final list
4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world
6. A book with wings on the cover
7. A book with a pronoun in the title
8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on 欧宝娱乐
10. A history or historical fiction book
11. A book with an X connection
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader鈥檚 choice of which list
14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
15. A book whose author鈥檚 name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"
17. A book involving intelligence
18. A book with a botanical cover
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry鈥檚 ice cream
20. A book with a single word title
21. A book with a title containing 6+ words
22. A book by an author from an African country
23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett
24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder
26. A book by an author known by their initials
27. A book related to land
28. A book related to sea
29. A book related to air
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea
31. A book related to 鈥淕oing for the Gold鈥�
32. A book with a number in the title
33. A book involving travel
34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs
35. A science or science fiction book
36. A book featuring a character in education
37. A book that is part of a series
38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1
39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2
40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover
41. A book with a chilling atmosphere
42. A book with a sound-related word in the title
43. A book by an Edgar Award-winning Author
44. A book with a touch of magic
45. A book that is not a novel
46. A book related to night
47. A book with a two-word title beginning with THE
48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt
49. A book with a senior citizen character
50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2023 or 2024
51. A book published in 2024
52. A cozy mystery (hide spoiler)]