Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

We're well on the way to creating a new list and it's exciting to see the spots slowly filling up!

The winners of this poll are:
- A book about a famous historical figure (fiction or non-fiction)
- A book based on a myth
- A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2016
- A novel inspired by a work of classic literature

The bottom four topics were:
- A book published the year you were born
- A title that contains a palindrome
- A book with your mother or father's first name in the title or is the author's name
- An author with a first name starting with "J"

Suggestions for the 4th mini-poll will open on Saturday, July 2 at 10:00PM EST.

I can't actually remember which topics I voted for in my top 4 but I'm happy with these. It'll be very interesting to see what people pick for some of them!

I will not start planning. I will not start planning. I will not start planning.

...

Wow, I think it's the first time one of the topics I voted for is a winner. And not only one... I actually voted for three of them :-)

I think all four topics sound interesting. I'm a little unsure if I'll participate next year, but the list is beginning to look tempting.

Jody wrote: "I will not start planning. I will not start planning. I will not start planning.

..."

I have not already started to keep a list of the suggestions so far on my computer. I also have not already started a spread sheet with options for each category (apart from the ones I won't be able to know or plan until the end of this year). I am definitely a sane person who does not need any help and does not have a problem when it comes to lists and challenges.

YAY! I am with you, Marina. This is the first poll where I voted for a winner, and three of my votes actually won. But I also love the one I didn't vote for too. I am so excited.

I'm glad people chose the novel inspired by a work of classic literature. I love retellings/reimaginings. I can't wait to see what people choose for this topic. I hope to get introduced to a lot of cool books.

And Francesca, I am right there too! I have my spreadsheet set up for 2017. It's going to be a long 6 months!

Katie wrote: "YAY! I am with you, Marina. This is the first poll where I voted for a winner, and three of my votes actually won. But I also love the one I didn't vote for too. I am so excited.

I'm glad people c..."

I love retellings/reimaginings too! I'm looking forward to those topics and seeing other people's choices. Glad I'm not alone on the spreadsheet!

I don't think that any of the top 4 are ones that I voted for this time. But I like all of them so this wont be a problem at all!

I already have a list going and a shelf on goodreads for this challenge!

I also voted on three of the winners, it seems we really agree on this poll ;)

As I don't want to plan as much next year as I did this one, it is going to be reaallly difficult not to become spreadsheet crazy for the next 6 months...

I'm very tempted to start a spreadsheet too but I told myself I'm not going to plan for next year. I realized that when my books are already all planned out, I feel obligated to read them and that takes some of the fun away. It's so tempting though and I have 6 more months to go!!

2 of my top 4 are in the list, so I'm pretty happy (yey, choice awards, yey Percy Jackson or something like this because I'm not making a list like some members I won't name).

A novel inspired by a work of classic literature wasn't in my votes because, at the time, I saw only the "classic" thing and I don't enjoy adult classics. But after, it came to my mind that fairytale retellings can fit, as stories using classic children books (I've several books around Peter Pan in my TBR).
A famous historical figure will be difficult for me but I planned Strange&Norrell for 2017 and there are touches of Napoleon in it, so I can use this one if I don't find something else interesting.

I'm determined not to plan for 2017, and this is killing me! But I've planned out the last two years of my reading, and I'm wanting a bit of spontaneity in 2017. I'm satisfying my spreadsheet urge by just putting the topics & rejects in though.

I've totally started both the challenge and discard lists already. I kept finding books that I thought I should include into my challenges for next year, but was afraid I would forget them in the next 6 months, so I just decided to jump in and start putting them together. No shame :D

Yay! Great choices! One was my suggestion, woohoo! I think I voted for at least two but maybe three. I think these categories are just right - not too broad, not too strict. Goldilocks prompts :)

Woo-hoo. Second time one of mine was chosen! So excited. Thanks fellow challenge-nauts!

Can't remember what I voted for but I am happy with these. They all require a bit of thinking and research which I love.

Voted for three of the choices. Glad to see some topics about the content of the books and not just what is on the cover or the of the book or in the title.

I'm not sure what "a book inspired by a work classical literature" means though... A book about a book? Can someone explain what this means? I'm just not sure how or where to find what "inspired" an author to write a book.

Peter wrote: "Voted for three of the choices. Glad to see some topics about the content of the books and not just what is on the cover or the of the book or in the title.

I'm not sure what "a book inspired by a..."

I take it to mean a re-telling of a classic, like a romeo and juliet set in the modern high school, or a futuristic pride and prejudice. I just read Android Karenina a stempunkish Ana Karenina. I'm thinking about Romeo and/or Juliet a choose your own adventure telling of Romeo and Juliet.

But Zaz's idea for a Peter Pan retelling is pretty exciting too. I read Peter and the Starcatchers years ago, I'd love to read more of that series. :-)

Very happy with the winners this round! The only one that wasn't one of my votes was a book based on a myth, although that's quite an interesting one too. I didn't vote for it because other than Percy Jackson, I couldn't really think of any options.

I'm forcing myself not to start compiling a list of ideas as the results come out. I want something to do toward the end of the year!

Geesh, once again the winners were mostly in my bottom 4. Not feeling to confident with next years topics thus far.

I've already started my list for next year's challenge and a reject list. No shame. It helps me to decide which topics I want to put in the top and bottom on each vote. I give myself lots of options and then narrow it down closer to the end of the year. After the first year I learned not to worry about sticking to the list I just change them out if I find something new.

I didn't vote for most of these because I couldn't find books that interested me.
When I googled books based on classic literature I got a bunch of cheesy looking books that I had no interest in reading, but I never really considered retellings of say Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland. I also found Beowulf by an author I loved in the 90s so I am more excited about that topic now.
I'm with Rachel on the book about a myth. The only thing that came to mind was Percy Jackson. I guess I could read that because it's been on my bookshelf for ages and I haven't gotten around to reading it but I'm not completely sold so I'm interested in seeing what others choose.
Zaz I also think the book about a famous historical figure is going to be my hardest. I totally have found nothing that interests me so far. Definitely hoping for good ideas for that one.

Peter wrote: "Voted for three of the choices. Glad to see some topics about the content of the books and not just what is on the cover or the of the book or in the title.

I'm not sure what "a book inspired by a..."

I suggested this. There are many books that are inspired by other books. For instance The Madman's Daughter was inspired by Dr Moreau. I believe Jane Smiley wrote a book that was inspired by King Lear.

Then there are all those mashups like Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.

Charity wrote: "I've already started my list for next year's challenge and a reject list. No shame. It helps me to decide which topics I want to put in the top and bottom on each vote. I give myself lots of option..."

That shouldn't be too hard unless you absolutely hate historical fiction (which I can't understand but to each their own).

Think of a historical person you'd like to read about -- maybe we can help.

To be fair, I'm not planning my list exactly just yet but I'm putting the topics in and just listing books that I could use for them. I'm not going to make the final decisions until the end of the year. A few of them I can't choose until then anyway, considering we won't know the Goodreads Choice Awards winners until then and ones like 'from the middle of my tbr shelf' will change by then as I add and take away more books this year.

I think I might give myself more options next year anyway and give myself two or three options for each topic and then just decide which one to read for it once I get to it and see what mood I'm in.

Francesca, I think I'm going to use basically the same system as you. I want to be able to add books to my list which I discover during the year (a few people who recommended books must have thought me crazy when I answer "thanks for the rec but I won't be able to read it before next year). But I know I won't be able to resist listing the books that would be great for each category (that's going to be a hell of a spreadsheet).

Charity wrote: "Zaz I also think the book about a famous historical figure is going to be my hardest. I totally have found nothing that interests me so far. "

How about something non-fiction? I think I'll end up doing that for mine.

I don't think the famous historical figure prompt should be too bad, unless you really hate historical fiction/non-fiction. I'm probably going to pick something by Philippa Gregory, although I'm thinking of branching out a bit and going for a different historical figure.

I think the problem is so many people think history is boring or maybe they don't want it too old. Just remember, yesterday was history.

I think you'll be surprised at what's interesting.

Candice Millard's book about Theodore Roosevelt travelling down an uncharted Amazonian River is fascinating.

There are also quite a few historical books for younger readers, so if you want something nice and quick, they can be pretty good. I used to love the Royal Diaries series (Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466, for example) which are in diary format from the perspective of historical princesses.

There are also picture books with 40 pages or less about historical figures. Here's one I just ran into:
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero

Kathy wrote: "There are also picture books with 40 pages or less about historical figures. Here's one I just ran into:
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero"

In that vein, there is Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell was a children's picture book that was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards one year.

Jody > I've read non fiction books about historical events, but they were focused on people (who weren't "famous" because nobody cares about citizens). I'm sure there are many interesting books in this category but history and me aren't particularly in love so it's never something I'm looking forward to read.

Picture and children books are a good idea :)

The famous historical figure was my idea because I love history and wanted a different take on it then "historical fiction" or "history".
Surely all of us can think of someone we would love to learn more about?

Most memoirs/biographies would classify. For example, The Diary of a Young Girl - she is famous because of her diary, but I would say it is an important historical document, so it counts.

Historical fiction is obviously full of choices. Other ideas can be time-travel novels, alternate histories. For example, 11/22/63 has enough about Lee Oswald that I would say it qualifies.

Edit: I highly recommend Alison Weir. She is a Tudor historian and I love her writing, both fiction and nonfiction. Very approachable yet historically correct. My favorite book from her is The Life of Elizabeth I

The Horrible Histories books are also a good option for people that want a light, easy read for the historical figure topic. They're non-fiction and they're really funny and interesting. I basically grew up on them!

Marta wrote: "The famous historical figure was my idea because I love history and wanted a different take on it then "historical fiction" or "history".
Surely all of us can think of someone we would love to lear..."

I'm grateful for it. There are so many I want to read like Circling the Sun about Beryl Markham.

I think we should be grateful for challenges like this for making us look outside our comfort zone.

For instance, the Popsugar has one for a self help book. Now, I normally would probably never pick one of these up.

Here is a place to possibly start for books based on myth. Canongate published a series. I'm sure there are others I've seen around.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1708...

Susan wrote: "Here is a place to possibly start for books based on myth. Canongate published a series. I'm sure there are others I've seen around.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1708..."

I loved Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad!

A myth doesn't have to be Greek. Think of Norse myths - I might save The Gospel of Loki for that one. Or the countless books written about Arthurian legends, e.g. The Mists of Avalon. Tons of variations of the Iliad and Odyssey - I might do The Penelopiad. Research project: You might try Indian or African mythology, or other parts of the world.

Mods: can we have a folder with the category suggestions/clarifications on a different thread for each category(prompt)? While I really appreciate the mods researching suggestions, I believe members contributing to it would really help us all.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Marta wrote: "I'm grateful for it. There are so many I want to read like Circling the Sun about Beryl Markham"
I am glad you liked it :)

I was writing my post picking the Penelopiad at the same time you did, too! :)

Marta wrote: "Mods: can we have a folder with the category suggestions/clarifications on a different thread for each category(prompt)?"

On my side, I'm ok to add members' suggestions to the "official thread" (we already did that this year when someone pointed a link). A folder with one topic for each category seems a nightmare (aka a topic with 2 links and 50 comments on the links, impossibility to order the topics, etc). All suggestions in a same thread worked well this year in my opinion because people just needed to scroll rather than open 50 tabs while making their plan.

By the way, in February 2017, a book named "Norse Mythology" will be released. It's written by this unknown author, Neil Gaimsomething :p

Zaz wrote: "Marta wrote: "Mods: can we have a folder with the category suggestions/clarifications on a different thread for each category(prompt)?"

On my side, I'm ok to add members' suggestions to the "offic..."

I am fine with commenting on the "official" thread, but as far as I recall, it was locked for comments this year.

I think the historical figure topic may be throwing people off because of the "historical" part, but like Kristen said, yesterday was history. It can be about any figure throughout history, and it could be non-fiction or historical fiction.

A few examples from my bookshelf:
Outlaw by Angus Donald - this could also cover the "myth" topic. That said I wouldn't recommend this book itself because I didn't think it was that great, but another book about Robin Hood could count for either

Twelve by Jasper Kent - Covers an area of the Napoleonic wars. I think most of the characters are fictional, but it does mention Napoleon and his invasion of Russia. This was a pretty interesting and eerie book. Obviously fiction as it delves into supernatural monsters, but it was a good read and I would think it counts

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton - Although names were slightly changed and some of the events are fictionalized, the novel is based on the Great Train Robbery of 1855. If you want to read the factual true account there is The First Great Train Robbery.

The Alienist by Caleb Carr - Highly recommended historical fiction. If you like thrillers, this is a great read. It follows Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt and his chase of a serial killer in New York City and the beginnings of forensics and psychology as legitimate fields.

The topic says fictional or non-fictional historical figures, so realistically you could manage to fit any book into this challenge depending on how difficult you wanted to make it. I mean, if we are going with fictional historical figures, you could argue characters like Harry Potter fulfill that requirement.

Also, I've totally started my list for next year. No shame here either, lol.

I thought the book about a historical figure could be either a fiction or a non-fiction book, but it still had to be a real historical person?

Usually the "fiction or non fiction" is for the content of the suggestion rather than the kind of book. We have a similar thing this year (41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)) and counted it as "a real or fictional world event".

That could be. The way I read it, it seems to me the fiction/non-fiction addition at the end applies to the historical figure, not the book itself (although by default if you're reading about a finctional character, you'll be reading a fictional book). At least grammatically, the historical figure is the subject the part in brackets applies to. But they could have meant the book itself and not the figure.

Either way, it's very adaptable to any challenge level people want to make it.

Ok, I was just curious.

Zaz wrote: "By the way, in February 2017, a book named "Norse Mythology" will be released. It's written by this unknown author, Neil Gaimsomething :p"

This unknown author seems interesting, I might at this book to my TBR ;)

I meant the historical figure to be from real history, otherwise there is no restriction at all, because as you said, we could just say Harry Potter or Hercule Poirot are famous in their fictional history, or whichever book we are reading at the moment.

The fiction or non-fiction meant that you could have a fiction book featuring this figure, or a history book or biography, or other nonfiction book.

Thinking about it, many of Shakespeare's plays would also qualify. Henries and Richards and Julius Ceasar, etc. And many of Sophocles' plays are based on myths...