Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Progress: 52/52!
Finished: 11/18

1. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2016

Time Travel: A History
*Finished: 11/12 (4 stars)

2. A book with at least 2 perspectives (multiple points of view)
The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
*Finished: 6/20 (5 stars!)

3. A book you meant to read in 2016
Any Day Now
*Finished: 1/7 (3 stars)

4. A title that doesn't contain the letter "E"
Authority
*Finished: 5/20 (3 stars)

5. A historical fiction
The Waterworks by E.L. Doctorow
*Finished: May (4 stars)

6. A book being released as a movie in 2017
The Circle
*Finished: 10/8 (4 stars)

7. A book with an animal on the cover or in the title
Very Good, Jeeves! (swan)
*Finished: 3/14 (4 stars)

8. A book written by a person of color
Scythe
*Finished: March (3 stars)

9. A book in the middle of your To Be Read list
The Orchardist
*Finished: 5/24 (4 stars)

10. A dual-timeline novel
The Women in the Castle
*Finished: Oct (4.5 stars)

11. A category from another challenge
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
*Finished: 5/23 (4 stars)

12. A book based on a myth
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
*Finished: 4/1 (5 stars)

13. A book recommended by one of your favorite authors
Are You Somebody?: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman - recommended by Frank McCourt
*Finished: 9/3 (3 stars)

14. A book with a strong female character
Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
*Finished: 4/24 (4 stars)

15. A book written or set in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland)
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
*Finished: 3/10 (5 stars)

16. A mystery
Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil
*Finished: 2/16 (3 stars)

17. A book with illustrations
Weekend with Matisse
*Finished: 3/5 (5 stars)

18. A really long book (600+ pages)
Barkskins
*Finished: Jan (4 stars)

19. A New York Times best-seller
Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton
*Finished: July (3 stars)

20. A book that you've owned for a while but haven't gotten around to reading
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Finished: Sept (4 stars)

21. A book that is a continuation of a book you've already read
Dune Messiah
*Finished: April 4 (3.5 stars)

22. A book by an author you haven't read before
The Sea Is My Brother: The Lost Novel by Jack Kerouac
*Finished: April 21 (4 stars)

23. A book from the BBC "The Big Read" list (link)
Dune by Frank Herbert
*Finished: Feb 5 (5 stars)

24. A book written by at least two authors
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Steven Baxter
*Finished: July 10 (4 stars)

25. A book about a famous historical figure
In Montmartre: Picasso, Matisse and the Birth of Modernist Art
*Finished: 3/18 (3 stars)

26. An adventure book
Lighthouse at the End of the World by Jules Verne
*Finished: 3/23 (2 stars)

27. A book by one of your favorite authors
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
*Finished: 10/19 (4 stars)

28. A non-fiction
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
*Finished: 2/20 (4 stars)

29. A book published outside the 4 major publishing houses (Simon & Schuster; HarperCollins; Penguin Random House; Hachette Livre
Coulrophobia & Fata Morgana
*Finished: 2/28 (4 stars)

30. A book from Goodreads Top 100 YA Books (link)
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
*Finished: July 31 (5 stars! - One of my new favorites!)

31. A book from a sub-genre of your favorite genre
Johnny and the Bomb by Terry Pratchett - Sci-fi/Time-travel sub-genre
*Finished: 5/8 (4 stars)

32. A book with a long title (5+ words)
20000 Leagues Under the Sea
*Finished: 5/6 (3 stars )

33. A magical realism novel
The Master and Margarita
*Finished: 11/18 (3 stars)

34. A book set in or by an author from the Southern Hemisphere
Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World - set in the Falkland Islands
*Finished: 4/1 (3 stars)

35. A book where one of the main characters is royalty
The Uncommon Reader
*Finished: 3/17 (5 stars)

36. A Hugo Award winner or nominee (link)
Children of Dune
*Finished: 5/4 4 stars

37. A book you choose randomly
Expo 58: A Novel
*Finished: 10/24 5 stars!
One of my favorites this year!

38. A novel inspired by a work of classic literature
Emma by Alexander McCall Smith
*Finished: June 6 (2 stars)

39. An epistolary fiction
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
*Finished: Feb 9 (3 stars)

40. A book published in 2017
Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better--and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own
*Finished: 4/29 (4 stars)

41. A book with an unreliable narrator
Annihilation
*Finished: Jan 2 (4 stars)

42. A best book of the 21st century (so far)
Oryx and Crake
*Finished: 3/18 (2 stars)

43. A book with a chilling atmosphere (scary, unsettling, cold)
Killers of the Flower Moon
*Finished: June (5 stars!)

44. A recommendation from "What Should I Read Next" (link)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
*Finished: Oct (4 stars)

45. A book with a one-word title
Dodger by Terry Pratchett
*Finished: June (4 stars)

46. A time travel novel
Martian Time-Slip by Philip K. Dick
*Finished 1/15 (4 stars)

47. A past suggestion that didn't win (link)
Book you can finish in one day
Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King
*Started & finished: June 11 (3 stars)]

48. A banned book
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
*Finished: April 9 (4 stars)

49. A book from someone else's bookshelf
TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
*Finished: 7/5 (4 stars)

50. A Penguin Modern Classic
Seize the Day
*Finished: May 20 (3 stars)

51. A collection (e.g. essays, short stories, poetry, plays)
The Purple Swamp Hen and Other Stories
*Finished: 3/29/17 4 stars

52. A book set in a fictional location
The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg
*Finished: August 2 stars

Katie wrote: "Good luck with your list, Pam! I can highly recommend Middlemarch - great book :)"

Thanks Katie! I planned on reading Middlemarch in 2016 but it didn't happen! I'm hoping to read a lot of books that I own, which is mostly what's onmy list so far.

Hey Pam, I came here to answer to your message about the two Atwood so our discussion doesn't get lost in the progress posts ;)

I discovered Atwood with The Handmaid's Tale, which I absolutely loved.

I went into The Blind Assassin thinking, I don't know why, that it also would be a futuristic story, so I was a little bit disappointed that it was a family story. The book is good, but quite long and the characters are sometimes frustrating. I still gave it 4 stars.

As for Oryx and Crake, I couldn't even finish it, because I really didn't like how the story was written. It is interesting, but I couldn't stand the main character's voice, so I abandoned it at the 50% mark. I normally never do that, but I just couldn't anymore.

That being said, I think her writing is fantastic, that's why I'm definitely going to try other books by her, like The Penelopiad or Alias Grace.

Thanks Sophie for the explanation! I am reading Oryx and Crake right now.

What do you think about Snowman?

Maybe the audiobook made his rambling more annoying than reading them...

Great list Pam! (Great nickname too.). I read Atonement last year. It was breathtaking in terms of plot and writing style.

Sophie - I'm actually liking Oryx and Crake but it took almost 100 pages for me to feel vested in the story. Snowman doesn't bother me. Given his circumstances, his negative attitude seems appropriate. One of our library's book clubs is discussing this book in 2 weeks so I'm hoping to join that discussion.

I gave up on Oryx and Crake after about 30-40 pages, but maybe I should give it another go. It's a book I feel I should read.

I'm considering reading Hunger for the Scandinavian topic. Being from Denmark I've already read lots of books from these countries but never Hunger and it is sort of a must read. I know I don't want to read any crime novels for that topic, that won't be much of challenge for me, but Jo Nesbø is one of my favorite crime authors so if you choose him I hope you'll enjoy it. The first books in the Harry Hole series are okay, but I think he steps it up a bit from 3rd or 4th book.

Hi!

I was surprised to find Penguin Island on your list. I discovered that book in a hotel room last year and read it over a weekend! I really enjoyed it.

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "Hi!

I was surprised to find Penguin Island on your list. I discovered that book in a hotel room last year and read it over a weekend! I really enjoyed it."

This book has been on my TBR list for a LONG time. My brother gave it to me years ago as a birthday present, since I like penguins. Otherwise, I would have never heard of it! It is a beautiful 1975 hard back edition (looks brand new) that comes in a box. I can't even find the edition on Goodreads! I'm glad to hear it is good. I really do plan on reading it this year! I love the illustrations.

Marina H wrote: "I gave up on Oryx and Crake after about 30-40 pages, but maybe I should give it another go. It's a book I feel I should read.

I'm considering reading Hunger for the Scandinavian topic..."

Hi Marina! I started to like O & C but am now struggling with it. The premise is interesting but the writing is not keeping me engaged. I am remotely curious to see how it ends!

For the Scandinavian topic, I will probably read Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsen, since I own it, but Hunger looks like a good one, also. I'm not sure how it wound up on my list! Re: Jo Nesbo, I read the first 2 Harry Hole books and thought they were ok. I've heard that the series gets better. I'm not really into crime/mysteries so much.

I just finished Dune for week #36. I thought it was fantastic- a Sci-Fi masterpiece! What do you read it after it (besides the obvious answer - Dune Messiah)?! I'm thinking maybe Penguin Island since Kirsten commented on it and liked it!

Making great progress with my list, however, completely not sticking to my plan! I have found several really good books, including Burial Rites, The Uncommon Reader, Dune, and Very Good, Jeeves!! I'm still trying to finish Oryx and Crake. It is just not working for me. I have yet to finish one of her books. Maybe, I am just not an Atwood fan. I recently added a book that I picked up at Goodwill, Are You Somebody?: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman, which is praised by my favorite author, Frank McCourt. If it is as good as Angela's Ashes, I will be happy.

Pam, ya know I have only read one of Margret Atwood books "The Heart Goes Last" and it was so weird that I knew Atwood was not my cup of tea. I don't normally write off an author so quickly but I kind of just knew her style was not for me!! Good luck with your other picks!!!

Kelly wrote: "Pam, ya know I have only read one of Margret Atwood books "The Heart Goes Last" and it was so weird that I knew Atwood was not my cup of tea. I don't normally write off an author so quickly but I k..."

I think that's me, too. I tried to read Cat's Eye years ago and could never finish it! I finally donated it. I haven't quite figured out what I like about an author but usually within a few pages I either feel the connection with the writing/flow or I don't.

Half-way through! I am really enjoying the Dune series! I have fit in the first two books and am reading the 3rd. I think I will stop with #3, at least for 2017! I am still trying to finish 20000 Leagues Under The Sea: Illustrated Kindle Edition and get back to The Poisonwood Bible.

13 books to go! Still haven't read Middlemarch or The Poisonwood Bible. Saving the best for last - maybe that is my subconscious strategy?

Or the longest? I really enjoyed Middlemarch, but it is a long one. The Poisonwood Bible is definitely on my radar too, but I can't seem to make myself actually pick it for any of my topics.

It's probably the length, yes, Katie! I read the first few pages of Poisonwood Bible but got distracted by other books. Sometimes if I start with the audiobook and I like it, I'll switch over to the paper book.

I'm at a bit of an impasse since the books I want to read right now don't fit into the remaining prompts! I did change #49 (Book from someone else's bookshelf) to TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. I couldn't get into my previous choice (Poisonwood Bible) at this time. I found Transatlantic at the Dollar store. I had never heard of it but have been wanting to read something by McCann. Two of my GR friends gave it a good rating - one being a 5 star! So far, it has been worth the $1 investment!

I feel like I am close to finishing the challenge - 11 to go (2/month)!
* I should finish #20 today - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Its so good that I don't want it to end!
* Next up in August is #33 - One Hundred Years of Solitude. I am doing it as a buddy read with several other GR readers.
* Other remaining tasks: 1, 6, 8, 13, 23, 30, 39, 42, & 44.

I would say you are definitely close to finishing the challenge! Great work... 11 books will be done in no time especially if yoh know which books you want to read.

Marina H wrote: "I would say you are definitely close to finishing the challenge! Great work... 11 books will be done in no time especially if yoh know which books you want to read."

Thanks Marina! Yes, I have a plan except for #30. I really don't feel like reading YA. I will have to go through the list again! I have been procrastinating on reading One Hundred Years of Solitude for a really long time! My husband bought me a beautiful B&N classic edition, which looks great on my bookshelf... I am determined to finally read it this month!

After reviewing the books on the YA list (#30), I see that A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is on it, which means I am moving it from #20 to #30! Problem solved.

4 to go with 12 weeks left! Some of these books are longer and more difficult reads so I'm glad I have some cushion! Not sure what to read next. I'll probably go with the shortest one. 😀

Which books do you have left? I'm currently reading Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables to take care of two tasks.

Heather wrote: "Which books do you have left? I'm currently reading Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables to take care of two tasks."

My plan is to read Middlesex, The Voyage of the Narwhal, The Sympathizer, and either The Comet Seekers or One Hundred Years of Solitude. I'm trying to finish a non-fiction ARC The Written World: How Literature Shaped Civilization, which I'm not using for this challenge, first.

I've changed my plan and now have 3 to go: Gilead, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I should be able to finish by the end of November! Yay.

I am already excited planning for 2018, especially one of the categories I initially didn't like - using a word "born" the year you were born. It turned out to be the most interesting category for me because I was born in a great year when the words neuroscience and multiverse were "born"!

Ooh, you'll have lots of great options with words like that. I would love to read books about both of those topics.

And way to go on only having 3 books left!

Down to my last 2 books! For week 1, I have books in three different categories in 3 different formats: hardback, e-book, and audiobook! Which will I read/finish first?

I am REALLY struggling with the magical realism prompt - The Master and Margarita. Thinking about abandoning it. Not my kind of book.

I read my last 2 books (#1 Time Travel: A History and The Master and Margarita for #33) to finish the challenge!

My favorites this year:

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Wonderful coming of age story! It's now one of my all-time favorites.
2. Expo 58: A Novel - A complete surprise for me! I had never heard of the book or the author. It was sitting on the library shelf next to another book I chose. I checked it out because I liked the cover. I plan to read more books in 2018 by this British author Jonathan Coe.
3. The Dune series - I read the first 3 books, finally, after decades of saying I wanted to read them! I will be reading book 4 God Emperor of Dune soon.
4. Burial Rites - So many readers love this book. I can see why. It's really well-written and an engaging historical fiction story.

My least favorites (but not to discourage anyone since it's more a matter of genre preference):

1.The Whole Town's Talking - Just plain silly.
2. Emma: A Modern Retelling - Too fluffy.
3. Oryx and Crake - Just a 'no' for me.
4. The Master and Margarita - Yes, it is a Russian classic and many people love it, but it was too weird and disconnected for me. There are lots of unusual things going on (Behemoth the large, talking black cat that walks on 2 legs, witches flying over Moscow, Satan's ball, vampires, heads rolling, etc.) and connections to life during the Soviet times. I did find it interesting BUT I really had to "power through it" just to finish it.

This was a really fun challenge and I am looking forward to finding some more "treasures" in 2018!

Congratulations on finishing! 😁

Congratulations!!!!

Congrats :)
I'm with you for Oryx and Crake. Some good ideas, but very disturbing others (on the "no" side for me).

Have fun with your free time!

Nice!!!!! I keep seeing so many people read burial rites might have to read it!!! Congrats on finishing the challenge!!!

Congrats and well done!
Since you liked Burial Rites maybe you should try The Good People. I'm reading it right now and in many ways it's similar to Burial Rites with the writing and overall style and tone of the book, but it's a different story and I find it just as engaging.

Thanks Marina! I will add that book to my TBR.

Congratulations on finishing! I'm adding Expo 58 to my TBR. Looks good!

Congrats Pam, It's nice to hear A Tree Grows is as affecting readers so much. One of my all time favs as well!