Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Here I am again

SEPTEMBER

1. First Day of Fall
September 22nd marks the first official day of the fall season! This is marked by the autumnal equinox. After the autumnal equinox, the sun is rising later and nightfall comes sooner, and it stays this way until winter begins.
a. Read a book that contains a 2 in the page number--This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp/286
b. Read a book published in September, October, or November--The Marvels by Brian Selznick/September
c. Read a book in which a significant even takes place at night--Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury/(view spoiler)[Mr. Jonas save Douglas (hide spoiler)]

2. National Read a Book Day
Our favorite holiday!
a. Read a book by a new-to-you author--The Lover by Marguerite Duras/so many ways to go here, but to ensure there was never a short story or a children's book, I know Duras is safe
b. Read a book that is the next in a series you've already started--Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor/Akata Witch #2
c. Read a book that can be read in one day--Sisters by Raina Telgemeier/maybe a bit of a cheat, but ...

3. Fall or Autumn?
Do you call this season fall or autumn? According to Merriam-Webster, the word autumn is the older of the two, but many poets used the term "the fall of the leaves", which was eventually shortened to "fall". Whatever you call it, it is upon us! (You can read more about the differences between fall and autumn here.)
a. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in FALL or AUTUMN--Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume/Flowers for algernon and Are you there
b. Read a book by an author whose first or last name starts with A or F--Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie & Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh/Agatha Fitzhugh
c. Read a book that shows leaves on the cover--The Pistachio Prescription by Paula Danziger / (see below)

4. September Birthday: Shel Silverstein
Famous poet Shel Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930. While most know him for his silly poetry in Where the Sidewalk Ends, few people know that he is also a Grammy winner. He wrote Johnny Cash's famous hit song "A Boy Named Sue", and earned a Grammy for this songwriting.
a. Read a humorous book.
b. Read a book written between 1930 and 1999--Go, Lovely Rose by Jean Potts/originally published 1961 (or possibly 1955)
c. Read a book by an author named Sue or with a character named Sue (reasonable variations like Susan, Susanne, or Suzette are allowed.)
1a. 1b. 1c. / 2a. 2b. 2c. / 3a. 3b. 3c. / 4b.

OCTOBER

1. Pumpkin Spice Everything
Pumpkin Spice is an American spice blend that is used in baking pumpkin pie. It is generally a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. When Starbucks introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the use of pumpkin spice in fall drinks and food rose to popularity.
a. Read a book that has orange on the cover--Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell / several pumpkins and a large "patch" behind the title
b. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in SPICE--Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell / Pumpkinheads
c. Read a book in which food plays a role in the book--Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell / Deja spends the story working her way from one food stand to the next and the next

2. October Birthday: R.L. Stine
R.L. Stine was born on October 8, 1943 in Ohio. He's best known for his Goosebumps series, which have frightened and delighted kids since 1992. He's also written for TV shows and has published humorous books, and his favorite thriller is Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.
a. Read a children's or YA book--Revenge of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine / listed as Childrens, Childrens>Middle Grade, and Young Adult
b. Read a book in which the title starts with a letter in GOOSEBUMPS--Beware!: R.L. Stine Picks His Favorite Scary Stories, edited by R.L. Stine / gooseBumps
c. Read a book by R.L. Stine or Ray Bradbury--Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury / though obviously, I got them both

3. World Mental Health Day
In 1992, the World Federation of Mental Health created World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10 each year. The primary objective of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
a. Read a book where one of the author's initials is found in MENTAL HEALTH--Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp / menTal health; Decision at Delphi by Helen MacInnes / Mental healtH (had to add when I realized it had both initials)
b. Read a book featuring a healthcare worker--Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel / Dr. Jonathan (more traditional) and Nacha (less "traditional")
c. Read a book featuring a character who struggles with their mental health--The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett / Stella is plagued by nightmares, (view spoiler)[ Adele gets Alzheimers (hide spoiler)]

4. Halloween
Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, is celebrated the night before the Christian holiday of All Souls Day. Traditions for Halloween vary, but often include a mixture of fall and fantastical activities.
a. Read a horror book--Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn / Horror listed first
b. Read a book in which the main character has a disguise--Dracula by Bram Stoker / Well, he can turn himself into a bat, so that's a pretty good disguise
c. Read a book that won or was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award or the Shirley Jackson Award--Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol / nominated for 2011 Bram Stoker Award, Best Graphic Novel

1abc. / 2a. 2b. 2c. / 3a. 3b.
3c. / 4a. 4b. 4c.

(view spoiler)[
NOVEMBER

1. National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
Why is this a holiday? We aren't sure. But we will celebrate with a bar of our favorite chocolate, if only because now we have a great excuse.

a. Read a book that has brown on the cover.
b. Read a book featuring a main character whose name starts with a letter in HERSHEYS.
c. Read a book featuring an eccentric ("nutty") character.

2. November for Beginners
In her poem "November for Beginners", Rita Dove describes the gloominess and in-between feeling of the month of November, and looks forward to spring. To read more about Rita Dove, click here.

a. Read a book whose title features at least one word that is mentioned in the poem (word must be 4 letters or longer).
b. Read a collection of poetry or a book written in verse.
c. Read a book by an author who won or was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Award, NAACP Image Award, or a National Book Award.

3. But it's spring?
It's only autumn in the northern hemisphere. While we descend into the cold winter days, our southern friends are welcoming the sunshine and springtime. "In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." - Margaret Atwood

a. Read a book with a green or yellow cover.
b. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the phrase SMELL LIKE DIRT.
c. Read a book found on one of these lists:
- Goodread's 2020 Big Books of Spring
- Modern Mrs. Darcy's Springtime Reading List
- InspireMe's Books to Read in the Spring
- Quartz's Perfect Books for the Season

4. November Birthday: C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle
Two novelists most well known for their ability to transport children to new worlds were born on the same day - November 29! Lewis, born in 1898, is best known for his Narnia series and Christian writings. L'Engle, born in 1918, is best known for her Time Quintet series, which many believe have Christian underpinnings.

a. Read a fantasy novel.
b. Read a book with religious themes.
c. Read a book written by either C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]