Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Dreaming of a getaway? I know I sure am. This week, we are leaving this world behind to travel to a far off, made up place. This can lead you to read high fantasy, or maybe you're sticking a bit closer to home with a made up town or country. Wherever you travel, it's sure to take you far away.

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Suggestions:

A Beginner's Guide to High Fantasy
14 High Fantasy Books That Will Be Your Next Obsession
9 Fictional Cities You'll Want to Move to Right Now
10 Fantasy Places From Books That We Wish Were Real

ATY Group Listopia

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Optional Questions:
1. What are you reading for this category?
2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?

(Can you tell I wrote this on November 4th, the day after the US elections? Yep. Definitely need a far off, made up world right now lol)

I'll be reading Daughter of the Drow by Elaine Cunningham, set in my favorite place, the Forgotten Realms. It will be my first Forgotten Realms book not written by RA Salvatore. lol

The listopia suggested made up but realistic places count. I was thinking of going down this line. Thoughts?

I still want to read Lord of the Rings and The Gormenghast Novels.

Thomas wrote: "The listopia suggested made up but realistic places count. I was thinking of going down this line. Thoughts?"

I'm weighing this myself. I'm potentially leaving this prompt open to fill opportunistically with a 2021 high fantasy novel, but my backup option is The Secret Commonwealth which is set in alternate reality Oxford so it's realistic but also entirely made up. (Although the reviews on that book are YIKES and I loved The Golden Compass and sequels so I'm not sure I am ready to destroy my childhood).

Derry, Maine or Castle Rock by Stephen King would also count as realistic made up places: I've only read 11/22/63 and thought it was ok to good but not great, so I could try another King book and feel like maybe I should? Although I didn't love how he wrote women in that book.

I'm thinking a Flavia de Luce for this one, since Bishop's Lacey is not a real place. I could also do a Murderbot.

I read a lot of books set in fictional but realistic places so chances are I'll come across something else I could use. I am not a high fantasy reader at all so I will not be going that route.

Science fiction set in made up solar systems or on made up planets works too, so this is another prompt I can slot The Galaxy, and the Ground Within into.

Though I have so many books that will fit this prompt, it seems I read about made up places more than real places.

Im thinking I'll plan Jurassic Park for this but will keep it open if I happen to read something that will fit as I go along

Thomas wrote: "The listopia suggested made up but realistic places count. I was thinking of going down this line. Thoughts?"

A lot of mystery series take place in real states/countries but the main character lives in a made-up town. Also literary fiction - one of the lists suggests The Great Gatsby. The milieu is real but the specific town of West Egg doesn't exist.

I'll read Every Heart a Doorway.

I would recommend Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Guards! Guards! (and others from The Discworld) and The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

1. What are you reading for this category?
Our Doris

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
This is written by a booktube friend of mine, and I've heard him talk a few times about his writing so I know Partridge Mews is made up. He's created this whole community very much based in reality of northern, suburban working/middle class, middle aged life. It's got a really important role, as the action of the book is very much based around the community, particularly its Women's Institute.

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
I loved The Gracekeepers this year, set in a flooded world of those who live on land and those who live on the water. It's based around a floating circus and it was gorgeous.

Nancy wrote: "I'm thinking a Flavia de Luce for this one, since Bishop's Lacey is not a real place. I could also do a Murderbot.

I read a lot of books set in fictional but realistic places so chances are I'll c..."

Same, I don't touch high fantasy or a lot of sci-fi beyond dystopia based in the real world, so I'm definitely sticking with a fiction setting that is very much like a real place!

Thomas wrote: "The listopia suggested made up but realistic places count. I was thinking of going down this line. Thoughts?"

i really don't like fantasy so realistic is the way i would want to go or just skip this one. lol

I was going to use Black Sun, but then I just read it on a whim. So good! Back to the drawing board.

Would the Twisted Tales series work for this prompt? I think they would but I'm unsure.

St. Mary Mead is a made up place - so any Miss Marple that does not send her travelling much would count. Sorry, but most times I give fantasy or Sf a try, we do not become friends.
1. The Murder at the Vicarage - which is the vicarage at said place.
2. The Body in the Library - around the village
4. A Murder is Announced - fictional Chipping Cleghorn
etc.....

StefanieFreigericht wrote: "St. Mary Mead is a made up place - so any Miss Marple that does not send her travelling much would count. Sorry, but most times I give fantasy or SR a try, we do not become friends.
1. The Murder ..."

I have Miss Marple penciled in for this category too. I'm thinking possibly Murder at the Vicarage

I'm pleased to have read my first book for the challenge!

What are you reading for this category?
D: A Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber

What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
This story is set in two places, the made-up Kent town of Cawber-on-Sands and the world of Liminus. Most of the story is a journey across Liminus to discover what is happening to the letter 'D' that's being stolen from the world

What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
I honestly think that most books have some element of a made-up place. With a made-up town in a real country, with a made-up setting within a real town. That said, I've been loving my recent reread of The Enchanted Wood and the rest of the Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton which features many a made-up land up the tree!

I recommend this delightful sci-fi series that begins in a made-up African country.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Heather wrote: "I'll be reading Daughter of the Drow by Elaine Cunningham, set in my favorite place, the Forgotten Realms. It will be my first Forgotten Realms book not written by RA Salvatore. lol"

I went with the Forgotten Realms too - I read Sojourn. I've not read any non-Salvatore FG novels so would be interested to hear how you get on with Cunningham's books.

For people who don't want a SFF book, the Kingsbridge novels by Ken Follett would work as Kingsbridge is a fictional city. They're set in the same place but in different eras, and I understand that you can read them out of order if you don't mind mild spoilers for previous books (some of the earlier characters are referred to in later books).
I've not read any of them yet, though they have been recommended to me by multiple people.

The Pillars of the Earth
World Without End
A Column of Fire
The Evening and the Morning

I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea, which wasn't by plan but based on strong recommendations by friends. Since I didn't have a book for this prompt, I slotted it in. So good, very readable, positive vibes, and if you can get it on audio, the narrator's rendition of the characters is amazing - Chauncey is my favorite!

Traci wrote: "I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea, which wasn't by plan but based on strong recommendations by friends. Since I didn't have a book for this prompt, I slotted it in. So g..."

I loved this audio book too. The main character is so relatable. The descriptions of the two places were perfect enhancements of the mood.

Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb was my choice for this spot. It is the end of her trilogy of the Rain Wilds.

The population lives in trees beside a river that is acidic. The people are changed physically by their surroundings. Sometimes in benign ways and at other times in ways that effect their ability to live.

For those who like magical realism The City of Brass is a nice, warm and beautiful place to visit.

1. What are you reading for this category?
Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire - Wayward Children book 6.

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
This is set in The Hooflands - an alternate world with unicorns, centaurs, kelpies, fauns, and pretty much any other mythical creature that has hooves. The MC travels there like Alice in Wonderland and is immediately told that she is destined to be a hero who saves the Hooflands.

1. What are you reading for this category?
A Dirty Shame by Liliana Hart

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
It is set in a made up town in Virginia, named Bloody Mary. It is the town where the main character lives. She is a mortician so I guess the name is related to her in a way.

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
This is the second book in this series so I'd recommend the first book.

I read Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline the book takes place in the Oasis, which is a virtual reality. I thought the first book Ready Player One was better and would recommend it.

There are way too many choices for this prompt (I love Fantasy and Scifi) so I decided to go with a book that continues a series that I started with another prompt. Therefore, I will be reading Eldest by Christopher Paolini. The book is set in a country called Alagaësia which has been taken over by an evil king that is set on ruling the world. Looking at the book description it will take place in neighboring countries as well.
In terms of recommendations...that is hard to narrow down. Most of them are series, but I will only list the 1st book for each series. I highly recommend all of them.

If A Dragon Cries by Gary Darby
Redwall by Brian Jacques
The Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkein
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I used Piranesi by Susanna Clarke for this prompt. It's set in... a place. That is definitely made up. I can't really say more without spoilers lol. But the setting plays a huge role in the book.

I used Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. It is set in a fantasy kingdom where the Cinderella story has been twisted to create a misogynistic society. The main character loves her best friend and doesn't want to attend the mandatory ball where she will be forced to marry.

I read Concrete Rose for "in the beginning" (as it's a prequel) and it occurred to me that Garden Heights is a fictional place, so both it, The Hate U Give and On the Come Up would work for the "made up place" prompt.

1. What are you reading for this category?
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story? Set in pre-Columbian America

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place? The Hobbit or the Lord of the Ring trilogy.

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This prompt is basically a 'gimme' for me, because I love the fantasy genre. The one I happened to read first to fill this prompt is Fierce Heart, a completely fun bit of fluff about a human princess and her arranged marriage to an elf.

I actually really liked how a good portion of the book was about her learning her way around a new culture, and also how the slowly blooming love story didn't rely on him being a jerk (even a 'jerk with a heart of gold' like some stories), but had more to do with working through cultural/personality differences.

What are you reading for this category?
The Horse and His Boy, by CS Lewis


What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
The lands of Narnia, Archenland and Calormen feature strongly in this story, as the main characters escape Calormen and head for Narnia and freedom.

What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
Any epic fantasy, particularly The Lord of the Rings and Magician.

1. What are you reading for this category? A Deadly Education
2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story? Set at a school for the magically gifted. The School seemed almost alive so very important to the story.
3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place? Stardust

1. What are you reading for this category?
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
A magical school for magical children. It's a dark fantasy, and this school is certainly made up.
3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones I wrap myself up in this world like a blanket.

1. What are you reading for this category?
Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson
2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
They are on the remote planet of Batuu. It is a Star Wars book. The protagonist is trying to garner support for the Rebellion on this outlying planet. It is a sequel. I haven't read the first book yet, but it isn't strictly necessary. I do want to go back and read it.
3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
I would recommend The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien or It by Stephen King.

I did The Starless Sea. The made up place is, well, the Starless Sea. 😀

For other made up places, I'd recommend:
The Name of the Wind
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There
Weaveworld
The Dragonbone Chair

1. What are you reading for this category?
Rage

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
Set in the fictional kingdom of Pavan, where magic exists. The setting drives the characters. Aurora is the princess, so if this was not a kingdom, she wouldn't be destined to rule the throne, and magic has been largely made illegal.

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
Pretty much any fantasy novel I've read, but the first books that came to mind were the Doon series.

Optional Questions:
1. What are you reading for this category?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
Ikhara. its a bit like the hunger games just about getting concubines for the evil king

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?

Certainly not this one the author must have a sick and warped mind
The Hunger games is a much better bet

For this prompt I read Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend, the 2nd book in the very successful Middle grade Nevermoor series, with Nevermoor being the made up place, the backdrop to Morrigan Crow's adventures.

I read The English Teacher byR.K. Narayan.

The book is one of a number by Narayan set in the fictional Indian town of Malgudi. The first half of the book describes the teacher's life in the town and then becomes stranger in its second half.

So many fantasy worlds are ones that are not very welcoming to the traveller. Although I don't normally read Sci-Fi, I really enjoyed A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers.

I’ve loved all of Becky Chambers books!

Has anyone read The Galaxy, and the Ground Within? That and Black Sun work very well for stories set in a made up world.

1. What are you reading for this category?
I read Murder Comes to Call by Jessica Ellicott
2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
The setting is a made-up English village called Walmsley Palva
3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
I certainly read this topic differently from others.

I am reading Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage by Heidi Swain.
It is set in a made up village which plays a big part in the story as it is about community.
I can recommend Switched by Amanda Hocking.

I read Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America by Leslie Knope. Set in the fictional town of Pawnee, this book is taken from the tv show Parks & Recreation. I thought the book was quite funny, although I have never watched the show.

Fantasy books, for the most part, are not something I enjoy and I am glad that I chose to go in this direction.

Yes, many "realistic" books change the name of a town, county, etc. I only learned recently that the county in the Walt Longmire detective stories isn't a real one.

I like fantasy so this was no problem for me. I used A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay. His fantasy is more like alternate history, as he uses real historical settings, such as the Italian city-states, the Byzantine empire, etc. But he puts in a few wrinkles like 2 moons in the sky and sometimes magic.

1. What are you reading for this category?
I read All Systems Red by Martha Wells

2. What is the setting for this book? How did it play a role in the story?
It's set on a fictional planet. The characters are on the planet to take samples, and their isolation plays a big part in the story.

3. What is a book you'd recommend for someone looking to travel to a made-up place?
I would recommend the Captive Prince trilogy (Captive Prince, Prince's Gambit, and Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat.) Richly drawn worlds, stunning characters, and amazing plot twists. You'll love them!