Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

This is my second time through the 2024 challenge. This time, I'm not reading in order, just reading what I want and finding a prompt for it. Will keep working on the Rejects though.

THE 52 TOPICS OF THE 2024 ATY READING CHALLENGE

31/52

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y - A Long Way from Ordinary, Ann Charles
2. A book connected to something you read in 2023 - Saint Peter's Fair, Ellis Peters
3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list - Leaden Skies,Ann Parker
4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong - Come to Grief, Wendy M. Wilson
5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world (Rome) - Rivals of the Republic: The Blood of Rome series, Annelise Freisenbruch

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 - The Jubilee Plot, David Field
9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads - The Murder of Willie Lincoln, Burt Solomon

10. A history or historical fiction book -- Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen, Alison Weir
11. A book with an X connection
12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year - Side by Side: A Novel of Bonnie and Clyde, Jenni L. Walsh
13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list

14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color - The Ironclad Alibi, Michael Kilian
15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX) - Hair of the Dog: Revenge of Deanie O'Banion, Jean Luntz
16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"
17. A book involving intelligence - Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher: The Shocking 1914 Case of a Vengeful Student, Dennis Webster

18. A book with a botanical cover
19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream - The Dark City, Max Allan Collins (Economic Crunch)
20. A book with a single word title - Ella, Diane Richards
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) - The Invisible Host: A Golden Age Mystery, Gwen Bristow
25. A book involving a crime other than a murder - Northfield: A Western Story, Johnny D. Boggs
26. A book by an author known by their initials

27. A book related to land
28. A book related to sea - Evangeline: A totally gripping mystery thriller, D.W. Buffa
29. A book related to air
30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea
31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”

32. A book with a number in the title - 20 Minutes To Midnight, Daniel Hurst
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 - A Trail Through Time, Jodi Taylor

36. A book featuring a character in education
37. A book that is part of a series - Cupboards All Bared, Patricia Meredith
38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1 - Truth and Beauty, Christina Britton Conroy
39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2 - Beauty's Doom: The final instalment of the romantic Victorian mystery, Christina Britton Conroy

40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover - Paradise on the Pike, Sarah Angleton
41. A book with a chilling atmosphere - An Untimely Frost, Penny Richards
42. A book with a sound-related word in the title - The Mourning Bells, Christine Trent
43. A book by an Edgar Award-winning Author - Wake Up Little Susie: A Sam McCain Mystery, Ed Gorman
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 - The Postwoman, Michael Kenneth Smith
48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt - All Roads Lead to Whitechapel, Michelle Birkby (24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple))

49. A book with a senior citizen character - Under the Radar, Fern Michaels
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 - Death in the Details, Katie Tietjen
52. A cozy mystery - A Fete Worse Than Death, Dolores Gordon-Smith

5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world (Rome)
Rivals of the Republic: The Blood of Rome series by Annelise Freisenbruch

REJECT:A book related to the theme of a Las Vegas hotel (Caesar's Palace)

Finished: 07/28/2024
Rating: 4 stars

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
A Long Way from Ordinary by Ann Charles

REJECT: A book with at least 247 pages (278)

Finished: 08/03/2024
Rating: 3 stars

2nd book in the Deadwood Undertaker series. A combination of fantasy and mystery. Great characters.

42. A book with a sound-related word in the title
The Mourning Bells by Christine Trent

REJECT: A book where at least one character is trapped

Finished: 08/04/2024
Rating: 4 stars

#4 in the Lady of Ashes series about a sleuthing undertaker in Victorian London.

49. A book with a senior citizen character
Under the Radar by Fern Michaels

REJECT: A book with a chair on the cover

Finished: 08/09/2024
Rating: 4 stars

The Sisterhood is off on another mission, with "senior citizen" Annie taking the helm. #13 in a great series.

52. A cozy mystery
A Fete Worse Than Death by Dolores Gordon-Smith

REJECT: A book with a child character

Finished: 08/11/2024
Rating: 4 stars

First is a series. Great characters, dialogue, and plot

15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)
Hair of the Dog: Revenge of Deanie O'Banion by Jean Luntz

REJECT: A book relating to a catchphrase

Finished: 08/17/2024
Rating: 2.5 stars

Actually, I liked the book, but it had soooo many typos. Very poor editing and formatting. Good story though.

51. A book published in 2024
Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen

REJECT: A book that features a hobby

Finished: 08/24/2024
Rating: 4 stars

A debut book set in 1946 Vermont. Hope the series continues.

12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year
Side by Side: A Novel of Bonnie and Clyde by Jenni L. Walsh

REJECT: A book with an anti-hero as a main character

Finished: 08/26/2024
Rating: 4 stars

The story of Bonnie and Clyde, told from Bonnie's point of view. Very interesting.

9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads
The Murder of Willie Lincoln by Burt Solomon

REJECT: A book involving politics, public service, or publicity at any level

Finished: 09/02/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Well researched with real characters.

47. A book with a two-word title beginning with THE
The Postwoman by Michael Kenneth Smith

REJECT: A book found on the TBR of a Goodreads "Friend”

Finished: 09/12/2024
Rating: 3 stars

From goodreads.com: Based on the story of WWII Resistance fighter Andrée De Jongh, The Postwoman recounts the gripping story of one woman’s courageous actions and sacrifices in the face of great peril.

32. A book with a number in the title
20 Minutes To Midnight by Daniel Hurst

REJECT: A book you could read in 24 hours

Finished: 09/14/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Book #17 in this great series

10. A history or historical fiction book
Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen by Alison Weir

REJECT: A book related to the British rhyme about Henry VIII's six wives: "Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived"

Finished: 09/22/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Excellent telling of the life of Katherine of Aragon and her struggle to remain "the True Queen".

41. A book with a chilling atmosphere
An Untimely Frost by Penny Richards

REJECT: A book with a cover design that reminds you of one of the four seasons (Winter)

Finished: 09/28/2024
Rating: 3.5 stars

Goodreads.com:
In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role

24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)
The Invisible Host: A Golden Age Mystery by Gwen Bristow

REJECT: A book set mostly in or around a building

Finished: 09/29/2024
Rating: 5 stars

A classic "locked room" mystery set in New Orleans published in 1930. Great plot and reveal.

35. A science or science fiction book
A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor

REJECT: A book with a leap

Finished: 10/05/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Book #4 in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series. Gotta love the "disaster magnets". What next?

37. A book that is part of a series
Cupboards All Bared by Patricia Meredith

REJECT: A book with twins in it

Finished: 10/12/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Set in 1901 Spokane. While investigating a murder, twin brothers discover a plot to assassinate President McKinley. Second in series.

25. A book involving a crime other than a murder
Northfield: A Western Story by Johnny D. Boggs

REJECT: A book related to Going for the Gold

Finished: 10/14/2024
Rating: 5 stars

This was a great fictional account of the attempt by the James/Younger gang to rob the First National bank in Northfield, Minnesota.

Two good movie options are:
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972, filmed in Jacksonville Oregon (near where I lived in Medford), starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Duval)

The Long Riders (1980, The film is notable for having cast four sets of actual brothers to play the four sets of brothers in the James–Younger Gang)

2. A book connected to something you read in 2023
Saint Peter's Fair by Ellis Peters

REJECT: A book set in a group living situation (A monastery)

Finished: 10/20/2024
Rating: 4 stars

#4 in the Brother Cadfael mystery series. Can't go wrong with Brother C!

48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt -(24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)
All Roads Lead to Whitechapel by Michelle Birkby

REJECT: A book with a fictional famous character (Sherlock Holmes)

Finished: 10/26/2024
Rating: 4 stars

There are two new detectives at 221b Baker Street - Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Watson. Aided by the Baker Street Irregulars, they tackle a case of blackmail and murder. Very enjoyable.

28. A book related to sea
Evangeline: A totally gripping mystery thriller by D.W. Buffa

REJECT: A book with disembodied hand(s) on the cover

Finished: 10/31/024
Rating: 4 stars

The ship's captain is on trial for murder. What happened after the Evangeline sank? New revelations in every chapter. Great read!

38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1
Truth and Beauty by Christina Britton Conroy

REJECT: 2 Weeks: Two books that are part of a series

Finished: 11/02/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Book 3 in the Her Majesty’s Theatre series, a romantic mystery series set in 1900's London. Good series with great characters. Moving on to the final installment.

39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2
Beauty's Doom: The final instalment of the romantic Victorian mystery by Christina Britton Conroy

REJECT: 2 Weeks: Two books that are part of a series

Finished: 11/05/2024
Rating: 4 stars

The final book in the Her Majesty's Theatre series. A very satisfying conclusion, but a few loose ends. Liked the characters and the plot.

14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
The Ironclad Alibi by Michael Kilian

REJECT: A book with an ex

Finished: 11/11/2024
Rating: 4 stars

3rd book in the Harrison Raines Civil War mysteries. Raines is back in Richmond where old flames, haunts, and rivalries impede his investigation of the Confederate ironclad. Very good series.

40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover
Paradise on the Pike by Sarah Angleton

REJECT: A book involving Immigration, migration or relocation to another country

Finished: 11/16/2024
Rating: 3+ stars

Set in St. Louis during the 1904 World's Fair, a young German immigrant becomes involved in a murder investigation. Surprise ending!

20. A book with a single word title
Ella by Diane Richards

REJECT: A book where a character is a musician

Finished: 11/23/2024
Rating: 4+ stars

From Goodreads: A magnificent work of “biographical fiction” that reimagines the turbulent and triumphant early years of Ella Fitzgerald, arguably the greatest singer of the twentieth century.

Wow, what a story! An inspiration. A reaffirmation of the power of the human spirit, Never give up.

3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list - (A book with twins in it)
Leaden Skies by Ann Parker

REJECT: A book that fits a suggestion that didn't make the list this year (A book with twins in it)

Finished: 11/30/2024
Rating: 4 stars

3rd book in the Silver Rush series set in Leadville CO

4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong (I hear babies cry.,..)
Come to Grief by Wendy M. Wilson

REJECT: A book set in a different hemisphere than where you live

Finished: 12/7/2024

Book #5 in the Sergeant Frank Hardy series. A harrowing adventure for Frank and Mette. Good series!

8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand
The Jubilee Plot by David Field

REJECT: A book featuring a "First Responder" (Policeman)

Finished: 12/21/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Book #7 in the Esther & Jack Enright Victorian mysteries. One more and I'll have finished the series.

17. A book involving intelligence
Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher: The Shocking 1914 Case of a Vengeful Student by Dennis Webster

REJECT: A book with a character dealing with mental health or cognitive challenges

Finished: 12/24/2024
Rating: 3 stars

This true crime book involves the early use of insanity as a defense in a murder trial. Some what repetitive, but interesting.

43. A book by an Edgar Award-winning Author
Wake Up Little Susie: A Sam McCain Mystery by Ed Gorman (Ellery Queen Award, 2003)

REJECT: A book set in autumn

Finished: 12/27/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Book #2 in the Sam McCain mystery series. Love the characters, especially Judge Whitney. Set in small town Iowa.

19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
The Dark City by Max Allan Collins

Flavor: Economic Crunch (discontinued) - Book is set during the Depression

REJECT: A book set in a new-to-you location (Cleveland)

Finished: 12/29/2024
Rating: 4 stars

First in a series by one of my favorite authors, Max Allan Collins, follows "untouchable" Eliot Ness as he moves on to Cleveland to clean up the police department. Collins is a great writer and I love his books. Always well researched and great story lines.