Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

FINISHED!
Amerimel aka Melissa’s Autumn Challenge

SEPTEMBER (read in September) 12/12

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.
Everything Inside Edwidge Danticat 9/15/20

b. Read a book published in September, October, or November.
The Last Story of Mina Lee Nancy Jooyoun Kim Pub Sept. 1, 2020
9/18/20

c. Read a book in which a significant even takes place at night.
The Movement of Stars Amy Brill 9/14/20

2. National Read a Book Day

Our favorite holiday!

a. Read a book by a new-to-you author.
Forget Me Knot Mary Marks 9/2/20

b. Read a book that is the next in a series you've already started.
Us Against You Backman Fredrik 9/8/20

c. Read a book that can be read in one day.
Knot My Sister's Keeper Mary Marks 9/6/20

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.
Normal People Sally Rooney 9/11/20

b. Read a book by an author whose first or last name starts with A or F.
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
Ann Prachett 9/18/20

c. Read a book that shows leaves on the cover.
Knot of This World Mary Marks
9/10/20

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.
The Proposal Jasmine Guillory 9/23/20

b. Read a book written between 1930 and 1999. Start a Craft: Fabric Painting pub 1994

c. Read a book by an author named Sue or with a character named Sue (reasonable variations like Susan, Susanne, or Suzette are allowed.)
Educated Tara Westover Susan 9/12/20


OCTOBER (read in October) 12/12

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. A Pale View of Hills Kazuo Ishiguro 10/5/20

b. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in SPICE.
The Step: One Woman's Journey to Finding Her Own Happiness and Success During the Apollo Space Program Martha Lemasters 10/8/20

c. Read a book in which food plays a role in the book. The Kicking the Bucket List Cathy Hopkins 10/5/20

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.
Deenie Judy Blume 10/3/20

b. Read a book in which the title starts with a letter in GOOSEBUMPS. The Rules of Magic Alice Hoffman 10/11/20

c. Read a book by R.L. Stine or Ray Bradbury.
The Halloween Tree Ray Bradbury 10/20/20

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. Two Can Keep a Secret Karen M. McManus 10/1/20

b. Read a book featuring a healthcare worker. This Is How It Always Is Laurie Frankel The mother, Rosie, is a doctor. 10/4/20

c. Read a book featuring a character who struggles with their mental health. The Lying Game Ruth Ware Thee has an eating disorder. 10/3/20

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. The Pharmacist's Wife Vanessa Tait 10/24/20

b. Read a book in which the main character has a disguise. The Beekeeper of Aleppo Christy Lefteri Both Nuri and his wife Afra have to change their appearances to pass as Western Europeans whilst they flee to the UK. 10/4/20

c. Read a book that won or was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award or the Shirley Jackson Award.
Lost Boy Lost Girl Peter Straub 10/28/20

NOVEMBER (read last few days in October and November) 12/12

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.
Rebecca Daphne du Maurier 10/29/20

b. Read a book featuring a main character whose name starts with a letter in HERSHEYS.
The Thing About Jellyfish Ali Benjamin Character - Suzy 10/30/20


c. Read a book featuring an eccentric ("nutty") character.
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life Christie Tate 10/30/20

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).
The Secrets We Kept Lara Prescott 11/01/20

b. Read a collection of poetry or a book written in verse.
The Rain in Portugal Billy Collins 11/16/20

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.
An American Marriage Tayari Jones (2019 NAACP Image Award Winner) 11/28/20
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.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid 11/04/20

b. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the phrase SMELL LIKE DIRT.
Where The Light Gets In Lucy Dillon 10/30/20

c. Read a book found on one of these lists:

- Goodread's 2020 Big Books of Spring
Beach Read Emily Henry 11/19/20

- 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.
Oona Out of Order Margarita Montimore 11/05/20

b. Read a book with religious themes.
To Be Where You Are Jan Karon 11/12/20

c. Read a book written by either C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle.
Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis C.S. Lewis 11/29/20