The 52 Book Club: 2026 Challenge discussion

October 2022 - Local Legends

From Big Foot or The Yeti, to the Loch Ness Monster, Atlantis, or the legend of the fountain of youth, there are so many different types of legends out there. You could chose a book that mentions King Arthur and his knights of the round table, or a book featuring a local ghost story or cryptid like Frogman or the Jersey Devil. A legend differs from myth in that it’s usually built around a historical event or person (something that people believe to be true.)

The “local” part of this prompt is also up to your own interpretation. You could chose a famous legend from your city or home country, or could decide on a legend that is local for the character in the novel.

And remember, while our theme for October may be “spooky,” there are lots of non-scary options for this prompt too!



Here is the link for our Goodreads List, feel free to add your suggestions to it!

I read Monster in the Mountains by Shane Peacock, 2.5 Stars

It looks like the Legends and Thriller links are posting to the wrong lists.

Carol wrote: "It looks like the Legends and Thriller links are posting to the wrong lists."

Thank you, I fixed it!

What about real people who have reached legendary status? I live near both Quincy, IL and Hannibal, MO, so would Mary Astor and Mark Twain count as "local legends"?

Michele wrote: "What about real people who have reached legendary status? I live near both Quincy, IL and Hannibal, MO, so would Mary Astor and Mark Twain count as "local legends"?"

They do if you want them to! Here in the group our motto is "your challenge, your rules" and we welcome all interpretations of prompts

I googled "Montana legends" and found the book Montana Myths and Legends: The True Stories behind History's Mysteries Thought it sounded like an interesting read.

I’m going to re-read Haints, Witches and Boogers, Tales From Upper East Tennessee. I lived in that area more than 20 years ago.

Lindsey wrote: "Michele wrote: "What about real people who have reached legendary status? I live near both Quincy, IL and Hannibal, MO, so would Mary Astor and Mark Twain count as "local legends"?"

They do if you..."

In that case, I think I'll go with The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s by Joseph Egan. (Not a big Twain fan.)

I listened to Steve Jobs.by Walter Isaacson. He is definitely a legend in the SF Bay Area. The audiobook was excellent and I realized more what a legend really is. Highly recommend!

I'm using Thistlefoot for this prompt. It's kind of a retelling of the Baba Yaga legend, her house and her great-great grandkids.

I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving for this one.

I read The Jersey Devil by James F. McCloy. I am currently Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott, which would also fulfill this prompt.

I went with an easy re-read, Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich that mentions the Jersey Devil.

I read The Ghost Of Mingo Creek And Other Spooky Oklahoma Legends by Greg Rodgers. Cute middle-grade stories. 4 stars for me.

I read The Last Final Girl for this prompt. This is based on a local legend killer and everyone dresses like the killer.

I read The Book of Hallow'en . It was written in 1920 by Ruth Edna Kelley She went back to the time of the Druids and 1920 explaining different customs and rituals that we still practice in our present time. A lot of the rituals were for girls wanting to know who they would marry. I really enjoyed it.

The Second Chance Inn by Susan Hatler has a local legend as part of the plot. https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2022...

Mary Sue wrote: "I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving for this one. "

I read that too for this prompt. My sister used to live near Tarrytown so it was fun to reread it again and remember the area.