The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

WEEKLY CHECK-IN
October 8, 2023 -- Week 41

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to watch our live draw yesterday!
(You can find the link to the live stream here if you want to watch the replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdi-...)

We now have FOUR of our 2024 prompts announced!
(Although, if you watched the YouTube video, you'll know that Liz let slip one other one. So, technically we announced five prompts. And our 52 Book Club experts will probably be able to guess another two or three on top of those. 😉)

BUT, the four that were drawn and officially announced yesterday are:
48) The word secret in the title
49) Set in a city starting with the letter M
50) A musical instrument on the cover
51) Related to the word "Wild"

Did any of your votes win? Have any suggestions for amazing books to match with these prompts? Share away!

I voted for three out of four, missing on 51.

My options are:
49. Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
50. The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks - a harp
48. I have a number of them:
* Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
* The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
* The Most Secret Memory of Men by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (Senegal)
* The Secret Hours by Mick Herron
* The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay
* Futureface: A Family Mystery, an Epic Quest, and the Secret to Belonging by Alex Wagner (memoir)
* Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

I forget what I voted for but I think these are fun. I was a little disappointed with Secret in the title, just because there was involving secrets this year, but still lots of choices so it isn't a big deal. I think I am most excited about musical instrument on the cover. I am consideringPiranesi, The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy and The Secret Chord.

Can't remember my votes, but they all look interesting. I did vote for musical instruments, though... There are quite a few of them on my tbr pile, like The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece by Eric Siblin, for example. And a biography of Robert Johnson, with his guitar, and Louis Armstrong with his trumpet... I don't remember the details for those two, just a mental picture of the covers.

I wanted Secret & Wild to win.

Suggestions:
48. Bodyguard's Secret Baby by Vivian Ward
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
49. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
(Struggling on this one)
50. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
I Love Rock and Roll by Tamie Dearen
Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker
51. Lucy on the Wild Side by Kerry Rea
Wildfire: The Rise of a Hero by Jordan S. Keller
Bear With Me Now by Katie Shepard

I know I voted for a city beginning with the letter M, but as for the others, I honestly can't remember. Nor does it really matter to me; I knew regardless of what the outcome was, I'd be doing the challenge again next year anyway. I haven't decided on any titles yet. I'll think about that in late December when I start planning.

I voted for musical instrument. Not sure yet what I'll read, but I love music so it should be fairly easy for me to fill.

None of my votes won...but that seems to happen often!

I will probably read a book that takes place on Mumbai, but I'm interested in Manila or Milan.

I am going to read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed.

Don't know about the instrument.

Not happy about secret, but I'll do the challenge anyway and find a book I like

I instantly forgot what I voted for, but i like these prompts, they are equally challenging and doable!

For 48) I'm plannin to read The Secret History, it's on my tbr for a while, not idea for the others

I voted for musical instrument on the cover, the rest of my votes didn't win. This is what I'm currently planning to read for these prompts:

48) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
49) Prince Serebryani: An Historical Novel of the Times of Ivan the Terrible and of the Conquest of Siberia
50) A River Enchanted
51) White Fang

48. ‘Secret’ in title: Philip Pullman – The Secret Commonwealth

49. City Starting with ‘M’: Amor Towles – A Gentleman in Moscow

50. Musical Instrument on the Cover: Ngaio Marsh – Swing, Brother, Swing

51. Related to the Word ‘Wild’: William Boyd – Restless

I'd already decided to read 1 new release per month, so I'll get #52 done, right away, LOL.

Here's my suggestions for these prompts:

48) The word secret in the title

The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper

My Secret Sister by Helen Edwards

The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper

49) Set in a city starting with the letter M

The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay by Kelly Harms (Minnow Bay)

Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden (Moose Factory, Ontario)

50) A musical instrument on the cover

Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey (Guitar)

51) Related to the word "Wild"

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (Wild Seasons Series)