The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

9. A Character-Driven Novel

Novels can generally be broken down into either plot-driven or character-driven stories. For this prompt, we want the characters and their inner conflicts, personal journeys, growth, and overall character arcs to be the main focus of the book.

How do I tell the difference between character-driven or plot-driven novels?
Character-driven stories will focus more on character development than plot. A plot-driven novel focuses on the things a character goes through, whereas character-driven novels explore why the character acts or makes the decisions they do. Plot-driven novels may have more external conflicts and use devices like plot twists, in comparison to character-driven novels which focus on inner conflict, compelling character arcs, and strong backstories.


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The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

I'm planning on reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I've been curious about Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, so into the slot it goes.

Update: Moved Atlas Six to another challenge's prompt. Moved Paul Lynch's Prophet Song into this one. Had family dealing with both sides of the Irish troubles from the 60s until the Good Friday Agreement, so I tend to read books about the period, F and NF, on the regular.

Well, shoot. I had to change this one, because the library couldn't come through with Prophet Song yet. I'm still on hold. Ugh. So I moved Elizabeth Howard's The Light Years into the slot. Most annoying when you're stuck on a hold list so long.

I'm planning on reading The Jinn Daughter: A Novel by Rania Hanna

Steven and Jessica Stewart wrote: "The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller"

I have never heard of this book, thank you for the suggestion!

I plan to read A Man Called Ove.

I will read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

I plan a reading Circe by Madeline Miller

I’ve read much of the Goodreads list for this prompt. Some possibles: The Birth of Venus, Gilead, Carrie Soto, Daisy Jones and the 6

Reading The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

I’m planning on reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I listened to that on Audible, I really enjoyed it. The story went in a different direction than I expected! Well worth listening to/reading. Enjoy from Cheshire UK

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Finally will be reading Spinning Silver

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is my pick.

Going with The Jinn Daughter by Rania Hanna



middle eastern folklore and legend mixed with magical realism and features a storytelling jinn whose job is to tell the stories of the dead

I have wanted to read The Secret History by Donna Tartt ever since reading Babel and a review comparing it to Tartt’s novel. A longer novel, so hoping to listen rather than read.

I’m planning on reading House in the Cerulean sea by T.J Klune.

neuravinci wrote: "Going with The Jinn Daughter by Rania Hanna



middle eastern folklore and legend mixed with magical realism and features a..."

This one sounds very interesting! Thanks for the suggestion.

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry

My book choice is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I will be reading Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I just finished Daisy Jones and the Six.

I just finished This Time Next Year. Perfect for the prompt and the time of year.

I just finished The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons. If you read and enjoyed An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good for Nordic Noir last year, you will enjoy this book

In An Instant

I have ticked this one off with read #2 for the year - The Bell Jar by Sylvia Platt. I'd like to get some more classics in this year.

The vanishing half - Brit Bennett

For this prompt, I'll be listening to Lessons in Chemistry. I also have The Storied Life of AK Fikry.

I am reading 'You Love Me,' the third book in Caroline Kepnes' You series, which is a thriller and character-driven novel featuring Joe Goldberg.

I started reading Song of Achilles last year and stalled. I'll use the prompt to motivate me to finish it.

I just finished Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman for challenge #9. I Ioved it!

For this prompt I’m reading Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

I read and loved Demon Copperhead

Anna wrote: "I read and loved Demon Copperhead"

I am looking forward to reading that for prompt 43 - about finding identity.

I just finished Gone Girl. 3 down, 49 to go.

I read The Manor House Governess by CA Castle, I struggle with this concept of rewritting classic novels, why not just write a whole new story. Well I suppose it is in a way, and was good writing.

I think Tess of D’Urbervilles qualifies. Plus there were a couple of movies and a mini series so I’ll use this for my read it, watch it challenge in July-September.

The Atlas Six
Atlas Shrugged

I have read Fish: Memoir of a boy in a man’s prison.

Emma wrote: "The Storied Life of AJ Fikry"

One of my very favorite books.

Daisy Jones & The Six

The Authenticity Project was a very much a character-driven plot.

I read The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, 2 Stars

Okay wasn't sure what to use for this one since there are many out there. I then recently heard Kathleen Glasgow is releasing a new book this fall so I figured I would go with one of her famous ones:

Girl in Pieces

I've attempted this book twice before, but can never bring myself to finish it. I'm hoping this time will work out better.

I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Loved it; definitely a 4 star read for me.

I read Blackouts, by Justin Torres. 2.5/5★
Blackouts

I chose The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, and I found it delightfully quirky. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am also using this in the read it, watch it mini challenge and can’t wait to watch the movie.

This book would satisfy other prompts: features the ocean, grieving character, omniscient narrator, cover without people (original cover), could be considered a hybrid genre, finding identity, includes a wedding, and I read the e-book but I’m pretty sure there are lowercase letters on the spine.

Circe by Madeline miller