The Next Best Book Club discussion

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Speak & Spell (1981) - 11/11

“New Life “ – Read a book that was published in the 1900’s but feels like it was written now - Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
“Puppets” – Read a book that features puppets, ventriloquist dummies, or marionettes - The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
“Dreaming of Me” – Read a book that you were dying to get your hands on and take credit for it here - The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
“Boys Say Go!” – Read a “manly” “dude” book - Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
“Nodisco” – Read a book with a strange title - Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
“What’s Your Name?” – Read a book with a person’s name in the title - {Coraline} by Neil Gaiman
“Photographic” – If you read a book that has burned its words onto your brain or contained very graphic scenes, take credit for it here - A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
“Tora! Tora! Tora! – Read a translated book - Counterweight by Djuna
“Big Muff” – If you read a book that’s a bit of a mess, or feels clumsy, take credit for it here - Empire of Dust by Jacey Bedford
“Any Second Now (voices)” – If you read a book that kept you waiting for the twist, take credit for it here - The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
“Just Can’t Get Enough” – Read a book in a genre you just can’t get enough of - Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead Mystery Genre



A Broken Frame (1982) - 11/11

“Leave in Silence” – DNF a book and take credit for it here - Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
“My Secret Garden” – Read a book that’s considered a guilty pleasure - Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
“Monument” – Read a historical fiction book - Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
“Nothing to Fear” – Read a book that you're afraid will creep you out a bit - Relic by Douglas Preston
“See You” – Read a book written in second person - The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
“Satellite” – Read a book that takes place in space - Counterweight by Djuna
“The Meaning of Love” - Read a rom-com, or a book that revolves around love - Happy Place by Emily Henry
“Further Excerpts From: My Secret Garden” – Read the sequel or prequel to a book you’ve already read - Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
“A Photograph of You” – Read a book with a person on the cover -
“Shouldn’t Have Done That” – Read a book you DNFd in the past and give it one more chance - Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
“The Sun & the Rainfall” - Read a cli-fi book - Earthflown by Frances Wren



Construction Time Again (1983) - 9/9

“Love, in Itself” – Pick up a book by an auto-buy author, and without reading the jacket copy just jump right in and read it - Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone by Sequoia Nagamatsu
“More Than a Party” – Get on the bus and read a big buzz book - Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
“Pipeline” – Read an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) and take credit for it here - Earthflown by Frances Wren
“Everything Counts” – Read whatever you want and take credit for it here - Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson
“Two Minute Warning” – Read a book in which the apocalypse or world-ending event is currently happening - Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
“Shame” – Read a book that you’d be ashamed to be seen reading - My Husband by Maud Ventura
“The Landscape is Changing” – Stretch your comfort zone and read a book in a genre you haven’t read yet - Bob by Wendy Mass Genre: Children's Fiction
“Told You So” – Read a book someone recommended to you because they knew you’d love it - The Yard by Alex Grecian
“And Then…” – If you read a book that ends on a cliffhanger or seems to not resolve itself, take credit for it here - My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout



Some Great Reward (1984) - 9/9

“Something to Do” – Ignore all of your chores/errands and read a book instead, then take credit for it here - The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
“Lie to Me” – Finally read that book you’ve been telling people you’ll get to - The Guest List by Lucy Foley
“People are People” – Read a book by someone who is different than you (nationality, religion, ability, gender, etc) - Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
“It Doesn’t Matter” – Read a book that features friendship or unrequited love - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
“Stories of Old” – Read a classic! - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
“Somebody” – Read a book with a one word title - XOXO by Axie Oh
“Master and Servant” – Read a book that involves weird relationship dynamics - Counterweight by Djuna
“If You Want” – Run out and buy that book you’ve been thinking of getting, then read it and take credit for it here - Strange Folk by Alli Dyer
“Blasphemous Rumours” – Read a really popular book and take credit for it here if you didn’t like it and don’t get what all the buzz was about - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros



Black Celebration (1986) - 11/11

“Black Celebration” – Read a book in which the protagonist overcomes a great obstacle or evil - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
“Fly on the Windscreen” – Read a book that features bugs/insects on the cover or in its pages - Coraline by Neil Gaiman
“A Question of Lust” – Read a book by an author that you have a crush on - Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
“Sometimes” – If you read a book that leaves you questioning everything, take credit for it here - V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
“It Doesn’t Matter Two” – Read a book that makes you feel all the feels - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
“A Question of Time” – Read a book that has 400 pages or more - Weyward by Emilia Hart
“Stripped” – Read a book with really short, sparce writing - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui
“Here is the House” – Read a book that prominently features a house (bonus points if it’s haunted!) - The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
“World Full of Nothing” – Read a post apocalyptic book - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
“Dressed in Black” – Read a book that features a funeral or the death of a main character - Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
“New Dress” – read a brand new, just published book - Lovers at the Museum by Isabel Allende Pub Date: 2024

Music for the Masses (1987) - 10/10

“Never Let Me Down Again” – Read a book in a genre you don’t typically enjoy - Spare by Prince Harry
“The Things You Said” – If you read a book that’s incredibly quote-worthy, take credit for it here - The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
“Strangelove” – Read a book that’s considered weird fiction - My Husband by Maud Ventura
“Sacred” – Read a book that features religion or a conspiracy theory - Relic by Douglas Preston
“Little 5” – Read a book with a number in the title - Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
“Behind the Wheel” – Read a book while on a road trip or that features a road trip - Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
“I Want You Now” – Give yourself permission to be a mood reader and read whatever you want, then take credit for it here - Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson
“To Have and to Hold” – Read a physical book - Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie
“Nothing” – Read a book that was gifted to you - The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh
“Pimpf” – Read a book with a nonsensical title - Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams



Violator (1990) - 9/9

“World in My Eyes” – Read a book written in first person - My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
“Sweetest Perfection” – Save this task for the best book you’ve read this year - Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
“Personal Jesus” – If you read a book that touches you in ways you hadn’t expected, take credit for it here - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
“Halo” – Read a book that you thought was a perfect 5 star read - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
“Waiting for the Night” – Read a book that takes place at night - The Engagement Party by Darby Kane
“Enjoy the Silence” – Take a break from everyone, go ahead, shut yourself away somewhere and read in silence for a while, then take credit for it here when you finish it - Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
“Policy of Truth” – Read a true crime or non fiction book - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
“Blue Dress” – Read a book with a blue cover -
“Clean” – Read a book that deals with drugs/drug abuse - Reliquary by Douglas Preston



Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993) - 10/10

“I Feel You” – Read a book that has deckled edges or an embossed cover - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
“Walking in My Shoes” – Read a book written by an author from a culture different than your own - Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
“Condemnation” – If you read a book that has ruined you and convinced you to never read another book by that author again, take credit for it here - Empire of Dust by Jacey Bedford
“Mercy in You” – Read a book in which the main character requires forgiveness - Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
“Judas” – Read a book set in really harsh conditions - by Alan Moore
“In Your Room” – Read a book that takes your breath away - The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
“Get Right with Me” – Give an author another try, pick up a different book by them, go on… give it a shot - Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf
“Rush” – If you read a book and found yourself skimming to get to the good parts, take credit here - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
“One Caress” – Read a book that feels extremely vulnerable and tender - Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun
“Higher Love” – Read a book that contains gorgeous end papers - Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson



Ultra (1997) - 11/11

“Barrel of a Gun” –Read a book that contains violence - The Engagement Party by Darby Kane
“The Love Thieves” – Read a book that stole your heart - Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
“Home” – Read a book in which the protagonist returns to their hometown - Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie
“It’s No Good” – Read a book you should have DNFd but didn’t and now you regret it - Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
“Uselink” – Read a book that contains very little dialogue - The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto
“Useless” – Read a book that was pure brain candy - XOXO by Axie Oh
“Sister of the Night” – Read a book that features vampires or werewolves - White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
“Jazz Thieves” – Read a book that focuses on music or was written by a musician - Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
“Freestate” – Read a book that doesn’t seem to fit into any specific genre - Bob by Wendy Mass
“The Bottom Line” – Read the book that is currently at the bottom of your TBR - The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
“Insight” – Read a book that taught you something - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley



Exciter (2001) - 13/13

“Dream On” – Read a book in which the main character(s) get what’s coming to them - Fear in the Sunlight by Nicola Upson
“Shine” – Read a book with a yellow cover or sparkly cover -
“The Sweetest Condition” – Read a book that focuses on a mental condition or disability - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
“When the Body Speaks” – Read a book that features body horror - The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
“The Dead of Night” – Read a book where all the action takes place at night - A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
“Lovetheme” – Read a book that’s told in a non traditional way (found footage, post it notes, texts, emails, etc) - by Jason Reynolds
“Freelove” – Read a book that features a unique kind of love - your name. 2 by Makoto Shinkai
“Comatose” – Read a book that knocked you dead - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
“I Feel Loved” – Gift a copy of your favorite book to someone and take credit for it here - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
“Breathe” – Read a post-pandemic novel - The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
“Easy Tiger” – Read a book that prominently features an animal - Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
“I Am You” – Read a book in which you totally relate to one of the characters - I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
“Goodnight Lovers” – Stay up all night reading a book and take credit for it here - The Yard by Alex Grecian

Playing the Angel (2005) - 12/12

“A Pain That I’m Used To” – Read a book in the same position for so long that your arms/legs start to hurt - The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
“John the Revelator” – Read a book in which you didn’t figure out the ending until the very end - by Agatha Christie
“Suffer Well” – If you read a book and thought about DNFing it but didn’t and ended up liking it, take credit for it here - A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
“The Sinner in Me” – Read a book that features gods or angels and devils - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
“Precious” – Read someone else’s favorite book and take credit for it here - The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
“Macro” – Read an epic novel, one that spans multiple generations or takes place over many years - Weyward by Emilia Hart
“I Want it All” – Read a book that you own in multiple formats or have multiple editions of - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
“Nothing’s Impossible” – Read a bizarro book - Reliquary by Douglas Preston
“Introspectre” – Read a book that contains illustrations or graphics throughout - your name. 2 by Makoto Shinkai
“Damaged People” – Read a book that features characters who are seriously F’d up - Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
“Lilian” – Read a book written by someone who identifies as female - by Gail Honeyman
“The Darkest Star” – Read a book that is super dark and heavy - by Anne Mette Hancock



Sounds of the Universe (2009) - 13/13

“In Chains” – Read a story that features prison or a character who is in trouble with the law - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
“Hole to Feed” – Read a book that features food on the cover or is food focused - The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
“Wrong” – Read a book where you guessed the ending wrong - Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
“Fragile Tension” – Read a psychological thriller - Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
“Little Soul” – Read a chapbook - Even Heaven is a Lack by Christopher Latin
“In Sympathy” – Host a read-a-long / buddy read and take credit for that book here - Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
“Peace” – Read a book about war or fighting - Old Man's War by John Scalzi
“Come Back” – Reread a book - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
“Spacewalker” – Read a sci-fi book - The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
“Perfect” – If you read a five star book, take credit for it here - Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
“Miles Away/The Truth Is” – Read a book that’s set in a different country - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
“Jezebel” – Read a book that features a crafty, deceptive female protag - A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
“Corrupt” – read a crime non/fiction book - The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock



Delta Machine (2013) - 13/13

“Welcome to My World” – Read a book that takes place on or around another planet - Empire of Dust buy Jacey Bedford
“Angel” – Read a book with religion in it - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
“Heaven” – Read a book in your favorite reading spot and take credit for it here - White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
“Secret to End” – Read a book by an author who published under a pseudonym - Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
“My Little Universe” – Read a book that’s under 100 pages - The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 96 pages
“Slow” – Read a book that took forever to get going - Spare by Prince Harry
“Broken” – Read a used book (the more beat up the better) - Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater
“The Child Inside” – Read a YA book or a book that features a child protagonist - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
“Soft Touch/Raw Nerve” – Read a book that really pissed you off and take credit for it here - Fear in the Sunlight by Nicola Upson
“Should Be Higher” – Read a book that you thought more people should be reading - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
“Alone” – Read a book that could be considered isolation fiction - The Guest List by Lucy Foley
“Soothe My Soul” – Read a book in your go-to genre - Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee Fantasy
“Goodbye” – Read the last book published in an author’s bibliography - Happy Place by Emily Henry



Spirit (2017) - 11/11

“Going Backwards” – Read a book that was originally published in the eighties or earlier - The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
“Where’s the Revolution” – Read a dystopian novel or a novel in which the people revolt - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
“The Worst Crime” – Watch the movie BEFORE you read the book it was based on and take credit for it here - Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
“Scum” – Read a book that features the most cringe character(s) - Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
“You Move” – Read a travel themed book - Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
“Cover Me” – Save this space for the book with the best cover you’ve read this year - A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
“Eternal” – Read a book that is set in an unknown time/period or that features time jumps/time travel - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui - Time Travel
“Poison Heart” – Read a book that features an evil or morally grey protagonist - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
“So Much Love” – Read a book by your favorite author - Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
“No More (This is the Last Time)” – Read another book by an author you read before and didn’t like - Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
“Fail” – Read a book in which nothing seems to go right for the main character - A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin



Memento Mori (2023) - 12/12

“My Cosmos is Mine” – Read a space opera - Old Man's War by John Scalzi
“Wagging Tongue” – Read a book that could have benefited from being shorter - I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
“Ghosts Again” – Read a book that features ghosts - Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone by Sequoia Nagamatsu
“Don’t Say You Love Me” – If you read a book and rate it less than 3 stars, take credit for it here - Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
“My Favorite Singer” – Read a book that fits one of our previous years’ book challenges and take credit for it here -Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - Read a book with a child protagonist / that involves children
““Soul With Me” – Read a book about a haunting or possession - The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
“Caroline’s Monkey” – Read a book that features a wild animal - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
“Before we Drown” – Read a book that takes place on or near the water - The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
“People Are Good” – Read a book that has a high star rating on goodreads - Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater
“Always You” – Read two books back to back by the same author and take credit for it here - Half a Soul, The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater
““Never Let Me Go” – Read a book that is absolutely unputdownable - Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead
““Speak to Me” – Read an audiobook - A Very Lively Murder by Katy Watson

Yay Meghana! Let's gooooo!
Also, I love your counters!!

Lori wrote: "Yay Meghana! Let's gooooo!
Also, I love your counters!!"

Thanks Lori…excited to start the new challenge !

Halfway there!! Yay!!

That's awesome!!!! Keep going!

COMPLETED!!!

Whoot whoot! Congrats!!!