Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge
50/52

1. A book with a cover that has an image of something that starts with A, T, or Y
tea cup and saucer on cover
Tea with Milk and Murder by H.Y. Hanna - Read 25 Feb
2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list
From Poll 9, 'A historical fiction novel'.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton - Read 3 Feb
3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song
The word 'Jam' the last line: Tea - a drink with jam and bread
The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens - Read 19 Jun
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - Read 4 May
5. A book with a weird or intriguing title
Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne - Read 25 Jan

6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover
A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths - Read 9 Jan

7. A book by an author that uses 3 names
Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde - Read 11 Feb
8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings
Heart Lamp: Selected Stories: Winner of the International Booker Prize 2025 by Banu Mushtaq - Read 26 Sep
9. A book that has been long-listed for the Tournament of Books in any year
2023 Shortlist
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

10. A book about witches, goddesses or nuns
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood - Read 27 Jan
11. A book set in a fictional location: This book is set in a fictional location in an alternate historical Tasmania.
Dusk by Robbie Arnott - Read 9 Oct 2025
12. A book by an Irish author
The Final Game by Caimh McDonnell - Read 8 May
13. A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family
Five Days in Provence by Simon McCleave - Read 8 Sep
14. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman
Every Version of You by Grace Chan - Read 9 Jul

15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
The House of Lost Secrets by Anstey Harris - Read 8 Jan
16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list
Prompt 2: A book set in a different continent
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez - Read 21 Feb
17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind - Read 15 Feb
MPG Historic Fiction. Story takes place 1738–1767.
18. A book set primarily in nature
The Overstory by Richard Powers - Read 2 Feb

19. A book with a cover that has a building or cityscape
The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods - Read 9 May

20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo - Read 2 May
21. A book connected in some way to any collective noun for animals
A Cast of Falcons by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
22. A translated novel from Asia
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - Read 20 Mar

23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting
Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel by Sophie Green - Read 12 Aug
24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon - Read 8 Jul
25. A book with waves on the cover
A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe - Read 21 Feb

26. A book by an author with a common noun in their name
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley - Read 3 Jan
Pulley is a noun - 'a wheel on an axle or shaft enabling a taut cable or belt passing over the wheel to move and change direction'.
27. A book set in the winter
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates - Read 30 Jan

28 and 29. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles
Words: 'Down' and 'Up'
28. At the Going Down of the Sun by Mary-Anne O'Connor - Read 5 Jul
29. Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart - Read 6 Jul
30. A monster book: The monster in this books is Dr. Alexander Thorne, a sociopathic and unethical psychologist who manipulates people's lives and orchestrates murders
Evil Games by Angela Marsons - Read 9 Aug
31. A book with a coastal setting
The Keepers of the Lighthouse by Kaye Dobbie - Read 21 Mar

32. A mystery or true crime book
Suburban Noir: Crime and mishap in 1950s and 1960s Sydney by Peter Doyle - Read 12 Feb
33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time
The Ledge by Christian White - Read 8 Feb
I have read 3 books by this author, last one in December 2021, just over 3 years ago.
34. A book title that could be a country song
To the River by Vikki Wakefield - Read 11 Jan
35. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
Absolution by Alice McDermott - Read 10 Oct

36. A book with a common household object on the cover
A Month of Sundays by Liz Byrski - Read 15 Oct

37. A book featuring adult friendships
The main character's friendships with the widows enable her to grow as a person for the first time in her life.
Lake of Widows by Liza Perrat - Read 26 Mar
38 and 39. Two books with a connection from different genres
Airships/dirigibles - non-fiction vs fiction
38. Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History's Greatest Arctic Rescue by Buddy Levy - Read 12 Mar
39. Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon - Read 26 Jul
40. A book you'd consider a comfort read because it is a heartwarming and entertaining read about friendship and romance.
Your Friend and Mine by Jessica Dettmann - Read 1 Oct


41. A book that involves digging up the past
Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths - Read 27 Feb
42. A book set in a manor, mansion, or estate
The Palazzo by Kayte Nunn - Read 16 Nov
43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters
Medea by Rosie Hewlett - Read 20 Jan
44. A haunting book
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Read 18 Jan

45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years
The Women by Kristin Hannah - Read 23 Jan
46. A book related to one of the traditional full moon names
Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff - Read 14 Nov
47. A book relating to fire: At the time of the muster disaster strikes in the form of a bush fire (wild fire) and the Dalton's find themselves battling to save their livestock, their property and their lives.'
Ridgeview Station by Michael Trant - Read 18 Jul
48. A book with a character dealing with death. Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist. In this book she is involved with ancient deaths as well as more modern ones.
The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths - Read 18 Sep

49. A book that deals with time travel, alternate universes, or alternate timelines
The Rose and the Pomegranate by Leah Toole - Read 13 Mar
Alternate History
50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2024 or 2025
29 on pg 1 of 2024 thread
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
51. A book published in 2025
The Limestone Road by Nicole Alexander - Read 18 Apr
Due to be published early March 2025
52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover
The Secrets of Willow Bay by Phillipa Nefri Clark - Read 26 Apr


The Anniversary List Prompts
9/10

2016: A book originally written in a language other than English
Hidden in Snow by Viveca Sten - Read 4 Feb
(Originally written in Swedish)
2017: A book whose title doesn't contain the letter "E"
Hangman's Gap by Rachel Amphlett - Read 12 Jun
2018: An author's debut book
Together We Fall Apart by Sophie Matthiesson - Read 14 Apr
2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel - Read 23 Jul
2020: A book with an emotion in the title
A Great Act of Love: A Novel by Heather Rose
2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Whisky Valley by Joan Sauers - Read 11 Oct
2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama - Read 19 Feb
2023: A book whose author has published more than 7 books
The River Seine Killings by Simon McCleave - Read 23 Jan
Simon McCleave has published over 20 books and have read 9 of his books.
2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year
This book has been on my TBR since 17 June 2023
The Island by Ragnar Jónasson - Read 8 May
This book has been on my TBR since 20 December 2023.
2025: A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware - Read 19 Oct

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge

Read in January

5. A book with a weird or intriguing title
Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne - Read 25 Jan

6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover
A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths - Read 9 Jan


15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
The House of Lost Secrets by Anstey Harris - Read 8 Jan

26. A book by an author with a common noun in their name
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley - Read 3 Jan
Pulley is a noun - 'a wheel on an axle or shaft enabling a taut cable or belt passing over the wheel to move and change direction'.

27. A book set in the winter
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates - Read 30 Jan

43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters
Medea by Rosie Hewlett - Read 20 Jan

44. A haunting book
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Read 18 Jan

45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years
The Women by Kristin Hannah - Read 23 Jan
kristin Hannah's debut novel was published in 1991. Her latest novel, the Women was published in 2024

2023: A book whose author has published more than 7 books
The River Seine Killings by Simon McCleave - Read 23 Jan
Simon McCleave has written more than 25 books.

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge

Read in February

2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list
From Poll 9, 'A historical fiction novel'.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton - Read 3 Feb

7. A book by an author that uses 3 names
Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde - Read 11 Feb

16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list
Prompt 2: A book set in a different continent
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez - Read 21 Feb

17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind - Read 15 Feb
MPG Historic Fiction. Story takes place 1738–1767.

18. A book set primarily in nature
The Overstory by Richard Powers - Read 2 Feb

25. A book with waves on the cover
A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe - Read 21 Feb


32. A mystery or true crime book
Suburban Noir: Crime and mishap in 1950s and 1960s Sydney by Peter Doyle - Read 12 Feb

33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time
The Ledge by Christian White - Read 8 Feb
I have read 3 books by this author, last one in December 2021, just over 3 years ago.

The Anniversary List Prompts

2016: A book originally written in a language other than English
Hidden in Snow by Viveca Sten - Read 4 Feb
(Originally written in Swedish)

2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama - Read 19 Feb

Middle of the Year Update:
Read March, April, May and June

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge
30/52

3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song
The word 'Jam' the last line: Tea - a drink with jam and bread
The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens - Read 19 Jun
4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - Read 4 May
19. A book with a cover that has a building or cityscape
The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods - Read 9 May

20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo - Read 2 May
31. A book with a coastal setting
The Keepers of the Lighthouse by Kaye Dobbie - Read 21 Mar
37. A book featuring adult friendships
The main character's friendships with the widows enable her to grow as a person for the first time in her life.
Lake of Widows by Liza Perrat - Read 26 Mar
40. A book you'd consider a comfort read
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - Read 20 Mar
49. A book that deals with time travel, alternate universes, or alternate timelines
The Rose and the Pomegranate by Leah Toole - Read 13 Mar
Alternate History
51. A book published in 2025
The Limestone Road by Nicole Alexander - Read 18 Apr
Due to be published early March 2025
52. A book with a sunset vibes on the cover
The Secrets of Willow Bay by Phillipa Nefri Clark - Read 26 Apr


The Anniversary List Prompts
6/10

2017: A book whose title doesn't contain the letter "E"
Hangman's Gap by Rachel Amphlett - Read 12 Jun
2018: An author's debut book
Together We Fall Apart by Sophie Matthiesson - Read 14 Apr
2024: A book that has been on your TBR for over a year
This book has been on my TBR since 17 June 2023
The Island by Ragnar Jónasson - Read 8 May
This book has been on my TBR since 20 December 2023.

July Update

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge
38/52

14. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman
Every Version of You by Grace Chan - Read 9 Jul

24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon - Read 8 Jul

28 and 29. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles
Words: 'Down' and 'Up'
28. At the Going Down of the Sun by Mary-Anne O'Connor - Read 5 Jul
29. Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart - Read 6 Jul

38 and 39. Two books with a connection from different genres
Airships/dirigibles - non-fiction vs fiction
38. Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History's Greatest Arctic Rescue by Buddy Levy - Read 12 Mar
39. Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon - Read 26 Jul

The Anniversary List Prompts
6/10

2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel - Read 23 Jul

Aug/Sep/Oct Update

The 2025 ATY Reading Challenge
46/52

8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings
Heart Lamp: Selected Stories: Winner of the International Booker Prize 2025 by Banu Mushtaq - Read 26 Sep

11. A book set in a fictional location: This book is set in a fictional location in an alternate historical Tasmania.
Dusk by Robbie Arnott - Read 9 Oct 2025

13. A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family
Five Days in Provence by Simon McCleave - Read 8 Sep

23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting
Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel by Sophie Green - Read 12 Aug

30. A monster book: The monster in this book is Dr. Alexander Thorne, a sociopathic and unethical psychologist who manipulates people's lives and orchestrates murders
Evil Games by Angela Marsons - Read 9 Aug

40. A book you'd consider a comfort read. This was a comfort read for me as it is a heartwarming and entertaining read about friendship and romance.
Your Friend and Mine by Jessica Dettmann - Read 1 Oct

47. A book relating to fire: At the time of the muster disaster strikes in the form of a bush fire (wild fire) and the Dalton's find themselves battling to save their livestock, their property and their lives.'
Ridgeview Station by Michael Trant - Read 18 Jul

48. A book with a character dealing with death. Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist. In this book she is involved with ancient deaths as well as more modern ones.
The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths - Read 18 Sep