Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

In a shocking turn of events...

Top
A book by a Korean or Korean-diaspora author
A book from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list

Bottom
A book with a horse as a character

Close Call
A book where the main character has an occupation that didn't exist before 1900
A book where all or part of the action takes place in a library, a courthouse, or another public building

We will announce the time for the next round of suggestions by the end of the day today (CST).

Good ones! Will I finally read the other book by the author of Pachinko (or will she publish a new one finally?)?

That list depresses me- seems I'm close to death for as much of the list as I have read. Might this be my excuse to finally read Crime & Punishment?

I hope someone resuggests the building prompt?

I’m happy with both. I was hoping for a character prompt too, but no complaints.

I like and voted for both of these.

Unless we end up with enough close calls to do a special close call round, I plan to resubmit the buildings prompt at some point.

I like both prompts, but I'm bummed we didn't get a setting or character prompt. There were so many creative options this round.

Pleasantly surprised that the 1001 list made it. And I definitely have some things for the Korean diaspora prompt (don't think I voted for it, but I considered it).

Results are a surprise! Very happy with Korean author, okay with 1001 books list.

The GR Listopia has only about 65 books. There are multiple sites with the whole list. Here is one:

https://1001bookreviews.com/the-1001-...

The list slowly changes as new books are added, so if you look at an older copy or list, it might be slightly different.

Happy with these results!

Robin P wrote: "The GR Listopia has only about 65 books. There are multiple sites with the whole list. Here is

The correct listopia was on the voting thread, there are probably multiple partial listopias on gr.

This is best gr listopia. (Do not add any books to this list!)
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

I'm shocked. One I voted for and one I bottomed. (And I did 6 and 2). Fortunately, I rarely do the whole ATY challenge, so it doesn't matter if I'm disappointed.

NancyJ wrote: "Robin P wrote: "The GR Listopia has only about 65 books. There are multiple sites with the whole list. Here is

The correct listopia was on the voting thread, there are probably multiple partial l..."

Are there any non fiction books on this list?

Pamela wrote: "Good ones! Will I finally read the other book by the author of Pachinko (or will she publish a new one finally?)?

That list depresses me- seems I'm close to death for as much of the list as I have..."

I'm with you, Pamela. I could be ready to depart this life at any moment as far as this list is concerned. I don't object to the Korean author one as such, except that we have 'Asian author in translation' this year and I'd like something different. I'm glad buildings will be resubmitted, that was quite interesting and wide in scope.

Robin P wrote: "The GR Listopia has only about 65 books. There are multiple sites with the whole list. "

This is the one I've always used. Have it bookmarked, in fact: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

It's compiled from the various, evolving lists from they guy who came up with it in the first place.

There are a number of different versions out there on the internet. I think I'll just read a book I want to read, whether it's on a list or not.

Note that I did include the "official" listopia link in the description of our ATY listopia.

I'm astounded and delighted for both of these.

Emily wrote: "Note that I did include the "official" listopia link in the description of our ATY listopia."

Thanks Emily! I didn’t see it.

I like your idea to use the ATY list for books you WANT to read. During the planning process my listopia votes are mainly for recommendations, but that isn’t necessary with this one,

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "I'm astounded and delighted for both of these."

Me too! I never thought the Korean prompt would get in! Or the list!

Someone telling me I must read 1001 books of their choosing before I die sounds like some sort of punishment 🤣 Not a fan of that list at all. I guess I'll be re-reading Triffids again.

I did not vote for either of these; however, I can work with both.

Robin P wrote: "The GR Listopia has only about 65 books. There are multiple sites with the whole list. Here is one:

https://1001bookreviews.com/the-1001-...

The list slowly changes as new books are added,..."

But the prompt says "the" not "a"- doesn't that imply the OG one?

Hooray, I voted for both of these! I never imagined 1001 would go through. Personally, I'm counting the "combined" list of all 4 list editions. Regarding non-fiction, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is on there. And there are a number of very short books plus three individual Poe stories if anyone just wants to get it over with. Could be a great excuse to chip away at a 19th Century "doorstop" classic though...I still have some George Eliots to read!

Deborah wrote: "Are there any non fiction books on this list?..."

It is mostly fiction, but there are quite a few non-fiction books, including many memoirs and novelized versions of real events (such as Schindler's List, In Cold Blood, or The Things They Carried):

Survival in Auschwitz
The Drowned and the Saved
Schindler's List (aka Schindler's Ark)
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
In Cold Blood
Walden
Dispatches
Storm of Steel
H is for Hawk
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Cider With Rosie
Testament of Youth
The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas
The Rebel
The Reveries of a Solitary Walker
Out of Africa
This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen
Down Second Avenue: Growing Up in a South African Ghetto
Before Night Falls
A Tale of Love and Darkness
Confessions
Memory of Fire
The Conquest of New Spain
Facundo: or Civilization and Barbarism
On the Heights of Despair
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself
Borstal Boy
Promise at Dawn
The Things They Carried
Pavel's Letters
Cataract
Journey to the Alcarria

Joy D wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Are there any non fiction books on this list?..."

It is mostly fiction, but there are quite a few non-fiction books, including many memoirs and novelized versions of real events (s..."

Thanks!

Yes, thank you for that non-fiction list Joy!

My pleasure!

Joy D wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Are there any non fiction books on this list?..."

It is mostly fiction, but there are quite a few non-fiction books, including many memoirs and novelized versions of real events (s..."

Thanks Joy. I had no idea. I thought they were all novels until I saw Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China this morning. What an incredible book. I realize now, that’s why I reached for a book set in China today, instead of one of the 3 other books at the top of my list. I meant to only sample it, but I couldn’t put it down.

Could you post that list in the comments section below the bottom of the listopia? It could be a great reference for us later on as we select new books.

NancyJ wrote: "Could you post that list in the comments section below the bottom of the listopia? It could be a great reference for us later on as we select new books. ..."

Done.

Suggestions will go live tomorrow around 11 am EST

Thanks for the update Emily :)

I'm not thrilled about the 1001 books. As someone who has always read a lot of classics, I have already read the ones I wanted to read. But there are some short books on the list, and some children's books.

Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic reasons for immigration? Usually diasporas are caused for these reasons and I am trying to avoid heavy subject matter. (Plus, I just read Pachinko for this year's challenge)

1001 Books was a neutral suggestion for me. I'll find something on the list.

I was very disappointed that "related to television" didn't make it.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

Check out the books by Mary H.K. Choi for something lighter than the trauma narratives.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

There are a lot of good books on the Listopia already. A favorite author of mine is Axie Oh. Earlier this year I read her fantasy The Floating World and I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel. Meanwhile later this year I'll be reading her The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. Other books on my TBR list that fit this prompt are Folklorn, Ocean's Godori and Tower.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

What genres do you typically read?

Here are some quick recommendations off the top of my head for lighthearted reads (although I haven't read most of these!):

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park
XOXO by Axie Oh
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering by Joanna Gaines - not a novel but I'm sure not heavy or traumatic
Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish
Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything by Lydia Kang

There are a ton in YA fantasy: Angelfall by Susan Ee, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, Wicked Fox by Kat Cho, The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim, etc.

Some middle grade books:
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park
Troublemaker by John Cho
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Hope this helps! I'm sure there are many more Korean authors who don't write about trauma in the way that members of other diasporas (Irish diaspora, Mexican diaspora, French diaspora, etc) are also not limited to heavy subject matters.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

Me too. I just read The Vegetarian this year. (And I thought it was dumb.) Sometimes when I don't like a prompt, I find a middle grade book to read to tick it off. That's my cheat.

I loved The Vegetarian. I' m happy with the result of this round.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

Diaspora includes Americans of Korean descent, so you can find books that aren’t about Korea at all. Jenny Han writes sweet coming of age stories, with innocent romance. (Though maybe the romance gets more intimidate as her characters get older.)

I agree with the rec to try middle grade books.

I also recommend that you look for content warnings whenever you’re in doubt. I’m sure google or any AI could give you a quick answer about content warnings, as long as you give the correct title and author. You will not like Pachinko or White Chrysanthemum.

Added
YA fantasy can get very dark and violent. Wrath and the Dawn has content warnings.

One of those was a top vote for me and the other was a bottom! I'm going to Korea next year so I was planning to read more Korean lit which is great.

Really unhappy about the 1001 Books list. It was a strong downvote for me, and I just went through the entire listopia and saw very, very little that I'm actively interested in reading. I can see it becoming a prompt that I dread and avoid for most of the year. Hopefully I'll feel differently when the time comes.

Korean author was neutral for me. I have enough on my TBR that I can make it work, but there were many other prompts that I was much more excited for.

Re: Content Warnings

I use this “Trigger Database”

https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/ma...

The main database allows you to search by trigger (death of an animal, colonialism, earthquake, etc.) and see which books have that trigger. Or you can access the Master List, using the menu, to look at a particular book to see which triggers (often more than one) are in a given book.

Also, this site is a member of Goodreads, so when they read and review a book they will leave trigger info in their review. You can also request a title be evaluated if it’s not already on their site.

I'm happy with both of the prompts. I voted for Korean author since I planned to read Mater 2-10 by Hwang Sok-yong this year and have several other Korean authors I'm interested in. I like the specificity of the prompt. I highly recommend My Brilliant Life by Kim Ae-ran.

I didn't vote for the 1001 books prompt, mostly because I don't like list prompts, but it's very easy for me. I have ~60 of the books sitting on my shelves, so it is a good opportunity to read something I own. There are easily another 60 books on my TBR. I found one book, Land by Pak Kyongni on the list which is by a Korean author.

I’m bummed that the horse book didn’t get in even though I was sure it was going to be bottomed.

I voted for both that got through so that’s nice at least. Maybe I’ll just finish reading the 1001 books to read before you die book itself next year.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

The prompt was for Korean authors too - I'd recommend DallerGut Dream Department Store it's more cozy fantasy.

Jette wrote: "Korean Diaspora is going to be a struggle for me (an emphatic downvote for me). Does anyone have recommendations that are lighthearted and not related to war, poverty, famine, or other traumatic re..."

I downvoted this as well. As I was going through the prompts, this one just didn't match my current reading mood. I know that will change by next year, so I have three options at this point.

For something more lighthearded, I might try Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

Rachel wrote: "Really unhappy about the 1001 Books list. It was a strong downvote for me, and I just went through the entire listopia and saw very, very little that I'm actively interested in reading. I can see i..."

Oh no, don't dread anything for an entire year! If I really dislike a prompt that strongly, I find something for it and read it FIRST. Then it's done! And occasionally I get a pleasant surprise. Last year I did Popsugar, as well as ATY, and they had a prompt, Read a book about K-Pop, something I knew nothing about and had no interest in. I read XOXO by Axie Oh and was surprised to find myself charmed and interested, and I liked her writing style well enough to look up what else she had written. I've read two more of her books and have another set aside for later this year. So I encourage "get it over with quickly" rather than "dread all year"!

Did i miss the time for next suggestion round?

Tracy wrote: "Re: Content Warnings

I use this “Trigger Database”

https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/ma...

The main database allows you to search by trigger (death of an animal, colonialism, earthquak..."

This is a great resource, I've bookmarked it. Thanks! There was a site like this for films that I used all the time when I was raising sensitive children.

Mary wrote: "Did i miss the time for next suggestion round?"

11:00

To clarify, 11am CST