Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

It's now time to get ready to vote for our next set of prompts! This thread will be open for at least 24 hours before the poll gets posted. This is a good opportunity to ask any question you may have regarding the prompts, do some research, or ask for recommendations.

Voting ends at midnight Monday 10th August (EST) and the results will be posted in the afternoon of Tuesday 11th August

How it works:
- When the voting opens, follow the link to the mini-poll that will be added at the end of this post
- You have a total of 8 votes this poll to spread across your favorite and least favorite prompts (you can also use less than 8 votes)
- You can find examples of acceptable voting practices on the Introduction thread.
- The prompts with the more favorable votes (comparing top votes to bottom votes, and looking at the overall number of votes it received) will be added to the final list
When you vote:
- Please include your Goodreads profile address. To find this, just go to your own profile and then copy the URL/web address. If for some reason you can't link to your Goodreads profile, please post your full Goodreads name with enough identifiable information that we'll be able to access your profile.
- We can not contact you if there are any problems with your voting, so please double check you have only vote 8 times TOTAL and have your Goodreads profile address. Any votes that have more than 8 votes or no profile will have to be deleted.
Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members.

Voting is now open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

Poll prompts:
1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons.
2. A book set in a capital city
3. A book with a pronoun in the title
4. A book related to an apex predator
5. A book with metal
6. A book in which a natural disaster occurs.
7. A book involving a race against time
8. A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters
9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife
10. A book with a character in a creative field.
11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs.
12. A book that includes supplemental reference material (e.g. a glossary, family tree, index or pronunciation guide)
13. A book where the main characters are a family
14. A book with more than one million or fewer than one thousand ratings on Goodreads
15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials.

Ideas for the prompts.

1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons.

- Spooky: paranormal settings/stories; whimsical fantasy books
- Scary: horror/thriller novels; a book where a character faces their fears
- Skeletons: a book about anatomy; a book with a skull/bones on the cover; a book about someone facing the "skeletons in their closet"

2. A book set in a capital city

Lots of options for listopias, e.g.
Paris: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
London: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...
Tokyo: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Moscow: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Washington DC: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

3. A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.

Examples: I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody, etc.

More options can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

4. A book related to an apex predator

Examples:
Land: Lions, tigers, wolves, grizzly bears, polar bears, and eagles.
Marine: Orcas (killer whales), great white sharks, and leopard seals.
Reptiles: Saltwater crocodiles and Komodo dragons.
Dinosaurs: T-Rex

Here are a couple of links for inspiration.
Big cats: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Birds of prey: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
Aquatic: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

5. A book with metal.

It could be in the title, author's name, character's name, character’s occupation (Alchemist? Jeweler? Miner? Robot overlord?), a significant object in story (Gun? Crown? Scalpel? Technology?), subject matter, setting...the letters M-E-T-A-L could be in the title...

6. A book in which a natural disaster occurs.

There are 18 natural hazards included in the National Risk Index of FEMA: avalanche, coastal flooding, cold wave, drought, earthquake, hail, heat wave, tropical cyclone, ice storm, landslide, lightning, riverine flooding, strong wind, tornado, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire, winter weather.

7. Read a book involving a race against time

This could be interpreted in several ways--maybe someone has to solve a problem or make a decision quickly. Maybe the events happen in a short period of time. Could work for a thriller, adventure, mystery, classic, or anything that involves a race against time. For non-fiction fans, something like the building of the transcontinental railroad comes to mind... the Central and Pacific railroads raced each other to see who could get done more quickly. Or even books about a literal race.

8. A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters

Here's a list of suggestions: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife

Examples might include Park Rangers, wildlife rescues, or non-fiction by naturalists like David Attenborough and Jane Goddall.

10. A book with a character in a creative field.

This could include writers, artists, musicians, dancers, actors, designers (of graphics, fashion, interiors, theatre sets, computer games, etc.)

Some examples:
Artists: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Jewellers: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Glass Blowing: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Or it could possibly stretch to the Culinary Arts: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs.

Mythology and retellings: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Folktales of African Americans: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Occult/supernatural sciences: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Other options might include speculative fiction books by African or Asian authors, rooted in the beliefs of those cultures (e.g. Nnedi Okorafor, Alliette de Bodard, Yoon Ha Lee).

12. A book that includes supplemental reference material (e.g. a glossary, family tree, index or pronunciation guide)

Maps might also be another example, as might footnotes, bibliographies or a list of characters.

13. A book where the main characters are a family.

You define family:
- Birth family
- Family built through adoption
- Found family
- Guardian caring for an orphaned child
- Etc

14. A book with more than one million or fewer than one thousand ratings on Goodreads

Helpful tip. At the top of your "To-Read" shelf is an option for settings. If you click on that, then it gives you a list of fields you can add to the shelf. "num ratings" is in the fourth column. If you tick that, then save the settings, you'll be able to sort your "To-Read" shelf on that field.

15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials.

For #12, it could also be a list of characters. Thanks!

Some people have noticed that we already have a lot of title prompts, so we might want to prioritize other types.

Robin P wrote: "Some people have noticed that we already have a lot of title prompts, so we might want to prioritize other types."

True, there are a couple of new ones this time. Maybe next set of suggestions we make that point.

Oooo - this my be my favorite list so far. Six upvotes:

1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons.
2. A book set in a capital city
5. A book with metal
9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife
10. A book with a character in a creative field.
11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs.

I'm excited to vote this week. :)

Thee are some juicy ones here. I've got to think on it.

First thoughts:

1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons. neutral easy enough to you if y'all want it, just not that interested.

2. A book set in a capital city neutral easy

3. A book with a pronoun in the title neutral, but I already have all of the yous marked for rickrolled.

4. A book related to an apex predator neutral

5. A book with metal maybe up, gold and silver would be the easiest and I have those marked as color.

6. A book in which a natural disaster occurs. maybe up, would be easy.

7. A book involving a race against time haven't decided, maybe up, but probably neutral

8. A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters definitely up because I suggested it.

9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife
maybe up

10. A book with a character in a creative field. up

11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs. maybe down.

12. A book that includes supplemental reference material (e.g. a glossary, family tree, index or pronunciation guide) maybe down

13. A book where the main characters are a family down

14. A book with more than one million or fewer than one thousand ratings on Goodreads probably neutral

15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials. probably down

First impressions:

1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons. - Seems easily doable
2. A book set in a capital City - It's pretty ok, probably staying neutral though
3. A book with a pronoun in the title - While it is quite doable, I think we have enough title prompts for the time being so going with no
4. A book related to an apex predator - No idea what to pick for that one tbh. Neutral for now
5. A book with metal - Not really excited about this one
6. A book in which a natural disaster occurs. - I honestly always struggle with this one whenever I see it in a challenge
7. A book involving a race against time - I kind of like this one
8. A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters - Same as with the pronoun in title tbh
9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with Wildlife - Can't think of anything yet, so neutral for now
10. A book with a character in a creative field. - I like this one
11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs. - Seems interesting. I personally am always down for Greek and Japanese myths
12. A book that includes supplemental reference material (e.g. a glossary, family tree, index or pronunciation guide) - Easily doable
13. A book where the main characters are a Family - Any family constellation goes? Then probably a yes from me
14. A book with more than one million or fewer than one thousand ratings on Goodreads - I don't really like rating prompts because I simply don't care about stuff like this
15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials. - No, I simply seem to have the wrong name and initials for that type of prompt

What is the difference between "A book in which a natural disaster occurs" and "A book with a natural disaster"? Just curious if there is a reason for this wording?

That is my suggestion and, to me, they are just two ways of saying the same thing, so, no difference.

I am still thinking on my votes. I like both of these title prompts but will downvote to help get a balanced list.

It was pointed out in the suggestion thread that both Dinosaurs and Humans are apex predators. I would only use human is it was some kind of hunting premise but others may. I am planning to read Jurassic Park and Jaws next year. I want to do more reads and then movie watches for fun!

I need more race against time ideas..i want to love this but idk what I would read.

I did just finish Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon and it was wonderful for the non fiction lovers..it wouls fit. However I dont wanna reread it.

I always love a disaster book. Probably many of those would also work for a race against time (as in- the hurricane's coming, will the ship get back to port before it hits?? kind of thing).
Also for race against time, murder mysteries before the killer strikes again!

Some options:
The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic, diptheria epidemic, racing to get the treatment there before people die.
The Hunger some natural and supernatural disasters, plus trying to get West before they all die
The Overnight Guest murder mystery set during a snowstorm


Apex predator and works with wildlife also have some overlap:
The Loop
Red and the Wolves: A Graphic Novel (also works for my fairytale prompt ;)
Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us
I would guess that many of David Attenborough's books would work for both, too.

The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation by Katherine Ramsland

Apex predator?

Character in a creative field is a definite yes for me. Capital city is a probable yes since I have one book, in particular, set in Berlin that I want to read. I generally like geographical prompts.

Wow, so many great suggestions! This round will be difficult, there isn't a single suggestion I don't like.

I like all of the prompts except for one so I’ll have a hard time deciding which ones to up vote.

My down vote will be #15 - author who shares your first name, surname or initials. I have had trouble finding books that fit in the past, especially ones that I want to read.

Chelsey wrote: "I need more race against time ideas..i want to love this but idk what I would read..."

If this gets in I'm going to read Time After Time. I love the (older) film, with Malcolm McDowell uncharacteristically playing the hero, HG Wells, who is chasing Jack the Ripper into the future. I only recently found out it was based on this book and added it to my TBR list.

Marie M. wrote: "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation by Katherine Ramsland

Apex predator?"

The acme of apex.

Donna wrote: "My down vote will be #15 - author who shares your first name, surname or initials. I have had trouble finding books that fit in the past, especially ones that I want to read."

You rated The Goldfinch five stars. Maybe you'd like Donna Tartt's other books.

Yes, I would have that option. I also like Donna Leon’s books. I could find a fit, I’m sure, if it is voted in. Just not something I prefer or would look forward to.

Dixie wrote: "Chelsey wrote: "I need more race against time ideas..i want to love this but idk what I would read..."

If this gets in I'm going to read Time After Time. I love the (older) film, wi..."

Great book. Follows the movie well.

For apex predator:

John Sandford's "Prey" series is good.

I missed the nominations today. There are some I think could be fun, like:

A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons - This sounds like my reading list for October
A book set in a capital city - So many books I want to read are set in Dublin or London
A book with metal - I love that this could go so many ways
A book with a character in a creative field
A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs - This one seems unique

And several repeats:
A book with a pronoun in the title
A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters
A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials

Aside from the title prompt overload we have, and the fact that not everyone wants to reveal things about their identity, I know I've done all these prompts.

A book in which a natural disaster occurs - I've read books that have a flood or forest fire as part of the climax, but you wouldn't know it until you read the whole book. I'm not sure what to do with this, other than a "we're all snowed in together and now we're dying one by one" murder mystery.

I also don't understand why we have both:
A book related to an apex predator
A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife

They seem to be covering the same ground. The apex predator seems easier as it's only related to.

Chelsey wrote: "I need more race against time ideas..i want to love this but idk what I would read.

I did just finish [book:Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Jour..."

There's this list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Thank you! I have a lot on that list..I'm going to up vote that one

A book in which a natural disaster occurs

I recommend:


Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson

5 stars!

First impressions (but honestly, I don't think I have very strong opinions either way about most of these):

1. A book related to spooky, scary, or skeletons - I like this, although I'm getting a tiny bit tired of the alliterative list kind of prompt

2. A book set in a capital city - I feel like there are already plenty of settings prompts so far, and I'm not a fan of picking books by geography so probably a downvote for me

3. A book with a pronoun in the title - A strong maybe

4. A book related to an apex predator - I like the creativity of this, but I have no idea what I'd read for it

5. A book with metal - Meh, I'm pretty indifferent to this

6. A book in which a natural disaster occurs. - Downvote. I'm just not interested in reading these kinds of books generally

7. A book involving a race against time - Love this! Definite upvote

8. A book with a title of 7 or fewer letters - Mostly indifferent, but leaning toward no

9. A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife - I'm not opposed, but don't necessarily love it strongly enough to vote for it

10. A book with a character in a creative field. - I like that this is worded in a way that could include writing, but otherwise I'm a little burnt out on arts-related prompts. I feel like there's a big push for something about art every year, and I've never been that invested

11. A book that enriches your understanding of a culture's mythology, folk or fairytales, or beliefs. - A strong maybe. I think I have several books on my physical TBR that would fit, especially relating to Asian mythology

12. A book that includes supplemental reference material (e.g. a glossary, family tree, index or pronunciation guide) - Most likely a downvote. I like to plan my books out in advance as much as possible, and I feel like this will be hard to research

13. A book where the main characters are a family - I like this, but I feel like the majority of books could fit

14. A book with more than one million or fewer than one thousand ratings on Goodreads - Probably a downvote. I've never been a fan of prompts that involve number of ratings because I find it annoying to sift through all the unreleased books on my TBR to find what actually fits

15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials - This feels like three different prompts to me, and I almost wish it was limited to just one of the options

Marie M. wrote: "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation by Katherine Ramsland

Apex predator?"

That’s the direction I was planning to take if it gets in.

Dubhease wrote: "I also don't understand why we have both:
A book related to an apex predator
A book with a character who is somehow involved with wildlife..."

These do not feel similar to me, and I would read very different types of books for these two prompts. An apex predator can be part of a particular type of wildlife, but it can also be humans - the ultimate in apex predator - when they are acting in a predatory capacity. The emphasis on "predators" means I would be thinking about people or animals who prey on others -- whereas the wildlife prompt is almost the opposite, to me at least: people who are involved in supporting, studying, or helping wildlife.

Bottom line: I would probably read some sort of thriller fiction for "apex predator," possibly a book like The Lost World, and a nonfiction book about wildlife conservation for the "wildlife" prompt, of which there are several on my TBR list.

Rachel wrote: "15. A book by an author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials - This feels like three different prompts to me, and I almost wish it was limited to just one of the options"

There are very few authors with my first name and no authors with my surname. I'd have to go with initials, so if it gets in, I'm glad it's not limited!

Voting is now open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

I only used four of my votes, voting one up and three down. Most of the prompts I can live with but only one "floated my boat."

my favorite is race agaisnt time. i immediatly thought of 11/22/63, since he has a date limit, but it could also fit stories where the characters know they'll die soon (They Both Die at the End, Not Quite Dead Yet) or time loops (The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle,Wrong Place Wrong Time), and surely lots of other stuff too.

i will also be downvoting the title prompts.

Yup, downvoting title prompts too.

I like these a lot, way better than the last list! Will be a tough decision, other than the 2 auto downvotes.

Lol, I often can't decide if the universe is laughing at me or with me...
My library home page has a slideshow of new books they just got. Today's list included Ukrainian Spiritual Traditions: Myth and Magic for Modern Life. If that prompt wins, is this now the book I *have* to read?? (I don't want to tick off the universe, She's already put me through the ringer!)

Great list - up 5, down 3 for me.

Jennifer W wrote: "Lol, I often can't decide if the universe is laughing at me or with me...
My library home page has a slideshow of new books they just got. Today's list included [book:Ukrainian Spiritual Tradition..."

I think you need to read that book whether the prompt gets in or not.

Nike wrote: "Wow, so many great suggestions! This round will be difficult, there isn't a single suggestion I don't like."

I normally go 4-4 but I went 6-2 this time.

Robin H-R wrote: "A book in which a natural disaster occurs

I recommend:


[book:Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Dead..."

That is one of my favorite books of all time!

I did 5 up and 3 down.

Only a few thoughts on this set of prompts:
I only had one upvote - spooky, scary, or skeletons - I was thinking about 'skeletons in the closet'.

I downvoted pronoun in the title, capital city, race against time (clever idea, but I've been in a race against time all summer between work & my daughter's wedding), wildlife, & author who shares your first name or your surname or your initials (did this once and it was very hard for me to fill).

Once again it seems that I'm not in sync with the nomination. But I've participated in the challenge for 8 years not and always enjoyed it. How I wish I was one of those creative people who can 'think outside the box'!

I’m not always in sync either, but like you, Jette, I enjoy the process. 4 up 4 down this time for me.

Jette wrote: "Only a few thoughts on this set of prompts:
I only had one upvote - spooky, scary, or skeletons - I was thinking about 'skeletons in the closet'.

I downvoted pronoun in the title, capital city, ra..."

Jette, this was my only up vote, too.

First thoughts

A book with a character in a creative field. My favorite.

Spooky, culture, cities - this my comfort zone.
Natural disaster and wildlife - more challenging.
1-7 letters in a title is too easy.

Metal is different.
Please help me with metal. Is there a special significance in 2027 for metal? What books do you have in mind?

Pearl wrote: "First thoughts

A book with a character in a creative field. My favorite.

Spooky, culture, cities - this my comfort zone.
Natural disaster and wildlife - more challenging.
1-7 letters in a titl..."

I was thinking the easiest metals to find a book for are gold and siver.

Pearl wrote: "Metal is different.
Please help me with metal. Is there a special significance in 2027 for metal? What books do you have in mind?"

I don't think there was a special significance to 2027, but it's a fun prompt. Metal could be in the title like: The Empire of Gold, The River of Silver: Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy, Iron Widow, Iron Flame

Or it could be related to the subject matter in a novel like: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Or it could be related to heavy metal such as: Master of Reality

Or it could be non-fiction about heavy metal: Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal, What are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman's Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal

Or it could be non-fiction about actual metal: Out of the Fiery Furnace: The Impact of Metals on the History of Mankind

Or it could be about metalworking: Striking Women: Mild as Steel (Women Blacksmiths) by Latifa Sayadi, The Arts and Crafts Metalwork of Janet Payne Bowles

I'm sure there are more creative ways to use it, but most of my ideas are pretty straightforward! LOL. Also, I love this prompt if you can't tell.

8 up for me! And I wanted to upvote at least 10.

Nike wrote: "8 up for me! And I wanted to upvote at least 10."

Mine was split, but I'd have liked to upvote more than I did.