Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

We're on the dozenth poll (is that a word?)

The 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. People might also provide further information on suggested prompts, so read on.

Voting will open in the morning of Sunday September 6 and results will be posted Thursday September 10.

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

We are asking people to include their Goodreads profile address when they vote. 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.

Poll Prompts:
1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
2. A book involving archaeology or the discovery of something from the past
3. A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book
4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!"
5. A book about love or a book about war
6. A book that is out of this world
7. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2025, 2026, or 2027
8. A book related to Dolly Parton
9. A book you would consider a classic
10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean
11. A book with a woodland creature
12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel
13. A book that is heavy
14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you.
15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style

Feel free to discuss the prompts below, but please remember to be respectful to the other group members.

Voting link: https://forms.gle/AmKMHS8xqcgVzaip7

NOTE:We will not have the ability to contact anyone who misvotes. Please be sure to check your voting before submitting

THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE SUGGESTIONS THREAD
These are the notes that were include in the nominations. Read other posts in the thread for further information people might supply.

1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is this literary magazine/review platform that reviews new releases and those given a starred review is the highest rating a book can receive as well as getting a starred review automatically enters you into the Kirkus Prize.

You can go onto their website and filter out books that earned a starred review as well as narrow it down by genre

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/discove...

4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!"
This could include the stereotype of a grumpy older person, a Grumpy/Sunshine romance, someone who chooses to live in isolation, or someone who is protesting something like a big commercial entity coming to town

5. A book about love or a book about war
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

8. A book related to Dolly Parton
You may choose to read any book you think is related the Dolly Parton.
Fiction, nonfiction, children’s books
She wrote or co-wrote several books.
Not only did she leave a large catalog of songs, she was an incredible business woman and philanthropist. Her father’s illiteracy inspired her to create the Imagination Library that sends free books to poor children. She invested her money back into her impoverished hometown, creating jobs with the advent of Dollywood, which also supported a refuge for eagles. She promoted kindness and respect, and strongly supported women’s issues, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the homeless.
She is featured or mentioned in many books related to her music, movies, literary, poverty, interviews, and other contributions to the world.
You might prefer to read about someone (real or fictional) who simply reminds you of Dolly. A novel about a singer-songwriter, a little girl who grew up in a log cabin in the mountains, a “book lady”, an outspoken southern lady, an actress, the music business, someone visiting Dollywood, etc

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean
Some ideas:
⚓ Pirates/Privateers, Vikings, Sea Explorers, Mariners/Naval Personnel, Deep Sea Divers, Mermaids/Mermen, Jacques Cousteau
⚓ Sea Serpents, Kraken, Moby-Dick or, The Whale, Jaws,
⚓ Naval Battles, Mutinies, Shipwrecks, Being Shang-Hied
⚓ Hurricanes, Tsunamis,
⚓ Sunken Treasure, Deserted Islands, Ghost Ships
Some examples:
How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig
A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke
The Vermilion Sea by Megan Chance
The Nautical Chart by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
Save Our Souls: The True Story of a Castaway Family, Treachery, and Murder by Matthew Pearl
Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History's First Global Manhunt by Steven Johnson

12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel
True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adventures all qualify.
IDEAS:

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
Shipwreck, mutiny, survival, murder accusations, and competing versions of what actually happened

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
A man breaks into a museum to steal rare bird specimens—for the feathers

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel
The remarkable true story of a man who stole hundreds of artworks, often simply because he wanted to possess them

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre
A high-ranking KGB officer secretly works for British intelligence—complete with an extraordinary escape

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone
The largely forgotten woman whose codebreaking helped catch criminals, spies, and Nazis

The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal by David E. Hoffman
A Soviet engineer secretly provides the CIA with an astonishing amount of intelligence during the Cold War

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Shackleton's Antarctic expedition becomes one of history's most incredible survival stories

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Krakauer's firsthand account of the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest climbing season

438 Days

Alive

The Lost City of Z

The Lost City of The Monkey God

The Devil In The White City

Killers of The Flower Moon

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Bad Blood

Catch and Kill

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

The Professor and the Madman

The Radium Girls

13. A book that is heavy
Heavy Topics https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Big non-fiction https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Thickest books ever https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
Best very long novels https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you
Social issues: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Social issue novels: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style

These books read like Golden Age mysteries with focus on fair play. Authors don't do tricky reveals at the end with concealed evidence. The author gives you everything you need to solve the puzzle before the big reveal at the end.

Examples
actual golden age mysteries, ex. books written by authors such as Agatha Christie, S.S. Van Dine, etc.
modern fair play mysteries, ex. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
actual Japanese honkaku mysteries, ex.The Decagon House Murders

For the woodland creature it was written in a way that can leave it open to interpretation. So could be a creature in the book but also it could be with an insect on the cover, with an author named wolf or with a title including fairies.

For the ocean prompt, here are a few more books about boats ON the water.
A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck
AdAdrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea
Migrations

Below are some IN or Near the ocean.
IN the ocean can include NF, fiction or fantasy books about sea creatures, whales, sentient dolphins, octopuses, mermaids, man vs nature, survival, eco- thrillers, climate change, garbage island.

Starter Villain
Pod
The Mountain in the Sea
The Deep


NEAR the ocean can include islands, research centers, coastal living, beaches, beach houses, surfing, diving, sailing, oceanographers, aquariums, tourists.

Playground
Wild Dark Shore
Fable
Float Plan
The Whale at the End of the World
When We Believed in Mermaids
Breath, Eyes, Memory
Circe
The Island of Sea Women
The Last Song
Kon-Tiki

NancyJ wrote: "I have different books in mind for the ocean prompt.
IN the ocean can include NF or fantasy books about sea creatures, whales, sentient dolphins, octopuses, man vs nature, survival, eco- thrillers"

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

Other Minds byPeter Godfrey-Smith

I'm a little obsessed with octopuses!

Pamela wrote: "THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE SUGGESTIONS THREAD..."

Pamela, can you please add the two links I posted in the Voting thread here for #14? I put that post there (60) before this thread was up. Thanks.

Marie M. wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I have different books in mind for the ocean prompt.
IN the ocean can include NF or fantasy books about sea creatures, whales, sentient dolphins, octopuses, man vs nature, survival,..."

I loved other minds!

If you don't participate in the best books of the month, here are the links:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3... (We still have 4 months of books to add to this list).

This is the only list prompt that everyone in the group can improve by participating in.

I have a book ready for every single prompt. It's going to be an act of sacrifice to exclude one, so all up votes for me, neutral for all prompts I don't vote on.

A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adventures all qualify.


IDEAS:

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
Shipwreck, mutiny, survival, murder accusations, and competing versions of what actually happened.

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
A man breaks into a museum to steal rare bird specimens—for the feathers.

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel
The remarkable true story of a man who stole hundreds of artworks, often simply because he wanted to possess them.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre
A high-ranking KGB officer secretly works for British intelligence—complete with an extraordinary escape.

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone
The largely forgotten woman whose codebreaking helped catch criminals, spies, and Nazis.

The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal by David E. Hoffman
A Soviet engineer secretly provides the CIA with an astonishing amount of intelligence during the Cold War.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Shackleton's Antarctic expedition becomes one of history's most incredible survival stories.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Krakauer's firsthand account of the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest climbing season.

438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin
A fisherman survives an almost unbelievable 14 months adrift in the Pacific.

Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read
The astonishing survival story of the Uruguayan rugby team's 1972 plane crash in the Andes.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
An explorer disappears in the Amazon while searching for a supposedly lost civilization.

The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston
An explorer disappears in the Amazon while searching for a supposedly lost civilization.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
The 1893 Chicago World's Fair unfolds alongside the crimes of H. H. Holmes.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Members of the Osage Nation become enormously wealthy—and then begin dying under suspicious circumstances.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Murder, eccentric personalities, wealth, scandal, and Savannah society create a story that often feels like Southern Gothic fiction

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
The spectacular rise and collapse of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes.

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow
Investigative journalism involving secret recordings, surveillance, intimidation, and powerful people trying to suppress a story.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat / Hallucinations / Awakenings by Oliver Sacks
Extraordinary neurological cases demonstrate just how strange the human brain can be.

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester
One of the most prolific contributors to the Oxford English Dictionary turns out to be an inmate in an asylum.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
Young women poisoned by their jobs take on powerful corporations and help transform workplace protections

Charlsa wrote: "A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adventures all qual..."

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston

The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer

Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen

Charlsa wrote: "A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adventures all qual..."
Charlsa,

You might find more using Narrative Nonfiction. There are some authors who do this so well, I forget it’s all true.

Patrick Radden Keefe is one of them. I finally read this one this year. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth is next.

***Narrative nonfiction list ***. This is a great list
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/narr...



Narrative non fiction set at sea
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

More examples for 15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style, which is a fair play style of whodunit as exemplified by the golden age of detective fiction.

Golden age detective mystery
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
authors like Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey, Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, S.S. Van Dine, etc.

Honkaku Japanese writers
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
authors like Yukito Ayatsuji, Seishi Yokomizo, Keigo Higashino

Fair Play mystery books
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Some ideas

Archaeology
The Lost City of Z — David Grann
The Dig — John Preston
Crocodile on the Sandbank — Elizabeth Peters
Timeline — Michael Crichton
The Source — James A. Michener

Uncovering Something From the Past
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Thirteenth Tale — Diane Setterfield
The Forgotten Garden — Kate Morton
The Shadow of the Wind — Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Historian — Elizabeth Kostova

First impressions:

1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews - I'd need to look into this and see what the options are. This is not something I've ever paid attention to

2. A book involving archaeology or the discovery of something from the past - I love archaeology but I'm not sure I have many books that fit. The other option of discovering something from the past opens things up a bit, so maybe

3. A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book - Downvote. I've always struggled with this kind of prompt.

4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!" - Love it! Definite upvote

5. A book about love or a book about war - Maybe. I like romances so it would be easy enough to fulfil. I might also read ACOTAR next year because of the new books coming, and I feel like the third one fits both halves of this prompt

6. A book that is out of this world - Maybe. It's flexible enough that it could be interpreted a few different ways

7. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2025, 2026, or 2027 - I haven't been paying attention to these threads (I've had limited time to participate in the group generally, aside from voting) but if there's enough options that interest me, I might vote for this

8. A book related to Dolly Parton - A strong maybe. I've never really been into her music because I'm not a big country fan, but I love her charity work. If I could figure out some options for books to use, I'd likely upvote

9. A book you would consider a classic - Probably a downvote. I'm not that interested in reading classics, and if it's a book I'd consider a classic, it would be a reread and I'd rather have prompts to read something new for the most part

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean - Even though I know many of the books I had in mind for the maritime adventure/misadventure prompt would still work here, somehow this one doesn't grab me the same way. I still might vote for it though

11. A book with a woodland creature - Neutral or maybe downvote. I'm not sure I have many books that fit

12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel - Downvote. I've read a few nonfiction in this style and haven't really been a fan

13. A book that is heavy - I'm pretty indifferent to this one, but I could work with it if it got in

14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you. - Possibly an upvote. I tend to like books that focus on social issues/social commentary

15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style - I have no idea what this means or which books might fit, so I'll need to look into it

What's a woodland creature?

We already have -ology, so why a separate archeology? I was thinking of choosing archeology, anthropology or mythology for the - ology prompt.

Out of this world - it means extraordinary right? Or do you mean it literally like in space? Or something spewed out of this word like magma? Or all of the above?

I don't quite get the "Get off my lawn"-prompt. Is it a proverb, an idiom or do you mean literally?

Is Kirkus a well-known magazine in the US? Is there something special about them I need to know?

I've never had so many questions about what different prompts mean before, I'm feeling confused!

And I missed the suggestions round again! I wrongly thought it would be tomorrow, I made a note of it this time and marked the wrong day. I think I'll ask someone to suggest for me next time.

I like the Japanese honkaku style.

Marie M. wrote: "Charlsa wrote: "A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adv..."

Thanks for the additional recs.

NancyJ wrote: "Charlsa wrote: "A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievable-but-true adv..."

Thanks for the additional recs and links.

I thought using narrative nonfiction, but some readers in our vast book world use a fairly strict definition of narrative nonfiction. I want to leave room for some lenient interpretation, including graphic books that are nonfiction, etc.

Nike wrote: "What's a woodland creature?

animals that live in the woods.

We already have -ology, so why a separate archeology? I was thinking of choosing archeology, anthropology or mythology for the - ology prompt.

I agree with you; it's a duplicate and shouldn't be allowed.

Out of this world - it m..."
Any, all, whatever you want it to be.

Get off my lawn is pretty literal, usually yelled by old people at trespassing kids.


Many are are explained in message #2 of this thread, feel free to ask again if needed.

Nike wrote: "What's a woodland creature?

We already have -ology, so why a separate archeology? I was thinking of choosing archeology, anthropology or mythology for the - ology prompt.

Out of this world - it m..."

Some examples of woodland creatures -

Mammals: Deer, bears, foxes, raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels.
Birds: Owls, woodpeckers, and crows.
Amphibians & Insects: Frogs and various forest bugs.
Fairies & Spirits: Dryads, fauns, and elves.
Creatures: Witches like Baba Yaga or folklore beasts like the Glawackus.

Nike wrote: "What's a woodland creature?

We already have -ology, so why a separate archeology? I was thinking of choosing archeology, anthropology or mythology for the - ology prompt.

Out of this world - it m..."

"Get off my lawn" would be said by someone who is what we generally refer to as a grouchy or grumpy person, or a curmudgeon.

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine and prepublication journal that serves as one of the literary world's most influential gatekeepers. They provide booksellers and librarians with honest, advance assessments of books before they their release date. Today, it evaluates over 10,000 titles a year across fiction, nonfiction, young adult, children's literature, and audiobooks.

Reviews are written anonymously by a curated network of professionals, including librarians, journalists, creative executives, and specialists with advanced degrees. Editors carefully match books to reviewers based on specific genre expertise.

They are known for being exceptionally tough, blunt, and critical. Because their primary historical customer is the book buyer rather than the book publisher, they don't hold back on their opinions.

That is why it is an honor to get starred review from them. It earns the author instantaneous credibility with both publishers and booksellers. Also, they each annual Kirkus awards for each of their categories. If an author gets a gold star review, they are automatically entered into the contest. The prize is $50,000 which is one of the highest awards in America.

This is the link to their website: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/

For Woodland Creature, there are a couple of definitions.

Ecologically: It is any animal that inhabits a woodland ecosystem. That is as opposed to a forest.

From the standpoint of pop culture or archetypal definitions the term woodland creature shifts from a scientific category to a highly recognizable storytelling trope. This cultural archetype is heavily influenced by fairy tales, European folklore, and classic media like Disney's Bambi or Snow White.

You could go either way for the prompt.

On the Out of this World prompt, you could use any of your suggestions.

Some additional nonfiction that reads like fiction

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Seabiscuit: An American Legend
The Sea Captain's Wife (also good for Ocean)
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo
Letters of a Woman Homesteader
This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, a Voice That Held It Together
The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism
Improbable Patriot: The Secret History of Monsieur de Beaumarchais, the French Playwright Who Saved the American Revolution
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

Robin P wrote: "Some additional nonfiction that reads like fiction

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
[book:Seabiscuit: An American Lege..."

Those are all great suggestions.

For a book that is out of this world I was thinking you could interpret it in several ways.

A book that is about things that come from out of our world, like plants
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

A book that is set in space
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

A book that is set in an alternative dimension, bizzare location or fantastical setting
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Or it could just be a book you think is amazing!

I had said in the Wild Discussion I was going to start making myself use more down votes because I feel like the boring Neutral prompts have been getting in over some fun ones but the prompt suggestions seem more creative this round so maybe I won't.

I suggested archeology and uncovering the past. I know we have ology but I guess in my head I was thinking that leaned science and this leans history. I've thought more about it now and that doesn't make since. Nevertheless I love a good uncover the family secrets book too!

I'm interested in the Kirkus stars prompt and Dolly!

The only two prompts I don't like are the best book of the month one and a book about love and a book about war.

I don't need classic as a prompt either since I always ensure I read a few.

Nike, the first interpretation of the "get off my lawn" prompt is a cranky person, but I didn't want to word a prompt with "read a book with a cranky person". People probably wouldn't go for that. You could also get creative and go with other interpretations: someone who chooses to live alone in isolation; maybe some cults don't want other people nosing about; someone who is engaged in illegal activities (moonshine, drug lab, etc); someone who is mentally unwell and paranoid; or someone who is protesting something. I mentioned Love Canal a bit ago and it was lead by women who literally wanted toxic chemicals out of their lawns!

Some examples:
Cranky person: A Man Called Ove
Isolation: Into the Wild
Cult: Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage
Criminal: The Bootlegger's Daughter
Paranoid: Made You Up
Protestors: Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe

Jennifer W wrote: "Nike, the first interpretation of the "get off my lawn" prompt is a cranky person, but I didn't want to word a prompt with "read a book with a cranky person". People probably wouldn't go for that. ..."

Thanks for explaining that - I think it's an American pop culture term, a (usually older) person who chases children away from their property. But it's an international phenomenon of course, for instance A Man Called Ove is a great example.

Nike wrote: "What's a woodland creature?

We already have -ology, so why a separate archeology? I was thinking of choosing archeology, anthropology or mythology for the - ology prompt.

Out of this world - it m..."

And I would not say Kirkus is famous- it's niche. But looking at the website, it might be a good hunting one. Plus it has Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature which I know I want to read- although that applies to two other prompts this week

First impressions:

1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
Not bad, but probably won't have a vote left for it.

2. A book involving archaeology or the discovery of something from the past
Downvote because it is already included in the ology prompt, we don't need duplicates and this should not be allowed, it wastes a space.


3. A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book
Upvote, I like this,

4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!"

5. A book about love or a book about war
Downvote

6. A book that is out of this world

7. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2025, 2026, or 2027
Upvote I always like this one.

8. A book related to Dolly Parton
Upvote

9. A book you would consider a classic
I don't like this, but I may not have a vote to use on it.

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean
Upvote, maritime should have gotten in, but this will do.

11. A book with a woodland creature
I hope this doesn't get in, but I don't have a vote to use on it.

12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel
Downvote. I hate this one because I do the challenge 3 times every year, once with nonfiction, once with fiction, and once with picture books. Any prompt that explictly specifies fiction or nonfiction feels like a person attack.

13. A book that is heavy
Downvote


14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you.

15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style
Downvote, See prompt 12. I am not a mystery fan.

And again, I need more votes.

Sorry this is grouchier than normal.

1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
I like this one, but have a feeling that this would be a wasted vote. Perhaps it would do better later in the voting calendar. Neutral, I think.

2. A book involving archaeology or the discovery of something from the past
Much as I like this one, I doubt it will get in because of the 'ology' prompt. It would work simply 'as the discovery of something from the past' because that could include family secrets and so on, as well as including archeology. Neutral.

3. A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book
For some reason I dislike this one every time it crops up. I have no idea why, it is perfectly doable. Probably neutral, possible upvote despite my dislike!

4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!"
This doesn't appeal.

5. A book about love or a book about war
Those things are not opposites. Downvote.

6. A book that is out of this world
How would you know that a book is out of this world before reading - unless it is sci-fi, possibly fantasy.
Not keen on either of those genres so downvote.

7. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2025, 2026, or 2027
Always an upvote for me.

8. A book related to Dolly Parton
A definite upvote

9. A book you would consider a classic
No. I have read so many 'classics' and to me this is far too similar to 'book by a famous author whose work you have never read' which I have already struggled with. Most definite downvote. Bet it will get in though.

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean
Yes, if my votes allow.

11. A book with a woodland creature
Fairly neutral on this one.

12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel
No. It is so subjective and also hard to plan. I do not like prompts which specify fiction/non-fiction. I've read some of the suggestions for non-fiction that feels like fiction, and there's only one I agree with, and that was a memoir, where the boundaries are often blurred. And actually, I don't want non-fiction to feel like fiction, I want it to feel reliable. Downvote.

13. A book that is heavy
This feels as if it should have been a multi-week prompt with 'book that is light'. Neutral.

14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you.
No objections to this, depends what votes I have left.

15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style
I read The Decagon House Murders and quite enjoyed it. I don't know how easy it would be to find similar. Also, I don't really understand the 'fair play' aspect of this prompt suggestion. If a mystery book doesn't use fair play, it is a failure. So if you are not wanting to read an acutal honkaku book, this is really 'read a mystery'.

Charlsa wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Some additional nonfiction that reads like fiction..."

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace by Le Ly Hayslip

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson

Charlsa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Charlsa wrote: "A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel.

True crime, survival stories, biographies, historical events, scientific discoveries, scandals, and unbelievab..."

I think a jargon- free description makes senses

1. A book that earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews - no, I have never in my life looked at Kirkus Reviews, and I have no interest.

2. A book involving archaeology or the discovery of something from the past - I love this one, and I do not see it as a repeat because "or the discovery of something from the past." That can be a mystery or a family secret or so many things.

3. A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book - I always love finding those things, but I never remember them.

4. A book with a character who might yell "Get off my lawn!" - I really don't like having to go look for a random character.

5. A book about love or a book about war - easy to fill

6. A book that is out of this world - also easy to fill

7. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2025, 2026, or 2027 - I always find something to read, but I never vote for these prompts.

8. A book related to Dolly Parton - love her, will upvote

9. A book you would consider a classic - also easy to fill

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean - absolutely love this prompt. Will upvote.

11. A book with a woodland creature - cute but probably won't vote for it, but won't be sad if it gets in.

12. A nonfiction book that feels like it could be a novel - I love books like this but how do you know ahead of time?

13. A book that is heavy - half the books I read are heavy. LOL.

14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you. I seconded this one. I absolutely love this one. My favorite one of the group.

15. A mystery written in the Japanese honkaku style - I looked this up, and I am still not sure I know what it is.

For those of you who liked the previous suggestion of women's rage, the Dolly Parton suggestion could be used for that topic. Dolly's movie 9-5 is about women's rage against sexual discrimination in the workplace.

I'll probably either do 3/5 or 2/6 this time around. I'm giving it some more thought.

I have a question about the suggestion A book you found someone else reading - in public, on tv, or in another book.

Does "in another book" mean a character is reading the book or that the book was mentioned in the book. I used to track, in my book journal, books mentioned in books that I was reading but quit doing that years ago! I rarely see people reading books in public, with the exception of one librarian who reads horror novels. I never see people reading books on TV. I guess I could watch the PBS Books show. Any suggestions of TV shows, other than The Gilmore Girls, where people are reading books?? This one will probably be a downvote for me.

I like Kirkus review, Dolly, ocean, and social issue. Those will be upvotes!

Misty wrote: "14. A fiction or nonfiction book about a social issue that matters to you. I seconded this one. I absolutely love this one. My favorite one of the group..."

Thanks for seconding this, Misty. If we propose prompts that we care about, if they aren't chosen we can still use them in reject challenges or for the "favorite suggestion that didn't get in" prompt. I like to read some meaningful books each year as well as the fun stuff, and this seemed broad enough to provide many options without being "read any book."

10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean.
I’m looking for newer books for an Island setting theme for my local bookclub. Suggestion so far. I need to suggest a few this week.

John of John by Douglas Stuart (May 2026): Set on the Isle of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides, this novel follows a young art student returning home to his family and confronting his past. [(https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/bo...)

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison (April 2026): Set on Balboa Island during the 1950s, this historical novel tracks the interconnected lives of three women. (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWCdZY...)

Ironwood by Michael Connelly (May 2026): A crime fiction procedural set against the backdrop of Catalina Island, exploring local landmarks and rugged terrain.
(https://www.lovecatalina.com/blog/pos...)

Sometimes An Island by Ellen Meeropol (March 2026): Highlighted by EcoLit Books, this multi-generational novel-in-stories explores community resilience and environmental change in coastal New England areas. [1] (https://ecolitbooks.com/2026/03/02/so...)

Pearl wrote: "10. A book that takes place in, on, or near an ocean.
I’m looking for newer books for an Island setting theme for my local bookclub. Suggestion so far. I need to suggest a few this week.

John of..."

Isola

Haven

Dixie wrote: "Thanks for seconding this, Misty. If we propose prompts that we care about, if they aren't chosen we can still use them in reject challenges or for the "favorite suggestion that didn't get in" prompt. I like to read some meaningful books each year as well as the fun stuff, and this seemed broad enough to provide many options without being "read any book."

No problem! I agree heartily. I will likely use this one as a reject prompt if it does not get it. I used a "wild card" this year, and I have decided if I use a wild card again, I will do what I did this year. I used another rejected prompt for the wild card.

Pam wrote: "I guess I could watch the PBS Books show. Any suggestions of TV shows, other than The Gilmore Girls, where people are reading books?? This one will probably be a downvote for me."

This is really a tough one. I like the idea of the prompt, but unless you have a spreadsheet of books other characters have read, it's really frustrating to try and find. I found one blog post where a handful of books are mentioned. With a little digging, I can find some lists. Some of them are below along with a few that I know of. (Okay - I actually fell down a rabbit hole.....)

Jane Eyre book: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift; History of British Birds: Volume 1, Containing the History and Description of Land Birds by Thomas Bewick
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Little Women book: The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
The Unbearable Lightness of Being book: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Friends TV show: The Shining by Stephen King (read by Rachel); Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (read by Joey)
The Golden Girls TV show: Lady Chatterly's Lover by D.H. Lawrence
The Princess Diaries movie: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wednesday TV show: Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban movie: A Brief History of Time by Stephen W. Hawking
Inglorious Bastards movie: The Saint in New York by Leslie Charteris by Leslie Charteris
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Derry Girls: Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville
The Simpsons TV show: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
There are a lot, and there is a list on GR: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
The Reader movie: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The Hours movie: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
The Shining movie: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons: Ivanhoe by Walter Scott
Gender Queer graphic novel: Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce; Welcome to My World by Johnny Weir; Touching a Nerve: Our Brains, Our Selves by Patricia S. Churchland; Okay - there is a list for this as well: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1....,
The Da Vinci Code movie: The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by
You've Got Mail movie: Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald DahlBetsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Bad Seed movie: Elsie Dinsmore by Martha Finley
Spring in Park Lane movie: Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor
Farenheit 451: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Thanks Misty! I appreciate your research. That's funny that there is a GR list for books read by Lisa Simpson! (Of course there is.) The only book I could think of is A Wrinkle in Time which was being read on Stranger Things. Seeing that episode is what encouraged me to reread the book this year. I would have to start paying attention and keeping track, if this one gets through. I think I will leave it neutral since there are at least a few books on your list that I could read.

Pam wrote: "Thanks Misty! I appreciate your research. That's funny that there is a GR list for books read by Lisa Simpson! (Of course there is.) The only book I could think of is A Wrinkle in Time which was be..."

It's amazing the lists that have been made (many are redundant, but that's not the case with the one you found.)

ETA here are some others
Books Daria Morgendorffer either read or talked about on MTV's Daria https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Here are four lists for Jess Mariano's books (from Gilmore Girls) https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8...

Who knows how many more bookish TV characters have listopias?

Speaking of this, The Gilmore Girls was showing the last time I was in a waiting room, although I didn't watch. I knew the voices, though.

Misty - Another one I thought of, that I read this year, was Lonesome Dove in The Correspondent. The MC writes to the author Larry McMurtry and also to Joan Didion. I don't remember if it mentions the Didion book that she was reading.

Misty wrote: "Pam wrote: "I guess I could watch the PBS Books show. Any suggestions of TV shows, other than The Gilmore Girls, where people are reading books?? This one will probably be a downvote for me."

This..."

Sawyer on "Lost" was always reading; here is a list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

I also found this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
And this Popsugar thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

GO VOTE

https://forms.gle/mmYtfKUFHb9HGBGx5

I vote one up, four down. I didn't vote for the archeology prompt since I was planning on reading it as an "ology" from the prompt already selected.

Isaac in Heartstopper is always reading, this is the most up to date version of his reading list I can find:

https://thegeekywaffle.com/home/2025/...

but it doesn't include anything from Heartstopper Forever, which came out fairly recently.

Sadly, seeing people reading in public has largely disappeared due to ebooks, audiobooks, etc. When I commuted by bus, it was fascinating to see what was being read. At one point, it seemed like very other person was reading The Thorn Birds. And right after one of the later Harry Potter books came out, I was at the airport to pick someone up and multiple people coming down the escalator to the greeting area were clutching that book.

I used to be able to start conversations on planes, in waiting rooms, etc based on what we were reading. I did notice last time I had my car in for an oil change that 3 of us in a row were reading physical books (and trying to ignore the stupid TV that was on.) I think one was The Frozen River but I don't remember the other one, or what I was reading!