Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Amy wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know what QuickReads is? There's a prompt from last year about a Quick Reads book published within the past 2 years. I vaguely remember seeing something in a thread some ..."

That's the only thing I could find too, but I didn't see anywhere on that site (maybe I missed it?) that allowed me to actually choose a book and read it. The site I saw a long time ago when I first saw the rejects list from last year was different, if I remember correctly. I have no idea what reading list it was part of. There was a thread somewhere on this board that directed to the site but I can't find it anymore.

Here's the link to the original suggestion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I swear there was a link posted also but I can't seem to find it. The person who originally suggested the topic lives in the UK so it's very possible that it was link that just Amy posted.

Amazon UK has a more complete listing of the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bargain-Disc...

Thanks Laura. For some reason I was under the impression that Quick Reads books were only available online and through the specific website. I didn't think they would be available anywhere else.

I know we had a different website. I even have The Ocean at the End of the Lane listed on my own Rejects plan. So we had to have had it at one point but it seems to have disappeared.

Laura wrote: "I know we had a different website. I even have The Ocean at the End of the Lane listed on my own Rejects plan. So we had to have had it at one point but it seems to have disappeared."

At least now I know I haven't gone crazy, lol!

It looks like I had the wrong website when I created my list. I believe I found the correct list and a news article for the past two years.

2016: https://readingagency.org.uk/news/med...

2015: https://readingagency.org.uk/adults/q...

2014: https://readingagency.org.uk/adults/n...

Amy wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know what QuickReads is? There's a prompt from last year about a Quick Reads book published within the past 2 years. I vaguely remember seeing something in a thread some ..."

I think it's an Amazon thing.

Anna wrote: "Doctor Who: To..."
I would be interested to hear what you think about this book. I'm a Doctor Who fan."

Anna, I just finished [book:Doctor Who: Touched By An Angel. It wasn't my favorite Doctor Who book but I still liked it. If you aren't aware, the Doctor Who books are written by many MANY different authors so their ability to capture the characters, the plots and the history of the Whoniverse varies. They are still published by the BBC so nothing horrid gets through, but once in a while you get one that is just not as great as the others, if that makes sense. I will definitely keep reading more Doctor Who books and highly recommend that any fan of the show does too!

Anyone willing to give me a few recommendations? I still have several categories open for books recommended/chosen for me by other members.

Do you like series? I recommend Red Rising, Graveyard Shift or Seabound.

If you want a stand alone and something a bit quirky, The Year of the Hare was very different and very enjoyable, in my opinion.

A spooky graphic novel I would strongly recommend for a quick read is Anya's Ghost

Amy wrote: "Do you like series? I recommend Red Rising, Graveyard Shift or Seabound.

If you want a stand alone and something a bit quirky, [book:The Year of the..."

Anya's Ghost is great! I read it last year for the PopSugar challenge.

I don't mind series, although I usually feel compelled to read the whole series once I start (as long as I like the first book, anyway).

Please keep the recommendations coming! And I'd be happy to recommend books for anyone who needs as well.

Okay, a question for all you anglos since I'd never even heard of it before: is What Katy Did applicable for "popular children's book"?

Saara wrote: "Okay, a question for all you anglos since I'd never even heard of it before: is What Katy Did applicable for "popular children's book"?"

It has 14,500 ratings so it sounds pretty popular to me

This one isn't for the rejects challenge, but I'm looking for a book in the front window of a bookstore for PopSugar's Summer 2016 challenge. If anyone has been to a bookstore recently, has either Homegoing or The Underground Railroad been in the front?

Rachel wrote: "This one isn't for the rejects challenge, but I'm looking for a book in the front window of a bookstore for PopSugar's Summer 2016 challenge. If anyone has been to a bookstore recently, has either ..."
I haven't personally but here is a link to a picture of Yaa Gyasi in front of a bookstore window with Homegoing.
https://twitter.com/PoppyN/status/823...

Yes to The Underground Railroad. I read that one for the PopSugar Challenge last year for the first book you see in a bookstore. I saw it in the window.

Thanks Katie and Samantha! Good to know I have options. Since they are both so popular, I'm sure they would be in the bookstore window (or at least have been in the past). I don't get out to bookstores very often

Is anyone here an independent bookstore employee? I have a challenge in mind that I'm considering doing, and one of the prompts calls for a recommendation from an independent bookstore employee...but I don't have any independent bookstores near me (that I know of). Recommendations, anyone?

If you can't find an indie bookstore employee, maybe you could consider checking one such store's website? They often have a recommendation page.

Sophie wrote: "If you can't find an indie bookstore employee, maybe you could consider checking one such store's website? They often have a recommendation page."

In the process of trying that, but for some reason all the independent bookstores have really terrible websites. I've only looked for bookstores near me though, so I guess I should branch out since the prompt doesn't specify where the store needs to be. I would still love to get some recommendations from anyone here if possible.

Rachel wrote: "Sophie wrote: "If you can't find an indie bookstore employee, maybe you could consider checking one such store's website? They often have a recommendation page."

In the process of trying that, but..."

If you need a bookstore with a good website, I would suggest Book Passage in Corte Madera, California. They also usually have suggestions in a wide range of genres. http://www.bookpassage.com

Here's the website of my local bookstore in Auckland, New Zealand ;) https://www.timeout.co.nz/

I'm very, very stuck on the "colonial or post-colonial" prompt for Book Riot this year! Anyone have any suggestions? I have Half of a Yellow Sun tentatively in mind, but I'm not very motivated to read it. Things Fall Apart is another option, maybe. I'd love to know if anyone had any specific recommendations (preferably on the shorter side, if possible).

Rachel - here are 2 suggestions: Kim by Rudyard Kipling and A Passage to India by E M Forster.

Rachel wrote: "I'm very, very stuck on the "colonial or post-colonial" prompt for Book Riot this year! Anyone have any suggestions?"

If you like sci-fi you could definitely go that way. Colonization is a huge theme in space sci-fi.

You can check out this enormous list of books about colonism.

The only ones I can think of right off the top of my head are The White Woman on the Green Bicycle, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Secret River.

dalex wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm very, very stuck on the "colonial or post-colonial" prompt for Book Riot this year! Anyone have any suggestions?"

If you like sci-fi you could definitely go that way. Colonizati..."

Thanks dalex. I've actually been through that list several times, and unfortunately nothing there really appeals to me that I'm actually in the mood to read (that I haven't already read). I guess it's just one of those prompts that I'm going to struggle with, and I'll have to just pick something to get it over with.

Rachel have you tried the ones on this list?https://nowtoronto.com/culture/books/...

I'm putting this here since it is for one of my side challenges, not an "official" rejects prompt, but I'm looking for a book that has to do with organized crime/the mob. I would prefer something that is fiction.

Every time I do a search, Crooked Kingdom comes up on just about every Goodreads list. Does anyone who read it think it would fit this prompt? I'm planning on reading it next year anyway, so this would be a good place for it.

Rachel wrote: "I'm putting this here since it is for one of my side challenges, not an "official" rejects prompt, but I'm looking for a book that has to do with organized crime/the mob. I would prefer something t..."

I haven't read Crooked Kingdom but if you're looking for another option, I can recommend Manhattan Beach. It's only part of the story but it is an integral part of the book.